Chapter 230 Selecting a Shelter and Encountering Scavengers

In the ruins of the villa, in the living room on the first floor, two deserters were still talking.

"Hey, Robert, do you really think that boy can do it?"

"...Bartor, I don't need to tell you to understand that the three of us alone can't survive in this hellish place. Although that guy is a bit naive, he still has some skills."

"As long as he finds an opportunity to get some civilian blood on his hands, everything will be easy to explain."

"It makes sense, let's do it. If it doesn't work, at worst, kill him and find someone else."

But at this moment, there was a sudden rush of footsteps on the second floor above the two of them.

The two deserters sitting at the table suddenly stood up: "What's going on? Vanga!? Are you there?"

"Roman? Where is the person!"

"——Someone has invaded!"

They raised their guns without hesitation, pushed out the door one after another, and walked up the stairs to the second floor to explore. While advancing slowly, he also shouted the names of his companions.

No response.

The two looked at each other, and with great vigilance, they carefully opened the door to the second floor.

"Squeak——"

Bartol, who was walking in front, carefully turned on the light, but nothing appeared.

He just breathed a sigh of relief and wanted to say something to Robert behind him, but when he turned his head, he saw Robert being dragged into the shadows downstairs by a dark figure.

Bartol: "!?"

"Rob..."

He subconsciously wanted to call out, but suddenly another figure came out of the room on the second floor. He rushed towards him unprepared and stabbed his neck with a knife!

Bartol staggered forward a few steps, turned his head, and saw clearly that the person who stabbed him was Roman.

He covered his throat, making a "gurgling" sound in his mouth, and wanted to raise his gun to shoot, but suddenly a gray light flashed, and Li You appeared beside him at some point, holding the original sword that had been transformed into a dagger. The gun was cut down with one sword.

"puff--"

Blood spurted out like a fountain, Bator's right hand and the shotgun in his hand fell to the ground together, and he himself fell down with death in silence.

Li You shook off the blood on his sword and left a message: "Don't waste bullets on a dead man."

"By the way, Fan Jia has already taken the first step."

With a clang, the bloody fruit knife in Roman's hand fell to the ground, and he covered his mouth, his throat trembling, as if he wanted to vomit.

Li You was about to speak, but then he saw blood spilled on the ground.

"Ah...I forgot about this again..."

…

Halfway through the night.

At the door of the church, there were three or four soldiers surrounding them, yelling and cursing at the people in the church to open the door.

These soldiers were heavily armed, although the equipment was good and bad. Two of them were carrying military rifles, and the leader was still wearing a body armor and helmet. But the remaining two people only had a pistol in their hands and no armor.

The leading soldier knocked on the church door with all his might and cursed: "Old immortal, open the door quickly! Don't force us to take action!"

In the church, Aggie held his rifle and desperately resisted the urge to rush out and kill all the people.

She now understands the background of the city and knows that the people outside are from the government forces. Without understanding their purpose here, taking action hastily may bring disaster to the church.

Father Orek stood at the door and signaled to Aggie again, asking her to hide downstairs first, then took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hey! You're moving too slowly, old man! Do you want this church to be turned into pieces?"

Father Orek apologized profusely and handed over a few high-quality cigarettes, which made the leading soldier look better.

"You know the truth! We came here to ask you something. Do you know which group of people attacked the nearby flower shop?"

The priest was stunned: "Flower shop?"

The soldier's eyes changed: "You know?"

The priest waved his hands vigorously: "No, no, no, I've never heard of a flower shop or anything like that, and I don't know who moved it."

The soldier snorted and said without asking any more questions, "Really? Then remember, if there is any relevant information, notify us immediately. The military never hesitates to reward whistleblowers!"

The priest nodded repeatedly: "Absolutely." He handed over a few more cigarettes and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Father Orek successfully calmed the soldiers, and they left quickly after asking for some scattered supplies.

"Guys, please walk slowly!"

Seeing their figures disappear into the darkness at the corner of the street, the priest also breathed a sigh of relief.

He said to the church downstairs: "You can come out now."

Ai Ji came up from downstairs, frowning slightly, and his movements were exactly the same as Li You: "Why are those soldiers asking for information about the flower shop?"

