Chapter 555 The Taste of Blood (1/2)

Shelter 101...

It seems like a long time ago that I last visited Dr. Method.

With some inexplicable nostalgia in his heart, Chu Guang thought for a moment and then said.

"It's a hard place to describe."

Alyssa was stunned for a moment.

"It's hard to describe..."

Seeing the longing and yearning in his eyes, Chu Guang probably guessed that Pai was bragging about something with her, so he thought for a moment and said.

"Other shelters mostly preserve survivors, a certain technology, a certain plan...but what is preserved there are memories of the prosperous era."

Alyssa's eyes really brightened up, and she couldn't help clenching her two little fists.

"Era of Prosperity!"

That legendary great era!

She had only seen a few words about that era in some books and picture books!

Looking at the longing eyes, Chu Guang probably guessed what she was thinking. Although he couldn't bear it, he still poured cold water on her.

"It's just a memory of the prosperous era. It may not be as beautiful as you imagine. The prerequisite for entering Vault 101 is to give up the physical body, otherwise you can only get a brief glimpse like sitting in a sightseeing car."

"Give up your body..."

"It means physically dead."

Alyssa held her breath involuntarily.

After a long time, she said stiffly.

"Sounds...like a tomb."

Chu Guang nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, it is no different from a tomb to people outside, but it may not be so to them."

Chu Guang didn't quite understand what Dr. Method said before, but after being exposed to so many AIs with different styles, he understood it somewhat.

For AI, there is actually not much difference between 1 second and a century. Of course they knew that Vault 101 was destined to fall into a complete sleep one day in the future. After all, this was not an unpredictable outcome, but they didn't really care.

Even the sun has a lifespan.

Not to mention a person or a civilization turned into a bubble?

They have already experienced a life that is better and longer than anyone else in that never-ending dream, and they have no memory of the outside world.

From a personal point of view, even if it is virtual, there is nothing to regret. Their mission is to live according to their own ideas.

For that shelter, the meaning of its existence is to record their memories, thoughts, interpersonal relationships, lifestyles, etc. about that era, and leave it to the future as some kind of revelation.

Chu Guang rarely told others that there was such a good place within the alliance. Indulging in the kingdom of the dead was not a good idea for the living.

In a sense, it was a poison more poisonous than the ideal of the ideal city. Even he had the idea of ​​staying there.

Even if it's just for a moment...

Alyssa was silent for a while.

"Actually, I have never thought about living there, but sometimes I think...it would be great if I could go to that era and take a look."

Maybe she also felt that her idea was a bit childish, so she smiled sheepishly and continued in a low voice.

"That way, we know where to go."

It's not just her.

People in the Workers' Association sometimes feel confused.

They have overthrown the feudal landlords and gained a bright future. However, no one can tell them where they will go in the future.

Although everyone has reached a consensus to only do our best now, it is impossible not to consider the future at all.

It would be great if I could go and have a look at that era.

She had fantasized about this more than once.

Seeing the confusion in Alyssa's eyes, Chu Guang thought for a moment.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily the answer, and we’re not necessarily going to a certain era in the past, but some of the knowledge and experience there does have a lot to offer.”

"So I communicated with the managers of Vault 101 and planned to turn the camp they reserved on the surface into a university."

Alyssa looked at him blankly.

"……University?"

Chu Guang nodded.

"Well, you can understand that it is a school. But unlike other full-time schools in the alliance, people there not only learn what we have already mastered, but also explore the future and the past."

Seeing that blank look gradually turn into a look of understanding, Chu Guang continued in a gentle tone.

"It's normal for you to feel confused. You are now at the age when you are most curious in your life, and you also happen to have the courage to chase your ideals at all costs, but this alone is not enough. You also need to see more things and understand the world. , understand natural science, and then summarize your own experience and methods to find the answer...In this process of exploration, you will naturally know where you are going.”

