Chapter 41.1: Grain Depot
The residents of Blue Sea had moved so many times that they were used to it by now.
The moment the AI issued the recall order, everyone immediately headed back.
Those who had wandered too far away to receive the AI’s notification were called back through a divine oracle that Cheng Qisheng broadcast to everyone.
All told, Blue Sea Safe City had stayed on the island for less than half a month before setting off again at full speed.
Unsurprisingly, this departure included every single person from the fishing village.
When Blue Sea Safe City had suddenly appeared on the island, whether out of hope or simply because they desperately longed for any sign of salvation, about eighty percent of the fishermen had concluded that it was a miracle.
To them, this Safe City was the Kingdom of God.
Ming Hao didn’t believe in gods. So when the Blue Sea military arrived at the village wearing modern uniforms, carrying rifles and grenades instead of descending with radiant angelic wings, he assumed everyone else would come to the same conclusion he had—that this was obviously not some divine kingdom.
What kind of Kingdom of God sends out angels armed with assault rifles?
But reality turned out to be the exact opposite.
When the villagers saw the fully armed Blue Sea troops, along with their fighter aircraft, guns, and artillery, they became even more convinced that this had to be the Kingdom of God.
While the military was stationed in the village, the fishermen behaved with the utmost devotion. Some even knelt before the fighter jets, kowtowing and praying for the gods’ protection.
Ming Hao: “…”
Anyone who didn’t know better would think this village had been hopelessly backward before the apocalypse.
But in reality, it was a coastal fishing village. It even owned a large fishing vessel and numerous medium- and small-sized boats, proof that the villagers had actually enjoyed a fairly comfortable life before the end of the world.
At the very least, they certainly knew what a fighter jet was!
And Blue Sea really did have a god.
The Blue Sea soldiers declared, “The world will eventually come to an end, but our God will lead us away from this world and into a beautiful new one.”
Ming Hao: …That sounds exactly like something a cult would say.
The rest of the fishing village replied, “We believe you! Please take us with you!”
Ming Hao: “…”
A ship captain who was acquainted with Ming Hao explained it to him after they entered Safe City:
“It doesn’t matter what form a god takes. What matters is that They can lead us out of our suffering.”
The fishermen didn’t care about the truth behind the city.
After struggling to survive for more than half a year in the apocalypse, they had finally seen a savior—and they rushed toward it without hesitation.
A winged angel.
Or an alien carrying a rifle.
What difference did it make?
As long as they were powerful enough, they were gods.
In any case, because one of the fishing village’s boats had rescued five people from Blue Sea, the entire village earned Blue Sea’s goodwill and was allowed to relocate into the city together.
The residents who became their neighbors were green with envy.
“You people are unbelievably lucky. Your whole village got to move in together. Blue Sea is usually extremely strict about accepting new residents. Most survivors have to set up a makeshift settlement outside the city first, and only then are people gradually screened and admitted.”
“Exactly. Blue Sea is already overcrowded. Unless you have some useful skill, you won’t be issued a resident ID. A case like yours, where everyone gets in together regardless of age or abilities, has never happened before.”
“Our God! You’re even registered as official Outer City residents, not temporary residents!”
Before the villagers had even gotten used to life in the Outer City, they learned that they had effectively won the equivalent of a hundred-million-dollar lottery.
And all of it was because Ming Hao, the first mate from Ming Nation, had made the decision to rescue several Blue Sea survivors at sea.
Almost overnight, Ming Hao became the leader in the eyes of the villagers.
Having arrived in an unfamiliar place, everyone instinctively wanted to stick together so they wouldn’t be easy targets. And Ming Hao naturally became the “chief” the fishing village chose for itself.
At first, Ming Hao was constantly on edge. He repeatedly urged everyone not to form an obvious clique, afraid it would attract the Safe City’s authorities.
Later, however, he realized he had been worrying for nothing.
The fishing villagers’ little “clique” attracted practically no attention.
The Outer City’s residents were all too busy—busy working, busy earning points, and busy using what little free time they had to take a bath at the public bathhouse.
Newcomers?
If someone happened to run into them and exchange a few words, that was already about as friendly as it got.
What? Bully the newcomers?
The people of Blue Sea despised bullying the weak more than anything. The city’s AI monitored every corner of the city, while armed drones patrolled the skies day and night along fixed routes.
Who would be foolish enough to break that taboo?
Even if two people genuinely couldn’t stand each other, Blue Sea had an Aerial Duel Arena for residents to settle their disputes.
As long as both parties agreed, they could fight to their heart’s content inside the arena.
Of course, using the arena cost points.
And it only opened after 9:00 p.m.
The buses to the Duel Arena after 9:00 p.m. also charged triple the normal fare.
The Outer City’s residents simply weren’t that wealthy. Even if they had the money, they couldn’t bear to waste it on something so… peculiar.
So every night after nine, they could only watch from their windows as the lights of the Aerial Duel Arena blazed until dawn, wondering why the Inner City’s residents had so much energy.
After all, they knew that although the Inner City residents lived inside the city proper, they worked no less than those in the Outer City.
Working all day—or out killing zombies—is exhausting enough.
How do you people still have the energy to schedule duels at night?!
In short, Blue Sea didn’t care whether the people from Velvet Star had formed a clique, nor did it care whether they had chosen a leader.
Once you were inside the city, everyone had to work.
If you failed to do your job properly, then it would become an issue.
After spending a while living in constant apprehension, Ming Hao gradually began to enjoy his new life, though he still felt somewhat overwhelmed by how well he had been treated.
