Lucas Kane had no idea that his casual actions had just sent the entire survivor chat channel into an uproar.
After connecting the diesel generator, he strolled back to his bedroom in slippers, humming softly to himself. He was completely unaware that both he and his apartment had become the focal point of everyone's attention.
He walked over to his wardrobe and opened the door. Inside hung a neat row of identical sportswear he had made for himself, along with several sets of silk pajamas. Lucas changed into a fresh set of pajamas and then wandered back to the window.
"Holy crap, I can see the big shot himself! Too far to make out his face though!"
"Wait—wasn't he wearing sportswear just now? How did he change into silk pajamas already?"
"Does this guy have pajamas just for sleeping? That's insane."
"I've been wearing the same set of clothes for three days, and the smell's making me gag…"
"I've worn silk pajamas before… they're so light it feels like you're wearing nothing. So damn comfortable…"
"Forget pajamas—shouldn't we be thinking about what we're eating tomorrow?"
While they argued, Lucas vanished from the window. The smell of diesel from setting up the generator clung to him, so he headed to the bathroom for a shower.
The Building 8 apartment complex was the most luxurious in the area, equipped with its own water pump. The city's water utility also had a backup power system to keep water flowing to neighborhoods, but reaching higher floors still required the building's own pump. Lucas just happened to have both systems working—and more importantly, his water was clean.
Towel-drying his damp hair, he returned to the window.
"I swear… this guy just took a shower!"
"Hold up—there's still water in that building? And clean water at that?"
"You kidding me? I washed my face once with tap water—it's rust-red and I broke out in boils!"
"If he really used purified water for a shower… I can't take this anymore."
"He's gonna get raided for sure—if only we knew where he was."
"Raided? With all those zombies outside, you wouldn't even make it to his building alive."
"Honestly… this guy has to be at peak human limit. Maybe even beyond."
Lucas chuckled faintly as he realized he hadn't drawn the curtains. With a single press of a switch, the blackout drapes slid shut, cutting off the impromptu "live stream" for the jealous crowd.
Turning back to his storage ring, he began sorting through his supplies. Items he didn't need immediately—small tools, miscellaneous odds and ends—went into the room's storage. Large, important resources like wood, fuel, and beast cores stayed in the ring.
As he sorted, two items caught his attention.
The first was the [Bloodstained Diary], something Jessica Moore had traded to him during their very first exchange. The diary might offer valuable insight into this world and the monsters that roamed it. Lucas set it on the desk—there was still time before bed to read a few pages.
The second was an [Initial Physique Elixir]. He'd gotten it from a Level 1 supply crate when he first arrived in this world. Back then, it had boosted his frail civilian body into fighting shape. Now, weeks into the apocalypse, most survivors who could venture out had already reached the Exceptionally Strong tier. Those who couldn't fight had no resources to buy this potion. Once a top-tier commodity, it had since plummeted in value.
Selling it now was pointless. He might as well give it to someone who could use it.
Opening the chat, Lucas messaged Jessica:
Lucas: You there?
Jessica: Here! Just got home?
Her reply came instantly, almost as if she'd been waiting beside the chat window for his message.
Jessica: I was so worried! The whole city's pitch-black now. If you'd been caught outside during this, it could've been dangerous. Thank God you're home safe.
Lucas: Yeah… been back for a while. Sorry for not messaging sooner.
Jessica: No need to apologize. Just stay safe. The world's getting more dangerous by the day. I'm fine as long as I stay inside. But you… you go out so often… be careful, alright? Otherwise, I'll start worrying— She paused, then quickly deleted the last part. A moment later, another message popped up.
Jessica: I mean, otherwise… if something happened to you, who else would supply me with bows and arrows?
Lucas smirked. She was a little clumsy with her words, but there was a kind of innocent charm to it.
Lucas: Here, these are for you.
He initiated a trade, placing the following items in the exchange window:
[Initial Physique Elixir] ×1, [Canned Beef] ×1, [Purified Water] ×1, [Sanitary Pads] ×10, [Women's Sportswear Set] ×1—and locked the trade.