Dan woke up before the sun filled the apartment, the memory of the pistol duplication euphoria still fresh. He had an infinite security resource, but he needed to optimize its use.
He got up carefully not to wake Jessy and went to the bathroom, the sanctuary of his experiments.
He opened the Main and Reward Inventories. He summoned the Handgun with Silencer to his hand. He thought: If I can duplicate the pistol, can I separate its components?
He tried to "Store" a single bullet he removed from the pistol's magazine. The system responded: "Item stored. Now infinite."
Dan smiled, but then frowned. He thought: Technically, yes, I can have infinite bullets. But that means I would have to reload each bullet individually into the physical magazine of the pistol. It would be inefficient and force me to spawn a new duplicated pistol every time I ran out of ammo.
He forced himself to be pragmatic. He removed the entire magazine from the weapon. He held it in his hand, heavy and full.
—Store Pistol Magazine (9mm). —BEEP.
DING. The Main System responds: "Item stored. Now infinite."
A wide smile spread across his face. He thought: Infinite! This is much better. I can instantly spawn full pistol magazines. It's the fastest and most efficient way to rearm myself. My control over this system is becoming more absolute.
He quickly filled his inventory with full magazines and reassembled the pistol, checking his new safety.
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(7:30 a.m.) Dan returned to the room. He approached Jessy's side and gently patted her shoulder.
—Jessy. Wake up. There's action today.
She blinked, confused, but sat up immediately, obedience etched into her demeanor.
—Get ready. Don't forget to put the light bulletproof vest under your clothes. And look at this. —Dan went to the first kitchen drawer and opened it. Inside, there was a Taser Gun identical to the one he used.
—This is for you. If someone tries to enter, don't hesitate to use it. It's your insurance.
Jessy took it, her eyes wide. She stroked the plastic and metal handle.
—Dan... Thank you. Really, this is... incredible. Now I have something to defend myself with.
Dan nodded, giving her a pat on the head. —That's fine. Now, get dressed.
As Jessy dressed, she watched him from the doorway. Curiosity overcame her.
—Dan, can I ask something... It's just that... every night I go to sleep, and the next morning, the fridge is full again. And it's not just full, it's fresh things. How do you manage to get so much food? It doesn't look like you spend anything.
Dan stared at her. He allowed himself a look of quiet condescension.
—Don't ask silly questions. It's obvious it's because of all the effort I put in outside. It's dangerous, and you don't understand it. You just have to be grateful.
Jessy immediately lowered her head, ashamed.
—Yes, you're right, Dan. I won't ask questions like that again. I'm sorry.
He thought: Ignorance keeps the peace. She needs to believe I am an efficient hunter, not a wizard.
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Dan took out his cell and called Irene.
—Irene. I have plans for my area today. I need yesterday's delivery to be ready. Let me know if you found anything useful before I'm out at work.
—Good morning, Mr. Olsen. Of course. And yes, I have news you'll love. My men rummaged through a market that seemed forgotten.
Irene continued, sounding proud: —We found packages of cereal and boxes of cow's milk that seem to be in good condition. Many wanted to drink it immediately, but I told them they'd be better off making a deal with you.
He thought: Good businesswoman. A commodity as valuable as fresh milk... I don't know if I'd find another chance to replicate it.
—We also found packages of sweets in good condition. And best of all, my men managed to break open a vending machine and brought all the soda cans that were left. Besides, there are some fruit drink cans and some with alcohol.
—I want everything —Dan said without hesitation—. You name the price in rations. Also, I have military rations. While they are not very tasty, they last much longer than the daily food ration.
Irene thought about it for a moment. —Send me everything you can for the same value. Durability is a plus. Military rations are an excellent asset.
—Deal made. Payment with rations and military supplies is agreed upon. —Dan said.
They hung up. Dan was satisfied. Now he had an infinite supply of milk, cereal, and sodas.
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In the back room of the appliance store, Irene was at a new level of prosperity. She had more people working for her, organizing the flow of supplies.
—Gentlemen and ladies —Irene said, with new authority—. It's time to take the goods to the client. And today he will pay us with a lot of food. I think we won't have to worry for a week or two, maybe, haha!
Some people talked quietly as they loaded the boxes.
—Who is this person who gives the boss so much food? —a woman asked.
—I saw him the first time —a man said—. He wasn't that old. A young guy, but it seems he wasn't just that, but a big shot. And the boss has a good relationship with him. Over time, this could turn into a great alliance.
They were surprised by that, but happy to follow the boss, they gave her their support to send the goods safely to the "big shot."
In his room, Dan sneezed. He thought: Who is talking about me at the end of the world?
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Dan was waiting for Irene's confirmation message. He read one that arrived, telling him her team would be in his area in a few minutes.
Suddenly, Irene called him urgently.