The calendar was born in the fields, not imagined out of thin air while lying on a straw mat. At least in his opinion, the process of exploration is more important than the answer.

Alyssa lowered her head.

After a moment, as if she had made up some kind of determination, she nodded her chin vigorously and raised her head again to look at Chu Guang.

"That little fish... became so powerful after studying in the school built in Vault 101, right?"

"If I could, I'd like to go there too!"

It took her a week or two to work overtime to complete the work, but the little girl about her age completed it in just three days, and meticulously pointed out the things she didn't do well.

This also includes time to understand the work content.

This seemed incredible to Alyssa.

But after seeing those magical mathematical tools and methods, all the disbelief turned into convincing.

That is knowledge that you will never understand if you stay in Boulder City for a lifetime.

She hopes to bring back that knowledge and help everyone here.

Maybe that's what the manager said.

In this process, you may slowly find your future path.

"Xiaoyu...she is a special case. She happens to be better at mathematics, but she did grow into what she is now after studying at Camp 101."

Looking at those eyes that rekindled expectation and desire, Chu Guang said seriously.

"As for studying in Camp 101, you should discuss it with your father."

"I have actually asked my father. My father said that I am already an independent adult and asked me to consider things by myself in the future. If I don't understand, I will ask you... He will not give me any more life advice. "

When she said this, Alyssa glanced at him secretly with some embarrassment and continued in a low voice.

"...When I have trouble making up my mind, can I ask you for advice?"

Although he didn't think he could be of much help, looking at the expectation flashing in his eyes, Chu Guang couldn't say those inhumane words.

"Yes, but all I can give you is my advice. In the end, you have to make your own decision."

Those eyes full of expectation suddenly burst into smiles.

Nodding her head vigorously, Alyssa said happily.

"Yeah! Thank you!"

Looking at this polite little girl, Chu Guang smiled and said.

"You're welcome."

Thinking about tomorrow, he picked up a document from the table.

"You happen to be here. I might need to ask you a favor for something—"

"No problem! Please leave it to me!"

Looking at the motivated Alyssa, Chu Guang smiled and handed the document in his hand to her.

Alyssa took the file and flipped through it roughly.

"This is?"

"New Year's Eve event, every year we will select the most popular recipes. This is... a tradition of our shelter. In order to promote communication between shelter residents and survivors outside the shelter, we started to add the 'Most Popular Wasteland Guests' last year The food' judging options are welcome, so several judges are needed.”

This year's judges are selected by voting on the official website. Each settlement will select several judges and the players who are active in the local area will vote.

Afraid that this guy would become inflated, Chu Guang was embarrassed to say that she was more popular in voting on the official website forum.

But Alyssa didn't ask him why he asked her to be the judge, she just thought it was out of trust. After understanding the content of the event, her eyes suddenly shone.

"Yeah! I'll starve all day in advance to make room in my stomach!"

Facing that "death-like" look, Chu Guang coughed lightly.

"There's no need to work hard for this..."

…

Alyssa wasn't the only one chosen to judge the New Year's Eve event, as someone seemed to have received more votes than she did.

And it’s a lot higher!

A single-family house on the edge of Linghu Lake.

Dolly, who had just arrived home from get off work, suddenly showed a surprised expression on her face after hearing Fang Chang's explanation.

"Eh? Do you want me to be the judge?"

"Well... of course, this is just an invitation. If you're not interested, you can turn it down."

After telling Dolly everything about the New Year's Eve event, Fang Chang looked slightly embarrassed.

This year's New Year's Eve event had the players themselves choosing the judges. He never expected that his good brothers would vote for his wife.

Anyone who knows him well knows that he doesn't like to show affection.

Rather than showing off everywhere, he prefers to live quietly in his own world, but he can't stand a group of bad friends asking about his private life every day.

These bitches.

I'm interested in other people's wives all day long!

So curious, go find one yourself!

