Chapter 3 : Status Window

The auction house called shortly after Go Lao Wei's introduction, requesting the necessary documents for the acquisition of the military base.

"I'll send them over by email," I replied, keeping the conversation brief and professional.

I don't need any unnecessary chatter. I still had thirty-two million yuan left. Enough for now, but I need to manage my resources carefully.

Materials are my next priority. I need to start acquiring them as soon as possible.

Just as I was calculating the logistics of transporting supplies to the base, a notification window popped up in front of me, startling me slightly. It resembled a system notification from a game, a stark contrast to the reality I'm living in.

The window status

Intelligence: 12

Stamina: 5

Endurance: 5

Health: 100

Agility: 5

Strength: 5

I stared at the numbers, my brow furrowed. What is this? Some kind of… joke? Then, another notification popped up, this one displaying a mission and its reward/s

Mission: Open Spatial Storage

Reward: Small Supply Crate x1

My confusion deepened. Spatial storage? A supply crate? Is this some elaborate prank?

I cautiously reached out and touched the notification window. It feels… real. Solid. It isn't just a projection.

The window shimmering slightly, and a tutorial began to play, explaining how to operate the system interface and functions. My mind reeled.

This is impossible. Yet, here it is I can see it. A system, seemingly integrated into my reality, displaying my stats and offering missions.

Could this be related to my rebirth? Is it some kind of… cheat code? The implications are staggering. If this is real, it will change everything.

I glanced around my rented room in a hotel, a sense of unease creeping in.

This system notification, this… game interface, is beyond anything I can comprehend.

I need information. I grabbed my phone and started searching the internet for grocery item suppliers.

Food and other essential supplies will be crucial, and bulk purchasing is the most efficient way to acquire them.

I bookmarked a few promising leads, making a mental note to contact them later.

My attention returned to the system interface. The tutorial had been surprisingly straightforward, explaining the functions of the spatial storage.

It is, essentially, a pocket dimension, a vast space accessible only to me. And according to the system, it can be upgraded, meaning it can become even larger.

The implications of this is immense. Imagine the amount of supplies I could store!

As I ponder the possibilities, another system message popped up:

Mission Complete

Reward: Small Supply Crate x1

I touched the notification, and a small, wooden crate materialized in my spatial storage.

Intrigued, I accessed the storage and opened the crate. Inside, I found a variety of items, clearly designed for survival in the apocalypse.

There is a comprehensive first-aid kit, packed with everything from bandages and antiseptics to more advanced medical supplies.

And then there is a vial filled with a shimmering, iridescent liquid. The label read: "Body Enhancing Potion."

My eyebrows rose. A potion? Is this some godly prank? But the system seemed so… real. I decided to take chance. I uncorked the vial and drank the potion.

It taste slightly metallic, but it isn't unpleasant. Almost immediately, I felt a surge of warmth spreading through my body.

My muscles tensed, my senses heightened. I felt… stronger. Significantly stronger. I flexed my arms, surprised by the sudden increase in my physical power.

It is as if my body had been supercharged. The effects are undeniable. The potion, whatever it is, has right on effectiveness.

My stamina and other stat, which the system had rated as a measly 5, felt noticeably improved.

This system, this bizarre intrusion into my reality, is proved to be… beneficial. And I had a feeling I was going to need every advantage I could get.

The window displayed my status:

Intelligence: 12+1

Stamina: 5+1

Endurance: 5+1

Health: 100+10

Agility: 5+1

Strength: 5+1

I still have 2 months and 29 day Before the Apocalypse I must quicken my Preparations

The surge of power from the potion is still coursing through me, a tangible reminder of the strange new reality I inhabited. As I was processing the implications of this sudden enhancement, another system notification appeared:

New Mission: Secure and Strengthen the Fortress

Rewards: Small Supply Crate x1, Apocalyptic Skill: Mind Reader

My eyes widened.

