Chapter 45

Lin Chen had just tucked the Ice Energy Crystal Core back into his pocket when a line of system prompts suddenly popped up before his eyes, shining dazzlingly: 【Congratulations to the host for awakening the "Absolute Zero" ability, completing the "First Ability Awakening" achievement, and triggering the reward mechanism!】

He was stunned for a moment. Xia Nuan was helping A Kai bandage his wounds; hearing that he was quiet, she looked up: "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, the system popped up a prompt." Lin Chen waved his hand, but he was muttering in his heart—before, besides early warnings and defense prompts,

the system had never given rewards. Why was there movement this time?

Just as he was thinking, another prompt jumped out: 【Reward mechanism activated, the host can choose one of the following four options,

without paying any price (including the Ice Energy Crystal Core)】. Then the four options were clearly listed:

1. Absolute Defense reinforcement duration +30 days

2. All food, water, medicine, and weapons currently stored in the safe house doubled

3. Repair the blown-up modified pickup truck (restored to its post-modification prototype state)

4. Randomly select one person nearby and issue them "200,000 Doomsday Virtual Currency" (only usable for exchanging basic supplies in the system mall)

Lin Chen stared at the options and looked at Xia Nuan and A Kai first. A Kai's wounds were still oozing blood,

and the bandages were running out; there were only a few packs of compressed biscuits left, and the water was almost bottoming out; the previous modified pickup truck was blown up,

and they didn't even have a vehicle for the next time they went out. But when he saw the fourth option, he couldn't help but frown: What's the use of virtual currency in the apocalypse?

It's not as good as getting something practical.

"Don't need to hand over that Ice Energy Crystal Core?" Lin Chen asked subconsciously, although the prompt said "no payment required,"

he was still afraid the system was playing word games.

【No supplies required for payment; the Ice Energy Crystal Core belongs to the host, it is a companion reward for awakening the ability】 The system's prompt jumped out quickly, without any extra nonsense.

Lin Chen breathed a sigh of relief and swept his finger over the options: "Choose 2."

Xia Nuan had just finished bandaging and leaned over to look: "What did you choose?"

"Food, water, and those things doubled," Lin Chen pointed to the storage room, "It's much more practical than choosing defense, car repairs, and virtual currency. Only a fool would pass up life-saving supplies,

and go for those things that aren't temporarily useful."

As soon as he finished speaking, a "clattering" sound suddenly came from the storage room.

The three of them hurried over to look. On the originally empty shelves,

things were instantly piled up. Compressed biscuits were piled like a small mountain, bottled water was arranged neatly,

the medicine box was stuffed with bandages, anti-inflammatory drugs, and painkillers, and on the weapon rack in the corner,

crossbows, steel pipes, and even two brand-new submachine guns, all of which weren't there before.

"It really doubled!" A Kai's eyes widened, and he picked up a bottle of water and shook it;

it was still full, "Now we can last at least half a month without looking for supplies!"

Xia Nuan also nodded with a smile and picked up a pack of chocolate to hand to Lin Chen: "I was always worried it wouldn't be enough to eat before, now I don't have to worry."

Lin Chen took the chocolate, and before he could open it, the system prompt popped up again.

【Reward distribution completed, additional ability growth explanation: 1. "Absolute Zero" ability can be improved by absorbing rare-grade materials; for every 1 rare material absorbed, ability duration increases by 0.1 seconds (currently 1.0 seconds -> 1.1 seconds after absorption), cooldown remains unchanged; 2. The ability has autonomous growth space; the host can explore improvement methods through daily practice (such as low-temperature environment adaptation, energy control exercises), with no fixed path】.

"It can be improved like this?" Lin Chen stared at the words "autonomous growth,"

feeling a bit confused. He hadn't awakened any abilities in his previous life and didn't know how to "practice" at all.

【Yes, ability growth varies from person to person; the host can figure it out on their own, no additional conditions required】 The system prompt was concise and clear, without giving any more explanation.

Lin Chen curled his lips and stuffed the chocolate into his mouth: "Alright, anyway there's still time, I'll try it slowly."

He walked to the weapon rack, picked up the new submachine gun, and weighed it; it was lighter than the one Chen Mo used before,

had a better feel, and the magazine was full. "With these weapons, next time the 'Shadow' organization comes,

we can at least hold on for a while longer." He handed the gun to A Kai, "After your wounds get better,

familiarize yourself with this gun, so we can look out for each other when we go out in the future."

A Kai took the gun, nodded, and couldn't help but ask: "Brother Lin Chen, will the system give rewards again?"

Lin Chen was about to shake his head when the system prompt popped up again: 【Subsequent rewards need to be triggered by completing specified tasks; there is no fixed distribution time, the host can pay attention to system prompts】.

"Not necessarily, have to wait for system tasks." He relayed the prompt content to the two, and added,

"But now the supplies are enough, and the ability is awakened, let's heal our wounds first. Chen Mo is gone,

the three of us have to be more careful."

Xia Nuan walked to his side and patted his arm lightly: "Don't be too sad,

Brother Chen Mo definitely wants us to live well."

Lin Chen nodded, but in his heart, he remembered Chen Mo's last words: "Take A Kai and Xia Nuan and go." He clenched his fists,

and looked at the Ice Energy Crystal Core in his pocket again: "After A Kai's wounds heal, we'll go to the research institute and look again,

maybe there are other rare supplies; it can both reinforce the defense and improve the ability."

A Kai nodded immediately: "I have no problem, the wounds will be better in two or three days!"

Lin Chen smiled, walked to the window, and looked outside. The wind and snow had lessened, but the sky was still overcast,

and not a bit of light could be seen. He touched the glass and suddenly remembered the chill in his palm when he awakened the ability,

and subconsciously concentrated, wanting to feel that cold air again. But after trying for a long time, besides his fingers being a bit cold, there was no reaction.

"Looks like I really have to figure it out slowly." He muttered, turned around, and returned to the living room. Xia Nuan was organizing the medicine,

A Kai was familiarizing himself with the new gun, and the supplies in the storage room were piled full. Although Chen Mo was missing,

at least for now, they were safe.

But Lin Chen knew clearly that the "Shadow" organization wouldn't give up, and Black Crow must still be looking for them.

He looked at the system prompt before him and touched the Ice Energy Crystal Core in his pocket again:

"Next time I encounter the 'Shadow' organization, maybe this ability will come in handy."

Just as he was thinking, a slight strange sound suddenly came from outside, as if something had brushed against the wall.

Lin Chen instantly tensed his nerves, signaled Xia Nuan and A Kai not to make a sound, and quietly walked to the window,

lifted a corner of the canvas to look out. A black shadow seemed to flash across the snow, and it quickly disappeared into the wind and snow.

"What's wrong?" Xia Nuan asked in a low voice.

Lin Chen frowned and didn't speak. That black shadow just now,

was it a zombie, or a person from the "Shadow" organization? He stared at the snow for a long time and didn't see any movement again,

but a sense of unease rose in his heart: It seems this safe house isn't absolutely safe either.