hsntnovel Chapter 214 Conditions for entering the city
Chapter 214 Conditions for entering the city
The vendor's voice, filled with complex emotions, continued to drift over, pulling Xu Xiaoyan's chaotic thoughts back to the cold reality: "The notice said that the base management had 'foreseen and prepared' for this, and the main response was to officially open the 'Dungeon' to all eligible residents of the entire base, effective immediately—note, 'effective immediately,' the moment the notice was issued."
The underground city! Xu Xiaoyan's pupils contracted imperceptibly. This term was not unfamiliar to her; she had come here specifically for this. Moreover, during her months at the Linchuan base, she had heard rumors intermittently about "something down there."
Some people swore they had seen heavy trucks carrying unidentified goods drive into certain special entrances late at night; others said the power supply and heating pipes in certain areas of the base were "strange," suggesting that a considerable portion of the resources had been diverted underground; still others claimed to know relatives working "down there," though their statements were vague, they all revealed some unusual information.
Based on these fragmented clues and her own observations, she had long known that the true core of the Linchuan base, or rather, its last stronghold, was not in these seemingly solid concrete buildings on the surface, but rather in the deeper, more hidden underground.
It must be a massive bunker project secretly built by the military, far exceeding the scale of surface facilities. It should have a complete constant temperature system, independent energy supply and life support system, and may even have a considerable amount of supplies and production lines stored inside.
No wonder that after entering the Linchuan base, she always felt that the number of armed personnel openly operating in the base was not quite in line with the scale of this survivor base. Although there were quite a few patrol teams and guards, their equipment level and the morale of the personnel seemed to be somewhat different from the level that the army should have in the rumors.
Looking back now, it's very likely that a significant portion of elite forces and key resources were indeed deployed in the core area permanently underground! The surface base was more like a "buffer zone" and a "labor reserve area."
"The notice details the conditions and rules for entering the underground city," the vendor continued. He had clearly listened carefully to the broadcast or read the original notice, and his retelling was accurate and clear. "All personnel who are officially registered at the Linchuan Base—that is, those with an identity chip or file record—and who do not have any outstanding serious criminal records or have no record of major violations of discipline or law during their residence at the base, automatically obtain the qualification to reside in the underground city's 'E Zone'."
He emphasized the words "automatically obtained": "Note that it is 'automatically obtained'. No additional application is required. As long as you are a 'good citizen,' you will be on the list. However, the notice also stated that this qualification is not permanent. If you violate the rules inside the dungeon, you will still be disqualified and may even be subject to more severe penalties."
E zone... Xu Xiaoyan silently memorized this prefix. According to the alphabetical order, E likely means that this is the most basic level.
"Sector E?" The vendor licked his chapped lips and continued his "broadcast," his tone unreadable—whether he was relieved that the base had given him a way out, or mocking the price of that way out. "According to the notice, it's the outermost, most basic, and largest living area in the entire underground city structure. As for the conditions..." He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "It certainly can't compare to the... oh no, I mean the advanced areas mentioned later in the notice, but its biggest advantage is that it's underground! There's basic temperature control, which can largely protect against the impending, deadly extreme cold on the surface. It's a basic way out for all 'good citizens.'"
When he said "basic means of survival," there was a hint of bitterness in his voice, and the faces of those listening around him showed similar expressions—a moment of relief upon learning that they still had hope of survival, followed by worry shrouded in the possible circumstances represented by the word "basic."
The vendor clearly had a good memory for "specific accommodations," or perhaps the news was so shocking that it left a deep impression on him. "Area E mainly provides two types... well, according to the notice, they're called 'centrally heated dormitories.'"
He held up two fingers. "The first type is a super-large dormitory room. The notice didn't specify how many people would be in one room, but it's estimated to be quite large. Dozens or even hundreds of people could be crammed into one big room. If you want to live there and enjoy central heating, you need to pay 0.5 points per person per day as a 'basic energy maintenance and heating fee'."
0.5 points per day!
Xu Xiaoyan almost instinctively started mentally calculating. For an ordinary worker or low-level employee with a fixed job and a stable income of dozens of points per month, it might be possible to squeeze out the money from their already tight budget, but it would definitely greatly reduce other living expenses—food, water, basic necessities, which of these do not require points? After a month, the points left would probably be very few, and they might even be unable to make ends meet.
For the large number of out-of-town residents who do not have stable jobs and rely on fishing on the ice, scavenging in ruins, and doing various odd jobs to make a living, this 0.5 points per day is a continuous and heavy survival tax!
This means that even if you manage to gain the "qualification" to enter the underground shelter, you might still freeze because you can't afford the "heating fee" if you don't earn enough points! This doesn't even include the food, water, and basic necessities that also require points to purchase within the underground city…
This is hardly an unconditional refuge! It's clearly a cold-blooded filter woven with points, selecting survivors! While offering hope for survival, the base also lays bare the rules of resource allocation and the naked costs before everyone. Want to live? Sure, exchange points for it; points are your life force.
The vendor continued, "The second type, which is slightly better, is a heated room for 10 people, costing 1 point per person per day." He glanced around and added, "The notice also emphasized one point—" He emphasized, mimicking the formal tone that might have come from a broadcast, "'All these heated dormitories, including housing in other districts mentioned later, are only available for rent. Any form of private sale, transfer, or encroachment is strictly prohibited. All living spaces are under the unified management and allocation of the base.'"
A few low, knowing snorts rose from the crowd. The prohibition of buying, selling, and seizing meant that the path to grabbing good positions through violence or connections was blocked—at least on the surface. However, the phrase "unified management and distribution" left too much room for ambiguity and manipulation.
