5: Void Rift

Lin Ye walked through the still somewhat chaotic crowd towards the relatively orderly area in the center of the plaza.

The so-called New Recruit Reception was simpler than he imagined, resembling a circle of temporary offices built from large containers and prefabricated houses. However, despite its small size, it was fully equipped. Dozens of windows displayed screens, and staff in uniform gray outfits were busy processing various matters. Their voices echoed through loudspeakers in the area, attempting to guide thousands of Newcomers.

"All Newcomers, please remain calm and wait in line!"

"Those requiring medical assistance, please proceed to Zone B!"

"To understand the basic rules of the Resistance Post and external intelligence, please check the public information screens above each window, or collect an electronic manual!"

Lin Ye looked up and indeed saw large electronic screens above each window, displaying information with text and images.

He did not join the seemingly endless queue but walked to a corner with fewer people, carefully reading the content on the screen.

The screen first showed a three-dimensional structural map and basic functional zone division of Resistance Post G617 - Aita District, followed by the most crucial external intelligence.

A scarlet warning sign occupied a corner of the screen, with the accompanying text and dynamic simulated images being shocking:

"Beyond the Resistance Post lies the extremely dangerous 'Void Corroded Zone'!"

"Our world, Blue Star, is suffering an invasion from an unknown dimension called the 'Void'. Countless Void Rifts of varying sizes, like unhealing scars, are scattered across the planet. These rifts are channels connecting our world to other dimensions, continuously spewing out bloodthirsty and brutal alien races."

A simulated image appeared on the screen: against a dark cosmic background, irregular rifts, like hideous wounds, tore open. Some were only a few meters in size, emitting a faint, eerie glow; others stretched for several kilometers, like gaping maws ready to devour, with pulsating, heart-pounding dark energy within.

"The scale of the Void Rifts is directly related to the strength of the alien races emerging from them."

"Small rifts (diameter under ten meters): Typically appear near the Resistance Post's safe zone (fifty-kilometer radius). The alien races emerging are of lower grade, making these areas primary for New Recruit adaptive training and initial resource acquisition. However, do not let your guard down; even the lowest-Level alien races far exceed the capabilities of ordinary unawakened humans."

"Medium rifts (diameter ten meters to one kilometer): Distributed in the vast areas outside the Resistance Post's safe zone. Alien race grade increase significantly, and elite-Level alien races frequently appear. These areas are extremely dangerous; it is recommended that a seasoned team of at least five members with a reasonable class composition go to explore."

"Large rifts (diameter over one kilometer): (Insufficient authorization, requires increasing citizen grade or joining relevant military departments to unlock)"

"Giant rifts and rift Restricted Zones: (Insufficient authorization...)"

The video began to display various forms of alien races: hideous insectoids swarming like tides, monstrous beasts with claws, fangs, and armored carapaces, and even some strangely shaped unknown creatures capable of releasing energy attacks.

Their only commonality was their extreme malice towards living beings and their insane destructive urges.

"So that's how it is... the smaller the rift, the weaker the alien races, and the closer to the Resistance Post, the smaller the rifts are," Lin Ye understood. "Is this to provide a gradual growth space for Newcomers?"

He continued reading, and the screen began to introduce the rules for claiming initial supplies.

"All Newcomers, upon completing basic information registration, can receive one set of standard novice equipment free of charge. There are two types of equipment, ranged and melee, and one can be chosen."

"1. Melee Set: Includes Alloy Combat Saber/Battle Axe/Long Spear (choose one of three), Light Alloy Armor (upper body), Combat Gloves, Military Boots."

"2. Ranged Set: Includes 'Vanguard I-Type' Standard Assault Rifle/'Hunter' Standard Sniper Crossbow/'Salamander' Hand Cannon (choose one of three), matching ammunition/crossbow bolts (one base unit), Light Combat Uniform, Military Boots."

"Note: Novice equipment will not be replaced if damaged or lost. Higher-Level equipment must be obtained through mission rewards, drops from hunting alien races, or purchased with contribution points or currency in the Resistance Post's internal market."

Upon seeing this, Lin Ye did not linger but walked directly to a window responsible for distributing ranged equipment. The queue was still long, but he was not in a hurry, observing the people around him at his leisure.

A microcosm of a small society had already formed here. Some people who looked agile had already gathered many others around them, clearly recruiting for teams.

"Brother, A-grade Strength Enhancement Talent, interested in teaming up?"

"Healing-type Talent sister, look here, our team is short one, led by a master!"

"Hahaha! And firearms, quickly give me a set, watch me slaughter them!"

"Dude, you're probably a bit of a joke, haven't even touched a gun and you're already bragging?"

...These calls for team-ups were incessant.

Many people had pale faces and empty eyes, clearly not yet recovered from this sudden apocalyptic scene, merely moving numbly with the queue.

There was also a group of people, mostly older individuals who were clearly physically weak, or middle-aged and elderly people whose expressions seemed unsuitable for bloody warfare on the front lines. They were queuing at the "Logistics and Civil Affairs Registration Office" on the other side, with a mix of apprehension and confusion on their faces.

Staff there patiently explained and guided them to register based on their potential skills. In the future, they would be assigned to logistics positions within the Resistance Post, such as factories, farms, and hospitals. Although they couldn't rapidly increase their strength like combat personnel, they could still contribute to the operation of the Resistance Post and obtain basic living security.

"It's making the best use of everyone," Lin Ye thought.

Finally, it was his turn. Behind the window was a tired-looking but sharp-eyed female staff member. Without raising her head, she asked formulaically, "Name, equipment choice."

"Lin Ye, ranged set, rapid-fire rifle," Lin Ye answered calmly.

"'Vanguard I-Type' Standard Assault Rifle, three magazines, a total of ninety 5.56mm steel-core rounds, one set of combat uniform. Your identity bracelet has been bound to your personal information; this item is required for entering and exiting the Resistance Post and for material resupply. Please keep it safe." Soon, a packaged set of equipment was sent out from the conveyor belt under the window.

Lin Ye casually picked up the seemingly hefty rapid-fire rifle, weighing it in his hand; it felt cold and solid.

['Vanguard I-Type' Standard Assault Rifle]

Type: Firearm (Black Iron)

Level Requirement: 1

Durability: 500/500

Attack: 500

Fire Rate: 0.02S

With the talent's enhancement, durability, attack, and fire rate were all amplified to 10 times their original values. After all, how could firearms not be considered machinery?

[Light Combat Uniform]

Type: Upper Body (Black Iron)

Level Requirement: 1

Durability: 100/100

Physical Resistance +10

[Military Boots]

Type: Footwear (Black Iron)

Level Requirement: 1

Durability: 100/100

Physical Resistance +10

Movement Speed +3%

The combat uniform and Military Boots clearly did not fall into the category of machinery, so there were no enhancements, but the added armor was better than nothing.

After equipping himself, Lin Ye did not linger at the reception.

He committed all the public information on the electronic screen to memory, including a simple distribution map of small rifts around the Resistance Post.

He saw many New Recruits who had collected their equipment gathered in groups of three or five, their faces displaying complex expressions of nervousness, excitement, and fear, loudly discussing which rift area to try first.

Lin Ye, however, was alone, carrying his standard assault rifle, walking directly towards the No. 1 New Recruit Trial Passage marked on the map, which led outside the Resistance Post.