"Oh ho ho... How could the reporter from Survivor Daily miss such an interesting thing!"

Hanging her handbag on the hanger at the door, Dolly had a narrow smile on her face and poked her long square arm with her index finger.

"Dear Mr. Fang Chang, you won't let me go alone, right?"

Seeing that she seemed to have no intention of refusing, and instead looked very interested, Fang Chang said with a helpless expression.

"... Of course, how can I trust my dear reporter to go to such a far place alone?"

Seeing the rare embarrassment on the bad guy's face, Dolly slightly raised the corners of her lips proudly, feeling as sweet as honey in her heart.

Suddenly remembering what she had heard from her colleagues in the past few days, she said with some emotion.

"But having said that, a lot of things seem to have happened in Boulder City recently."

Whether inside or outside the giant wall.

The alliance actually sent troops to wipe out all the gangs in the slums, which even she, a reporter, did not expect.

Fang Chang nodded.

"Well, a lot of things did happen. Although it is still called Boulder City, it is probably completely different from the Boulder City you are familiar with."

"Let's go back and have a look!" Dolly couldn't help but have a hint of expectation in her eyes.

The inner city completely disappeared.

What will it look like there?

Looking at the twinkling light in those eyes, Fang Chang could feel the emotions in her heart, and reached out to touch the fluffy emerald green hair.

"Um."

"Let's go shopping together when we get back."

…

Boulder City.

In a kitchen at the Alliance Army Station, Feng Qing said with a guilty conscience as he looked at the plates filled with unspeakable things on the long table.

"So you still failed?"

After returning that day, the market was blocked. She ran to Dawn City again, but still didn't buy the things on the list.

Although the mosquito didn't blame her, she was still very embarrassed and stayed in Dawn City until today before returning to Boulder City.

Then she received a new task - to vacate the kitchen rented by the Goblin Corps.

Also receiving the mission with her was her best friend Gui Gui.

I don’t know why, but the reward for this apparently simple errand task is as high as 200 silver coins! And it also adds a risk label.

But she wasn't panicked at all.

It’s just a matter of moving things out of the kitchen. This is much safer than testing a new aircraft model!

She followed without hesitation.

Guigui standing aside helplessly spread his hands.

"There is no way, because we didn't buy those spices, so we can only use other things instead."

"sorry!"

Looking at Feng Qing who lowered her head to apologize, Gui Gui quickly comforted her.

"Ah, no need to apologize. I think you reduced our losses by not buying it. I told you before, cooking with multi-legged beasts will definitely not work!"

Feng Qing said hesitantly.

“But…what about the New Year’s Eve event?”

Gui Gui scratched the back of his head.

"Let's think of other ways. If it doesn't work, you can just get something to sneak in. Anyway, as long as you participate, you will get a mysterious gift."

Feng Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Originally, cooking was not something that professional combat players like them were good at, especially since she knew nothing about cooking.

From the very beginning, it was difficult to challenge many-legged beasts with ingredients, which was indeed a bit too difficult.

His eyes fell on the supplies piled in the corner of the kitchen. Looking at the pile of black lumps, Feng Qing couldn't help but ask curiously.

"What are those? Are they also food?"

As she said that, she walked over, reached out and picked up a piece.

Just as she was about to take a bite, the ghost next to her saw this and quickly stopped her.

"Wait! You can't eat that, it's charcoal!"

Feng Qing was stunned.

"Wood, charcoal?"

"Yeah! The leader originally planned to use charcoal grilling. Someone told him that the aroma released by burning wood can also cover up the smell of some food, but it failed later."

From Gui Gui's expression, he could probably figure out the situation at that time. Feng Qing looked at another sack filled with yellow lumps.

"Then...what about those?"

yolk?

Looking in her direction, Guigui said quickly.

"Ah, there's sulfur over there, and next to it there's saltpeter and stuff."

Silently putting down the sulfur in his hand, Feng Qing glanced at Gui Gui with a subtle expression.

