Shenzi woke up fully refreshed.
The portable heaters kept the 12th-floor office warm and comfortable. He stretched lazily, enjoying the contrast with the raging blizzard outside the frosted windows.
He walked over to the side office.
Zhao Qing lay on the cold floor, looking even worse. Pale skin. Heavy dark circles under her eyes. Chapped lips. Her body trembled slightly from prolonged hunger and cold. She had barely slept.
Shenzi smirked.
"Good morning, frozen beauty. You look like you had a wonderful night on the floor. Still feeling stubborn today?"
Zhao Qing glared at him with tired eyes. Her voice came out weak and hoarse.
"…Go to hell."
Shenzi chuckled softly.
She's close to breaking. A few more days of this and she'll beg for the contract.
He sat down near a heater and opened his email with a casual swipe.
"Ding!"
[Congratulations on obtaining unlimited reinforced steel cables!]
The icon appeared in his backpack with the glowing ∞ symbol.
Shenzi pulled out several thick, durable cables. They felt strong and reliable.
Perfect. These are exactly what I need for turning this high-rise into a real fortress.
He immediately used some cables to strengthen the stairwell barricade. The metal loops made the defense much more secure against zombies or desperate survivors.
While working, he rehydrated more freeze-dried rations. Soon a hot breakfast of rice and meat filled the room with rich aroma.
Shenzi ate loudly, making satisfied sounds on purpose.
"Mmm… so warm."
He brought a steaming bowl into the side office and squatted in front of Zhao Qing.
He offered her one small spoonful.
Zhao Qing tried to resist, but her body betrayed her. She ate it. Her stomach growled loudly right after.
Then Shenzi deliberately ate the rest himself in front of her.
"So warm… the meat is juicy… this heat is spreading through my whole body."
He "accidentally" poured a small portion onto the floor near her, then cleaned it up casually.
Zhao Qing's eyes followed every movement. Her body shook harder now from hunger than cold.
Shenzi leaned closer with a teasing smile.
"You know, if you sign the contract, you could be lying under these blankets with me instead of on the cold floor. Body heat is the best heater in the Eternal Frost."
Zhao Qing's face flushed with anger and embarrassment.
"You heartless scumbag! Unprincipled bastard!"
Shenzi shrugged and gave her another tiny sip of warm, slightly salted water.
A brief flicker of guilt passed through his mind.
Am I going too far?
He pushed it away immediately.
In this world, only the useful survive. She'll thank me when she's warm, fed, and part of my base.
With the new steel cables ready, Shenzi decided it was time to take the offensive.
He equipped the crowbar and knife from previous trades. He tied a steel cable as a safety line and carefully descended to the 11th floor.
The 11th floor was darker and much colder. Frost covered everything.
Three low-level frozen zombies shuffled toward him. Their movements were sluggish because of the ice, but their skin looked hard and frost-covered.
Shenzi gripped the crowbar tightly.
He swung hard at the first zombie's head. The impact cracked through the frozen skull.
The creature collapsed.
The second one lunged clumsily. Shenzi dodged and smashed its head with another heavy blow.
The third required two strikes before it went down.
After the fight, the system chimed in his mind.
[Gained 1 experience]
[Gained 1 experience]
[Gained 1 experience]
Shenzi checked his personal panel for the first time.
Level: 1 (15/100)
Strength: 10
Agility: 8 (slightly reduced by cold)
Stamina: Weakened
A small surge of energy flowed through his body. The cold felt a tiny bit more bearable.
He looted a flashlight and some tape from the floor, then climbed back up safely using the steel cables.
Back on the 12th floor, Shenzi traded some rations and one steel cable on the platform. He gained better tools and a basic map of the building.
He opened the chat channel briefly.
Number 38383: "The storm is getting heavier! My heater died and I'm freezing solid!"
Number 9527: "Anyone trading food? I'll give anything!"
Number 589345: "Frostbite Zombies are appearing. Their skin is like iron now!"
Number 112233: "Who is flooding the market with steel cables? Is Number 10086 still active?"
Shenzi felt superior. He muttered while chewing the last of his meal.
"While they're dying, I'm already leveling up."
He returned to Zhao Qing and squatted beside her, holding a fresh hot meal.
"Last chance for now, Zhao Qing. Agree to the contract and this is yours."
Zhao Qing's eyes showed clear hunger and conflict. She hesitated longer this time, lips trembling.
But she still refused weakly.
"…No."
Shenzi sighed theatrically and ate the entire meal himself with exaggerated enjoyment. He threw the empty container near her.
As he prepared to rest, a loud system announcement suddenly echoed in every survivor's mind.
"City-wide alert: Heavy Blizzard Storm arriving in 48 hours. Temperatures will drop below -40°C. Prepare or perish."
Shenzi smiled coldly while looking at Zhao Qing's trembling form.
Perfect timing. The storm will make her submit faster.
From the lower floors, stronger zombie groaning echoed upward.