Unlike the energetic MDR, HK416 ate her noodles with elegance. Lux couldn't help but sigh at the difference between an airhead beauty and an elegant beauty.
Still, HK416 occasionally glancing at him made Lux feel a little uneasy.
After thinking it over, he figured he was probably just overthinking things. With that, Lux focused on finishing his noodles.
"If you're still hungry, Commander, I'm already full."
As Lux set his bowl down, HK416 also put down her chopsticks and pushed over the half-bowl she had left.
"... My cooking really is terrible, huh…"
Lux put on a dejected expression. He understood just how kind HK416 was being to him.
If he ordered her to eat it, she probably would, but that didn't feel right. So he played a small trick.
"Huh? N-no, that's not it. The food was very delicious."
"You left leftovers…"
Lux looked at HK416 with sorrowful eyes.
"T-this isn't leftovers, it's just that I believe, as a male human, Commander requires more calories than we female Tactical Dolls…"
HK416 flustered as she hurriedly explained under Lux's gaze.
"There's an old saying among humans: finishing the food is the best compliment to the cook."
"Ah! Fine, fine, I'll eat it, okay?!"
Watching HK416 get slightly angry, Lux couldn't help thinking she was really cute.
That said, this was the apocalypse. He had no inappropriate thoughts.
At this stage, MDR and HK416 were completely obedient to his orders, essentially entrusting their lives to him.
No matter what, he had to lead them to a safe place. He had to live up to their trust.
From another perspective, having two elite Tactical Dolls in the apocalypse already gave him an overwhelming advantage over ordinary civilians.
Earlier, he had planned to die so the two of them could live more easily.
But now that they had clearly stated they would live and die together, there was no reason for him to waste such a strong hand.
Before setting out, though, he needed to figure out exactly what kind of cheat that obnoxious system in his head was.
'System, introduce your functions to me.'
Lux asked again.
This time, he was smart enough to get straight to the point.
[First: as a summoning system, each summoned Tactical Doll receives daily resupply equal to three spare magazines and two tactical rations per Doll to sustain basic life functions]
[In addition, one rapid repair contract is supplied daily, capable of instantly restoring all injuries of a Doll. When the number of Tactical Dolls exceeds ten, this supply increases by one]
[Rations, ammunition, and rapid repair contracts can all be stockpiled. The Commander is currently a First-Class Private and possesses five cubic meters of storage space]
Lux nodded calmly. The explanation was straightforward, and at least regarding injuries, the system was quite generous.
He didn't want HK416 or MDR to get hurt and need rapid repair contracts.
But this was the apocalypse. The future was uncertain, and emergency supplies like these were better stockpiled.
[In addition, the Commander may recycle various resources in exchange for resource points]
[Gold, silver, valuables, and household appliances can all be converted. Resource points may be used to summon additional Tactical Dolls, purchase supplies, or upgrade the system]
"Huh? And what does upgrading you even do?"
Lux asked, dissatisfied with the system.
[Minor system upgrades unlock new exchangeable items. For example, spending ten thousand resource points will upgrade Tactical Doll rations from expired dog food to fresh cat food]
"Why expired dog food?!"
Lux couldn't help shouting angrily. MDR and HK416 knew he was talking to the system and quietly watched from the side.
[Because resources are extremely scarce. This is the best the system can currently provide. Commander, are you an idiot? Don't you understand that poverty is the original sin?]
[With sufficient resource points, their food supply can be upgraded from expired dog food to cat food]
[And don't look down on cat food. Cat food contains meat. Expired dog food consists only of synthetic oils and plant matter]
The system's tirade left Lux speechless. Fine, he admitted it—he was poor.
Still, he swore to become a scavenger from now on, if only to improve HK416's and MDR's meals.
[Ahem. Since you've accepted the explanation, I'll continue explaining system upgrades]
[When the system reaches a certain level, high-firepower support units such as ship girls will be unlocked. This requires sixty-four million eight hundred thousand resource points]
[Whether you choose to enjoy life in the apocalypse early or save up for overwhelming firepower is entirely up to you, Host]
[Additionally, food, weapons, vehicles, and even basic resources like oil can all be exchanged using resource points]
"Now that's more like it."
Lux nodded in satisfaction. As long as he worked hard enough, bread would come, milk would come too… as long as he stayed alive.
[Of course. As the finest system, I also provide gene enhancement serum for the Host, used to strengthen your pathetic body. First-tier enhancement costs fifty thousand resource points]
"How many resource points do I have now?"
[After absorbing the electrical shock, Howt currently has three hundred resource points]
"Are you kidding me? I got electrocuted and only got three hundred points?"
Compared to the pain he suffered, Lux felt this was a terrible deal.
[The system does not make mistakes. Forty-seven minutes and thirty-six seconds ago, the electrical shock provided four thousand seven hundred resource points. One thousand five hundred were used to activate the system, two thousand nine hundred were used for the beginner package to summon two Tactical Dolls. Three hundred remain. No issues]