Chapter 77 – Ability Drug
Translator: Jostena
Editor: Dragon
In a blink of an eye, more than three months had passed since the outbreak of apocalypse. The food crisis in the southern base finally passed smoothly. The experiment in soilless cultivation was also very successful. Several green vegetables and crops were grown in the greenhouses built in the base.
With the passing of time, the number of ability users began to increase gradually. What bothered the ability users was that they could not find a way to upgrade. Seeing that the number of evolved zombies outside had also increased gradually, the evolution of the ability users couldn't keep up, which was extremely unfavorable for humanity!
Although it was found that frequent use of abilities seemed to give a feeling of level increase, but there was no sign of any sort of upgrade. People who had read novels on the apocalypse thought the upgrade should be related to the zombie crystal cores. They collected a bunch of crystal cores, but couldn't find a way to use them. They were all very worried.
Finally, the southern base discussed with Zhan Yun and Su Ruizhe and published the method of using crystal nuclei. The transparent primary crystal nucleus could supplement any ability, but it wouldn't upgrade the ability. Consuming too many may lead to retaliation of the zombie virus. The secondary nucleus would help the ability to upgrade, but there were certain associated risks. After all, the secondary nucleus contained not only the energy required by the ability users to upgrade, but also the re-evolution of the zombie virus. If the upgrade failed, they would become zombies.
During this period, the southern base had been conducting in-depth research on the principle that vegetables and fruits could restrain zombie virus, and finally found that chlorophyll, folic acid, vitamin B12 and other elements contained in plants caused damage to the virus structure of the zombie virus, and transform them into mysterious substances beneficial to the human body. After two and a half months of research and experiments, the research center finally made a drug with these elements. The drug was diluted with a high concentration of plant elements, which had a strong destructive effect on the zombie virus.
This kind of medicine was named as an antidote. As long as people scratched by ordinary zombies consumed this medicine within three hours of getting scratched, they could kill the zombie virus strain in their bodies. Although they may not become an ability user, their physical quality would be greatly improved.
It’s just that to extract a high concentration of the medicine, it took about 100 Jin of vegetables and fruits to dilute it and turn it into an antidote. Only 20 pieces could be made. Therefore, the exchange price was very high, and only one antidote could be exchanged for 20 work points.
However, even after this showcase of the antidotes, they were still popular with survivors, especially in other bases, who sent people to purchase them and wanted to buy the research and development technology of the antidotes. But Jiang Xuzhou was very handy. Even when the base leaders tried to trade, he only agreed to sell some to them, and would not agree to any trades.
Some people took this antidote when they were upgrading, as well. Although the virus contained in the crystal nucleus of the evolutionary zombie was stronger, which led to some discount in the effect of the antidote, the success rate improved significantly.
At the same time as developing the antidote, the base was also studying crystal nuclei. The success of the antidote also promoted the birth of another new drug.
Before long, the base successfully developed a kind of medicine to promote abilities, obtained by dissolving crystal nuclei with certain concentrated agents. Taking this medicine not only helped in upgrading abilities, but it could also enhance the ability's effect.
For example, an ability user who could only create a few small fireballs, the size of a ping-pong ball, could now create a string of fireballs, the size of a basketball, right after taking the potion. The increased effect could be maintained for half an hour. After half an hour, the ability would be overdrawn and slightly collapse. Just rest for a while. The ability growth originally required continuous use to improve the ability reserve and practice makes perfect. Now, taking such an ability medicine was better than fighting five or six times with zombies.
It could be imagined, after the introduction of this kind of magic drug, it was immediately sought after by major bases. More and more teams came to the south base to purchase antidotes and ability drugs, which led to trade between the bases, and the value of the crystal nucleus began to rise.
The two unique medicines of the southern base, as well as better living conditions than other bases, gradually attracted more survivors to join. The base was beginning to feel a little small. The base called upon the survivors to start building new walls around the base, and gradually developed an outer city.
Although the base was divided into inner and outer cities, the treatment of all the people was the same, the benefits that should be given were no less, and the rules that should be followed were the same. It was just that the location of the inner city was better, and the cost of renting a dwelling was more expensive. It was like the city center and suburbs before the end of the world. It was the same everywhere you lived. It only depended on whether you wished to spend that money to live better. People like those who liked to laze around all day and didn't want to work and earn work points were eliminated to the outer city and were slowly moved out to live in tents.
All the survivors in the new base still received three days of free accommodation, but in the outer city. Apart from the soldiers, all the people who stayed in the inner city had been in the southern base for a long time. They were the hard-working people, the city guard, and some powerful ability users and teams.
Some of the people who left before when the mice infestation happened also wanted to return to the base, but their identity information had been registered in the system, and they would not enjoy the three-day free accommodation again, and could not obtain the base identity card. According to the treatment of other base visitors, they could only obtain the temporary residence qualification.
All of a sudden, those people really regretted until their intestines turned green.
As for Zhan Yun and Su Ruizhe, the base would always give them the best treatment. If there was any good thing, they had first right to it, and if there was any need, they would meet it first. Zhan Yun and his group also paid back. If there was any difficulty in the base, they would help without saying a word, so the soldiers on and off the base respected them very much.