Since it had been his decision to rescue the Blue Sea survivors, he and the crew members who had participated in the rescue received the greatest rewards.
Not only was Ming Hao awarded 3,500 points, but he also received discounted housing, giving him a considerable head start over the other newcomers.
But he didn’t let himself settle into an easy, comfortable life because of it.
Because it wasn’t until he entered Safe City that Ming Hao realized the officer had been telling the truth.
Velvet Star was on the verge of destruction.
And Safe City would eventually move on to the next city in danger.
There was no way life in the Outer City could ever feel truly secure.
Ming Hao wanted to get into the Inner City—for his own safety and that of his family.
The problem was that he genuinely wasn’t religious, and he found it hard to believe that a technologically advanced civilization like Blue Sea really had a Creator God.
But he didn’t give up.
After observing for two days, he noticed that most residents who managed to earn their way into the Inner City through their own efforts shared one common trait:
They were willing to fight.
Those who volunteered for dangerous field assignments and dared to charge into the front lines against the zombies were far more likely to be acknowledged by the Crystal Sphere and become Inner City residents of Blue Sea.
And they all seemed to give the same explanation:
“Fighting brings me closer to our God.”
Isn’t it supposed to be a Creator God? Why does it sound more like a God of War now?
Even now, Ming Hao remained convinced that Blue Sea’s Creator God was no different from the various religions on Velvet Star—a cultural characteristic of their civilization rather than an objective truth.
Still, if brave warriors had a better chance of being accepted into the Inner City, then that was something he could work toward.
“So that’s why you’re here? You want to awaken faith in our God through battle?”
Inside the recruitment center for crystal hunters, the captain of a hunter squad looked Ming Hao up and down while reading the translation on his phone.
From the perspective of a combat unit, Ming Hao was too old, too thin, and couldn’t even communicate without a translation app.
No matter how you looked at it, he wasn’t an ideal candidate.
“You really shouldn’t be here.”
The captain spoke with genuine sincerity.
“This operation isn’t like the last one, where we were on an island surrounded by the sea, with the temple right behind us. Back then, all we had to do was clear out the zombies in the surrounding area.”
“This mission is an advance expedition. We’ll be pushing forward alongside the military—or even ahead of them. Our objective is a major grain depot, and there are bound to be plenty of zombies around it.”
“Your record says you were the first mate on a fishing boat. But this assault will be on land.”
“If you don’t have actual combat experience…”
“…then you’re just throwing your life away.”
Ming Hao’s expression didn’t change.
“Please don’t worry. Since I’ve come here, I’ve already looked into everything. I’m fully aware of what this mission involves.”
“Our fishing village’s boats had to board zombie-infested ships to search for supplies. If I didn’t have combat experience, I could never have become a first mate. Or, if you prefer, you can test my abilities.”
The captain hesitated for a moment.
Seeing how confident Ming Hao appeared, he finally nodded.
“All right. Xiao Zhang, open the testing room. I’m evaluating a new recruit.”
Watching the testing room doors slowly slide open, Ming Hao strode inside with determined steps. His expression was solemn as he declared confidently,
“Please rest assured. I won’t disappoint you.”
Five minutes later—
Ming Hao lay sprawled on the floor, his abdomen wracked with pain. Both his arms and legs had been completely pinned down. He gritted his teeth so hard that he barely managed to suppress a cry of agony.
The captain casually held both of Ming Hao’s wrists before releasing them in confusion.
“Your combat skills are only average. Why’d you talk yourself up so much?”
He had gone all out from the very beginning because of Ming Hao’s confidence and had nearly snapped the man’s bones.
Ming Hao, who had once worked as a mercenary, survived a real battlefield, and fought his way through countless zombies to become a fishing boat’s first mate:
“…”
“…Were you in the military?”
The captain shook his head.
“No. But I used to be really rich. I often went on wilderness survival expeditions, and I’d wrestle bears. That’s how I developed my fighting skills.”
Ming Hao: “…”
Why would rich people in Blue Sea go on wilderness survival trips… and fight bears?
The captain watched as Ming Hao slowly struggled back to his feet.
“Why don’t you try another hunter squad? I’m looking to recruit elites.”
But Ming Hao refused to give up.
The captain’s overwhelming strength only made him more determined to join this crystal hunter team.
A captain who can fight bears?
The survival rate of this squad has to be visibly higher than everyone else’s.
“Please reconsider,” Ming Hao said earnestly. “I have extensive experience fighting in forests. I’m an excellent marksman, I have solid combat instincts, I know first aid, I can endure hunger and harsh conditions, and I’m skilled at reconnaissance.”
The captain looked even more puzzled.
“But… most of what you just listed are things the average Blue Sea citizen can already do.”
Ming Hao: “…”
He had only been in Blue Sea Safe City for a short time and had spent almost all of it in the Outer City. He’d barely had any contact with Inner City residents.
Why does everyone in Blue Sea know how to do everything?
Are they all trained like special forces soldiers or something?!
Gritting his teeth, Ming Hao played his trump card.
“I’ll only take one-fifth of the normal pay. Think of it as an internship. And I won’t ask for any commission bonuses.”
“Deal!”
The captain accepted immediately. Patting his chest, he made a welcoming gesture.
“Welcome to the ‘Heads-on-Our-Belt Hunter Squad.’ Around here, we usually just call ourselves the Belt Squad.”
“So, are you ready?”
“We’re leaving no later than this afternoon~”
“I’m ready.”
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