"However," the vendor changed his tone, seemingly trying to give everyone a little bit of vague reassurance, "the notice also says that current tenants have the right of 'priority renewal' when the lease expires. As long as they pay on time and do not violate the regulations, they can theoretically continue to live here."
Priority renewal... Xu Xiaoyan felt nothing. In an environment where survival resources are extremely scarce, it's hard to say how much actual protection the so-called "priority right" actually provides. When someone of higher value or a force needs space, this "priority" may become extremely fragile.
"Then... if I don't want to live in the dormitory all the time, or if I want to live in a better place, are there any other options?" Xu Xiaoyan asked at the right time, her voice calm but earnest with a thirst for knowledge. She noticed that the people around her were repeatedly mentioning the terms D, C, and B. Obviously, E was just the starting point, a "basic option" for most people. She needed to know the whole "price list".
The vendor's face revealed a look that was both expected and mocking, as if to say: See? I knew someone would ask this. He looked around and found that everyone around him was staring at him expectantly.
"A better option? Yes, of course!" He raised his voice slightly, as if repeating an absurd fact. "It's clearly stated in the notice, like a price tag in a store, clearly marked, fair and square! As long as you can afford it."
He took a deep breath, seemingly to calm himself, and then held up one finger:
"First of all, if you are already in Zone E but find the conditions unsatisfactory and want to upgrade to the better Zone D—you can! Pay 3000 points at once!" He paused deliberately. "Note that it is 'one-time', not every day! Only after paying this 'zone upgrade fee'—that's what the notice calls it—are you eligible to move into Zone D, but you are only 'eligible' to enter Zone D."
Three thousand points! The crowd erupted instantly, but this time even the exclamations seemed weak and feeble. There were more numb gasps and desperate silences. For most of the outer city residents present, three thousand points was an astronomical figure! Many people worked hard for a year, risking frostbite, infection, robbery, accidents and other dangers, saving every penny, and they might only be able to save a few hundred points.
This is not a threshold; it is clearly a huge, almost insurmountable class divide that separates people into two worlds.
"Three thousand... I've never seen so many points in my life..." someone muttered to himself, his eyes vacant.
"Even robbing a bank wouldn't be this fast..." another person said with a bitter laugh, his laughter dry.
The man in overalls, with sunken eyes, chuckled again, his voice filled with anger and helplessness. "See! What did I tell you? Empty promises! I showed you what District D looks like, told you it's better there, but you'll never be able to afford the ticket!"
"What's so great about Zone D?" The person who had asked the question earlier spoke again, his voice dry and hoarse, with a hint of resentment, as if even if he couldn't afford it, he still wanted to hear what that "paradise" was like.
The vendor glanced at the questioner with a complex expression, then repeated the details as if they were his own treasures:
"According to the notice, Zone D provides single-person heated rooms. Although they may not be large, at least they are independent and private spaces, so you don't have to squeeze in with dozens of people, listen to snoring and smell foot odor." This is undoubtedly a huge attraction for people who value privacy or need a quiet environment.
"Besides the residential area," the vendor continued, "District D is also planned to have a 'commercial street' or 'service area' with shops that provide heating. It allows qualified private individuals—presumably those with some assets and credit—to lease shops from the base government to run small businesses. The notice lists the types of businesses that may be allowed, such as small restaurants, repair shops, grocery stores, simple clothing mending and cleaning... basically places that can make life a little more convenient."
Business opportunities! This means that in Zone D, not only are the living conditions better, but there may also be opportunities to continue making a living and even develop. For those with a skill or some savings who want to start a small business, this is undoubtedly a huge temptation.
Regarding "security," the vendor added a final and crucial point: "The notice said that Zone D would be 'strengthened in management,' with security booths set up at intervals and security personnel patrolling regularly. It sounds like a 'well-off commercial and residential area' in the underground city, at least much safer and more orderly than the potentially chaotic dormitory-style area like Zone E."
Single room! Business opportunities! Better security! These conditions combined paint a picture of Zone D that is indeed "comfortable" compared to the basic living conditions in Zone E. No wonder it requires an "upgrade fee" of 3,000 points. This is not just an improvement in living conditions, but also a leap in status and survival security.
Before everyone could fully recover from the description of Zone D—in fact, many had already fallen into a deeper numbness due to the unattainable conditions—the vendor held up two more fingers, his tone becoming more complex, even carrying a hint of absurdity in his voice:
"Up above is 'Section C'," he said, glancing around at everyone. "Want to move from Section D to Section C? Sure, just pay 6000 points upfront!"
Six thousand!
The crowd was too exhausted to even gasp for breath; all that remained was a deathly silence and an almost frozen despair. This number had completely exceeded the comprehension and imagination of most people.
Six thousand points? What kind of accumulation would that require? What kind of opportunity? Or rather, what kind of "contribution" would be needed to the base? This is a height that ordinary people can no longer reach.
"We've arrived in Zone C!" The vendor's voice was exceptionally clear in the silence. "The biggest benefit is that all public areas and living spaces will have 'free central heating'! That means once you successfully move into Zone C, you won't have to pay that 0.5 or 1 point heating fee every day anymore. The living conditions are estimated to be better than in Zone D. The notice mentions that 'the per capita living area has increased' and 'the public facilities are more complete.' It even calls Zone C a 'guaranteed livable area.'"
Free heating! These four words alone have immeasurable value in the context of minus seventy degrees Celsius. It not only means saving ten to thirty points every month, but also a fundamental sense of security—no longer having to worry about the most basic survival temperature every day or about running out of points. This signifies that residents have escaped the lowly state of "struggling for heating every day".