Chapter 13: Sudden Death

In Ren Zhong’s memory, if one pushes human civilization back four thousand years, ever since the Xia Dynasty established its capital at Yangcheng, humanity has had the concept of nationhood. Now, suddenly confronted with the speculation that there might be no countries left in the world, an illusory feeling welled up within him. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to ask directly; he kept his doubts buried deep inside.

Outside the gates of Spark Town, there was a massive parking lot, and when Ren Zhong and his companions arrived, the scene before them was utterly spectacular. Truck after truck of every shape and size rushed headlong toward the city gate, reminiscent of the racing scenes in “Mad Max.” A few of the trucks, like Zheng Tian’s squad’s assembled van, were hover vehicles. Most, however, still rolled along on enormous wheels or tracks. There were also some riders on uniquely designed motorcycles. But the greatest number were those equipped far more simply—lone walkers or small groups of two or three.

With a touch of pride, Zheng Tian said, “Don’t be fooled by how eagerly everyone’s scrambling for position now. Our hover vehicle outperforms those rickety, wheel-driven heaps in every way—maneuverability, acceleration, top speed. Once we’re through the gate, give it a few minutes and they’ll be eating our dust.”

She wasn’t exaggerating; Zheng Tian’s team really did have equipment above the average standard.

Ren Zhong’s gaze, however, drifted elsewhere. Six people were gliding out of a closed garage at the corner of the parking lot, each riding a single-person vehicle shaped like a jet ski. These six “jet skis”—one large, five small—moved in a silent line toward the city gate. The riders’ physiques varied, but all wore identical deep blue uniforms and full-cover helmets resembling those of motorcyclists.

Compared to other scavengers, this team stood out dramatically in both equipment and presence, like cranes among chickens. The reaction of those nearby matched Ren Zhong’s impression; scavengers blocking the path of the six-person team moved aside well before the group drew near, clearing the way without prompting.

“That’s one of the three direct professional teams under the Resource Company. Our trading account is registered under them,” Zheng Tian explained, noticing Ren Zhong’s curious look.

Behind them, Ou Youning, about to get into the vehicle, muttered, “A bunch of vampires.”

Ren Zhong asked calmly, “What’s their commission rate?”

“Twenty percent,” Zheng Tian replied.

“That high?” Ren Zhong feigned astonishment. “Why not use another professional team?”

Zheng Tian shrugged. “No choice. Others won’t take us. But don’t worry, we’ll become a professional team ourselves soon enough. Let’s not dwell on it—let’s head out.”

…

Across the vast wilderness, the van rolled south.

Ren Zhong was still squeezed into the back seat, with Chen Hanyu to his left and Ou Youning to his right. Chen Hanyu, pressed against him, remained taciturn and unsmiling. Ren Zhong neither minded her coldness nor the involuntary intimacy forced by their cramped seating.

Back in school, Ren Zhong had often missed subtle signals from attractive female classmates due to his intense focus on study, earning him various nicknames over the years—most notably “the aloof scholar” and “the ruthless book-eater.”

Of course, these were misunderstandings. He was neither aloof nor heartless. It was simply that his hunger for knowledge drove him onward, and he couldn’t bear to waste precious time on meaningless campus romance. He didn’t dislike women; he just felt the time wasn’t right. Ironically, when he finally felt ready to find a worthy partner and settle down, his life was cut short.

After awakening in this new world, his situation grew more nuanced. Previously, he’d ignored flirtatious glances for the sake of self-actualization. Now, his needs had plummeted to the most basic—survival—more urgent and intense than ever. Only when survival is assured can one ponder the flavor of life.

…

A few minutes out, Zheng Tian began briefing Ren Zhong.

“Since this is a trial run, let’s be cautious. We’re heading to the Iron Bug Forest today, one hundred and twenty-four kilometers from town. The forest is mainly home to Level One Ruin Beasts, mostly insects—similar to the Crystal-Winged Dragonfly you dealt with yesterday. Let me tell you about our team. All five of us have passed the Level One professional certification. I’m a Level One Gunner. Wen Lei…”

As the name suggests, Gunners specialize in high-power ranged weapons. Wen Lei is a defensive heavy mech warrior, the team’s main close-quarters defender. Mech warriors fight with mechanical exoskeletons and must not only be physically strong but also versed in basic mechanical engineering.

There are many types of mechs—not just Wen Lei’s full-coverage heavy armor for defense, but also spider tanks, lightweight fast suits, composite battle suits, and more.

Ren Zhong already knew Chen Hanyu’s profession: Disassembler.

Bai Feng’s profession was Genetic Warrior. These individuals have unique genes, identified in childhood as candidates for genetic modification. They are implanted with foreign cells, and after surviving immune rejection, end up with a delicate balance of multiple species’ genes, gaining traits and abilities from other planetary life forms. Bai Feng serves as the main close-quarters attacker.

As for Ou Youning, with pockets everywhere, he is a Demolitionist—a lover of explosives who sees explosions as art. While Ruin Beast hunts are usually ambushes, if luck allows one to spot a beast ahead of time, they can lay traps tailored to the target, enabling the weak to defeat the strong.

“Brother Ren, let me brag a bit. Give me enough time and materials, and I can make traps that kill even Level Three Ruin Beasts! As for Level Two, I’ve already blown up several!”

As Zheng Tian introduced herself, Ou Youning lifted his head proudly, nearly wagging his tail skyward.

Zheng Tian retorted, “Cut it out—don’t jinx us. Though Iron Bug Forest is mostly Level One beasts, Level Two do show up occasionally. Our gear isn’t up to fighting Level Two; even a win would cost us dearly. If we see one, we keep our distance. Don’t even mention Level Three.”

Ou Youning scratched his head sheepishly. “Heh, I just wanted Ren Zhong to trust our strength.”

…

“Since you haven’t chosen a profession yet, Ren Zhong, stay with Hanyu for now and protect her. Here’s your gun. It’s the standard weapon of the town night watch—caliber 5.22mm, moderate power, forty-five rounds per magazine. I added a four-times scope.”

“Alright.”

Ren Zhong gripped the machine gun in silence.

It was the first time in his life he’d touched a weapon.

He appeared calm, but his heart raced uncontrollably.

He knew what it meant: in this unfamiliar world, holding a gun was like grasping a glimmer of hope.

Though this was his first hunting expedition, the lessons from his brutal death at the hands of hunters and wild Ruin Beasts had already taught him the perilous reality of this world, where lives are as insignificant as grass.

Ren Zhong: I can do this!

…

The end.

Ren Zhong died again.

Utterly unprepared.

Extremely abruptly.

Not only was he killed, but Zheng Tian’s entire team was wiped out.

Just that morning, Zheng Tian had seemed so full of ambition, almost convincing Ren Zhong that her skill at reading situations and feigning composure would carve out a future for them.

Yet barely two hours later, this top-ranked semi-professional team in Spark Town suffered total destruction.

Ren Zhong, speechless, floated above the chaos, clinging to his final “god’s eye view” from the underworld.

A humanoid green shadow darted along the ground at incredible speed, zigzagging faster than the eye could follow. Its last target was Chen Hanyu, who was struggling to crawl away.

About thirty seconds earlier, Chen Hanyu had been severed at the waist, but had not died immediately. Her iron will drove her to keep crawling forward. The green shadow then went for Ren Zhong, shredding him completely, before returning to finish Chen Hanyu, who had managed to crawl nearly five meters, leaving a long trail of blood.

The others were already dead.

The end.