"'Dead Cold Land'? Pfft, is there really a place with such a stupid name? It seems that as this world has collapsed, even people's sense of aesthetics has deteriorated. Oh, sorry, I don't know this place."
Upon hearing the name, the captain couldn't help but mock it, suspecting that this young man might be confusing old-world game locations with reality.
Xia Leng had similar thoughts and found the name almost too absurd to comment on.
However, the fragments of memory in his mind did indicate this place and even detailed the underground coordinates of where he needed to go.
Underground coordinates—could it be that the base in the memory fragments is really located 240 meters underground?
Moreover, he vaguely recalled that Dr. Klein mentioned not wanting their research to be discovered, so their base was indeed very likely situated in a highly concealed location.
Such a foolish name might just be a codename for the base.
"But you could ask around in the fortress; perhaps someone might know. We have many knowledgeable scholars from the old era in our company," the captain continued.
In this era, the surviving scientists, physicists, and so on had become coveted assets for various companies. Knowledge, regardless of the time, remains a primary productive force.
"Hmm, thank you."
Xia Leng thanked him calmly and walked straight through the heavily guarded gate without further hindrance.
"Captain, this guy is so arrogant. You're a third-tier Baptized, and he's only a second-tier. You could easily crush someone like him, yet he remains so indifferent. If he ever holds a position in the company, won't he be riding high on you?"
Once Xia Leng had left, one of the guards finally voiced his frustration.
"Hmph, if you had second-tier Baptized abilities at his age, you'd be arrogant too. Enough talk, hand over the drinks you lost in the bet!" the captain retorted.
......
......
As Xia Leng entered the fortress, he immediately noticed the stark contrast between the environment inside and the various refugee villages in the wasteland, almost like comparing two different worlds.
The fortress, transformed from a former super mall, was composed of three buildings merged into a circular structure. Each building was about 20 stories high, and every floor was spacious.
The three buildings were divided into three areas.
Building A was the residential area, with ordinary refugees living on the lower floors, Komodo Corporation's mercenary members above them, and higher floors reserved for officials and Baptized individuals. The higher the level of ability, the higher the floor.
Of course, these precious living spaces weren't free. Residents had to pay taxes periodically to the fortress's management, either in crystal stones or trade goods.
The fees were quite high. If one fell behind on payments, they could be forcibly sent to dangerous mining areas to work off their debt.
However, considering the safety of the living environment, these steep costs were still worth it.
Building B served as the commercial area, filled with goods from the old era. It was even possible to buy game consoles repaired for continued use, though they were expensive and the property of the company.
In addition to company-operated stores, there were also resident-run markets where individuals could trade their personal items, sometimes finding valuable treasures.
Building C was the fortress's office building for the Komodo branch.
Only company-certified staff were allowed inside. Refugees and even Baptized individuals were strictly forbidden. Those who attempted to enter would be met with heavy machine guns stationed at the entrance, ready to shoot without hesitation.
Standing in the center of the lobby, Xia Leng observed the diverse flow of people passing by—Baptized individuals with powerful auras, high-ranking officers in company uniforms, and ordinary refugees at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Despite the vast differences in social status and the disdain between these groups, they moved about peacefully without any incidents of bullying or fighting.
Even in the free trade zone, ordinary refugee vendors had Baptized individuals paying for their goods without issue.
In the wasteland outside, Baptized individuals would have likely taken the vendors' goods and their lives…
The reason for the current harmonious coexistence was clearly the fortress's rules and the ever-present patrols.
Each patrol team was fully armed, and some entire teams were composed of Baptized individuals!
They were the embodiment of order within the fortress. Any violation of the rules was met with immediate and ruthless enforcement, regardless of the violator's status—whether Baptized, officer, official, or refugee.
If high-tier Baptized individuals caused trouble and the patrol teams couldn't handle them, the Komodo Corporation's top assassination teams would be dispatched.
However, higher-tier Baptized individuals valued their lives highly and rarely rebelled unless sent by rival companies as spies.
Xia Leng took a quick glance at the rules stone tablet in the lobby and quickly memorized the detailed fortress rules.
It was clear that rules were essential for maintaining order. The hundreds of detailed rules kept the fortress society well-organized.
Perhaps it is such a fortress world that can truly help humanity's society rebuild itself.
"Hello, sir. You're the only second-tier apocalypse hunter in this batch with a ticket, right? My name is Joseph, and I'm one of the stewards of this fortress."
As Xia Leng was about to head to the trading area, a cultured and charismatic voice spoke from behind.
Turning around, he saw a slender man in a well-fitted black suit, smiling politely.
The gentlemanly demeanor, almost extinct in the old era, seemed to be making a comeback—Renaissance?
"Yes, do you need something?" Xia Leng replied calmly. The so-called steward didn't emit any unusual aura and seemed to be an ordinary person.
"My job mainly involves registering new arrivals to the fortress—your name, abilities, purpose for entering the fortress, and your future plans. Please provide me with this information," Joseph said with a courteous smile, taking out a notebook.
Xia Leng glanced at the required information and provided details accordingly—some were true, others fabricated. In any case, the information was unimportant.
For the purpose of entering the fortress and future plans, Xia Leng wrote down "passing through" and "no plans."
"Uh, sorry sir, we have regulations requiring these two fields to be filled…"
Joseph looked at the notebook with a sweating face. After all the trouble to get the entry ticket, the person only wanted to come in for sightseeing?