Apocalypse King: Recruiting S-Tier Beauties With My Ruler System-Chapter 43: Mu Qinglan Arrives! - Home?

[8thFloor]

▼ Blast Door (Durable Defensive Fixture) - An extensive door resistant to zombies below Stage Three and humans, only allowed humans can cross.

• Materials: 140 Metal, 100 Plastic

• Experience Gain: 100

• Craft Time: 1 hour

▼ Upgrade: 250 Metal, 50 Wood, 30 Cloth, 200 Plastic, 10 Glass

• Craft Time: 24 Hours

——

The instant I slapped Jiang Roulan's ass, she screamed louder than the Brute from the other night. Luckily, the elevator doors closed before she could catch me. My plan for now? To examine the brute's corpse and then build my base. Also, avoiding Roulan's wrath.

"Focus..."

Because of the near-death experience, I couldn't calm myself. Suddenly, granted these powers, I became complacent. Rather than seriously telling Jiang Roulan it was because I could trust her not to betray me. But if she asked why, I would respond. Because of the system!. I felt wrong, empty... and bitter.

[System Hint: You have earned that trust by saving her life—have some confidence]

"Maybe, well let's check that zombie."

I stepped out of the door, snapping the thick twelve-inch bolt with both hands. It weighed a lot, and even with my improve strength, it wasn't easy. Damn chunk of metal. The moment I stepped outside, somehow it felt like days since I fought the fat zombie.

Squatting beside it, I poked the corpses' meat. No, charcoal. But I could still dismantle it!

▼ Dismantled Stage Two Zombie Brute

+ 100 ZKP

+ 2 Cloth

+ 10 Experience

Though not a huge gain. It meant all experience and rewards increased ten times, going from stage one to two. Not too shabby. My body trembled, sharp needles pricking along my back as something was watching me, something dangerous.

I could hear a sound. Distant at first. But slowly, the noise grew louder, and the sense of danger increased rapidly. Far beyond the threat, the brute made me feel. It was immense and then. "John! I found you."

Something jumped on my back and clung to me with sharp claws. "Miao!"

"Hah?" The soft fur of Yin rubbed against my cheek, his eyes curled into crescent moons, before the true danger descended. "John! Haa... Haa..." Breathing heavily, Mu Qinglan appeared with flushed cheeks and a new outfit, her bat covered in blood.

"Mu Qinglan?"

"Mm, what's wrong?" Mu Qinglan asked.

Then tilted her head and watched me with calm blue eyes. However, I could have sworn they shone red for a moment. She's dangerous. But at least she wouldn't betray me with her current loyalty. Right?

"Nothing, you just look good in those jeans."

"Haha, they are a bit loose at the waist, but tight on my thighs."

Well, of course they are—those pants were mine. I didn't notice at first, but Shen Yifei held her spear, the tip dripping with sticky flesh. "Haha," I tried to pass the conversation with a wry laugh while clearing any zombies I missed yesterday.

"Did anything happen while I left you?" I asked, while observing for any changes.

"We fought all night! Qinglan dragged me out—ack!" Shen Yifei told me about their evening, but Mu Qinglan slammed her bat into the blonde's abdomen, knocking her to the ground. I wondered if it was my fault. Forget it. I shook my head and accepted my choices.

"Since you've been busy, I am sure you are both hungry." I looked at Qinglan while speaking, hoping she understood my hint.

Her eyes glistened, moving closer to me while dragging Yifei with her spare hand.

"We'll come inside."

"Yeah, just don't let her get hurt." Honestly, Qinglan wasn't sane. Somehow, I thought that the perfect ice goddess that appeared at work might never have existed. The socially awkward woman vanished. Now a mere shadow, who followed me to drink blood.

However, unlike before, when she made me anxious. I was stronger now. A small victory, but to me, it was something significant. Precious even. Because if she went berserk. I could kill her. "Only the first and top two floors are safe."

I didn't tell her about Roulan's apartment on the fifth floor. Not because of trust issues. But because I didn't want to intrude on Jiang Roulan's private space. Having a place for yourself is something important.

Otherwise, even the most loving couples can turn on each other in hatred.

"This place looks horrible. Why is everything destroyed and bare...?" Qinglan complained with a low, grumbling murmur, "It's like homeless people have lived here for decades."

I didn't speak, adamant to hide it was my fault.

***

"It's the same here!" With a huff, Jiang Qinglan completed after bursting out of the elevators, while Shen Yifei stayed beside me with a sour face.

"What are you looking at?" Although it seemed she had lost the sweet attitude she had when first meeting me, I could only wonder what Qinglan did to her. "It's so dusty..."

"Well, how about you use that thing in your hand to clean?" I couldn't help myself.

Shen Yifei rolled her eyes and raised the blood-smeared spear like she was ready to sweep with it. "Hah. Want me to mop the floor with your intestines?"

"I'd rather keep them inside, thanks," I muttered, brushing past and walking further into the ninth floor.

Most rooms here were trashed. Smashed drywall, snapped doors, shredded curtains. I'd cleared it earlier today when running from Roulan. Back then, I'd fused two apartments by tearing out the wall between them using the system. Though still dusty, this room seemed perfect for our first real hideout.

"Wait here," I said to the girls, stepping over broken tile and exposed wiring as I headed toward the back corner of the floor. There it was—two merged units, stripped bare, nothing but exposed flooring and cement pillars. But it had potential. More than that, it felt right.

"This one," I said aloud. "We'll stay here."

▼ Selected Room (9F, Units 901 + 902)]

[Large Combined Space]

[Status: Safe Zone]

I raised my hand and pointed at the shattered window at the far end. The glass looked like a drunk giant had punched it in. Still, the frame was intact.

▼ Upgrade Window• Materials: 60 Glass, 50 Metal, 40 Plastic• Craft Time: 1 Hour

• Experience Gain: 20• Optional Add-on: Reinforcement.

I had all the materials in storage. I pressed [Upgrade].

The sound of whirring came immediately. Transparent panels slid into place as mechanical arms extended from the system's fabrication module—faint blue holograms guiding the pieces. The old glass popped out. In five minutes, the entire wall shimmered with a reinforced window—panoramic, tinted, clean.

Then I turned to the corner where sunlight hit the polished floor.

[High Quality - Black Comfy Sofa]▼ Build• Materials: 50 Cloth, 85 Plastic, 25 Wood, 40 Metal

• Experience Gain: 40• ZKP: 150• Build Time: Instant

I tapped confirm.

The sofa appeared in a single soft hum. Matte black, oversized, in an L shape, very inviting. I collapsed onto it, sinking with a groan.

Yin leapt into my lap immediately. Rubbing against my thighs before curling up. Then, Mu Qinglan and Shen Yifei entered and just stared.

"...We live here now?" Shen Yifei asked.

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I tilted my head back, closing my eyes. This place was close to the three gathering points. The mall and many other useful places.

Shen Yifei's words somehow resonated within my chest. That small apartment never felt like home. But this, this was different... so I spoke in my sleepy state.

"Yeah... This is home."