Wasteland Development Diary

At dawn, the Red Kestrel returned.

The advanced signal transmitter was also a black box, but with two short, thick red cylindrical antennas on top, marked with a dictionary symbol—the city emblem of Recursive City.

"Zhou, this is the combat species you asked for."

The drone's mechanical claw passed over a square disc-shaped object embedded with silver metal pieces.

It looked like an ancient magnetic disk storage device, its surface imprinted with the dictionary logo of Recursive City and a serial number.

This was a one-time Guangna Disc, specifically designed to store combat species.

Following Red Kestrel's guidance, Zhou Yi pulled open the metal piece.

A green luminescent body slowly rose from within the Guangna Disc.

Zhou Yi switched to Mech 2 and grasped it in his hand.

...

[Light Seed★☆☆]

Damage: 8-13

Cooldown: 0.5

Range: 2

"Berserk": Consumes 40 energy points, significantly increases and enlarges the mech's strength for a short time, followed by a period of weakness.

...

The high-level skill "Life Strike" had not yet been unlocked; it seemed that, like "Alert", it required maxing out to be usable.

In its initial state, the Black Soul's damage and attack speed were far superior to that of the long-necked crocodile, but its range was shorter—after all, it was a pure melee fighter.

After Zhou Yi absorbed it, the combat species merged with [Mech 2].

Then, the Red Kestrel set off for Yalong Bay to complete the link-up with the Sea God.

While Zhou Yi started preparing for leveling up.

In the past, he had always sparred with Bone Fish, but now he decided to switch to a different opponent.

...

Beneath the Dead Sea.

Within the drifting mist, two figures became visible.

Zhou Yi and Weapon Master Xie Xun stood facing each other.

Both took up fighting stances.

"Let's see the limit of your strength."

"Yes, chief."

Zhou Yi adopted a boxing stance while Xie Xun drew his sword and shield from behind.

Both dashed forward like arrows.

Zhou Yi immediately took a blade to the neck but his fist, aimed at Xie Xun, was also blocked by the opponent's shield; after a minute of exchanging sword and fist strikes, they separated.

Zhou Yi caught his breath and looked toward Xie Xun.

The kid was indeed ruthless in his strikes; if it were not for the complete inability to breach defenses, he would have been finished with that first strike. Pain was still felt.

On the bright side, the Weapon Master's straightforward and upfront manner of fight without pulling punches or offering favors was very helpful for leveling. Compared to an E-rank Bone Fish, D-rank Weapon Master Xie Xun was certainly more effective for sparring.

"Again."

...

Three days later.

On a pile of ruins in the Dead Sea.

Zhou Yi opened two cans of beer and sat drinking with Weapon Master Xie Xun to celebrate the completion of their leveling task.

Xie Xun's silver eyes revealed a trace of confusion: "Chief, this water is quite peculiar."

"It's alcohol, also known as Dead Sea Aged."

Zhou Yi said: "When you encounter good things, you can have a bit. When encountering bad things, you can also have a bit."

"Oh."

Weapon Master, puzzled: "So does it represent something good or bad?"

Zhou Yi took a moment to think about it, took a sip of beer: "It's not about why you drink, but who you drink with. I'm very happy to have a drink with you, you've worked hard these past few days."

Zhou Yi clinked cans with him.

The Weapon Master mimicked the gesture, then lifting the beer, said, "Chief, I don't understand, but this tastes good."

"If it tastes good, drink more, just don't get drunk."

Zhou Yi examined the combat species equipped on Mech 2.

...

[Combat★★★]

Damage: 101-175

Cooldown: 0.5

Range: 2

"Berserk"...

"Life Strike": Consumes at least 1000 life points to inflict an equal amount of life damage on the enemy.

...

The damage of the Black Soul Combat Species had surpassed the Main Gun of the former organ ship, and it had a shorter cooldown.

There was just one problem.

It could only be used for face-to-face melee fights.

This was its fatal flaw.

However, for Zhou Yi, this was not an issue.

For long range he had Jade City and Hunter, along with the soon-to-arrive St. Petersburg for service, being well-prepared for any close-range enemies that broke through the lines.

With this set of self-defense skills, he could now go out and visit other cities.

Zhou Yi brought his thoughts back to the present and looked towards the Weapon Master next to him, who was savoring his beer: "What material is your shield made of? The defense is good."

During their previous exchange, although his own skills were sloppy, he dominated by the numbers.

But to Zhou Yi's surprise, Xie Xun relied on his rich combat experience to always block with that black shield, which, although often sent flying, did not result in serious injuries.

Obviously, there was something special about the shield.

"Chief, this is the Armored Shield I made."

The Weapon Master took the shield from his back and handed it over with both claws.

Zhou Yi carefully examined it and discovered the Armored Shield was also a kind of woven fabric, made from interwoven black strips, with a layer of iron sheet inside.

It was Insect Armor.

"Yes, Chief."

The Weapon Master answered, "When the Scavenger Team goes to the sea floor to scavenge, we sometimes get harassed and attacked by long-necked crocodiles, so I wanted to create weapons to counter them."

"I found that the Insect Armor material was very strong, so I used a translator to consult Mr. A Feng, who manages the Armored Mites. He gave me a lot of Insect Armor and also discussed with me on how to use this material."

"Without specialized high temperature shaping tools, I just used the simplest hand-weaving and knot-tying techniques. My claws are not easily cut and can flexibly wrap and tie them."

