A familiar interface popped up again:

[Host: Sasha (♀)]

• Height: 150 cm
• Physical Strength: 6
• Mental Power: 3
• Charisma: 8
• Items: None
• Skills: None
• Points: 320

Sasha reviewed her stats: Physical Strength had increased from the initial 1 point by adding 3 from the starter bonus and 2 from the beginner's quest, totaling 6. This was far beyond what her petite, loli-like body could physically exhibit.

But what were "Mental Power" and "Charisma"?

She tapped to view the details of Mental Power:

Mental Power: Enhances memory, mental fatigue resistance, emotional control, sense of direction, danger perception, and other attributes related to the mind.

It sounded like an essential attribute. In a post-apocalyptic world, constant running and fighting were unavoidable. Staying mentally sharp was crucial for survival, especially when it improved direction, memory, and danger perception.

Next, Sasha curiously checked Charisma:

Charisma: Enhances the host's appearance, boosts likability during interactions, and affects the thresholds for triggering missions.

The appearance and likability enhancements seemed trivial at first glance. But the final line, about affecting mission triggers, was pivotal. So far, the system's missions had offered great rewards. Triggering and completing more missions would mean gaining more points and growing stronger faster.

Fortunately, her natural charm as a loli had already reached 8, a relatively high stat compared to her Physical Strength and Mental Power.

At the bottom of the interface, Sasha found a Points Shop button. With 320 points from the beginner's quest and killing two zombies, she eagerly opened the shop interface. It was divided into three categories: Supplies, Weapons, and Special.

Supplies

The Supplies section offered water, food, and daily necessities, but the prices were exorbitant:

• Clean Apples (3 pcs): 350 points
• Military Compressed Biscuits (1 box): 800 points

Since killing one zombie only yielded 10 points, 35 kills were required for three apples, and 80 kills for one box of biscuits. It didn’t seem worth it.

It was clear that points weren’t meant for everyday essentials but rather emergency provisions. For now, Sasha was in a small supermarket with plenty of supplies, so she shifted her attention to Weapons.

Weapons

The Weapons section included everything from melee to ranged weapons:

• Steel Dagger with Blood Groove: 1,000 points
• Sharp Long Blade: 2,000 points
• DL-676 Silenced Pistol: 4,999 points
• RPG-7 Rocket Launcher: 9,999 points

Even rocket launchers were available! Though the weapon models were unfamiliar, likely unique to the system, the variety was impressive. With enough points from killing zombies and completing missions, Sasha could eventually afford powerful weapons to defend herself.

Special

Finally, she tapped the Special section, which had only one item available:

• Low-Level T-Virus Immunity Capsule (3 hours): 500 points

She clicked for details:

Description: Provides 3-hour immunity against T-virus transmission via blood or air. Effective only on low-level T-virus strains (including all variants). Can be used twice daily. Ineffective for already infected individuals.

The T-virus seemed to be the culprit behind the zombie apocalypse and the transformation of those two thugs into zombies.

Analyzing the description, Sasha realized some critical implications. The virus could mutate, meaning deadlier threats would emerge in the future. For now, the immunity capsule was invaluable, ensuring safety from scratches, bites, or contaminated blood splashes while scavenging supplies.

Without the risk of infection, zombies were essentially aggressive animals—dangerous but manageable. Taking the capsule was akin to activating a cheat mode.

Of course, swarms of zombies were a different story. They wouldn’t wait for you to get infected; they’d tear you apart immediately.

Still, in smaller-scale operations, the capsule's utility was undeniable. However, at 500 points, it was beyond Sasha’s budget.

Sasha sighed at her lack of points but was soon drawn to a Weekly Sale tab flashing in the corner. Was this tailored for broke users like her?

Opening the tab, she saw one item on sale with a countdown timer ending at the week's close:

• Titanium Alloy Wrist Crossbow (with 3 Retrievable Bolts)
  • Original Price: 3,000 points
  • Sale Price: 300 points (90% off!)

Her eyes lit up. She could afford it! Buying it would leave her with 20 points, but it was worth it.

This wrist-mounted crossbow was perfect for stealthy ambushes. Unlike firearms, it made no noise, avoiding zombie hordes. Plus, the bolts were reusable, making it cost-effective.

Without hesitation, Sasha purchased it. Weekly Sales were now on her radar for future deals!

The item appeared in her inventory as:

• Titanium Alloy Wrist Crossbow (3 Bolts)

Curious, Sasha tapped it. A sleek, silver-white wrist crossbow materialized on her right hand, loaded with three bolts ready to fire. The design allowed for triple rapid-fire, and the metal felt cool against her skin.

Testing the inventory system, Sasha clicked the crossbow icon again, and it disappeared from her hand, stored back in the system’s space. This functionality made it incredibly convenient—accessible when needed, weightless when not.

Satisfied, Sasha tried stowing and equipping the weapon repeatedly. She also tested the dagger scavenged from the thug, but it couldn’t be stored in the inventory. Only system-purchased items seemed compatible.

After familiarizing herself with the system, Sasha glanced at Shen Yiyue, still wrapped in her towel. She was cheerfully munching on a fruit pudding, her eating habits oddly cute.

As if remembering something, Shen Yiyue looked up timidly and asked,
“By the way, I forgot to ask…”