Chapter 48: Departure for Dawnlight City

Among all awakened supernatural talents, several abilities are commonly seen. Endurance is one of them. Once activated, it grants a significant boost in defense—so much so that even the claws of a second-tier zombie cannot scratch the skin. It can be used three times a day, each lasting ten minutes.

Besides Endurance, there are also elemental abilities.

Chengang, the lord of Dawn City, possesses fire-based powers. Flames burst from his hands with tremendous destructive force. Fire is considered one of the strongest offensive abilities, but there are also support types, such as Water.

The only function of the water ability is to condense moisture from the air into drinkable water. This is also the primary source of potable water in the future. A single water wielder can provide enough for two thousand people per day.

There are also light-based ability users. Their powers can relieve fatigue and restore stamina. In the future, many top-tier service workers will be those gifted with light abilities. Their rates far exceed those of ordinary companions, and if one happens to be beautiful, the price soars even higher.

...

“Whatever abilities you two possess, do not reveal them carelessly. Not even to your own subordinates, unless it’s an extreme emergency. Otherwise, never use them lightly,” Fang Xia instructed the two repeatedly, especially Liu Rui.

Her talent, if used unexpectedly when others are unaware, can decisively turn the tide, perhaps securing victory in a small-scale skirmish.

As for Bai Xing, Fang Xia intended for her to resume her previous life’s path—as one of the top ten experts and the number one assassin in Dawn City, she would have no trouble at all.

After cautioning both women, Fang Xia started considering another issue. Only upon reaching the third rank would one know whether their talent would awaken. He realized he needed to hurry and get everyone up to speed.

The number of zombies in the city would sharply decrease before the second airdrop. Indeed, as Fang Xia and his team traveled, they found they weren’t carving a bloody path as expected; many places had already been cleared of zombies.

Knowing the zombie threat would not increase, humanity’s confidence grew. Determined, they strove to drive the undead out and reestablish civilization.

But what they didn’t know was that a second and a third wave would come. The zombies seemed endless, impossible to eradicate. Even in Fang Xia’s previous life in Dawn City, there were several zombie airdrop attacks—each stronger and more devastating than the last.

This led to a continuous rise in housing prices in Dawn City. Eventually, low-ranking warriors could no longer afford a place to live.

...

Yet Fang Xia was not worried. Once the second zombie airdrop ended, he planned to lead his team beyond the city walls. There, zombies were far more numerous and no one competed for the supply drops.

At this stage, no one even considered venturing out of the city…

“Captain, Sister Yue, we’re almost at Dawn City,” a woman from the front of the team reported.

The number of zombies dwindled rapidly, and along the way, they saw many others heading toward Dawn City with the same purpose.

“Stay alert, everyone,” Liu Rui’s command was quickly relayed. She and Fang Xia then moved to the very front.

“Brother Fang.”

“Captain.”

“Sister Rui.”

Various greetings rang out as Fang Xia squinted into the distance. They would be staying here for some time.

People bustled along both sides of the road. If not for their attire, it would feel like the world before the apocalypse.

Their arrival attracted much attention. In recent days, their all-female team had made quite a name for itself, known by many.

Especially Fang Xia, walking at the forefront—surrounded by so many beautiful women, who wouldn’t be envious?

After walking a few more kilometers, Dawn City appeared ahead.

Though only a few days had passed, the construction of Dawn City was already taking shape. Many roads were blocked off, leaving only two main avenues open for entry.

At the city’s entrance, officials registered all newcomers. Survivors could also search for living relatives here—for a fee.

When Fang Xia’s group approached, others stepped aside. In these post-apocalyptic days, all had grown used to the law of the jungle. Those who hadn’t were already zombies.

“Who’s in charge? Come register,” called one of the officials.

Fang Xia was here to trade resources, not cause trouble, so he followed Dawn City’s rules and approached with Liu Rui and Bai Xing.

“Captain, please register here,” said the gatekeeper, who clearly knew how to read people. Large groups like this couldn’t be treated like individuals.

...

Even as a representative of Dawn City, arrogance was unwise. Anyone who could form such a large group in the apocalypse was no stranger to bloodshed.

Fang Xia wrote his name in the ledger. When it came time to fill in the team name, he hesitated, realizing he’d never considered it before.

Seeing his hesitation, Liu Rui took up the pen and wrote in bold: “Fang Xia’s Harem Group.”

Uh…

Since Liu Rui had already written it, Fang Xia saw no point in changing it. As the gatekeeper stared in disbelief, he led over three hundred women through the city gates.

Soon, the name “Fang Xia’s Harem Group” was known throughout Dawn City…

At the entrance, free maps were distributed. Fang Xia and Liu Rui each took one, studying it.

“Brother Fang, where do we go first?”

The map showed only a few locations: the trade market, the service hall, the recruitment market, and the city lord’s mansion.

“To the service hall. Let’s find a place to stay.”

As they headed for the hall, they passed many people laboring with pickaxes, building Dawn City—many of whom were warriors.

One of the women inquired and found out that most were recruited by Dawn City authorities. In exchange for labor, they received food and a first-tier upgrade crystal each day—making these jobs highly sought after.

After becoming a warrior, one’s physical capabilities improved greatly, speeding up construction and explaining the city’s rapid development.

Arriving at the service hall, a woman familiar with the area told Fang Xia that this used to be Baicheng’s administrative center.

The women were left in the plaza outside, while Fang Xia entered with Liu Rui and Bai Xing.

Inside, the hall was quite empty and quiet.

The services here were listed on the map. Team registration was mandatory for any group, and buying land or property also required certification here.

In all of Dawn City’s territory, everything belonged to the city—houses included. Even if you’d lived there before the apocalypse, you now had to buy it from the city.

This sparked considerable unrest, but eventually the authorities compromised: if you could prove prior ownership, you only needed to pay a protection fee to reclaim your home.