Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Eyes Have Broken Up

In the cavern, Fang Tang and the woman sat facing each other, separated by a distance of seven or eight meters.

After learning that the woman had only explored four caverns, Fang Tang no longer felt compelled to ask further questions.

A quiet atmosphere settled over them.

Only the sounds of gulping water and swallowing bread could be heard.

Fang Tang kept time silently in his heart, and ten minutes later, he stood up immediately.

After all, this was what he had agreed upon with the Eye.

With Fang Tang present, the woman only lowered her head and stuffed bread into her mouth, cautious and silent, having no desire to speak either.

After a while, Fang Tang rose from the ground.

The woman startled, thinking Fang Tang was about to drop all pretense, and trembled as she grabbed the wooden stick, clutching it tightly.

Fang Tang ignored her, turning his gaze to the walls ahead and to the left.

The Eye spoke to him: "Aren’t you going to look at her a bit longer? She’s so pretty!"

"Ten minutes are up. That was our agreement," Fang Tang whispered.

"But I never agreed... Fine, fine. There’s a dog-headed monster and a bronze chest on the wall ahead."

Fang Tang nodded silently and strode forward with his pickaxe.

Seeing Fang Tang about to leave, panic flashed in the woman’s eyes. She hurried to her feet and called out, "Are you... leaving?"

Fang Tang didn’t pause, replying coolly, "I want to survive."

The woman rushed to his side and asked, "Can you... take me with you?"

Fang Tang glanced at her calmly.

Previously, she’d been sitting, her figure indiscernible, her face smeared with dirt, her features indistinguishable.

Now that she was standing, he noticed her figure was truly exceptional.

Exaggerated even, like a heroine from a comic book.

No need to describe further, lest one attract the attention of censorship beasts.

But Fang Tang spared her barely a glance, his tone cold: "What use are you?"

"Ah?" The woman was clearly stunned by the question.

It almost sounded as if Fang Tang was insulting her.

He realized his words were harsh but couldn’t be bothered to explain.

"A woman who’s frightened by just two stray dogs is of no help in this perilous cavern. You’d only be a burden. Why should I take you with me?"

"I... I can cook, and do laundry..." Her voice grew smaller, her confidence ebbing away.

Fang Tang laughed. "Of what use is that? There’s no cookware, and the food supplies are barely enough. As for laundry—this place is all mud. What’s the point?"

She dropped her head, nervously twisting the hem of her shirt, looking thoroughly chastised.

Fang Tang continued, "That little bit of food is enough for a day. If you want to survive, search the caverns yourself. There are plenty of supplies to be found. Explore a few more, and you’ll live well enough."

With that, he walked past her, heading forward.

The woman stood rooted, her eyes flickering with a struggle.

When Fang Tang reached the wall ahead, she called out, "I can... I can give you anything you want..."

He had just raised his pickaxe, but at her words, he paused.

Slowly turning, he leaned on his pickaxe, looking at her with a mocking smile.

"Sell your body—is that your choice? Do you think I’m the sort who thinks with his lower half? Or do you believe your figure could tempt me?"

The Eye chimed in: "Her figure tempts me. I like her! Fang Tang, why not take her with us? It’s just one more mouth to feed, it shouldn’t be a big deal."

Fang Tang ignored the Eye and began to dig into the wall.

After securing the pickaxe to his backpack, he heard movement behind him.

Turning, he saw the woman had shouldered her tent and was following him from a distance.

"It’s useless to follow me. The caverns are merciless. I won’t share any more food with you. There’s an unopened wall over there—you could try your luck."

The Eye had already informed him: the left wall contained a wooden chest, no danger. If she entered, she’d find supplies.

But the woman didn’t move. She just stood there stubbornly, her gaze fixed on Fang Tang.

His face twisted into a cold sneer.

Without hesitation, he drew his firearm, aimed at the ground by her feet, and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The explosion sent the woman sprawling onto the ground, her eyes empty as she stared at the smoldering pit not far away.

She hadn’t expected Fang Tang to have a gun, nor that he would fire at her—even if he’d only intended a warning shot.

Fang Tang cast her a cold glance, then entered Cavern 68.

Inside, he immediately spotted the dog-headed monster not far away.

He jumped in fright, then cursed, "Damn you, Eye!"

"It wasn’t on purpose," the Eye replied. "I just suffered a breakup and was distracted, that’s why I forgot to mention the monster’s position."

Fang Tang had no time to argue. He raised his gun and aimed at the beast.

The dog-headed monster stood over four meters tall, and they were less than three meters apart. With a single stride, it was upon him, raising its spiked club high.

Fang Tang and the beast moved in unison.

But the club’s descent was not as swift as the bullets from his gun—especially with the added effect of the flame muzzle, which inflicted serious wounds.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three consecutive shots drove the beast back.

Massive wounds burst open on its body, flames licking at the exposed flesh.

"Argh!" The monster roared in fury, swinging its club at Fang Tang.

Its strength was terrifying; the club, as tall as a man, was hurled with the force of a siege weapon.

Fortunately, Fang Tang’s nerves were taut—he rolled aside just in time, then emptied the rest of his magazine into the monster.

Five bullets, all expertly aimed, struck the beast.

One shattered its upper jaw, half its face blown apart.

The huge body crashed to the ground, and Fang Tang, breathing heavily, glared fiercely.

"You’ll never look at another woman again."

"...I was wrong!" the Eye apologized, aggrieved.

Fang Tang ignored it and strode to the dog-headed monster’s corpse.

Using the disassembly hammer, he obtained a faintly red bead. Gripping it, he let out a long breath.

Just as he stood up, he heard movement behind him.

Turning, he looked at the woman with disgust.

"You followed me again?"

He fished a bullet from his pocket, loaded his gun, and aimed at her.

Panic-stricken, she raised her hands. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I just want to borrow a weapon from you. I swear I’ll return it once I find more resources—please, is that okay?"

Fang Tang regarded her coldly, his face expressionless.

Her discomfort grew under his stare, anxiety gnawing at her, afraid he might shoot at any moment.

After a long silence, Fang Tang finally lowered his weapon.

He removed the flame muzzle, loaded nine bullets, and tossed her another twenty rounds.

"Take them and get lost."

"Thank you... thank you!" she said, picking up the handgun. "My name is Willow Catkin. May I know your name? So I can find you on the public channel..."

"Fang Tang."

"What?" Willow Catkin’s face was a mask of astonishment.

She hadn’t realized that this man before her was the famed Master Fang.

Looking at the silver pistol in her hand, a joyous smile spread across Willow Catkin’s face.