Father Orek smiled bitterly and said: "There are many possibilities. But if we talk about the worst case scenario, it is probably that these people are the bosses behind the flower shop."

Aiji's face completely darkened: "Government troops who call themselves official troops do this kind of thing in the city?"

She almost blurted out that it was up to her to kill them, but after all, considering the limitations of this world and the possibility of evil guests coming here again if she left, Aggie remained silent.

She sat down a little gloomily, and Marco and Livia, who were ready to move downstairs, also came up and asked, "Is there no news from Li You yet?"

Aiji looked at the time and said, "Maybe there was a little accident. It's quite common. There should be news in a while."

Li You explained to others that Aggie was his companion and comrade-in-arms, and was trustworthy. So at this time, Marco and Livia saw that she looked unconcerned, and some of their hearts were relieved.

The two sat down next to Aggie and waited at ease.

And sure enough, not long after this time, there was another knock at the church door, but it was regular and neat.

Aggie jumped up immediately and went to open the door. It was Li You outside.

Li You said to everyone: "Let's go, we're moving."

Marco and Livia had already made preparations. Marco dragged his backpack out of the pile of debris beside him, and Livia stood up and said, "I'm ready."

Father Orek watched them walk out of the church, and finally said to Li You: "Tell me if you need anything, I will try my best to help you."

Li You nodded and said, "I will."

"Be careful on the way, may God bless you!"

On the way to the ruins of the villa, Aggie whispered to Li You: "A few government soldiers came just now."

After hearing what she said, Li You's face was not very good.

"Could it be that the flower shop is really related to the government army? Then the degree of their cruelty is really beyond my imagination."

He thought about it, and finally said: "We can observe this slowly, and now let's ensure their safety first."

Aggie also agreed with this. She and Li You, one in front and one behind, and with Aggie's perception ability, they soon arrived in front of the ruins of the villa.

Seeing Li You and others appear, Roman immediately poked his head out from the second-floor balcony and waved.

After everyone entered the door, Roman looked at Li You and couldn't wait to say: "You are finally back! I have cleaned up here. Where is the food you promised me?"

Li You waved his hand, so Marco took out a can from his backpack and handed it to him.

Roman took the can, opened it, and immediately started to eat it voraciously.

Marco kindly reminded: "Eat slowly! If you haven't eaten much, it's not okay to eat so fast all of a sudden!"

Roman actually knew this truth, but he was really hungry. He swallowed two big mouthfuls before slowing down.

"…Finally, there is some decent food."

Not long ago, after Li You chopped off Bartol's hand, he realized that he gradually developed a more casual fighting style. He chopped off his hands and feet as he said, and the result was blood spilled all over the floor, making the villa a mess.

But the time was limited every night, and he couldn't afford to be so busy. In desperation, Li You could only let Roman stay here to clean up a little, and promised to give him food when he brought people back.

As for the military canned food or other ingredients in the villa, they were naturally secretly taken away by Li You in advance.

After seeing how Li You dealt with a deserter so quickly, Roman was a little afraid of him, so he didn't refute and stayed in the ruins of the villa to clean up the bodies of several deserters.

As for the bodies, he threw them in the backyard and planned to dig a pit to bury them when he had time.

On the first floor of the villa, Li You simply asked everyone to introduce themselves and began to assign tasks.

"Marco, go and search this villa carefully, collect all the useful supplies, and store them together in categories."

"Aiji, I still ask you to keep watch."

"Roman, if you have finished eating, come and help me."

As for Livia, Li You directly let her go upstairs to rest by herself. Only Roman had some complaints, but he didn't dare to speak, and no one else had any objections.

Livia herself wanted to help, but Li You persuaded her with the reason that "it's most important for you to rest for two days. It's not too late to help after the situation stabilizes."

Marco began to search around the villa, and Aggie went to the balcony with a gun to guard. Li You, carrying a suitcase that no one knew when he had in his hand, took Roman to the basement.

The basement of the villa is very large. The large room in the center is the cell where the owner was imprisoned and starved to death. However, his body had been moved out by Roman in advance, and it is still clean now.

