The knocking on the barricaded stairwell door grew louder.
"Is anyone alive up there?! Please! The zombies are coming up and the storm is getting worse!"
Shenzi stood quietly beside the gap he had left in the barricade. He peered through.
On the other side was a tall woman. Beautiful. Sharp, attractive features. Long black hair messy from the wind and snow. Athletic build. She wore only a thin jacket and pants — clearly not enough for the biting -25°C weather. Her lips were slightly blue. Her body shivered violently.
She carried a worn backpack on her shoulders.
Incredibly beautiful… perfect score.
In this frozen world, a woman like this could be useful… or dangerous.
Shenzi didn't open the door immediately.
"Who are you? What do you want?" he asked loudly through the gap.
The woman's voice came back anxious and pleading.
"My name is Zhao Qing! I was scouting for a safe high building when the blizzard got worse. Zombies started moving up the lower floors. I have supplies and information to trade! Please let me in!"
Shenzi narrowed his eyes.
Logistics manager. She mentioned supply chains and building layouts earlier in her panic. That kind of knowledge could be very valuable for future base building.
After a moment of consideration, he decided.
He moved some desks aside just enough for her to squeeze through, then quickly closed the gap behind her.
Zhao Qing stepped onto the 12th floor, relief washing over her face.
"Thank you… I thought I was going to freeze out there."
Before she could say anything more, Shenzi moved.
He grabbed a heavy metal rod from his traded items and delivered a strong chop to the back of her neck.
Zhao Qing's eyes widened for a split second, then she collapsed unconscious.
Shenzi dragged her limp body into a side office room. He tied her wrists and ankles tightly with strong rope from his trades. Secure. No chance of easy escape.
In this Eternal Frost, trusting strangers is suicide. Even a beautiful woman could stab me in the back for my heaters. Better safe than dead.
He quickly checked her backpack. Some maps of the city, a few energy bars, a multi-tool, and handwritten notes on possible safe zones. Resourceful. Good.
Shenzi sat down comfortably on an office chair next to a portable heater. Thick blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Warm. Relaxed.
Zhao Qing slowly regained consciousness. She felt sharp pain in the back of her neck. When she tried to move, she realized she was tightly bound.
Her eyes widened in panic, then quickly filled with anger.
"What the hell is this?! Untie me right now, you bastard!"
Shenzi smiled calmly and took a sip of warm water.
"Can't be too careful in this world. Tell me who you really are and why I should trust you."
Zhao Qing struggled against the ropes, glaring at him.
"I already told you! I'm Zhao Qing, former logistics manager. I know supply chains, building layouts, and how to organize resources efficiently. Now untie me!"
Shenzi was interested.
A woman with her skills would be perfect for expanding his base later.
He didn't reply immediately. Instead, he took out a can of beef stew. He placed it on the surface of a portable heater. Soon the rich, warm aroma filled the room.
Zhao Qing's stomach growled loudly. Her eyes followed the spoon involuntarily as Shenzi began eating slowly.
She tried to look away, but the smell was too strong after days of cold and little food.
Shenzi ate another spoonful, making sure to exaggerate his satisfied expression.
"Smells good, doesn't it? Warm food is rare these days."
Zhao Qing's face flushed with anger.
"You… you're enjoying this?"
Shenzi shrugged, still eating.
He explained the deal casually while chewing.
"Sign a master-servant contract through the system interface. It ensures loyalty. No betrayal. In return, you get warmth, food, and protection from me."
Zhao Qing's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Dream on! I'm not becoming anyone's slave just because it's cold!"
Shenzi wasn't in a hurry. He knew hunger and cold would break her faster than force.
He gave her a small sip of warm water from a bottle. But he had added a bit of salt — enough to increase her thirst and hunger later.
Zhao Qing drank it eagerly at first, then realized something was off.
Shenzi stretched lazily under his blanket, enjoying the heat from the portable heaters.
"Body heat sharing could be arranged too… if you behave."
Zhao Qing blushed from a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"You scumbag!"
Shenzi chuckled softly.
He suppressed a small flicker of modern guilt that appeared in his mind.
Is this too much?
No. Soft heart means frozen corpse. She'll thank me later when she's alive and fed.
Shenzi decided to keep her tied for now. He would break her will gradually.
Night fell. The blizzard outside howled louder.
Shenzi prepared to rest. He made a comfortable bed from blankets and office chairs near the cluster of heaters. Perfect warmth.
Zhao Qing was left on the cold floor of the side office. Still tightly bound. He threw only one thin blanket over her.
Before lying down, Shenzi gave her one last taunt.
"Think about my offer tonight, Zhao Qing. In this frost, stubbornness only leads to becoming a zombie's meal."
Zhao Qing glared at him but said nothing. Her body shivered slightly despite the thin blanket.
Shenzi closed his eyes and soon started snoring comfortably.
Zhao Qing lay awake for a long time. Her stomach kept growling. Anger and desperation raced through her mind.
The next morning.
Shenzi woke up refreshed. The heaters had kept the room perfectly warm all night.
He looked over at Zhao Qing.
Her face was pale. Dark circles under her eyes. Chapped lips. She looked exhausted.
Shenzi smirked.
"You look like a frozen beauty. Ready to talk?"
Zhao Qing didn't respond at first. She just stared at him with tired eyes.
Shenzi stood up and casually opened his email.
"Ding!"
A new system notification appeared.
He smiled as he checked today's unlimited reward.