Apocalypse Rebirth: 3000 million won at the beginning

Chapter 2224 If your level isn't high enough, no amount of points will help!

Headquarters Base of Dazhangshu.

Since the command center finalized the task of clearing out the King Kong zombie horde, the entire military and logistics departments have been busy.

Centered on the big camphor tree, there are at least seven iron ore mines within a radius of 100 kilometers.

They set up these mines with zombie mothers and various zombies controlled by them, and the size of the Vajra zombie horde varied depending on the size of the iron mine.

The cleanup of these zombie mothers and the King Kong zombie horde required the cooperation of the Megatron and helicopters, so the Megatron, which was located more than 100 kilometers away, was temporarily recalled.

Meanwhile, the situation at the headquarters base in Dazhangshu was also relayed to other branch bases.

Other branch bases quickly surveyed the surrounding iron ore mines and, learning from the experience of the headquarters base in Dazhangshu, formulated detailed and appropriate plans to carry out operations to clear out the King Kong zombies.

Oil City.

Trading market.

The entrance to the homeless bar.

There was still a long queue, with people waiting to get into the Wanderers' Bar.

Overcrowded, the survivors in the oil city continued to indulge themselves even as the snow fell heavily.

The area outside the wall is teeming with zombies, including some giant, invincible zombies.

The sounds of gunfire have continued since the third day after the sea fog arrived, and have not stopped until now.

Even in the trading market commercial district, the sounds of gunfire could still be heard coming from outside the outskirts of the city.

But this did not dampen the residents' enthusiasm; on the contrary, it made the place even noisier.

Most of these customers were scavengers who had earned a lot of points by scavenging during the large-scale collection operation carried out by the camphor tree in the previous period.

They had a lot of points, and since the outside was shrouded in sea fog and filled with zombies, they couldn't get out.

Staying in their dorm all day was really boring, so they often came to the trading market to pass the time.

Suddenly, during this time of heavy snowfall, businesses such as bars, fighting arenas, card rooms, massage parlors, Tingfenglou (a type of traditional Chinese teahouse), and tattoo parlors experienced a surge in business.

The atmosphere of the trading market was reminiscent of the bustling pre-apocalyptic New Year.

But it was in the apocalypse, and there were still a large number of zombies outside. The city was covered in snow, and the area outside was shrouded in sea fog.

The inner turmoil and the stillness of falling snow, the sense of safety and danger, all create a strange yet harmonious feeling.

Inside the Wanderers' Bar.

It was playing apocalyptic hardcore avant-garde music.

At the center of the DJ stage, there is a DJ who has recently become quite popular in the oil city: BIGMEN.

He was wearing studded clothes, had pierced ears, was bald, had a black tattoo on his head, and his face was also tattooed in the shape of a zombie. At first glance, an ordinary person could easily mistake him for a zombie.

As a result, he was often slapped on the head on his way back to the dormitory, simply because people mistook him for a zombie.

Thump thump thump~~thump thump thump~
The entire dance hall covers nearly 2000 square meters, and the dust on the ceiling is shaking.

Smoke machines sprayed out white mist, and strobe lights, laser lights, and beam lights all went off at once. The entire hall was filled with cheers and the sounds of bodies twisting and turning in the dance floor.

They were frenzied and carried away, as if this were their final celebration.

There was a row of booths at the edge of the dance floor, where several men and some hostesses were sitting.

One of them, a middle-aged, greasy man with a large belly and a thick black chain around his neck, smiled and said to the man opposite him:
“You also have the surname Hong, and so do I. We’re from the same clan.”

Hong Gongcao smiled, raised his wine glass, and clinked it with Hong Shixiong's.

"Mr. Hong's business is quite large; he's even expanded his business to the headquarters."

Hong Shixiong waved his hand, "Just trying to make a living. It's much more comfortable for you government officials—guaranteed income, stable job, high status, I envy you."

Hong Gongcao replied helplessly:
"What's the big deal? We're just consistently poor. We're only level three staff members. By sheer chance, we landed a sinecure at the housing management office. It's basically just front desk consultation."

Hong Gongcao was a spy sent by the Northwest Base in his early years, but he was later discovered by his third uncle and others, and successfully turned to the Northwest Base. He provided a lot of information about the Northwest Base and made a contribution to solving the problem of the Northwest Base.

Therefore, they were exceptionally included in the oil city and given the rank of a third-level personnel.

Although their rank was acceptable, they were not placed in the military system or the core departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Instead, they were assigned to a minor position in a housing management office, which was on the periphery.

Because Hong Gongcao was quite cooperative, he was given a higher rank. As for the spies sent by the Northwest Base, although they were also turned, they were only given a level four reward and were assigned worse tasks.

