Volume One, Chapter 14: Don’t Worry, Brother—I’m Not Running Away, Definitely Not Running Away

The electromagnetic beam struck the battle scythe like a bolt of lightning, hitting it head-on. In that instant, a powerful force surged like a fierce storm, causing Zhang Wei’s body to sway and involuntarily take two steps back. The battle scythe couldn’t fully withstand the electromagnetic beam’s might; tendrils of electromagnetic energy, like serpents, coiled around Zhang Wei’s arms.

Once his arms were enveloped by this energy, they felt as if bound by an invisible force, becoming sluggish and heavy. Yet, that was all it did.

“Done? My turn now.”

Though his arms moved slowly under the electromagnetic influence, Zhang Wei still managed to swing the battle scythe. With a fierce whoosh, the scythe cut sharply toward the alien mechanical stag.

The alien mechanical stag had already lost most of its power, having devoted all its energy to releasing the electromagnetic beam. Avoiding the attack was impossible.

Zhang Wei’s speed was like lightning—so swift that even a fully powered mechanical stag couldn’t escape the razor-sharp strike of his scythe. With a single blow, the stag was cleaved in two, meeting its inevitable fate.

Zhang Wei stepped forward and, within a few strides, reached the shattered remains of the mechanical stag. He collected the source crystal that had exploded from its core, storing it within his mech’s internal space.

However, Zhang Wei felt a twinge of disappointment. Although the source crystal radiated brilliantly, it was only of a high-grade tier—not the epic-grade he had hoped for. He had expected that this skillful alien mechanical stag would at least yield an epic source crystal, but reality fell short.

“Big brother, that was amazing,” Zhang Tao said at an inopportune moment.

He hadn’t wanted to interrupt Zhang Wei, and if possible, he would have used the earth-burrowing skill to escape. Unfortunately, he didn’t possess that ability. So, rather than waiting to be noticed, he chose to flatter Zhang Wei first.

“Your turn. What will you offer in exchange for your life?”

Zhang Wei slowly turned around. Though he emitted no aura, Zhang Tao still felt a dizzying presence enveloping him.

What to offer? The recently slain mechanical stag died because it had nothing to trade for its life.

“I have something good,” Zhang Tao said quickly, afraid that if he hesitated, Zhang Wei’s scythe would fall upon him.

Zhang Wei said nothing, his deep blue eyes quietly fixed on Zhang Tao.

Nervously, Zhang Tao added, “Besides knowing about that source crystal, I also have some good equipment.”

“Show me.”

Zhang Wei had his own criteria for judging equipment. If Zhang Tao tried to deceive him, he wouldn’t hesitate to make him suffer.

Though reluctant, Zhang Tao reluctantly opened the mech’s abdomen armor and pulled out a cargo pod emitting a purple glow.

“This is an epic-grade ion protection pod. It has a large internal space and was obtained from an epic-grade source crystal.”

Zhang Wei didn’t need the explanation; the moment he saw the pod, he knew it was a valuable item.

“Big brother, can I trade this for my life?”

Zhang Tao looked at Zhang Wei uncertainly.

“Yes,” Zhang Wei replied calmly, concealing any excitement.

Relieved by the confirmation, Zhang Tao respectfully stepped forward and handed the cargo pod to Zhang Wei’s hand.

The sight of a seventeen-meter-tall mech showing deference to one measuring only twelve meters was almost unbelievable. It was like a middle schooler respectfully offering snacks to an elementary school student.

Zhang Wei nonchalantly equipped the pod into the cargo bay inside his mech. His mech had no cargo pods before, which spared the trouble of swapping them out.

“Ding. Equipped epic-grade ion pod. Combat power +20.”

Any equipment, regardless of slot, could boost combat power. Though twenty points was modest, it was better than nothing. Besides, the main function of this pod was internal storage.

“You’re done. Let’s go.”

After equipping the pod, Zhang Wei casually dismissed Zhang Tao.

“Just letting me leave?” Zhang Tao couldn’t believe his ears. He hadn’t expected Zhang Wei to so easily let him go. If he were Zhang Wei, wouldn’t killing him and seizing his treasures be the more logical choice?

“What? You want to hang around my place longer? Got more good stuff?”

“No, no, it’s just… that source crystal…”

“I’ll come find you after I finish here,” Zhang Wei said, dropping Zhang Tao’s spirits to the lowest depths.

Find me? For what? Right now, just seeing you makes my calves cramp up.

Why not just have someone deliver the source crystal to me after I find it? That way, we’re square.

But Zhang Tao dared not voice this wish. He muttered, “Alright, big brother, I’ll help you retrieve the source crystal now.”

“Don’t think about running away. Chuancheng is relatively safe at the moment. As long as you don’t act recklessly, your abilities will keep you safe. But if you flee the city, you probably won’t see the next sunrise,” Zhang Wei warned.

Originally, since they were enemies, killing him to silence him would have been safer. But Zhang Wei abandoned that idea.

Zhang Tao was incredibly lucky; most of Zhang Wei’s good gear had come from him. Keeping Zhang Tao alive was far more beneficial. As long as Zhang Wei checked in every few days, there would always be surprises.

“Don’t worry, big brother. I’m not running, definitely not,” Zhang Tao waved his hands repeatedly.

“Let’s go,” Zhang Wei said, gesturing toward the zoo’s entrance.

“Alright, big brother.”

Zhang Tao left respectfully. Once out of Zhang Wei’s sight, he immediately sprinted home as fast as he could.

Zhang Wei watched him disappear, then began using ordinary source crystals to heal himself. His power needed restoration, and the electromagnetic pulse had injured his arms.

The energy from devouring ordinary source crystals was enough.

While his mech autonomously absorbed the energy for recovery, Zhang Wei retrieved a pile of loot from his mech’s internal space.

Intermediate source crystals from mechanical monkeys, high-grade source crystals from mechanical crocodiles and stags—there were over a hundred crystals in total.

“Activate source crystals.”

Zhang Wei began opening them, starting with the intermediate tier.

As expected, none of the intermediate crystals yielded equipment; all converted into experience points for his mech.

Dozens of intermediate crystals pushed Zhang Wei’s mech level to thirteen. Though the level increase was modest, the added combat power was satisfying—each level beyond ten increased combat power by four points.

“The intermediate crystals don’t drop gear. With so many high-grade crystals, including two from alien sources, I should get something good.”

Zhang Wei began opening the high-grade crystals with a hint of anticipation. High-grade crystals granted more experience, and his mech’s level soared.

At the seventeenth crystal, he finally got a drop.

“Ding. Obtained fine-grade cylindrical cargo pod.”

“A cargo pod?” Zhang Wei frowned. He already had an epic cargo pod; what use was a fine-grade one?

“Store it.”

He stowed the cylindrical pod into his cargo bay space.

The epic cargo pod had a surprisingly large internal volume. Though shaped like a cylinder only half a meter long, thirty centimeters wide, and fifty centimeters high, it offered over ten cubic meters of storage.

Such ample space was enough for many items.

As for storing the seemingly useless pod, it was definitely useful. Zhang Wei might not need this low-grade pod anymore, but others might. Even if not for barter, it could be exchanged for some source crystals.