Chapter 14: Amazing Efficiency

“Fang Heng, don’t you think we should reinforce this shelter tomorrow? The system’s shelter protection expires the night after tomorrow.”

Fang Heng lowered his head and thought for a moment.

There was still a significant shortage of nails needed to build a personal shelter, and he still had to go clear out the zombies inside the prison tomorrow.

Building a player shelter couldn't be completed in just two or three days.

They would have to stay in this dump for the next few days.

Fang Heng didn't want to be forcibly logged into the game because his shelter was attacked while he was sleeping at night.

Reinforcing the cabin had to be put on the agenda!

Fang Heng patted Liao Bufan on the shoulder. “Alright, brother, I’ll leave the shelter’s defensive reinforcements to you. You can reinforce the cabin tomorrow and keep an eye on the place while you’re at it.”

“You got it.”

Liao Bufan agreed immediately, patting his chest with a sense of pride.

“Forgot to mention, my talent is Reinforcement and Maintenance. It increases reinforcement efficiency by 20% and reduces material consumption by 20%. This skill is a real material saver, you know? Hiring me to do this is a huge bargain for you!”

*Creak!*

The sound of the wooden door being pushed open interrupted Liao Bufan’s bragging.

A zombie wearing a lumberjack uniform stumbled in from outside.

The people inside the cabin turned their heads to look at the zombie.

The zombie clone dumped a pile of logs from its backpack onto the floor.

Ignoring everyone’s gaze, it turned around and left the cabin again.

【Notification: Your zombie has completed a round of material transport. You have obtained Logs *10. You have obtained Skill - Physical Training EXP +20.】

【Notification: Your zombie has started a new round of material transport.】

Liao Bufan’s mouth hung open.

At this moment, he completely retreated into his own shell.

He finally saw it clearly: this guy Fang Heng wasn't lacking materials at all!

Fang Heng didn't notice the change in Liao Bufan’s expression; his attention was now focused on the game logs.

*Huh? Zombie clones can provide EXP for skills too!*

*What a steal!*

After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Heng logged off first.

At 8:30 PM, the Huangming Game Company was still brightly lit.

Most of the gaming pods in the office were running, and quite a few employees were still busy at their computers.

Fang Heng saw a conspicuous note and a room key card stuck to his gaming pod.

“Mr. Fang Heng, we have booked room 1602 for you at the hotel next door. This is your key card. If you have any questions, please contact me. Contact number: 1272……”

Got the key card, back to the hotel, time to sleep!

Leaving the company, Fang Heng casually checked his phone.

There were over a dozen missed calls, all of them from Xia Xi.

Fang Heng slapped his forehead.

*Damn, I forgot to tell Xia Xi about the interview today.*

Fang Heng was in a great mood, so he sent a reply message.

“Thanks to you, I passed. I’ll treat you to a meal when the time comes.”

*Wait, that’s not right!*

Just after sending it, Fang Heng regretted it. This tone didn't fit the cold, aloof image of the original owner of this body!

Before he could even try to recall the message, Xia Xi replied immediately.

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Wait for me to get back.”

Fang Heng was stunned.

“Where are you going?”

“Seoul, for a tournament.”

*What tournament?*

*Could Xia Xi be a professional player too?*

*Why do I have no memory of this?*

Fang Heng scratched his scalp, feeling a bit annoyed.

He noticed that he still had many gaps in his memory.

“Qin Shuran is a good friend of mine. She just took over the company recently; you should help her too.”

*Help her?*

*No way, does the boss really need my help?*

*I’ll be lucky if she doesn't fire me.*

Fang Heng grumbled to himself, but still obediently replied with a message.

“Okay.”

……

The hotel room was large, far more comfortable to sleep in than the previous shack.

Exhausted from the day, Fang Heng slept until dawn.

The next day, Fang Heng returned to the Group 3 office as usual.

Early in the morning, the office was bustling with people, a scene of intense activity.

Many delivery workers were carrying gaming pods into the office.

“Hey! I’m talking to you! Be careful! These are top-tier gaming pods, don’t break them!”

“Move them to the side, don’t put them by the window.”

Shen Qing was directing the work nearby, his voice sounding a bit hoarse.

Noticing Fang Heng’s arrival, Shen Qing walked over.

“Fang Heng, did you sleep well last night?”

“It was alright.”

“President Qin had an urgent matter and went on a business trip last night. Before she left, she gave instructions for you to stay in Group 3 for the time being until she returns……”

Halfway through his sentence, Shen Qing’s expression changed, and he shouted at a worker nearby: “Don’t put it there! Don’t block the walkway! That’s a thoroughfare!”

The worker looked impatient. “Then where do you want me to put it? Hurry up, there are plenty more downstairs!”

“Just wait a second!”

“Sorry about that. New District 8 has opened, and our Group 3’s operations have undergone major adjustments. I’m dizzy from all the work.”

Shen Qing gave an apologetic smile and patted Fang Heng’s shoulder warmly. “Anyway, that’s the gist of it. I’m going to get back to work; there are many new recruits coming to report today. Feel free to use that row of gaming pods over there. If you run into any issues, come find me.”

With that, Shen Qing hurried off to deal with the workers again. “What are you doing? The power cables for the gaming pods are proprietary! You’ll have problems if you connect them like that!”

*Uh…*

*Are they all this busy?*

Fang Heng felt helpless.

It was true; with the opening of the Zombie Apocalypse New District 8, the game company’s business focus and resources were all converging there. It was only natural that they would be busy.

It wasn't just Huangming Game Company; other large and small game companies, clubs, player guilds, and even the Federal Government would be fully supporting the development of District 8.

Competing against these behemoths, Fang Heng felt the pressure.

He needed to hurry up and build his shelter.

Finding a random gaming pod, Fang Heng returned to the game.

……

【Notification: While you were offline, your zombie horde transported Small Gasoline Can *2, Firewood *21, Logs *291, Scrap Parts *23…… Your Skill - Basic Physical Training EXP +8912.】

【Notification: Your Basic Physical Training level has increased to LV5.】

【Notification: Your Skill - Basic Physical Training level cannot exceed your character level. Please increase your player level.】

*In just one night, Basic Physical Training reached level 5?*

*The efficiency is astonishing!*

In the game, most players need long periods of training to increase their skill levels.

With a tireless zombie clone grinding 24 hours a day, Fang Heng could drastically shorten the time needed to level up his skills.

“If ordinary movement while carrying a load can provide EXP for Basic Physical Training, then leveling up Basic Strength Training and Agility Training will likely require actual combat.”

Fang Heng muttered to himself.

“Fang Heng, you guy, what are you mumbling about over there early in the morning?”

Inside the cabin, Liao Bufan was holding a wooden plank, measuring it against the cabin window.

“Uncle Jimmy said when he logged on that he had something to do today and wouldn't be back until tonight. He left seven crossbow bolts for you.”

“Liu Lin went out alone to explore the surrounding area. I couldn't stop her, so I let her take a crossbow with her.”