However, compared to raw ore, these finished products actually had their flaws.
When Shawn swung his pickaxe, the amount of metal obtained with each strike was not as much as from raw ore.
After all, raw ore is gathered, and obtaining from these shelves is decomposition.
But as long as there was something to get, Shawn wasn't too picky.
If the quality wasn't enough, then quantity would make up for it.
By the time the supermarket was completely turned into an empty building, Shawn's backpack contained over 44,000 iron, over 5,000 brass, over 400 broken glass, and over 12,000 scrap polymers.
Thanks to the buffs from advanced tools, mods, and skills, the entire process wasn't long.
When Shawn walked out of the supermarket, the morning sun's rays had just touched the tips of his shoes.
"Let's go." Shawn got into the car, gave Columbus a look, and the convoy slowly started moving.
Officially on the way back, Shawn sat in the passenger seat, watching the convoy ahead and letting his mind wander.
This trip north had been very fruitful.
Not only did he acquire a large amount of supplies, but he also found a large number of the most urgently needed resources for Prison at this stage—people.
At the same time, Shawn's level had reached Lv68, gaining a large number of skill points and unlocking the final Intelligence Sequence.
Compared to before their departure.
Shawn's personal strength had doubled, and the team's strength had directly increased by more than tenfold.
In the apocalypse, numbers are definitely an important indicator for measuring whether a Camp is strong.
With these 900+ people, Prison could instantly leap to become a thousand-person Camp, enough to dominate an area.
However, Shawn was not satisfied; with the seven days to die system, there was no doubt that Shawn could reach a higher limit.
Especially with the Intelligence Sequence, the scope for manipulation had expanded considerably.
Prison could be even stronger!
The convoy moved slowly.
South Carolina is not large; traveling straight through it takes about half a day, and by now the convoy had already crossed the state's central line.
They would probably enter Georgia after another half-day of continuous driving.
But halfway through their journey, Shawn called for a halt.
Shawn looked at the map in his hand; their current location was roughly near 'Columbia City'.
If Shawn remembered correctly, there seemed to be two large libraries here, both within the city.
One was the South Carolina State Library.
The other was the Thomas Cooper Library, located within the University of South Carolina.
They were just passing by, and Shawn had just unlocked the 'Search' function; he felt an itch if he didn't go.
Next was Georgia, and once they returned to Prison, the university and state libraries there could be visited anytime.
But for South Carolina, they might not return for a long time in the future, so they might as well make a detour now.
The road the convoy was currently on was right behind the university, with few people around and not many Walker activity traces, so Shawn simply stopped the vehicles there.
"I need to go in again. You manage them and don't let people wander around."
"If you can't manage that group of people, you can go find him; he will help you."
After speaking to Diana, Shawn pointed to Elynn, who was standing with his arms crossed in the distance.
Seeing Shawn look over, he quickly nodded at Shawn.
Elynn didn't actually know what Shawn was saying, but he knew that no matter what Shawn said, he just needed to nod and say 'yes'.
After giving instructions, Shawn led Daryl and the others from the jungle behind the university, stealthily approaching the university.
And behind them, dozens of swaying figures followed.
Shawn listened to the dense footsteps behind him and couldn't help but turn back helplessly to look at this group of Zealots.
But when he met their determined gazes, Shawn sighed and ultimately said nothing, letting them follow.
However, this stealth mission, due to the persistent efforts of this group of Zealots, successfully turned into a forced assault mission.
Why?
Because a team of this size entering the university couldn't possibly hide.
Cutting open the unpowered electric fence on the wall, the group directly climbed over the back wall.
Shawn's objective was very clear: the Thomas Cooper Library.
But the group wandered around the school brazenly for two circles, and even Shawn almost got confused about his location.
Fortunately, there was a map to identify directions, so Shawn led the people back to the starting point and found a signboard nearby that indicated locations.
According to the location indicated by the signboard, Shawn roughly marked a spot on the map, and then the group advanced grandly in the direction Shawn led.
At this time, the distribution pattern of Walkers was no longer like the beginning of the apocalypse; the hordes in the school had already left, so they didn't encounter too many obstacles along the way.
Before Shawn even had to act, these Zealots were making a ruckus, shouting 'wah ya ya' and going up to decapitate the Walkers with a single slash.
After walking for a long time, Shawn always felt like something was missing.
When he looked back, the eyes of dozens of Zealots turned to him in unison, and Shawn suddenly slapped his forehead, remembering.
"I've been so busy I forgot; I haven't added them to the system team yet, so I'm not getting any profit from them killing Walkers."
Shawn shook his head, and while moving forward, he added the Zealots to the team one by one.
Only then did a bunch of friendly markers appear on Shawn's map.
"I need to add all the remaining people to the team when I go back, otherwise I'm losing a lot."
Now, large numbers of Walkers have wandered off to who knows where, so the remaining Walkers are dwindling with each one killed; they must be cherished!
Such 'prosperous' days might gradually become rare in the future~~
[Experience + 75]
Upon hearing the prompt sound in his ear, Shawn felt as light as a fish in water.
Following the map's winding guidance, they soon stopped in front of a building with an imposing architectural style.
"We're here," Shawn said softly.
Tarah seized the opportunity to squeeze over, raised his eyebrows at Shawn, and whispered conspiratorially.
"Can you tell them not to be so neurotic? Every time we make a move, they stare at us. It's making me feel creeped out."
Tarah pointed at the group of Zealots.
Seeing him put a hand on Shawn's shoulder, the Zealots' eyes couldn't help but widen again!
"You'll get used to it. Don't be so dramatic; they're actually quite cute."
Shawn irritably slapped Tarah's hand away.
"They... cute??"
Tarah was dumbfounded after hearing that.
He tried to look back at the Zealots again, but just as he did, one of the Zealots extended a long tongue, licked the knife in his hand, and gave Tarah a challenging look.
"Damn it, aren't you afraid of cutting your tongue with Walker blood and turning into a Walker?!"
Tarah usually thought he was tough enough, but he never expected that every single person Shawn brought back was tougher than him.
Tarah retracted his gaze, constantly muttering to himself: Out of sight, out of mind; out of sight, out of mind...
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