Voices of Rebellion and the Seeds of Class Struggle

"Latest Internal Bulletin on Workpoint Adjustments for the Jinling People's Doomsday Command Center"

"1. As the population in our settlement continues to grow and the workpoint system becomes more refined, we aim to encourage everyone to contribute more diligently in resisting the apocalypse. To this end, we are introducing new mechanism items into the workpoint exchange program."

"2. New rule: Before exchanging any mechanism items with workpoints, all individuals must sign and agree to the Mechanism Item Safety and Usage Act and the Labor Laws for Shelter Personnel."

"3. Only after signing these terms can exchanges be made. The available mechanism items primarily focus on talent recruitment and talent upgrades, with D and C-level projects currently open for exchange."

Once this internal bulletin was released, it immediately attracted the attention of all the survivors in the city.

No one knew how the message found its way to the city's chat channels. Rumor had it that it came from an underground informant. What mattered, however, was that now everyone was eager to secure a spot in Mike's shelter.

"Damn! The Commander's reserves are too rich! Even talent recruitment and upgrade items are included?"

"Let me check the leaderboard... Hiss! Only less than a thousand people in the entire city have talent units! This means fewer than a thousand can reliably get upgrade materials without going through the Puzzle Gate!"

"I'm so jealous! The Commander's people are eating well. Just by working, they get access to talent units—no need to fight to the death in the Puzzle Gate!"

"Damn it! Yesterday, the staff said the three major settlements are full and not recruiting anyone for now. They're only maintaining long-term aid work. We're out of the workpoint system!"

"Anyone know a black-market smuggler? I'll pay for a spot in the Commander's shelter's three major settlements! We can negotiate the price! But I need a regular household registration! No black-market stuff!"

The chat was soon filled with outcries. At first, many had hesitated to join the Commander's shelter. While they supported him, those who had the means to survive independently didn't like the idea of being controlled. Now, with the opportunity laid bare before them, everyone scrambled to find a way in.

What? Talent units come with restrictions?

Doesn't matter!

First, get the talent, then deal with the rules.

No one has talent yet, so who cares about rules? They'll think about that later when they're better off.

"Calm down, everyone!"

A staff member from Mike's shelter quickly intervened, sending out a reassuring message: "The Commander is already planning more urban settlements, aiming to speed up the reconstruction and organization of the city."

"No need to wait long. Everyone will have the choice to join these new settlements or stay independent!"

This message somewhat eased the anxious crowd, but many were still envious of those already living under Mike's shelter. Undoubtedly, these people would be the next ones to gain talent units.

Not only that, but they'd also have the potential to upgrade them—this gave them an immense advantage over the rest!

While everyone was preoccupied with this news, another public policy announcement suddenly appeared in the chat channels.

"Here comes more news! Everyone look!"

Survivors had developed a keen interest in the official documents Mike sent out. Normally, people would avoid such bureaucratic messages in peaceful times, but in the midst of the apocalypse, these announcements gave a rare sense of security.

"Latest Management Measures for the Jinling Puzzle Gates"

"1. All Puzzle Gates in the city are public resources for resisting the apocalypse, and thus must be reasonably regulated by official public institutions."

"2. Special directive from the Commander: The Puzzle Gates are public property and cannot be privately monopolized. These precious resources should not disrupt the internal unity of the people. We must resist temptation and adhere to the organization's unified arrangements. The difficulty of the Puzzle Gates must not be underestimated, as careless actions could cost lives."

"3. New rule: All Puzzle Gates within Jinling City, including those in the suburbs, must be reported immediately upon discovery. Any survivor found dealing with the Puzzle Gates without reporting them will face severe punishment, and informants will be rewarded."

"4. The development work of the Puzzle Gates will be led by the Jinling People's Doomsday Command Center. All survivors wishing to participate in the Puzzle Gate exploration efforts should contact the relevant personnel."

"5. All survivors involved in the exploration of the Puzzle Gates will receive resources from the gates based on their performance. However, all participants must sign the Jinling Doomsday Resistance Declaration and the People's Guard Declaration to ensure that critical resources are entrusted to trustworthy individuals."

This new announcement quickly shifted the attention of the survivors in the city. Many, after reading it, fell into silence.

The once-vibrant chat had quieted as the new policy settled in.

"Hiss! The Puzzle Gates are now public property? Sure, sure... the apocalypse is yours now, huh? Are they really going to shut out ordinary people like this?"

Suddenly, a message from a shelter named Mu Ye Xing Kong broke the silence.

Many survivors, having read the new policy, were now visibly upset, firing back with their own opinions.

"Isn't the idea of centralized management and distribution a good one?"

"Don't pay attention to that idiot."

Though there were some voices in support, they were few, and more began to question the real implications of this new policy.

After the first wave of the apocalypse, the Puzzle Gates offered the survivors hope for upgrading their shelters. Without a doubt, whoever controlled more of these gates would grow stronger, and their progress would far surpass others.

Mike's first bulletin, which granted access to talent units and upgrades, was widely admired because it was an obvious giveaway of resources—a clear benefit to the people.

But this second announcement gave the impression that the Commander was hoarding the Puzzle Gate resources for himself.

Many survivors were eyeing those resources, wishing they could stake a claim before anyone else did.

"What? You say we don't have the strength to claim the Puzzle Gates?"

Doesn't matter! If we can't, we won't let anyone else infringe on our rights!

When the announcement went out, the backlash was swift. The staff responsible for the bulletin was taken aback, unsure if they had written something unclear or omitted something important.

But it was all there!

So why were people still opposing it? Didn't they see the collective benefit?

Many lone wolves didn't care about collective benefit or the Commander's official position. What mattered to them was personal gain. Even those who supported the policy couldn't drown out the voices of dissent.

In the face of profit, people's true nature was exposed.

"These people want to strip you clean and you're still cheering them on?"

A message from Mu Ye Xing Kong mocked the supporters: "Can't you think for a second? Why did the Commander become the Commander? Is it because he's nice? No, it's because he's strong!"

"Why is he strong? Because his talent is superior. And now that he's stronger, he wants to block our growth!"

"Everyone knows that the Puzzle Gates hold key upgrade materials. The Commander's fancy talk about unified distribution? It's just an excuse to give the best resources to his inner circle!"

"When that happens, a new ruling class will form, and they'll exploit us, the lower classes! Wake up! Use your brains and think about this!"

"What unified management? It's just a cover-up for his selfish desires! It's an excuse to oppress the city's lower classes with his power!"