Chapter 102: Zone 57

Before Xiao Feng lay a bottomless abyss. The gust that bore his name came to a halt just at its edge.

The Three-Eyed Crimson Serpent, massive and driven by its sheer momentum, let out a shrill cry as it attempted to stop, yet failed. Its colossal form surged over the precipice, thrashing wildly in midair, only to plummet headlong into the chasm's unfathomable depths.

Though such a fall would hardly kill a Class C magical beast, it was enough for Xiao Feng to elude its pursuit.

He stood at the cliff's edge, watching as the serpent's form was slowly swallowed by the shadows below. A faint smile touched his lips. Gathering his weary body, he retrieved the Blood Ghost and his black alloy blade, then turned to disappear once more into the forest.

Recalling the peril he had just escaped, a chill crept over him. Had he not been quick-witted and swift of foot, he would likely have become the serpent's prey. Guided by the lingering stench left in the wake of the creature, Xiao Feng made his way back toward the clearing where the Class D wild boar had fallen.

What awaited him there left him speechless. Scattered around the boar's corpse were the lifeless remains of a dozen lesser beasts—creatures too weak to even reach Class G, scavengers that typically fed on carrion. And yet, they lay dead, clustered around the Class D boar, testifying to the terrifying potency of the Three-Eyed Serpent's venom.

Xiao Feng had no concern for the number of beasts slain. To humanity, the fewer magical beasts left breathing, the better. His attention was fixed on one thing alone—whether the boar's magic crystal remained intact.

Covering his nose and mouth with a piece of cloth, he approached the carcass. From the gaping wound in its side, he peered into the creature's abdominal cavity.

What he saw astonished him further—the beast's innards had all but dissolved under the venom's corrosive touch. Yet amidst the ruin, a flicker of orange-red light danced—Xiao Feng knew at once it was the glimmer of a Class D magic core.

Excitement flickered in his eyes as he grabbed a long branch nearby and deftly pried the crystal from the rotting entrails.

The core, roughly the size of a hen's egg, lay before him, but Xiao Feng dared not touch it with bare hands. The serpent's venom was nothing to trifle with. Shedding his combat jacket and T-shirt, he carefully wrapped the core and tucked it into his pack before striding without hesitation out of the forest.

He dared not linger here. Who could say if there were more Three-Eyed Serpents—or worse, Four-Eyed ones—lurking in the shadows? Swallowing his elation, Xiao Feng remained vigilant as he made his way toward the rendezvous point: Zone 57, where he was to meet Rice and Lin.

Zone 57 was a far cry from Zone 64. The latter had at least hosted the Viper Mercenary Squad and a rogue esper, ensuring a steady supply of food. Zone 57, however, was bereft of such power. It was home only to a small band of mercenaries who traded magical beast carcasses or wild game with Alliance soldiers for currency to survive.

The buildings in Zone 57 were in a state of disrepair, paling in comparison to those in Zone 64. Some bore scars of beastly assaults—walls cracked, roofs torn. Class C magical beasts had already been sighted in the area, and E and D-class predators, armed with deadly force, could leap over the ramshackle perimeter wall with ease.

As Xiao Feng approached the gate, a few soldiers peered down at him from atop the defensive wall.

"Hey, kid! Where the hell are you coming from this late?"

"I'm a hunter," Xiao Feng called back. "Been out on a hunt…"

"A hunter at your age? Don't make me laugh…" They clearly didn't believe him. Even if he were a freelance hunter, showing up at such an hour roused suspicion.

With a helpless shake of his head, Xiao Feng muttered, "Crows are black all over the world…" Then he opened his backpack and drew out a small pouch. From it, he produced a faintly glowing blue crystal and tossed it up toward the soldiers.

"Here, brothers! Sell it and treat yourselves to some tea."

One soldier caught the gem and frowned. "This little thing won't fetch much… doesn't prove anything!"

But another soldier beside him knew better. "That's a Class G magic core—it's worth thousands of Alliance coins!"

"No way—it's that valuable?"

"Exactly! Never judge a book by its cover. The kid might really be a freelance hunter."

"What are we waiting for? Open the damn gate!"

"Yes, sir!"

Xiao Feng gazed up at the gate—more dilapidated than the one at Zone 64, riddled with crude patches. As it creaked open, he stretched lazily, slinging his long black case and sword across his back, and stepped into Zone 57.

Within the boundaries of a protected zone, one couldn't always count on the luxury of hotels or inns—but at least he wouldn't have to build a shelter from scratch on the wasteland.

He greeted a few patrolling soldiers and made his way toward the center of the zone. In the air, he caught a familiar scent—Lin and Rice. Following the trail, he arrived at the door of a modest tavern. Parked outside was his off-road vehicle. In a place as run-down as this, such a vehicle was a spectacle; even ranking officers stationed here hadn't the privilege of owning one. Its presence had certainly stirred the entire district.

Xiao Feng shook his head and pushed open the wooden tavern door.

To his surprise, the place was packed. Patrons milled about, voices loud, bodies in constant motion. Waiters wove between tables, carrying oversized mugs of beer.

Then a familiar laugh rang out. Xiao Feng turned and spotted Rice and Lin.

Despite their different evolutionary powers, one trait bound them—an incorrigible lust for women.

Now, their table was surrounded by a full circle of women. The two men, arms spread wide, looked ready to gather every last one of them into their embrace.