A Maybach on a rainy night? Talk to my Levadin!

With Lao Zhao's connections, exchanging the gold bars would be a piece of cake, and he could even simply deposit them without any problem.

The only problem was getting the Rhodes Island people to meet with Zhao Zizhan... This gave Zhao Zizhan a headache. These people were all either cat-eared girls, or had tails, wings, or horns. It was really hard to find a single person who looked normal to humans to come and make the arrangements...

If Old Zhao were to bring a female beast-eared leader along, wouldn't she scare him half to death?

However, there's always a way out; we'll definitely find a solution eventually.

Back to Rhodes Island, the second batch of supplies brought by Zhao Zizhan was quickly stored away by the logistics operators under Raidian's arrangement. Drones carrying various goods were placed on shelves everywhere, and Raidian's face relaxed.

"Now we are even more confident in heading south." Rhodes Island is currently located on the ice plains bordering northern Kazdel and Ursus. The concept of national borders in the world of Terra is very vague. Since the cities of each country are mobile cities without fixed locations, countries have gradually begun to divide their borders based on shipping routes, with the shipping route control area as the actual territory.

In countries like Ursus, with their enormous land area but relatively small population, the borders are rather ambiguous yet still possess a certain deterrent effect, greatly reducing the risk of trouble from Kazdel.

Qian-Xun ㈨⒍○┅⑵Lu⑵7○

Next, Rhodes Island traveled along the eastern border of Kazdel, down the Great Yan Kingdom's border, all the way to Rembiton, a pioneering land where various forces, developers, pioneers, and local residents mingled. This land served as the new headquarters of Rhodes Island, where it expanded outwards.

This journey was not easy.

Resupplying in the Ice Plains is extremely difficult. On the way south, one must avoid the Ursus mercenaries of Kazdel while carefully avoiding entering the Great Flame Channel. There is very little time to stop along the way, which is a great test for logistics.

With Zhao Zizhan around, the logistics department's workload instantly became much lighter.

The news that Zhao Zizhan had brought a pot of hot pot quickly reached Huang's ears.

"Where is it? Where is it? Where is the hot pot you mentioned?"

Huang rushed over in a flurry and immediately spotted the red oil hot pot in the large iron pot on the table.

In the North, especially in this bitterly cold icy plain, the somewhat pungent spicy aroma was quite stimulating, and many operators nearby were swallowing hard.

The side dishes were also quite complete, including sliced ​​beef and mutton, calf, green vegetables, mushrooms, and some bean products.

Seeing the familiar Da Yan hot pot, Huang didn't care about being polite anymore. He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a slice of beef, dipped it in the boiling pot, and once it changed color, he put it in the oil sauce to cool it down before putting it in his mouth.

"Hmm!" Huang Da Miao's tail stood up high, its ears twitched, and its eyes lit up.

In the Ursus Icefield, where the temperature is several tens of degrees below zero, you'll be covered in ice crystals as soon as you step outside. But a bite of hot and spicy mutton hotpot, paired with an ice-cold soda, is something even a god wouldn't trade.

"It's so delicious?" Scout, who came with Huang, sat down at the table and, imitating Huang, picked up a large roll of mutton, put it in the pot to cook, and after it changed color, dipped it in the oil sauce before stuffing it into his mouth.

"Um!!"

Spicy is a sensation of pain, but scalding is an even greater sensation of pain.

Moreover, for Scout, who had spent the first half of his life eating meager rations in Kazdel, this was truly the first time he had ever tasted such food.

But that's what makes him a tough guy. Scout straightened his neck, glared at Zhao Zizhan, and forced himself to swallow: "It smells so good! It smells so good! Where's ACE? Come on, come on, try this! I'm telling you, you have to put it in the pot and take a big bite right away. It's absolutely amazing!"

ACE was pulled over, and following Scout's advice, he picked up a large mouthful with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth: "Mmm!!!"

ACE's expression remained unchanged: "Quick, quick, where's Ronaldinho? Call Ronaldinho over and let him try it too. This stuff is so delicious!"

Zhao Zizhan secretly chuckled as he watched these people. People are truly the most capable of enduring hardship when they're doing bad things. Their faces were flushed red from the burning sensation, yet they remained completely silent. They were incredibly resilient, just waiting to trick the next person.

"Zizhan, come here," Raidian beckoned to Zhao Zizhan, took out a handkerchief and wiped his face, saying, "Look at you, you're covered in sweat. Our little Zizhan has really worked hard."

Zhao Zizhan shook his head: "It's not hard work, sister. It's all for the sake of everyone on Rhodes Island. Everyone is risking their lives to fight for the cause of the Infected, so I should also do my part."

"We are all fighting for those infected, so we are all comrades. Among comrades, there's no need to complain about hardship!"

As soon as Zhao Zizhan said this, the lively table fell silent.

"Young Zizhan, what you said is quite insightful, much better than mine," Scout said with a smile. It's incredibly difficult to find a cultured person in Kazdel; most people don't even graduate from prenatal education. Zhao Zizhan's eloquence is quite rare in Kazdel.

