Chapter 26: No Need to Search Far and Wide

“Whoosh!”

The sword lifted the corpse of the firewing bird, splitting it open from belly to chest.

Fang Shi skillfully extracted its energy core, then began searching its digestive system.

“Big brother, how’s it going? Found anything?”

Zhai Yan limped over, hopeful.

Fang Shi shook his head. Even though this was a Level 4 firewing bird, granting him 120 experience, it had no key.

Watching Fang Shi’s actions, Zhai Yan’s face paled, his knees throbbing worse, as if he could no longer walk.

As if sensing his mood, Fang Shi casually tossed something toward Zhai Yan.

Zhai Yan caught it hastily, opened his palm, and saw a ruby-like crystal, with a tiny flame flickering inside, emitting a faint glow.

Like a beautiful artifact from before the apocalypse.

But Zhai Yan, who had tasted primal energy, dared not underestimate this red crystal.

Every second, a trace of primal energy leaked from the crystal, nourishing his entire body—even the scrapes on his palms began healing.

“What is this?”

“The energy core of an alien creature. Wearing it regularly enhances physical ability. This is your reward.”

Hearing Fang Shi’s words, Zhai Yan gripped the energy core tightly, refusing to let go.

“Big brother, you gave the reward—does tonight end here?”

Fang Shi said coolly, “No. It’s just beginning. This is an advance payment—I’m afraid you’ll be too sore to run later.”

Zhai Yan felt a flicker of shame, but pushed it aside and said sincerely, “Big brother, I’ll complete the mission.”

“Mm, I know you will,” Fang Shi said, clapping Zhai Yan on the shoulder. “Good work. There’s more to come.”

With Zhai Yan’s heavy breathing in the background, Fang Shi turned and walked into the alley.

The energy core was valuable, yet not truly rare.

The weak were few, the strong many; individuals and small teams had surplus, but major factions were short.

For Fang Shi now, firewing bird energy cores were too plentiful—he couldn’t possibly use them all. Better to use them as rewards.

Human trade networks hadn’t been established yet; even if he held ten thousand energy cores, he couldn’t spend them.

Once trade networks were built, would he still care about a mere Level 3 energy core?

Then, even more expensive entry-tier cores would be readily available.

…

“Thud!”

Another firewing bird crashed to the ground. Fang Shi rushed forward and swung his sword.

But again, disappointment.

“Big brother, still going?” Zhai Yan, resigned, limped over with his bandaged knee.

Fang Shi pulled out a mechanical watch he’d picked up randomly from his pocket, then shook his head.

It was already 11:30. Half an hour remained until the first surge. There wasn’t enough time.

Tonight, he’d killed six firewing birds: four Level 3, two Level 4, earning him 480 experience.

He’d advanced further on his Level 4 path. The only regret: still no key.

He could only sigh—he simply wasn’t destined for it.

Before his rebirth, Fang Shi had never obtained keys from monsters—always relied on others to take him into dungeons.

He consoled himself: being reborn was already the greatest fortune. Don’t be greedy.

Besides, good items weren’t exclusive to dungeons.

Hadn’t he just obtained a black iron chest tonight, and opened a pair of fine boots?

“Stride Boots”

“Durability: 5”

“Endurance: 10”

“Weight: 1060g”

“Evaluation: A comfortable pair of boots.”

The Stride Boots looked like ordinary men’s leather shoes, with no standout features on the surface.

Nor did they possess any supernatural enhancements.

But items from the system were never ordinary.

First, they fit perfectly, molded exactly to Fang Shi’s foot shape, seamless—making his movement and sprinting slightly faster.

Second, they were extremely durable, with a durability rating of 5, proving they were as hard as steel, yet possessed steel’s lack of flexibility.

This eliminated any weakness in his feet—no more embarrassing situations where boots broke mid-combat, hindering movement.

Overall, these were magical boots that pre-apocalypse Earth’s craftsmanship could never have produced.

Only after the apocalypse, using the resilient hides of supernatural creatures, could they be made.

Fang Shi was very satisfied. After three days of intense combat, his old sneakers had worn out beyond recognition.

Besides, his combat style was unpredictable—sometimes leaping off the ground, sometimes scaling walls, occasionally snagging sharp protrusions—inflicting heavy damage on footwear.

He’d long wanted new boots. He couldn’t fight barefoot.

Human feet had no scales. Barefoot combat would weaken his strength.

“Big brother, is there a chance firewing birds might vomit things up?” Zhai Yan asked, leaning in.

“When I kept birds before, I noticed they didn’t swallow things they couldn’t digest—they spat them out.”

“Think about it: all those fabric scraps near the carcasses prove firewing birds don’t eat what they can’t digest.”

“Maybe the key is too small and heavier than cloth—so when they vomit, it flies far away.”

“It’s the apocalypse now. Corpses won’t pick things up. It should still be there.”

Zhai Yan’s words sparked an idea in Fang Shi. He said directly, “Then what are we waiting for? Go get your wife and search together.”