Even Gao Zhao and others who joined later were only at level five, and the jobs they were assigned were very ordinary.

Hong Gongcao surrendered early and received the best treatment.

Hong Shixiong, sitting opposite Hong Gongcao, heard his words and said with his hands clasped:

"Brother Gongcao, you are too modest. It's just a matter of you moving your finger."

"I'll accept any building as long as I can be assigned to Area A."

"I, Old Xiong, won't put you in a difficult position regarding this number."

As he spoke, Hong Shixiong held up two fingers, "Please arrange for me to stay in a Class A room. I'll arrange for my staff to transfer the 200 points to your points card through several intermediaries."

As Hong Shixiong spoke, he moved closer to Hong Gongcao and whispered in his ear.

After hearing his words, Hong Gongcao frowned slightly and felt an urge to get up and leave.

If it weren't for the fact that Hong Shixiong shared the same surname as me, and that someone had introduced us, I wouldn't have been able to meet him.

If he had known that Hong Shixiong had this in mind, he would never have come.

"What's your level?" Hong Gongcao asked.

Hong Shixiong replied awkwardly, "It's really embarrassing. I'm only level five. I've been in Oil City for quite a few years, but my contribution points have always been relatively low. I do have some transaction points though."

He was considered one of the luckier residents of the oil city, having brought a truckload of supplies with him when he first joined the city.

With this truckload of supplies, he lived a life of ease and comfort in the oil city for half a year.

Later, he used the remaining resources to exchange for points, and with that, he opened two shops in the oil city, and his business succeeded.

He just never went to the mission hall to accept missions, never repaired the city walls, and never fought off zombies.
Without making contributions, there are no contribution points, and naturally, one cannot level up. He has been in the Oil City for several years, but he has remained at the level five personnel position.

Level 5?

When Hong Shixiong said he was only a level 5 personnel, Hong Gongcao looked at him with some surprise.

Hong Shixiong joined the oil city much earlier than me, but after all these years, he hasn't been promoted a single rank.

"Forehead"

Hong Gongcao's lips twitched slightly, and he said:
"Well, Mr. Hong, there's really nothing we can do about this. The regulations for the management of the oil city are clearly stipulated, and the housing management office also has clear regulations. Only people at level three or above can live in Class A housing."

There's really nothing I can do if you're only level 5. Even if you were level 4, there's nothing I can do.

"I can't help you with this."

Upon hearing this, Hong Shixiong felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his eagerness.

Even if he has more points, he can still only live in B-grade and C-grade houses.

Housing in the oil city is divided into three levels: A, B, and C.

Grade A housing is only available to Level 3 personnel and their families.

Level B housing is suitable for Levels 4, 5, and 6, but the lower the level, the more money you need to pay in rent, sometimes several times, or even ten times, that of higher levels. For example, a Level 4 person only needs 1 point per month to live in Level B housing, but a Level 5 person needs 10 points, and a Level 6 person needs 100 points.

Grade C is also open to all residents, and the price is the same.

However, the living experience of houses in the A, B, and C categories is vastly different.

There are differences in the spacing between houses, the amount of natural light, the space, the decoration, and so on.

Despite his wealth, Hong Shixiong could only afford to live in a Class B apartment, which made him somewhat uncomfortable.

Hong Shixiong, still unwilling to give up, continued to persuade him:

"Hey bro, can you do me a favor? How about 300 points? It's something you can do with just one click."

When Hong Gongcao saw that he still had this idea, his tone became even colder.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that. It's clearly stated in the rules. If I violate them, I'll not only lose my job, but I might also be demoted or have all the points on my points card cleared."

Mr. Hong, I advise you to give up on this idea. Nobody in the housing management office would dare to do this.

Previously, someone stubbornly abused their power for personal gain, and was eventually caught by the supervisory department. That person was immediately demoted to level six, permanently banned from employment, had their accumulated points confiscated, and was punished tenfold.

"I'm here today to make friends with you. I hope Mr. Hong won't bring this up again."

Seeing his resolute tone, Hong Shixiong knew that further persuasion would be futile.

Even though I was still unwilling to give up, I had no choice but to accept it since that's what they said.

He adjusted his expression and said to Hong Gongcao with a smile:

"Brother Gongcao is right. Our oil city needs honest and upright government employees like you. I salute you."

As he spoke, he raised his wine glass and clinked it against Hong Gongcao's.

One shouldn't hit a smiling face, so Hong Gongcao clinked glasses with him and then made up an excuse to leave.

Hong Shixiong originally wanted to take him to get a bath again, but Hong Gongcao was adamant. Hong Shixiong didn't want to offend him and fail to get things done, so he had no choice but to let him leave.

After Hong Gongcao left, Hong Shixiong sat on the sofa and sighed.

