Chapter 14 Cooperation

Stone stepped forward to shake hands with Maya, their encounter very formal. After exchanging a few courteous words, Stone added Maya as a member of the base. Maya's farm base lacked beds, so she had not rested. She decided to lie down on one of the base's beds. Just lying down could restore her fatigue, although it was not comparable to the effect of sleep.

After storing the food ingredients, Lin Wu went to see Stone. Stone asked Lin Wu to have a cup of tea first. After Lin Wu inquired about Little Knife's whereabouts, he went to find Little Knife ahead of time. Lin Wu harbored some doubts; Stone had not planned to introduce Maya, nor had he planned to include Lin Wu in their conversation. However, once outside the base, Lin Wu let it go. Every person has their own secrets and personality. Why bother to trouble himself with these concerns and confusions?

"Cooperation?" Maya, lying on the bed, said, "My coming here is a sign of the sincerity to cooperate. What do you have?"

Stone answered, "Interpretation and understanding of the game and my strategic management skills. You are an excellent department manager, and I am an exceptional CEO. I cannot replace you in your job, and you cannot do what I am capable of. Without my help, you cannot win this game. Similarly, without your assistance, I cannot dominate either."

After pondering for a moment, Maya asked, "Can I hear your understanding of the game first?"

Stone poured tea for Maya and said, "Last night when I was driving, I triggered an adrenaline rush. When I drink tea, I feel warmth; when I touch metal, I feel cold. The first rule of the home specifically mentions that 'spike traps' are not allowed."

Maya shook her head, "I don't understand what you mean."

Stone continued, "The game manual also includes a state for catching a cold."

Maya asked, "What are you trying to say?"

Stone questioned, "What do you think is the core content of this game?"

Maya laughed, "Establishing a base, recruiting members, growing stronger, forming legions, controlling towns, counties, cities, and even Future City. Honestly, two years is a bit short; I indeed need assistance."

Stone said, "It's about cooperation, not assistance."

Maya, "Cooperation?"

Stone said, "I believe many people, like you, have misunderstood the core content of this game. As you said, growing stronger is indeed important, and I believe it will score some points. But that is not the core of the game."

Maya asked, "Then what is it?"

Stone said, "Survival. Look at the time—early autumn September. In two or three months, winter will come. The current fair weather doesn't mean it will always be so. Don't you see? The presence of colds indicates that this game has a high level of realism. Cold, hunger, and other such challenges are the biggest tests players will face. Another detail: I can dismantle any building and get back 100% of the materials used."

Stone said, "This setting is very peculiar; most games only return a portion of the materials when buildings are dismantled. That's why I conclude that supply kits are non-renewable resources. Once looted, they are gone."

Maya, disbelieving, "Then how do we replenish the five main resources?"

Stone said, "Today I visited the neighboring base, and they have a Skill Book called Fishing. After learning this skill, he can provide the base with a unit of food daily. He can also fish in rivers, with each fish translating into a unit of food. I believe there will be related professions like Hunter. Also, I tried to cultivate the backyard, but the system indicated I needed Agricultural Skills. Doomsday farmers are more vital than scientists."

Stone said, "Medical supplies would likely require herbalism, as players without this skill cannot see herbs. Collecting herbs can be stored as medical units. Building materials can be obtained through logging, which Woodmen and lumberjacks are suited for. As for non-essential items like ammunition and gasoline, I haven't figured it out yet."

Stone said, "The base must have prospects for development, and each member must be carefully selected; not too many, as that would increase consumption, yet not too few, for then resources cannot be replenished. Each member must play their role to the fullest. While surviving, we should accumulate offensive resources like gasoline and ammunition, create more weapons, and thus be able to clear high-risk buildings, looting more materials. Gradual planning is essential for strategic advancement."

Maya inhaled sharply, "We need many things; there's much to do."

Stone nodded, "We need to establish logistical bases in towns and counties to ensure legion supplies before we can conduct war-time provisioning. Therefore, our first challenge is winter. To successfully survive it, we need a suitable base, and we must start preparing now while supply kits are still abundant."

Maya asked, "If you know so much, why do you need to cooperate with me?"

Stone replied, "As I said before, I am a forward-thinking CEO, and you are an outstanding department manager."

Maya extended her hand, "I'm pleased to cooperate with you."

Stone shook hands with Maya, "So am I."

…

The Shadow base was at a T-junction, with the left leading to the town center and the right dense with zombies, which Lin Wu had never ventured to, only seeing a towering signal tower. As directed by Stone, Lin Wu found Little Knife on the right side of the area.

Little Knife was squatting behind a rock, eyeing a brand-new white pickup truck in the repair shop across the road. Lin Wu tiptoed from behind, squatting next to Little Knife, "What are you looking at?"

"The car," Little Knife responded, then got startled, "You...you..."

"Shush." There were many zombies around, any noise could set all of them off. Lin Wu said, "You don't seem like someone who just watches without taking action."

Little Knife said, "I don't understand what that thing is?"

"That thing is called a car, with four wheels and a steering wheel. Blue Star cars use Dark Matter energy, while Earth cars use gasoline, oil, and new energy sources." Do all Blue Star people know how to drive? Some have a driving license, some don't. To ask why is a long story. Are Blue Star cars the same as Earth cars? More or less. And why is that? That's a story for another time. To answer these two questions is actually quite simple, just understand the principle of Dark Matter Harassment, and you will immediately get it. However, to avoid exploitation by the Ambitious Person, Prawn will not provide a science lesson here.

Little Knife gave Lin Wu a teeth-showing grin, "I wasn't talking about it; I was referring to the zombies. Wait, the zombies are now inside the repair shop." The repair shop was divided into two parts; one was a carwash with the white pickup truck inside, and the other was a large area where the content was not visible.

A zombie walked from behind a large rock to their side, turned its head, and saw the two people two meters away. Lin Wu activated Whirlwind Assassination, moving like a shadow to the back of the zombie, and with a reverse 45-degree stab through the zombie's skull. Then, slowly lowering his hand, he laid the zombie flat before retrieving the dagger and casually Looting the Corpse.

"Cool," Little Knife mouthed, her eyes not filled with admiration but envy.

Lin Wu responded with a smile, found two candies from the search, handed one to Little Knife, and the two leaned against the rock, eating candy and quietly waiting for the unidentified creature to appear.