Zhai Yan’s face flushed red. He stammered, “Xiao Xi isn’t my wife.”

Fang Shi walked on, unimpressed. “It’s the apocalypse. Who’s issuing marriage certificates? And in the apocalypse, strength rules. If you’re stronger than Xiao Xi, she’s your wife tonight.”

Hearing this, Zhai Yan unconsciously touched the energy core in his chest and gave a slight nod.

Fang Shi said nothing more. Such creatures as lickspittles were incomprehensible—unless they figured it out themselves, they’d keep smashing their heads against walls.

…

Around the crime scene, Xiao Xi scoured the area, her face sour.

More work, more work. Tonight was endless.

Though Xiao Xi hadn’t been assigned to lure monsters, she’d spent hours chopping meat in the kitchen.

She wanted to slack off, but dared not truly refuse.

So she took out her frustration on the firewing bird corpses, treating them like Fang Shi.

Unexpectedly, Fang Shi and Zhai Yan returned and issued a new urgent task.

Xiao Xi regretted it—she should’ve kept her mouth shut. Otherwise, she could’ve rested already.

“Pop!”

A leather sound echoed. Xiao Xi felt her shoe kick something.

“What was that?”

Fang Shi turned. The night was silent, and his senses were fully extended—any rustle caught his attention.

Xiao Xi wanted to explain, but suddenly remembered Fang Shi’s hateful face.

The words changed on her tongue: “Nothing. Just kicked a stone.”

Fang Shi, hearing this, paid no further attention. Time was tight—they had only ten minutes left to search.

Seeing Fang Shi turn away, Xiao Xi raised her torch and searched in the direction she’d kicked.

Unexpectedly, after walking only ten meters, she spotted a black object on the road, glaringly visible under the torchlight.

Closer inspection—it was a key.

She recalled how Hong Yuankai’s team had been wiped out over a key, and how this key had forced her to work overtime.

Xiao Xi’s heart stirred. Everyone treated the key as so important—was it truly something extraordinary?

Then she remembered Feng Ren’s confession before leaving, swearing he’d become her boyfriend once he returned.

All signs pointed to this key being far from ordinary.

So why not keep it for herself and claim she found nothing?

After all, that demon wasn’t even certain the key was still on the street. She could easily deceive him.

Thinking this, Xiao Xi hurried forward to pick up the key.

Then, like a thief, she stood up, glanced left and right—Fang Shi and Zhai Yan hadn’t noticed her. She exhaled in relief.

“Random Dungeon Key”

“Durability: 100”

“Endurance: 100”

“Quality: Black Iron”

“Weight: 5g”

“Effect: Opens a random dungeon below Level 5 (actual level adapts, including Level 5). Dungeon location: (XXXX, XXXX, XXXX).”

“During dungeon activation, entrants gain the proficiency: Common Tongue (Fluent).”

Disappeared after leaving the secret realm.

Restriction: Players must be level 5 or below; maximum 20 participants.

Evaluation: You might unlock the nest of a young dragon.

When Xiao Xi conceived the idea of learning about this key, a stream of data flashed across her attribute panel, and the key’s information instantly surfaced in her consciousness.

Secret realm? What’s that? Some kind of treasure vault?

Xiao Xi remained deeply confused, so she used her spiritual sense to check the location where the secret realm opened.

Instantly, she understood—no wonder Hong Yuankai and his group suddenly appeared there.

So this crime scene was the very spot where the secret realm opened.

But it seems useless to me—Hong Yuankai’s entire group suffered heavy losses; if I went, I’d just be walking to my death.

Still, even if I don’t use it, I won’t let that demon have it.

Thinking this, Xiao Xi shoved the black key straight beneath her collar.

She didn’t believe Fang Shi could find it there, even if he searched her person.

“Hand it over!”

A low voice sounded beside Xiao Xi’s ear, making her heart nearly leap from her chest.

“H-Hand what…?”

Xiao Xi turned around stammering, and there stood Fang Shi like an iron mountain behind her.

Fang Shi’s face was grim: “You know what I mean. Don’t force me to act.”

His 19-point Perception wasn’t for show—Perception affected not only the five senses but also the sixth sense.

As long as there was no Perception suppression, Fang Shi always gained information favorable to him.

Earlier, after hearing Xiao Xi’s words, he’d vaguely sensed something off, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.

So he quietly observed her behavior; what Xiao Xi thought was unnoticed was merely her own illusion.

After three years in the apocalypse, Fang Shi had long learned to observe enemies with the corner of his eye—how could a greenhorn like Xiao Xi possibly detect it?

He noticed her actions but said nothing until she slipped the key beneath her collar, at which point he could no longer hold back and revealed himself.

Staring at Fang Shi’s brooding face, Xiao Xi finally cracked under the pressure and handed over the key.

Fang Shi watched her every move without averting his gaze, only turning away once the key was in his hand.

Zhai Yan had stood by the whole time, wanting to speak but holding back; in the end, he pulled Xiao Xi back inside.