Once back inside the cell block, Gray addressed the three inmates."You guys can start helping them clean this place. Once we're done clearing every other block, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping and working."
"You're the boss," Oscar replied.
"He's actually the boss." Gray nodded toward Rick. "I'm just here making everyone look pretty." Not like I want that responsibility — I just want to build cool shit.
With the new people cleaning, Rick told Glenn, T-Dog, and Maggie to keep an eye on them for now. Once things were settled, they headed back out to finish clearing the prison. Hours later, they reached the massive hole at the front fence.
"This is going to be a problem," Rick muttered.
"That's why I want to build the reinforced wall," Gray said, barely concerned. "Once those new survivors make it here, it'll already be up."
By the time they returned, the cell block was spotless — no blood stains in sight. Rick asked T-Dog if the inmates caused trouble. T-Dog shook his head. "They helped without complaining."
"I'm taking them outside to start the wall," Gray said. "We've got to dig all around the prison, so the earlier we start, the better." He handed Big Tiny, Oscar, and Axel their tools and led them out.
"Damn, the sun feels good," Oscar muttered in the yard.
Gray chuckled. "Give it time — you'll get sick of it after a few days of this." He pointed to a line of holes he'd made earlier. "These were for H-beams, but I got inspired. We'll dig five feet down, lay horizontal beams at the base, then set the verticals for stability."
With a chalk line, they marked the ground and started digging one foot deep to outline the footprint. A few hours later, Carol arrived to tell them lunch was ready. They washed up with a bucket of water, ate, and went back out once the food settled.
This time, most of Rick's group joined in. By 6 PM, the outline was done outside the two fences."Tomorrow, we get another foot down," Gray said. "We're done for today — clean up and rest."
As the group headed inside, the inmates pulled him aside. "Where are we sleeping?"
"You guys worked hard today, but they're not ready to have you in the cells yet," Gray said. "For now, you'll sleep in the trucks outside — California King beds, temporary. Keep it up, and they'll open up to you." He showed them the Earthroamers, and they agreed without hesitation.
Hiding the M249 in his inventory, Gray went inside and offered meat for dinner as a reward for everyone's work.
Finally, for the first time that day, he opened the system HUD:
[Status Info]
Name: Gray Ashwood
Age: 27 years old
Race: Human
Gold: 819'081
Gold per hour: 38196 (24643)
Gold Multiplier: 1.55x
[Clock]
6:20 PM
Five hours until the next upgrade. He set an alarm for 11 PM and fetched the inmates for dinner. Later, as everyone settled into cells, Gray spotted Carl and noticed Lori watching from a distance.
Relax, lady, I'm not gonna hurt him.
"Hey Carl, I got a present for you, but I don't know if your mom will allow it," Gray said.
"It depends on what it is," Lori replied, arms crossed.
"Oh, just this." He pulled out a Game Boy with three cartridges. Carl's eyes lit up instantly.
After handing it over, Gray went outside to stargaze, only to see Rick approaching.
"I appreciate the gift," Rick said. "He deserves a normal childhood — thank you."
"No worries. Once we turn this place into a fortress, more kids will get that chance," Gray said, still looking at the stars. When the gold really starts flowing, I'll build water systems, turbines, solar panels, catchers, big batteries… maybe some peacekeeping turrets like in Rust.
Later, he showed the inmates to their Earthroamer and took the smaller one for himself.
"The table drops into a California King. There's another bed over the cabin," Gray explained.
"Where'd you even find these?" Axel asked.
"Soon, you'll know. Good work today."
When the alarm finally rang, Gray smiled and bought the next upgrade
New Upgrade: (1M Gold) 24000 Gold/Hour.
Making the new Hourly rate: 75396 (48643)
The next morning, Carol woke him for breakfast. He checked the HUD:
[Status Info]
Name: Gray Ashwood
Age: 27 years old
Race: Human
Gold: 688,625
Gold per hour: 75396 (48643)
Gold Multiplier: 1.55x
[Clock]
8:05 AM
"Now we are making money." Grinning and walking towards the prison, Gray started planning out the upgrades and useful skills to have. I need to be stronger and not tire as easily, so it's time to upgrade both.
Enhanced Stamina (100% enhancement) – 150,000 Gold Upgradable. ✔
Enhanced Strength (1x normal) – 200,000 Gold Upgradable. ✔
Price doubled. Same curve as the inventory costs. Works for me.
With a mental switch, the upgrades activated. Power surged through him — his muscles felt denser, his breathing steady as if he'd just woken from a full night's sleep. By mid-afternoon, Gray was digging like a machine, moving earth at triple the pace of anyone else. Sweat came, but the fatigue never did. Before long, the trench outline was carved a foot deep around the prison.
When everyone else took a break to eat, Gray devoured enough food for three men."Where can you fit all that? You're half my size," Big Tiny muttered.Gray chuckled.
Still feeling wired, he went right back to digging, bringing the trench to two feet before they called it for the day. The others returned inside; Gray stayed out, scanning the fences for movement.
"You don't tire, do you?" Oscar asked."This? Nothing. The things you'll see later will make this look normal."
Oscar stopped, peering into the treeline. "I doubt anything's crazier than the dead walking."
"You'd be surprised." Gray met his gaze. "What can I do for you?"
"That kind little girl sent me. Dinner's ready.""Her name's Beth," Gray said with a smile. "I'll be right there."Good. They were already talking.
On the walk back, Gray pulled up the shop menu and checked off some new essentials:
{Advanced Civil Engineering} (10000 Gold) ✔
{Advanced Metalworking} (10000 Gold) ✔
{Advanced Woodworking} (10000 Gold) ✔
Gold Multiplier: (420000 Gold) +0.05x ✔
With the purchases complete, 717,981 Gold remained.
He lingered for a moment, watching the sun sink below the horizon, then stepped into the cell block, ready for dinner.