Rise of the Apocalypse Hunter With Hand Transformation Skill
Chapter 30: Tax

Chapter 30: Tax

"50 System Points per plate!"

Liam hadn’t responded yet when Melly suddenly spoke, holding up five fingers toward Joel and the others.

Fifty System Points—that was higher than what Liam originally intended.

Of course, for people like them, he was going to ask for a different price—at least 20 System Points. But if it could be 50, then so be it.

Joel was stunned when he heard that.

Still, faced with a beautiful woman like Melly, he kept a polite smile.

"Liam, isn’t that a bit much? We’re all schoolmates. It’s normal to share food with each other. Besides, you’ve been staying in our fortress without paying anything—you should return the favor," he said to Liam.

"Your fortress? Are you saying I’m not one of its owners?" a sharp voice suddenly rang out from the stairs.

It was Alex, just returning with a large sword strapped to his back.

He was no longer wearing his school shirt, and his messy hair gave his face a menacing look.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he glared at Joel.

The latter seemed a little frightened under his gaze.

He clearly still had a natural fear of Alex.

"I own one-third of that fortress and I allowed Liam to stay there. What do you mean he has to pay?" Alex asked Joel.

The chubby young man looked awkward when confronted with that.

"That’s not what I meant..." he said, but couldn’t explain any further.

"Alex, just eat first," Liam said to Alex.

He didn’t want a fight to break out here and ruin everything.

Alex nodded and walked into the classroom directly.

His mood suddenly seemed to improve when he saw the food on the table.

"Liam, one plate won’t be enough for me," he said with a wry smile.

"You can eat as much as you want," Liam replied.

He couldn’t be stingy with a friend.

"Hahaha..." Alex laughed at that and started eating.

Melly, seeing him eat freely, looked a bit annoyed—she had to pay, yet he could eat as much as he wanted.

Liam looked at Joel and the others.

"Anyone can get one plate by paying 50 System Points. As you can see, I might only be able to sell five plates," he said.

"How about just selling the raw meat instead?" Anthony suggested with a raspy voice.

What was hard to find was fresh raw meat. As for cooking it, they could easily find stoves and seasonings.

He hoped the price would go down if it was just raw meat.

"Still 50 System Points," Liam replied calmly.

"You—?" Anthony looked irritated, his eyes narrowing behind his thick glasses.

His courage was clearly rising again, but he was still rational enough to know he couldn’t beat Liam.

"Only 50 System Points, right? I’ll buy two plates..." Carlos suddenly said as he stepped into the classroom.

Just as the boy spoke, Liam received a notification.

DING!

(You have received 100 System Points!)

(System Points: 290)

Liam didn’t expect him to pay so easily.

It pleased him—he’d just earned 100 System Points effortlessly.

"Lisa, give him two plates," Liam said.

Lisa nodded and handed two plates to Carlos.

The boy left immediately after receiving them.

"I don’t even have 50 Points. Forget it, I’ll just search some houses for fresh meat—I’m sure there’s plenty left," one student said, walking off while shaking his head.

"Yeah, let’s look. High-end refrigerators should still have ice for a few hours after the power went out," his friend replied.

"Let’s hit the big houses. But we’ll need someone with ice powers to freeze the meat so it won’t spoil."

"You think it’s that easy? I just entered a big house and found a really strong zombie in there."

"..."

One by one, the students left, occasionally arguing among themselves.

In no time, only Joel and Anthony remained.

But Anthony suddenly turned and left.

Apparently, he didn’t have the guts to pay 50 System Points for a single plate of food.

Joel, however, still looked interested. His plump body made his craving for good food even stronger.

"Well, fine then, Liam. I’ll pay you 50 System Points," he said after thinking for a moment.

DING!

(You have received 50 System Points!)

(System Points: 340)

Liam nodded after receiving the notification and gestured for Lisa to hand him a plate.

Though irritated, Joel actually smiled happily when he received the food.

He left in a rush, not even bothering with the stairs—he flew straight out from the second floor.

"Liam, I think the price you set was a bit too high," Alex commented with a chuckle.

"It wasn’t me who set the price," Liam replied, glancing at Melly.

She gave a small smile and said, "But they bought it, didn’t they? Better to sell fewer at a high price."

In this, Liam agreed, so he didn’t say anything. Even if some food was left over, he could always freeze it again.

"Anyone who wants to enter the fortress has to pay 2 System Points to each seat holder!" Joel’s voice suddenly echoed from outside, making Liam and the others fall silent.

They looked at Alex, as if asking whether he agreed with that policy.

Alex wore an awkward expression.

"I definitely won’t charge you guys," he said.

"But if Joel and Anthony demand payment from others, I can’t stop them—and I’ll lose out if I don’t charge too," he continued.

From any angle, it was clear that he was interested in approving the policy since it benefited him too.

"Don’t worry, I’ll force them not to charge you," he added quickly when he saw Liam frown.

But Liam shook his head.

"No need. I think I’ll just stay in the school building. It’s safe enough for me. I can have my zombies keep watch," he said.

Liam couldn’t stop others from seeking profit—he was doing the same. If he had a fortress like theirs, he’d probably do it too.

"Hahaha, you really are a friend who understands me well," Alex said after Liam made it clear he wouldn’t interfere.

Liam continued eating, wanting to fill his stomach, but Alex, who had two plates, finished before he did.

Afterward, he stood up.

"Liam, I’m heading back to the fortress. I can’t let those two brats siphon off my System Points," he said, then rushed off.

Liam just nodded, glancing at his watch—only to realize it was now the exact time the disaster had started yesterday.

In other words, the third skill would be granted to everyone very soon.