"Basic security completed."

"Basic storage completed."

"Basic energy completed."

"Basic agricultural and livestock sustainability completed."

"Basic combat power configuration—Base war dog: 1,50% completed!"

"Reward: A-class gift package!"

"Congratulations! You have received a 100% increase in base security! Precision crossbow tower *1! Short arrows *100 barrels! Most advanced high-function armored vehicle *1! Fuel *1000 tons!"

With the system's rewards granted, Li Chenxi's base underwent a significant transformation.

The electrified barbed wire and the gate were upgraded, doubling in height and thickness, providing an immense sense of security. A tower-like arrow turret emerged directly above her underground bunker. In her storage, she found an additional 1000 tons of fuel and a stunning luxury armored vehicle.

Li Chenxi immediately took the armored vehicle out for a spin. The large camouflaged vehicle glinted with a cold, hard steel brilliance under the sun.

Having operated military vehicles before, including armored ones, she was familiar with them but had never driven such an advanced model. This armored vehicle boasted exceptional off-road capability, superior protection, and firepower support. It was equipped with a small-caliber flamethrower, with both the engine and flamethrower running on the fuel she had received. The reinforced tires were stronger than steel tracks, providing both agility and speed. The vehicle's body strength was a hundred times that of a standard armored vehicle, and it featured hidden panels that, when activated from the driver's seat, enveloped the entire vehicle in armor.

Li Chenxi could plow through a horde of zombies without a hitch. This was indeed the most advanced and powerful armored vehicle—nothing on the market could compare.

"Such a treasure!" Li Chenxi marveled, taking a full tour of the vehicle to familiarize herself with all its functions before reluctantly stepping out.

Afterwards, she headed straight for her new tower. She had expanded her underground bunker to include a two-story staircase leading to the newly acquired precision crossbow tower. The tower featured eight elongated windows for perfect sniper positioning, allowing coverage of a one-kilometer radius around her bunker.

At the center of the tower was a 360-degree rotating precision crossbow, with ten barrels of short arrows neatly arranged nearby. Each barrel contained a hundred steel-tipped barbed arrows.

Li Chenxi loaded an arrow onto the crossbow and aimed at a bird flying within her territory. With a swift "whoosh," the short arrow flew through the air. The bird, perched at the edge of her bunker, fell to the ground with a muffled "thud," the arrow having pierced through it entirely.

Li Chenxi quickly retrieved the arrow and the bird's carcass. The weapon's nearly silent operation and powerful penetration made it perfect for the apocalypse.

She carefully recovered the barbed arrow for reuse, as sustainable resources were precious.

Content with her progress, Li Chenxi and Summer headed back. As she surveyed her increasingly fortified base, she couldn't help but wonder about the potential rewards for achieving even higher completion levels. If the A-class rewards were this impressive, what would higher levels yield?

She then thought about the missing part of her base.

The base combat power configuration was only at fifty because she only had Summer, her one dog.

Does this mean she needs to have more dogs...?

It seems she should find opportunities to take in more dogs in the future.

"Let's go! Summer, time to eat!"

"Woof woof woof!"

Li Chenxi led Summer back into her fully upgraded bunker.

After a hearty meal, Li Chenxi began browsing the internet.

It was the third day of the apocalypse.

The internet was still operational.

After the zombie outbreak, the city's water supply was quickly affected. Countless zombie corpses floated in the large clean water tanks of the water treatment plant, contaminating the water source immediately.

Electricity lasted a bit longer.

In smaller cities with inadequate power systems, electricity was cut off almost immediately after the outbreak, but well-developed power systems could last one to six months.

Li Chenxi remembered that in her previous life, A City's electricity lasted for about three months.

After the electricity was gone, the internet followed.

Of course, in the later stages, hardly anyone was online.

In the early days, survivors still had some supplies—water and food—and besides browsing the internet, they didn't know what else to do.

A week later, with no more water or food at home, there was no mood left for the internet!

"Help! I'm trapped in my bedroom, my parents are desperately banging on my door! I haven't eaten in three days! My last bottle of soda is gone, who will come to save me!"

"Does anyone know the owner of apartment A-101 in Shengshi Garden? My girlfriend has been missing for three days! I really want to know how she's doing!"

"Whimper whimper! I've run out of water at home, I still have some snacks, but no water, what should I do without water!"

"Wasn't there supposed to be rescue? Why have I been waiting for three days with no sign of rescue yet!"

"Day three of the apocalypse: The hallway is full of wailing, the food in the fridge is almost gone. My dad told me to go out and find food for my younger siblings. He said if I don't go, he’ll throw me out. I'm old enough to contribute to the family now, the old ones are old, the young ones are young, wish me luck! Go, Qingqing!"

Li Chenxi looked at the overwhelming variety of posts and noticed a record post by a girl named‘Longing for Eternal Sunshine.’

She opened her posted record page.

The girl had been sharing her daily life before the apocalypse. Li Chenxi noticed she had lost her mother early, and her father remarried, with her stepmother soon giving birth to younger siblings.

She had become almost invisible in this new family.

Their family had been lucky enough to avoid danger in the early days of the apocalypse by staying indoors, but soon, their food ran out.

At such times, what else is there to think about?

Of course, she would be pushed out.

Li Chenxi saw the girl's latest post from five minutes ago, and she typed out a line of text on the screen:

"First, arm yourself. Wear the thickest and sturdiest clothes you have, wrap your hands and feet with tape three times, put on a helmet, carry a backpack, and set a specific route. The target is the nearest convenience store, don't go anywhere else!"

"If you have a shovel or a baseball bat at home, use these as weapons. Don't take a bed board or a kitchen knife; knives can't cut zombies, and even if you manage to stab them, you won't be able to pull it out. When encountering zombies, hit them on the head. Their weakness is the head. Don't be afraid of them; this is the early stage, and overcoming fear will allow you to defeat them!"

After typing the last sentence, Li Chenxi clicked the send button.