Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

"Radiation detectors are priced at 2,500 contribution points each.

Alternatively, one detector can be exchanged for 300 kilograms of discarded circuit boards or 5 tons of scrap metal. Transportation costs will be split evenly, and transporters will receive a 10% commission of the material's total value.

Metal raw materials like gold, silver, copper, and lead, as well as other chemical raw materials and finished products, will be priced based on pre-apocalypse market rates, with adjustments for current supply and demand.

We offer modification services at a rate of 200 contribution points per unit, or equivalent materials.

As for human resources... no, we're not currently interested in people."

Negotiating with large shelters over transactions involving massive quantities of materials proved far more complex than Su Wu had initially imagined.

The radiation detectors alone, with a daily production of 5,000 units, represented over 1.2 million contribution points or the equivalent of 20,000 tons of scrap metal.

Such staggering quantities could theoretically be used to construct a 10,000-ton superstructure, a testament to the immense scale of these exchanges.

But moving such vast quantities presented logistical challenges of equally colossal proportions.

The mere act of transporting materials by land required vast resources in manpower and infrastructure. Add to that the issues of securing and storing these goods, and it became clear how delicate and intricate the process truly was.

While the representatives of large shelters seemed friendly and cooperative during negotiations, Su Wu harbored no illusions. Should they detect any vulnerability, they would not hesitate to exploit it, potentially dismantling and devouring his shelter like scavengers.

Fortunately, the majority of transactions were conducted in contribution points or through lightweight, high-value metals like gold, silver, and copper. This reduced the strain on transportation logistics and gave Su Wu some breathing room.

Even so, the transaction process remained tedious. Su Wu had to delegate non-decisive tasks to his artificial intelligence, enabling the massive trade worth millions of contribution points to proceed smoothly.

In the control center on the second underground floor of Su Wu's shelter, he rubbed his temples, exhaustion evident as he felt the dull thrum of fatigue in his head.

Having just concluded price negotiations and transportation arrangements with the final shelter, he finally had a moment of respite.

"Hundreds of materials, each requiring individual price discussions.

"It's beyond tedious."

Many large shelters, unwilling to part with precious contribution points, cobbled together payments using whatever excess materials they had—metals, chemicals, even obscure compounds.

This piecemeal approach meant that instead of dealing with a few types of resources, Su Wu had to juggle a veritable smorgasbord of items.

Moreover, pricing these materials was a challenge. Post-apocalyptic conditions had drastically altered the value of many goods, necessitating delicate negotiations for every item.

Negotiations dragged on as each side haggled over perceived value, with Su Wu refusing to overpay and the shelters' representatives unwilling to undersell.

The back-and-forth consumed enormous amounts of Su Wu's energy.

"This was the most grueling part of the deal," Su Wu muttered, reclining into his chair. Once negotiations concluded, the artificial intelligence took over the logistical and procedural tasks, lightening his load significantly.

"What's with the suggestion of trading humans?"

Su Wu frowned as he recalled one particularly disturbing offer.

A representative from a large shelter had discreetly proposed bartering a batch of "obedient, attractive young women," skilled professionals, and even healthy test subjects in exchange for radiation detectors.

The brazenness of the suggestion left Su Wu appalled.

It was as if the apocalypse had stripped away the last vestiges of societal decorum, revealing an underbelly where human trafficking had become a casual business proposal.

"Perhaps it was always like this," Su Wu mused grimly.

"Now, without laws or oversight, these people feel no need to hide their true colors."

After some thought, Su Wu resolved to steer clear of such transactions for now.

But the idea lingered. If the opportunity arose to "liberate" individuals from such exploitation—preferably at the expense of their captors—he wouldn't hesitate.

With weapons stockpiling in his shelter, he found the thought of turning them against slave traders increasingly appealing.

Shaking off his frustration, Su Wu turned his attention to revising the shelter's production plans.

Expanding the construction and scavenging teams, once top priorities, were now put on indefinite hold.

Two newly produced crushers joined the construction team, continuing excavation work on the fifth underground level.

Meanwhile, two Type 1 Ore Transporters, originally designed for hauling soil and stone, were recalled for extensive retrofitting.

Their open cargo beds were sealed shut, a 20mm rotary cannon and two 8-tube rocket launchers installed atop each vehicle. These modifications transformed them into mobile fortresses bristling with firepower.

"If these armored vehicles patrol the area near the shelter," Su Wu muttered, "they'll complement the 120mm howitzer in the bunker and the four retractable gun platforms inside."

To further bolster defenses, Su Wu added 10 combat-ready construction robots to the patrol units.

But even this didn't feel sufficient.

"Better to overprepare," Su Wu thought, finalizing additional measures:

Recalling the scavenging team.

Retrofitting their specialized transport vehicles with rotary cannons and rocket launchers.

Upgrading the heavy truck, mounting two .50 caliber machine guns on the sides in addition to the roof's 30mm autocannon.

Finally, Su Wu transformed the truck's cargo bay into a drone carrier equipped with a launch platform for two K2-series agricultural drones.

This "land-based drone carrier" would provide versatile support, capable of surveillance and bombing missions near urban ruins.

"That should suffice—at least for now," Su Wu sighed.

But even with all these preparations, a gnawing sense of unease remained.

The radiation storm was coming, and no amount of firepower could shield him from nature's wrath. He could only hope that his shelter would endure.

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