"It took a lot of energy and time to make, but the finished product is very effective. The long-necked crocodile's tearing bites and claw attacks cannot penetrate this shield, and together with our own shell's defense, they can hardly hurt us now."

"Ever since our Scavenger Team all got equipped with Armored Shields, long-necked crocodiles choose to back off when they see us now."

Zhou Yi looked at the Armored Shield in his hand.

The first application of Insect Armor material was actually completed by Xie Xun.

By manufacturing and equipping specific tools, the D-grade life Weapon Masters directly overcame the C-grade long-necked crocodiles.

This meant Xie Xun and its kind had creativity and a strong sense of initiative.

Zhou Yi asked, "Does your branch all specialize in making weapons?"

"No."

Xie Xun said, "Our innate body defenses are weaker than Hammerhead Soldiers, and our attacks are weaker than Double Swordsmen. Everyone tries to overcome our innate shortcomings by tempering our bodies and making tools and weapons."

"I belong to the latter. We've found there are many powerful creatures that have exceeded the capabilities of the Black Samurai, and we can't contribute at all when dealing with them. Therefore, we need to find other capabilities to gain your approval and reuse, Chief."

Zhou Yi thought the Weapon Master indeed had wisdom.

He looked at the Scavenger Captain in front of him, "I've heard you like to read books."

"Yes, Chief, but I cannot understand them. I tried all kinds of angles and methods, but still, I couldn't understand."

Xie Xun honestly said, "Only a book from the Craftsmen Guild called 'Tool Simplification' has pictures I can understand. After consulting Mr. Gong Zheng and Mr. Yuan Tong, I understood its content."

"The book contains outstanding wisdom and is very powerful."

Zhou Yi remembered that he bought this book from Cui Mao and had placed it in the office with the 'Dead Sea Atlas' for the staff to read.

"I think even after molting into Black Samurai, Samurai Crabs are still weak, we need stronger tools and equipment."

Xie Xun said courageously, "So I and other Weapon Masters are discussing and experimenting. If Insect Armor can be made into shields, it can be made into armor, which would greatly protect vital areas. I believe we will make it."

Zhou Yi patted its shell's right angle shoulder, "Go ahead and try. If you need anything, get it from Gong Zheng; I'll talk to him about this."

"Yes, Chief."

Xie Xun, who gained recognition, was very happy.

"Chief, I'd like to take the beer back to let everyone in the Scavenger Team have a taste. Is that okay?"

It wanted to share the remaining half can with its companions.

Zhou Yi smiled, "Go get it from Gong Zheng, say Qingdao beer, one can per person."

"Thank you, Chief!"

The Weapon Master's eyes squinted with joy as it waved its claws.

...

Back on land.

In the whistling cold wind, Zhou Yi felt a bit melancholic.

Despite mastering his skills, he couldn't find a suitable opponent.

Once "Berserk" and "Life Strike" were activated, even Black Samurai could likely be one-hit kills with at least 1000 points of damage.

Too risky.

Zhou Yi originally chose Hunter as his opponent, after all, it was a B-grade life form that could take a bit of a beating.

But Lie Hai chickened out as soon as he heard.

"Chairman, I've not been feeling well lately, and it's not good. If I spar with you... I might die. Please spare me."

Zhou Yi didn't force him.

Then, Jade City.

As a building life form with B-grade strength and innate strong defense, there shouldn't be any problems.

On a night with dark clouds and high winds.

Zhou Yi asked Jade City, "Ready?"

"Ready, all lighting and water supply have been temporarily shut down."

Zhou Yi directly activated "Berserk," and his body suddenly swelled, tearing his clothes and transforming into a nearly six-meter-tall figure, with a black ethereal form all over him like an ink painting brushed out with a calligraphy brush.

At that moment, his attack range increased to four, with a damage limit value boosted to 200, among other slightly improved statistics.

Zhou Yi punched into the outer wall of Jade City.

"Life Strike!"

A sizable hole was blasted into the wall, with a web of white light cracks spreading over it.

The defensive layer was shattered.

Jade City provided feedback, "Main body damaged by 1.25%."

That was just the damage from a 1000-point Life Strike.

Zhou Yi delivered a few more punches of the same caliber.

"Main body damaged by 2.5%."

...

Very stable.

Calculating it, the Life Value of Jade City seemed to be just over 80,000.

Done with his session.

One Punch Man initially refined.

Zhou Yi immediately recovered, wrapped himself in a bath towel, and instructed Jade City to start repairs.

However, this midnight sparring session was still noticed by quite a few employees.

Through the overview of Red Kestrel, Zhou Yi saw a variety of thoughts from the onlookers.

Ajin: The Chairman is even hitting Jade City; how strong.

Ye Zhao: What's happening? Jade City didn't do anything wrong; is it because they mishandled the smaller Jade Cities?

Gong Zheng: Be cautious, be cautious.

A Feng: What's going on? An earthquake? Why didn't anyone tell me?

Cao Dayuan: If Building A can be smashed, other buildings might also be demolished by the Chairman. We need to keep the residents in line.

Yuan Tong: The Chairman has been a bit hot-tempered lately, it's best not to provoke him.

Zheng Tao: The Alien sure can take a hit. If only we could grow crops on it... but that might be too wasteful.

Qian Su: He's pretty big; being bigger is good, it's really good.

...

Zhou Yi felt it would be better to choose Yalong Bay for his next sparring session.