The public group chat exploded with reactions from the new players.
[Who the hell is behind this? Let us go back!]
[Stop shouting and face reality. We need to survive in this game and solve problems with a gamer's mindset.]
[There are exactly 100 people in the group chat, but 12 avatars have gone dark. That probably means... death!]
[So many people died in just one in-game day. This is terrifying.]
[Don't scare me! I'm a scared little baby!]
[This survival game is intense! If we could livestream it, we'd blow up! A few days of donations could equal a lifetime of a regular salary!]
[You're still thinking about money with death right at your door. Pathetic.]
[Everyone, time moves faster in the game than in reality. That night just now? Felt like only half an hour.]
[Which means time is precious! I suggest we head out together to find an exit or even try breaking the walls!]
[Worth a shot.]
The chat was flooding fast, full of all kinds of voices.
So far in the game, there were several types of players.
Some actively participated, quickly adapting to the gameplay. Leonard and Max were this type.
Some focused only on escape, refusing to play by the game's rules.
Others chose to lay low, staying holed up in their rooms, trying to survive as long as possible.
Meanwhile, the admin group was also chatting, their messages all visible to Leonard, a clear VIP perk.
[These guys still think they can escape? Dream on.]
[New players being naïve is normal. It's rare to see someone like Zore, who jumped into action right away.]
[Looking forward to what he'll do today.]
[Today, new areas will be unlocked: the library on the 5th floor, infirmary on the 3rd, morgue on B1, and a hidden room behind the wardrobe on the 13th. All solid spots.]
[The key thing is that zombies fall asleep during the day and can be killed easily. That's the advantage.]
[If someone's still hiding in their dorm today instead of heading out, they'll have little chance of surviving until the end.]
Although these admins were chatting casually, Leonard picked out the key information, library, infirmary, morgue, hidden room!
"Looks like the game changes daily. I have to hit all those places today."
Leonard stepped out, heading straight for Room 838 across the hall.
Using private chat, he messaged Rebecca to open the door.
She let him in. After cooperating for a while, they had built some trust.
"Look at this blueprint. I'll give you the matching materials, upgrade your door to Level 2. Return the blueprint after reading."
"Same deal today. You're my surveillance. Watch my room. Let me know if anything happens."
"If you want to explore, stay on this floor. Don't go up or down. Got it?"
Leonard laid out the rules.
It was a partnership, mutual effort required.
Why should she guard his room for free?
Rebecca didn't know much about "blueprints" or "upgrading doors," but she wasn't dumb.
Once she actually saw the blueprint, she caught on fast.
Once viewed, a blueprint gets saved permanently in the system and can be reused forever.
Even without the blueprint, knowing the recipe is enough to craft.
Some players had already shared blueprint info in the public chat.
"So that's how you upgrade doors. That's kinda cool," Rebecca said, brushing back her hair, eyes shining.
"I'm heading out. Start the upgrade after I leave. It'll make your dorm a little safer," Leonard said.
"In such a rush again?"
"No choice. In a survival game, time is life."
"Hey, handsome... could you give me a bit more stuff? I still don't feel safe..."
She softened her voice, almost flirting, placing a hand on Leonard's shoulder and tracing it with her nail.
He casually shrugged her hand off.
"This is a fair trade. I've already given you enough. If you do well today, I'll give you a bonus when I get back."
With that, he left. Offering her nothing more.
Rebecca frowned, watching him leave.
"Hmph, didn't fall for it. Is my neckline not low enough?" she muttered to herself.
—
Leonard headed downstairs to the 7th floor.
There, he saw two guys holding chairs, hesitating in front of a room.
Something was clearly inside.
"What's in there?" Leonard asked.
Startled, the two men saw Leonard's getup and panicked then bolted.
He held a chainsaw in one hand, a shield in the other, and had spiked wrist guards.
He definitely looked dangerous. No wonder they ran.
Leonard walked up to the door himself.
Inside the room, in the corner, something was curled up motionless, head down.
Looking closer.
Sharp fangs. Clawed hands. Pale, lifeless skin.
A zombie.
During the day, zombies seek out dark corners and fall asleep.
The admin chat had mentioned this.
Daytime zombies are sitting ducks.
Those two earlier had clearly wanted to kill it but didn't have the guts.
Leonard got lucky. He stepped inside, raised his chainsaw, and went to town on its head.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Three hits split open its skull, blood and fluid oozed out.
It was now truly dead.
[Target eliminated. Gained 5 EXP. 75 EXP needed to level up.]
"A normal zombie kill gives 10 EXP. Sleeping ones only give 5. Half-price, huh?"
"Tightwads."
Leonard muttered to himself.
Still, it was easy EXP. No danger.
He searched the zombie and the room.
Scored a small bag of cookies.
Ate them on the spot.
+8 Fullness, +6 Stamina.
Killing zombies burns stamina, get too tired, and you'll need rest.
Leonard kept moving down.
Now on the 5th floor.
More people were active here.
After surviving the first day, more players had the courage to explore.
"Look! That door just opened! There's a library ahead!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd rushed over.
The library had been found.
Which was perfect. Let others find it first so Leonard could slip in unnoticed.
Better than drawing attention to his admin intel.
Leonard walked over and stood at the library entrance.
It had been sealed before. Now it was open.
People packed the room, noisy and excited.
Someone turned and saw Leonard.
"Holy crap. W-what's with this guy?! Where did he get all that gear?!"
The library erupted.
Everyone stared at Leonard, clearly rattled.
Most of them were still dirt poor, no gear, nothing.
And here was Leonard, fully armed and ready.
Zore was slightly embarrassed, put the chainsaw into the dimensional backpack, and made a statement: "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you guys!"