Chapter 21: Scheming and Transformation
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Although Ren Zhong could try to have Zheng Tian’s team change their route tomorrow to avoid the Blade Mantis, the daily income per person in Zheng Tian’s squad was only one contribution point; following the original path to the Iron Insect Forest tomorrow held the chance for a modest windfall. If they could take down the Blade Mantis, it would be a major haul. Even if there were risks, as long as they were manageable, it was worth a gamble.
To amass greater wealth before he had real combat power, to quickly accumulate more startup capital, carried great significance. Whether for upcoming training or purchasing equipment, everything would become much easier. He knew well that, in any era, wealth was essential for anyone wishing to stand out.
Ren Zhong had already realized that living life by the book in this world meant nothing more than getting swept up in the shackles of the times, becoming a mere ant among the masses. If he wanted to live as a true human being, he had to break conventions and think outside the box; otherwise, the path of promotion would be forever blocked.
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Crystalwing Dragonfly: Insect-type void beast, with most individuals classified as level one. Capable of slow flight, average body length between 1.1 and 2 meters, with a wingspan of approximately 1.9 to 3.7 meters. Armed with pincer-shaped mouthparts and eight slender legs reminiscent of alloy structures, its main attack is pouncing; it has no ranged attack. At the head-thorax junction, there is soft tissue vulnerable to penetration. Its biological magnetic field resistance is weak; if a strong magnet approaches within 0.2 meters of its head, it easily loses balance and falls into a coma, taking at least half an hour to recover.
Blade Mantis: Insect-type void beast, most individuals are level three. Average body length ranges from 2.1 to 3.8 meters. Occasionally, it prefers to coexist with level one Iron Beetle void beasts, absorbing iron elements from their bodies. It can glide over medium distances and has extremely powerful launching abilities, with rapid pounce speed. Its main weapon is its sharp blade-like arms, with attacks consisting of pouncing followed by slashing; it has no ranged attacks. Behind its triangular head is a fist-sized patch of soft tissue, easily penetrated to inflict severe brain damage, with a high risk of damaging the chip inside. The high iron content in its alloy body makes Blade Mantis susceptible to magnetic dust adhesion; once attached, it is difficult to remove, and its movement speed will decrease. Magnetic dust explosive weapons can be used to alter the battlefield environment; if the dust enters its joint connections, its mobility will drop drastically, significantly reducing its threat level.
Five minutes later, Ren Zhong had finished reading the void beast encyclopedias for Crystalwing Dragonfly and Blade Mantis. His mind worked extremely fast, and he already had a rough plan forming. The next step was to try putting it into action.
The database contained far more than just these two void beasts; Ren Zhong had glanced through the overall catalog and found that the documented species numbered in the tens of thousands, from level one to level nine. However, with his current level one wristwatch clearance, he could only access information on void beasts below level three.
Time was tight, and although his curiosity was piqued, he had no time to browse through those he was unlikely to encounter anytime soon.
There were still many things Ren Zhong wanted to understand. For instance, how to become a qualified mech warrior in the shortest time possible.
He reopened the professional training system, swiftly skimmed through it, and when the hour was right, drained his teacup in one motion and rose to leave.
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Once again, he met with Mayor Ma Da-fu, but the situation had changed since last time. Mayor Ma was even more courteous, more enthusiastic.
Ren Zhong had not yet reached the entrance of the town hall when he saw Ma Da-fu already waiting outside, smiling as he chatted with Zheng Tian. When Ren Zhong came into view from afar, Ma Da-fu’s wrinkled, plump face blossomed into a practiced smile that could rival that of a seasoned Amway salesman. He strode energetically forward, clasping Ren Zhong’s right hand with his greasy, chubby hands. “Hello, Mr. Ren! I am Ma Da-fu, and on behalf of Starfire Town, I welcome you. Your arrival is truly an honor for me and for our town!”
Ren Zhong was momentarily stunned. Although Ma, the old fat man, had been warm last time, this time it felt like there was an added depth to the greeting. What had happened?
Ren Zhong peered keenly and noticed that Ma Da-fu’s gaze kept drifting unconsciously toward the formal wristwatch on his right hand. Beside him, Zheng Tian also glanced at his right hand, her eyes flickering with both realization and envy.
Ren Zhong wondered: Is the difference in reputation between wearing a watch and not wearing one really so vast?
He did not know that at this moment, Zheng Tian and Ma Da-fu were thinking: This census officer, supposedly here in disguise to gauge public sentiment, is not very professional. He’s so bad at blending in—entered the town empty-handed, trying to pass as a wastelander, but then immediately bought a formal wristwatch. This only proves he’s wealthy and not used to hardship; a day without the net leaves him restless.
If Zheng Tian and Ma Da-fu had any lingering doubts about Ren Zhong’s identity before, they were now completely dispelled.
Ma Da-fu’s enthusiasm was advantageous for Ren Zhong. After the routine registration process, Ren Zhong’s eyes sparkled as he asked, “By the way, Mayor Ma, I have a rather awkward request.”
Ma Da-fu’s eyes lit up, and he responded with a smile, “Please, go ahead.”
“Where is the town’s armory that sells ammunition and weapons? When does it usually close?”
Although Ren Zhong had already made his decision, there was still a hurdle before he could officially embark on the path of a mech warrior—the brain-machine synchronization test.
His biological age was now twenty-three, already an adult. If his initial synchronization rate measured less than ten percent, there would be no point in struggling; he’d have to change careers without hesitation.
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According to the guidance of the professional training system, the device for testing the initial synchronization rate of a mech warrior was located in the town’s armory. However, based on Zheng Tian’s earlier rush to replenish supplies, Ren Zhong guessed the armory had likely already closed.
Ma Da-fu checked his watch and said, “They usually close at nine in the evening. It’s just about time for them to get off work now. Is there anything you need, Mr. Ren?”
As expected, Ren Zhong felt a pang of disappointment. He sighed inwardly, realizing he’d have to get there early tomorrow morning, which would delay the squad’s departure, disrupt the timeline, and alter causality. He feared they might miss the Blade Mantis.
He was, for now, just an outsider in Zheng Tian’s squad. He couldn’t simply order everyone to drop everything and head straight for the Blade Mantis’s territory to hunt a level three void beast that was normally out of the squad’s league.
That would be too conspicuous, bound to arouse suspicion; even if they won, it would feel unnatural.
“Ah, what a pity. I wanted to test my brain-machine synchronization rate to see if I had a chance to become a mech warrior.”
“I see.”
Ma Da-fu pondered Ren Zhong’s words, wondering if this census officer was testing whether Starfire Town’s formal citizens had a positive work attitude, since he surely knew the official shops in town closed at nine.
Ma Da-fu calculated—there was still time.
“Mr. Ren, let’s take my small aircraft over now. I’ll have them work overtime.”
Ren Zhong was surprised. “Is that alright? Won’t working overtime offend them?”
Ma Da-fu laughed heartily. “Mr. Ren, you worry too much. Here in Starfire Town, our citizens love working overtime!”
Ren Zhong was secretly delighted. “Then I’ll trouble you.”
“No trouble at all!”
Silently, Ren Zhong thought: So the mayor is actually a good man.
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