Chapter 186: calculating

Leo kept his eyes on the Mad Alchemist’s Working Table. A strange energy swirled around the center of the machine, breaking down and refining the ingredients bit by bit. After watching the process for a few minutes, he realized the experiment had only just begun. It was going to take a while. Leo frowned.

"System, how long will this take?"

The system’s voice chimed in his mind without delay.

[Host, why don’t you look carefully at the table before asking such an obvious question?]

Leo’s expression darkened.

"You’re getting more annoying every day."

[Thank you for the compliment.]

Ignoring the system, Leo stepped closer to inspect the table’s surface. At first, nothing stood out. Then his gaze drifted across the strange symbols engraved into the metal. Near the edge, he spotted a small display screen covered in odd characters. He stared at the writing, drawing a total blank.

"What the hell is this?"

The symbols looked entirely alien. He couldn’t tell if they were numbers or a foreign language. Right as he opened his mouth to question the system again, Storm’s voice echoed from the compartment.

"Master, the experiment will take approximately twenty-four hours to complete."

Leo turned around.

"You can read that?"

"Yes, Master."

Leo stared at the truck’s interface for a moment.

"Since when could you read alien languages?"

Before Storm could answer, the system piped up once more.

[Host, you seem to have forgotten something.]

"What?"

[When you upgraded Storm using the Epic Upgrade Card, the upgrade didn’t merely improve its physical structure.]

[The entire vehicle underwent a complete transformation.]

Leo’s expression shifted. The system went on.

[Its engine, armor, energy systems, weapons, sensors, storage systems, internal structure, and artificial intelligence were all upgraded.]

[Storm’s AI was also equipped with extensive information regarding various languages.]

[This includes several alien languages.]

It finally clicked for Leo.

"So that’s why."

He glanced at Storm. The vehicle had become far more advanced than he first realized.

The system spoke up again.

[That is precisely why the Epic Upgrade Card was so valuable.]

[Host should carefully consider how to use the remaining Epic Upgrade Card.]

[Do not waste such a precious card on an unnecessary upgrade.]

Leo nodded, understanding the sheer weight of that item. The first upgrade had turned an ordinary apocalypse truck into a machine rivaling the technology of major factions. There was no telling what the last Epic Upgrade Card could achieve. He needed to weigh his options before using it.

"I understand."

At that moment, Storm spoke up.

"Master, the convoy ahead is slowing down."

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Slowing down?"

"Yes."

"Several vehicles have already stopped."

Leo turned toward the cabin without hesitation.

"Let’s take a look."

He made his way through the compartment and slid into the driver’s seat. Storm was already reducing its speed. Moments later, the heavy truck rolled to a halt. Leo peered through the windshield.

The Freedom Convoy had stopped. Vehicles lined the side of the road, and people were stepping out to stretch their stiff limbs after hours of travel. Some unloaded supplies while others chatted with their groups. Leo scanned the surroundings. Nothing looked out of place. He leaned back.

"What’s going on?"

Five minutes passed before someone approached Storm. It was an ordinary survivor from the convoy. He knocked on the glass, and Leo rolled down the window. The man offered a polite smile.

"Mr. Leo."

"We’re stopping here for the night."

Leo nodded.

"Why?"

"It’s getting late."

The man pointed at the darkening sky.

"We decided it would be better to make camp here instead of continuing."

"Traveling at night is too dangerous."

"There could be zombies, mutated creatures, or even hostile survivors waiting somewhere along the road."

"Everyone also needs some rest."

"The convoy will continue tomorrow at dawn."

The reasoning made perfect sense to Leo.

"Alright."

"Thanks for letting me know."

The man smiled.

"No problem."

He turned on his heel to leave.

"Wait."

The man stopped and looked back. Leo reached into his card belt. Digging through it for a second, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He popped it open, slipped two out, and held them forward.

"Here."

The man stared at the offering, looking at Leo in pure surprise.

"For me?"

Leo nodded.

"Yeah."

The man hesitated before taking them.

"Thank you."

His face lit up with gratitude as he tucked the cigarettes away for safekeeping.

"Thank you, Mr. Leo."

He then hurried back toward the convoy.

Leo watched him walk away. The system’s voice rang in his mind again.

[Host, why did you give him cigarettes for free?]

Leo settled back into his seat.

"It’s nothing."

[That man merely came over to inform you that the convoy was stopping. He did not perform any particularly valuable service.]

"I know."

[Then why give him something without receiving anything in return?]

Leo smiled faintly.

"Because I’m new here."

The system fell silent, letting Leo continue.

"If I want to integrate into the Freedom Convoy, I need to build a decent relationship with the other members."

[You believe two cigarettes are enough to accomplish that?]

"Not by themselves."

Leo gazed out at the resting convoy.

"But people remember small favors."

"The man just came here to inform me."

"From his perspective, he probably didn’t expect anything in return."

"Then I give him something."

Leo paused.

"Next time he sees me, he’ll probably remember it."

The system seemed to grasp his logic.

Leo kept talking.

"Word will spread."

"Someone will say that Leo gave them cigarettes for free."

"Then someone else will hear about it."

"Eventually, people will know that I’m not stingy with everything I have."

He rested his head against the seat.

"And once people feel comfortable around me, they’ll talk."

"News."

"Gossip."

"Information about the road."

"Information about the convoy."

"Things they hear from other survivors."

"Useful information often comes from ordinary people."

Leo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"I don’t need everyone to become my friend."

"I just need them to feel comfortable enough to talk around me."

The system stayed quiet for a moment before replying.

[Host is unexpectedly calculating.]

Leo shrugged.

"Information has value."