Global Fog Survival

Chapter 118: Opening The Way

[Perhaps in the mountains, you can find what you want and get the necessary harvest.]

Isn’t this the same old answer? Colin rubbed his forehead and didn’t try to ask more questions. He continued dealing with the “special talent” inquiries while waiting for the “potato craze” to end.

Yesterday, they had produced around six thousand “potato seedlings,” consuming over a thousand fog points, and planned to sell each “potato seedling” for ten fog points.

In the first half-hour of sales, all six thousand potato seedlings were sold, earning a large number of fog points. They then reinvested these fog points to produce more “potatoes” and continued to amass various other resources.

This cycle would continue until the price of “potato seedlings” stabilized and there was no profit left.

Like with the “tainted blood” his main goal was to spread potatoes, further reducing people’s dependence on the system and ensuring they could face future disasters more easily. More accurately, when the system no longer provided even black bread, they would still have food to fill their stomachs.

“A potato plant can produce at least 200 seedlings, which are immediately dug up as soon as they grow,” Colin thought, imagining some rather degenerate scenarios.

But he didn’t dwell on it. Colin, along with others, left the “Level 5 underground fortress.”

Almost immediately after emerging from the bunker, a strong stench assaulted Colin’s nose, making him frown slightly.

“It’s that familiar stench.” He raised an eyebrow but didn’t pay much attention. He waited for everyone to come out and looked at the manhole cover. Information appeared before him.

[You are attempting to move the Level 5 territory, which will cost 10,000 fog points. Confirm?]

Just as Colin was about to painfully confirm, Russell spoke up, seemingly reminded of something: “By the way, aren’t you leaving those four survivors here? And aren’t you recruiting more people into the territory? You guys seem good at making money; you shouldn’t be short on funds.”

“Can I bring people when moving?” Colin was stunned; he hadn’t thought of that.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought those four “soy sauce bottles” along.

[You suspect that what you are moving is merely the “entrance” to this space; the space itself will not be greatly affected. However, the inner and outer worlds will not be able to connect during the move.]

“I was ignorant.” Colin thought for a moment, pondering how many people he should recruit.

Excluding costs for researching new explosives, expanding the war chariot, upgrading to Level 2 chariots, and constructing the Level 4 territory: [You believe that 300 people might be the best choice: keeping 200 Level 2 servants and 100 Level 3 servants.]

Seeing the hints continuously appearing, Colin suddenly held his breath.

[You will spend 24,900 fog points.]

Too expensive. Colin’s brain throbbed, feeling like his heart wasn’t just bleeding but had been stabbed.

However, calculating it carefully, this indeed seemed the best choice, assuming he could accept it.

Not hesitating long, Colin returned underground with a few others, checked the trading market, and bought some unwanted, slightly injured, but overall well-preserved servants.

Surprisingly, he saved almost a thousand fog points here!

Some people were selling their Level 3 servants for just a few dozen fog points and some food.

Soon, all 300 servants were in place, standing neatly under Number One’s angry roar.

“I’ll leave this to you, Number One. Ensure they are proficient in using the artillery and maintain their ‘excited’ state.”

Colin patted Number One’s shoulder, leaving behind several artillery pieces and settling the four survivors there as well. He also left three bottles of red potion for everyone to drink—which was diluted.

“Yes!” Number One straightened up and replied.

Meanwhile, three pretty maids looked at Russell, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay? You clearly need more rest.”

I need to be outside to rest; now I have to lean against a wall to ensure I don’t splatter outside when I go to the bathroom. Russell thought silently, rubbing his sore waist, the dark circles around his eyes showing as he smiled. “It’s okay, you all stay here.”

“How about we come along to cook for you and everyone else?” The maid-turned-chef suggested quietly.

I won’t get any rest then, and it’s not safe. Russell quickly refused.

“The outside is full of danger. Just being full is enough; we don’t need to eat well. Just wait for me here, don’t worry.”

Not long after, Colin consumed 10,000 fog points to move the Level 5 underground fortress.

Quickly, the manhole cover separated from the ground, shrinking to the size of a palm. To open it again, one just needed to throw it on the ground and confirm it in their mind.

“The Level 5 underground fortress is too convenient; it can carry people while moving, enabling unexpected tactics.”

When surrounded and in dire straits, throw the manhole cover on the ground, and ten thousand soldiers would come to the rescue. No, more likely they’d get crushed at the narrow entrance.

Without thinking further, Colin put it in his backpack and led the group away from the “family cemetery,” back under the gloomy sky.

In a little more than a day, nothing seemed to have changed outside; it was still dark and oppressive.

Under the mountains, the light still spread across the sky, as if it had always been there.

Colin looked towards the light, activating the hints.

[Perhaps in less than a day’s journey, you can reach a place called the ‘Ruins of Highcourt.’]

[Beware! A lord-level mutant you cannot avoid resides there!]

A gatekeeper? Colin muttered but wasn’t too worried. With the initiative, he wasn’t too afraid of lord-level mutants. What he feared was being caught off guard, like in the “withered olive” area, with no chance to fight back.

With the hints’ help, he could avoid such situations by preparing well.

“Let’s recount the numbers. 22 people, seems right.”

Colin initially had 21 people, left some veterans with Number One to guard the manhole cover, then added a few newcomers.

Number One’s deputy took over as temporary leader.

Including the newly arrived Russell, the number hadn’t increased dramatically, so there was no need to worry about sudden, forced group activities.

After making thorough preparations, Colin led the team into action.

The mountains were dark, only some scattered luminous stones emitting faint light.

The surroundings were silent, full of lurking dangers.

A bright light pierced the darkness—a lantern carried by Colin, his feet treading the uneven mountain terrain, leading the group through withered tree branches.

The path was blocked by withered bushes, with no clear way forward.

But one swing of the axe, and a path emerged.