Zhan Yun and Su Ruizhe went to the inner city free trade market again, today. At the beginning, there were lots of stalls everywhere, which had been built into a commercial street. Because of the weather, everyone’s living habits had reversed from day to night. When arriving in this commercial street at night, there were lights everywhere. It was like going to the night market before the end of the world.
Qian Fugui, with his strong business mind, now owned two stores in this commercial street. His store basically sold everything, just like a small department store. At the beginning, he took the risk of hoarding and buying crystal nuclei, and now, he made a lot of money off it. The spirit of the whole person was totally different from before. His chubby body was getting more and more mellow.
“Old Qian, is there anything good recently?” Cheng Jiao and Wu Jing were familiar with the other. They walked into Qian Fugui’s shop and looked around. The air conditioner was on full blast inside the shop. The temperature was very comfortable. All the items were on the shelf. They looked beautiful.
Hearing the familiar voice, Qian Fugui at once walked out with a smile on his face, “Ah, what brings the distinguished guests here? Quickly, please come in! “
“You go in. Xiao Jing and I can just look outside.” The vision of Cheng Jiao and Wu Jing was attracted by the exquisite jewelry and cosmetics on the side shelf, waving to Qian Fugui.
Women are born to love beauty. Now that the food and clothing problem had been solved, there were some spiritual pursuits. Now, the weather was so dry. If you didn't maintain your skin, it would become like an old vegetable skin. Qian Fugui's shop was the most popular one for female ability users in the base.
“Good! Xiao Wang, take care of the guests. ” Qian Fugui had two young salesmen in the shop. They were not old, but they were smart and sensible. He was satisfied with them.
“All right, boss.” Xiao Wang was a lively and lovely girl. She was familiar with Cheng Jiao and Wu Jing who often came to the shop. Knowing their general preferences, she went to chat with them.
Qian Fugui himself led Zhan Yun and Su Ruizhe into a small office which was specially separated, and beckoned the other clerk Xiao Zhang to bring them a plate of frozen cut frozen watermelon. Xiao Zhang placed the plate down and went out, closing the office door thoughtfully.
“Well, boss Qian has truly prospered now. Watermelon is such a good thing that he is willing to serve his guests.” Zhan Yun joked deliberately.
Although there was a soilless cultivation technique now, they were mainly used to grow grain crops such as rice and wheat, and the output of vegetables and fruits was very limited. It seemed that the cut frozen watermelon was the very sweet one being produced by the ability of an ability user. A watermelon was often sold for around 20 work points. So, using it to entertain guests was indeed a bit luxurious.
“Haha, isn't it because it's you? If other people want to eat, I will not give it! ” What Qian Fugui said was quite true. He was definitely a kind of person watching type. Ordinary people coming to him, not to mention watermelons, they couldn't even eat a watermelon's skin.
“You asked us to come here. Did you hear something about what we asked the other day?” Zhan Yun asked eagerly.
Qian Fugui was good at communication and had a strong business sense. He was familiar with everyone. Now, more and more people were coming to the base from other places. Qian Fugui contacted more people and had more channels to get information. Sometimes, his information was even faster and more accurate than the official base information.
“Of course, I heard today from a team from the northwest base that there might be a fourth level zombie in a small town over there. I heard them say that there have been several ability users teams that have gone missing, which also includes a level 3 ability user." When Qian Fugui said it, he still had a frightened expression on his face, “But why do you want to know about this? That’s a level 4 Zombie… “
It’s because of the mysterious disappearance of the level 3 ability user that the northwest base suspected the existence of a level 4 zombie in that small town, but Qian Fugui didn't understand why Zhan Yun and his friends wanted to inquire about it.
The author has something to say:
It has been Edited. Thank you for your understanding, momada. Added in the little theater written on the street~~
[Little Theater On The Street]
Company commander Zhang: At first, we were only full of injured soldiers, but later we developed and expanded!
Applause!
Company commander Zhang: We used to run out of ammunition, but later we never worried about military/firepower supplies!
Everyone applauds!
Company commander Zhang: We were harassed by zombies and mutants at first, but then we can fight back!
Everyone applauded very warmly!
Company commander Zhang: It’s all because we hold the gold thigh of the protagonist! Once I also let the protagonist go to other bases, but the protagonist will not stay there, that's because he favors our base!
Passerby A: Do you want to applaud here? My new group performance is not very clear.
Passerby B: Whatever, clapping is all we can do!
Protagonist group: I was absolutely blind at first! I want to see another base!
Zhang Lianchang: Wait! It’s agreed that we should always be together and never be separated? Don’t abandon me!
I’m sorry, I didn’t love you!
[A Small Wooden Theater]
Su Ruizhe: I have a super bold idea.
Zhan Yun: (with a hint in his eyes) Yes, it will be implemented tomorrow.
Song Chengshu: (don’t ask me why I can understand their eye hints) It’s really the passers-by who left in advance at the same time. I don’t know that the protagonist group always has all kinds of big killers.
Zheng Jiahe: (doesn’t understand the look hint at all) It should be!
========Thank you for your mines and nutrition, momada=========
Here’s this week’s chapter! I know things seem a little different and some may expect me to post more chapters but it’s actually not much different from before to me because I still have a lot of assignments to finish and classes to attend online so it’ll be the same update schedule unless something changes and I get a lot more free time. I hope everyone is doing well!