Chapter 131

Wangjiang Province, Wuan City.

A middle-aged man in a military uniform had his hands braced on the table, his spirit exhausted as he gazed at the scattered documents before him.

Only one of the emergency lights hanging from the cave ceiling was on, casting a dim glow.

The room was small, yet seven or eight soldiers in the same uniform stood inside.

"Colonel Wang Min, the shelter's food supplies are running out!"

"The air circulation outlet also became blocked last night for unknown reasons, and some area residents have reported difficulty breathing."

"Should we send out more people..."

The younger-looking young man spoke up with a nervous expression, but received no response for a moment.

"Our drinking water reserves are also low; we tried purifying rainwater yesterday, but the first batch of volunteers who tried it became listless and are not suitable for long-term consumption."

"We're also short on ammunition; last night a small-scale riot broke out in District D of the shelter, resulting in 79 deaths and 443 injuries."

Another staff member holding the suggestion report couldn't help but add.

No one responded to their questions.

The middle-aged officer called Wang Min let out a long sigh, his gaze turning toward the man in the corner.

"Is the radio still unusable? Have we received any news from the Linjiang Military Region?"

The man in the corner shook his head, his eyes bloodshot, and his hoarse voice slowly spoke:

"Not only have we heard nothing from the Military Region, but the squads we sent out earlier also haven't returned."

"This is already the sixth batch; now the shelter's remaining forces number fewer than a hundred."

"Moreover, each time we search for supplies we lose a third of our personnel, as you know."

"If we are scratched by those monsters, we can only..."

Wang Min's face darkened; he directly raised his hand to stop the man's words.

"Alright, I understand. But no matter what, we must get in touch with the Military Region!"

His tone was firm and unquestionable.

Hearing this, the man in the corner's expression turned urgent.

"Colonel Wang!"

"We can't send anyone out again!"

"Six consecutive teams, over forty warriors—we don't even know how they died! Sending more people out would make it impossible to maintain the shelter's normal operations!"

"Then what do you suggest we do!"

Wang Min abruptly rose from his seat.

"The shelter is packed with 130,000 people! It was originally designed only as civil defense! Without external support, being trapped here means we'll all die!"

"No ammunition! No weapons! Can your seven Awakened Ones possibly fight off the millions of zombies outside?!"

"I admit Awakened Ones are strong, but we only have seven! If you had dozens we could hold out a bit longer—but..."

"Ding, global announcement: Congratulations to Doomsday player 【Lin An】 for becoming the first player worldwide to establish a Safe Zone. Reputation +100, earned a special reward title."

"Ding, global announcement: Congratulations to Doomsday player 【Lin An】 for establishing a Safe Zone ahead of schedule, altering the game progress. The Safe Zone Token mission is now opened early; please check the mission details, all players."

"What the hell?!"

The two still arguing were startled into place by the sudden prompt.

"Lin An?!"

It sounds like a Hua Guo person's name.

"What is a Safe Zone? Why is the system making a global announcement?!"

Since the Apocalypse broke out, most people have heard very few system prompts; many have only ever heard the template opening sound when the game first started.

With eager eyes, Wang Min hastily opened the mission description for the Safe Zone Token.

At the same time, the shelter's 130,000 residents simultaneously stopped what they were doing, falling into a daze.

"【Safe Zone Token】: After using the token, establishing a Safe Zone grants a spiritual energy enhancement effect, continuously strengthening players' abilities within the Safe Zone until reaching the human limit. (9.9 points)"

"Can construct spiritual energy structures to resist zombie attacks. Can cultivate spiritual energy crops to provide stable, high-quality spiritual energy food. Can establish a spiritual energy enhancement facility to increase Awakened Ones' strength."

"System explanation: The Safe Zone is the only place in the Doomsday Game that can provide safe refuge, and also the only hope for continuing civilization."

"Mission requirements: After accepting the mission, kill Mutant Rank 1: 30, Rank 2: 20 within the time limit."

"Depending on the region, additional kills of specific Rank 2 (Horror-level) Mutants are required."

"Current region's Horror-level Mutant: Rotten Corpse Giant Earthworm (Rank 2 peak)."

"Establishment requirements: One stable spiritual energy node, Awakened Ones count not less than 100."

"Pa-da."

