Chapter 5

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

The next day, at the Tax Bureau.

His Overseer grumbled about his absence the day before, displeasure written all over his face full of Green Skin Flesh.

Lin En offered no defense, silently handing over a verification report on an underground workshop.

The illegal activities listed ranged from smuggling Tiberium to adulterating Empire Praise Meals with inferior synthetic protein.

Enough to have the boss shot by a firing squad ten times over.

The fat-faced Overseer, upon seeing the report, instantly brightened, as if he had spotted the gravy about to land in his account.

He waved his fat hand and vaguely authorized Lin En to "continue the deep investigation, dig out more hidden dangers."

Using this vague authorization, Lin En locked onto a grocery store selling "Recycled Military Rations" and "Surplus Industrial Goods."

The boss was a Former Enforcement Team Soldier, timid and greedy—exactly the ideal "extortion" target in Lin En's memory.

After work, Lin En slipped into the grocery store through the back door.

After a round of negotiation laced with threats and implied benefits, he obtained a can of "Fortress" brand Concentrated Synthetic Protein Block.

Two "Industrial Research-4" model Low Purity Uranium Batteries, one Enforcer Type III Laser Pistol, and two full Magazines.

This nearly exhausted all his savings.

But in the Nest Lower Levels, currency that could buy survival resources was what truly held value.

The protein block was quality Biomass, the Uranium Battery might serve as a "snack" or "medicine," and the new weapon was fundamental to saving his life.

Carrying new equipment and "Gifts," he slipped into the Sewers again.

Approaching the Gate, he lowered his voice and called out: "Lena? It's me!"

He waited a few seconds before cautiously poking his head out.

The number of Knife Worms seemed to have increased, their Carapaces gleaming more oily under the fluorescence.

The necrotic tissue around Lena's Wound had not continued to expand.

Hearing the noise, the Knife Worms gathered around but did not pounce.

Lena raised her head, her compound eyes coldly fixing on him, Killing Intent still present but not yet converted into a killing command.

Lin En activated Dialogue, and the dialogue box popped up.

【Lin En】: (Places the protein block can and a Uranium Battery in front of him)

"I brought something better today."

【Lena】: (Her compound eyes sweep over the protein block, uninterested; but when her gaze falls on the Uranium Battery, there is a noticeable Pause, and the light in her compound eyes brightens slightly)

"Hiss!"

【System Translation】: Identified as a usable energy source, low conversion efficiency, waste exists.

She pried open the protein block can, stuffed the grayish-white synthetic protein into her mouthparts, and chewed and swallowed.

Her reaction was flat, like chewing an industrial wax block.

Next, she used the tip of her forelegs with abnormal Dexterity to pick up the Uranium Battery, the light in her compound eyes flashing rapidly as if conducting a scan analysis.

Afterwards, she shoved the battery into the gap of the side mouthparts.

A slight, teeth-grating energy sucking sizzle sounded, and the battery casing dimmed and shriveled at a visible speed.

【System Prompt】: Gift "Concentrated Synthetic Protein Block" accepted.

Affection Level +1.

Current: -48.

Gift "Low Purity Uranium Battery" accepted, and has a slight neutralizing effect on the "Crystalized Wound."

Affection Level +3. Current: -45.

High-energy substances are effective on the Wound!

【Lin En】: (Points to the Crystalized Wound)

"Do you need more of this 'energy source'? Or do you need something specific to heal the Wound?"

【Lena】: (Silent. Her foreleg Bone Blades unconsciously rub the edge of the Wound, bringing out more Purple-black Turbid Body Fluid.)

"Sss-ga..."

【System Translation】: Caused by residual Warp Psychic Pollution in the Wound.

It triggers Gene data conflict and disorder, requiring large amounts of "Pure Biomass" to flush and dilute, or "Order Energy" to purify and neutralize.

Warp Psychic Pollution!

Lin En's heart sank.

"Pure Biomass" in the Nest Lower Levels was comparable to a Luxury Item.

And "Order Energy," whether God Emperor Faith Power or Ancient Saint Artifacts, was rare and hard to come by.

