Apocalypse: Transmigrated with an Overlord System
Chapter 163: Fragile Peace

Chapter 163: Chapter 163: Fragile Peace

The base finally quieted down.

After taking a hot shower, changing into clean clothes, and lying on the bed without the smell of blood and decay, the crowd who had been noisy all day gradually fell asleep.

The lights on all buildings have been turned off, leaving only the faint incandescent light in the convenience store at the end of the street and the management hall, reflecting Liora’s thin back.

She could not sleep at all.

She stood behind the counter, frowning slightly, her eyes fell on the floating system interface in front of her.

The shelves were empty. The instant noodles that were originally piled high now only have a lonely row at the bottom. A few hours ago, a group of survivors rushed into the store excitedly and almost cleared out everything. More than 30 packs of noodles were snatched up in just ten minutes. The last girl to leave turned back and asked her,

"Are there any more? Can you leave one for me?"

She could only shake her head.

She was powerless.

Her eyes stopped at the cold text:

[Stock remaining: 14 cup noodles]

[Factory output: 100/week]

Only fourteen packs left.

And her small automatic food factory can only produce a maximum of one hundred packs of instant noodles per week. This output is not enough for the hundreds of people in the base now. Even if everyone only eats one meal, it is far from enough.

Liora sighed deeply, leaned on the empty counter, and closed her eyes.

It’s not that she didn’t think of a solution, but the system was stuck with the upgrade conditions. To unlock the compressed biscuit production line, you must first complete the achievement of [Selling 1,000 instant noodles].

The problem is

"It’s not that I can’t sell it." She whispered to herself, with a little fatigue in her voice, "It’s just that... there’s simply not that much to sell."

She was stuck in a seemingly absurd cycle: she had to produce in large quantities before she could unlock new products. But without high production capacity, she couldn’t accumulate enough sales.

Everything was delayed. One small step forward, followed by two long waits.

People are happy and satisfied now. But she knows how long this satisfaction can last? What about next week? What about the week after that?

If food is scarce again—

Will this hard-won peace collapse again?

Her mind was racing. Is it time to start rationing? Should she close the store temporarily? Or... ask for help from others?

No.

She shook her head, her eyes firm.

She built this base. This system belongs to her. She can’t rely too much on anyone.

She gritted her teeth, looked at the system interface again, and clenched her fists slowly. Then, as if struck by some idea, a glimmer suddenly lit up in her eyes.

"System." She spoke quickly, with a hint of uncontrollable hope in her voice, "Is there any way to improve the production efficiency of the factory?"

A crisp system prompt sounded in her mind, like a wind chime ringing in the distance:

[Command received, searching for available solutions...]

Her heartbeat gradually accelerated, and her body leaned forward slightly, holding her breath and waiting for the system feedback.

Please... there must be a way.

After a few seconds, the system prompt popped up:

[Related options found:]

1. Temporary production capacity doubled (lasting 7 days) - Consumption: 300 resource points.

2. Factory upgrade (production capacity increased to 300 copies per week) - Consumption: 1 factory upgrade core

Liora quickly scanned the options.

Her resource coin reserves were sufficient to pay for the first item, but she didn’t have the "factory upgrade core" required for the second item, and she didn’t know where to get it.

Her fingertips hovered in the air, trembling slightly.

Finally, she whispered, "Purchase temporary capacity doubling."

Confirm purchase? Temporary capacity doubling (7 days), cost 300 resource coins.

[Purchase successful]

As the system prompt sounded, a low hum came from the factory equipment room at the back. Then, she heard a light "click," which was the sound of the automatic shelf replenishment starting.

The next moment, one package after another of cup noodles slowly slid out of the conveyor trough and landed neatly on the shelf, shiny and full. She could almost smell the familiar fragrance.

A full hundred packages, the shelves were restocked in just a few minutes.

Liora looked at the gradually recovering shelves and breathed a long sigh of relief. The heavy depression in her chest seemed to be partially removed.

"For the time being... this is enough." She murmured, with a tired smile in her eyes.

At least, she bought a few days.

But she knew very well that this was not a long-term solution.

Once seven days have passed, production will return to normal, and the population of the base will continue to grow—demand will far exceed supply.

If this continues, the supplementary production from resource coins alone will only burn her savings to ashes.

She needs a more stable and sustainable solution.

Her eyes gradually drifted out.

The night outside the window was thick, and the base was quiet and peaceful. Most people were asleep. They were well fed, washed, and slept peacefully in warm rooms. This was the happiness they had not had for a long time.

But this peace was too fragile.

Liora looked at the shelves full of instant noodles, but her heart sank.

"How long can these noodles really last?"

She knew that instant noodles were not a panacea. Indeed, it is convenient, time-saving, and can quickly fill the stomach. But long-term consumption of this high-sodium, high-carb fast food will cause problems.

"Will someone fall down due to malnutrition in a month?"

Insufficient vitamin intake, long-term protein deficiency, decreased immunity, and body dysfunction—in the end times, these consequences will not be as simple as "getting sick" but will be directly linked to "death."

She closed her eyes, and a picture flashed through her mind:

A teenager squatted in the corner, holding the third-day instant noodles in his hand, his face pale and his lips chapped. His hands were shaking—not because of the cold, but because his body could no longer support it.

Liora opened her eyes suddenly, and her breathing quickened.

"It can’t just be instant noodles. I need more choices—compressed biscuits, high-energy protein bars, dehydrated vegetables, dried meat... Even fermented pickles are better than noodles."

"People can’t survive on calories alone."

She looked in the direction of the factory, and her eyes calmed down inch by inch. Even if it’s just to maintain the most basic survival line, she can’t delay any longer.

"I’m not opening a convenience store. I’m feeding a group of people who want to survive."

Once there was no food, even for just one day, this place would collapse.

Liora retracted her gaze, and her eyes became firm and sharp.

"I have to act now."

She whispered, as if making a promise to herself.

The cold wind blew outside the window, but the convenience store was still warm and bright.

She stood in the middle of the shop of full shelf of instant noodles but had already cast her eyes in the direction of the future.