Thomas examined the five rare blueprints before him.
One was the remaining blueprint from Mad Dog's safe: the Hideout Trophy Display Case Blueprint.
Another was dropped by Ghostface: the Hideout Workbench Blueprint.
The third was Caban's remaining blueprint: the Hideout Gym Blueprint.
The final two were from the two cultists killed at the Trading Center: the Hideout Facility Merger Blueprint and the Hideout Indoor Greenhouse Blueprint.
Thomas met all the hideout facility requirements for these five blueprints, lacking only a few common materials.
He quickly acquired these through a quick query in the world chat.
Without hesitation, he began construction.
The workbench and gym were built in the first-floor weapons lab area.
The trophy display case was placed on the third floor living area, directly opposite the fireplace.
As construction began on these three, Thomas turned his attention to the remaining two blueprints: the Hideout Facility Merger Blueprint and the Hideout Indoor Greenhouse Blueprint.
He then pulled out another blueprint he had acquired some time ago: the Hideout Well Blueprint.
He had obtained this blueprint along with the Hideout "Island" Inverter Air Conditioner Blueprint, the Gas Mask Crafting Diagram, and the Bloodstained Letter in a single trade.
The Gas Mask Crafting Diagram had already been added to the bathroom's crafting list.
The other two blueprints, deemed non-essential, had been saved until now.
But now, Thomas had an intriguing idea.
He took the Hideout Facility Merger Blueprint and the Hideout Well Blueprint to the water collector on the third basement level.
The water collector, now level 2, had a purification function, but its source was still the city water supply.
He hadn't thought much of it before, but looking at the two blueprints, a concern arose.
The upcoming calamity, the Great Flood, would submerge 98% of the land, inevitably contaminating the city water. While the water collector could purify water, it required filter cartridges.
If the water became heavily polluted, the effectiveness of purification and the availability and cost of filter cartridges would become major issues.
With the land submerged, the remaining supplies would be scarce.
Filter cartridges would likely be exorbitantly expensive, if available at all.
Not just one item, but all resources.
He had made up his mind.
Self-reliance was key.
He didn't hesitate.
He retrieved the materials for the well and selected the Hideout Facility Merger Blueprint.
He chose the level 2 water collector and the Hideout Well Blueprint.
Selecting a corner in the living area, he initiated the merger construction.
The water collector was enveloped in a white light.
Construction time: 2 hours.
Thomas smiled, watching the construction in progress.
He didn't know what kind of facility would result, but with two hideout facilities and the Water Purifier Blueprint used to upgrade the collector, a total of three rare blueprints were involved.
The merged facility couldn't be useless.
Further speculation was pointless.
The die was cast; he would see the results in two hours.
Now, only the Hideout Indoor Greenhouse Blueprint remained.
After some thought, he decided to wait until the water source was complete. Water was crucial for planting.
He didn't want to rush the greenhouse construction.
However, he could make some preparations.
He opened his private message list and searched for a specific contact.
[Thomas: Hey, you still alive?]
After thirty seconds with no reply, Thomas assumed the worst…
[Andrew Jackson: Legend Smyth? Is the rare plant ready?]
The message suddenly arrived.
Thomas paused, then slapped his forehead.
"Crap… I forgot about the rare plant!"
It wasn't intentional. His mind had been racing lately.
But it wasn't too late.
[Thomas: Hey… yeah! Just contacting you about that. Want it now?]
He rushed to the resting area and checked the Breathing Pothos.
As expected, the aerial root had split, and a new one was two-thirds grown, ready to split in four or five hours.
Thomas breathed a sigh of relief.
Andrew's message arrived.
[Andrew Jackson: That's great, Legend Smyth! Send it over, thank you so much!]
Thomas didn't waste time. He snapped off the mature offshoot and traded it.
Andrew, holding the Breathing Pothos cutting, was beyond excited.
He confirmed the plant's information matched what he had seen before.
He finally relaxed.
His trade with Thomas had been a gamble, a bet on Thomas's integrity.
He had been waiting since morning, starting to accept disappointment.
This was a pleasant surprise.
Not just for the rare plant, but for Thomas honoring his promise so readily.
Andrew's impression of Thomas soared.
Then, another message from Thomas arrived.
[Thomas: Hey… you got any vegetable seeds, compost, "Miracle-Gro" fertilizer? And any of that rare plant nutrient solution left?]
Andrew's curiosity piqued.
[Andrew Jackson: I have all of those, except the nutrient solution, which I only have two bottles left. Legend Smyth, you're not planning on farming, are you?]
[Thomas: I'll take those two bottles. As for farming, just a small experiment!]
Andrew's eyes lit up.
Everyone knew how wealthy Thomas was.
And smart. A "small experiment"?
Andrew had tried farming many times. Ordinary methods wouldn't work with this world's seeds.
Perhaps only within specific rare facilities could they grow.