In the narrow underground room, a staff member dropped the documents in his hand.

The sound woke Wang Min from his shock.

Only then did one see the eight people in the room staring at each other, eyes filled with uncontrollable excitement and disbelief.

Although they didn't fully understand what spiritual energy structures were, it didn't prevent them from grasping the final explanation.

Safe Zone... the only hope for survival. Enhancing strength, it can also help Awakened Ones cultivate.

The requirement to establish a Safe Zone mentioned over a hundred Awakened Ones, which he found hard to believe.

A hundred Awakened Ones—wouldn't that be equivalent to a ten-thousand-strong army?!

No, even better than a ten-thousand-strong army!

These days, if it weren't for Awakened Ones leading teams to search for supplies when going out, we probably couldn't bring back even a scrap of food.

The shelter is a civil defense facility built near the city; when first constructed it was still in the suburbs, but over the years it has been swallowed into the urban area.

Cannot use firearms, cannot use explosives or hand grenades.

The scouting team searching for supplies can only fight with bows, crossbows, and melee weapons; therefore, the Awakened act quietly, and their superior individual strength far outweighs that of ordinary soldiers.

Translation: The squads sent out to scavenge supplies can only rely on bows and melee weapons, so Awakened Ones act with little movement and noise, and their advantage of strong individual strength far surpasses that of soldiers.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "Squads sent out to scavenge supplies can only rely on bows and melee weapons, so Awakened Ones act with little movement and noise, and their advantage of strong individual strength far surpasses that of soldiers."

A force of over a hundred Awakened, capable of slaying so many mutants…

Translation: Hundreds of Awakened Ones, a powerful force capable of killing so many mutants...

We need to keep the ellipsis? Probably keep as "...", but we can just translate: "Hundreds of Awakened Ones, a powerful force capable of killing so many mutants..." Keep the ellipsis.

Who is Lin An?!

Translation: Who is Lin An!! (double exclamation and question). We'll output: "Who is Lin An!!"

Where is the safe zone?!

Translation: Where is the Safe Zone!! We'll output: "Where is the Safe Zone!!"

For some reason, he keeps feeling that the name Lin An sounds familiar.

Translation: Strangely, he always feels that the name Lin An is somewhat familiar. We'll output: "Strangely, he always feels that the name Lin An is somewhat familiar."

The North American Caine District military port, headquarters of the Third Fleet.

Translation: North America Keen Area military port, Third Fleet Command Center. We'll output: "North America Keen Area military port, Third Fleet Command Center."

Situated in a sparsely populated military harbor, a conventional-powered aircraft carrier and twenty-seven escort ships are docked, while on the other side an ocean-going cruiser belches thick black smoke, moored in the repair dock.

Translation: Located at a sparsely populated military harbor, a conventional power aircraft carrier and twenty-seven frigates are docked, while on the other side an ocean-going cruiser belches thick black smoke, docked at the repair port. We'll output: "Located at a sparsely populated military harbor, a conventional power aircraft carrier and twenty-seven frigates are docked, while on the other side an ocean-going cruiser belches thick black smoke, docked at the repair port."

Inside the naval command center, hundreds of Western players in camouflage uniforms wear grim expressions as they stand before a 3D sand-table map, pointing and discussing.

Translation: Inside the naval command, hundreds of Western players in camouflage uniforms wear solemn expressions, standing before a 3D sand table map, pointing and discussing. We'll output: "Inside the naval command, hundreds of Western players in camouflage uniforms wear solemn expressions, standing before a 3D sand table map, pointing and discussing."

"Lin-An"

Translation: "Lin-An." We'll output: "\"Lin-An. \"" (including quotes). Actually the line includes Chinese quotes. We'll keep them as English quotes: "Lin-An."

What a mouthful of a name—can we tell if they're Chinese or Southeast Asian?

Translation: "Such an awkward name, can we be sure they're Hua Guo or Southeast Asian?" We'll output: "\"Such an awkward name, can we be sure they're Hua Guo or Southeast Asian? \""

The man wearing the lieutenant colonel insignia on his shoulder spoke up, asking the staff officer beside him.

Translation: The man wearing a colonel's shoulder insignia spoke to the staff officer beside him. We'll output: "The man wearing a colonel's shoulder insignia spoke to the staff officer beside him."

