[Congratulations, you have received a D-tier Shelter Personnel Recruitment Voucher!]
A mysterious voice echoed in the air as a golden slip of paper materialized out of nowhere, floating gently down to land on the coffee table in front of Yi Bai.
"A Personnel Recruitment Voucher? Is this my second reward?" Yi Bai picked up the paper and examined it closely. It was adorned with intricate, unreadable symbols, with the words "D-tier Recruitment" written in bold letters across it.
"Each shelter can recruit personnel?" Yi Bai murmured, his mind racing. "Do the recruits just appear out of nowhere, or are they real humans from Earth?"
As the reality of the situation settled in, Yi Bai couldn't help but feel that this was beginning to resemble one of those survival management games he used to play. A game where the stakes were life and death.
"If I use it, does it trigger the recruitment?" Yi Bai thought for a moment, then decided to test it out. He activated the voucher with a quick tap.
A burst of dazzling golden light erupted from his hand, expanding in front of him until it formed a solid, human-like figure. The light slowly faded, revealing a short but bright-eyed young woman standing before him.
"She's alive!" Yi Bai gasped, his heart racing despite having steeled himself for something unexpected.
The woman stood at about 5'2", with a youthful but determined air. She was likely in her early twenties, her eyes sparkling with energy and resolve.
"Soldier Lin Yue, reporting, Sir!" The woman snapped into a sharp, disciplined salute, her chest out and head held high, exuding the presence of someone well-trained and experienced.
"Soldier?" Yi Bai blinked in surprise, his gaze scanning her military attire. She wore camouflage fatigues, practical and functional, with strategically placed pockets and attachments. Her sturdy military boots were designed with anti-slip soles, perfect for any terrain.
A tactical belt hung from her waist, equipped with a pistol, extra magazines, a flashlight, and a set of survival tools, all neatly arranged and ready for immediate use.
"She's a soldier?" Yi Bai muttered in awe. "Are you from Earth? Where are you from?"
Lin Yue stood tall and composed, her face unwavering as she answered without hesitation. "Report, Sir! I am from Earth, from the Special Combat Zone. I have received orders—humanity's survival is at stake, and I am here to protect you and follow your command."
Yi Bai's mind raced as the pieces fell into place. "So, she's part of the new human model created by the mysterious entity... One who's been programmed for loyalty and already understands the situation."
"This... This really feels like a post-apocalyptic management game," Yi Bai thought, feeling both exhilarated and apprehensive.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, another system notification chimed in his ears.
[Congratulations, you have successfully recruited a D-tier Combat Personnel – Special Forces Soldier "Lin Yue"!]
[You have unlocked the Personnel Information Panel, where you can check the status of all personnel in your shelter.]
As the notification faded, Yi Bai noticed that his shelter's data had been updated. The shelter's population had increased from 1 to 2, and its safety level had jumped from 1 to 11.
He tapped the "Personnel" tab, and Lin Yue's detailed profile immediately appeared on the screen.
[Personnel Data]
Name: Lin Yue
Age: 22
Type: Soldier
Talent Grade: D
Physical Strength: 85
Neural Reflexes: 83
Stamina: 88
Mental Will: 95
Self-Healing Immunity: 82
Special Traits: Loyalty – As a devoted soldier, she will never betray the shelter, regardless of circumstances.
Talent: Military Basics – Expert in conventional combat skills, including firearms, knives, and hand-to-hand combat. Skilled in reconnaissance, wilderness survival, and other military operations.
Combat Rating: 105
Yi Bai studied the panel carefully. The numbers and stats that appeared in front of him were clearly game-like, but the implications were all too real.
"105 combat power? Is that high or low?" Yi Bai thought for a moment. He knew she was definitely stronger than he was. As an office worker who spent more time at a desk than in a gym, he'd never stand a chance in a fight against someone like her.
"Sir, what should I do now?" Lin Yue asked, her gaze sharp and focused, waiting for his orders.
Yi Bai found himself reassured by her presence. Her tan skin and neatly tucked short hair under the helmet, combined with her disciplined posture and unwavering gaze, gave her an air of authority that made him feel safer.
"Not just yet," Yi Bai waved a hand dismissively. "Are you hungry? Do you need food?"
He noticed that the Personnel tab also had indicators for hunger, health, and mental status. Clearly, the personnel weren't just machines—they had needs too.
"I'm not hungry," Lin Yue replied, her tone calm. "Sir, our situation is critical. We have very few supplies, and I cannot waste food."
She paused for a moment before adding, "In non-combat situations, I can survive on one meal every three days, and only half the amount a grown man would eat."
"Only half a meal every three days?" Yi Bai's jaw dropped, astonished by her endurance. "She's really a true soldier."
He gave her an appreciative thumbs-up, but before he could say more, another system notification interrupted his thoughts.
[Citywide Announcement]
[Shelters can now send personnel on Exploration Missions! Gain more survival supplies!]
[The Shelter Ranking, Personnel Ranking, and Exploration Task Rankings are now open!]
[Based on the rankings at the end of this apocalypse, additional survival rewards will be distributed!]
The system's announcement echoed through the shelter, and the previously quiet chat channels erupted with activity.
Unnamed Shelter: "What is this? Exploration missions? Rankings? This feels like some kind of pay-to-win online game in the apocalypse!"
Unnamed Shelter: "We're barely hanging on here, and the mysterious entity is treating us like we're playing a game? Damn it, I'm going to die of thirst!"
I'm a Big Boss: "Who recruited a talent? How strong are they? Can they help me find my parents?"
Wang Chen Chen: "I checked the rankings. The Personnel Ranking has only one person, Unnamed Shelter. Too bad I can't message this guy."
Jinling Human Rescue League: "I urge this person to step forward! Join the Human Rescue League and contribute to the survival of the city!"
Yi Bai quietly observed the flurry of messages in the chat for a moment, then closed the window and turned his attention to the new rankings.
The Shelter Level Rankings were chaotic, with everyone stuck at Level 0. Yi Bai's ranking was 35,164.
The Personnel Ranking was much simpler, with Yi Bai at the top. He had, after all, been the first to recruit personnel.
The Exploration Mission Ranking was still empty, with no one listed.
Yi Bai closed the rankings and then clicked on the newly unlocked Exploration Module for his shelter.