Here, there is only the purest form of interaction.

"Comrade... that word is quite novel, but it's also quite fitting, isn't it?"

"That's right, we are all working towards a common goal! The term 'comrade' is good. No matter where we are from or what our race is, as long as we are fighting for the future of the Infected, we are all comrades of Rhodes Island!"

"Come on, everyone, let's have a drink together. This soda is really hard to come by."

"for"

"This land!" Countless beverage cups clinked together.

P.S.: I'll be updating more tomorrow!

Chapter Twenty-Six: Wanting to Become Stronger

With a hot pot and a call of "comrade," the agents called in more and more people, and the victim prize pool gradually increased.

Seeing that one pot wasn't enough, Zhao Zizhan went and brought back several more pots. Everyone gathered together in the restaurant, and the atmosphere was lively.

Later, it evolved into a dinner party for all the Rhode Island residents.

Everyone gathered around the table, eating hot pot and singing songs, their faces beaming with anticipation for the future.

In the early days of Rhodes Island, the young operators wanted to change the world; for them, the future was right at their feet.

Finally, Zhao Zizhan met Rhodes Island's current little leader—Amiya.

"Hello! New recruit!" The little leader lives up to her name. Amiya is really tiny now. Rhodes Island's coat looks particularly large on her. Zhao Zizhan is 1.7 meters tall at the age of 15. Looking at the 1.2-meter-tall Amiya, you can only see her head and her high-standing ears.

Although the little leader tried hard to appear dignified with a straight face, he was still quite adorable.

"Thank you so much for everything you've done for Rhodes Island, all the preparations you've made. You've really worked hard!"

"It's all what I should do. Amiya, would you like to eat with everyone?"

Little Castor hesitated, because those red broth hot pots looked somewhat dangerous.

Tina, I can't stand spicy food at all.

But everyone seemed to be eating without any problems, so Amiya decided to give it a try herself.

⒈○⑴⒉２８卌弎○⑨８

"Hey, Amiya, you need to rinse this with water before eating it, otherwise the taste will be a bit strong." When Amiya decided to try it, the surrounding operators all advised her against it. It's okay to trick your comrades, but you dare to trick such a cute little leader? You'll probably be hung on the mast of the deck by Kal'tsit the next day. Even if you don't care about that, you can't live with yourself.

"Hey, but everyone said it wasn't spicy at all!" Amiya still couldn't quite understand the scheming between people.

"Hahaha, that's to trick the next person!"

Everyone was tacitly planning to trick someone else, but with Amiya's arrival, the unspoken agreement was broken, and the operators started pointing at each other and bursting into laughter.

"You're really ruthless! You kept your face flushed red and didn't utter a sound just to lie to myself!"

"You're the same! I'm always curious how you manage to control your facial expressions!"

"Hey, back in Kazdel, I took three Originium arrows and didn't even flinch. This little thing is nothing to me, cough cough cough cough..."

The guy next to me patted him on the back while complaining, "Be careful, if you can't eat it, don't eat so much..."

Zhao Zizhan naturally carried the pot back and forth. There was no need to worry about meat and vegetables; the supplies for today were definitely enough. It was just that the pot was a bit of a hassle.

However, as long as you pay, there's no business that can't be done. Besides, Zhao Zizhan agreed to return the pot later and even left a deposit, so the hot pot owner wasn't worried.

"You've worked so hard, running around doing everything, and you haven't even had a bite to eat yourself. Eat up, eat up," Raidian said, feeling sorry for Zhao Zizhan as he worked.

"It's alright, Sister Raidian. I already ate before I arrived. I brought this hot pot here specifically after I tasted it and thought it was delicious."

Unbeknownst to Zhao Zizhan, he had already sat at the same table as the elite operators. Of course, Rhodes Island had no rules, and the elite operators did not have any special status. However, when he had experienced the powerful abilities of the other party in the mission, when they turned the tide of battle, or when he was rescued by the other party from a desperate situation under a hail of bullets, he would feel admiration and awe and draw a chasm between himself and the other party in his heart.

Accepting one's mediocrity is a difficult and painful thing.

But Zhao Zizhan himself is capable enough, and no one would say otherwise. This logistics department star, who appeared out of nowhere, made everyone realize his strategic role as soon as he arrived on the island. No explanation is needed. The fresh vegetables on the table, still dripping with water, are the best proof.

What is this? This is our logistics daddy! Whether we eat coarse food or splurge depends entirely on him!

If it weren't for Operator Zizhan, we'd still be eating roasted potatoes and eggs in the Ice Plains. Of course, roasted potatoes and eggs aren't so bad, but a hot pot in chili oil would be much more satisfying.

"It's okay, Raidian. I'm just doing what I should do."

"So many hot pots, it must have cost a lot of money, right? I'll get you two pieces of red gold later." Before reaching a full cooperation with Lungmen, Rhodes Island couldn't even use Lungmen Dollars.