Li You went directly into the innermost room of the basement, moved a large pile of debris piled here outside the door, and then placed the wooden toolbox with dark silver corners in his hand in the room and unfolded it.

With Li You's action, the toolbox opened to 180 degrees, and the two sides merged into a tabletop, supported by four legs.

And a large pile of messy props in the toolbox were also displayed in front of Li You and Roman.

Roman was stunned: "What is this?"

Li You smiled and said: "It's a portable workbench."

This wooden toolbox is the reward he drew after coming to this world.

But to be more precise, this is actually its upgraded state.

The system prompt at that time was written like this:

[Contact with the residents of this world has been completed, the system is being updated, and the new world rewards will be issued soon. ]

[Please note that due to the difference in the world background, this reward will be changed to fixed props. ]

[Received: Basic workbench. ]

[Basic workbench: A basic workbench for making various items, which can make some basic functional objects. It cannot be moved after being placed, but can be upgraded. ]

This thing is the workbench that comes with the game at the beginning. Li You was already satisfied with it, but he didn't expect it to resonate with another prop in his backpack.

[Workbench briefcase: A large wooden briefcase that can be extended into a wooden workbench after opening, and comes with various basic props. At the same time, the raw materials for production can also be stored in the briefcase. ]

This is the portable briefcase workbench obtained in Biochemical IV. Although it has the function of transforming into a wooden table, Li You has basically never used it. He just uses it to store some messy raw materials, such as a pile of scattered materials in the world of Sekiro.

But after he drew the new world reward, the system popped up a prompt.

[Ding! ]

[It is detected that the props "Basic Workbench" and "Workbench Briefcase" you hold are similar in nature and can be fused. Do you want to merge? ]

Although Li You was surprised, he certainly couldn't miss this free opportunity, so he immediately clicked "Yes".

So the two workbench props merged into a new briefcase.

[Workbench Briefcase (Enhanced): A large wooden briefcase that can be extended into a wooden workbench after opening, and comes with various basic props, and can also make many functional objects. At the same time, the raw materials for production can also be stored in the suitcase. 】

[Built-in functions: basic workbench, metal workbench, potion refining components, raw material storage box. Upgradeable and expandable. 】

[Storage of raw materials: ...]

Isn't this just right?     Even Li You looked at it and found that the current suitcase workbench also has the function of the metal workbench in the game. Doesn't that mean that if this workbench continues to be upgraded, he can still do ironwork on this table?

His almost forgotten life skills finally have the hope of being picked up again?

Li You is rarely looking forward to it. But of course, that's all for the future. Now the top priority is to convert the villa into a shelter.

It has to be said that the deserters who occupied this place before had no interest in building a stronghold at all. Maybe they originally had more than one hiding place, so there was no need to spend this effort.

In short, the original owner of this villa had obviously arranged a lot of defensive measures in the building, but after being broken by this group of people, it was never maintained again, and now it is already in tatters.

These need to be done by Li You and his team.

However, Li You is very familiar with these things, after all, he has done similar things in Harlan.

He explained to Roman: "This is a portable workbench that our organization specially equips for elite members. Although it looks inconspicuous, it is actually the crystallization of technology."

"With it, we can make a lot of things to survive this war."

In the game, a simple workbench that can knock out a lot of necessary props at the beginning. But obviously, the fact that so many things can be built with just one workbench is more inclined to the game setting.

Li You also asked Marco if he could knock out something like a metal workbench with the necessary materials, and then he complained that "humans can't make that kind of thing with bare hands."

This was actually not unexpected to Li You, and it had no effect on him who got the workbench briefcase.

In addition to storing raw materials, this briefcase does not really have any special functions that go against common sense, so Li You took it out generously.

After all, in this world, a workbench is a must for building a shelter.

After opening the workbench, Li You began to think about what else he needed to use this villa as a shelter.

Beds, this is a rigid need. There are two beds on the third floor, but they are not enough and they really need to be rebuilt.

Repairing the hole, this is also very important. A corner of the third floor of the villa was indeed destroyed by a shell, leaving a huge hole. There will be bandits looting everywhere at night in Berglen. If they find the weakness of this villa, they will definitely pounce on it and take a bite.

