In the post-apocalyptic world, the base truly favored those with abilities. Ordinary people had to pay three crystalline cores—the new currency of the end times—just to gain entry. Once inside, food was rationed sparingly: a single bowl of porridge and a plain steamed bun per day to keep them alive, with housing requiring additional payment. Those who wanted more substantial sustenance had to purchase it with their hard-earned cores.
By contrast, ability users were treated to a free dormitory and noticeably better meals upon arrival.
Ruoyi was assigned a residence at Unit 96 in Zone Five. Having no immediate plans after leaving Wen Xinyu's villa, she decided to check out her living quarters. She enlisted Jiang Xiaodou, who had arrived two days earlier and was already familiar with the layout, to guide her there.
On their walk, Jiang Xiaodou chattered endlessly about the base's setup, providing Ruoyi with a general understanding.
The base was divided into six zones, each with a distinct function. Zones Two, Three, and Four were primarily for ordinary survivors, with Zone One reserved for the military. Zone Five housed ability users, while Zone Six was an exclusive area for base officials, senior military officers, and their families.
Inevitably, the hierarchical divide existed even in the apocalypse. Ruoyi refrained from commenting but focused instead on understanding the unique characteristics of each zone to familiarize herself with her new surroundings.
Zone Six, as expected, boasted the best conditions and the most remaining space. Even a smattering of operational restaurants and bars had gathered there—humanity's pursuit of enjoyment persisting despite the chaos. Zone Five, where Ruoyi would stay, was a close second in quality. Zones One, Two, and Four were functional but uninspiring.
Zone Three, however, was a different story. It was the most chaotic area, home to all manner of vice: women trading their bodies for resources, bustling black markets, and even illicit arms dealers operating underground despite the base's prohibition on private transactions.
When they arrived at Unit 96, Ruoyi found it lacking compared to Wen Xinyu's villa, though it was still a private home. Thanks to the area's original purpose as a tourist spot, the buildings were mostly low-rise courtyard-style residences, with variations in their quality.
After knocking repeatedly, someone finally came to the door. A woman in a skimpy nightgown, flashlight in hand, lazily opened it before shuffling back to a room on the east side of the courtyard without a word.
Ruoyi frowned as she led Jiang Xiaodou into the main house. Inside, a candle burned atop a central coffee table, illuminating a scene of chaos: several shirtless men were playing cards, while two provocatively dressed women clung to them like decorative ornaments.
The room fell silent as Ruoyi entered. The men paused their game, one of them discarding his cards to stare at her with the same predatory gaze he might direct at a choice piece of meat.
"You're the new ability user assigned here?" one of them asked, not to Ruoyi but to Jiang Xiaodou, clearly assuming she was a mere accessory to him.
"I'm an ability user, but I'm not new," Jiang Xiaodou replied earnestly, his straightforward manner underscoring his youth.
Hearing this, the man's expression brightened. Spotting the badge on Jiang Xiaodou's chest that marked him as an ability user, he grinned obsequiously and pulled a battered cigarette box from his pocket, offering one to Jiang Xiaodou like it was a precious treasure.
Jiang Xiaodou declined politely, explaining that he didn't smoke. The man, undeterred, stashed the cigarettes away and shifted his attention to Ruoyi, eyeing her up and down with a mix of disdain and intrigue.
"What's your ability, kid? Must be impressive if you can keep such a pretty little thing as this one around," he said with a leering smirk.
Ruoyi cut him off sharply. "Are you also an ability user assigned to this dormitory?" Her tone was cold, laced with growing frustration at the base's apparent disregard for separating genders when allocating housing.
The man sneered, his gaze dripping with derision. "Me? Nah. But my sister is. Lin, come here!"
A few moments later, a timid young woman emerged from one of the rooms. "I'm sorry," Lin began awkwardly. "My brother didn't mean any harm. The ordinary zones don't provide candles, and he just wanted to play cards for a bit before heading back…"
"How old are you?" Ruoyi asked abruptly.
"Twenty-three. Why?" Lin replied, startled.
"Then don't call me 'sister.' You're older than me, so act like it. And as for this dormitory—candles aren't just for you. Your brother shouldn't be treating this place like his personal clubhouse. If he wants to play cards, he can do it somewhere else. This might have been fine before, but now that I'm living here, this nonsense stops."
Lin flushed in embarrassment and hastily began ushering her brother and his friends out. However, the brother, unperturbed, barked out a series of crude insults, his companions joining in the commotion.
Ruoyi turned to Jiang Xiaodou, her gaze piercing. "These men are insulting your elder sister. Are you just going to stand there? A real man wouldn't tolerate this. Go teach them a lesson. Break two teeth per person while you're at it."
Jiang Xiaodou hesitated. "But…they're not ability users. Wouldn't that be bullying?"
Ruoyi smirked. "And I'm a helpless woman, yet they're bullying me. Isn't it a man's duty to protect the weak and punish evildoers? This is your chance to be a hero and defend justice."
Sufficiently roused by her righteous rhetoric, Jiang Xiaodou nodded vigorously and lunged into action.
The ensuing chaos was brief but effective. Jiang Xiaodou's martial training from his youth—courtesy of a secretive martial arts clan—left the men sprawling on the ground, groaning in pain.
When he returned, Jiang Xiaodou extended his hand toward Ruoyi, palm open to reveal several bloody teeth. "Sister, I'm sorry. I got a little carried away and knocked out an extra tooth."
Ruoyi recoiled in disgust, leaping away with a shudder. "Get those away from me!"