Chapter Five: Power Multiplied Tenfold

Under Lu Sheng’s gaze, the ten cards all shattered into particles of light, merging into his life-bound card. The cracks in his life-bound card mended, its color shifting from white to green. A brand-new set of card data materialized before his eyes. His talent life-bound card could only improve in quality, while the cards dropped from monsters could only raise its level.

[Temporal Ant]
Quality: Green
Level: First-tier, early stage
Skills: Storage Space, Tenfold Strength.

Storage Space: Ten cubic meters (increases with improved quality).

Tenfold Strength: When possessed by the Temporal Ant, his strength multiplies by ten. As the Temporal Ant’s quality and level increase, the multiplier grows.

This… was simply incredible!

This was truly the right way to start! With tenfold strength as his combat power and the sow summoning piglets, his abilities would skyrocket in no time.

That night, after his excitement faded, Lu Sheng drifted into a deep, restful sleep. It was the best sleep he’d ever had, something he could never experience in his previous life. He didn’t have to worry about his future, about money, about daily necessities.

“Brother Liang, I’ve awakened.”

The next morning, upon waking, Lu Sheng went straight to Wei Liang and explained his situation. He had thought this through; without revealing his awakening, he couldn’t join the combat squad, and without joining the combat squad, he’d rarely encounter monsters. Without killing monsters, he couldn’t increase his strength. In this unfamiliar, apocalyptic world, only personal power could offer him true security.

Wei Liang, just out of bed, was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with genuine joy. “That’s great news! What’s the quality and ability of your life-bound card?”

His expression was sincere; it was clear he was truly happy for Lu Sheng.

“It’s green quality, a creature called Mighty Ant. It can possess me and grant me tenfold strength.”

Except for the card’s actual name, Lu Sheng intended to hide nothing—something he had also considered. In this post-apocalyptic environment, it was wise to keep some things to oneself, but he saw no need to hide his tenfold strength.

Just give him a bit of time to develop, and he’d soon have trump cards far greater than this tenfold power. The might he revealed now would only be the tip of the iceberg.

“That’s an excellent ability. To get ten times the strength right at awakening—if you keep leveling up your life-bound card, the ability will only improve. It has immense potential. Congratulations!” Wei Liang looked at Lu Sheng with envy. A life-bound card that boosted strength tenfold from the start was top-tier even among green-quality cards; most only offered a fivefold increase at best.

“Come on, let’s find the captain. Awakening such a powerful life-bound card on your first day—he’ll be pleased.”

“Alright.”

The other members of the cleanup crew exchanged glances, each seeing bitterness in the others’ eyes. A person’s fate was sealed at the awakening of their life-bound card; a dragon is a dragon, a phoenix a phoenix. They had awakened useless cards—this was their lot. Unlike Wei Liang, who hadn’t yet awakened his life-bound card and still had an uncertain future, they could only feel jealousy and envy.

“Captain, Lu Sheng has awakened his life-bound card.”

Wei Liang brought Lu Sheng to Wang Ziping, happily stating their purpose.

“You’re so happy—I thought you’d awakened yourself,” Wang Ziping said with a smile. He was satisfied with Wei Liang: capable, upright, and displaying rare humanity in this bleak world. He himself no longer possessed such qualities, nor would he allow himself to, but he admired them in others.

“How’s the quality? What type and what ability?” The moment he faced Lu Sheng, Wang Ziping’s smile vanished, replaced by a stern, businesslike tone. This information was crucial for squad deployment and survival.

“It’s a green-quality Mighty Ant. When it possesses me, I gain tenfold strength.”

“Mighty Ant? …Never heard of it, but the quality and ability are both excellent. You’ll be joining my squad for now.”

“Thank you, Captain Wang.”

A large squad was divided into three smaller teams, each led by a vice-captain, with the captain himself leading one. Wang Ziping’s decision to place Lu Sheng in his own team showed how much he valued his ability. Usually, the captain would keep elite fighters in his team, while those of middling or lesser ability were assigned to the vice-captains.

“Wei Liang, you can head back. I’ll see to Lu Sheng’s arrangements.”

“Understood, thank you, Captain.” Wei Liang felt relieved; bringing Lu Sheng here was partly to get him placed under Wang Ziping’s command. Working for the captain was far preferable to working under the vice-captains, especially given the authority Wang Ziping held over the others.

“This is our standard weapon. Practice with it until it feels right. Tenfold strength is great, but don’t neglect your own physique. That tenfold power is based on your own physical foundation. Eat more, train more—otherwise, multiplying your current skinny frame tenfold won’t amount to much.”

Wang Ziping gave Lu Sheng a stern pep talk, offering solid advice and handing him a long machete—slightly smaller than those beheading swords seen on TV.

Lu Sheng accepted the weapon, expressing his gratitude. He understood Wang Ziping’s intentions and was not unappreciative. But this was the body he had inherited—there wasn’t much he could do.

“Alright, come with me. I’ll have a squad leader show you the ropes.”

Wang Ziping led Lu Sheng to a building and called out, “Shi Jiu, come out.”

“Coming!” came the reply, followed by shuffling sounds inside. Soon, a disheveled Shi Jiu emerged. He had a distinctive appearance, and the first words that came to Lu Sheng’s mind were: crafty and shifty-eyed.

“Here’s a newcomer for you. His life-bound card grants him tenfold strength—impressive ability. Help him get acquainted; we’re heading out to hunt soon.”

“Got it, Captain. Leave him to me.”

Wang Ziping nodded and left. As captain, his responsibilities spanned the entire team—he couldn’t afford to micromanage every detail.

“Come on in; tenfold strength is a remarkable talent.”

With Shi Jiu leading, Lu Sheng quickly got to know the others in the squad. “Getting to know” meant learning names and abilities. The room was spacious and had two levels, with all ten squad members present.

As Shi Jiu briefed him, Lu Sheng gained a basic understanding of the combat unit. Under Wang Ziping’s command, the combat squad consisted of thirty-three members, divided into three teams of ten, with Shi Jiu’s squad (now eleven with Lu Sheng), and three others from the cleanup crew.

Their main task was to follow Wang Ziping on hunting expeditions, focusing solely on battle and staying alive.

Once the introduction ended, Shi Jiu handed Lu Sheng two buckets. It was his job to fetch water for the others to wash their faces—a proper role for a newcomer.