Li You is not afraid of a few bandits, but it is not good to be too conspicuous, not to mention that continuous theft is not good for the mental health of his companions.

The hole needs to be repaired.

Then there are other functional facilities, water purification filters, simple stoves, mousetraps, indoor herbal gardens... These can be built or not depending on their importance.

As for the first functional facility that newcomers must have, the metal workbench, it is not needed. The suitcase workbench comes with metal tools and equipment, which is very convenient.

So Li You fumbled under the workbench for a few times, then stretched out his hand and pulled out the hidden metal table, turning it into a second tabletop.

Roman: “?”

This thing can also transform?

Li You said: “I’ll go see how Marco is searching. Roman, there are metal materials here, please use the tool bench to knock out a shovel.”

Roman: “???”

He quickly stopped Li You who was about to leave: “Wait, wait, I can’t do it!”

Li You: “…Ah?”

Seeing his incredible face, Roman was a little annoyed: “I’m a soldier, not a craftsman! You give me a pile of iron blocks and ask me to make a shovel? I can’t even use this… this welding gun!”

Li You immediately reacted, okay, so this world has taken away the most basic skills of the characters and thrown them away?

Metal workbenches and the like, can’t be used without professional skills?

Although it is indeed reasonable if you think about it carefully. After all, in the original game, except for the children, everyone else, regardless of gender, age, or background, can use simple tools and plain materials to make crowbars, saw blades, axes, and even repair guns and forge daggers as long as they touch the workbench. That's outrageous.

But in this case, wouldn't he have to do all these basic tasks?

Li You raised his hand to his forehead, feeling that he was already having a headache.

Recalling, which character in the game has relevant skills?

Carpenter Marin?

"Well, okay." He sighed, "Go and see if Marco has finished it, and ask him to come to me when he is done, and leave this to me."

Watching Roman go upstairs, Li You shook his head, sat in front of the workbench, and began to make a shovel with limited tools.

Fortunately, his life skills are related to forging, and he can use modern tools.

"I didn't expect that I would start working right after I said I could pick up the life skills. Let me see, welding gun, circular saw, angle grinder... OK, it's barely enough."

Li You searched for the materials at hand and started processing.

In fact, for a novice starting out, the first tool must still be a crowbar, but Li You, he always relies on the infinitely durable primitive gun to solve the problem, or directly uses a pistol.

The production process went smoothly. Li You used limited tools and materials to successfully knock out an extremely rough iron shovel.

There were obvious welding marks on the iron shovel, and even the steel in different parts was colorful.

"…Although it is ugly, it is really not my fault this time. The conditions were too limited."

Li You installed a wooden handle on the iron shovel, and the production was completed.

"Okay, give you a name."

After all, it was the first large prop he made.

"Just call it, cleaning..."

"——Don't name a shovel!"

A familiar voice came from behind, and Li You turned around and saw that it was Edge standing there.

"Why are you here?"

Aiji complained: "Because it's a shift change, so I came to see, and I saw you naming a shovel."

"Don't you know how bad your naming skills are? Not to mention naming such a broken shovel."

Li You was dissatisfied: "What's wrong with my naming skills? Besides, this is not the broken shovel you said will be broken after two uses."

Aiji: "Ask Yuzu about this... and I didn't explain it in such detail."

"Knock knock knock."

Marco poked his head out of the room entrance: "Um... excuse me?"

Li You looked at him: "Ah, Marco, you came at the right time. Here, this is the shovel I just made, take it."

"Oh, that's a big help!" Marco took it, "It's just in time for digging holes."

"How is the search in the villa going?" Li You asked again.

Marco replied: "I have searched the entire building, including the collapsed ceiling on the third floor, and found some usable materials from it."

"I heard from Roman that you have a workbench here, right? Then maybe I can help make some simple furniture, which I still know how to do."

Li You was very happy to hear this: "That's perfect! Let me see...Then please deal with the materials first, and then go and plug the hole on the roof."

Marco patted his chest: "Leave it to me."

