Leng Ying was holding a stack of documents, waiting at the base entrance. Seeing Su Changxing leading the mechanical troops in from outside, she hurriedly approached and said:

"Leader, I heard you rescued many people from West Bridge this time... What are these things?"

She looked at the robots behind Su Changxing, not understanding where they came from, as they clearly weren’t there before he left.

Su Changxing thought for a moment and casually said, "Picked them up on the road."

Picked them up on the road?

Leng Ying’s eyes widened slightly, unsure of how one could just pick them up, feeling it was somewhat absurd but did not ask further. Switching her tone, she said:

"There is a problem now. Some autonomous organizations formed by Players have emerged inside the city, two of which have developed particularly large. We unanimously believe they need handling, otherwise issues will arise."

Autonomous organizations?

Su Changxing, walking alongside her, turned his head and asked, "What organizations?"

Leng Ying immediately replied: "One is called the Player Mutual Aid Association. They are wildly recruiting members under the name of a powerful Extraordinary, including not only Players but also numerous non-Player members."

The name of a powerful Extraordinary?

Isn’t that me... Su Changxing hadn’t expected this association to develop so rapidly, but apparently, no one knew that this powerful Extraordinary was him.

He was wearing the Clown Mask that day.

Su Changxing’s face showed a hint of surprise as he continued to ask, "What about the other one?"

Leng Ying’s face turned a bit somber as she said:

"The other organization is relatively secretive. We only know they are quite active now but have no information on specific members... They used to have a name, something like the Doomsday Cult, known to many Players and seemingly established during the previous apocalypse."

Su Changxing glanced at her again and said, "I know, but I didn’t expect them to extend into the present... Let Yu Jieyi’s group handle this matter, you’re not a Player, and many things are challenging for you to deal with due to gaps."

Leng Ying’s eyes flickered, she nodded and responded with an unchanged expression, "Alright, no problem."

She was originally one of Team Ten’s leaders, not particularly powerful personally, but her overall qualifications were high. Since she died during the apocalypse, she could no longer continue as a team leader, now part of the inspection team, serving as a semi-combat member.

Su Changxing wasn’t surprised by this either, such organizations among Players are bound to exist, so having control over them is best.

One cannot use common sense to evaluate the strength of each Player, as even a small opportunity may allow someone to soar suddenly.

Subsequently.

Su Changxing led T3 to the largest square of the base and said: "This place should be enough, right."

T3 looked around and mechanically responded, "Enough, but might need larger space later."

Su Changxing nodded, "Just level the surroundings."

T3’s already massive frame unfolded in the open area, with a metallic silver liquid flowing at the joints, expanding into a huge concave-shaped twin-tower metal structure within tens of seconds.

This is its regular form, essentially a factory for producing and repairing robots.

This is outrageous... Leng Ying’s eyes widened, feeling the visual impact. In a short time, various large and small components extended, expanded, and transformed complexly.

"These robots can undertake a substantial part of patrol duties, plan to have them coordinate defense, greatly reducing manpower pressure." Su Changxing turned back to Leng Ying and said.

"Ah, okay."

Leng Ying was stunned for a moment before she responded, only then regaining her composure.

Dusk cast long shadows across T3, starkly marking Su Changxing’s profile in black and white, his gaze resolute.

Shen Jinxuan and others stood behind him, gazing at the colossal entity with several degrees of shock and confusion.

This is the apocalypse, also rebirth, the darkest time but equally the closest to light—the specifics of such an era will only become clear later.

······

"Da-da-da~"

Dust trembled on the windowsill.

Heavy footsteps echoed like a hammer pounding continuously on the ground.

Outside on the street, a team of robots sprinted by, followed by gunfire and roars from afar.

"Those robots are really cool!"

A young boy was climbing on the windowsill, looking outside with a face full of longing.

"Yangyang, come back, stop watching!"

A female voice called from behind.

The past few days, such scenes have been visible, seemingly becoming a common sight in life—a cycle of patrolling robot teams and occasional battle sounds.

A rather dispirited-looking man lounged on the sofa, inhaling deeply, said: "It’s too dangerous here, we must move inside, or death could come at any moment."

"How could we? You don’t know those people either, someone caused trouble before wanting to move, but got publicly whipped."

The woman sitting opposite him in a blue sweater said with furrowed brows, worried.

They’re a family of three, led by the army from the east city to here, settled at the edge of the living area.

This place is perilous, often beset by various monsters, with frequent battles.

Recently, a family next door mysteriously died horribly, bodies dismembered, the specifics still unknown.

Understandably, they wish to move, but practically it’s impossible.

They lack power and resources, having a place to stay is already a blessing.

The man pondered for a while, then said: "Didn’t you say your brother is working at the Security Bureau now? Maybe we could ask him."

The woman hesitated, "We can’t reach him lately, but asking directly might bring trouble, right?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The man sighed, "We won’t have trouble if we’re dead... I feel the people living next door aren’t normal; we need to move before problems arise."

"They’re recruiting combat personnel now, I’ve thought it over, I must join. I’ve served in the army before, they should accept me, then you might get the chance to relocate."

The woman remained silent for a moment, then said, "People are dying there."

The man rationally said, "Things are a mess; if it continues, something might happen. Joining the army, though risky, makes us better off than others."

Tears flickered in the woman’s eyes, "Don’t rush, I’ll ask my brother tomorrow; he should know better... "

Before she finished, a chilling howl echoed from the hallway, sending shivers down their spine.

Both were startled, already tense, now sweating cold.