"I said...is he really planning to cook?"

"Uh, maybe?"

His expression was also subtle and he looked away. Guigui, who was originally very sure, suddenly couldn't make up his mind, "Anyway, luckily...he probably gave up."

She thought this might not be a bad thing.

The things that Lao Na made were weird at best, but the things that Boss Mosquito made would send people away, and they would be locked up in a dark room again.

But it's rare that he is so interested in food.

Feng Qing looked at the white crystals in the bucket nearby.

"What about those?"

"Ah, those are white sugars! The mosquito boss's last attempt! He tried to cover up the smell of meat with sweetness, but in the end everyone went to the toilet."

It was another memory that I didn't want to think of, and a regretful expression appeared on Gui Gui's face.

But this bucket of sugar is probably the only thing in the whole kitchen that can be stuffed directly into your mouth.

Looking at the bucket of sugar blankly, Feng Qing said heartbrokenly.

"It's such a shame to waste so much sugar."

"Really?" Guigui sighed, crossed his arms and said, "I've wanted to complain for a long time, that guy is just wasting food."

Use spices to mask the odor of many-legged beasts.

I'm afraid the spices used are more expensive than the meat!

After staring at the bucket of sugar for a long time, Feng Qing's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Why don't we just use these sugars to make some simple food!"

Gui Gui was stunned for a moment.

"Just use white sugar? Then... what can I do?"

candy?

It seems the taste is a bit monotonous as well.

Looking at her confused best friend, Feng Qing raised the corners of her mouth proudly.

"Marshmallow!"

Although she has never done it, she heard that the principle is very simple.

As long as the sugar is heated and melted into syrup, the heating chamber is constantly rotated, and the syrup is ejected from small holes under the action of centrifugal force, and it can solidify into sweet sugar strands in the air.

Upon hearing these three words, Gui Gui's eyes suddenly lit up.

"What a great idea! This is much better than the many-legged beasts stewed vermicelli!"

"Uh... what kind of weird food is that?"

"The inspiration comes from snail noodles... Anyway, it's settled! I'll go find Boss Mosquito and ask him to get a cotton candy machine!"

The more he thought about it, the more he thought this idea was great. Gui Gui clenched his fists in excitement.

Mosquito Boss will probably be moved to tears!

His hands-on ability is finally put to use in a normal place!

Cheers brother!

Seeing that his suggestion seemed to come in handy, Feng Qing smiled sheepishly.

"Hehe, I want to make more, and send some to Orange and the others by the way."

"Tangerine?"

"Well! A very cute child, very well-behaved, and very sensible! I promised her that I would visit her when I have time," Feng Qing said with shining eyes as he looked at Guigui who tilted his head. I’ll introduce it to you tomorrow!”

"Uh-huh! Looking forward to it!!"

The two worked together to move the most dangerous sacks and barrels out first.

Soon only a few beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks and other glassware were left in the kitchen, as well as some bottles and jars on the shelves.

Taking down a glass bottle from the shelf, Feng Qing opened the cap and sniffed it, frowning.

"The smell of kerosene."

Why use kerosene for cooking?

In addition to kerosene, there were some white particles the size of fingernails in the glass bottle.

Whether the bottle was marked in any way, she couldn't decide what it contained.

"Do you still want these things? If not, I will dump them." Gently shaking the glass bottle in his hand, Feng Qing shouted to Guigui who was busy packing things not far away.

"Ah, it's all gone," Gui Gui said casually without looking back, "Mosquito said he didn't want any materials in the kitchen, so he asked us to help him get rid of them when we clear the kitchen."

"This idiot captain is so wasteful."

Feng Qing shook her head, unscrewed the bottle cap, poured the contents into the sink, and turned on the faucet to flush them away.

However, almost the moment she turned on the faucet, the pool of light yellow liquid suddenly burst into flames.

