Inside the Research Lab.
Director Yang Lifan was conducting antibody gene experiments with Doctor Chen and Doctor Yang Liu. Jie Xi walked in from outside, still dragging a massive skull, startling the group who were performing the experiment.
"What... what is the situation, Captain Jie Xi?" Yang Lifan asked.
"This is a mutated Giant Python. I killed it and brought it back for you to use as a research specimen."
"Oh my, thank you so much, Jie Xi. With this specimen, we are certain to make a breakthrough in our research." Doctor Chen stepped forward to express his gratitude.
"Mm, thank you all for your hard work. The conditions outside are becoming increasingly harsh; we need to hurry. If you have any new discoveries, please contact me immediately. I will take my leave now." Jie Xi turned and departed after speaking.
After Jie Xi left, the group gazed at the Giant Python's head as if it were a priceless treasure. After implementing proper protective measures, they immediately began the dissection.
Wang Zhi lay alone on the medical bed, staring blankly at the light above. He reflected on everything that had occurred outside. The mutated Giant Python had completely disrupted their schedule, and Wang Zhi was beginning to realize that their enemies were far more numerous than just the Zombies.
Just as Wang Zhi was about to close his eyes for another nap, the room door was pushed open. The person entering was Jie Xi. Seeing her arrive, Wang Zhi managed to sit up slightly, leaning against the pillow. Jie Xi was wearing a brand new set of armor, though slight bruises from the battle still marked her face.
"Captain Jie Xi," Wang Zhi greeted her weakly.
"How are your injuries?"
"Nothing serious, just a few broken ribs. I'll be fine after resting for a while."
"I will submit an application to the Tower Master to grant you two months of recovery time. You are not to go out during these two months; focus entirely on healing."
"Thank you, Captain Jie Xi. Previously... were you alright?"
"I am fine, I simply did not anticipate how powerful mutated creatures could be."
"Yes! I believe that once they mutate, they all gain a degree of intelligence."
"That's right. Before you, we received news from another team. The two who escaped said they encountered a four-meter-tall Zombie that also possessed intelligence."
"A Mutated Zombie?!" Wang Zhi sounded somewhat incredulous.
"But not all Mutated Zombies grow large; they might possess other characteristics too. These are just my personal guesses, without concrete evidence."
"So, what do we do next?"
"As the number of teams venturing outside decreases, the Tower's resources dwindle. Solar power alone is insufficient to maintain the Dawn Tower's operations, and food will become increasingly precious. The Tower Master is planning to initiate the Second Conscription. Anyone who joins an external team will immediately be appointed as a Citizen; conversely, those who do not join an external team will have their existing Citizen status revoked and be designated as Migrants. This conscription applies to everyone."
Jie Xi explained the upcoming actions within the Dawn Tower: anyone who did not join an external team would be demoted to Migrant status!
Wang Zhi knew what a Migrant was: just enough food to survive—half-full—and twelve hours of mandatory labor daily. If one found the work too grueling and refused? That was fine; a Citizen from an external team would gladly welcome them, provided they didn't mind the constant risk of death.
"Even so, what if no one is willing to join the external teams?" Wang Zhi asked.
"Man dies for wealth, and birds die for food. The situation you described won't happen."
"That's true."
"You should rest now; I'm heading back."
"Okay."
After Jie Xi left, Wang Zhi's stomach rumbled. How could he let himself go hungry while injured? Thinking of this, Wang Zhi pressed the button on the bed.
A while later, Wang Zhi watched as a nurse walked in.
"Nurse, I'd like to order takeout..."
...
At the entrance hall on the first floor.
The Eternal Doomsday team, who had been out for a month, has returned!
The crowd watching grew larger as time passed. The reason was that the elevator was still intermittently transporting people into the tower; each trip carried twenty people. Two hours later, the elevator was still running. Seeing the growing crowd of onlookers, the Guard Team rushed over and dispersed them.
Five hours later, the elevator finally stopped transporting. Over two hundred people stood at the entrance hall, and every single one of them had some supplies in hand. This news once again spread like wildfire throughout the Dawn Tower. After this expedition, the Eternal Doomsday team had made a massive profit.
Everyone from Eternal Doomsday was covered in hooded cloaks and wearing gas masks, obscuring their expressions. The only visible feature was the white-haired old man leading them; his face was covered in many gruesome scars.
...
By this time, Fatty and the others, having slept, had all come to visit Wang Zhi.
"Oh, Captain Wang, is your injury feeling any better?" Fatty entered with a smug look directed at Wang Zhi, who was lying in the hospital bed.
"So, you're quite happy that I got injured, Fatty!" Wang Zhi said, looking at the punchable face of Fatty.
"I'm not happy, I'm empathizing. You should try experiencing the leisurely life of recuperating in bed for a while."
"Heh, I'm used to the training activities. Lying down suddenly makes my whole body uncomfortable."
"If he can't handle it, let Captain Wang go back to rest, Fatty suggested."
"No way. Director Sophie said he has to stay here for observation for a week before he can return. Let him stay put obediently," Old He rejected Fatty's suggestion.
"Right, I've handled the handover for your mission. Thirty-nine survivors, and we collected some more supplies. That brings the total to 4000 Survival Points," Su Muying stepped forward and said.
"I know. You all go train quickly. I'll be back after I've rested enough for a week," Wang Zhi said.
After everyone left, Wang Zhi lay on the bed, tapping away on his notebook, recording what had happened these past few days.