Volume One, Chapter 18: Floating Cannon?

Piloting a mech didn’t require eating; as the mech devoured source crystals to replenish its power, energy naturally flowed back into Zhang Wei’s physical body. If Zhang Wei wanted to eat, he would have to separate from the mech.

In the early days of the apocalypse, the human body was extremely fragile. Without any special circumstances, Zhang Wei would never separate from the mech—unless the mech underwent its third evolution.

After the third evolution, the mech’s core would allow a portion of its combat power to be attached to the human body. Only then would moving around in human form offer the most basic safety guarantees. Because even with the core in hand, the process of merging took about five seconds. Within those five seconds, not to mention firearms, even a knife could be lethal.

Zhang Wei was not about to let his invincible life end abruptly before it even began. After all, in his previous life, he was betrayed and killed by Han Xiao and Han Xu in just such a moment.

“What? No need? How can you not need to eat? Aren’t you hungry?” Han Xiao was taken aback by Zhang Wei’s blunt refusal, disbelief evident on her face.

“Anything else?” Zhang Wei’s impatience was clear, and Han Xiao reminded him of the moment he had been betrayed and killed by the siblings. Turning back now, Zhang Wei feared he might not be able to resist dealing with those two scoundrels.

“Um, Zhang Wei, I like you. Will you be my boyfriend?” Han Xiao dropped all restraint; how could she let go of such a powerful man? Would she regret it when monsters devoured her?

Hearing Han Xiao’s words, Zhang Wei involuntarily paused. Though his consciousness was controlling the mech, he still felt his heart pounding wildly. He had heard those words before and had believed them—only to be met with death.

“Han Xiao, you’re playing with fire.” Zhang Wei’s voice was sharp as a blade, gritting his teeth.

At those words, Han Xiao’s expression froze, a mixture of shock and confusion. She had expected a romantic response to her confession and was even prepared to dedicate herself to him. Instead, Zhang Wei’s reply was cold and cutting.

“What… what’s wrong with me?” Han Xiao couldn’t hold back her tears, feeling wronged. Didn’t Zhang Wei like her?

Is that how he shows his love?

Zhang Wei took a deep breath. Perhaps this time around, Han Xiao hadn’t harmed him, but human nature’s darker traits were unchangeable. Even if Han Xiao hadn’t hurt him yet, Zhang Wei would never forgive her and Han Xu.

“Hmph!” Zhang Wei snorted coldly and ended the communication.

“You don’t love me. You just like strong people, those who can guarantee your survival. Hah, if you like that so much, I’ll help you find one.”

A plan had already formed in Zhang Wei’s mind.

Though he knew human nature couldn’t be changed, Han Xiao hadn’t harmed him this time. She claimed to like him—then let’s see how she truly liked him.

Without hesitation, Zhang Wei quickened his pace, heading toward the infamous wealthy district of Chuan City—the villa area where Zhang Tao’s family lived.

Under the dark night sky, Zhang Wei maneuvered his mech through the silent city like a ghost, moving without a sound. Only the occasional burst of flame from the mech’s thrusters briefly cut through the darkness, revealing his swift figure.

It wasn’t some profound stealth technique; the black mech simply blended into the deep night, making it almost invisible.

“Who’s there? Come out, or I’ll shoot!” a light combat mech stationed in the suburban villa district raised its rifle, aiming at the spot where Zhang Wei had just appeared.

But Zhang Wei’s shadow was already gone; he had only passed by using his thrusters.

“Rich people, huh.” Zhang Wei sneered.

He didn’t hate the rich, only looked down on them. In the early days of the apocalypse, the wealthy could still use their resources to hire so-called bodyguards. But over time, those rich people and their bodyguards would be mercilessly eliminated.

Because mechanical creatures evolved every day, and those who trained themselves to master mechs and hunt mechanical beasts grew ever stronger. The initial advantage wealthy people held with mechs would soon vanish.

Zhang Wei had no intention of warning these people to compete with him for source crystals.

With a cold smile, Zhang Wei quickly found Zhang Tao’s home.

If one was wealthy, Zhang Tao’s family was among the top in Chuan City, so the villa was easy to locate.

The largest estate with the most bodyguards was certainly Zhang Tao’s.

When Zhang Wei stood before Zhang Tao’s villa gate, the patrolling mechs immediately detected him.

Yet these patrol mechs showed no signs of alarm or tension.

“Excuse me, sir, are you Zhang Wei?” a voice came from one of the mechs.

“Yes,” Zhang Wei replied coldly.

Upon hearing this, the mech bowed slightly to Zhang Wei. “Please, Mr. Zhang, follow me.”

Zhang Tao had already briefed his men about Zhang Wei, but the bodyguards didn’t know that Zhang Wei was Zhang Tao’s creditor. They assumed Zhang Wei was a friend and treated him accordingly, showing no fear.

Zhang Tao was still concerned about his reputation in front of his men.

Inside the villa, Zhang Tao was wide awake. Upon hearing noise at the door, he immediately rose to greet the visitor.

He dared not let Zhang Wei enter the villa; what would happen if a twelve-meter mech barged inside?

Although his house was large, it was no palace, not spacious enough for such a giant machine.

As Zhang Tao opened the door and saw Zhang Wei, he immediately said, “Alright, you go down. Take them to patrol somewhere farther away. No one is to approach here.”

“Yes, sir!” The mech escorting Zhang Wei complied without objection and promptly turned to leave.

Zhang Wei understood Zhang Tao’s concerns; he could empathize with the desire to save face.

He didn’t make things difficult for Zhang Tao, as he still had business to entrust to him.

“Big brother, you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you,” Zhang Tao said, his face forced into an uneasy smile once his men were out of earshot.

Zhang Wei cut straight to the point: “Where is it?”

Zhang Tao was reluctant. He had indeed obtained the source crystal and knew what was inside it. But knowing that only made him more unwilling to part with it.

He had hoped to find something valuable to replace it, but Zhang Wei arrived too quickly.

“It’s here, big brother.” Since it was clear he couldn’t keep it, Zhang Tao smiled and handed it over. After all, it wouldn’t do to lose the item and still have Zhang Wei find fault.

Zhang Tao was pragmatic in such matters.

Zhang Wei wasn’t particularly concerned, but when he saw what Zhang Tao produced, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Floating turret?”