Apocalypse: Transmigrated with an Overlord System
Chapter 157: Welcome to the Safe Zone

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Welcome to the Safe Zone

The setting sun completely disappeared behind the horizon. Night fell quietly, and the earth was silent, with only the gentle breeze and the low gasps of the injured. A group of survivors who had experienced life and death in the forest now stood inside the huge iron gate of this strange base, with an empty land in front of them.

There was no voice, no guards, not even a hint of life.

They walked in cautiously. It was so quiet that the only sounds that could be heard were the sound of footsteps and the rustle of falling gravel.

"Is there really anyone here?"

Someone murmured in a low voice, his tone full of hesitation and uneasiness. This cleanliness and quietness, which had never been seen since the end of the world, made them feel depressed and uneasy.

"Something’s wrong... it’s too quiet."

"Let’s just leave. Maybe this is some kind of trap."

Several overly frightened survivors began to waver and wanted to turn around and leave. There was fear in their eyes; their experience of survival in the apocalypse told them that this unguarded base was most likely a trap set by some force.

However, most people just lowered their heads and panted, looking tired. They were so tired, really so tired. The blisters on the soles of their feet had burst and scabbed over, their clothes had long been torn to pieces, and their stomachs were empty.

"We no longer have the energy to run..."

"Yes, we have no choice."

Several tall young men stepped forward, supporting the injured and continuing to walk deeper into the base. Seeing this, the others had no choice but to follow.

As they moved inward, they finally saw a row of brand-new buildings at the end of the open space. It was a row of gray-white small buildings, each of which looked to have only four, three, or two stories, with clean exterior walls, neatly arranged windows, and even the glass was spotless.

"Is that... a house?"

"There really are buildings? Are we dreaming?"

The survivors began to look at each other, surprise and suspicion written on their faces.

"It can’t be this clean... We’ve been to so many places, where else can we find such a well-preserved building?"

Some people couldn’t help but gasp and looked around vigilantly.

At this moment, the base’s mechanical system suddenly started up.

Buzz——

A mechanized electronic sound suddenly sounded, and it was particularly clear in the quiet air.

"Welcome to the Dawn Base. You have entered a safe area. To ensure your safety, all survivors are requested to go to the base management hall to register their identities as soon as possible. There are ten dormitory buildings in the base, for temporary residence. The dormitory rent is five low-level crystal cores per day, and ten for two days. The base provides electricity, clean water, beds, and basic living facilities. Please feel free to use them."

"The convenience store is open 24 hours a day. The types of food currently available are: instant noodles and water. You are welcome to use the self-service purchase terminal. The price will automatically deduct the crystal core. I wish you a happy life."

Everyone was stunned.

After a moment’s silence, there was an uproar.

"Automatic broadcast? I remember this kind of thing was only available in advanced places before the apocalypse..."

"Is there really electricity here? No, not only electricity, but also clean water?"

"And it sounds like the dormitory only has ten crystal cores for two days? That price is too cheap!"

The survivors looked at one another, their faces full of disbelief. A few even rubbed their ears, wondering if they had misheard the broadcast. For a long time, no one spoke.

Then someone asked in a trembling voice, "Where... where is the management hall?"

"I think it’s that building over there... the one with the sign and the glowing panel," someone pointed out.

The group moved slowly, limping or supporting one another as they headed toward the building. The ground under their feet was flat and clean, with no trash, no broken glass, not even a single bloodstain. Compared to the chaos outside, this place was like another world.

As they reached the entrance, a soft white light lit up above the door. The automatic doors opened with a smooth hiss.

Inside was a spacious lobby. The walls were white and spotless. Several rows of clean benches lined the sides of the hall, and a long counter stood at the front with several machines flashing blue lights.

A message appeared on the nearest screen:

[Please scan your identity or place your hand on the panel to register as a new resident.]

A few survivors hesitated, unsure if it was safe.

But one young man stepped forward first. His face was pale, and there was blood on his arm, but his eyes were clear. He placed his hand on the panel. A soft beep sounded, and the screen lit up again.

[Identity registered. Temporary ID granted.]

Then a card slid out from the machine.

He picked it up with shaking hands and turned to the others. "It’s real... I didn’t feel anything weird. Just a scan. I got an ID card..."

His voice stirred the others into motion. One by one, the survivors stepped forward to register, their hands trembling with both fear and hope. Some cried as they received their cards. Others clutched them tightly as if holding a treasure.

A middle-aged woman whispered, "With this card... we can rent a bed tonight. A real bed..."

"Yes... and buy food. The store is real too. I saw it when we came in."

Without waiting for anyone to give orders, some people with quick reactions ran towards the convenience store. They had been hungry for so long that they almost drooled at the smell of instant noodles.

A white light was on the convenience store sign, and the glass door slid open automatically, letting in a faint cool breeze. The air was mixed with the smell of instant noodles; it was simple but enough to bring tears to one’s eyes.

"Ahhhh, I’m going crazy, this is real!"

"This is real instant noodles, guys!"

The shelves are filled with instant noodles and at a side water dispenser, where hot and cold water was mentioned. Although there weren’t many varieties, it was like heaven to a group of starving people.

They hurriedly took the supplies to the self-service machine, dropped the crystal cores into the slots one by one, and watched the screen show that the transaction was successful. The real sense of relief made many people’s eyes red.

On the other side, several calmer survivors began to check the dormitory. They found the nearest dormitory building and put the crystal core into the registration desk. Then a mechanical voice sounded: "Room 203 on the second floor of Building B is open. Please use the smart lock to enter."

"Come on, let’s go check it out!"

The moment they walked into the room, they were stunned.

A clean bed with neatly folded bedding. There was a functioning electric fan in the corner, and a red light on the wall socket indicated that the power supply was normal. There was even running hot water in the bathroom, and disposable toothbrushes and cups were provided.

"...Isn’t this an illusion?"

"Did we really... make it to heaven alive?"

At that moment, all the fatigue and pain seemed to completely disintegrate on these soft mattresses.

Some people were crying loudly on the bed, some were lying on the ground chewing instant noodles with tears streaming down their faces, and some were shaking with excitement while holding the electric kettle.

They didn’t know where all this came from, nor did they know who the owner of this base was – they only knew that they finally didn’t have to run away anymore.