Xiao Feng shook his head and said, "I can't explain why, but I have a strong feeling about this. Let's just go—we'll pay that four-horned rhino a visit."
Lin nodded. "Wait a moment, let me get dressed."
To the astonishment of Xiao Feng and Rice, Lin returned from the bedroom in under a minute, already clad in his usual flamboyant outfit. Donning a pair of sleek sunglasses, he turned to Xiao Feng with a grin. "What are you two waiting for? Shall we be off?"
Xiao Feng muttered a low curse and turned toward the exit.
The trio first headed to Glass's place. As soon as they arrived, Rice jumped out of the car and began loading heavy weapons from Glass's stall into the back of their off-road vehicle—without so much as a word.
Glass stood frozen. "Captain Rice, what on earth are you doing? Are you planning to attack the Alliance military?"
Lin chuckled as he slung an arm over Glass's shoulder. "Let him pack. We're going hunting—E-class beasts."
"Oh? That explains it. If your mercenaries are all outfitted with this kind of firepower, you might actually stand a chance."
Lin smirked. "Not his mercenaries. Just the three of us."
"You three? Just you three?" Glass stared at them like they were insane. "Captain Rice, don't take too much. If you die out there, who's going to pay me back?"
Without a word, Xiao Feng hauled a bulging bag from the jeep and dropped it onto the stall—Alliance currency spilling out. "We're not short on cash. We're not your average rogue hunters."
Glass fell silent at the sight of that bag. "You should've said so earlier. I've got a secret weapon too. Interested?"
Rice tossed aside a grenade launcher. "A secret weapon? Let's see it."
Glass beckoned Rice inside. From beneath his stall, he pulled out a long, reinforced case. With a flourish, he opened it to reveal a massive, silver-hued weapon unlike any they had ever seen—an experimental heavy gun gleaming under the light.
Rice's eyes lit up. "What is this? It looks… lethal."
Glass laughed proudly. "Never seen one like it, have you?" He pointed to the logo etched on the weapon. "It's a prototype from Braum Industries. A laser cannon. The only one in the entire Eurasia sector."
Rice looked at it like it was a naked goddess. His eyes burned with desire. "Tell me how to use it."
Glass chuckled. "Using it isn't the issue. The problem is—it's expensive."
Xiao Feng eyed the weapon appreciatively. He imagined Old White wielding it, with his enhanced strength—this cannon would be perfect. Smiling, he said, "Name your price. If we can't pay now, we'll pay after hunting E-class beasts. We've always been good customers. Even if you loan it to us this once, you won't lose out."
Glass pondered a moment. "Alright, I'll trust you. Ten thousand Alliance credits for the laser cannon."
Rice swore. "What the hell—are you robbing us? That's way too much!"
Lin frowned. "Indeed, that price is outrageous. Can't you make it a bit more reasonable?"
Glass shook his head. "I'm serious—this is the only one in all of Eurasia."
Xiao Feng sneered. "Fine. Ten thousand it is. But throw in some ammunition."
Glass shrugged. "Sorry. No ammunition."
"What? Then what's the point?" Xiao Feng snapped. "We've wasted our time!"
"It's electric. A full charge gives you two shots."
Rice exploded. "What the hell? We're going into the wastelands, and we get two shots?! What use is that?"
Xiao Feng, hearing it was powered by electricity, relaxed. He clapped Rice on the shoulder. "Calm down. That might actually be a good thing."
Rice suddenly remembered Xiao Feng's electric abilities. He grinned. "Right. Now, old man—show me how to use it."
Glass gave Rice a brief tutorial. Afterward, Rice hefted the case and marched to the jeep. With a flourish, he threw all the other weapons out and kept only the laser cannon. "Let's go," he said to Xiao Feng.
Xiao Feng stared at him. "Why did you unload all the weapons?"
"With this cannon, what more do we need?"
Xiao Feng shook his head and drove off. As Glass tidied up his stall, a thought struck him. He waved at the retreating jeep. "Hey! Rice! Wait, there's something I forgot to tell you—"
But the black jeep was already gone.
Glass sighed. "Careful… that thing runs hot…"
. . .
Xiao Feng, Lin, and Rice sped joyfully across the northwestern wilderness as if on a holiday retreat.
With Xiao Feng at the wheel and the wristwatch GPS guiding them, they zeroed in on the nearest green marker. In under an hour, they had arrived within a kilometer of the blinking signal.
Xiao Feng halted the car, stepped out, and slung his "Blood Ghost" rifle over his shoulder. Lin, ever indifferent to firearms, carried a mere handgun—more for show than practicality. Against an E-class beast, it would do little.
Rice, however, walked tall behind them, hefting the laser cannon like a warlord of old. They crept closer to their quarry. Ahead lay a small hill. Xiao Feng dashed up its slope, positioned himself, and raised the Blood Ghost to his eye, peering through its scope.
Lin and Rice crawled beside him from either side, gazing toward the distant point a thousand meters ahead.