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thINKer: What a reunion that was.
Challenge Goals
Challenge 1 - Reach 15 votes on NU
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Jinghu Squad’s haul—2,000 contribution points, 70 Seven-Star White Crystals, and 800 jin of wild boar meat vouchers—sparked envy, but Chen Liu knew the risks barely justified it. Two squads have been wiped out without any compensation, he thought grimly. The meat, redeemable for pork or beast flesh, was a long-term boon, though the army’s share wouldn’t last. Days’ rations at best, he calculated.
He banked the crystals for squad funds and, with 4,000 points total, eyed Five-Star status, 6,400 points away. To be the first in the base is the goal. His ambition had been sharpened by his new ruthlessness. At the Housing Allocation window, Jinghu claimed a Huacui District villa, leveraging their Four-Star rank. The team preferred the familiarity.
“Boss Chen!” a voice called. Chen Liu turned, spotting Li Yan, a former Zhibo Tech employee, among 30 new arrivals from Hong City. He suddenly remembered random faces of coworkers from the past, when the world seemed so normal, and the future certain. “Xiao Li?” he half asked, surprised. Li Yan who was now an Awakened beamed with pride. “Zombie hordes in Hong City got bad. We fled to rebuild here.” Chen Liu nodded approvingly, “Good you made it.”
Their relationship had been strictly professional in the past. In the apocalypse, the seemed like strangers. A raspy voice punctured the silence. It was a certain Huang Jian, an ex-marketing manager, now leading the group. Jian is still a prick, Chen Liu thought, recalling their clashes.
Huang Jian ranted at the staff, “Six Awakened, me a Nine-Star, and this is all we get?” The staffer explained, “Register as a team, hit Four-Star for better housing.” Huang Jian, spotting Chen Liu, sneered, “Sickly Boss Chen survived? Impressive.” His resentment oozed, relishing his new power. “You’re useless now,” Chen Liu shot back, unfazed. Huang Jian bristled, “I’m Nine-Star—you’re nothing!” His group jeered, savoring Chen Liu’s fall.
Zhang Chong snapped, “Nine-Star? Our Captain’s been there forever, rookie.” Huang Jian had disbelief etched on his face. They thought I was weak, Chen Liu thought, amused by their shock. He waved Zhang Chong back, uninterested in their games, and approached the desk. “Chen Liu, Jinghu Squad—update our housing.” The staffer, all smiles, said, “Four-Star Jinghu. I assume you are here for a villa.” Her respect was palpable—Four-Star squads were rare. “Yes, at Huacui District,” Chen Liu confirmed.
As he chose a villa, Huang Jian’s crew stood stunned, their earlier villa demands were now laughable. Humiliation stings, Chen Liu thought, relishing Huang Jian’s embarrassment. Turning to leave, he warned Huang Jian, “Keep your head down, or you won’t know how you died.” Zhang Chong laughed, “Bunch of noobs!” as they exited, leaving Huang Jian and his group reeling and rethinking their allegiance.