Chapter 25: Deterrence!

“Ding!”

With that familiar sound, a line of blood-red text appeared before Fan Li’s eyes.

[A new member has joined your faction. Successfully recruited a subordinate.]

[Unlocked special achievement: Building a Faction]

[Reward obtained: Intimidation!]

[You are no longer alone. Alongside your monster, you have also gained a subordinate. Your presence will now shift with your emotions. When angered, you will inflict a certain amount of mental damage to creatures within a two-meter radius, causing fear, stupor, and a brief daze!]

[Congratulations on taking another step toward survival.]

[Prestige unlocked]

[Prestige +1]

“Hm?”

As soon as he heard the “ding,” Fan Li knew he had gambled correctly. He’d been trying to figure out how to unlock special achievements and, based on his past two experiences, attempted to summon a new member to his side.

The first summon, the first time he killed a zombie—sure enough, after successfully recruiting a new member, he unlocked an ability called Intimidation.

[Fear Enhancement], [Basic Night Vision], [Intimidation]—these were the three traits Fan Li now possessed. As expected, the third trait was also a passive ability, one that would shift with his emotional state, exerting psychological pressure on enemies.

If he’d been unclear about such abilities at first, after unlocking two, Fan Li had gained some experience.

What drew his attention most, however, was that unlocking a new achievement had granted him a prestige point—a statistic entirely separate from his kill count, though its function wasn't described. Clearly, he’d have to discover its use for himself.

Thinking this, Fan Li glanced at Yang Shuo, who stood beside him looking rather dispirited. Almost immediately, a line appeared above Yang Shuo’s head:

[Yang Shuo]

[Status: Subordinate]

[Fear and terror have only subdued his body; his soul belongs to a lawless place, and he’s clearly harboring some unspeakable schemes.]

Compared to Fan Li, Yang Shuo’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He hadn’t even fully processed what just happened—he’d acknowledged a new boss in his own room.

This was an act of betrayal. If word got out among his old crew, it might not get him stabbed, but it would drag his reputation down to rock bottom!

Pride, reputation, the shock of switching allegiances—Yang Shuo was stunned to realize he’d actually replied, “Alright?”

“Damn it! I must be half-crazed from hunger these days.”

Still, what was done was done. There was no point arguing. He needed to learn more about this villain standing in front of him. Swallowing, he asked, “So, what should I call you?”

“Fan Li,” came the curt reply.

He doesn’t sound much older than me, Yang Shuo thought, swearing to himself that one day he’d get his revenge. Once his old team regrouped, he’d make sure Fan Li regretted ever threatening him.

But at that moment, his stomach rumbled loudly. He’d eaten his last pack of instant noodles two days ago, and the paltry calories hadn’t lasted long under such stress. Now, after the fright he’d just experienced, hunger crashed over him like a tidal wave.

“Li, do you have anything to eat? I’m really starving, I’ve finished my last bit of food…”

“Will dog food do?”

Fan Li wasn’t joking; it was simply his instinctive response.

He had a certain obsession with survival. With no idea how long the apocalypse might last, he wanted to conserve as much food as possible. Having another mouth to feed only increased the strain on his supplies, and selfishness compelled him to consider offering up scraps.

“Dog… food…?”

“Damn it!”

“All that noise upstairs every day—God knows how many apartments you’ve broken into. You must have tons of supplies, and you plan to give me dog food?”

Yang Shuo was simmering with resentment, but he couldn’t show it. It was like being called out in front of the teacher: his heart was full of protest, but his face wore a forced, polite smile.

“Ding!”

[Your bond is under threat!]

[Don’t expect him to be loyal. His devotion is below freezing, and he poses a potential threat. Recommendation: eliminate!]

The Monster Handbook offered a disturbingly human suggestion.

Fan Li noticed his first subordinate’s loyalty dropping again, with betrayal now a real risk. Unhappy, he shot Yang Shuo a cold glare.

Yang Shuo’s pupils dulled, his body shuddered involuntarily, as if struck by a powerful psychic blow that sent him into a panic.

Did his mood just trigger Intimidation?

At two meters’ distance, Yang Shuo was well within its range!

[Intense fear has forced him to accept reality. By employing both reward and punishment, you have clearly grasped the art of leadership.]

[Affection increased.]

Fan Li: “…”

Fan Li didn’t think he’d done anything excessive. In this lawless, apocalyptic world, he needed to wrap himself in a layer of armor—coldness, aloofness, whatever it took—to ward off unwanted trouble.

To maintain his persona, Fan Li didn’t cook for Yang Shuo himself, but instead handed him a pack of noodles, an egg, and access to the gas stove.

With food stocks still ample, Fan Li couldn’t bring himself to truly humiliate the man by making him eat dog food. Of course, if loyalty hadn’t inched up, Yang Shuo might very well have been punished with a few meals of emergency rations.

Sitting in his chair, Fan Li watched Yang Shuo—who was impatiently waiting for the noodles to cook—and asked, “Tell me your story.”

“Li, that could take a while…”

Fan Li needed to get a preliminary understanding of his first subordinate. “Take your time. Start with your work experience and skills.”

Having suffered the effects of Intimidation, Yang Shuo’s fear of Fan Li had reached new heights. Even when Fan Li removed his scarf, revealing a face even younger than his own, Yang Shuo maintained a posture of respect.

As Fan Li questioned him, Yang Shuo stood up straight, not daring to fidget.

The water in the pot began to boil, and the aroma of instant noodles and egg mingled, wafting through the room.

“Is it done? If you keep cooking, you’ll just waste more gas,” Fan Li thought, then pointed at the stove. “Eat first.”

Yang Shuo swallowed and hurried to serve himself.

For the first time, he thought Fan Li might not be so bad after all—at least he was willing to share a meal.