Chapter 7

Without rules, there can be no square or circle.

Especially for players who are enthusiastic about causing trouble, there can be no leniency.

【Shelter Resident Handbook 1.0 Version】

【1. The Administrator's orders are paramount, and all residents of the shelter must unconditionally obey.】

【2. For residents who violate the rules, the Administrator reserves the right to use the ultimate measures of "forced sleep" and "confinement." (Note: Forced sleep is equivalent to being kicked out of the game, and confinement means the revocation of login privileges.)】

【3. The Administrator has the final interpretation rights for all the above terms.】

Being kicked out of the game is not a power that ordinary NPCs possess.

After seeing the note at the end of the second rule in the Shelter Resident Handbook, the players finally understood that this NPC was not just an NPC but also had some GM authority, allowing them to "ban" players who negatively impact the game experience of others.

With the current small number of people, the rules are temporarily just these three. If there is a need to add more in the future, Chu Guang will consider releasing a 2.0 version, or even a 20.0 version.

For example, rules for player-to-player and player-to-"NPC" interactions, as well as prohibited activities within the game.

One of the reasons for conducting a closed beta test before the A test is also for this purpose.

The space inside the shelter is not large. Although there are about twenty rooms, each is very small, packed tightly with four incubation pods.

The previous administrator seemed to fear that he would not work and would just sit and eat until the resources were depleted, so he cleared out the entire B1 floor, leaving nothing of value behind.

Chu Guang did not stay in the shelter for long. After explaining the rules, he led the four players and Xiao Qi to the elevator leading to the outside world.

These four closed beta players were quite obedient, giving the administrator face, but their curiosity was a bit too excessive.

From the moment they stepped onto the ground, they were like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden, touching and examining everything along the way, wanting to touch everything.

Not a single cell in their bodies could remain idle!

The elevator stopped.

Looking at the sunlight that filtered through the broken windows and fell in front of the elevator, the four players collectively exclaimed in awe, as if they had never seen the world before.

"Damn..."

"This light! This wall! This, this, this..."

"This is too awesome!"

"Sunlight penetrates the gaps in the concrete ruins, shining on the grass sprouting from the floor, with visible dust floating in the light beams... Every frame is art, every second is a burning budget!"

"Awesome! Our brother Day still has culture!"

"Get lost, call me Brother Fang!"

"Okay, Brother Lai."

"..."

A bunch of inexperienced guys...

Chu Guang found it somewhat amusing but could understand. He pretended not to hear anything and fulfilled his duty as an NPC, leading them to the outside of the sanatorium.

Looking at the tools on the ground, Chu Guang turned to face them.

"As you can see, the nuclear war ended two hundred years ago."

"We are now in the northern outskirts of Qingquan City, far from the nuclear craters. Unless we encounter 'glowing rain' or visible radioactive clouds, we don't need to worry too much about excessive gamma levels."

"The shelter cannot protect us forever, and our civilization cannot hide under the ruins forever. Remember, we are the vanguard of the return to the surface, and behind us are thousands of people waiting for our good news. We cannot afford to waste time."

"The first thing we need to do is repair this sanatorium and establish a forward base on this wasteland."

"It will be our beachhead for the return to the surface."

"I have a task for you: pick up the axes and go outside to cut some wood."

"Before winter comes, we need to stockpile enough fuel and repair the broken walls around us."

"Remember not to go too far, and if you encounter mutants, do not act rashly; retreat immediately."

"Move out!"

Chu Guang originally thought he would need to do some convincing.

But unexpectedly, these players were even more obedient than he imagined, picking up the axes and getting to work without hesitation.

Their quick actions were as if they couldn't wait for him to finish speaking, for fear of delaying their work.

"Master, are these guys really okay?" Xiao Qi, who was following beside him, expressed his concern. He always felt that these clones' brains were not quite right.

"That's why I let you come out too," Chu Guang looked back at the sanatorium, paused for a moment, and continued, "Go to the north-facing window on the third floor and keep an eye on them. If they encounter any problems or go too far, let me know."

As for himself, he needed to check the rewards for completing the task first.

The wastebasket beside Chu Guang did not move.

After a while, Xiao Qi spoke softly.

"...Master."

"What is it?"

"Um, I don't have feet."

The moving wastebasket circled around Chu Guang's legs, demonstrating its method of movement. Only then did Chu Guang notice that it moved on four pairs of wheels.

"...Alright, I'll carry you up."

He sighed.

