Yesterday, three chapters. Today, still three chapters!

Is there anyone with recommendation tickets to cheer me on? Once the battle flames are lit, it's a fight to the bitter end!

I don't aim for a high ranking, only to reach 2800 votes by 10 PM tonight! A battle against myself, breaking through myself, breaking past the limits!

…… The fifty-square-meter space felt remarkably spacious: a three-bedroom, one-living-room setup. Originally a large office, it had been expanded, using materials like aluminum alloy and wood to construct clean suite-style living quarters.

The construction work was overseen by the Base City’s Department of Construction. Ye Chen surveyed the area.

It was furnished, complete with a massive executive desk and a nearby bookshelf crammed with volumes, clearly indicating the previous occupant of this position was an avid reader. “Not bad at all!” Ye Zhu walked around the rooms, looking visibly relaxed.

She moved to a large window, from which they could look down upon the streets, commanding a view of nearly half the base city. Most presidents and managers preferred an expansive balcony attached to their offices—a place to overlook the earth and gaze at the blue sky when feeling vexed, allowing the spirit to expand.

Ye Chen glanced at the bedrooms. They were all nearly identical, each containing only a bed, a few office cabinets, and a computer that was now unusable.

“Three bedrooms. Xiao Zhu gets her own.

Bailong and Yue Heng will share one, and Xiao Fan and Mo Feng will share the third,” Ye Chen assigned. “What about you?” Ye Zhu paused, surprised.

Ye Chen looked over the living room. “This big one is mine.” Everyone chuckled.

By noon, Ye Chen and the others descended the stairs. Due to the viral infection, many power stations lacked maintenance and had shut down.

All the power stations looted within the base city were exclusively routed to the Information Department, Research Department, and Commerce Department—the major sectors couldn't spare any excess energy. Consequently, the elevators in these residential towers were non-operational.

In these high-rises, private use of gas canisters or similar cooking apparatus was strictly forbidden. Should someone mishandle them and ignite a fire, the resulting loss would be catastrophic.

Therefore, meals were prepared centrally in the cafeteria on the ground floor, though payment was required, or one could obtain a ration card. The first and second floors of this building had been converted into commercial zones, housing various shops.

Residents coming and going frequently used these floors; they were mandatory routes. The group arrived at the cafeteria.

Ye Chen found a table and sat down, while Bailong and Zhuge Fan headed to the line to collect their food. “Today, we’ll just familiarize ourselves with the base city environment.

Tomorrow, we’ll check out the Military Department. If I’m not mistaken, securing any position there guarantees a substantial monthly stipend!” When the food arrived, they began eating, and Ye Chen outlined his immediate plans.

“Great idea. Today we should stock up on food supplies.

We can still get rations from the old supermarkets and food processing plants, but once the production facilities are gone, food prices will only skyrocket—changing hourly,” Ye Zhu said cheerfully. “I’m coming too!” Bailong immediately raised his hand.

“What are you going to do, look for trouble now that you’re full? If you’re not busy, you’d better spend more time thinking about combat techniques, like how to evade and counterattack when a monster’s claw swoops down from above,” Yue Heng scoffed.

Bailong rolled his eyes. “Someone as resourceful and supremely intelligent as me doesn’t need to waste time on such trivialities.

A dashing man like myself would be a waste if he didn't go out to see the sights. The world would lose a magnificent scenic view...” Ye Chen waved his hand.

“It’s fine for everyone to wander around a bit, just get oriented.” Yue Heng said nothing more, just shot Bailong a glare before rapidly finishing his meal. …… In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

In the morning, Ye Chen sat up on the sofa, pulled on his jacket, washed his face, and then knocked sharply on the door. “Stop playing dead.

If you don’t get up now, there’s no breakfast for you!” Given their hearing and alertness as Level 25 New Humans, Bailong and the others should have sensed him sitting up on the sofa. “Got it,” came a lifeless groan from inside the room.

Ye Chen rolled his eyes and was about to turn away when the door suddenly swung open. Bailong blinked groggily.

“Why are you up so early? We rarely get a chance to rest; let me sleep in.” He stretched languidly.

Ye Chen couldn't help but look at his bare torso, a strange expression flickering in his eyes. Bailong glanced at him oddly, then looked down.

That single glance almost made him jump out of his skin. He was completely bare-chested; his sleepwear from the night before had vanished.

“You guys…” Ye Chen’s eyes held a peculiar glint. “I always thought you were only overly fond of women.

