Thomas had only two pistols, a Level 2 vest, a melee weapon, and an 8-slot rig left to trade. After another half hour of haggling, he'd traded everything, acquiring a substantial amount of building materials and 100,000 Apocalypse Coins. He needed the coins after spending so much on the blueprints.
[Rest Area] (Level 1)
Effect: 6 hours of sleep restores 80% Stamina, consumes 30% Hunger, 20% Thirst. Provides warmth. 10% chance to negate negative status effects.
Note: Not bad. Actually sleepable.
Next Stage: Cozy Rest Area (Level 2)
Requirements: Ventilation Level 1, Bathroom Level 1, 20,000 Apocalypse Coins, Energy-Saving Lightbulb x1, Energy Cell x1
Upgrade Time: 1 hour
[Upgrade available. Proceed with upgrade?]
"Yes!"
Finally, after two days, he could upgrade the rest area again. His next targets were the kitchen and the generator. The kitchen required a Level 1 generator, so he needed to build that first, even though his hideout currently had power.
[Generator]
Effect: Powers the hideout using fuel.
Requirements: hideout Security Level 1, 50,000 Apocalypse Coins, Cylinder Block x1, Crankcase x1, Spark Plug x1, Piston Set x1
Construction Time: 2 hours
[Construction requirements met. Proceed with construction?]
"Yes!"
With the generator under construction, Thomas finally relaxed. Two hours until he could build the kitchen, another crucial step towards surviving the blizzard.
He lay down, opening the Zone Chat, hoping for clues about the Apocalypse Knife Runner event. He saw several messages from worried survivors.
What the hell is going on? Refugees everywhere! They're searching for something. I'm hiding in my hideout, terrified!
Same here! They've been pacing back and forth above my hideout all morning! My heart's about to explode!
Above your hideout? Where are you hiding?
The sewers! Smelly, but safe!
Damn! Hardcore!
They found my hideout! Help! Hel—
Dude, you still alive? ]
Thomas frowned. What's going on? Why the sudden search?
Several red dots appeared on his mental map at the station entrance. Refugees. They were moving quickly towards the main hall, systematically searching each room. A sense of dread washed over him. He quickly equipped his gear: boots, gloves, vest, mask…
The refugees reached the control room, noticing the bloodstains, bullet holes, and blast marks.
"Weapons ready!"
They fanned out, weapons raised. The lead refugee entered the control room, his face hardening as he spotted the spent shell casings.
Ten minutes later, Thomas was fully equipped, his face grim. His mental map showed over twenty refugees swarming the station, closing in on his position.
Here we go, he thought. He'd anticipated this, but not so soon. He'd expected a day or two more, hence the rush to trade for better gear. But something had accelerated their search. Fortunately, he'd converted his loot into power.
The refugees reached the staff lounge, the scene of his first double kill. Black Dog, the gang leader, examined the dried bloodstains, picking up a half-smoked cigarette.
"I'll find you, you bastard!" he growled. These were his men, sent out on his orders. Now they were dead.
"Search everywhere! He's still here! Five thousand coins to whoever finds him!"
The refugees spread out, searching in pairs or groups of three, wary of the unknown enemy. Thomas watched their movements on his mental map, trying to anticipate their next move.
In the Zone Chat, the survivors noticed a change.
Guys, the refugees are gone! Haven't seen one in half an hour!
Same here! They all ran off in the same direction!
I haven't seen a single refugee all day! What's going on?
Thomas realized they were searching for him. They'd found the bodies in the station. His hideout was compromised.
Thank god for the camouflage coating, he thought. That's why he was still relatively calm. He trusted the rare item's effectiveness.
As the search continued, the upgrades to his hideout door and walls were completed.
[Hideout Reinforced Silent Alloy Door] (Level 2)
Effect 1: Silent operation.
Effect 2: Completely seals the hideout, providing +40% soundproofing and preventing water leakage.
---
[Hideout Insulated Walls] (Level 1)
Effect: Reduces heat loss by 60%, increases soundproofing by 40%.
Thomas breathed a sigh of relief. Just in time. A two-man refugee team was approaching his hideout.
"Who the hell is this guy? Six of our guys dead?"
"Be careful. Black Dog said he might still be here."
"Damn it. I was gonna grab that girl I spotted yesterday. Tonight was gonna be fun."
"Got a smoke?"
They were initially cautious, but after searching for so long without finding anyone, they'd relaxed. They figured the killer had already left. Besides, with so many refugees swarming the station, anyone hiding there would have bolted by now. Their inherent laziness and lack of discipline took over. They leaned against the wall near Thomas's hidden hideout, smoking cigarettes, eager to finish the search and get back to their…activities.
Thomas studied their movements on his mental map. They were leaning against the wall right next to his hideout. Just around the corner. But thanks to the camouflage coating, the door was invisible. Just a blank wall.
His eyes landed on the Apocalypse Knife Runner event.
Maybe…just maybe…
Silent alloy door. Insulated walls. Paralyzing toxin. Silent boots. Camouflage coating. It was a long shot, but…
A rare skill and a rare equipment piece. The rewards were tempting. It was incredibly risky. One gunshot, and he was done. But the potential payoff…
He made his decision. He'd do it. He'd earned his current position through risk-taking. High risk, high reward.
He stowed his assault rifle and other bulky items, then approached the hideout door, watching the refugees on his mental map. He pulled out a towel. The toxin could be applied to a weapon or a cloth. A weapon attack took three seconds to paralyze. A cloth, only one. He chose the cloth.
Now, he just needed to wait for the right moment.
Outside, the refugees finished their cigarettes. One of them yawned and headed towards the corner.
"Where are you going?"
"Taking a piss."
"Don't go far. Yell if you need anything."
The refugee found a spot near a pillar a few meters away from the wall. He lit another cigarette, unzipped his pants, and began to urinate, humming a tune.
He didn't notice the door appearing in the wall behind him. Nor did he notice the figure emerging silently, approaching from behind.
As he finished, a shiver running down his spine, a towel was suddenly pressed over his mouth and nose.
His eyes widened in shock. He struggled, reaching for the pistol holstered on his thigh. But his hand was still fumbling with his zipper. Too late.
Thomas felt the refugee's struggles weaken. The toxin was working. He quickly dragged the paralyzed man into his hideout, making sure the other refugee hadn't noticed.
The refugee's eyes, wide with terror and disbelief, locked onto Thomas's. As the hideout door closed, his expression turned to despair.
Thomas plunged a knife into the refugee's heart. The event counter ticked over: 1/3. He exhaled slowly. It worked.
He left the knife in the body to minimize bleeding, then grabbed another knife and returned to the door, waiting.
Outside, the remaining refugee tossed his cigarette butt, looking towards his companion's last known location.
"Damn, what's taking him so long? Did he fall in?" he muttered, then shouted, "Hey, 3cm! Hurry up!"
Silence. Five seconds. Ten. A sense of unease crept over him. He raised his pistol, chambering a round.
"3cm! Don't mess with me! Come out!"
Still nothing. He was getting nervous. He hadn't heard a single sound.
Damn it. Did he run into something…unnatural?
He cautiously approached the corner.