The collapsed area on the third floor of the villa ruins is impossible to repair, but the doors of the adjacent rooms and the holes connecting to the second floor still need to be blocked, otherwise it is easy for someone to take advantage of the opportunity to break in.

Just like when Li You sneaked in here.

As an experienced scavenger, Marco also knows the importance of repairing the holes in the shelter. He works very actively and quickly finishes the wooden boards and nails on the workbench. Then he goes to the third floor with Li You. After a while of knocking, he successfully seals the hole.

Although it is still not strong, at least it will not be sneaked in quietly.

At the same time, they also cleaned up the rubble of the collapsed room and set up a sentry post here. The guards standing here can get a better view and a safer distance than the second-floor balcony.

After the completion, Marco wiped his sweat and looked at his achievements with satisfaction: "Very good! Now our shelter's defense has increased again!"

Li You also smiled and was about to say something to encourage him, but Aggie suddenly said: "Wait... It seems that someone is coming from the other side of the street."

"Oh?"

Li You was happy: "Just after the sentry was repaired, the test product was delivered to the door?"

Marco opened his eyes wide and looked in the direction Aggie said: "... I didn't see anything?"

Aggie was startled and said quickly: "Of course! I am an ace intelligence officer! This is my unique skill!"

Marco did not doubt it: "So that's it... No wonder you and Li You are partners."

Aggie wiped his cold sweat, but Li You did not react. He just picked up his anti-material sniper rifle, activated the infrared detection scope, and looked in the direction Aggie pointed out.

"I saw it. It should be a scavenger, not a robber... He is coming towards us."

The man quickly approached the villa, and Roman, who was on guard on the second-floor balcony, immediately spotted him.

"Who are you——!"

The man was also startled and looked up at Roman.

It was at this time that Li You saw his face clearly and was stunned.

The man raised his hands: "Please don't shoot! I'm just a scavenger. I didn't know there was anyone here! I'm leaving now!"

In fact, Roman didn't have a gun in his hand, only a wooden stick as a weapon, but the man didn't know.

He raised his hands and slowly retreated: "I have no ill intentions, I'll leave immediately!"

Seeing him like this, Roman's tense nerves also relaxed a little.

But the next moment, Roman only felt a black shadow flash in front of him, and Li You jumped directly from the third floor, rolled on the ground, and quickly stood up and walked towards the man.

Roman: "???"

He felt that he had been confused a lot since he met Li You. He seemed to have no idea what the man was thinking.

The man was also startled by Li You's sudden jump. Seeing him walking towards him, the man turned around and started running without hesitation!

"Wait--!"

Although the guy in the coat kept shouting behind him, the man had no intention of slowing down. After all, apart from anything else, the big gun behind the guy was enough to keep him at least a hundred meters away from the other party.

Li You was helpless when he saw the man running away, but he still chased him.

In order not to violate the rules of the system, Li You did not dare to run at full speed, but even so, he was still closing the distance between him and the man.

Seeing Li You getting closer and closer, the man panicked. He threw all kinds of junk parts in his backpack at Li You, and ran towards the square on the other side in a panic.

This little bit of debris certainly couldn't stop Li You, and it couldn't even slow him down. But when he saw the direction the man was running, he couldn't help but be shocked.

"That's..."

Sniper center!

Li You sighed and said to himself, "There's no way!"

He raised his hand, aimed at the target, and shot the grappling hook!

The grappling hook flew more than ten meters and accurately buckled on the man's calf, leaving only a few scratches on the side of his leg.

Li You pulled the grappling hook and put the man to the ground.

The man was about to struggle, but the next moment, with a gunshot, a bullet hit the ground not far in front of him, leaving a small pit.

The man stopped moving immediately.

Li You took the opportunity to come to him, pressed the building that pulled him aside, and deliberately untied the grappling hook with his hands, and then put the hook lock away bit by bit.

The man looked at Li You: "What do you want?"

Li You did not answer immediately, but looked at his face carefully, and then nodded silently. He really did not recognize the wrong person.

This man is the second God of War in Berglun City, and even a true God of War who can kill people at will without breaking down.

Li You stretched out his hand to him and said: "I want to ask you something."

Man: "...?"