C1 Supermarket System

[Life signs detected. Health status: 30%. Multiple infections present. Life signs: Critical.]

[Initiating emergency rescue procedures.]

[Life signs stabilizing.]

Shen Chen's eyes fluttered open, his gaze sweeping over the ruins that surrounded him. The remnants of his home lay in disarray, with rusty rebar jutting out from chunks of concrete, while a pungent rot filled the air. Sunlight pierced through the gaps in the broken walls.

This was where he lived.

On May 18th, 2018, the first Zombie emerged on Earth. Within just three months, Zombies had spread across the globe. Despite the emergency actions taken by nations to curb the crisis, within half a year, the world succumbed to the apocalypse.

Now, five years into the outbreak, bases, paranormals, fearsome high-level Zombies, and the elusive Zombie Beasts had all become a reality.

After five years of apocalyptic life, Shen Chen had come to terms with it all. Nothing could surprise him anymore.

[Antibiotics administered. Health improved to 50%. Nutritional status: Severely deficient.]

"What?" The voice inside Shen Chen's head startled him.

Before he could grasp what was happening, a searing pain exploded throughout his body. Despite his resilience to past agonies, he couldn't suppress a scream.

The pain obliterated all other thoughts.

When he finally regained his senses, he found that all his injuries, the rotting wounds, had miraculously healed.

"Is this a dream?" he murmured, staring at his hands in disbelief.

With his low-level, practically worthless earth-type superpower, no base would take him in. He was reduced to a 'post-apocalyptic scavenger,' trading Zombie crystal cores and any usable remnants from the old world for food and water to stay alive.

His hands, once his lifeline, had been ravaged by infection, riddled with sores and scars.

But now, they were unscathed, pristine—impossibly unmarred by the harshness of the apocalypse.

"Host's health level has reached 50%. Supermarket system now online."

"First phase mission: Replenish host's nutrition to raise health level above 70%. Mission commences immediately. Host, please submit five level-1 Zombie crystal cores to activate the system."

"I think I have some in my pocket!" Instinctively, Shen Chen reached in and pulled out a handful of white crystals—six or seven of them. These Zombie crystal cores were vital strategic materials in the apocalypse, serving as currency and essential for all superpowered individuals to enhance their abilities.

A streak of golden light flashed, and five crystal cores vanished from Shen Chen's grasp.

"System activated. Host successfully bound. Binding to: Shen Chen."

"Host, please select the meal you require for nutritional replenishment. Click confirm to proceed."

As Shen Chen's vision momentarily blurred, a peculiar interface materialized before his eyes.

Two choices were presented:

1. Rice, Braised Fish in Soy Sauce, Braised Pork Ribs Set.

2. Steamed Buns, Roast Duck, Clear Broth Noodles Set.

Still somewhat dazed, Shen Chen's eyes landed on the first option. What happened next was beyond anything he could have imagined.

With another flash of gold, a plate appeared in Shen Chen's hands, heaped with rice, braised fish in soy sauce, and braised pork ribs.

The aroma made Shen Chen's hands shake uncontrollably.

It had been years since he'd tasted meat and rice. Even if this were a final, dying fantasy, it was worth it.

Shen Chen devoured the rice, fish, and meat with fervor. The authentic flavors gave him the surreal impression that it couldn't possibly be real. As soon as he finished the rice in his bowl, a flash of gold, and it was full once more.

In under ten minutes, Shen Chen had polished off five large bowls of rice, two pounds of fish, and three pounds of ribs.

Full and content, he nearly burst into tears.

Life in the post-apocalyptic world had been unbearably harsh. After a day's toil, the Zombie Crystal Cores he'd gathered could only be traded for a filthy loaf of bread at the base's exchange, barely enough to stave off hunger.

"Nutritional replenishment complete. The supermarket is now accessible."

"Mission setup commencing. You have five minutes to familiarize yourself with all the product categories sold in the supermarket and its operating system. The reward: an item of rice."

"Is this for real?" Shen Chen pinched himself in secret. The sting forced him to confront the reality of his situation.

"The Supermarket System boasts the most comprehensive, abundant, and premium selection of goods in the entire universe. It automatically adapts to Earth's regional classifications, offering categories such as food, medical supplies, transportation, weapons, equipment, and superpowers. Anything that exists or has existed on Earth can be found within the system."

Shen Chen listened intently to the system's introduction, his excitement bubbling over uncontrollably.

"Open the food category!"

Before him lay the 'to be unlocked' rice, 'locked' steamed buns, vegetables, fish, beef, instant noodles, chewing gum... Everything from the civilized era was right here at his fingertips!

"Weapon category, now!"

Shen Chen's eyes widened in awe at the 'locked' knives, firearms, bullets, and even planes, tanks, and missiles!

"Superpower category!"

With bated breath and a surge of nervous anticipation, Shen Chen opened the superpower interface.

Fire superpowers, lightning superpowers, space superpowers, the ability to master dual superpowers, the ability to master quintuple superpowers!

"This superpower category is downright revolutionary! With this... I can purchase superpowers from the system and become a top-tier dual or even quintuple superpower prodigy! Then, no one will ever underestimate me again!" Shen Chen exclaimed, his fists clenching involuntarily with the thrill of potential.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Shen Chen found himself at a loss for words.

Within five minutes, Shen Chen had mastered the system's operation.

"Mission accomplished. Reward: Product 1 — Rice."

"New mission: Own a grocery store in the post-apocalyptic world and sell over 1,000 catties of rice within three days. You have one day to open the store, with a total mission deadline of four days. Reward: Host's special privilege — unlimited rice supply for seven days."

"Just by selling 1,000 catties of rice, I won't have to worry about my meals for a week?" Shen Chen leaped with happiness.

A flash of golden light, and 1,000 catties of rice materialized before him, filling his modest 'home' to the brim.

"Product pricing: 1 level 1 Zombie Crystal Core exchanges for 3 catties of rice."

"The mission timer starts now."

"Please proceed with opening the store first!"

Shen Chen gathered some old rags to conceal the rice. He then stepped out from his home amidst the ruins, into the blistering air outside. Gazing upon the desolate, lifeless city, his spirit was ignited with determination.

He was resolved to change things!

Armed with this unbeatable supermarket system, he was going to transform everything!

He was determined to give all those suffering in the post-apocalyptic world, just like him, a fighting chance to survive!