Chronicles of the infinite reset

The group stepped into the Office Building, their footsteps echoing lightly against the polished floors. The first floor was simple yet welcoming, with rows of comfortable seats arranged neatly along the walls and a large, elegant reception desk at the center. A soft glow emanated from the overhead lights, illuminating the smooth marble floors and clean, white walls.

"This feels more like a luxury company lobby than an apocalypse base," Lin Mei muttered, taking in the air-conditioned space.

"It's designed to accommodate survivors," Qianqian explained. "This will be where newcomers are welcomed and screened before they're officially registered into the base."

Lin Na flopped into one of the chairs, wiping sweat off her brow. "Thank heavens for these seats. I thought my legs were going to give out."

Qianqian smiled faintly but quickly shifted her attention back to the task at hand. "We're heading to the second floor now. That's where the real work begins."

As they climbed the stairs, the group stepped into a starkly different environment. The second floor was a large, open workspace with rows and rows of empty desks equipped with sleek monitors, waiting to be powered up and configured. The walls were lined with modular storage cabinets, while the center of the room featured long tables for collaborative tasks.

"This is incredible," Rui Feng said, his eyes wide as he ran his fingers along one of the monitors. "It's like a command center for a high-tech company."

"That's exactly the goal," Qianqian said, standing at the front of the room. "This floor is for registration and administration. When survivors arrive, this is where their information will be entered into the system. Lin Mei, Lin Na, and I will work on setting up the software to make it as seamless as possible."

Lin Mei glanced around at the dozens of unconnected monitors. "This is going to take some time to get running."

"It's a team effort," Qianqian replied. "I want this floor to be operational within the next two weeks. Once we're up and running, survivors will be able to register here, and their details will automatically sync with the Command Zone. This will help us track population, assign roles, and monitor contributions."

Qianqian opened her system interface and selected a Base Development Option:

"Activate Dual-Card System? Includes: Registration Cards and Point Cards. Cost: 2,000 points. Confirm?"

Qianqian confirmed, and the desks before them hummed faintly as the system worked its magic.

Registration Cards: A sleek, laminated card printed with personal details like name, photo, role, and ID number.

Point Cards: A small, durable card with a QR code linked to the base's internal resource management system. Each cardholder's points balance would reflect their contributions and could be used to exchange for items, food, or services within the base.

The group watched in awe as the system printed a sample set, which Qianqian held up for them to see.

"This is how it works," Qianqian began. "Each of you will receive two cards:

1. The Registration Card: This identifies you as an official member of the base and grants you access to facilities based on your role.

2. The Point Card: This tracks your contributions to the base. Points can be earned through work, offering valuable items, or helping with essential tasks. You'll use these points to get resources like food, water, and equipment."

Lin Mei furrowed her brow. "Wait, we have to spend points even for food?"

"Yes," Qianqian said firmly. "This isn't just about survival. It's about building a system of fairness and accountability. If we give everything away for free, there's no motivation to work hard or contribute. But," she added, "you can earn points in a variety of ways, from hunting and gathering to managing base operations. Think of it as a way to keep everything running smoothly."

Qianqian demonstrated the process by registering Rui Feng first.

Step 1: Rui Feng placed his hand on the biometric scanner, and the system verified his identity.

Step 2: The monitor displayed a list of his skills and roles he could take on in the base. After selecting "Tech Specialist," the system assigned him a points baseline of 100 starting points.

Step 3: The system printed his cards:

A Registration Card with his name, photo, and role.

A Point Card with a starting balance of 100 points.

Rui Feng held up the cards, examining them. "This is... actually kind of cool."

"Wait," Lin Na interrupted. "What if someone doesn't have any points or anything to offer? What happens then?"

Qianqian smiled faintly. "Good question. The system allows for bartering. If you don't have points or resources, you can offer something of value—whether that's skills, labor, or even unique items—to earn what you need. But remember, nothing comes free."

Lin Mei hesitated as it was her turn. "I... don't have much to offer right now," she admitted.

"That's fine," Qianqian said. "The base always needs help with tasks. For now, you can take on administrative duties to start earning points. But if you have anything of value you're willing to offer—extra supplies, tools, or even knowledge—it will boost your starting balance."

Lin Mei thought for a moment, then handed over a silver bracelet she had been wearing. "This was my mom's, but I trust you to use it wisely."

Qianqian scanned the bracelet into the system, which assigned it a value of 50 points. Lin Mei's Point Card now reflected 150 points instead of the standard 100.

As the group finished registering, Qianqian looked around, her gaze lingering on Lin Mei and Lin Na, who were still catching their breath.

She made a mental note:

"Vehicles are the next priority. We need commercial buses for transportation and additional stamina training for Lin Mei, Lin Na, and others. I'll ask Wei Jian to start implementing physical drills immediately."

She turned to the group. "This base is our lifeline, but it's only as strong as the people in it. Starting tomorrow, Wei Jian will lead training to improve everyone's stamina and strength. We're in this together, and I need all of you to be at your best."

After two weeks of intense planning and work at the base, the group packed up and prepared to head back to the city. The progress they had made was evident—the base now had a reliable power supply, running water, residential buildings, and a partially operational command center.

Qianqian gathered everyone at the warehouse before their departure. "We've done a lot, but there's still much more to prepare. I'll be delegating tasks to each of you to make sure we don't waste a single moment."

The group nodded in agreement, their determination evident.

Long Hao took charge of working with He Jun to secure and modify more vehicles for the base.

He began scouting for armored trucks, commercial buses, and off-road vehicles. Long Hao's sharp negotiation skills often secured them deals that seemed impossible.

He Jun, with his technical expertise, modified these vehicles with reinforced exteriors, bulletproof glass, hidden compartments for supplies, and even built-in weapon mounts.

They also focused on acquiring commercial vehicles that could transport large groups or haul goods.

By the end of July, Long Hao had managed to secure Ten buses, four cargo trucks, and a set of compact SUVs. He Jun worked tirelessly to upgrade these, ensuring they were ready.

Lin Mei, Lin Na, and Xiaoyu took over the responsibility of shopping for supplies. Armed with lists provided by Qianqian, they split their focus:

Lin Mei and Lin Na focused on household items, clothing, hygiene products, and non-perishable foods.

Xiaoyu concentrated on acquiring medicines, medical equipment, and rare herbs Qianqian had mentioned could be valuable in the apocalypse.

The trio spent long hours browsing stores, filling up carts, and arranging for bulk deliveries to the warehouse. Their efforts paid off as the storage rooms began to overflow with goods.

Wei Jian used his job and connections to bring in additional funds. His charisma and professional demeanor allowed him to negotiate bonuses and under-the-table deals.

With the extra money, he purchased weapons and ammunition in bulk.

He also started buying protective gear such as bulletproof vests, helmets, and tactical equipment.

By the end of August, Wei Jian had amassed an impressive collection of firearms, blades, and crossbows, which were stored securely at the warehouse.

Rui Feng took a more unconventional approach, focusing on the entertainment sector.

He scoured stores for gaming consoles, board games, books, and movies, ensuring the group would have a way to relax and maintain morale during the apocalypse.

He also acquired educational materials, e-books, and DIY manuals for survival skills.

"We'll need something to keep us sane," Rui Feng explained when questioned about his purchases. "A little entertainment can go a long way."

The group fell into a steady rhythm, their days filled with planning, shopping, and preparing for the apocalypse.