Chapter 140: I'll Give You a Chance, Anomaly!

Su Ze looked at the message on his private chat panel, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

A treasure map fragment?

He hadn't expected it to be found so quickly.

The efficiency was truly high.

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Which Dormitory are you in? I'll come find you.]

[Private Chat · Guo Fei: Boss Su Ze! I wouldn't dare trouble you! I'm already here.]

The other party's reply was quick, his tone filled with respect and urgency.

Su Ze checked the time; there were still ten minutes until midnight.

He walked out of the Dormitory and stood in the corridor waiting.

Before long, a male student of medium build and ordinary appearance walked over quickly.

He looked to be in his early twenties, wearing a somewhat worn-out tracksuit, with a cautious smile on his face.

“Guo Fei?”

“Boss Su Ze! Yes, it's me.” Seeing Su Ze, Guo Fei quickly bowed, his voice carrying an irrepressible excitement.

“Where's the item?” Su Ze got straight to the point, with no unnecessary nonsense.

“It's... it's here!”

Guo Fei hurriedly and carefully took out a yellowed fragment of unknown material from his backpack, holding it out with both hands.

[Tattered Treasure Map (4/4)]

[Quality: Special]

[Introduction: An ancient treasure map fragment, marked with unknown symbols indicating a certain location. Collect all fragments, and perhaps there will be an amazing discovery.]

It was indeed the final treasure map fragment.

“How did you get it?” Su Ze put the fragment away and sized up the Guo Fei in front of him, asking curiously.

Guo Fei took a deep breath, seemingly organizing his words, before speaking respectfully.

“Boss, I actually got this item on the first day.”

“I was lucky back then; it came out of a supply crate that refreshed in the Dormitory. I've always kept it hidden in the lining of my clothes and didn't tell anyone, thinking I might be able to find the other fragments myself to see what exactly this treasure map holds.”

As he reached this point, a bitter smile appeared on his face.

“But... I was too naive.”

“This item isn't something an ordinary person like me can complete.”

“When I saw you collecting this today, I understood.”

“This fragment can only reach its maximum value in your hands; you must already have the other fragments. If I keep this one piece, I'll never be able to complete it in my lifetime. Rather than letting it rot in my hands, it's better to offer it to you in exchange for some practical benefits.”

Guo Fei's reasoning was very clear.

He knew very well that in front of a player of Su Ze's caliber, he had no chance.

He couldn't win in a fight.

In a trade, he had no chips that would interest Su Ze.

Since he couldn't compete, he simply gave up and played the card in his hand to trade for the maximum benefit.

Su Ze nodded; this kid's mind was indeed quick.

“You're very smart.”

With a flip of his hand, a vial of zombie serum appeared.

“How about this as your reward?”

The moment he saw the serum, Guo Fei's breathing hitched, and a strong desire erupted in his eyes.

This was a great item that could grant absolute immunity to the zombie virus at this stage!

In this apocalypse, nothing was more precious than a life.

However, he only stared fixedly at the serum for a few seconds before seemingly making a decision; he gritted his teeth and actually looked away.

“Boss Su Ze!”

Guo Fei bent his waist even lower, his voice even carrying a hint of a tremble.

“The serum... although I want it very much, I want another opportunity even more!”

“Oh?” Su Ze raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

“Could I... could I ask for... a chance to serve you?”

Guo Fei summoned all his courage to speak those words.

Su Ze looked at him and didn't answer immediately.

This student named Guo Fei was somewhat interesting.

Giving up a life-saving item within reach to gamble on an illusory 'future'?

“What advantages do you have?” Su Ze asked indifferently.

Guo Fei's face instantly flushed red, his fists clenched, and he was somewhat at a loss for words.

“I... I don't have many major advantages. In terms of fighting, I'm not as good as the leaders under your command... In terms of brains, I might not be able to compare to those technical talents...”

His voice grew lower, but then he suddenly looked up.

“But I'm willing to risk my life! Boss, if you give me a chance, no matter what it is, I'll risk my life to complete it! I don't want to be like I am now, living in fear every day for a bit of food and safety, being a bottom-tier player who could be eliminated at any time!”

He took a deep breath, the flames of unwillingness burning in his eyes.

“I'm willing to take a gamble! I don't expect to be as prestigious as Boss Wang Meng and the others; I only ask to live better than I do now, to see a bit of hope!”

Su Ze raised an eyebrow and looked at him, asking, “Who knows that you've come to find me?”

“No one knows; I came here secretly.”

Su Ze smiled.

“Fine, I can give you this chance.”

“However, opportunity also comes with a test. If you fail, then you'll have wasted this chance to exchange for a reward for nothing.”

“I understand! I'm willing to try!” A look of wild joy instantly surged onto Guo Fei's face.

Su Ze nodded.

Although Zhou Kai was useful, having only one source of intelligence was ultimately not secure enough.

Having another secret line to provide checks and balances, where neither knew of the other's existence, would allow him to better control the overall situation.

This Guo Fei could perhaps be tested.

“How are your interpersonal relationships? Do you have any trustworthy friends?” Su Ze asked.

“I do! I have a few very close brothers, all in this building!” Guo Fei replied immediately.

That was enough.

With his own social circle, it would be easy to develop subordinates.

Su Ze took out a batch of supplies from his backpack—food, water, and some basic materials.

“These are your initial operating funds.”

“Your task is to use these supplies and your own network to quietly develop more people, making them your eyes and ears.”

“I want you to hide in the shadows and not let anyone know about your relationship with me, including Wang Meng and those ten leaders.”

Su Ze looked at Guo Fei, his tone becoming serious.

“As for what intelligence to collect, that will depend on your own ability.”

“What I want is any information that could potentially affect me or be useful to me; you must find a way to get your hands on it.”

“I'll give you three days. If you haven't collected any valuable intelligence, then you've failed.”

Guo Fei's heart surged with excitement; he nodded heavily and put all the supplies into his backpack.

“Yes! Rest assured, Boss! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!”

“Go on.”

Su Ze waved his hand.

Guo Fei respectfully bowed once more before suppressing his excitement and quickly turning to leave the Dormitory.

Watching his disappearing back, a playful smile appeared on Su Ze's face.

He didn't return to the Dormitory, but instead focused his attention back onto the treasure map.

He took out all four fragments from his backpack.

The four fragments were of different shapes, but the patterns on their edges fit together perfectly.

Su Ze reached out and slowly pieced them together on the floor.

The moment the final fragment was slotted in.

Buzz—

The four fragments suddenly erupted with a dazzling, eye-catching golden light!

The entire completed map floated up, and the patterns on it seemed to come alive, beginning to flow rapidly.

Su Ze didn't even have time to see the contents of the map clearly.

That majestic golden light instantly enveloped his entire being!

In the next second, Su Ze completely disappeared...