ALL NOVEL CHAPTER 118: Day 8: Noobies
The noobies exchanged uncertain glances, murmuring among themselves. The weight of their new reality was beginning to sink in, and with it came a mixture of fear, frustration, and determination. They stood awkwardly in ill-fitting Portal Crusher uniforms, the spare ones handed to them upon arrival—faded, patched-up, and smelling faintly of blood and sweat.
“This isn’t what I expected at all,” Jeff, a man in his early thirties, said, frowning at the contract in his hands. The uniform felt stiff against his skin, adding to his discomfort. His pyjamas were more comfortable. “I thought we’d just be surviving, not working.”
A woman next to him, Claire, nodded in agreement. She was wearing what had once been sexy lingerie, now reduced to a tattered and stained remnant of her former life. Amber had quickly given her a jacket upon arrival.
She tugged at the sleeves of her used too-big jacket, the fabric hanging off her in a way that made her look even smaller.“Yeah, but if it’s contribute or starve, I guess we don’t have a choice. We can’t just sit around waiting for things to happen.”
“Well, I’m no fighter,” Marin, another man, spoke up. He looked more like an office worker than someone who would survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Since he had been portaled wearing a T-shirt and shorts he hadn’t been given extra clothing. The Portal Crushers didn’t have enough for everyone.
“Maybe crafting is the way to go? I mean, I’ve always been good with my hands. How hard can it be?”
“I don’t know,” Jake, who had been a personal trainer before the portaling, interjected. “Crafting sounds complicated. Portering might be easier, just hauling stuff around. It’s physical work, but straightforward.”
A young woman, Sarah, shook her head. Her eyes were sharp, reflecting a determination that belied her otherwise delicate appearance. “I want to be a warrior. If we’re stuck here, I’m going to learn how to defend myself. I’m not going to be a sitting duck waiting for something bad to happen.”
The group continued to discuss their options, their voices rising and falling as they debated the merits of each role. Some, like Marin, were drawn to the idea of crafting, seeing it as a way to use their skills to create something tangible in a world where so much had been taken from them. Others, like Jake, preferred the simplicity of portering, seeing it as a straightforward way to contribute without the risks associated with fighting. And then there were those like Sarah, who saw the warrior path as the only viable option in a world that seemed increasingly hostile.
As the conversation went on, a figure stood slightly apart from the group, observing the discussions with a calculating gaze. Mohammed, the former CEO of Sword and Iron, had been one of the more confident newcomers. Unlike the others, who were grappling with their new reality, Mohammed had already begun to see opportunities in this strange new world.
‘These people are too focused on the now. I’ll focus on the future.‘
Mohammed’s mind was racing with plans. While the others were focused on the immediate need to survive, he was thinking long-term. In his previous life, he had built his franchises up by knowing when to strike and when to hold back. And here, in the wasteland, he saw another chance to build something powerful—something that would give him control over this new society.
He had already spent his two coins, using them to acquire a sturdy club. The club was more than just a weapon; it was a symbol of the power he intended to wield. He knew that leadership in this world wasn’t just about organizing people—it was about knowing when to apply pressure and when to give in.
For now, though, he would play along. He would join the others, pretend to be just another newcomer trying to find his place. But in the back of his mind, the wheels were already turning. Mohammed was not here to survive; he was here to conquer.
Amber and John, oblivious to Mohammed’s true intentions, continued their work, guiding the newcomers as they formed their teams and prepared for the day’s activities.
“Everyone, don’t worry, stay calm. We’ll get it all sorted out,” said Amber with a smile.
The Portal Crushers, now veterans of the wasteland, watched from a distance, their eyes sharp and their weapons ready. They knew that every new group brought challenges, but they also knew that they had the strength and experience to face whatever came their way.
“Do you think they’ll be alright?” Asked Isabella. She did a quick mental prayer for the new group.
“As long as none of them are traitors or thieves.” Said Wang Bo. He grimaced remembering how shitty those two had acted.
“Okay, now that you’ve decided on your groups, find your team leaders. Crafters will be with Noi, porters and warriors in training go with Isabella and Alexander,” said Amber.
“Yo, newbies! Over here! See these fine pairings of Portal Crushers? Split yourselves into groups and stand by the pair you want to join!” yelled Alexander.
The newbies, like confused sheep, started randomly pairing up with the partner pairs.
“Don’t clump up people. Hurry the hell up, This ain’t a barn dance.”
Seeing the confusion, Isabella stepped in and gave more directions, making sure each of the newly formed groups was a good mixture of Portal Crushers, warriors in training, and porters.
With the settlement all ready to go, everyone started their day. The newcomers were nervous but not desperate.
As the newcomers gathered in their ill-fitting military uniforms, eyes darting nervously around the camp, Wang Bo leaned casually against a nearby post, scanning the crowd. Next to him, Hank and Stu exchanged knowing glances, clearly thinking the same thing.
“Man, look at the new chicks,” Hank muttered under his breath, nodding toward a group of women adjusting their oversized uniforms. “That Claire over there… even in that baggy jacket, she’s got something going on.”
Stu smirked, nudging Wang Bo. “What do you think, Eternal Emperor? Spot any future empresses for your kingdom?”
Wang Bo grinned, eyes glinting mischievously. “Maybe, maybe… but first, we have to see if they survive. No point in getting attached before they prove themselves, right? But I will admit,” he paused, eyeing a busty blonde adjusting her belt, “the wasteland’s looking a little brighter today.”
Stu chuckled. “Always the fucking strategist, huh? Well, if you’re not interested in Claire, don’t mind if I make my move.”
Wang Bo laughed, slapping Stu on the back. “Go ahead, my friend. But remember, it’s all about patience. An emperor never rushes into battle.”
Atlas gathered the Portal Crushers around him, his eyes glinting with a mix of ambition and determination. “Well, is everyone set up?” he asked, glancing over at John.
John hesitated before responding, “Yeah, but it wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped.”
“Hey, it was only your first time.”
The Portal Crushers jumped on this.
“From what I heard from the tents, it definitely wasn’t his first time!” Hank said.
“Ooooh John has a girlfriend.” Barbara joined in.
Atlas smiled slightly, sensing an opportunity to introduce something new. “Let me show you something,” he said, leading John and a few others to a nearby console. “This is the friend/foe system.”
“Ooh, what’s that?” John asked, intrigued.
“It’s a new feature we’ve unlocked,” Atlas began, tapping on the screen. “This system allows us to set who is a resident and who isn’t. Right now, our capacity for residents is a hundred people, and those residents get access to our vending machines at the normal price. But here’s where it gets interesting—we can charge a tax for visitors.”
“A tax?” John raised an eyebrow.
"Visitors? Extra taxes?" John continued asking , still confused.
"That's right," Atlas replied with a grin. "We’re gonna be having more visitors soon. And the extra taxes are perfect—we won’t have to tax our hunters as much."
“Fuck yeah,” Alexander chimed in.
“And the new tourists will start paying for all the upgrades to our settlement. It’s gonna be fantastic,” Atlas added.
“Tourists? Perfect! More future customers. They’ll probably be thirsty as all get out!” Alexander said with a smile. His thoughts were squarely on the new brewery. Dreams of cold beer floated though his mind.
John nodded, satisfied. “Nice. They’ll fund our growth while we focus on getting stronger.”
“This is going to be the key to us taking over the entire wasteland apocalypse,” Atlas said with confidence.
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