He isn't the highest-ranking officer at this base, but due to his Awakened status, everyone has voluntarily let him serve as temporary commander.

Translation: He is not the highest-ranking officer at this base, but because of his Awakened One status, everyone voluntarily let him act as temporary superior officer. We'll output: "He is not the highest-ranking officer at this base, but because of his Awakened One status, everyone voluntarily let him act as temporary superior officer."

Their Third Fleet commander, a three-star general, was killed by the undead.

Translation: Their Third Fleet commander, a three-star general, died in the zombie maw. We'll output: "Their Third Fleet commander, a three-star general, died in the zombie maw."

After the outbreak, many of the stationed troops at the port turned into corpses, but luckily they were dispersed among the various vessels.

Translation: After the apocalypse broke out, many servicemen at the port turned into zombies, but fortunately they were scattered across various ships. We'll output: "After the apocalypse broke out, many servicemen at the port turned into zombies, but fortunately they were scattered across various ships."

Under his leadership, the base swiftly cleared out the corpses.

Translation: Under his leadership, this base quickly completed clearing the zombies. We'll output: "Under his leadership, this base quickly completed clearing the zombies."

Lieutenant Colonel Ron, we're only 70% sure the other party is Chinese. The surname Lin is used not only by many overseas Chinese and Southeast Asians, but we also have a mixed-heritage family named Lin in our own homeland.

Translation: "\"Colonel Loen, we only have 70% confidence in judging them as Hua Guo. The surname Lin is used not only by many overseas Chinese and Southeast Asians, but we also have a mixed-blood family with the surname Lin in our homeland. \"" We'll output: "\"Colonel Loen, we only have 70% confidence in judging them as Hua Guo. The surname Lin is used not only by many overseas Chinese and Southeast Asians, but we also have a mixed-blood family with the surname Lin in our homeland. \""

Ron nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful.

Translation: Loen nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. We'll output: "Loen nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful."

What does the staff think?

Translation: "\"Any opinions from the staff department? \"" We'll output: "\"Any opinions from the staff department? \""

They suggest we wait until the chat channel opens in 23 hours, then broadcast an emergency notice to all.

Translation: "\"Their opinion is to wait until the chat channel officially opens after 23 hours, then issue an emergency announcement to everyone. \"" We'll output: "\"Their opinion is to wait until the chat channel officially opens after 23 hours, then issue an emergency announcement to everyone. \""

Conduct a limited search for local players possibly surnamed Lin.

Translation: "\"Limited search for domestic players possibly surnamed Lin. \"" We'll output: "\"Limited search for domestic players possibly surnamed Lin. \""

According to our intel, the safe zone is probably the most important military facility after the apocalypse.

Translation: "\"Based on our inferred information, the Safe Zone is very likely the most important military 'facility' after the apocalypse. \"" We'll output: "\"Based on our inferred information, the Safe Zone is very likely the most important military 'facility' after the apocalypse. \""

We seriously doubt that, despite being called a game, the apocalypse is this difficult—largely because we lack guidance.

Translation: "\"We seriously doubt that, although the Doomsday Game is called a game, its difficulty is so high; a large part of the reason is our lack of guidance. \"" We'll output: "\"We seriously doubt that, although the Doomsday Game is called a game, its difficulty is so high; a large part of the reason is our lack of guidance. \""

The safe zone ought to be like the main city in the pre‑apocalypse game; only by relying on it do we have any hope of fighting the undead.

Translation: "\"The Safe Zone should be like the main city in the game before the apocalypse broke out; only by relying on the Safe Zone do we have hope of resisting zombies. \"" We'll output: "\"The Safe Zone should be like the main city in the game before the apocalypse broke out; only by relying on the Safe Zone do we have hope of resisting zombies. \""

Ron frowned slightly, glancing at the new chat channel that had appeared on the system panel.

Translation: Loen frowned slightly, looking at the chat channel that had appeared in the system panel. We'll output: "Loen frowned slightly, looking at the chat channel that had appeared in the system panel."

