Chapter Seventy-Six: A Shift in Mindset

Van Li sat at the table, taking out paper and pen to begin writing.

It had been three hours since they encountered the monster capable of splitting its body into several pieces. Because of the creature’s overwhelming presence, the group had managed to pass through the corridor, narrowly escaping danger. After a simple meal, each returned to their quarters to rest.

They were exhausted—body and mind alike had been battered during that brief exploration. This underscored just how terrifying the dangers facing ordinary people outside were; the world had deteriorated so thoroughly, especially for humanity, reaching an unprecedented extreme.

“Newly discovered monster… Splitter.”

“Crack, crack.”

“It possesses the ability to divide its body, and at the points of separation, blood filaments appear, seemingly maintaining some connection. This zombie has the power to manipulate and control its severed limbs.”

“Crack, crack.”

“Initial suspicion: it has evolved beyond the basic stage, reaching monster-level. Decapitating it yielded fifteen slaughter points, while the rest of its body was devoured, making it impossible to confirm if other parts would also grant points.”

“This needs further consideration. Severing its foot yielded no points. Is this because it wasn’t truly destroyed, or perhaps because the foot only constitutes a small portion of the monster, thus no reward?”

“Crack, crack…”

Writing key words was always interrupted by noises. Van Li sighed, and glanced at the figure beside him, who was devouring a bag of SnackCo chips. He said, “Ellie, could you keep it down? I’m working.”

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Ellie—already halfway through the chips—lifted her head. Her cheek, full of teeth, turned toward Van Li, crumbs still lingering in her mouth.

In any environment, Ellie’s appearance could terrify anyone encountering her for the first time, for she was the very embodiment of fear.

But Van Li, on one hand her summoner, and on the other, now immune to terror, had most importantly developed a bond with her—their mutual affection had risen to seventy. This meant they had completed the first stage of their connection.

[Your consideration has made Ellie feel comfortable. She is beginning to reconsider her previous belief that you would never become a competent commander.]

[Affection +10]

[Affection: 70]

After slaying the monster, Van Li, for the first time, did not choose to seal it away, but allowed Ellie to devour it.

Catering to her preferences, their relationship took another step forward.

It was then that Van Li decided to strike while the iron was hot, aiming to dispel Ellie’s lingering doubts about him, and hoping she might one day truly acknowledge him.

Compared to the Butcher, who could slaughter even his own allies without a drop of blood, Ellie was now ranked first on the summoning list, the chief enforcer at Van Li’s side.

Van Li began to reflect: had he been treating her too much like a tool, only summoning her when necessary, neglecting the fact that their bond grew stronger with each exchange?

Girls are easy to please—with tasty food, fun things, useful items, and pretty objects.

Meet these four criteria, and you can win their hearts.

Ellie, being a monster, had no need for entertainment; her eyesight seemed poor, so she had little interest in pretty clothes. As for useful things, perhaps equipping her with weapons would suffice.

During their last outing, they had scavenged some weapons from rival factions. The hammers used by Yang Shuo and the others were now obsolete; perhaps Ellie could try them.

Though the hammer’s destructive power was decent, it wasn’t suitable for prolonged use. Compared to ordinary blades, hammers drained stamina quickly, and striking zombies required brute force; after a dozen swings, the arm would ache.

Yet Ellie was untroubled by such limitations—a creature who could catch arms barehanded and tear open chest cavities found a hammer’s weight insignificant.

Imagine, in the future, summoning Ellie, her teeth whirling, grasping a massive hammer, ready to defend or attack—a true “Royal One” at Van Li’s side.

Beyond weapons, Van Li also fixated on food. He’d always assumed carnivores only ate meat, overlooking the fact that sometimes, Ellie enjoyed a bit of fruit for variety.

Van Li brought out his trump card.

A grand snack pack!

Chips, shrimp crackers, beef jerky, and a bottle of Fuzi milk produced three months ago—any girl with a sweet tooth would find such a treat irresistible.

This led to the scene where Van Li was interrupted while writing: after returning to his room, he summoned Ellie again, helped her open the packages, and, upon tasting one snack, Ellie nodded and, satisfied with the flavor, began an hour-long feast.

Van Li watched as the snack wrappers began to cover the bed, his eyelid twitching—she’d eaten so much while he was making his notes?

Though the harvest was considerable this time, as the leader, Van Li kept sixty percent of the food. Still, even a landlord’s house has no surplus grain—with Ellie eating at this rate, his stockpile would be gone in days.

With that thought, Van Li rose from his chair, reaching for the chips in Ellie’s hand. She instinctively leaned back, guarding her food, pulling her arm away. But after tilting her head, her hollow face turned toward Van Li’s subtle smile, and with some reluctance, she hesitantly offered the bag to him.

Such was the effect of seventy affection points; Ellie now regarded Van Li as a companion, not as food.

Between Van Li and the chips, Ellie chose the former.

Van Li glanced at the packaging—honey butter flavor. He took a chip, placed it in his mouth, and crunched down. Delicious!

Yet after several battles, Van Li had learned to conceal his emotions. He quietly set the chips on his desk and said to Ellie, “These are junk food. You can eat them, but not too much. Things that are too sweet cause cavities, and your teeth are important, understand?”

Ellie raised her head, expressionless, but still managed to convey a sense of bewilderment through her stiff body.

She seemed not to understand what “junk,” “too sweet,” or “cavities” meant.

Van Li didn’t want to appear too stern, so he patted her head, his tone softening, “These things will weaken your fighting power. You can eat them, but you must control the amount. From now on, only one bag every two days, alright?”

Ellie could communicate—a fact established long ago. Van Li made himself clear. This time, Ellie grasped the key point: chips affect combat strength. She nodded, accepting his advice.

“Good.”

Van Li’s mouth curled into a smile. He gently stroked her head a few times. For enemies and ordinary people, monsters are pariahs, impossible to coexist with. But for Van Li, they are his lifeline and trump card.

Ellie raised her head, still dazed. She couldn’t see Van Li’s expression, but sensed his mood was lighter than usual—not so gloomy as before.

As a predator, she had never been treated so kindly. Her teeth stopped spinning, her demeanor softened, like a kitten’s drooping ears, devoid of any menace.

How to describe it?

Ellie’s impoverished knowledge could not explain, but she thought, perhaps, this feeling was rather nice.