Thanks to the agility system's reflex nerves being well developed.

Seeing that something was wrong, she ducked down, and the fragments caused by the explosion flew out almost grazing her head.

"what happened?!"

Seeing the bottle rolling on the ground, Gui Gui's expression changed instantly and he said in shock.

"Sodium! Oops...I forgot!"

The explosion undoubtedly ignited the kerosene, and the flames splashed from the pool ignited the shelves containing bottles and cans not far away.

Under the influence of high temperature, some bottles and jars began to undergo wonderful changes.

Looking at the shelves that started to have a chain reaction, Feng Qing swallowed and instinctively took a step back.

"That……?"

"That's sodium! Metal sodium!"

"??? What is he doing in the kitchen with that thing?!"

“The devil knows ah ah ah!!”

From the explosion of the first glass bottle, what would happen next seemed destined.

The originally peaceful station suddenly heard a violent explosion, and fire and smoke came out of the kitchen window.

Fortunately, the power was not particularly powerful and the house was not blown down.

Thinking they were being retaliated by gang members, the military camp immediately sounded the alarm and a large number of heavily armed soldiers rushed over.

In the end, it was discovered that it was a false alarm.

After learning that the commotion was caused by the goblin corps, the logistics officer didn't ask any more questions. He just asked his subordinates to send a ticket to a certain corps commander with a dark face.

This isn't the first time this has happened.

Looking at the dazzling string of zeros, Mosquito signed the ticket with tears in his eyes.

But fortunately, everyone is fine.

Things like charcoal and sugar had been moved out in advance, and the two little players affected by the explosion were only slightly injured.

If you lie down for three days and miss the New Year's Eve activities because of this trivial matter, it will be a big loss...

[Mission: Evacuate the kitchen used by the Goblin Corps (failed)]

…

The commotion that occurred at the player station was just a small episode. Most of the food prepared by the players were relatively normal types. After all, there were only a few ruthless people who risked their lives to develop new recipes.

Except for people like Tomato Scrambled Eggs, who are actually chefs, most people don't expect to get ahead by relying on their eccentric ideas.

This kind of festival activity is just as lively as it gets. Although there are quite a few people who form teams to grind monsters and get materials, everyone still participates with a playful attitude.

Because of the active players, Boulder City, which had been deserted for more than half a month, finally regained some of its former bustle because of the approaching festival.

Just like that, New Year's Eve finally arrived.

The decorated streets were decorated with lights and colorful decorations. Survivors took to the streets one after another. Many shops that had been closed for more than half a month reopened their doors.

Since last week, the construction team has begun to pay some wages according to the league's minimum wage standard, and the factory began to pay wages in silver coins earlier.

Products are "growing" out of the shelves again, and although people's wallets are not bulging, they can already buy some things.

Everything is getting better.

The night sky is lit up by colorful fireworks.

Not only the Heart of Steel parked in Dawn City, but also the anti-aircraft guns on the giant wall began to discharge fireworks into the sky.

In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Boulder Military Industrial Building, looking at the colorful flames in the night sky, Ibers smiled and clapped his hands.

"Not bad, not bad...it's rare for me to watch a unique and good show."

In the name of hunting alien species, he quietly cleared away the predator tribes around Boulder City, and then violently wiped out the gangs in the slums.

So far, the new shareholder's performance had exceeded his expectations. It had been a long time since he had been so surprised by an organism.

Originally, he thought that the chaos in Boulder City would destabilize Qingquan City for at least five or six years, but now it seems that this good show has completely ended in just one month.

The time bomb buried in the giant wall seemed to have been quietly dismantled without even starting the countdown.

Now that the slum rectification has been completed and most of the factories in the city have resumed production, it may not be long before the state of emergency is lifted.

Maybe this celebration is an opportunity.

But Ibers was not disappointed, but even more excited.

Under that peace and tranquility, he could vaguely smell the smell of blood...