I didn’t realize you didn't pass up on men either…” “No, this, I, we…” Bailong became flustered, his words stumbling over themselves. “I understand,” Ye Chen patted his shoulder, shaking his head with deep disappointment, and turned to leave, leaving Bailong stunned, staring blankly at his retreating figure.

…… In the cafeteria, the group ate porridge priced at 10g a bowl—a price only they could afford; ordinary people subsisted on instant noodles daily. Service staff passing by looked at them with unconcealed envy, and those with some charm kept sending seductive glances.

Of course, there were also reserved young women who were merely envious but held no other intentions. However, no one paid attention to the staff; all eyes were fixed on Bailong and Yue Heng, their expressions strangely knowing.

Even the usually stoic Mo Feng showed a flicker of... surprise.

“I never thought you two shared that particular taste,” Zhuge Fan exclaimed in admiration. Bailong’s face flushed crimson with anger.

“You little brat, what do you know? It’s not what you think.” Zhuge Fan nodded sagely.

“True, I am young, and I only know that men and women can... I never realized men and men could too.” Bailong was struck speechless.

“Two grown men sleeping in the same bed without wearing clothes...” Ye Zhu’s eyes were odd. “Do you two really have that particular hobby?” “We can be understanding,” Ye Chen commented, nodding in reassurance.

Bailong looked crestfallen. “We really don’t!

It must be because we slept so soundly last night, and when we tossed and turned, the clothes got pulled off.” Yue Heng looked at him skeptically. “You really didn’t do anything to me?” “Pfft…” Bailong nearly spat blood.

…… After breakfast, Ye Chen took Bailong and a few others toward the military zone. Ye Zhu stayed behind in the apartment to explore the base city at leisure or read if she got bored.

“This base city is truly magnificent. To think that in a world overrun by monsters, the nation’s military could react so swiftly to establish a city, and develop it this well,” Yue Heng remarked, observing the surrounding construction and the occasional military patrol on the streets, his eyes alight with a strange fervor.

Ye Chen nodded slightly. “Indeed.

This is the end of one era and the rise of another. Consider ordinary people: before the apocalypse, working their entire lives might not have made them millionaires.

Back then, millionaires were as insignificant as ants in the upper strata of society.” “But now.” “As long as you are powerful enough, you can attain transcendent status. Wake up and hold the power of the world, sleep embraced by beauties; live a life of drunken delight.

Even a commoner who used to slaughter pigs has a chance after the apocalypse to become a high-ranking cadre in the base city, wielding terrifying authority, making those once noble, beautiful actresses wash your feet.” “Wake up and hold the power of the world, sleep embraced by beauties.” Bailong and the others silently memorized the phrase, fanaticism flickering in their eyes. They felt a fiercer craving for strength, for no man is content with mediocrity.

They hadn't walked for long. “We’re here.” They arrived before a large gymnasium in the center of the base city.

Although termed a ‘city,’ its actual area was not that vast, perhaps only the size of a small town. “This is where the Military Department recruits talent,” Ye Chen noted, taking the lead as they stepped inside.

Once inside, they entered an exceedingly spacious hall. A row of people sat there, dressed in professional uniforms with ID badges—all individuals who had defected to the base city and been assigned to the Information Department.

This department required minimal physical fitness; only sharp minds were necessary. The pay wasn't high.

Fifteen G per day, leaving one to sleep on the streets, meals not included. “We are here to enter the Military Department,” Ye Chen approached.

“Hello, please state your names so we can register you for the interview. If you pass, you can join the Military Department,” a beautiful young woman greeted them with a sweet smile.

Ye Chen nodded, quickly scribbled five names, and handed the paper to the girl. The girl entered the names into the interview manifest and then handed Ye Chen and the others a yellow card.

“Take this card and proceed into the stadium inside. The instructors there will conduct your interviews.” Ye Chen nodded and turned to leave.

Bailong was about to approach, intending to ask, “Miss, how do you maintain such beautiful skin? Which skincare products do you use?” but Yue Heng and Zhuge Fan quickly pulled him away.

Behind the main hall was a long corridor. As Ye Chen and the others walked down it, a harsh, cold voice suddenly cut through the quiet.

“Stop blocking the way. Get lost!” …… If you think any sections were missed, please post in the review section.

Several people who claimed omissions have already posted threads, and explanations were provided. In the end, it usually turns out they either misread it themselves or misunderstood the context.