Payday

After Glenn left, Leon fell into thought. He wasn't worried that recruiting Shane would cause any trouble.

Although Shane was a self-centered man who would sacrifice others for his own benefit, there were plenty of people like that in the world. There was nothing unusual about it.

He was only wondering whether he should go rescue Rick.

It was June 20, and there were about twenty days left before Rick was supposed to awaken in the story.

When he had first crossed over, he had been in such a hurry to reach the CDC that he hadn't had time to investigate Rick's condition at the hospital,

but now he had time. Perhaps he should go rescue this SR Card-level character after all. Rick was one of his favorite characters in the story, anyway.

Then Rick could work for him alongside his good brother Shane, allowing Carl to have a safe and stable childhood.

This time, he would have Rick, Shane, and Lori sit down and talk everything through openly.

It was merely an understandable romantic dispute. As long as they opened their hearts and had a proper talk, then found a few kindhearted, easygoing people to persuade and counsel them a few times, what conflict couldn't be resolved? There was no need for it to reach the point of brothers turning against each other.

Thinking of Rick, Leon realized something else—something extremely important. His recruitment plan had a major flaw.

Ever since he had absorbed the more than forty people from the Nursing Home Camp and the Quarry Camp, he had started to get carried away. He had kept his eyes fixed on those so-called large camps, wanting to reach the sky in a single step.

But now, most survivors had already fled the Zombie-infested cities and were wandering through the countryside and wilderness, struggling to survive.

There were very few survivors or factions capable of surviving alone in the cities. He should be focusing his targets on the towns and villages outside the cities, or other places with fewer Zombies.

The thought of finding more easy recruits immediately energized Leon. He took a map of the area surrounding Atlanta out of a drawer and began searching across the crude map.

It was embarrassing to think about. Ever since the world had entered the smartphone age, physical books had gradually disappeared, and almost all information could be found online. Then the apocalypse had broken out, mobile phones had lost their signals, and he couldn't even find a detailed map.

The elementary-school-level map in his hands, which marked only landmarks such as government buildings, police stations, and libraries, had taken him a great deal of effort to find in a private residence.

If he could get a detailed map like those navigation apps, with every store marked on it, he would be willing to trade ten tons of food for it.

As he made notes on the map and considered the issue in his mind, an action plan for recruiting people gradually took shape in Leon's heart.

The next day, June 21.

To the other survivors, it was an ordinary day. But to the employees of Umbrella Corporation, it was a very special day—the day they received their first paychecks.

In the temporary logistics office on the first floor, more than thirty Umbrella Corporation employees stood in a long line.

Daryl stood expressionlessly at the very end, silently watching the people ahead of him grow fewer and fewer. An indescribable feeling stirred in his heart.

After being expelled from high school for fighting, he had followed Merle around the streets, drifting aimlessly. He had never held a proper job, nor had he ever lined up like this to receive a paycheck.

In the past, he had been a good-for-nothing punk everyone looked down on. He got into fights every few days, worked in illegal gray industries, and often ended up with no money in his pockets for food, leaving him no choice but to hunt game in the forest to fill his stomach.

His past life had not been enjoyable. In fact, life after the apocalypse made him feel better.

He actually liked this kind of team life. Everyone stood together, with no discrimination, no conflicts, and no infighting. Everyone fought toward a single goal.

They helped and supported one another, relied on each other, and fought together, just like a family.

At the very front of the line, Amy wore a gray women's suit and round-framed glasses. Sitting behind a red desk, she occasionally exchanged a few words with the person at the head of the line before handing them two thin booklets.

The line soon dwindled until only Daryl remained. He saw his brother Merle take the two booklets and, surrounded by several of his subordinates, head cheerfully toward the basement.

He shouted, "Drinks are on me today! I'm buying you all a round!" He looked extremely happy.

"Mr. Daryl, this is your Employee Handbook and Goods Exchange Handbook. Please take them."

Daryl reached out to accept the handbooks, nodded at the girl named Amy, and said:

"Thank you."

A sweet smile appeared on Amy's face. Tilting her head, she said:

"You're welcome, Mr. Daryl. You and Mr. Glenn will be leaving for the Quarry Camp at noon."

"You can use this time to exchange for some supplies at the Warehouse to use on the road. It's a little hot outside right now, so exchanging for some chilled cola or chilled beer would be a good choice."

"The price isn't expensive, either. One bottle only costs five Contribution Points."

"Besides, you and Mr. Glenn are carrying out an external mission. According to the regulations, you receive a daily food allowance of twenty Contribution Points."

Daryl was a little confused. He had just woken up that morning and been told to come here and line up. He only knew that today was payday and had no idea about the other details.

He didn't voice his doubts. Instead, he said somewhat woodenly:

"Thank you for the suggestion. I'll consider it."

He knew that although the girl in front of him looked very young, she was Mr. Leon's assistant and wielded considerable authority in the company. She was responsible for almost all work arrangements and was extremely busy.

Daryl didn't want to waste her time. He returned to his tent, reached out, and opened the first handbook, titled "Employee Handbook."

His photograph was pasted on the first page. Beneath it were the words: Daryl Dixon, male, D-rank combat personnel, belonging to the Security Department, deputy leader of the First Combat Team.

The second page contained only a single line of small text.

Date: 6.13–6.19. Weekly pay: 2,300 Contribution Points.

Daryl turned the handbook over and looked through it several times, only to discover that it contained words on just those two pages.

Somewhat helplessly, he tucked the first handbook into his pocket, then took out the second and began reading it. The words "Goods Exchange Handbook" were written on it.

When he opened the first page, he found that it was actually a table of contents.

All the supplies were divided into eight major categories, with the page for each type of supply clearly marked.

Daryl studied it carefully. The contents were extremely detailed. Every item had a picture, a few brief sentences introducing its function and value, and the number of Contribution Points required to exchange for it.

Daryl thought about his weekly pay: 2,300 points. He realized that his weekly pay was probably quite high, enough to buy roughly what an ordinary person could purchase with a month's wages.

The handbook contained a dazzling variety of goods, and the prices weren't too high. Even a somewhat solitary man like him was interested in some of the items.

"Since I have time, why not go take a look?"