He tried to press further: "Do you know exactly where this pollution came from?"

【Lena】: (Her whole body shudders fiercely, the purple light at the Wound flashes chaotically, emitting a pained and disordered Shrill Cry)

"Hiss!!!"

【System Translation】: The Target shows strong pain and rejection reactions to this, refusing to recall further.

Lin En immediately stopped pressing and changed the subject: "Fine, we won't mention it.

I'll keep an eye out for 'Pure Biomass' and 'Order Energy'; batteries are useful, bring more next time."

He also placed several cheap nutrient pastes on the ground.

Lena glanced at him coldly, uninterested.

【Daily Task: Daily Feeding (1/1)】 completed.

Affection Level +2.

Current: -43.

Mental Power consumption was significant, so Lin En decided to quit while ahead: "I'll head back first, come again tomorrow."

Lena gave no indication, lowering her head once more.

The Knife Worm swarm silently retreated to both sides, clearing a passage.

Leaving the sewers, Lin En did not return to that cramped apartment.

The battery's effect brought hope, but 'Order Energy' items were too illusory.

He decided to head to the Black Market Depths, more chaotic and more likely to birth 'Curios', to try his luck.

……

In the Market Core Area of 'Waste Mountain', stalls were sparse, and real transactions took place in the shadows.

The air was thick with the pungent smell of ozone, inferior stimulant spice, and rotting electronic components.

Before a stall piled with rusted mechanical remains and unknown creature bones, Lin En stopped his footsteps.

The stall owner was a gaunt man wearing an eyepatch, his remaining mechanical prosthetic eye flashing an unstable red light.

"Looking for what?" His voice was hoarse like sandpaper rubbing metal.

"A holy relic bearing the God Emperor's aura, or information on the source of pure biomass."

The prosthetic eye's red light focused on Lin En's oil-stained work uniform.

"Tax Bureau?" His tone full of wariness.

"Private demand." Lin En lowered his voice, "Price right, no questions about origin."

The stall owner silently sized him up, for a long while, then dragged out a severely rusted metal box from beneath the stall.

Opening it, inside was a jumble of miscellaneous items.

Broken ritual daggers, faded loyalty medals, damaged data slates, several small bottles containing unknown liquids.

"This one."

He picked up a palm-sized metal sheet, its surface etched with fine patterns, but mostly covered in dirt.

"Washed down from the Upper Level garbage flow, occasionally heats up, very weakly."

Lin En took it over.

The metal sheet was ice cold to the touch, but focusing his perception, there indeed was a trace of extremely faint, warm resonance, not physical heat.

"How much?"

"Three hundred credit points, or equivalent goods."

Lin En's entire fortune was less than one hundred fifty.

He put down the metal sheet: "Too expensive. Any more useful information?"

Such as where to find large quantities of pure biomass?"

The prosthetic eye's red light flashed. "Yes, fifty credit points, seeing you're a newcomer, I'll give a discount, forty."

Lin En paid decisively.

"Seventh District Lower Level, near the edge of the 'Furnace District', there's an abandoned Water Purification Plant.

Pre-war it processed Upper Level purified water, might still have some reserves.

But that place is now the 'Shark Tooth Gang's' territory, they traffic 'Living Cargo'."

Purified water? For the Bug Race, it was indeed an excellent basic biomass source.

"What's the scale?"

"Twenty or thirty people, with real ammunition weapons."

"The chieftain is called 'Butcher', formerly a deserter from the guard, likes using chain swords."

The stall owner paused, "You ask about this, not looking to cause trouble for Butcher, right?"

Lin En gave no answer.

The stall owner put away the credit points, looking at him meaningfully.

"Officials these days are all this crazy?"

Without saying more, Lin En turned and left.

Quickly planning in his mind, the Water Purification Plant might have purified water reserves.

In the Nest Capital, water itself after multiple filtration was the basic 'Pure Biomass'.

But the Shark Tooth Gang was difficult to deal with, he needed help.

No, he already had a 'helper', even though affection level was still negative.