An idea sparked in his mind.
[Andrew Jackson: Legend Smyth, how about this? The nutrient solution is precious, so we'll trade fairly for that. But the seeds, compost, and fertilizer are worthless. I'll just give you those, how about it?]
[Andrew Jackson: Just… hehe… Legend Smyth… if you manage to grow any food or vegetables, could you share a little? I haven't had fresh vegetables in three years!]
Thomas reread Andrew's messages several times, including their previous chat logs.
Andrew seemed particularly enthusiastic about anything plant-related. Thomas recalled Andrew claiming to have no more nutrient solution when he inquired a few days ago.
Now, two bottles appeared.
Either Andrew hadn't been truthful then, or… he could make the rare plant nutrient solution!
Thomas's eyes gleamed.
If his hunch was correct, and Andrew could produce the Type I Plant Nutrient Solution, he could make at least one bottle a day.
A rare talent!
Thomas had a plan.
[Thomas: Sounds good. If I get anywhere with this, I'll let you know.]
[Thomas: And if you find anything else related to rare plants, keep me in mind.]
[Andrew Jackson: Haha, will do, Legend Smyth! I'll keep an eye out!]
They quickly negotiated a trade for the two bottles of Type I Plant Nutrient Solution.
One MP5 submachine gun, 120 rounds of ammunition, and a level 3 ballistic vest secured the deal.
By now, no one was asking about the Nourishing Mutton Stew anymore. Thomas didn't mind; the kitchen continued production.
He could sell it to survivors in the frigid zones later.
Or save it for another cold snap.
He had the necessary materials for the Indoor Greenhouse.
Thomas continued sorting through the loot.
His gaze fell upon the map-like item from Mad Dog's safe.
"Anything kept with two rare blueprints can't be ordinary."
He unfolded the map. His mind went blank.
He double-checked, making sure he was reading it correctly.
"Holy crap… it really is…"
[CBS Laboratory Functional Area Distribution Map]
Type: Rare Item
Description: A structural map detailing the functional areas of the underground CBS Laboratory, allowing for quick navigation.
Effect 1: When within the laboratory, displays your current location and escape routes.
Effect 2: Can be used to expand the rare facility "Intelligence Center" with a CBS Laboratory module.
---
The map clearly showed the three levels of the laboratory: basement levels one, two, and three.
Five colors divided the lab into five functional areas:
* Logistics, Warehouse, and Supply Zone
* Parking Garage
* Laboratory and Office Area
* Sterile Laboratory, Medical Support, and Quarantine Zone
* Administration and Recreation Zone
Each functional area was further subdivided.
For example, the Parking Garage was divided into:
1. Security Room/Parking Garage Gate Control Room
2. Parking Garage
3. Forecourt
4. Parking Garage Gate
---
In total, there were over forty functional areas spread across the three levels.
The largest areas were the Laboratory and Sterile Laboratory zones.
This confirmed Thomas's suspicions: the CBS Laboratory conducted human experiments to research gene-enhancing serums.
Hence, the creation of the Son of the Ocean serum.
However, a black area marked "Containment Zone" puzzled Thomas.
The term made him uneasy.
Containment of what?
Failed test subjects?
Or something else?
He recalled the jelly-like substance found in Ghostface's brain.
The [Incomplete Neural Bridge].
And what about the escape routes mentioned in the map's description?
Did entering the lab require finding these routes, which might be numerous and ever-changing?
Or were specific conditions needed to leave?
That would explain the map's value and rarity.
Thomas rubbed his temples, stopping his train of thought.
His head was starting to itch again.
He understood the map's effects.
Effect 1 was essentially a weakened version of the virtual map.
Effect 2 was tempting.
But the Intelligence Center was still upgrading, and the first calamity wasn't over yet. He knew little about the true apocalyptic world.
He decided to hold off on using the map for now.
He'd keep it and decide later.
He had finished sorting the most valuable blueprints and books.
Thomas spread the rare items collected last night on the floor.
He sat down, ready for the most enjoyable part: appraisal.
This haul of rare items was the most impressive yet.
Weapons, armor, and functional gear.
He was most intrigued by a head-mounted monocular device: a night vision scope.
Looted from Ghostface, the final boss of the tutorial, Thomas had high expectations.
[AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device]
Type: Rare Item
Size: 1x1
Description: AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device. A portable visual search device used by the Army/Navy, providing night vision up to 350 meters with a 40° field of view and brightness adjustment.
Environment: Low-light
Usage: Handheld, head-mounted, weapon-mounted, camera-mounted
Field of View: 40°
Magnification: 1-3x
Resolution: 64
Brightness Gain: 25-3000 (adjustable)
Diopter Adjustment: 2-6
Focus Range: 25cm-350m
Operating Temperature: -51°C to 49°C
Storage Temperature: -51°C to 85°C