Apocalyptic Wasteland Simulator

Chapter 7: Become Stronger! Weapon Master
Chen Pingchuan frowned, carefully mulling over the text in the simulator.

He couldn’t understand what charm this woman named Xia Qingxue possessed. The moment he let his guard down, she would stick to him like glue. It’s true that men are lustful. A day or two was bearable, but being entangled for an entire month... Sorry, but he wasn’t a donkey; he couldn’t just toil away endlessly like an ox or a horse! There must be some unknown factors at play here. As for the people who ambushed him, he would find out who they were soon enough.

[One minute later, you walk out of the alley.]

[The dim yellow light of a streetlamp flickers across your face as you make a call.]

[Five minutes later, two of your subordinates arrive in a hurry. You whisper something in their ears before leaving the alley.]

[The next day, inside the cement factory, your expression is grim. You are suspicious of the two captives’ identities, but more than that, you’re worried. If your suspicions are correct, your entire plan could face a major setback.]

[You briefly describe interrogation methods from movies and TV shows to your two subordinates, who look at you with eyes full of admiration.]

[Ten minutes later, your subordinate walks out smiling and relays the information he obtained.]

[Your recent high-profile activities have attracted the attention of Huang Mao and Green Hair, two low-level ruffians from the Purple Bird Gang.]

[The pair have been wandering the city streets for a long time. They are very sensitive to market trends and possess some quick wit, which allowed them to discover you hiding in the background. They then conspired to hit you for a score.]

Seeing this, Chen Pingchuan’s mouth curled into a slight smile. It turned out to be his old acquaintances, the Purple Bird Gang.

[You suddenly recall that a month ago, Subordinate Number Two had tried to warn you, saying that making such big moves might attract unwanted attention. However, lost in Xia Qingxue’s gentle embrace, you completely dismissed his concerns.]

[You resolve to be cautious from now on. Most importantly, you must practice abstinence.]

[Your Subordinate Number Two asks you how to deal with the two ruffians. You calculate the arrival time of the red rain and realize that the risk of letting them go is far too high.]

[You give a contemptuous smile, putting on the air of a true villain. You point to the cement pump nozzle above your head and turn to leave.]

[Subordinate Number One is about to ask what you mean but is pulled back by the other.]

Seeing this, Chen Pingchuan’s brain started spinning frantically.

Obviously, Subordinate Number One is the portly Guo Yihang. Based on what I know about him, this kind of gesture-based command would definitely be difficult for him to understand. As for Subordinate Number Two...

In an instant, Chen Pingchuan remembered the eager young man at the labor market entrance, trying so hard to sell his skills.

Could it be him?

What puzzled Chen Pingchuan even more was the order itself.

Was the person who gave that order really me? Based on my self-perception, while it seems logical in this context, I’m just not that kind of person. Or maybe... maybe the me in the simulator is my true self, and the me in reality is just a beast wearing the cloak of civilization...

Chen Pingchuan didn’t dare to let the thought linger.

It was unclear whether it was because he had just been thinking about them, or if his thoughts had somehow influenced the simulation, but in the subsequent entries, the simulator stopped using numbers to refer to his subordinates.

[You are very satisfied with Liu Yaofei’s ability to read people and situations, and you praise him lavishly. The look of worship in his eyes deepens.]

[Having resolved the trouble, you become even more cautious.]

[Time quickly flies by to August. After three months of hard work, your doomsday fortress is starting to take shape and can achieve basic self-sufficiency.]

[At the same time, your relationship with Xia Qingxue has become increasingly unusual.]

[Ever since you returned from the cement factory last month, you have not touched Xia Qingxue.]

[Xia Qingxue suspects you might be having an affair, since you used to be able to go for several rounds a night without stopping. However, she never gets an explanation from you. Instead, your unbelievable move leaves even the system astonished.]

[You don’t explain the reason for your abnormal behavior. Instead, you begin to frantically indoctrinate her with new ideas.]

[”A man who respects you will take the initiative to talk about the future, because he knows loving you means giving you a good future. This is a man’s responsibility and duty. He can’t bear to let you feel lost, but the prerequisite is...”]

[”A man who truly loves you, even if he currently lacks the ability to let you live as you please in a life of happiness, he will still work for your future...”]

[”Someone who cares for you while coveting your body might not love you, but someone who still cares for you without coveting your body is definitely someone who loves you...”]

[”Physical love is merely the satisfaction of desire; spiritual love is a higher pursuit on the level of the soul.”]

[Xia Qingxue is moved by your spirit.]

[Xia Qingxue leaves you a note and several hundred thousand Federation Coins before quietly departing.]

[You unfold the note and see three large words written on it: I love you!]

Chen Pingchuan’s mind was filled with question marks as he stared at the incredible text on the simulator.

This familiar sense of deja vu... did those words really spew... no, come out of my mouth? Besides, if I remember correctly, the first time I met Xia Qingxue, I was entangled with her for a full nine months before she quietly left. But in this simulation, not only was the time shortened by three months... where did my Alpha Virus antidote go! So what exactly did my words in the simulator brainwash Xia Qingxue into becoming?

Chen Pingchuan suppressed his shock and continued the simulation.

[You aren’t surprised by Xia Qingxue’s departure, but you are a little displeased about the few hundred thousand Federation Coins. How could a girl who doesn’t give you money have the gall to say she loves you?]

[After Xia Qingxue leaves, you also depart from the outer district.]

[Looking at the two large cement pillars at the entrance of the cement factory, you feel very satisfied. They look imposing!]

[You move your residence to the cement factory and stop going to the outer district to pretend to be a laborer.]

[Three days later, Guo Yihang brings the equipment you had custom-ordered in the outer district back to the factory.]

[Without Xia Qingxue’s interference, you begin to train yourself madly. You no longer feel so drained.]

[In the first month, you frantically push your potential through weight training, resistance training, equipment training, and explosive training.]

[You become tanned and muscular, and you can perform advanced movements that are impossible for ordinary people.]

[The gazes from Guo Yihang and Liu Yaofei become increasingly fervent!]

[You feel a great improvement in your strength, agility, and constitution. Even your Spirit attribute has slightly increased.]

[In the second month, alongside your basic training, you add Swordsmanship. Since you don’t know any real techniques, you simply repeat the basic actions: draw, thrust, chop, point, slice, intercept, lift, sweep, and parry.]

[You have mastered basic Swordsmanship.]

[In the third month, you abandon your Swordsmanship training and turn to saber techniques. You still don’t know any real forms. Compared to the complexity of a sword, you only practice four movements with the saber: draw, chop, hack, and sweep.]

[As for defensive moves, you believe that offense is the best defense.]

[You have mastered basic saber techniques.]

[In the fourth month, you once again put down the long saber and turn to another weapon.]

[...]

[By the ninth month, you have mastered the basic handling of nine different weapons. It would not be an exaggeration to call you a Weapon Master now.]

[You stop your training. Your explosive physical attributes make your very soul feel like it’s burning. You need an outlet.]

[An opportunity presents itself. You calculate the date and realize the red rain is only three days away!]