He looked at his two good buddies, Hong San and A Bao, standing beside him.

"Hong San, A Bao, do you think we should do some of those quests in the quest hall? Inside the Big Camphor Tree, it depends on our level; we don't have enough points."

Hong San raised his head and glanced at Hong Shixiong's large belly, then at Hong Shixiong's face, which was etched with the marks of excessive drinking and womanizing.

He didn't have the heart to directly criticize Hong Shixiong. With his physical condition, his older brother simply couldn't handle participating in those missions in the mission hall.

Moreover, the eldest brother doesn't have the professional skills listed in the recruitment list; he's just quick-witted, has a sharp mind, and knows how to do business.

However, in this oil city—no, in all the bases of the entire Zhangshu region—it still depends on the level of authority.

If you don't reach the required level, no matter how many points you have, you still can't buy the things you want.

There is only one way to upgrade: either gain contribution points or make a significant and outstanding contribution to the camphor tree.

Contribution points can only be obtained by completing urgent tasks in the Task Hall.

These tasks are either dangerous or extremely niche and few people can fulfill them.
Hong San didn't speak, but A Bao spoke up directly:

"Brother, don't even think about it. Upgrading is not like it used to be. When we came to Oil City, there were only a few people. The contribution points required to upgrade were several times less than they are now."

The oil city now has nearly a million people, so it's too difficult to upgrade to the next level; the competition is too fierce.

I think we should just eat and drink as usual, and not think too much about it.

Upon hearing this, Hong Shixiong stood up and smacked Abao on the head.

"You don't know anything! We're at such low levels. If the business gets any bigger, all three of us will be level five personnel. How are we going to hold on?"

"Forget it, forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Ah Bao retorted in a low voice, "But... the management of the big camphor tree is quite strict, and no one has come to make things difficult for us doing business. Besides, there's a mailbox for the leaders."

Hong Shixiong heard his words, but he did not respond further.

Thinking of Xie Dongming, the owner of the barbecue restaurant, he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

Xie Dongming was the first team to join the Oil City team, joining half a month earlier than them. However, since he was the first to join, he was an exception and became a Level 4 member immediately upon joining.

Those who joined later, even if they joined half a day later, were given the status of Level 5 personnel from the very beginning.

At that time, there was no such thing as a level six; the lowest level was level five.

However, after Xie Dongming and his group joined the oil city, they also started businesses, such as catering and selling barbecue.

However, Xie Dongming's son, Xie Zihao, and Xie Dongming's good friend, Zhu Ming, both joined the selection for the militia brigade. Starting from the very beginning as a reserve officer, Xie Zihao has worked for many years and has even risen to the position of brigade captain.

Xie Dongming now owns three or four restaurants in the entire oil city, and their businesses are thriving.

His son is in the powerful military department, so he's enjoying unparalleled prestige.

Hong Shixiong was extremely envious.

Unfortunately, at the time I was only thinking about lying down and didn't make any plans, otherwise things would probably be very different now.

Thinking of this, Hong Shixiong sighed again.

Looking at the drinks in front of him, he had no interest whatsoever.

"I've stored all the wine away; I need to vent my anger." Hong Shixiong stood up, patted his large belly, and swayed away from the booth.

At that moment, DJ Bigman, who was in the center of the dance floor, suddenly started beatboxing.

I must say, the technique is quite good.

The atmosphere in the bar immediately reached a fever pitch.

Hong Shixiong turned his head and glanced at the DJ, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Goodness, how is that mouth shaped? It can make such a sound.

"Mr. Hong, are you leaving already? Won't you stay a little longer?" Nan Dou, the bar's deputy manager, walked over with a smile and asked.

They were members of the exploration team led by Sha Xin. Back then, Bai Xiaosheng and Ling Bowen led them to dig up a wine cellar in a winery and obtained a lot of wine from it.

After returning, he used the alcohol to open this homeless bar.

Unexpectedly, thanks to the high quality of their drinks, their business became a huge success.

They live in an oil city and are considered to own their own businesses.

Hong Shixiong, seeing that it was Nan Dou, the deputy manager of the Wanderers' Bar, greeted him with a broad smile:

"Brother Nan, I have something to take care of, I'll go out and attend to it for a bit."

Upon hearing this, Nan Dou smiled and nodded, saying:
"Come up to the second floor when you have time, and have some tea with Brother Sha."

Hong Shixiong is a regular at the bar, so it's necessary to maintain a good relationship with him.

Upon hearing the murderous intent, Hong Shixiong's tiny eyes immediately lit up.

"Great, I have time now, there's no time like the present."

Nan Dou's lips twitched, and he thought to himself, "

"Didn't you just say you had something urgent to attend to?"

"I was just being polite, and you're really taking it personally."