Chapter Thirty-Seven: An Unexpected Delight

“Brother, I hope that in your next life, you can be someone who truly exists in the world.” Fang Tang spoke softly to the dark, translucent silhouette before him, then swung the Disassembly Hammer down.

Bang, bang.

A blackish-purple bead appeared on the ground.

“A creature infinitely close to a higher level leaves behind a black-purple bead. Does that mean the lowest level creatures only drop black beads?”

[The beads are products of the rules. I can only hint this much... I can’t say more. If you ever find a Level Two Abyssal Store, you’ll be able to access certain things, and then I can tell you a lot more.]

The Eye was frantically prompting Fang Tang to strengthen himself.

He’d been in the abyss for four or five days, and the Eye had been urging him to power up almost daily. It was clear the Eye was growing impatient too.

“My progress in strength has already been pretty fast,” Fang Tang muttered, opening the bronze chest beside him.

“If you want to speak freely, then get to work—Laborer Eye!”

[There’s a bronze chest to your left.]

“That’s it? Just one bronze chest?” Fang Tang blinked, his expression a little odd.

The Eye always chose the optimal option, and since it pointed out the location of the bronze chest, it meant there were no better supplies nearby.

So, in this part of the abyss, only a single black-purple bead was worth anything?

Abyss Number 79.

The bronze chest didn’t replenish Fang Tang’s resources by much.

Still, something was better than nothing. He could only hope that the next eleven abysses would yield better treasures.

[Ahead, two desert giant pythons. Satisfied now?]

Fang Tang: “…”

Satisfied, yes—but isn’t two a bit much?

He remembered all too well how sorry he’d looked the first time he encountered a desert giant python.

Fortunately, his AKM now gave him great confidence.

Thirty-five rounds of incendiary ammo in a burst—now, isn’t that terrifying?

When he had some downtime, he’d have Xie Ling make a few more spare magazines; otherwise, reloading one bullet at a time was inconvenient in a fight.

Thinking thus, Fang Tang hoisted his AKM and stepped into Abyss Number 80.

The moment he entered, he saw two massive piles of waste coiled in separate corners.

Their bodies stretched over six meters—truly enormous.

The noise Fang Tang made upon entering startled the two desert giant pythons.

They raised their massive heads, tongues flicking, golden eyes narrowing sharply until they turned pitch-black.

Hiss…

Both giant pythons coiled like springs and, with a sudden burst, hurled themselves at Fang Tang.

“Pythons can attack like this? Isn’t that something only ordinary snakes do?” Fang Tang smacked his lips in awe at their raw power.

But he had his AKM.

Although the bullets couldn’t pierce the snakes’ scales, both pythons had opened their mouths wide—two perfect targets.

How did the invisible man from the Blackcloak Inquisitors die? Wasn’t it because someone jammed an explosive right up his rear and blew him up from the inside? That was a bloody sight!

Fang Tang calmly raised his gun and aimed at their heads.

Rat-a-tat-tat…

A burst of flame erupted from the barrel. The bullets, enhanced by the Firestone, exploded inside the snakes’ throats, blasting out chunks of flaming flesh.

One of the pythons crashed helplessly to the ground, writhing in agony, its roars echoing deafeningly.

With that one temporarily out of the fight, Fang Tang aimed at the other.

But, as abyssal creatures, they possessed a certain degree of intelligence.

The other python, realizing it couldn’t withstand bullet fire, dove underground, planning a sneak attack.

[Jump.]

Just like before, this little trick was useless before the Eye.

Fang Tang leaped backward just as a giant snake head shot out from the ground in front of him.

The python’s attack missed, and confusion flickered in its black pupils.

How did this human dodge my strike?

As it pondered this, it saw Fang Tang raise his gun, aiming straight at its eye.

The python was quick to emerge, catching most off guard.

But retreating was nearly impossible—the massive body could only move forward in the narrow tunnel, not backward.

That gave Fang Tang his chance.

The AKM’s muzzle locked onto the snake’s eye.

Rat-a-tat-tat…

Bullets poured out.

Because of the recoil, not many rounds hit the eye, but it was enough.

Flames exploded inside the python’s skull, instantly ending its life.

Its barrel-sized head dropped limply, the lower half still buried in the earth.

With one completely dealt with, Fang Tang turned to the other, still thrashing in pain.

He drew his Explosive Bow, nocked an arrow, the tip howling with wind.

Whoosh!

The arrow struck the python’s skull with pinpoint accuracy, the powerful electric net erupting in a thunderous blast, ending the creature’s suffering.

“Tsk, the Explosive Bow is still the most reliable!” Fang Tang relished the smooth sensation of the arrow piercing the python’s skull, his body tingling with excitement.

At the instant the electric net burst forth, Fang Tang felt he’d found something even more beautiful than a spray of blood.

Truly, all art comes from Patrick Star.

[This, this is what you call seamless. This is what you call flawless. This is what you call a real surprise!]

The Eye’s timing for praise was impeccable.

“Basic operation. No big deal!” Fang Tang waved his hand smugly, having all but forgotten his recent serious injury from the Snow Demon.

Delighted, he pocketed two blood-red beads, then headed for the chest in the corner.

Guarded by two desert pythons, the chest was sure to be of good quality.

Silver!

A bountiful harvest left Fang Tang in high spirits.

“Ten chances left. Let’s pick up the pace.”

[Friendly reminder: Little Lucky Star is looking for you.]

“Hm?” Fang Tang was surprised. Whenever Xie Ling sought him out, good things usually followed, so he eagerly opened the newspaper.

Xie Ling: “Boss, I found a store!”

Fang Tang: “Fantastic—see if there are any blueprints for memory metal or anything else useful.”

Xie Ling: “No sign of memory metal, but I did spot a blueprint for the Heart of Extreme Frost. The price is a bit steep, though.”

Fang Tang: “How much?”

Xie Ling: “Two thousand credits.”

Fang Tang’s face twitched, but he didn’t hesitate. He quickly listed fourteen elemental stones and sent them to Xie Ling.

“Buy it for me, please!”

Xie Ling: “No problem.”

Fang Tang sighed, a little disappointed.

All that was left for the mechanical claw arm was memory metal.

Not only the claw arm—he’d need memory metal for the Frost Gun as well.

Still, finding the Heart of Extreme Frost was a pleasant surprise.

Yes, Little Lucky Star was still reliable!

But parting with fourteen elemental stones all at once was painful.

After all, he’d saved up those treasures for so long!

He doubted he’d ever amass that many again.

Wiping away a silent tear, Fang Tang clicked the link Xie Ling sent, his gloom instantly replaced with joy.

The blueprint depicted a snowflake—exquisitely beautiful.

He filed it into the newspaper; the synthesis tree appeared.

Heart of Extreme Frost: Ten Bluewater Stones.

Fang Tang: “???”

This was getting a little ridiculous.