"Good grief, this thing optimized by the system is way too overpowered. If we could reverse-engineer the technology behind optimizing batteries and motors, it would practically be a giant leap forward for human science."
Picking up the crossbow and placing it on the table, Su Mo looked at the upgraded Electric Crossbow with eyes full of curiosity.
The problem of batteries had still not been properly solved before everyone crossed over into the wasteland.
Although all the major manufacturers had been frantically adding more battery cells and trying every possible way to increase charging speeds,
when it came to battery capacity, they still followed the rule that a larger size and greater weight meant greater capacity. No one was willing to invest heavily in researching how to achieve greater capacity in a smaller volume.
Of course, even if technology were restored to its peak, developing an effect as astonishing as the system's current modification would probably take at least several decades.
Overall, the crossbow still used a low-key color scheme of wood and black.
Its weight had increased from four kilograms to roughly nine.
It was heavy in his hands, giving him an immense sense of security.
"Luckily, the system included a charging cable. Otherwise, I would've had to figure out a way to get a USB charging plug through the trading channel."
Picking up the cable on the ground and examining it, Su Mo could only laugh helplessly.
The included 120W Fast Charging Head was more than enough for a 20,000 mAh battery.
Those 220 Survival Points had been an absolute bargain so far!
After carefully examining the crossbow's structure, Su Mo had a basic understanding of how to use the Electric Crossbow.
Before using it, he first had to press the switch on the electric mechanism. Once power had been supplied normally for three seconds, the self-check function would activate automatically.
At that point, the Electric Stringer would start working, automatically pushing the first crossbow bolt in the magazine into position.
At the same time, the trigger's safety catch would drop automatically, and he could begin firing normally.
The working principle of the Electric Stringer was simple. It imitated the way a person strung a crossbow, using the motor to provide the force and lift the bolts from the magazine into position.
"As expected, it's out of power. So the reason it gave me a charger was to make me charge it!"
After pressing the switch twice, Su Mo complained with his mouth, but the joy on his face could not be concealed.
The base currently had an engine and diesel. What it lacked least was electricity.
Once the China Shelter Blueprint was in place, he could try installing electrical wires and connect the few broken light bulbs he had brought back today to see how well they worked.
Huff, huff!
After bleeding the air and connecting the starter motor, the generator began vibrating with a deep roar as the power level appeared on the dashboard.
"Awooo!"
Oreo, who had still been lying on the ground mourning the loss of his fluffy tail after it had been burned away, was startled.
He lay on the ground and glared furiously at the generator. "Easy, this is a good thing. If anyone ever enters the base, you absolutely have to protect it!"
After soothing Oreo for a few words, Su Mo turned and went to the Storage Room. He took out the power strip he had obtained earlier along with the television.
When the power strip was connected to the generator and its indicator light turned red,
Su Mo's eyes even filled with tears from excitement.
"This is a tremendous leap for civilization! I never thought that one day I, Su Mo, would be able to stand ahead of billions of people. Thank you, ancestors of the Su family, for watching over me."
The advent of electricity represented more than just progress in food, clothing, housing, transportation, and entertainment.
It was also a symbol of strength, synonymous with "safety."
He quickly brought over and set down the two power sources, first connecting the larger 400 Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with its dedicated charging cable.
After a while, once he had confirmed that the output was working properly, Su Mo connected the Electric Crossbow to the power supply.
In the dimly lit shelter, two red charging lights flashed on and off, accompanied by the generator's humming roar.
During all the days since he had arrived in the apocalypse, he had never once experienced such peace.
Listening to the familiar noisy sounds, Su Mo closed his eyes and lay on the bed, quietly savoring the moment before gradually drifting into sleep.
In his dream, images seemed to appear before his pitch-black eyes.
A sweltering midsummer.
A power outage at dusk.
The old men sat at the chess stall by the entrance, "fighting" fiercely. The children, free from the need to worry about homework for once, ran through the alleys with their toys, laughing and playing. The adults also stopped their busy work and sat outside to enjoy the cool air, occasionally glancing at their children and shouting, "Kid, slow down! Don't go and fall!"
The owners of fast-food shops by the roadside took the opportunity to wheel out their generators and cook plate after plate of fragrant stir-fried dishes, attracting passersby.
A plate of cold dishes with spinach noodles—one bite of noodles, one bite of garlic, one mouthful of soft, fragrant, crispy, refreshing steamed pork with both lean and fatty meat, carrying the fragrance of watermelon and the stench of the sewer—"Woof, woof, woof!"
And Oreo's barking!!!
"You mutt, I was just starting to fantasize. I hadn't even begun getting sentimental before you interrupted me. You've really got some nerve. (Meme.jpg)"
Su Mo opened his eyes with a hint of helplessness. Seeing Oreo as if he were facing a powerful enemy, he immediately wiped the grin from his face.
"Someone's here?"
"Woof!"
"Damn, they got here fast. They really do have the noses of hounds!"
Seeing Oreo already trembling all over, with a trace of bloodlust in his black-and-white eyes, Su Mo bounded over to the generator.
Under normal circumstances, shutting down a generator required going through a proper stopping procedure. First, the air switch had to be turned off to cut the power supply. Then the Diesel Engine had to be shifted from high speed to low speed and left idling for three to five minutes. Finally, the ignition switch had to be turned off. This was better for maintaining the machine.
But now, Su Mo clearly had no time to prepare! The enemy was already attacking! The generator did not indicate its operating time, so Su Mo could only compare the amount of fuel in the Diesel Generator before and after, then calculate the time by dividing it by the power consumption.
One hour and forty-four minutes.
That was the rough figure he had calculated. Two hours of charging might not be enough to fully charge the Electric Crossbow's 20 Ah (20,000 mAh) battery, but it would definitely be more than enough for an encounter.
He cut off the air switch in one motion and twisted the ignition switch all the way. With a rumble, the Diesel Generator stopped working.
The shelter went from noisy commotion to tranquil silence once again. Even their breathing could be heard clearly.
He hurried to the stone door, pressed his ear tightly against it, and strained to listen to the movements outside.
Sure enough.
A series of cries unlike those of ordinary canines came from outside, accompanied by deep, emotional barks.
"Damn it, these dog-headed men really aren't stupid. They even found this place. Looks like I'll never have peace unless I leave them here today!"
The enemy had reached his doorstep. Unlike the bandits before, he no longer had the livestream's help to scout the terrain.
But Su Mo's gaze fell on a black rectangular box placed at the back of the Storage Room.
It was the big-ass television he had brought back from the ruins!
Before you continue