When developing offices in various locations, Rhodes Island also used Red Gold to exchange for local currency and conduct financial transactions.

"No need, sister, the money for the purchase has already been paid," Zhao Zizhan naturally refused to accept it.

"How can that be the same? All these hot pots were earned by you alone. Rhodes Island has no reason to take advantage of its own operators."

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, Zhao Zizhan made a suggestion: "How about this, Sister Raidian, do you see any way to make me stronger? Any way will do. I'll just have to give up the red gold for now."

Becoming stronger was a desire that naturally arose in Zhao Zizhan's heart after he came into contact with the extraordinary.

After witnessing the elite operators' ability to become invisible during the day and their immense strength and invulnerability, it is only natural to yearn for and dream of possessing such power one day.

Compared to gaining extraordinary power, even becoming the world's richest person cannot compare.

After all, money and wealth are external things, while true power belongs to oneself!

If you are strong enough, you will no longer have to live in fear of becoming someone else's pawn. It's not about not eating beef, but at the very least, you can decide for yourself what to do and what not to do, without having to depend on others.

"Want to become stronger?" Raidian and the surrounding operators were all stunned, looking at Zhao Zizhan: "Why do you want to become stronger?"

“Actually, I lied…” Zhao Zizhan lowered his head, and the surroundings fell silent.

"I was actually being targeted by those monsters even before I arrived at Rhodes Island."

"I was afraid to go home, worried it would affect my family, so I could only use my abilities to wander around Terra... That's when I encountered Rhodes Island."

"Everyone on Rhodes Island was very kind to me, and they were all very strong. I wanted to help them, but after returning to where I lived, that monster came looking for me again."

"I could only make up an excuse that I was being targeted because I was looking for supplies, and trick everyone into helping me defeat that monster..."

"I lied, I'm sorry... I..."

"I want to become stronger. I want the power to protect myself, and even my family. I don't want to lie anymore... I want to be like everyone else, to have the power to help others."

"please!"

0--

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Kroos

10⒈②28Э0⑨㈧

Zhao Zizhan's words were filled with regret, shame, cowardice, pain over the past, and sorrow for his own powerlessness.

With his pure and innocent heart, and the poignant atmosphere of his words conveying his unwavering dedication to the infected and his fearlessness in the face of danger, the image of a sincere, filial, and resolute boy was firmly established in the hearts of the operators.

However, if you really taste it carefully, you'll feel that the flavor is slightly off; you can taste a bitter taste at first and a sweet taste at the end.

However, it depends on who says it.

If this were said by a short, chubby kid with a sleazy appearance, it would be considered scheming, vulgar, and full of sycophantic talk. But if it were said by a handsome kid with clear eyes, a clean face, who spends his own money for the operators without pay, then things would be different.

Judging from the results, the operators really liked it.

Raidian patted Zhao Zizhan's head affectionately: "It's okay, little Zizhan, it's okay. Don't feel guilty about this. Wanting to live and wanting to protect your family is nothing shameful."

Scout chimed in, "That's right. This land is harsh and inhumane. If we want to survive, we have to do everything we can. Besides, you weren't lying to us, were you? You really are in danger, and you are our... what's that word again... right, comrade. How can we stand idly by when our comrade is in danger?"

"Everyone has their own reason for wanting to become stronger," ACE said in his incredibly magnetic, bubbly baritone voice. "Having a heart that wants to help others, you've already become a powerful person."

"Don't worry, Zizhan. With this determination, we will train you well and make sure you become an incredibly powerful warrior!"

"That's right, be prepared, our training is very rigorous!"

"Thank you everyone," Zhao Zizhan said, outwardly moved, but inwardly somewhat disappointed. So, there really wasn't a special way to become stronger...?

If it's just training, no matter how much training you do, you'll only become a strong human being. It would probably be difficult for you to deal with those monsters and demons.

"If possible, I would also like to study and learn everyone's Originium Arts!" Zhao Zizhan said, mustering his courage.

Everyone was slightly taken aback by Zhao Zizhan's words, but then they immediately laughed. It wasn't that they thought Zhao Zizhan was presumptuous, but rather that the elite agents present were all adults (except for Xiao Luo), and they had seen far too many young people like Zhao Zizhan who were eager to become stronger and achieve something great.

Age-appropriate bar

Young people often fantasize that they are omnipotent.

Seeing Zhao Zizhan's expression, everyone began to explain to him the so-called Originium Arts.

Originium Arts are something you're born with; you either have it or you don't. In other words, becoming an Infected person also grants you Originium Arts, but Zhao Zizhan obviously can't become an Infected person at the moment.

Originium is a translator, a universal translation device created by the linguist Precys, capable of translating all living beings into human form.

As a human, Zhao Zizhan was naturally unable to be infected, meaning he was not translated. The Originium had automatically recognized him as one of its own, so even though he had stayed in the Terra world for many days, the amount of Originium in his body remained at 0.

Is it possible for other people to learn Originium Arts from others?