In front of the Town Hall, Ron and Wells looked at the new building.
It had only been five hours since they had slept, and Miss Lane had already built another building.
"Solace City Town Hall..." Ron carefully read the words on the plaque above the glass door entrance. "So Miss Lane's base is called Solace City. I was going to ask her before, but I was too shy. It sounds nice."
They curiously approached the building and peered through the glass.
Wells adjusted his glasses. "To think this new building was just built in a few hours while we were sleeping." Compared to the noodle shop and wooden cabins, this building was larger. As his eyes scanned the furniture, projection screen, monitors, and the pristine condition inside, his heart began to beat faster. A faint longing built up in his chest.
For some reason, he could imagine Miss Lane rebuilding the country little by little in the future.
At that moment, Isla Lane arrived. Noticing Ron and Wells by the door, she said, "Just in time. Follow me inside. We need to update your E-Wallet cards to resident IDs." She pushed open the glass doors and beckoned them over.
"Okay, Miss Lane!" Ron and Wells followed her inside like obedient kids. Once inside, their curious eyes wandered everywhere.
"We need to update your IDs while there's still no line. Otherwise, in the future, you'll need to wait for hours," Isla said as she sat behind one of the desks.
Moments later, Ron and Wells received their new IDs. The pictures were no longer ugly and haggard. At least they wouldn't feel embarrassed showing them to others.
Underneath their names was the line—Solace City's Resident.
It gave them a sense of belonging.
As the two looked at their IDs excitedly, Isla asked, "By the way, how far is your base from here?"
"From Moonstone Province to our base, if we take the regular route, it should take a week or more for a round trip," Wells said. If it were before the Cataclysmic Flood, the trip would not exceed two days. But now, traveling had many risks. "But with your boat that has a water beast shielding function, Miss Lane, Brother Bear should be able to take the fastest route and arrive in three to four days."
Three to four days.
Isla hoped they would arrive safely.
Moments later, inside the noodle shop, the three chatted for a while. Isla didn't forget to mention the new tenants.
"Oh right, new tenants came by. They rented cabins five, six, and seven. If it's not too much to ask, when you meet them later, please recommend my bread and noodle shop," Isla said with a grin.
New tenants? The corner of Wells's mouth turned down slightly.
Meanwhile, Ron enthusiastically patted his chest. "You can count on me, Miss Lane!"
They chatted a little longer. Isla was quite curious about this world.
After half an hour, she returned to her residence.
By this time, the walkway lights lit up, casting gentle reflections on the water and making the place feel lively and warm.
A moonless night at sea was terrifying, with darkness stretching endlessly in every direction.
Without a source of light, survivors could only stare into the abyss in fear.
So Ron and Wells couldn't help but be drawn to the streetlights. They strolled slowly along the walkway toward the new small harbor.
"It's like walking along the boulevard where I used to study on weekends. I can't believe I get to experience this again," Ron said with a hint of nostalgia.
They took their time and only headed to the noodle shop after an hour.
On the second floor of the Town Hall, Isla asked the system again, "Are you sure they're not injured?" It would be a problem if they were. She had no medicine or healing potions.
[Yes. They're just tired and mentally drained. The residences may not restore their powers, but they help recover stamina faster.]
[Once more higher grade type of residential buildings are unlocked, one of the amenities will include power recovery.]
Such an amazing feature!
She suddenly felt a little envious of her future residents.
In her previous world, healing, stamina, and mana recovery potions existed, but they were expensive due to the Alchemist Guild's monopoly.
The Clergy Association also gatekept support and healer meta-humans. Hiring them for a dungeon run required a hefty payment.
When she first started as a hunter, most of her earnings went into these consumables.
Hunters with sponsors or wealthy backgrounds had no problem, but for those from poor backgrounds and no sponsors, these potions were a bottomless pit.
Because of this, casualties among low-tier hunters were high.
It was frustrating.
"Sizzle..." The scent of meat floss frying in chili oil drifted into her nose, pulling her out of her thoughts. She spread the crispy, spicy meat floss onto the flatbread she had just made and sprinkled the rest on the egg drop noodle soup.
In the wooden cabins, Rose and Rick gathered in their captain's cabin after a short nap.
"That was the best short nap of my life!" Not to mention, she finally had a proper and full bath, Rose silently squealed in happiness.
"Oh my word, my back, arms, and legs were killing me earlier! Now I feel like I can lift anything!" Uncle Rick flexed his arms and did a few squats. Only slight soreness remained.
Axel was equally stunned. The headache that felt like thousands of needles stabbing his brain was gone.
Although their powers hadn't fully recovered, moving was no longer a problem.
Fatigue like that should have required at least half a day of rest, but in less than two hours, they were back on their feet.
What caused such a miracle?
As Axel thought, his eyes drifted around the cabin.
"Rumble..." Rose's stomach growled loudly.
Axel snapped out of his thoughts. "Let's find food first." He remembered Isla's words and decided to head out.
Seeing the streetlights illuminating the walkways, the three paused.
For a moment, it felt like they had returned to the time before the apocalypse.
Inside the noodle shop.
"Ah, fresh noodles really are on a different level compared to instant noodles! I could eat five more bowls!" Ron said, smacking his lips after finishing his third bowl.
As he went to get another, he noticed two people at the glass door.
It was Axel and Rose.
Rick had stayed behind to watch over Earl.
Ron and Wells looked at the pair. So these must be the new tenants!
Ron's eyes twinkled at the freckled ginger-haired Rose.
But Axel's sharp gaze, tall frame, and strong build made them feel slightly intimidated.
At the same time, Axel and Rose observed them. So these were the occupants of cabins one and two.
Their thoughts halted when the rich aroma hit them again.
They had intended to go to the big building, but the smell drew them here instead.
There are noodles!
"Captain..." Rose swallowed hard, staring at Wells's unfinished bowl. Her stomach growled again.
Axel tried to open the glass door, but it wouldn't budge no matter how much strength he used.
Rose tried as well and failed. "Captain... what do we do? I want noodles."
Ron remembered Isla's instructions and approached the door, gesturing toward the two machines.
Wells carefully observed Axel and Rose.
Axel and Rose looked at the machines.
Ten minutes later, Ron and Wells watched as Axel and Rose devoured the noodles like starving ghosts. Bowls piled high on their table.
"Woo... Captain, this is what food is supposed to taste like! It's too delicious!" Rose said, licking her lips.
Axel nodded. It really was good. But, he still can't believe this warm meal just cost 3 F-class cores.
The two continued eating, returning to the machine again and again until they were full.
Ron gulped. Since when did they last eat?
Meanwhile, Wells relaxed slightly. When Isla mentioned new tenants, he had worried they might cause trouble like Leo's group.
But now, that worry eased.
"What flavor should we bring back for Uncle Rick?"
"Why choose? Let's bring one of each!"
"Alright."
On the second floor of the Town Hall, Isla heard a familiar sound.
[Congratulations for achieving 500 points in sales!]
[You are rewarded with a new crop—Cabbage. The small store has been upgraded to a convenience store.]
[The convenience store can sell 10 types of items with a daily limit.]
Isla was thrilled.
So fast!
Way to go, Ron and Wells!
For some reason, the crispy beef flatbread sandwich in her hand tasted even better.
Meanhwile, a day and a half later, Bear and Pal finally reached their old base.