A Great Merit for the Thin Dog!

Zero: "Master, you need to charge the base to at least 0.1% first, then deploy low-level nano engineers to use the materials reserved in our base to build a Clone Production Pod. After that, inject biological raw materials and electronic components to create a new clone."

"Huh? The base has reserved materials?"

Zero: "Yes, Master. The Calamity Base watch stores nanomaterials for building the Clone Production Pod, Loot Generator, and Attribute Conversion Tower. Each facility requires 0.1% of the base's energy to construct."

"So that's it... A little watch like that actually hides so many raw materials inside. A bit ridiculous, but it makes sense for a Nano Base. Now the question is, how do I recharge the base?"

Zero: "Currently, the base can directly absorb these energy types: bio-energy, electrical energy, nuclear energy, and crystal energy. You can find materials carrying these energies to absorb."

"Bio-energy?"

Zero: "That means drawing energy directly from your body. During the base's deployment, it absorbed some to keep the charge stable. As long as you keep eating, the base can slowly recharge."

Cheng Shaofeng patted his stomach: "No wonder I've been feeling so hungry. Turn this off, or it'll suck me dry sooner or later."

"By the way, I get electrical and nuclear energy, but crystal energy... what produces that?"

Zero: "Crystal energy is a special energy that appeared on this planet after the war. Since its carriers mostly have a crystalline structure, it's called crystal energy. It usually has high energy density, reacts gently, and is convenient for humans and other creatures to use and strengthen themselves."

Cheng Shaofeng nodded and made a mental note.

"Right, can't solar or thermal energy charge the base?"

Zero: "Theoretically, our Calamity Base can use various natural energy forms, but we currently lack the relevant energy-harvesting equipment, so we can't utilize the energy you mentioned for now."

"Alright. Then I need to figure out how to charge the base. Where do I start?"

Eating is way too slow—who knows how long that'd take. I need to find another way first.

He began sifting through the original owner's memories.

He remembered Salt Well Town had an old diesel generator, but it was rarely used. Even the Town Chief was reluctant to run it. Only when attacked at night would they start the generator to light up the town.

Stealing electricity from the town would be too risky. If the Town Chief's men caught him, they might shoot him on the spot.

Besides Salt Well Town, heading north for three or four days would lead to a big city: Cross City.

He'd heard from merchants who often traveled out of town that every household there had electricity, and a powerful Human Legion protected the city. It was a very safe place.

"But... I heard Cross City's screening is extremely strict. I don't have an identity or any valuable supplies, so it's hard to get in."

The only places he knew that could charge were these two, and neither seemed easy to pull off.

"Electrical energy isn't convenient to get, and I've never even seen the other two types... So I'm stuck with eating?"

Just as Cheng Shaofeng was about to scratch his head, Zero said: "Master, you have nuclear energy available right now."

"Where?"

Zero: "That Radiated Material. If you have no other use for it, it can be used as an energy source to replenish the base. Nuclear radiation has strong destructive power, so the energy it provides to the base is considerable."

"Tch! Why didn't you say so earlier! Absorb it now! I was worried keeping this time bomb around would send me off one day—just drain it!"

"By the way, since the base can absorb this kind of Radiated Material as energy... why didn't you just absorb it earlier instead of wasting energy to put up a shield for me?"

Zero: "In reply, Master, this Radiated Material is not only an excellent energy source but also high-quality material for crafting equipment. Without your permission, the base cannot directly absorb materials."

"Oh, I see. Then let's set a rule for now: if we run into an energy source that might cause Radiation Damage to me, and the base isn't fully charged, just absorb it directly. If I need it for something, I'll tell you in advance."

Zero: "The base's judgment has been preset according to your request."

"Now, absorb this Radiated Material!"

Zero: "Please place your hand on the outside of the Radiated Material."

Cheng Shaofeng held the Black Box in his hand and felt small, pitted holes quickly appearing on its surface.

Something invisible... went inside.

"These... these must be nano robots."

Next, the azure base interface appeared before Cheng Shaofeng's eyes.

The charge began to rise slowly.

0.06%

0.07%

Crack~

The Black Box in Cheng Shaofeng's hand shattered, spilling a wisp of white stone powder.

Charging complete.

Charge: 1.05%

One piece of Radiated Material had given the base exactly 1% charge.

In Cheng Shaofeng's view, the base's construction functions lit up again.

He could now build those three facilities.

Zero: "Please select a construction location, Master."

Cheng Shaofeng recalled what he'd heard from the hunters of Salt Well Town.

Their location was a small mountainous area within the plains, with hills and water, called Four Mountains.

As the name suggested, there were four mountains.

A few hundred years ago, they were probably mines, and now you could still see the large pits left from past excavation.

The four mountains were unsuitable for human habitation—one wrong step and you might fall into a mine shaft.

At the foot of the mountains, Well Salt Town had a good location, backed by a mountain and producing its own mineral salt, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.

There were a few minor forces in this area, but they hadn't crossed paths yet.

As for where Cheng Shaofeng was now, it was on a small hill nestled among the four mountains, lower than the peaks, at an altitude of about 300 meters. The view was fairly open, but the downside was that the space was small, with no pre-war buildings left. Setting up a camp here would require a lot of manual labor, and it wouldn't be sturdy either.

Most settlements around Four Mountains were built relying on the remnants of existing structures.

"Setting up a camp isn't a big deal. Players, right? A species covered in livers—give them just a little reward, and they'll build the sturdiest shelter."

"By the way! Zero, if I choose to build here, can I dismantle these facilities later if I want to move?"

Zero: "Yes. A Nano Engineer can achieve 100% recovery, consuming only a certain amount of electricity."

"Then that's settled! We've got plenty of power now. Let's build the three structures!"

Zero: "Received, Master!"

Cheng Shaofeng watched as three streams of silver particles flew from his wrist and swirled around the spots he'd designated.

Soon, the outlines of three buildings emerged, marking the official settlement of the Calamity Nano Base in Four Mountains.

"This time, I've got to give the African Thin Dog major credit! If he hadn't turned back to take the Radiated Material, I'd be worrying about energy right now."

"I knew I wasn't wrong about you, Thin Dog!"

As Cheng Shaofeng started this new chapter, night slowly fell.

Some Raider Camp.

The raider main force returned from their expedition.

Soon, a roar erupted from the camp:

"Humans! Damn it! Roar!"

The big birds in the trees scattered in fright from the noise.

And deep within the Raider Camp, a faint sigh drifted through the air.