Eight Lop's furry ears flushed pink as he heard Thomas's laughter.
"M-Mister Smyth, these things just suddenly appeared and fell on me, so..."
Thomas followed Eight Lop's gaze. A pile of items lay scattered on the floor. Clearly, someone leaving the Trading Center had triggered the [Passing Levy I] trait.
"Eight Lop, I forgot to mention, items will appear here randomly. Be careful."
Thomas casually glanced around and froze.
"Mister Smyth...is something wrong?" Eight Lop asked with concern.
Thomas pointed at the supplies already neatly stacked against the wall, half the shooting range organized in the short time he'd been gone. "Eight Lop, did you do all this?"
Eight Lop tilted his head, looking at the partially organized supplies. "Yes? Did I do something wrong?"
"Haha...no, no, not at all. It's perfect. Carry on." Thomas chuckled, quickly leaving the shooting range and wiping nonexistent sweat from his brow.
"Holy crap...that's Eight Lop's [Management Expert] talent. It's insane!"
At this rate, Thomas estimated Eight Lop would have everything organized within the hour—all the loot from two raider hideouts. What an incredible talent.
With Eight Lop managing inventory and collecting the daily output from the [Medical Station], [Kitchen], and [Bathroom], Thomas could finally delegate those tedious tasks. He was free.
Unburdened from the mental clutter of micromanagement, his mind sharpened. He knew exactly what he needed: information. Intel on everything.
Unfortunately, the [Intelligence Center] was still upgrading, so today's reports were unavailable. Thomas was most interested in a few key areas:
1. The number and threat level of factions within Sparrow City, including their locations, manpower, and territory.
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2. The factions' stance towards survivors—whether wholly hostile, partially hostile, or neutral.
3. Information on Mad Dog, Caban, The Butcher, Ghostface, and their mysterious boss, Hannibal Zhou.
Thomas hadn't forgotten the rare items they possessed. He doubted their gear in the real Apocalypse Game would be the same as in the tutorial version. The five-man squad had already been equipped with night vision goggles and other tactical gear—items only Ghostface had carried in the tutorial. The bosses' equipment must be even more valuable now.
Thomas was already plotting how to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his. That brought him to someone he wouldn't forget: Black Dog. He had to still be alive.
Come to think of it, he hadn't yet fulfilled the requirements for his rare title, [Raider Conqueror]. Black Dog led a group of more than twenty men, perfect.
Thomas mentally circled Black Dog's name. His hideout was probably still Room 903 of the Pinewood Hotel. Thomas's eyes lit up. He pulled out his keycard wallet and located the [Pinewood Hotel Room 903 Key].
It was still there, but with a new detail: Uses 2/2. Ben Walker had mentioned this.
"Two uses left," Thomas mused. A plan began to form, a wicked grin spreading across his face. The grin of a man planning a "surprise" for an old friend. A sincere and enthusiastic surprise.
But not yet. He needed more information to perfect his plan.
"Tomorrow, the Intelligence Center will be finished! Just a little longer..."
"Damn, almost forgot about Stephen Zhou. Is he still alive?"
That was easy to confirm. Thomas focused on the virtual map of the [City Hospital], locating the director's office and the hidden safe room. Seeing several blue-glowing items inside the safe, Thomas felt a thrill.
The safe room's existence confirmed Stephen Zhou was alive. And perhaps it also meant his brother, Hannibal Zhou, was still away in the real Apocalypse Game.
Thomas didn't have the safe's combination or key; he'd only intercepted it last time. How would he get the items this time?
He recalled a conversation he'd overheard while posing as a clown among the refugees.
"Room 709 of the Pinewood Hotel. Stephen's hideout. Five refugees guarding him, all slaughtered by The Butcher's men, led by an inside man."
"Stephen's security must be tighter now."
"I wonder if The Butcher has contacted the inside man about the lab key."
Thomas's mind raced, buzzing with excitement.
"They must have connected, including that mercenary leader, Solon. Their target is the CBS Lab."
Thomas pulled out the notebook with the safe combination he'd taken from The Butcher, filled with complaints about Hannibal Zhou and Solon. He hadn't thought he'd need it again, but now it was a crucial clue.
Thomas was in a state of manic excitement, his mind a whirlwind of ideas.
"That's it! The first disaster world was a mirrored version of the real Apocalypse Game. Everything that happened there is a potential future for the real world."
Understanding dawned, clearing all his doubts. A brilliant smile stretched across his face.
"So, the conditions for many events are already in place. All that's needed is a catalyst..."
"A catalyst to set these events in motion!"