CHAPTER 207: CHAPTER 207: DAWN RUSH AT THE SUPPLY STORE

With each purchase, a new grid in the supply store lit up, and when she stepped outside the panel to walk through the store again, her footsteps felt lighter. She walked down the now half-filled aisles and watched as the shelves came to life with actual products.

The Kitchen Cooking Set now sat neatly boxed on the left. The induction stove is just beside it. In one section, small boxes of sanitary napkins were placed with clean labels. The cutlery sets were arranged like silver inside clear cases. Further down, she found the bags of detergent, and near the exit, bright-colored bottles of liquid hand wash lined the shelf.

The front counter had a small display now. The Flower Pots. Ten of them. Simple ceramic containers with tiny seed packs tucked beside them. It made her lips curl into a small, peaceful smile.

The racks were still mostly empty. Dozens of slots remained locked. But it already looked like a real store now.

She knew she had spent a lot. But as she looked at the shelves now holding hygiene items, kitchen tools, and even something as gentle as flower pots, she felt no guilt. These were not luxuries. These were essentials.

And she’d make sure every shelf was filled in time. One step at a time.

One by one, the grids in the store’s inventory interface began to glow.

The shelves inside the store followed almost immediately—soft lights blinking on, signaling the item slots now filled with the newly unlocked goods.

Liora walked slowly through the aisle, taking it all in.

Each item had a label now.

Stock Available: 500 units

Purchase Limit: 1 per resident per 3 days (adjustable)

Price: Adjustable by Base Owner

Liora adjusted the rate for each item. If they were too cheap, people would stockpile and waste. Too expensive, and the goods would sit untouched. For now, she kept them all at under 500 points per item, a fair price considering the limited quantity and value.

The only exception?

The Sanitary Napkins.

She reduced their cost to 100 points per pack.

"No one should hesitate to buy these," she muttered.

Just as Liora finished setting the last item in the panel, a soft voice—calm and composed—echoed gently in her mind.

"Host," the system spoke, its tone slightly firmer than usual, "you have five minutes left. Rest Mode is ending soon."

Liora blinked and turned her head toward the sound. "Wait, really?" she asked, surprised. "I didn’t realize it’s been that long..."

"You’ve been awake all night," the system replied evenly. "The current time is 4:55 AM. In five minutes, the entire base will resume activity. People will begin waking naturally."

Liora let out a long breath. "I thought I’d just stock a few shelves, not spend the entire night turning into a shopkeeper."

"You seemed focused," the system said with a small pause, "so I refrained from interrupting. But now it’s time."

She chuckled tiredly. "Fair enough." With a stretch of her arms, she closed the interface and took one last look around the half-stocked store.

"Alright," she mumbled, "let’s wrap this up."

She stepped out of the building and locked the doors behind her. The air outside was cool and still, tinted with the faint color of a rising dawn. Her footsteps echoed softly as she walked back to her personal quarters.

Just as she reached the front door of her home, the system spoke again—this time with a lighter, almost gentle tone.

"It is now 5:00 AM. Rest Mode is officially deactivated. Good morning, Host."

Right on cue, the world around her stirred.

A distant door creaked open. Somewhere to the left, the soft thump of boots against gravel. Two low voices mumbled greetings as the quiet rhythm of morning life began once more across the base.

Liora opened the door to her room and dropped her jacket onto a nearby chair. She sat on the edge of her bed and then leaned back with a tired sigh.

"I’ll sleep now," she said softly. "Don’t let anyone disturb me."

"Understood," the system answered smoothly. "I will manage incoming messages and requests until further notice."

Outside, the world was returning to motion, but inside her small, quiet room, Liora finally let her body relax. She didn’t feel guilty. Everyone knew she never woke early, and no one was going to come looking for her yet.

Her eyes closed to the gentle rhythm of life beginning outside her window—the shuffle of feet, the light creak of doors, and the first distant clang from the canteen’s kitchen. It was oddly soothing.

She smiled faintly.

"Just a few hours..." she whispered.

And with that, she let herself drift into sleep...warm, peaceful, and surrounded by the growing heart of the home she was building.

~~~

The sky above the base was still tinged with soft morning gray when the first few early risers stepped out of their homes. Most of them had expected the usual quiet routine—the walk to the canteen, the morning stretches, or just checking the notice board for new updates. But today was different.

A low murmur rippled through the residential area as someone pointed toward the newly constructed building just behind the convenience store.

"Wait... isn’t that the supply store?" A young man whispered, blinking at the building’s glowing entrance.

"How could it be possible?" someone else replied, brows furrowed.

"No, look!" a woman exclaimed, stepping closer. "There’s light inside... and shelves... I think I saw pots and clothes!"

Excitement sparked instantly.

Within minutes, more people were spilling out of their dormitories, drawn by the noise and the building’s unfamiliar glow. A line began to form outside the entrance, growing longer by the second. By the time the sun peeked over the distant horizon, nearly a hundred people had gathered in a curved, snaking line, buzzing with anticipation.

The entrance doors slid open with a gentle hum, and a smooth voice echoed from the store’s overhead speaker system.

["Welcome to Dawn Base’s Essential Goods Supply Store]. Please enter in groups of five. The store will guide you during your visit. One person, one basket. Follow instructions and respect purchase limits. Thank you for your cooperation." ]