Wang Zhi looked at the list on the menu and ordered six servings each of high-nutrition compressed cheese, special milkshakes, and steak rice from the ordering device.
After ordering, everyone waited quietly at the table. With Jie Xi present, the atmosphere at the table became awkward. Even Fatty, who was usually talkative, kept quiet.
At this time, Wang Zhi also noticed the gazes from the surroundings; everyone kept glancing over toward their table from time to time.
There was only one reason: the Captain from the Guard Headquarters was eating at the same table as them.
He also understood the meaning of what Jie Xi had said earlier—this meal was certainly not comfortable.
Ten minutes later, the food Wang Zhi ordered arrived, breaking the awkward situation.
"Wuwuwu..."
Just as everyone was eating enthusiastically, they suddenly heard a sound of sobbing. Wang Zhi looked up to see Fatty eating while shedding tears.
"What's wrong, Fatty?" Wang Zhi asked, confused.
"It's nothing... It's just too delicious, I'm moved. I haven't eaten a proper meal in a month, this feeling... it's wonderful! Wuwuwu...."
Damn it, this drama queen. Why so much drama over a meal? Wang Zhi looked at the overly theatrical Fatty with some bewilderment.
"Is this the new team member you recruited?" Jie Xi asked, staring at Jia Liuli beside her.
"Yes, this is her," Wang Zhi replied.
"Not bad."
Jie Xi only offered two simple words of appraisal.
Feeling Jie Xi's gaze upon her, Jia Liuli unconsciously leaned to the side.
Wang Zhi noticed Jia Liuli's small movement and spoke up: "Don't be nervous. Captain Jie Xi is a good friend of ours."
"Your usual training intensity is high, so don't skimp on food. Try some of the high-grade nutritional meals here. It's about time for me to go back," Jie Xi said, picking up her milkshake cup, standing up, and walking out.
The meal ended just like that. Wang Zhi went to the front desk.
"Hello, check for table number 07."
"One moment... Six servings of high-nutrition compressed cheese, six servings of specially mixed milkshakes, six servings of steak and rice, totaling 50 Survival Points," the clerk stated.
Wang Zhi gasped. They had spent quite heavily; one meal cost 50 points. And Jie Xi had told them not to skimp on food from now on—spend what needs to be spent. Who could afford that?
"That person just now, she was terrifying," Jia Liuli said after Wang Zhi returned from paying the bill.
Wang Zhi recalled Jia Liuli's earlier fear and asked, "What happened?"
"When she looked at me just now, I felt she was an extremely terrifying person," Jia Liuli whispered.
"After all, she is the Captain of the Guard Team; it's normal for her to be strong. But she won't harm us without reason," Wang Zhi comforted her.
"I heard a small team say that they happened to witness that Captain training once. Her full-power strike generated nearly a thousand kilograms of explosive force," Old He remarked.
"Hiss—is she even human? One punch like that could probably punch right through someone," Fatty gasped beside him.
"Let's go. We're going to get Jia Liuli a weapon," Wang Zhi said as he led everyone toward the Weapons and Equipment Hall.
In the Apocalypse, a handy weapon was an essential item for every survivor.
"Go pick out a weapon you like," Wang Zhi said to Jia Liuli.
"Thank you, Captain," Jia Liuli said as she followed behind.
"Don't be so formal; we're all on the same side."
"What can I help you all find?" The staff member on duty immediately stepped forward to greet them when they saw people entering.
"We'll just look around on our own for now, thank you," Wang Zhi replied.
All the weapons and equipment here could be viewed through the system menu; Wang Zhi brought out the menu and let Jia Liuli browse it herself.
After a short while, Jia Liuli selected an ordinary Cyan Steel Saber.
Wang Zhi examined the price and description of the Cyan Steel Saber in the system.
The price was only 50 Survival Points....
Jia Liuli, being very sensible, chose the cheapest saber available.