Chu Guang squatted down and hoisted it onto his shoulder.

Goodness.

It's quite heavy.

...

Click click—

Bang!

A tree as thick as a thigh slowly fell, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

"I don't think this place looks like a wasteland."

"Then what does it look like?"

"More like a forest... I mean, like 'The Forest.' Have you played it? In that game, you cut trees and build houses."

"Of course, I've played it, and not only played it, but I even built my house in the sky. But building houses there is much simpler; you just click the mouse. Not like here... damn, this axe is heavy."

"Speaking of the setting, I think it's actually quite realistic. I remember watching a documentary about the return to Chernobyl. After forty years without human interference, it evolved into a new ecosystem, with buildings covered in vines and trees growing taller than the buildings... This game's setting is two hundred years after the wasteland, so it's not impossible. I even feel that the situation in the city might be even more exaggerated."

Looking at the mess behind him, Lao Bai wiped the sweat from his forehead and smacked his lips.

"If this were in real life, I'd probably be in jail for life."

They worked for about two hours.

Although their efficiency was low, leaving stumps that looked like they had been gnawed by dogs, they managed to cut down about ten thigh-thick pine trees, with countless smaller ones.

However, the administrator didn't specify how much was needed, and no one could decide if this was enough.

"To be honest, this game is too realistic... whether it's the dull sensation of the axe cutting into the tree, the flying wood chips, or the sunlight filtering through the leaves, it makes me think of—"

"Alright, alright, stop rambling."

Interrupting Fang Chang's musings, Ye Shi leaned on his axe, looking at the scattered branches and fallen leaves on the ground, and panted.

"Since we can cut trees, building houses and farming shouldn't be a problem, right?"

The physical abilities of the characters in the game were much stronger than in real life.

In real life, Ye Shi was the type who had been drained by nine years of compulsory education, but in the wasteland, he could barely squeeze out a couple of biceps.

Of course, the most enjoyable was Bai Ju Guo Xi—Lao Bai.

This character, though not very good-looking with a beard, had bulging muscles, looking strong.

"If we want to farm, I suggest we start a fire to burn the grass and mix the ash into the soil. After winter, it will be fertile ground... of course, assuming the game is that realistic; otherwise, it would be a waste of effort."

"I've always wondered why you, Lao Bai, look so muscular, while I struggle with an axe."

Kuang Feng panted heavily.

His character was probably the closest to his real-life physical condition, and he was already exhausted after a short while.

"Each character's attributes must differ... although I don't know how they are determined," Fang Zhang scratched the back of his head and thought for a moment, "but I have a theory."

"What theory?"

The three players were quite interested in his discovery.

Anyone who had spent time in the Niu Ma Club knew that this guy was a member of several single-player game strategy groups and had the largest Steam game library in the group.

Whether it was FPS, RPG, or SLG, there was no type he didn't play.

"You must have noticed that we woke up in silver-white pods. Considering the game's theme, there are two possible settings. One, we were frozen and slept from before the war until now. Two, we are clones."

"Of course, I personally think the second setting is more convenient, as it easily explains the resurrection issue, using the DNA stored in the incubation pods to recreate a new body."

Looking at the players who were exchanging glances, Fang Chang continued.

"I suspect that later on, there will be attribute panels and level systems, and the differences in our physical abilities are likely a hint of this!"

"I still hope the development team can create a unique game mechanism, such as combining DNA with a class system, distinguishing between strength-based and agility-based players, and setting different attribute growth curves. This would ensure both freedom and a rich gameplay experience."

"Unfortunately, the characters are random; it would be better if we could choose our initial attributes."

After a long explanation, Fang Chang finally stopped.

"No more nonsense, I'll talk to Brother Guang when I log out."

Remembering what Brother Guang said, he was the game's planner. Talking directly to the planner about this issue would be better than their idle discussions.

At this moment, Ye Shi, who had been staring into the distance, suddenly spoke.

"Do you think how big this map is?"

"Unknown."

"What if I keep walking in one direction..."

Looking at the eager Ye Shi, Kuang Feng, who was leaning on his axe, hesitated and said,

"Most likely, it's an air wall, or a plot kill... but regardless, I suggest you don't do it."

"Didn't you forget? The administrator told us not to go too far from the sanatorium."

"Damn, he's just an NPC, why listen to him?"

"But he can log us out and even revoke our beta test qualifications," Kuang Feng reminded.

Fang Zhang also chimed in.

"Yes, and I