Another mission, and this time the reward is even more intriguing. A skill? "Mind Reader," the notification proclaimed.

The words sent a shiver down my spine. What exactly did that entail?

My curiosity piqued, I tapped on the skill name, and a new window opened, displaying the details:

Mind Reader: Reveals the thoughts of a selected target.

Usage: Activate.

My breath hitched. The ability to read minds?

This is… incredible. In a world where deception and betrayal are rampant, such a skill will be invaluable.

I could see through lies, anticipate my enemies' moves, and understand the true motivations of those around me. It is a game-changer. But how do it work? I contemplate the description in my mind.

With the title to the military base officially in my name, the real work began.

This isn't just a piece of land anymore; it is the foundation of my future, my sanctuary in the coming storm.

I drove out to the base, the vast expanse of the property stretching out before me. It is even more desolate than I imagined, a perfect blank canvas for my plans.

The first order of business is security. I needed to be able to monitor the perimeter, to see any threats coming from miles away.

I immediately contracted a construction crew to build a watchtower, strategically placed for maximum visibility.

I also ordered the installation of CCTV cameras, a comprehensive network that will cover every inch of the base, inside and out. No blind spots. I wanted to see everything.

Inside the main building, my living quarters, I had another, more discreet project in mind. In my designated room,

I planned to create a secret basement, a hidden space known only to me. It will be my inner sanctum, a place to store my most valuable resources, a place to retreat if the outer defenses were breached.

The existing barbed wires around the perimeter are rusted and useless.

I had it all removed and replaced with new, razor-sharp wire, layered thickly to deter any intruders.

The walls themselves were sturdy enough, built to withstand military assaults, but I ain't taking any chances.

I ordered them to be fortified, reinforced with extra layers of concrete and steel, making them virtually impenetrable.

This is not just about surviving; it is also about thriving and about building a fortress that could withstand anything the apocalypse threw at it.

Beyond the physical defenses, I know that long-term sustainability is crucial. A fortress is useless without power.

I contracted professional and specialty engineers to install a comprehensive power system. Solar panels are erected across the base, soaking up the abundant sunlight.

But solar power alone isn't enough. I also have them installed a self-power generation reactor, a cutting-edge technology that can ensure a constant, reliable source of energy, regardless of weather conditions.

The base can be self-sufficient, completely off the grid. 24/7 power, no interruptions.

Finally, the most crucial element: control. I need a system that allow me to manage the fortress complex infrastructure, a system that is both secure and responsive.

I hired programmers and AI specialists to design and implement an advanced AI system. This isn't just any AI; it must be custom-built, programmed to recognize only my voice, my commands.

It will work as the brain of the fortress, controlling everything from security and lighting to resource management and communication. No one else would be able to access it, ensuring that I had absolute control. My fortress, my rules.

With the groundwork for my fortress finally complete, the two months spent overseeing construction and installations had flown by. The base is now fully established, a self-sustaining, automated powerhouse ready to weather the coming storm.

But a fortress is only as good as its supplies. Now, the real hoarding began.

The system notification for completing the base's construction had popped up promptly, rewarding me with the promised small supply crate and, more importantly, the Mind Reader skill.

I experimented with it a few times, practicing on various individuals I encountered.

It is a strange, unsettling feeling, peering into the minds of others, but I quickly learned to control it, activating it only when necessary.

It is a powerful tool, one that I knew would prove useful.

My focus shifts to acquiring essential materials. I contacted numerous manufacturing companies, placing large orders for everything from non-perishable food and medical supplies to tools, weapons, and construction materials.

I provided the military base as the delivery location, coordinating the shipments meticulously.

One by one, the trucks arrived, depositing their cargo at my doorstep. As soon as a deliveries are completed, I transferred the supplies into my spatial storage.

The small supply crates I had received from the system, along with other materials acquired (through completing many mission the system gave me), proved incredible.

I used them to upgrade my spatial storage, expanding its capacity significantly. It is now large enough to hold the contents of two warehouses.