Zone 6 battle chat channel: for North American battle zone use only. (Opens in 22:45)

Translation: "\"No. 6 War Zone chat channel: for use only in North America War Zone chat. (Countdown to open: 22:45)\"" We'll output: "\"No. 6 War Zone chat channel: for use only in North America War Zone chat. (Countdown to open: 22:45)\""

(Note: The world is split into 360 battle zones, with North America containing 27 of them. Current survivors: 1,019,043,960. Deaths: 2,165,468,410.)

Translation: "(Explanation: the world is divided into 360 war zones, of which North America has 27 war zones. Current surviving population: 1,019,043,960. Death toll: 2,165,468,410)" We'll output: "(Explanation: the world is divided into 360 war zones, of which North America has 27 war zones. Current surviving population: 1,019,043,960. Death toll: 2,165,468,410)"

If the safe zone is so crucial, why not send a Black Hawk to China? I think the odds that Lin-An is one of our North American players are low.

Translation: "\"If the Safe Zone is so important, why not send a Black Hawk to Hua Guo? I think the probability of Lin-An being one of our North America War Zone players is not high. \"" We'll output: "\"If the Safe Zone is so important, why not send a Black Hawk to Hua Guo? I think the probability of Lin-An being one of our North America War Zone players is not high. \""

The safe zone he set up is probably located there.

Translation: "\"The Safe Zone he established is very likely there. \"" We'll output: "\"The Safe Zone he established is very likely there. \""

Ron glanced curiously at the staff officer; in his view, relying solely on battle‑zone chat to find Lin-An would offer too slim a chance.

Translation: Loen curiously looked at the staff officer; in his view, relying solely on war zone channel messages to search for Lin An would have too small a chance of success. We'll output: "Loen curiously looked at the staff officer; in his view, relying solely on war zone channel messages to search for Lin An would have too small a chance of success."

With a global population in the hundreds of billions, they don't even know where Lin-An hails from.

Translation: With hundreds of billions of people worldwide, they don't even know where Lin An is from. We'll output: "With hundreds of billions of people worldwide, they don't even know where Lin An is from."

North America does have a Lin family, which he's heard of; that early‑immigrant Chinese community is influential and rather mysterious.

Translation: North America indeed has a Lin surname family, which he has also heard of; that group of early Chinese immigrants wields considerable influence and is quite mysterious. We'll output: "North America indeed has a Lin surname family, which he has also heard of; that group of early Chinese immigrants wields considerable influence and is quite mysterious."

But he doesn't believe Lin-An is a member of that family.

Translation: But he doesn't think this Lin-An will be a member of that family. We'll output: "But he doesn't think this Lin-An will be a member of that family."

The staff officer patiently produced a document and began to speak.

Translation: The staff officer patiently took out a document and spoke slowly. We'll output: "The staff officer patiently took out a document and spoke slowly."

The situation isn't that urgent yet.

Translation: "\"The urgency isn't that high yet. \"" We'll output: "\"The urgency isn't that high yet. \""

Since the apocalypse, you've surely seen that all our modern facilities are extremely unstable.

Translation: "\"After the apocalypse broke out, I believe you've seen that all our modern facilities are extremely unstable. \"" We'll output: "\"After the apocalypse broke out, I believe you've seen that all our modern facilities are extremely unstable. \""

We aren't even certain if he's Chinese, so hastily sending out a Black Hawk to search would be pointless.

Translation: "\"We aren't even sure whether he is Hua Guo, so hastily sending out a Black Hawk to search would be meaningless. \"" We'll output: "\"We aren't even sure whether he is Hua Guo, so hastily sending out a Black Hawk to search would be meaningless. \""

Besides, all satellites are dead, so even airborne radar alone offers little hope of finding the safe zone.

Translation: "\"Moreover, now that all satellites have lost contact, relying solely on airborne radar makes it unlikely we could locate the Safe Zone. \"" We'll output: "\"Moreover, now that all satellites have lost contact, relying solely on airborne radar makes it unlikely we could locate the Safe Zone. \""

Who knows what shape the safe zone has? Maybe it's buried underground.

Translation: "\"Who knows what form the Safe Zone takes? Perhaps it's buried underground. \"" We'll output: "\"Who knows what form the Safe Zone takes? Perhaps it's buried underground. \""

Furthermore, we believe the odds that Lin-An is Chinese are low.

Translation: "\"Furthermore, we think the probability of Lin-An being Hua Guo is low. \"" We'll output: "\"Furthermore, we think the probability of Lin-An being Hua Guo is low. \""

Why?

