Shane felt that his offer was certainly generous already, considering the fact that Raze probably needed to kill 1,500 Zombies just to get enough Item Upgrade Crystals. That was surely quite a lot, and she would probably need months to gather that much… It means that she wouldn't have a high-grade weapon before the second Zombie Wave arrives.
Raze weighed his offer, the number aligning closely with her expectations. "Why don't you just make it 150 Item Upgrade Crystals?" Raze asked.
Shane chuckled and agreed with her. Anyway, that was just 7 Zombies more.
"Alright… I can do that."
"Great! A hundred and fifty crystals it is, then. You have yourself a deal, Shane," she immediately took the deal, extending her hand to seal their accord.
After they shook hands, Shane transferred 50 Items Upgrade Crystals first, and the other hundred would be paid daily as they hunted Zombies…
Based on his estimation, they could eliminate about 50 zombies a day since they now had a larger group that could roam outside the estate.
With this successful trade, Raze's arsenal would soon grow stronger, while Shane's estate had gained valuable assets…
Shane had then offered Raze to wash and have some good rest first… She had been on the outside for several days and was sleeping on the road.
He even offered one of the rooms on the first floor of the manor since it had a single-size bed and was decorated as well. It was definitely a good chance for once and provided a nice ambiance while she rested…
"I will accept that offer..." Raze replied.
Raze then took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and slept… She had already eaten while she was on the road, so she wasn't hungry.
As soon as she fell asleep, she didn't wake up until the next day in the afternoon!
It appears that the comfortable bed and place had truly affected her and she was able to sleep without any worries after a long time!
"What?" Raze was shocked when she heard from Roan how much time he had spent sleeping!"
As soon as she got out of bed, she immediately felt hungry, and luckily, Mr. Wadsworth had assisted her kindly as she filled her stomach…
After thanking the butler, she decided to explore the estate as the butler suggested.
The estate, under Shane's guidance, had blossomed into a bustling hub of activity.
According to the butler, Shane had used 17 of his Recruitment Stones this morning and had brought a diverse array of skilled individuals to the fold.
"Seventeen Recruitment Stones… That's quite a lot. I wonder where did he get that… Furthermore, he's not even worried about their supplies… His resources must be stacked." Raze muttered as the necessities required to upkeep 17 more people were not low.
Anyway, as Raze walked around to familiarize himself in the estate, she realized that there were several cooks who busied themselves in the kitchens, their aromas wafting through the air so she immediately noticed it.
There were also blacksmiths that hammered away in the smithy, sparks flying as they shaped metal into tools and weapons.
At another site, tailors, with their nimble fingers, stitched and sewed fabrics into garments and armor, ensuring everyone was clothed and protected.
Farmers also tended to the burgeoning plots of land, their hands deep in the soil as they nurtured the crops that would sustain the community.
'I wonder what kind of crops they're planting…' Raze mused as she was more interested in the source of food.
After all, she was always eating bread or whatever fruits or crops she could get from the wild… If there were food being sold in the Survivor Store, she would also purchase it but that rarely happens.
Anyway, she also noticed some carpenters with a saw or a hammer in hand. They constructed new dwellings, and with the help of the foreman or probably the engineer, their structures rose steadily, expanding the estate's capacity.
'This estate is really busy… I guess with the barriers they set up, there's really nothing to worry about…' Raze mused.
Well, these recruits, though not as extraordinary as those summoned by Shane's Title Effect, brought with them at least a single skill. According to their skill, they were then brought to the kitchen, smithy, construction team, and others.
Their presence had surely injected a sense of normalcy and growth into the estate…
As Raze strolled along the riverbank, she took in the sight of the waterwheel turning steadily, powering the mill that ground grain into flour.
The small farm was a patchwork of green, where vegetables sprouted promisingly from the earth. It seemed that Shane or his people had collected those vegetables in the wild and planted them here…
There were also houses in various stages of construction that dotted the landscape. They were future homes for those who sought refuge within the manor's walls.
"Now… That's scary…" Raze muttered as she looked at the four towers surrounding the estate.
The watchtowers stood sentinel, their heavily equipped guards surveying the horizon.
Raze's eyes caught the glint of sunlight on a sniper rifle, its bearer poised and ready to defend against any threat. It was a stark reminder that safety was hard-won in these times.
Of course, the one in this tower was Shane himself with his Sharpshooter's Sniper Rifle!
It seemed that he was observing something far from the estate through the scope of the rifle…
"This place looks really safe… I'm sure this camp will thrive if this continues," Raze mused, her voice a whisper carried away by the breeze.
The estate was more than a shelter; it was a fortress, a place where life could flourish amidst the ruins of the world. She knew that Springriver Manor was not just a place to survive but a place to live.
At this time, as she was about to call Shane's attention…
She heard a crackling and realized that the trees were falling apart! The noise was getting closer and closer!
Soon, she realized that a Giant Zombie was approaching the estate! At this time, the bell rang, warning everyone of the disaster coming to their estate!