NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Zheng Bo’s Threat
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"System, if people have the same comprehensive strength rating, does that mean they're equally strong?"
Zhao Yan asked the question that had been bothering him. This was crucial for how he'd allocate his attribute points in the future.
[Of course not. Even within the same rating, actual strength will vary due to the potency of abilities, the level of various attributes, and an individual's proficiency in using their abilities. Comprehensive strength rating is only a rough estimation of power.]
The System's answer was pretty much what Zhao Yan expected.
With that in mind, Zhao Yan decided on a strategy of all-around development. After all, only by developing comprehensively could he avoid any glaring weaknesses. Since he could soul-transmigrate here and awaken a System, the coming apocalypse definitely wouldn't be simple. It was only normal for other ability users to appear.
Especially since there was already one suspected reincarnator and awakened ability user in this very complex – Zheng Bo.
The thought of Zheng Bo brought a rush of the original owner's painful memories to Zhao Yan's mind: cold, hunger, humiliation. The influx of these memories gave Zhao Yan a headache; the original owner's suffering and hatred were constantly influencing him.
Zhao Yan rubbed his throbbing head, muttering, "Old Zhao, don't worry. I'll definitely get your revenge."
Seeing that his shift change was still a while away, Zhao Yan went to the bathroom for a shower. While washing, he noticed that his previously gaunt muscles had begun to firm up, no longer looking so skinny and dried out. The wrinkles on his face also seemed to have faded significantly. With his boosted attributes, Zhao Yan was now essentially a young man with the appearance of an old one.
Zhao Yan then went to the guard post and switched shifts. After brewing himself a large cup of goji berry tea, he pulled up a chair next to the guard room door and sat down. Watching the residents come and go, Zhao Yan slowly sifted through some of the original owner's memories.
Soon, Zhao Yan uncovered some crucial details. He was now practically certain that the guy named Zheng Bo was a reincarnator, and very likely possessed a space ability. After all, before his transmigration, Zhao Yan himself was a fan of webnovels and was no stranger to concepts like rebirth and spatial abilities.
A month after the apocalypse began, with no external aid and a severe lack of food throughout the complex, Zheng Bo had continuously flaunted his lavish meals in the residents' WeChat group, eventually provoking the ire of most people. Led by a local tough guy named Liu Yuan, residents had attempted to break into Zheng Bo's apartment, hoping to seize his food. They soon discovered that his home had been transformed into a secure shelter made of special alloy walls. This safe house was impenetrable, and their assault had resulted in many casualties due to Zheng Bo's pre-prepared defenses.
According to the original owner's memories, Zheng Bo had also ordered a massive amount of supplies a month before the apocalypse, though the specific contents weren't known. However, Zhao Yan clearly remembered the endless stream of delivery trucks entering the complex. The sheer volume of goods couldn't possibly fit into Zheng Bo's apartment, so Zhao Yan was convinced that Zheng Bo definitely possessed a storage space like a spatial ability. After all, he himself had a System storage space, though he couldn't put anything into it yet.
He just didn't know how large Zheng Bo's storage space was, or how many supplies he had stored. Zheng Bo had relied on his food and warm shelter to attract two good-looking women from the complex. As for why Zheng Bo didn't take in more, Zhao Yan figured Zheng Bo's personal capabilities might be limited, and he couldn't handle too many people.
Though hatred burned in his heart, Zhao Yan wasn't in a hurry to kill Zheng Bo. For one, the apocalypse hadn't arrived yet, and killing Zheng Bo now would only implicate himself. Once the apocalypse hit, the entire complex, indeed the entire world, would descend into chaos. Given Zheng Bo's actions at that time, he would attract the hatred and attention of everyone in the complex. While Zhao Yan didn't know why Zheng Bo would do this, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing for him. After all, even with a System, he still needed time to develop.
As Zhao Yan sat lost in thought, a voice broke through the silence.
"Old Man Zhao, open the gate!"
Zhao Yan opened his eyes to see Zheng Bo standing beside the guard booth, looking at him with clear disdain. Zhao Yan stood up and looked out at the two trucks parked outside the community gate.
"What's in them?" Zhao Yan asked slowly, taking a sip of his goji berry tea.
"Some renovation materials," Zheng Bo replied impatiently.
"Renovation? Did you notify the property management?" Zhao Yan asked casually.
"I'm renovating my own apartment, what do I need to report?" Zheng Bo said, a hint of urgency in his voice.
"It's a rule. You have to notify property management before you start renovating, or we can't let you in," Zhao Yan said, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"Old bastard, you just wait!" Zheng Bo spat a threat, then turned and stomped off towards the property management office.
After Zheng Bo left, Zhao Yan walked over to the trucks, pulled out a cigarette, and offered it to the driver. "Master, what's in here?"
The truck driver took the cigarette Zhao Yan offered and chuckled, "Some steel. The company said it's for renovations, but I don't know what kind of home renovation needs this much special alloy."
Aha, so Zheng Bo's already starting his preparations.
A moment later, property manager Ma Xiaojun and Zheng Bo both arrived back at the community entrance.
"Old Zhao, let them in!" Ma Xiaojun declared the moment he arrived.
"Manager Ma? Aren't we going to inspect it?" Zhao Yan asked with feigned concern.
"Inspect what? Just lift the barrier and let them through!" Ma Xiaojun said impatiently.
From Ma Xiaojun's expression, Zhao Yan understood that Zheng Bo had probably given him some benefits. As for what was in the trucks, Ma Xiaojun clearly didn't care, and Zhao Yan wasn't going to waste his breath. After all, stopping Zheng Bo was just to annoy him slightly, not to actually prevent him from building his safe house.
Zhao Yan still needed Zheng Bo to attract attention for him after the apocalypse arrived.
After lifting the barrier and letting the trucks through, Zheng Bo glared fiercely at Zhao Yan. "Old geezer, you just wait. You'll regret this."
Zhao Yan responded to Zheng Bo with a knowing, friendly smile, already calculating how to intercept the two beauties Zheng Bo was planning to take in.