Thomas Smyth methodically completed all the preparatory steps for crafting the explosives. Twenty minutes ticked by. Just as he began to think his calculations were off, his private message inbox chimed. He opened it and a smile stretched across his face.
[Andrew Jackson: So, what do you think of this? Trade you for a rare plant? [Image: Type II Plant Growth Solution]]
[Image: Type II Plant Growth Solution]
Type: Rare Item
Effect: Exclusive growth solution for rare plants. Plant growth speed +200%, growth consumption +200%, 5% chance of plant mutation.
Duration: 7 days
Description: A peak creation from Titan Labs' early days, highly sought after by plant enthusiasts.
Note: Cannot be used in conjunction with other growth solutions.
"Holy…" Thomas breathed, staring at the item information. As he suspected, this guy did have some good stuff. His mind raced, calculating how to acquire more of this rare plant growth solution. Both the previous version and this enhanced one were invaluable. However, Jackson now knew he possessed rare plants, and therefore understood the solution's worth. This wouldn't be easy.
After a moment of contemplation, Thomas decided to secure this bottle first. Possession was nine-tenths of the law, especially in the apocalypse. Thinking more wouldn't get him anywhere.
[Thomas Smyth: If it's that growth solution, I agree. I'll give you a rare plant in exchange.]
[Andrew Jackson: Legend Smyth, mind sharing the rare plant's info?]
Jackson's true intention was to confirm Thomas actually had a rare plant. A precious growth solution was on the line, after all. Understanding this, Thomas sent the information.
[Thomas Smyth: [Image: Breathing Pothos]]
As expected, upon confirming the rare plant, Jackson initiated the trade without hesitation. The speed surprised even Thomas. The Type II Plant Growth Solution materialized in his inventory. After verifying the effects matched the description, he finally relaxed enough to voice his question.
[Thomas Smyth: I'll trade the plant in two days. Say, why did you trust me so readily?]
On the other side, Andrew Jackson grinned, revealing two rows of pearly whites.
[Andrew Jackson: Legend Smyth, I've been following you for a while. You have a good reputation among us survivors. You don't price gouge in trades; you have principles. I figured a rare item wasn't worth you compromising those principles!]
Thomas, taken aback by the unexpected compliment, chuckled. Perhaps it was because he hadn't been in this apocalyptic game for long. Despite understanding the harsh realities, he still clung to his values. It seemed to be paying off.
The subsequent conversation flowed smoothly. Thomas traded bowls of Nourishing Mutton Stew for Type I Plant Growth Solution at a 1:1 ratio, acquiring three bottles. Not because he didn't want more, but because Jackson claimed to be out. Thomas was skeptical, but didn't press the issue. He also had Jackson send over ten flowerpots and some potting soil – insignificant items in the grand scheme of things. This way, he could plant the offshoots immediately after they sprouted.
Transaction complete, Thomas poured the Type II solution into the Breathing Pothos' pot, adding 3 liters of purified water from the purifier.
"Come on, little buddy, time to multiply!" he murmured, heading towards the workbench, determined to finish the emulsion explosives today.
Passing the Intel Center, he paused.
"I haven't checked today's intel yet, have I?"
He activated the Intel Center panel, selecting "View Today's Intel." The laptop on the workbench flickered to life, displaying a flurry of images. A radar-like icon pulsed, seemingly scanning for information. Five seconds later, the display settled, revealing the day's intel.
[Tonight at 11 PM, The Butcher will place the body of Sparrow City Hospital Director Stephen Zhou near the 4S dealership in the White Tower District. He will then manipulate Mad Dog into discovering the body, framing Caban for the murder.]
"Hmm?"
Thomas was stunned by the sheer volume of information contained within that single sentence. Damn. The Butcher was playing a dangerous game. Thomas mentally organized the facts. The Butcher and Mad Dog were the leaders of two known refugee camps. Caban, mentioned in the intel, was likely the leader of a third. The hospital director's name was Stephen Zhou. His brother, the mysterious figure backing Mad Dog and Ghostface, supposedly controlled all the refugee factions within Sparrow City's White Tower District, and possibly the entire city. The Butcher, clearly aiming to seize the keycard to the CBS lab while the mysterious figure was away, had kidnapped Director Zhou, who was likely under Mad Dog's protection. The two teams The Butcher sent to the hospital had been inadvertently neutralized by Thomas. Now, feeling the pressure, The Butcher was resorting to framing Caban, diverting Mad Dog's attention. This way, whether Mad Dog and Caban clashed, or the mysterious figure returned demanding answers, The Butcher would remain in the clear.
"Wow, this isn't an apocalypse; it's practically the Three Kingdoms. The Butcher is playing dirty," Thomas thought, impressed by the Machiavellian scheme. He hadn't intended to get involved further, but a possibility struck him. He pulled out the Sparrow City White Tower District map. He quickly located the marked 4S dealership.
