Chapter 63: Exploring the Base Market
Liora and her group stepped out of their cramped apartment after finishing a simple breakfast. They had discussed their plans earlier, and one thing was clear, they needed more points. Their remaining 700 EUs were barely enough to scrape by, let alone secure a better life.
Looking at that pitiful amount, Liora could hardly imagine how they had survived in the past. The prices in this base were outrageously high, as if the entire system was designed to crush the weak. Food, medicine, even basic necessities—everything came at a cost that seemed impossible for ordinary people to afford.
It was not just about survival anymore. The strong thrived while the weak struggled to breathe. People were like scavengers, always ready to snatch away whatever they could from those weaker than them. There was no kindness here, no hesitation in taking advantage of others.
But Liora did not blame them. This was just how the world worked now. If people stopped to care about others, they would not last long themselves. Survival came first, everything else came second. In the end, it all came down to one thing—power and wealth. The stronger and richer you were, the safer your life would be.
And soon, Liora would have both.
She could not wait to explore the base market. She found out from Zhou Yinuo that every base has a small market where people could buy daily necessities with EUs or exchange them with crystals, but hardly anyone wanted to exchange them with crystals because they simply did not have enough.
Liora scanned the streets as they walked, taking in the faces of those around her. The base did not seem to have many awakeners. Most of the people here were ordinary humans, struggling to survive under the harsh rule of those in power.
They were treated no better than slaves, forced into labor for a few measly points, while the awakeners clung desperately to whatever strength they had. Yet, even among them, she noticed something—hardly any had advanced to a higher level.
Was it truly that difficult to grow stronger? Or were they simply too weak-willed to push themselves forward?