The Dongshan Base had not been established for very long, but its facilities were well developed and everything was orderly and well managed.
The roads extended in all directions, and vendors selling all kinds of goods could be seen everywhere.
At a glance, there seemed to be everything one could possibly need. People came and went, making the place bustling and lively.
It was no exaggeration to call it a small city.
“The Dongshan Base is surrounded by mountains on three sides, while the front is protected by the city walls. You could say there are no blind spots, so it’s very safe.
“The southern part of the base is mostly a concentrated residential area. The northern side has the base’s medical center, administrative offices, and other facilities.
“In the middle, a river flowing down from the mountaintop runs through the entire base and provides drinking water for everyone.”
He Bantian introduced Su Su to the basic layout of the city. From time to time, he would point in a certain direction and tell her which area was located there.
Su Su listened attentively, occasionally responding with a word or two.
As He Bantian continued speaking, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Su Su.
“Are you an Otherworlder?”
Su Su met He Bantian’s gaze but neither confirmed nor denied it.
Fortunately, He Bantian did not seem to expect an answer from her. He simply continued.
“There’s a mission hall inside the base. The missions posted there range from easy to difficult.
“Any survivor in the base can go there to accept missions in exchange for supplies needed for survival.
“There’s also an Otherworlder detection device in the mission center. It can test an Otherworlder’s ability type and level for free.”
As he spoke, he looked at Su Su.
“You know what an Otherworlder is, right?”
Su Su slipped both hands into the pockets on the sides of her clothes and lightly squeezed the few candies inside.
When she met He Bantian’s gaze, which carried a hint of contempt as though he were looking at a country bumpkin, she nodded lightly.
“I know. Because Otherworlders have different innate talents, the types of abilities they awaken are different, and their levels vary in strength as well.
“After awakening, their level generally won’t change again.
“Only a very small number of people will experience a second awakening after being stimulated by external factors.”
As Su Su spoke, she raised her head and looked at He Bantian. Her obsidian-like eyes seemed to sparkle with starlight.
“The most powerful Otherworlder in the base is Xie Anzhou, who possesses 3S-rank mutant wind and lightning abilities.”
“Oh, you know quite a lot.”
He Bantian chuckled. Perhaps he was afraid that his teasing attitude would scare away his potential “rental customer,” so he cleared his throat and became more serious.
“That’s right. Otherworlders are very rare. They make up only three percent of the entire base’s population.
“Those above S-rank are even rarer, let alone 3S-rank. And he’s the only person with dual abilities.
“3S-rank and dual abilities. No matter which one you look at individually, Xie Anzhou is the only one in the base, completely unique.
“Over here…”
As He Bantian spoke, he led Su Su through several streets and alleyways, making several turns.
There were clearly far fewer people here than in the bustling areas outside.
“We’re almost there. The concentrated residential area is just ahead.
“Take a look and see what kind of house you want to live in.
“Some of the houses are in good condition and fully furnished, so you can move in with just your luggage.
“There are also some that are a little worse, but they’re still livable.
“As for the prices, of course they’re different too. Take a look and see which one you want.”
He Bantian turned around to look at Su Su, a calculating glint flashing through his eyes.
He rubbed his thumb and index finger together, making a money-counting gesture.
“Let’s see how much you can afford.”
“Afford?”
Su Su hesitated. Although she had lived through two lifetimes, this was still the first time she had ever rented a place, so she really had no experience with it.
Thinking of something, she opened the backpack on her back and showed it to He Bantian.
The off-road vehicle was still parked in the base’s parking lot, but Su Su had already taken everything useful from it and put it into her backpack.
He Bantian leaned over to take a look. Among the pile of candies, his sharp eyes immediately spotted the crystal stone and claws of the Mutant Brown Bear they had hunted earlier.
“Hey, you’ve got quite a lot of candy. Be careful you don’t ruin your teeth.”
Su Su tightened her grip on the backpack.
“I don’t want to use candy to pay the rent.”
He Bantian shook his head regretfully, seemingly a little troubled. After a moment, he waved his hand.
“Fine, fine. But renting a place in the base is pretty expensive. With what you have…”
Su Su lowered her head in disappointment, her voice becoming softer.
“Then how much is the cheapest one?”
“The cheapest one…”
He Bantian’s eyes rolled around in their sockets several times. Then he patted Su Su on the shoulder, telling her not to be nervous.
“Of course there are cheap ones. It’s just that the environment…”
He deliberately left his sentence unfinished, keeping her in suspense before continuing.
“But if you don’t want to use candy in exchange, you can use everything else you have. Add it all together and it should be just about enough.”
He Bantian let out a long sigh, putting on an earnest and sympathetic expression.
“Supplies are scarce these days. To be honest, I really do want those candies.
“But if you really don’t want to give them up, then forget it. Since this is your first time renting a place, it isn’t easy for you.”
Su Su hesitated for a few moments before nodding.
She took out everything in her bag except the candies, including the Mutant Brown Bear’s crystal stone, claws, and other items, and handed them to He Bantian.
He Bantian efficiently opened his canvas crossbody bag and stuffed everything inside.
“There’s no need to look at the other houses now. I’ll take you directly to the cheapest one.”
“Okay.”
Su Su followed He Bantian into the concentrated residential area.
There were many buildings in the residential area. Tall buildings stood densely packed all around them, arranged haphazardly like a crowded, rundown old residential complex.
He Bantian led Su Su toward the most remote and dilapidated building.
“That’s just how things are in the Apocalypse. This is already considered pretty good. At least it’s safe.
“But if you’re an Otherworlder, you might have a chance to move into the villa area beside the central administrative building.
“That’s where all the top Otherworlders and elite military personnel live.
“Besides, the villa area is very close to the Central Armed Forces Department, so it’s even safer.
“But judging from you, you don’t really look like an Otherworlder.”
As He Bantian spoke, he glanced at Su Su.
She really was beautiful, but unfortunately, she looked like nothing more than a pretty vase.
Perhaps afraid that Su Su did not know what place he was referring to, He Bantian deliberately explained again.
“The administrative building and the Central Armed Forces Department are both located at the foot of the rear mountain, at the very back of the base. Unauthorized people aren’t allowed to enter.
“And the villa area isn’t far from there. Not only is the living environment safe, it’s also very quiet.”
“I know.”
Su Su said that because she had lived there in her previous life.
He Bantian assumed Su Su was merely trying to save face and talking nonsense. What could someone who had just arrived at the base possibly know?
He ignored her response and stopped walking.
“This is it. Your room is in this building.”
Su Su followed He Bantian and stopped in front of a tall building.
Several red-painted signs were still hanging on the side wall of the building. They were marked with the words “Building No. 7.”
Building No. 7 looked even more shabby than the surrounding high-rises. Its exterior had merely been coated with a simple layer of lime.
The staircase was built onto the outside wall of the building. It looked dangerous, but fortunately, it was surrounded by iron railings.
“Your room is 7707, Room Seven on the seventh floor.
“There’s a room number posted outside every door. I won’t go up with you. Goodbye.”
He Bantian pulled out a key, tossed it to Su Su, and immediately took off as though his feet had been greased.
Su Su clenched the key in her hand.
She had a strange feeling that something was wrong.
She seemed to have been cheated.