Can a saber costing 50 Survival Points even be used? Won't it break after just two swings?
"We finally manage to buy someone a weapon, and we get this one?" Ying asked, puzzled.
"Let's exchange it for a better saber. This kind isn't durable; it'll break after a few uses," Wang Zhi said. He also felt that if they were finally buying a weapon, buying scrap metal was worse than just getting a good one right away.
Thinking this, Wang Zhi stepped forward and flipped back several pages in the system menu.
"Let's start picking from this page," Wang Zhi said, pointing at the screen. He knew, given Jia Liuli's personality, if he didn't force her to skip a few pages, she would probably pick one costing 100 Survival Points next.
"Then how about this one?"
Finally, Jia Liuli pointed to a red-bladed saber on the page Wang Zhi had stopped at and asked tentatively.
The group huddled closer to look at the detailed description.
The name of this saber was Ye Linglong, priced at 500 Survival Points. Its material was tungsten alloy, making it indestructible. Furthermore, it came with after-sales maintenance; any nicks or dull edges could be sent back for repair, eliminating worries about it breaking and becoming unusable.
"Not bad. Expensive for a reason, indeed," Wang Zhi nodded in agreement.
"Wow, when can I afford a weapon like this?" Fatty asked enviously while looking at the screen.
"When we have more Survival Points in the future. Don't we have guns right now?"
As Wang Zhi spoke, he glanced again at the price of the rifle, which was also around 500 Survival Points.
"Then shall we order this Ye Linglong?" Wang Zhi asked, turning back.
"Mm."
"Hello, we would like to purchase this Ye Linglong," Wang Zhi said, handing the Magnetic Card to the person in charge.
"Very well, the weapon will be delivered to your residence within three days. Please wait patiently."
Cold weapons like this generally require time to craft; they are only made upon order. For high-demand items that are consumed quickly, there are naturally stockpiles available for immediate purchase.
Although 500 Survival Points was a bit extravagant for them right now, it wasn't a loss from a long-term perspective. As for the rest of them, they still had handguns, Daggers, and other weapons that would suffice for a while. They could upgrade their gear later after earning more Survival Points.
"Let's go," said Wang Zhi.
"Mm!"
It was clear that Jia Liuli was very happy after obtaining a good weapon.
The group toured the various sections of the second floor with Jia Liuli. Wang Zhi recounted to her how he had met Old He, Ying, Fatty, and the others previously, and described some of the events that occurred after they arrived at the Dawn Tower.
Jia Liuli listened to the stories with great interest until Wang Zhi mentioned the Scarlet Flame Team coming to cause trouble. She couldn't help but ask, "Captain, will they retaliate?"
Wang Zhi paused to consider: "Given Zhao Yang's personality, he definitely will retaliate. However, internal fighting is forbidden inside the Dawn Tower unless it's in the arena. Otherwise, they will absolutely be disciplined by the Guard Team."
"I also really want to become someone as powerful as Captain Jie Xi... and then protect everyone, protect the Captain..." Liuli said, clenching her fist with longing.
Hearing Liuli say she wanted to protect him, Wang Zhi's face flushed. This girl wasn't tall, but when she spoke bold words, she could match two men; the key was that she herself didn't think there was anything improper about it.
"From now on, no one is allowed to act alone here. You must always go with a companion so you have backup in case something happens. This is the Apocalypse; there are no laws, no justice. The only person you can truly trust is yourself, understand?" Wang Zhi asked.
"Then Captain, can we not even trust you?" Jia Liuli looked up at Wang Zhi.
"Hmm... I can't completely trust myself, because I don't know if I might fall into corruption in this Apocalypse," Wang Zhi said with a touch of sadness.
"It's alright, Captain. Even if you betray me, I would willingly accept it, after all, you all rescued me," Jia Liuli looked up and smiled.
Wang Zhi glanced at Jia Liuli and didn't reply. What would the future hold? He couldn't imagine.