Translation: "\"Why? \"" We'll output: "\"Why? \""

Ron wondered, aren't all Chinese people given such hard‑to‑pronounce names?

Translation: Loen was somewhat puzzled, thinking, "Aren't all Hua Guo people called such awkward names?" We'll output: "Loen was somewhat puzzled, thinking, \"Aren't all Hua Guo people called such awkward names? \""

The staff officer explained:

Translation: The staff officer spoke up to explain: We'll output: "The staff officer spoke up to explain:"

According to our estimates, China has at least tens of billions of corpses and mutants.

Translation: "\"According to our estimate, the number of zombies and mutants within Hua Guo is at least tens of billions. \"" We'll output: "\"According to our estimate, the number of zombies and mutants within Hua Guo is at least tens of billions. \""

In our simulations, their predicament is more than ten times worse than ours, so they likely lack the resources to undertake the mission.

Translation: "\"In our simulation, their situation is more than ten times harder than ours, making it unlikely they have the spare capacity to complete the task. \"" We'll output: "\"In our simulation, their situation is more than ten times harder than ours, making it unlikely they have the spare capacity to complete the task. \""

Their population is densely packed, and even their military is huge; they can't mobilize and clear corpses as swiftly as we can.

Translation: "\"They are densely populated, and even their military is large-scale; it's impossible for them to quickly organize and clear zombies like we can. \"" We'll output: "\"They are densely populated, and even their military is large-scale; it's impossible for them to quickly organize and clear zombies like we can. \""

Ron recalled the mission's strange demands, gave a slight nod, and felt boundless curiosity about Lin-An and the safe zone.

Translation: Loen recalled the task's perverse requirements, nodded slightly, and felt endless curiosity about Lin-An and the Safe Zone. We'll output: "Loen recalled the task's perverse requirements, nodded slightly, and felt endless curiosity about Lin-An and the Safe Zone."

No wonder the staff suspects Lin-An could be a member of the Lin family.

Translation: No wonder the staff department thinks Lin-An could be a member of the Lin family. We'll output: "No wonder the staff department thinks Lin-An could be a member of the Lin family."

Only sparsely populated North America has the resources to carry out the mission.

Translation: Only sparsely populated North America has the spare capacity to complete the task. We'll output: "Only sparsely populated North America has the spare capacity to complete the task."

The staff officer summoned a soldier and handed him a document.

Translation: The staff officer called a soldier over and handed him a document again. We'll output: "The staff officer called a soldier over and handed him a document again."

Our immediate priority is to acquire the Safe Zone Token mission and set up a safe zone.

Translation: "\"Our top priority is to receive the Safe Zone Token task and establish a Safe Zone. \"" We'll output: "\"Our top priority is to receive the Safe Zone Token task and establish a Safe Zone. \""

According to the briefing, this mission was likely altered in its course by Lin-An.

Translation: "\"According to the explanation, this task should have had its process altered by Lin-An. \"" We'll output: "\"According to the explanation, this task should have had its process altered by Lin-An. \""

Thirty first‑tier mutants, twenty second‑tier mutants, and a terror‑tier mutant known as the Shockwave.

Translation: "\"30 First-Level mutants, 20 Second-Level, plus a Terror Level mutant Shockwave. \"" We'll output: "\"30 First-Level mutants, 20 Second-Level, plus a Terror Level mutant Shockwave. \""

Based on our past encounters with mutant strength, we estimate that about fifty Awakened working with a three‑thousand‑person strike team could accomplish the mission…

Translation: "\"Based on our previous encounter with mutant strength, about 50 Awakened Ones cooperating with a 3000-strong combat squad could probably complete the task... \" We'll output: "\"Based on our previous encounter with mutant strength, about 50 Awakened Ones cooperating with a 3000-strong combat squad could probably complete the task... \""

We have carrier‑based aircraft, artillery, and tanks; we're confident we can handle the terror‑level mutant.

Translation: "\"We have carrier-based aircraft, artillery, and tanks. I believe dealing with the Terror Level mutant should pose no problem. \"" We'll output: "\"We have carrier-based aircraft, artillery, and tanks. I believe dealing with the Terror Level mutant should pose no problem. \""

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