The sheer volume of supplies I could store is staggering. I'm now prepared. Or, at least, as prepared as I can be.

I'm in the black market picking some weapons and firearm materials when I bump into a shameless individual "Yu Tang" my ex cousin.

I continued walking, determined to put as much distance as possible between myself and Zhi Yi's cousin.

His presence is annoyingly a reminder of the past I was trying to escape, a past filled with betrayal and deceit. But he wasn't so easily deterred. He grabbed my arm, his grip surprisingly strong.

What a persistent pest I mouthed

"Come on, Su Yan," he sneered, his smile turning predatory. "Don't play hard to get. You know you want me."

I yanked my arm away, my anger simmering just below the surface.

"Get your hands off me," I hissed, my eyes narrowing. I was about to deliver a sharp retort when a voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

"Hey! Leave her alone."

I turned to see a man approaching us, his expression concerned.

He is handsome, with a kind face and a gentle demeanor.

There is something familiar about him, a sense of… recognition. It was Han So Chul. My loyal companion from the previous timeline.

Even now, before the apocalypse, before we even met, he is coming to my rescue. He was an expat from Korea, living in China. A true gentleman, in every timeline.

Zhi Yi's cousin scoffed.

"Mind your own business," he growled, his attention still focused on me.

Han So Chul stepped between us, his posture protective.

"She clearly doesn't want anything to do with you," he said, his voice calm but firm. "So, I suggest you walk away."

Zhi Yi's cousin hesitated, assessing Han So Chul.

He must have sensed the quiet strength radiating from him because he finally backed down, muttering something under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.

I turned to Han So Chul, a wave of gratitude washing over me.

"Thank you," I said, my voice sincere. "I appreciate your help."

He smiled, his eyes warm.

"It's no problem," he replied. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," I assured him. "Just a minor annoyance."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary.

"Well," he said, "if you need any more help, just let me know." He then gave me a polite bow and continued on his way.

I watched him go, my heart filled with warmth. Even in this life, even before we knew each other, Han So Chul is a good man.

A reliable man. An ally. I made a mental note to seek him out again.

He will be a valuable asset in the coming apocalypse.

A wave of impulsiveness washed over me. I can't just let Han So Chul walk away. He had helped me, and in this new reality, I knew the value of building trust and fostering alliances.

I hurried after him, catching up just as he was about to disappear into the throng of people.

"Excuse me," I called out, my voice slightly breathless.

He turned, his brow furrowed in mild surprise

"I just wanted to thank you again," I said, offering a sincere smile. "You didn't have to help me back there."

He shrugged, a hint of shyness in his eyes. "It was nothing," he mumbled.

"It wasn't nothing to me," I countered. "I'd like to repay your kindness. Would it be alright if I got your contact information?"

He hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. I could understand his reluctance. I was a stranger, after all. "I just want to treat you to a meal sometime," I added, hoping to reassure him. "As a thank you."

He seemed to consider this for a moment, then a small smile touched his lips.

"Alright," he said, pulling out his phone.

We exchanged contact information, a simple transaction that felt significant, charged with the knowledge of what he would become in the future.

"Thank you, Han So Chul," I said, genuinely grateful. "I'll be in touch."

He nodded, a polite bow, and then continued on his way.

I watched him go, a sense of satisfaction settling within me. I had made a connection, a valuable connection.

With that taken care of, I returned to the black market stall where I had arranged to meet the weapons dealer.

The transaction was swift and discreet. I paid for the weapons, a substantial sum, but worth every yuan.

The arsenals are impressive – a variety of firearms, knives, and other implements designed for survival and combat.

I carefully loaded everything into my car, making sure it was secure and out of sight.

The drive back to the base was uneventful. I was eager to unload the weapons and add them to my growing stockpile of supplies.

My fortress was nearly complete, my preparations well underway.

The apocalypse is coming, but I'm ready.