3: Chapter 3 What does your life or death have to do with me?

It has to be said, Guo Changzheng is quite a figure. The Fortress survival game has only just begun, and he already carries himself like a leader.

Chen Ze was in no rush to go down and show his face; he wanted to see what Manager Guo was really up to.

Although everyone was currently facing a common crisis, Chen Ze had experienced betrayal in the business world and knew well that human hearts were unpredictable.

At this life-or-death moment, no one knew what kind of thoughts others were hiding deep down.

"Manager Guo, look at the time. If you have an idea, spit it out. It's about to get dark."

The person who spoke was none other than Chen Ze's landlady, Sister Hong.

"Exactly! If you have something to say, say it. Stop dragging your feet!"

A chubby young man chimed in as well.

Guo Changzheng's expression darkened, and he glared at the young man, though he managed to suppress his annoyance.

"Everyone, don't be anxious. Let me ask you a question first."

"Do you think we can survive tonight's monster attack just by relying on our own houses?"

Guo Changzheng scanned everyone's faces one by one, his expression serious.

Everyone remained silent, their eyes filled with worry and uncertainty.

After a while, a middle-aged man spoke up.

"Manager Guo, to tell you the truth, my Fortress talent is D-grade defense increase. But that house has several large windows. Even if the walls and security doors can withstand the monsters, the windows are a fatal weakness. I… I'm afraid I won't make it!"

After the man finished speaking, everyone frowned in thought.

Among them were some with higher talent levels, but the true strength of the unknown monsters remained a question. Who could guarantee they would survive?

"I don't think any of you have 100% certainty, do you?"

Manager Guo spoke up at the opportune moment.

"Since that's the case, why don't we gather together and resist the monster attacks as one?"

As soon as Manager Guo finished speaking, the crowd began to murmur.

"Resist together? Where would we live? What happens to our original houses?"

"Exactly! My house cost over a million, and I still have over 400,000 left to pay off."

"Dude, are you an idiot? Look where we are! Who's asking you for mortgage payments now?"

"If we abandon our original houses, once the monsters destroy them, won't we be forced to live under someone else's roof forever?"

It was that chubby young man again, voicing his opposition. His fingers rested subconsciously on his chest, as if something important were hidden there.

"If that's the case, count me out!"

After saying this, the fat man prepared to walk away.

No one was a fool; many immediately realized the problem.

Gather together to resist the monsters? Even if they managed to survive, wouldn't they become someone else's vassals, forced to live at the mercy of others?

If the owner of the Fortress ever got unhappy, they could be expelled at any time via the heart of the fortress.

Chen Ze sneered upon hearing this.

"Old Guo is certainly shrewd. Hiding behind the banner of unity, he's probably just looking to seize control of the situation."

It was only just now, upon seeing the fat man's actions, that he realized something.

Without him realizing it, a necklace had appeared around his neck, featuring a transparent, pigeon-egg-sized gemstone that shimmered brilliantly.

As he probed it with his mind, he immediately understood that this gem was the heart of the fortress. Whoever possessed it was the owner of the Fortress and could expel anyone else within it at any time.

"Liu Mou, are you looking for trouble? Manager Guo hasn't finished speaking, and you're already causing chaos!"

Security Captain Lei Dayong pointed at the fat man's nose, as if he were about to strike at any moment.

Guo Changzheng gestured with his hand, signaling Security Captain Lei Dayong to relax, then looked toward Liu Mou with a calm gaze.

"Liu, I know you have your concerns—everyone does. But at this life-or-death moment, if we don't work together, we truly won't have a chance at survival."

His words were airtight; if Liu Mou left now, he would be the one destroying their unity.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Liu Mou couldn't help but speak up.

"Old Guo, don't try to guilt-trip me. I can agree to everyone gathering together, but where are we going to find a Fortress big enough? And I have to be the one holding the heart of the fortress."

Guo Changzheng didn't get angry upon hearing this; he just smiled faintly.

"Of course you can. Since we're all gathering to survive, everyone should have a share in the heart of the fortress. We can just take turns carrying it; that way, everyone can be the owner of the Fortress!"

Upon hearing this, the majority of the crowd nodded immediately, though a few still frowned in thought.

That's right—just taking turns carrying the heart of the fortress would work. Since they were all surviving together, they should trust one another. It was truly a good solution.

Chen Ze, watching from the Blockhouse, sneered at this.

Guo Changzheng was truly a sly fox. He appeared to be making a fair proposal, but in reality, it was a trap.

Setting aside the chaos that rotating possession of the heart of the fortress would cause in practice, he could easily use his influence during the process to forcibly seize it for himself.

By then, those people would already be trapped on his ship, having lost their own Fortresses. They would be nothing more than fish on a chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered.

Chen Ze watched their decision-making process with the attitude of a bystander; regardless, there was no way he would join forces with these people.

"Are you all satisfied with my proposal?"

Guo Changzheng scanned the crowd, in no rush to continue.

Sister Hong was naturally impatient, so seeing him like this, she spoke up directly.

"Fine, I think it works. But whose place are we going to choose as the Fortress?"

Guo Changzheng smiled, lifted his chin slightly, and gestured toward the Blockhouse.

"Look! Isn't there one right there?"

Everyone followed the direction of Guo Changzheng's gesture, their gazes landing on the nearby Blockhouse.

Upon hearing this, Yang Wei was the first to step forward in agreement.

"That works! That works! This Blockhouse looks solid. If we can move in there, those monsters definitely won't be able to break through!"

"Manager Guo is so thoughtful. This Blockhouse looks like it's four or five stories high. It wouldn't be a problem for dozens of people to live there; it's truly a great spot!"

Security Captain Lei Dayong chimed in.

At some point, two or three young men had gathered around him; they were members of the former security team, who had likely rushed over after hearing the commotion.

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with excitement, their eyes filled with hopeful light.

"Old Guo, is this Blockhouse yours? How can you guarantee that the person inside will be willing to let everyone in?"

Liu Mou's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's heads, instantly dampening the excitement they had felt just moments before.

This time, Guo Changzheng didn't play coy; he walked directly toward the Blockhouse.

"Brother in the Blockhouse, you must have heard what was just said. In this time of crisis, we must unite! Everyone here is your neighbor. You wouldn't want to watch us all die at the hands of the monsters, would you?"

Chen Ze had originally intended to ignore these people, but after hearing Guo Changzheng's words, he was so incensed that he laughed. He decided not to stay hidden in the shadows any longer; he walked directly to the observation window, looked down, and spoke in an icy tone.

"Manager Guo's plan is indeed impressive, but whether you live or die—what does that have to do with me?"