Chapter 80: Chapter 79 I am an Ability User_l
Translator: 549690339 |
“You’re an Ability User?!”
The crowd couldn’t help but exclaim in shock, with Wei Zhenguo even attempting to rise from his bed, though luckily others held him down.
“I am.”
Wang Tao nodded again.
As he spoke, he raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.
“Snap-”
A ripple visible to the naked eye spread out from Wang Tao’s fingertips, lifting and then shredding an old poster hanging on the nearby wall.
“Ability – Shockwave.”
Wang Tao spoke indifferently.
Everyone around widened their eyes in shock and excitement, staring at Wang Tao after a while.
“He really is an Ability User!”
“Can we really become Ability Users?!”
“This Ability seems even better than a gun! It makes no noise, whereas gunshots are too loud…”
Several soldiers also started to murmur excitedly among themselves, unable to maintain discipline.
Doctor Chen looked at Wang Tao with an excited and expectant face.
“Mr. Wang, if you don’t mind, may I study— oh no, observe you for a while? Rest assured, I won’t harm you!”
“I do mind.”
“Treat your patients!”
Wei Zhenguo turned and scolded, as if the person needing medical attention wasn’t him, then turned back with a smile toward Wang Tao:
“Comrade Wang, I wasn’t lying to you. As long as an Ability User is willing to stay at our base, they can be directly promoted to a Committee Member!”
Wei Zhenguo first confirmed his previous statement, then said solemnly:
“But since ancient times, rights and obligations have been equivalent. While enjoying rights, one must also fulfill corresponding obligations. Without this ideological awareness… it’s impossible to become a Committee Member!” Wang Tao wasn’t surprised by Wei Zhenguo’s words since he was from the Security Army and his ideological awareness was bound to be much higher than that of Ordinary people.
Wang Tao didn’t mind helping other survivors when he had the ability to, but this help was voluntary, not an obligation to act as a babysitter for others.
Therefore, Wang Tao directly asked:
“What are the rights? And what are the obligations?”
Wei Zhenguo took a deep drag on his cigarette, then replied:
“Committee Members can use all the resources within the base! For some important resources, just notify the other members before use, and as long as there isn’t too much opposition, it’s fine. These are the rights of a Committee Member. As for the obligations… they’re actually quite simple. Our base won’t force anyone to do anything. Everything we do is based on Contribution Points, including for Committee Members!”
“So, the obligation of a Committee Member is this: every month, you must provide the base with a minimum of ten thousand Contribution Points! Whether it’s guarding the base, scavenging for supplies outside, or finding new survivors, as long as you can provide ten thousand Contribution Points to the base each month, it’s sufficient. If one cannot meet this condition, it means stepping down from the Committee position automatically…”
Ten thousand Contribution Points per month wasn’t considered high, at least Wang Tao didn’t think it was too demanding, as he could achieve it without much effort.
However, these Contribution Points were calculated on a monthly basis, and since the apocalypse had arrived just about a month ago…how many times had they actually implemented this?
As if knowing what Wang Tao was thinking, Wei Zhenguo said:
“The Committee system, Contribution Points, all these were only recently discussed and are currently in a trial operation. There may be some issues and shortcomings. But I believe while this may not be the perfect system, it is most definitely suitable for Shuize Base!”
Seeing Wei Zhenguo’s somewhat impassioned state, Wang Tao did not comment.
The system seemed reasonable, but this was the post-apocalypse. There were too many uncertainties, including zombies, unknown monsters, and even people.
Thus, Wang Tao couldn’t say whether it was good or bad; he could only take one step at a time.
“What do you think? If you can accept this, once they all return, we’ll officially promote you to a Committee Member and clarify any details,” Wei Zhenguo said with a hint of eagerness in his voice, seeing Wang Tao’s lack of reaction. “No problem.”
Wang Tao agreed straightaway.
Revealing his status as an Ability User was precisely to secure this position on the Committee.
Hide his strength? Of course, he had to, as keeping a card up one’s sleeve was always wise. But there comes a time when one must show their muscles.
Just like now, Wang Tao was preparing to live in Shuize Base, where Ability Users were highly valued, even offered positions as Committee Members outright.
If he didn’t seize this opportunity while there were few Ability Users and secure his position, the conditions could become more stringent once more Ability Users emerged.
Wang Tao was not particularly passionate about power—at least not right now.
He just wanted to increase his strength, scavenge more supplies, and thereby increase his capital to survive in the post-apocalyptic world.
But if there was an opportunity to live better, there was no need for him to be overly modest or secretive.
For instance, by securing a position on the Committee… he definitely couldn’t stay in the base perpetually; he needed to go out and kill zombies, he needed Crystal Cores, he needed to become stronger. While doing so, casually gathering some supplies in exchange for Contribution Points wouldn’t be an issue.
Wang Tao had another brief conversation with Wei Zhenguo, but as the medication started to take effect, Wei Zhenguo grew increasingly sleepy. Wang Tao then took the initiative to end their conversation.
“I can’t, I’m too tired, I need to sleep for a bit…”