—Mr. Olsen, forgive me. But it seems the people carrying your rations were attacked by another gang. They are now near your house, but they say they are surrounded. That's what the person behind them, who was following as security, reported. They are fighting now, but they know they can't do much, because any noise could make the zombies come out of nowhere and rush them.
—Don't worry —Dan said calmly—. No one will touch my provisions. I'll go there.
Dan hung up. He put on the light bulletproof vest and his cap. He pulled out the Handgun with Silencer and discreetly tucked it into his waistband. He thought: Perfect. Real tension to test my new ammunition.
—Jessy, I have to go out. Close the door well with the bolts. I'll be right back.
Jessy, visibly worried, said: —Be careful, please.
—It's nothing —Dan told her, giving her one last pat on the shoulder.
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Dan, calm, quickly went down the building stairs in the direction Irene had sent as the last signal.
Turning the corner, he heard sounds of fighting and visibly violent voices.
—Don't play hard to get! We haven't killed you just because of the damn zombies, so give us everything you have! —a voice shouted.
Dan stopped in the shadow. He saw four abusers armed with pipes and bats. Two men and two women. Facing them, two men and two women, visibly beaten, clinging to the backpacks and food bags. They were Irene's couriers.
He saw how the biggest, heaviest guy hit one of the messengers. The messenger fainted from the blow. The fat guy laughed happily, grabbing the bag with the goods.
—Easy pickings! —he yelled.
Dan appeared silently behind him. The silencer barrel was pressed against the back of his head, impossible to miss at point-blank range.
A dull gunshot sounded through the silencer as the bullet passed through the abuser's head. The man collapsed, now dead on the ground, dropping the bag.
DING
[The Kill Reward System has been Activated!]
Kill Reward: Hostile Human: +1 Random Material: Wiring Bundle (x10 meters) (Appears in Reward Inventory)
The other three abusers froze upon hearing the dull sound. They turned, not so much because of the shot, but because they saw a man in a cap, a weapon, and the inert body.
—He has a gun! —one of the women screamed.
They ran wildly. Dan casually fired a few warning shots. He reloaded with the speed of his hand pulling a new magazine from his inventory. Although his aim wasn't great, he managed to hit their bodies without killing them, slowing them down. He thought: The zombies will do the favor.
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Irene's couriers, lying on the ground, looked at him in horror.
Dan approached them. —I'm Irene's friend. The one you're working for.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, although worried about their injured friend. Dan checked him: it seemed like only a faint from the blow.
—Hand over the goods —Dan said authoritatively—. Don't worry.
The couriers quickly handed him the backpacks. Dan put them on and then pulled much more food and water from his inventory than they were owed, plus some antibiotics and alcohol for the injured friend.
—Take good care of your friend. I'll take care of the rest.
He watched them as they returned the way they had come, with the promise of protection.
Dan glanced sideways. He saw several people watching him from the highest apartments, their faces pressed against the windows. He thought: At least, they will know who the only one with a gun in this whole building is and who doesn't hesitate to use it.
He proceeded to return to his fortress, quickly placing the backpacks with food into his inventory.
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When he reached his apartment door, he saw a person near it, moaning and struggling with the lock.
It was a man in his 30s, dirty, with an expression of greed on his face. He was shouting at Jessy:
—I know you're alone! Open up, slut! The guy you were with must be dead by now!
Dan approached stealthily. The man saw him, turned, and his eyes widened in fear.
He tried to threaten him, pulling out a rusty kitchen knife. —I have a knife. You better give me everything you have, old man.
Dan was unfazed. He pulled out his pistol and didn't care about wasting more bullets. He had unlimited.
He didn't give him a chance to say anything. Dan emptied the magazine into the man, filling him with holes. The man fell onto the entrance floor, trembling for his life in his final moments.
DING
[The Kill Reward System has been Activated!]
Kill Reward: Hostile Human: +1 Random Material: Water Bottle (Sealed) (Appears in Reward Inventory)
Dan dragged the body away from his door and threw it down the stairwell. He knocked on the door.
—It's me. Dan.
Jessy, who had been screaming: —Get out! You're not welcome here!—, immediately opened the door upon recognizing his voice and name.
She threw herself on him, half-crying. —Thank God you're okay! I was so scared. The guy kept trying to get in the whole time, and all I could do was watch if the door would give way, trembling with my Taser in my hand.
Dan comforted her and told her it was over, not to worry.
They spent the afternoon calmly. Dan knew it had been a productive day, securing resources and his position.
He thought: I no longer trust that the building is safe just because I'm upstairs. I need better insurance.
Tomorrow, he wants to test if putting structures into the infinite inventory system will work. He imagined taking a wall or a prison-like wall to the side he desired and creating his own base. But he will see if it is possible.
For now, he would enjoy the food and Jessy's warm companionship. Day 6 was ended