Chapter 56 Uncle, Save Me! <TOC> Chapter 58 The Ridge Spine Hunter Strikes
Translator: SumTLMan
The Wasteland Development Company’s headquarters stockpiled a vast number of housing units to be used as ammunition, eliminating any need for warming up or manufacturing phases. A multitude of Aerial Bombardment Units sprang up from the ground, and once ignited by Jade Emerald City, they conducted area bombardments behind the Ridge Spine Hunter.
In the Dead Sea, which mirrored the expanse of a burning oil field, flashes of fire erupted instantaneously, explosions scattered in all directions, severing the pursuit of the chasing monsters.
After firing first, Zhou Yi finally asked Red Falcon: “What is it?”
“Victory Snake.”
The drone responded: “This is a C-Class lifeform. They inhabit the Dead Sea and are not formidable individually. However, once their numbers reach a certain threshold, their destructive power increases significantly, even being capable of surpassing to eliminate B-Class lifeforms.”
An electronic catalog appeared on the remote control’s screen.
Victory Snakes are a type of black, serpentine creature whose bodies are not flexible but resemble segments of a blocky, eating snake, capable of folding and turning in all directions, exuding a peculiar mechanical feel.
Their spherical heads are adorned with a single silver eye, and they can emit spines from their mouths.
Next to it, their ratings were displayed.
……
[Victory Snake]
Strength: D
Skill: C
Vitality: E
Classification: C
Habits: Social, rare category, highly territorial with strong group cooperation. The more numerous they are, the greater the danger.
……
This is a Light Absorber species focused on skills.
Red Falcon added: “The Victory Snake’s [Poison Break] is a high-speed, medium-range attack skill that can penetrate defenses and cause direct lethal damage to flesh-and-blood bodies without specific countermeasures. This ability can continuously stack, significantly increasing its lethality.”
“Additionally, Victory Snakes are extremely fast and can utilize the Dead Sea for long-distance jumps and glides. Therefore, once their numbers increase, even B-Class lifeforms could be susceptible to their encirclement and hunting.”
It’s essentially a high-speed poison cannon.
Zhou Yi thought to himself, no wonder the Ridge Spine Hunter had to flee.
However, under the bombardment of the Aerial Units, the small red dots representing Victory Snakes chose to retreat rapidly. They maintained distance, baring their teeth and spitting spines at the fleeing Ridge Spine Hunter, as if muttering harsh words.
Then, these serpentine creatures dove into the Dead Sea, disappearing without a trace.
Hunter Sea flew into the air near Jade Emerald City, still shaken, saying: “These snakes have really gone insane. I wasn’t prepared to hunt them; instead, they’re attacking me… Winter is going crazy everywhere.”
Zhou Yi communicated through Red Falcon: “You said you found other Dead Sea Abominations?”
“Yes, Uncle. I dare not deceive you.”
After being rescued, Hunter Sea’s tone became much more respectful: “Originally, I was thinking of tidying up my previous temporary nest and then coming here to work for you.”
“However, after receiving this salary from you, I thought I should also contribute something. My mother taught me from a young age that I shouldn’t accept favors without reciprocating. Without mutual exchange, I could never earn the respect of other lifeforms or become the Sea Domain Lord.”
“So, I thought of a snake den I passed by while hunting, on a small island in the Dead Sea. Victory Snake eggs are quite useful. Crushing them and watering the soil can make snake-shaped flowers grow, emitting a special fragrance. I wanted to give them to you as a gift.”
“However, when I arrived at that snake den, just as I was about to collect the eggs, I discovered that the den was actually alive. It slowly moves around the small island, gathers various flora, and assists the Victory Snakes. It’s a quiet and gentle Dead Sea Abomination.”
“I observed over there for a long time, and before I could collect any eggs, I inadvertently disturbed the snake den and got into a fight with them. There were too many of them; I was outnumbered, so I had to flee back…”
Zhou Yi sent Red Falcon out for verification.
The results confirmed the existence of such a place. About 60 kilometers northeast of Jade Emerald City in the Dead Sea area, there was an inconspicuous small island nestled in the fog.
Due to exceeding the real-time audio-visual transmission range, Red Falcon conducted multi-angle high-altitude recordings using Bird’s-Eye View.
In this 6-minute live footage, Zhou Yi saw that there was indeed a four-story building on the island.
It was much smaller than Jade Emerald City, square in shape, covered with large patches of moss and grime, and a weathered red cross was painted on the outer walls.
A large number of Victory Snakes guarded the building’s perimeter, intertwining and overlapping with each other to form a protective barrier.
These local creatures also performed almost ritualistic behaviors towards the building.
At the 1 minute and 4-second mark, they delivered a captured Bone Fish to a stone platform beside the building, then crushed it. The square building immediately extended a root-like tendril from the soil, absorbing the Light Seed extracted from the bone remains.
At 1 minute and 12 seconds, a wounded Victory Snake with a mutilated body and bleeding was carried into the square building by its peers. A room on the second floor emitted a white flash, lasting for 30 seconds.
At 5 minutes and 24 seconds, the injured snake slowly emerged. Its bleeding had stopped, and its wounds had solidified into black scabs.
Zhou Yi realized.
This was a small-scale hospital.
Red Falcon reported its investigative conclusions: “That island is confirmed to be the territory of the Victory Snakes. The building exhibits some characteristics of a hospital. The Victory Snakes have learned to utilize its features.”
“This building has medical functions. From external observations, it conducts examinations and treatments on injured individuals that enter it. However, the internal specifics remain unclear.”
“The Victory Snakes provide the building with Light Seeds to supply energy for treating the wounded. They also choose to reproduce within it to increase the survival rate of their offspring.”
“Additionally, I filmed Victory Snakes entering the Dead Sea to search for basic medical supplies, such as clean bandages, sutures, and oils, which they provide to the building. The Victory Snake injuries previously recorded were treated by applying oils and high temperatures to the wounds to achieve hemostasis through scabbing.”
“The Victory Snake community and the building have formed a symbiotic relationship.”
The drone compiled some data about Snake Island.
“…… The number of Victory Snakes on the island exceeds 540, not including those hunting outside and those appearing underwater. The area’s danger level is extremely high, equivalent to a B+ class lifeform.”
This number directly made Zhou Yi abandon the idea.
Although he was very interested in that hospital, with the company’s current combat strength, short-term conquest of Snake Island was an impossible task.
Farming and mushroom development were now more important.
However, this was still very valuable external intelligence.
Zhou Yi told Hunter Sea: “Regarding Snake Island, I understand. You’ve done well. Go patrol.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Seeing that he wasn’t being reprimanded, Hunter Sea’s tone seemed to relax slightly.
“Also, don’t call me Uncle; call me Chairman.”
“Yes, Chairman!” Hunter Sea lowered his voice: “I won’t let others know about our relationship. I will complete the tasks you assign me just like any other ordinary employee…”
“……”
Zhou Yi’s eyelids twitched.
Have I become an uncle?
This kid really thought he was part of the inner circle.
From the results, the Winter Beast disaster transformed into a temporary guard for the company. This decrease and increase enhanced the company’s industrial safety during winter days. Some minor flaws were acceptable.
But what exactly was the Ridge Spine Hunter kid thinking, even with Red Falcon’s data readings, Zhou Yi still found it difficult to fathom.
Chapter 56 Uncle, Save Me! <TOC> Chapter 58 The Ridge Spine Hunter Strikes