"This is a simple task, Boss! Just say the word, and we'll do it. No need for any share," Quentin said, patting his chest.
"Hey, don't say that. Even among close brothers, there should be clear accounts. Especially when it involves risking lives," Elijah replied firmly.
"Alright, if you insist," Quentin agreed, seeing Elijah's determined expression.
"Though the area has been cleared, for safety, I think it's best to send soone who can handle things independently," Elijah continued.
"Then let Zachary take a few brothers with him," Quentin suggested.
"Okay," Elijah nodded.
"Boss, don't worry. I'll make sure to guard the gas station well," Zachary promised.
"Good, I trust you," Elijah said, feeling relieved.
Just as Elijah was about to head back to the island, Quentin rembered that with Zachary and so of his team leaving, he would have even fewer people available, and there was still the newly discovered mall to explore.
Inspired by the gas station's sharing arrangent, he had an idea.
"Boss, there's one more thing," Quentin said.
"What is it?" Elijah asked, puzzled.
"Yesterday, we ntioned exploring a mall," Quentin began.
"Yes, you encountered a second-tier defensive zombie there," Elijah recalled.
"Right! Now that we've moved, we plan to continue exploring that mall and clear it out. Given our last encounter, we'd like to request your help. Not for free, of course. Once we clear and occupy the mall, how about we give you fifty percent of the resources?" Quentin proposed.
"Hmm, that's a good idea," Elijah mused.
It was a tily suggestion since Charlotte and her team were planning to explore beyond their imdiate surroundings, and the road to the mall had already been cleared, making it relatively safer.
"Do you agree, Boss?" Quentin asked, overjoyed.
"Yes, I agree. Bring your team over tomorrow morning, and we'll send a squad to join you," Elijah confird.
"Great!" Quentin exclaid.
"Anything else?" Elijah asked.
"No, that's all," Quentin replied.
"Good. It's still early. You can start learning the body strengthening technique with Gabriel," Elijah suggested.
"Got it!" Quentin and his team eagerly found Gabriel to begin their training.
With everyone occupied, Vincent seized the opportunity to approach Elijah. "Boss, I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you," he said.
"Oh? What idea?" Elijah looked at him curiously. A gar having a good idea?
"Here's the thing, Boss. Zoey has a massive workload while cataloging supplies and needs to use a computer. While setting up her computer, I realized we have excellent network wiring and electricity. So, I thought, why not set up a few servers and create a local network?" Vincent explained.
"And what are the benefits of that?" Elijah asked, not fully understanding but knowing that without the internet, computers were just tools.
"There are many benefits. First, it would make data transfer between the island and the service area much easier. I can also set up fixed-line phones for easier communication. Second, we can store movies, TV shows, and gas on the servers, so everyone can watch and play anywhere within the network," Vincent elaborated, listing several more advantages.
"I think you just want to play gas," Elijah joked.
"Well, that's part of it. But setting up a network center would bring nurous benefits, making our lives feel more normal, more like modern tis," Vincent argued.
Elijah pondered this for a mont.
He had to admit, he was tempted. People weren't machines; they needed ways to relax.
Having access to pre-apocalypse movies and gas was a great way to unwind.
Besides, not everyone enjoyed physical activities like those available on the island, such as KTV, billiards, ping pong, and basketball.
"What do we need to set this up? Can we do it with the equipnt we have?" Elijah asked.
Hearing this, Vincent's face lit up with excitent. He had convinced Elijah! If this worked out, surely it would earn him an awakening potion as a reward.
"Boss, we only have a few office computers here. To set up a network center and LAN, especially connecting to the island, we need fiber optic cables, network cables, servers, switches..." Vincent listed a bunch of equipnt, making Elijah's head spin.
So items he recognized, others he had never heard of.
"Just tell where we can get these things," Elijah interrupted Vincent.
"Hehe," Vincent laughed sheepishly. "I heard you say you're going to a mall tomorrow.
It so happens that a few hundred ters west of that mall, there's a computer city. They should have everything we need."
"You've got it all planned out, huh? Alright, once we clear out the mall, I'll take you to the computer city," Elijah agreed, appeasing Vincent before finally heading back to the island.
Sophia had just returned, so Elijah asked, "Has Whitey changed after eating that second-tier corpse?"
"Whitey's gotten bigger, but there aren't any significant changes otherwise," Sophia replied.
"Alright," Elijah nodded. He hadn't sensed any signs of Whitey advancing to the next tier through their ntal link. It seed Whitey was evolving physically without developing any special abilities.
Back at the villa, Elijah discussed Quentin's proposal about exploring the mall with Fiona and Charlotte.
Both agreed without any objections.
While exploring the mall would require effort, clearing the road to it had been the most ti-consuming part.
Now that the hardest part was done, the rest just needed cautious handling.
Plus, Elijah would be joining them, making it like getting half the mall's resources for free.
"Where's Olivia?" Elijah asked Charlotte after finishing the plans for the next day.
"She's outside training with Grace," Charlotte replied.
"Such diligent girls," Elijah remarked, glancing at Fiona sitting elegantly on the sofa.
"Don't look at . Go talk to her yourself. I need to rest," Fiona said, dismissing him.
"Alright then," Elijah resigned himself to handle it alone.
"What do you need to talk to Olivia about?" Charlotte asked, puzzled, as Elijah left.
"We t soone today…" Fiona's voice faded as Elijah closed the door behind him.
Scratching his head, Elijah pondered how to discuss the matter with Olivia.
Based on the information he had gathered and his knowledge from his previous life, Olivia's mother's situation might not be good.
But he quickly formulated a plan. He could use this opportunity to inquire about Matthew and gauge Olivia's mother's likely circumstances.
Unconsciously, Elijah found himself at the training ground where Jasmine, Grace, and Olivia were diligently working out.
The slanting sunlight made their sweat-covered skin gleam attractively.
He waited until they finished their set before calling out, "Olivia, can I talk to you for a mont?"
"Huh?" Olivia paused her training, surprised. She looked at Elijah, unsure what he needed to discuss.
Jasmine and Grace also looked curiously at Elijah, especially Jasmine, whose eyes sparkled with a thoughtful expression.
"Elijah, what is it?" Olivia asked nervously.
"Let's find a quieter place to talk," Elijah suggested.
"Oh, okay," Olivia agreed, following Elijah while her mind raced with speculation.
"Could Elijah be planning to..." Olivia blushed slightly, recalling the scene she accidentally witnessed last night after activating her abilities.
She had seen Jasmine and Elijah together, realizing Jasmine had beco one of Elijah's won and the two were... very open about it, even in the woods at night.
This broadened Olivia's horizons and knowledge, making her feel she was no longer the innocent girl she once was.
On this island, it seed she was the only one not yet one of Elijah's won.
Was he now eager to change that?
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