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Meanwhile, on Kisha’s side, after she and Duke finished their shower, they headed straight back to the Central Hall to personally welcome the new survivors.

By that time, Mr. and Mrs. Winters had already given them a tour of the base, explaining the rules, the do’s and don’ts, and essential survival tips.

This approach garnered positive feedback from the newcomers. Once they learned that the base wasn’t a government-run community, they quickly understood that no one was offering charity. Everyone would have to work for what they needed, including food and shelter.

Mr. Winters specifically ordered the demolition of the tents and arranged for the warriors, soldiers, and survivors to be moved into proper residences.

This way, they could begin collecting rent, ensuring the survivors wouldn’t grow complacent or do the bare minimum just because they had a tent to live in.

This structure encouraged responsibility and productivity within the community.

The tents would be repurposed and given to the warriors going in and out of the base on missions, while also being temporarily lent to new survivors.

This approach not only maximized resources but also helped establish a clear distinction between newcomers and established members of the community, making it easier to identify who was new to the base.

Newcomers would quickly see the benefits permanent residents enjoy, which would serve as an incentive for them to blend in and adapt to life at the base. Instead of fostering resentment, this system would motivate them to learn the ropes and build positive relationships with others.

In a way, this setup acted as a subtle leash, encouraging newcomers to respect and protect the established residents, knowing that better accommodations and integration awaited them if they contributed meaningfully.

Overall, this was a calculated political move by the base leaders. While many might anticipate such a strategy, they would have little choice but to comply.

The approach ensured a structured community where everyone worked together, maintaining harmony and order within the base.

When Mr. Winters proposed the plan, Kisha remained silent but fully approved. However, this also meant they needed to either acquire more land with existing buildings for residential use or construct new housing from the ground up to accommodate everyone.

The newly arrived survivors were astonished by how well the base had developed in just a few weeks after the apocalypse. They had assumed only government-run bases would have the resources and organization to create such a secure and well-supplied haven during these chaotic times.

Kisha’s base shattered their expectations, proving them wrong.

Hope Base was thriving—so well-equipped and organized that it surpassed even government-run shelters.

To the new survivors, it felt more like a tightly-knit community, operating smoothly as if the apocalypse hadn’t touched it.

Inside its walls, they felt a profound sense of security.

Feeling both at home and welcomed, the new survivors quickly realized they wanted to stay. Eager not to miss any crucial details, they hung on to every word Mr. Winters said, knowing that a single misstep could risk being expelled from this paradise in the making.

They knew about the base in City B and, given the circumstances, expected it to be grim, filled with unspoken horrors and infighting for resources. However, what they were witnessing now shattered those expectations.

The base was thriving, its atmosphere vibrant and orderly, completely contrary to their assumptions of chaos and despair.

After hearing the rules, the newcomers were directed to the bulletin board to select their jobs. By earning work points, they could acquire their daily necessities, which they accepted with enthusiasm.

Unsurprisingly, the Evans’ bodyguard opted to become a warrior, and the maid chose to join him, much to Kisha’s surprise. She raised an eyebrow, recalling that the maid had been quite timid before.

Kisha speculated that the maid’s newfound resolve likely stemmed from her experiences, which had made her realize the importance of learning to fight and protect herself. Kisha found this admirable and nodded approvingly.

She welcomed them once more and, since they were new arrivals, she directed them to their allocated tents, providing two days’ worth of supplies to help them settle in before starting work the following day.

After ensuring that everything was running smoothly with the new survivors, Kisha and Duke returned to the front line, where Vulture and the others were still busy fortifying the barricade.

Unbeknownst to them, as they left the new arrivals, Kisha’s reputation as a compassionate leader who personally welcomed and settled the newcomers began to spread through the walls.

Her dedication and hands-on approach in making the new arrivals feel at home had not gone unnoticed and was becoming the talk of the base.

When Kisha and Duke arrived back at the front line, they saw the team in full swing. The soldiers and warriors were diligently pushing cars into place for the barricade, with a massive truck being hauled in to serve as a formidable barrier.

Others were actively engaged in fending off zombies. Despite Kisha’s brief absence, the improvement in the group’s coordination and efficiency was evident, highlighting their commitment and progress.

The atmosphere was less tense and more fluid compared to earlier. The team moved with newfound confidence and trust, working seamlessly together as they thrust into the horde of zombies.

Their actions, while seemingly reckless, were underpinned by a strong sense of mutual support and reliance, knowing that their teammates had their backs. And indeed, the team proved their loyalty, providing the cover and assistance needed to keep everyone safe.

This camaraderie built a solid rapport within the team, enhancing the overall atmosphere and morale. However, when Duke arrived, the group’s demeanor shifted noticeably.

The tension was palpable, revealing the strictness he imposed during their training. His presence was akin to a supervisor conducting an inspection, and it was clear that his authority was deeply felt among the team members.

Duke didn’t utter a word. Instead, he simply stepped in to assist, effortlessly maneuvering vehicles and contributing to the barricade’s construction. He pulled a car with ease, as if it were a lightweight monoblock chair, while others struggled with the same task.

The contrast was stark: where four to five men had worked together to move each vehicle, Duke single-handedly moved one without breaking a sweat. His effortless strength made the others look almost comical in their efforts.

Their confidence felt as if it had been flattened under a truck, but they couldn’t voice their frustration—it was Duke, after all. Kisha, however, took a different approach.

Rather than joining in, she circled the area, subtly using her passive skills to restore their spiritual energy and stamina. Her quiet assistance went unnoticed, providing much-needed relief without drawing attention.

Even Vulture, the strongest among them, had to concede that Duke’s strength was unmatched. All they could do was watch in awe as Duke effortlessly hauled vehicle after vehicle, clearing the streets with a display of power that left everyone impressed.

Next came the first building they needed to clear and secure before surrounding it with barricades and incorporating it into their expansion. Kisha and Duke led a team of ten, evenly split between regular humans and superhumans.

This setup gave everyone a chance to witness Kisha and Duke’s fighting skills up close and learn from their techniques.