“Why?” Allen asked indignantly. “Didn’t you see how magical that thing was?”
The boss replied, “Yes, I saw it. It made my cup disappear. But so what? Can these things be used as food? Or as energy? Can they solve the problem of water pollution? Or will the rich lords in the affluent districts buy them?”
As he spoke, the boss patted Allen’s shoulder.
“Old friend, I know you want to make a discovery and earn a lot of money. I also know you have six children at home and the pressure of life is too great.” The boss sighed. “But this thing is useless. I can’t acquire it because I don’t know who to sell it to.”
Allen retorted, “No, I’m not here to beg for food. I just need some help. Those crystals must hold a secret.”
“Alright,” the boss said, pointing behind him. “See the notice board? You posted a message five months ago, but did anyone respond? Not a single person!”
Allen’s gaze immediately dimmed.
The boss continued, “Since this world was destroyed, strange and peculiar things have appeared. Besides living creatures, it’s normal for other things to show up. Those so-called crystals might just be the excrement of some creature.”
Allen angrily slammed his fist on the table. “That’s not true!”
The boss spread his hands. “Okay, if you say it’s not true, then it’s not true. But the problem is, no one cares.”
“Food, water, and how to get energy from the lords in the affluent districts – these are what everyone cares about. People are even more willing to go to the garbage dumps at the border to look for repairable robots or usable plasma hunting rifles.”
“No one cares about those crystals. They can’t be eaten or drunk. If they could be made into energy blocks, then people would be interested.”
Allen argued, “But perhaps it’s related to biological mutations. If we find the secret of the crystals, we can find the reason for biological mutations. Maybe we can find a way to completely eradicate mutated creatures…”
“Allen, you are the father of six children. You are not a hero,” the boss interrupted. “Great deeds like ending the apocalypse are not your concern.”
Allen scoffed, “Then who should we rely on? The scoundrels in the affluent districts?”
The boss shrugged. “Whether you want to admit it or not, that’s how it is. No one cares about those crystals. In fact, your heroic pronouncements are met with derision by everyone.”
“Nowadays, those mutated creatures can still serve as food for everyone. If, as you say, the mutated creatures are eradicated, what will everyone eat? Won’t they all starve to death?”
At that moment, a kitchen helper brought a plate of roast meat and rice, placing it in front of Allen.
The boss said, “Eat up quickly. Don’t think about useless things. Consider something realistic. You are an excellent hunter. As long as you diligently hunt those mutated creatures, you can feed yourself and your children.”
“Hmph!” Allen sneered, picking up his spoon defiantly. “Sooner or later, I will prove to you all that I am definitely right.”
The boss smiled. “Alright, alright, you are right.”
Bai Ye overheard their conversation and watched Allen talk with the boss until they finished.
Isn’t it time for his appearance now?
Bai Ye shifted his position and sat next to Allen. “I’m very interested in the crystals you mentioned.”
Clang!
Allen’s spoon hit the edge of the plate. After a moment of surprise, he asked, “What did you say?”
Bai Ye replied, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but you weren’t speaking in hushed tones. So, what I mean is, after hearing your conversation, I’m very interested in the crystals you spoke of.”
Allen’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure?”
The boss, however, looked at Bai Ye with a scrutinizing gaze. “I haven’t seen you before.”
Bai Ye said, “It’s normal that you haven’t seen me, because I just arrived at the border today.”
“Oh?” the boss inquired. “Where are you from?”
Bai Ye explained, “If you go northeast, through the forest and swamps, you’ll see Highway 211. Follow the highway all the way, and you’ll reach the Ruined City, or by its former name, which you might be more familiar with? Its former name was Danis Cowboy City.”
Such questions didn’t stump Bai Ye. He could answer them fluently.
After all, this wasn’t something he was making up. Bai Ye genuinely knew how to get to Cowboy City. Although, even if he went again, not everything might be the same as in his previous life.
But it’s impossible that just because he came back, a city he saw in his previous life would suddenly cease to exist in this one, right?
Bai Ye continued, “Do you know about milk blocks?”
Allen replied, “I know. It’s something from the affluent districts, made from milk. You just need to add boiling water, and it turns into milk. But I’ve never eaten it.”
Bai Ye asked, “The milk blocks at the border all come from Cowboy City. You must have heard of it, right?”
The boss nodded. “We have indeed heard of it.”
This wasn’t something just anyone would know. In fact, very few people knew about milk blocks nowadays.
Currently, food and water are very scarce. The main food is the meat of mutated creatures, but this is actually a relatively low-grade ingredient. At most, the ingredient grade is classified according to the danger level of the mutated creatures.
What are the truly high-grade ingredients?
They are vegetables and fruits!
A child who grew up in the slums might never have seen what vegetables and fruits look like in their entire life.
And milk blocks are also among the little-known high-grade ingredients.
Therefore, Bai Ye was able to prove that he came from Cowboy City.
The boss asked, “So, what are you doing at the border?”
Bai Ye replied, “To be honest, I came here specifically to find those crystal blocks.”
Allen was surprised. “Have you seen those crystal blocks?”
Bai Ye explained, “Those crystal blocks are very magical, like a door connecting to another world. Through those crystal blocks, one can enter another world.”
Allen queried, “Is it related to mutated creatures?”
“I’m not sure about that,” Bai Ye clarified. “But in that other world, there are also mutated creatures, and even some very dangerous mutated humans.”
Allen’s eyes widened. “Mutated humans?”
Bai Ye nodded. “Yes, their bodies are crystallized, and they lose their human consciousness. Like beasts, they attack any target that approaches.”
Allen asked, “Have you been there?”
“Yes, I have, and that’s also why I’m searching for the crystals,” Bai Ye said. He thought for a moment, then began to fabricate a story. “I’m also a hunter. I have some companions, but during a hunt, we accidentally came into contact with those crystals and were transported to another world.”
Allen’s eyes lit up. “And then?”