Chapter 25: Supernatural Plant
The off-road vehicle sped through the streets. The shelter also had its own day and night cycles. During the day, the lights above the shelter were a bright white, while at night, the power was reduced, casting a dim yellow glow.
The shelter had six districts in total, arranged as A, B, C, and D. The further forward the district, the better the living conditions.
When the off-road vehicle stopped, they had reached the center of District A.
Iron Bear Naga jumped down from the driver's seat and walked toward a small building made entirely of concrete. This building stood out like a crane among chickens, a top-tier luxury residence within the shelter.
A dozen men and women wearing mechanical exoskeletons and holding firearms stood guard in front of the small building.
"Naga, the leader didn't say he wanted to see you, did he?"
A woman with a mechanical jaw spoke.
"Someone can..."
Iron Bear Naga's voice grew quieter. The woman was visibly stunned after hearing him.
"Are you sure? Lying about something like this will get you killed."
"I'm sure."
"Wait a few minutes."
The woman turned and quickly walked into the small building. In less than five minutes, she returned.
"The leader agrees to see you. Go on in."
The iron door of the small building swung open. Iron Bear Naga led the way, followed by Broken Fang, with Su Xiao and Bubu Wang at the rear. If anything went wrong, this formation made it easier to fight their way out.
The hall of the small building was carpeted, and several oil paintings hung on the white walls. Before the Great Disaster, these paintings would have been priceless.
After the group reached the inner part of the building, Iron Bear Naga stopped in front of a wooden door and knocked lightly.
"Come in."
A somewhat muffled voice came from inside the room. Iron Bear Naga pushed open the door, and Su Xiao saw a "mountain of flesh."
The leader of Shelter 9 was leaning back in a chair at the far end of the room. By conservative estimate, he weighed over 900 pounds, but it wasn't morbid obesity—just sheer, massive size.
"Mr. Holy Flame, I'm not very mobile. Please forgive my rudeness."
The shelter leader held a cigar between his fingers. After the Great Disaster, such luxuries had almost completely vanished.
"Please, come in."
A servant covered in metal armor plates, whose gender was indistinguishable, spoke.
Su Xiao walked into the room. The air was thick with a mix of alcohol and cigar smoke. The furnishings were relatively simple but luxurious.
The shelter leader struggled to sit up straighter. He made a gesture of invitation, and the servant placed a chair down.
Su Xiao sat down. The shelter leader across from him was so massive that Su Xiao had to look up slightly to meet the eyes of this "little giant."
"I don't believe fate will give us anything for free. Mr. Holy Flame, I'll be direct. What do I need to pay for you to treat my people's Blood Burn?"
The shelter leader exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, cutting straight to the chase.
"Shock."
Su Xiao had previously learned about this currency called "Shock" and had even obtained one coin. It was a rare energy ore carved into coin shapes, used to power mechanical exoskeletons, making it a necessity for hunters.
For Su Xiao, Shock was also a good thing. He could use it to purchase items within the shelter. For example, Iron Bear Naga had stumbled upon an Epic-grade blueprint by chance. Su Xiao believed other hunters might also have valuable items.
"Specific price?"
The shelter leader was clearly in a good mood. He was more worried that Su Xiao would demand something bizarre. As for kidnapping Su Xiao, he had considered it, but the fact that Su Xiao had come to Shelter 9 alone already said a lot. So, this greedy yet cautious leader dismissed that idea.
At least 40% of the hunters in Shelter 9 were afflicted with Blood Burn. Even if he wanted to turn hostile, he would wait until most of the hunters were cured before considering it.
"Per person, 100 Shock."
"This..."
The shelter leader frowned, thought for a few seconds, and then reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"And you need to prepare the plants, equipment, and other items on this list."
"That's no problem."
The shelter leader gave a signal to the servant beside him, who took the list from Su Xiao.
"Mr. Holy Flame, I've had someone prepare a residence for you. It's right next door."
The shelter leader's implication was clear: time to leave.
"Please, this way."
The servant covered in metal armor plates led the way, and Su Xiao and the others walked out of the room.
"Broken Fang, don't you have anything to say to me?"
The shelter leader grabbed a handful of crystal-like sugar cubes and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing.
Broken Fang was silent for a few seconds. Some things simply couldn't be hidden, especially since this was Yahada's territory.
Broken Fang stepped forward to the shelter leader, Yahada. He pulled a simple pistol from his waist and placed his left arm flat on the low table.
Pfft~
Blood sprayed. Broken Fang was drenched in cold sweat from the pain. Without looking at his severed arm, he then placed his left leg on the low table.
"Broken Fang, you're doing something stupid again."
Yahada's expression darkened. Broken Fang remained silent, raising the dagger to strike his leg.
"Consider that a lesson. That's enough. Get out."
The moment Yahada finished speaking, Broken Fang's dagger stopped just before his leg.
"Yes."
With only one arm left, Broken Fang walked out of the room. As soon as he turned around, his face twisted in agony. Severing his own arm was ten times more painful than he had imagined. It was different from battle, where injuries were sudden and adrenaline provided some pain relief. This time, Broken Fang was fully prepared, and the pain was on an entirely different level.
When Broken Fang left the room, Yahada leaned back against the wall again, his eyes thoughtful. From start to finish, he never asked about Su Xiao's origins. There was no need. Once you entered Shelter 9, there was no escape.
As for Broken Fang, Yahada had no intention of letting him live long. Today was just about demonstrating clear rewards and punishments. Nothing more.
However, Yahada had no idea that his doom was approaching.
...
In the adjacent two-story building, Su Xiao sat on a somewhat worn-out sofa. In front of him was a plate of noodles, with some meat on the side.
Meat wasn't scarce in Shelter 9, but noodles were a delicacy only Yahada could enjoy.
Su Xiao picked up a few strands of the grayish noodles and turned to look at Bubu Wang. Bubu Wang shrank back, as if to say: "Master, this is too precious. This dog can't bear it."
"Naga, I'm not hungry for now."
Su Xiao pushed the iron plate toward Iron Bear Naga, who shook his head.
"Hmph."
Broken Fang, now with only one arm, sat on the floor, reached out, grabbed the noodles, and stuffed them into his mouth. He had never eaten noodles in his life. Despite the throbbing pain from his severed arm, it didn't stop him from enjoying the delicacy.
Su Xiao opened his mission list. Upon arriving at Shelter 9, the final stage of his promotion mission had been successfully activated.
[Promotion Mission: The Contaminated World Core]
Difficulty Level: Lv.53
Mission Information: Find the contaminated World Core.
Known Intel 1: The location of the contaminated World Core is unknown.
Known Intel 2: The contamination source is the supernatural plant, Dibamu.
Known Intel 3: A sapling of Dibamu is planted in a certain shelter. If the Dibamu sapling is burned to ashes, these ashes can be used to locate the main body of Dibamu.
Mission Duration: 30 days.
Mission Reward: Promotion Authority.
Mission Penalty: None. Forced return to Reincarnation Paradise. Promotion mission failure results in the permanent loss of the Hunter's qualification to invade other Paradises.
...