"Just as I thought. It forms a triangle with the Trading Center and The Butcher's theater. Right near the Crimson Cabaret."
He immediately contacted Ben Walker, remembering he'd last seen him heading in that direction. He might know something.
[Thomas Smyth: Is there a 4S dealership near you? Any refugees inside?]
Ben's reply arrived shortly.
[Ben Walker: Legend Smyth, you're eyeing that place? Don't go there! It's a refugee nest, swarming with them. I almost died there last time.]
[Thomas Smyth: ??? You've been there?]
[Ben Walker: Yeah. I thought it was a small outpost, ripe for looting. Slipped inside only to find at least a hundred refugees. If I hadn't bolted, I'd be a corpse by now!]
Ben's message confirmed Thomas's suspicion. The 4S dealership was Caban's base of operations.
[Thomas Smyth: How far is your hideout from the dealership?]
Ben, nestled in his hideout by the warm fireplace, frowned at the message. "No way. Legend Smyth can't be seriously considering that place. There are so many of them!" Knowing Thomas, he suspected a plan was brewing. He relayed his situation honestly.
[Ben Walker: It's within viewing distance. Need me to do anything, Legend Smyth?]
"Does he have inside information?" Ben wondered, but couldn't figure it out. He quickly agreed to Thomas's request.
[Ben Walker: No problem. I can observe from my hideout. I'll notify you immediately if anything happens!]
[Thomas Smyth: Thanks!]
Ending the conversation, Thomas set Ben's messages to priority notification. This way, even if he was asleep, he'd be alerted instantly, ensuring he wouldn't miss anything.
With the intel handled, Thomas's appreciation for the Intel Center grew. "This thing is a goddamn treasure." Eliminating Black Dog was proving to be the best decision he'd made since entering this apocalyptic game.
Composing himself, he ate and drank, replenishing his energy and hydration. He then settled at the workbench in the corner, focusing his attention on crafting the remote-controlled emulsion explosives.
Time slipped by unnoticed. The only sounds in the hideout were the crackling fireplace and the gentle hum of the generator. Four hours passed in a blur of concentrated effort, draining both his physical and mental reserves.
Finally, as he finished the last explosive, Thomas leaned back with a sigh of relief. The sigh seemed to flip a switch. Exhaustion washed over him, his eyes struggling to stay open. He was utterly spent, not just physically, but mentally. Four hours of unrelenting focus had taken their toll. A single mistake could have been disastrous.
Dragging himself to the kitchen, he devoured a large bowl of Nourishing Mutton Stew, the Invigorated buff finally easing his fatigue. This particular bowl had been set aside specifically for this purpose. Feeling his strength and focus return, he returned to the workbench.
Looking at the array of cylindrical objects, a smile crept onto his face. The four hours hadn't been wasted. With the Explosive Crafting skill, he'd produced twenty sausage-sized and ten chewing-gum-sized emulsion explosives. Small but potent, each packed the punch of a typical mining charge.
"The main explosives are done. I have the phones for the remote detonators, but I'm short on electronic components and capacitors. Need to acquire more."
He cleared the workbench, returning the chemicals to the shelves. The finished explosives were stored separately. Despite their inherent stability, Thomas's cautious nature demanded extra precautions.
It was 7 PM. Finally, a moment to rest. He poured himself a steaming cup of tea and sank into the armchair, posting a request for electronic components and capacitors in the regional chat. These were common items, rarely utilized by survivors. Within minutes, he'd acquired enough, trading them for a few basic food items.
With all the materials gathered, he could assemble the remote detonators tomorrow, making the explosives ready for deployment.
"Heh… only in an apocalypse could I craft high-grade explosives so easily. In the real world, I'd be a chemistry prodigy or a demolitions expert," he mused, acutely aware of his limitations. His motto in this apocalyptic game remained: overprepare. If he could make ten thousand preparations, he wouldn't settle for nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine.
He checked his private messages, searching for valuable trade offers among the mountain of messages that had accumulated. He relied on keyword searches to sift through the deluge. As he read, his smile widened.
"Just as I thought. Only in dire straits do people offer their treasures for survival."
Thirty minutes later, Thomas surveyed his overflowing inventory with satisfaction. He'd acquired the precious items needed to upgrade the Hideout Security, Ventilation, and Lighting to level 3, as well as the rare Refugee Treasure Chest facility. And this was only the first day of the Calamity! He'd also made progress towards the materials for upgrading the Intel Center to level 2, the Generator to level 3, and the Hideout Walls to level 2. He estimated he'd have everything within the three-day Calamity period.
"Inventory's full. Time to upgrade what I can!" He looked at the hideout interface, excitement burning in his eyes.