Communication between individuals was perhaps done by transmitting information via electrical signals released from spores.
But this was still fundamentally different from the human capacity for thought, which is based on logic, emotion, and experience.
But now...
Things seemed to have taken a turn for the strange.
’I get the feeling that in the midst of its frenzied evolution, the enemy has also learned to think like a human. Right now, its methods make it seem more like a treacherous old schemer.’
"It really did sneak in."
A glimmer flickered in Yan Ruoruo’s eyes as her gaze pierced through the crowd, settling on a distant, graffiti-covered old industrial street.
In her field of Insight, the air in that spot looked peaceful, but wisps of nearly transparent spores were drifting about like ghosts.
Judging by their trajectory, they weren’t drifting in from the outside; rather, they were being unconsciously released by a figure that had stealthily infiltrated the area.
Tracing them back to their source, she saw they seemed to be emanating from a crack in a broken window of a nearby, abandoned workshop.
"Someone found a dead body inside."
Su Chen caught a security transmission from inside the workshop, carried on the Wind Fluff brushing past his ear. A couple having a clandestine affair in the dark had been killed. The man must have been fairly strong, yet his brain tissue was missing.
’At least in the eyes of the fungus-modified human, he had been a valuable target.’
It was a shame he’d been ambushed, leaving not even a single sign of resistance.
Su Chen’s gaze narrowed. He then released the restrictions on his Resonance. In addition to listening to the wind, he began to establish a connection with the earth. His Perception seeped into the rock layer like roots, extending and drilling deep into the ground.
Before long, he detected a winding path beneath the workshop, like a tunnel being dug by an insect. The soil structure was being torn apart by high-speed passage and then silently mending itself, leaving behind faint fluctuations of Earth Element energy.
’Earth Escape Skill.’
Su Chen was very familiar with this. He had fought an Earth Element-modified human that very afternoon, so he recognized it immediately. In fact, he possessed a Lv5 Earth Element skill crystal that was none other than the Earth Escape Skill.
’Where are you?’
At that moment, the urge to hunt sparked within him. If he could kill one of the fungus-modified humans, he would make an absolute killing.
The industrial park was huge, and his Resonance range was limited. When it came to tracking and hunting in the dark, he’d have to rely on the Soul-devouring Dog.
To avoid drawing attention, the summoned Xiaoye immediately used its Stealth Skill. Having fought numerous Bloodthirsty Fungus Parasite Bodies at close range, it was naturally sensitive to the aura of the spores.
However, the chaotic auras of the surrounding people and the lingering fluctuations from their Enchantment equipment created a fair bit of interference.
After a short while, it had still found nothing.
Just then,
"Su Chen."
A voice full of surprised delight called out.
Just as Su Chen and Yan Ruoruo were walking forward, the familiar figure of a middle-aged man came running straight toward them.
The man was none other than Xing Jingsong, Boss Xing.
The camping store owner had evidently done as he said and brought his son to take shelter with his younger brother at his forge here in the industrial park.
"Boss Xing, we meet again," Su Chen said in greeting. In the early days, he had relied on the man’s logistical support for his Flying Knife throwing. Although it was a business transaction, a bit of a bond had formed between them.
"I’m so glad you came."
Xing Jingsong was thrilled, unable to suppress his joy. After all, he had privately invited the man twice, never expecting him to actually show up tonight.
"Come on, the forge is just up ahead. I’ll introduce you to my brother," Xing Jingsong said, enthusiastically leading the way. He also made sure to greet Yan Ruoruo.
With no new leads, Su Chen was happy to follow.
The forge had once been an abandoned steam boiler room. Now, while it retained its rough industrial atmosphere, the interior had been decorated with a luxurious, refined touch.
A full wall of honor was displayed near the entrance, showcasing participation in various television programs for restoring Ancient Armor and weapons, alongside various credentials from the Artisan Association. In this apocalyptic world, such old-world titles were a sign of undeniable quality.
On the display racks inside, several suits of armor were neatly arranged. The shop was bustling with people. A robust, middle-aged man was in discussion with several customers, and seeing how busy he was, Xing Jingsong decided it was best not to disturb him.
"It’s fine. I’ll just take a look around."
Su Chen’s own support system already included a materials expert. In terms of weaponry, he had a shotgun, as well as a mysterious Bronze Spear that was still waiting to be finished.
Once he acquired his Elementalization trait, he lost interest in things like armor. In fact, the strange pieces of metal ore displayed on the floor were far more attractive to him.
The Red Flame Ore, Thunder Crystal Ore, and Wind Crystal Ore from the resource exchange list were all present here.
This was a real eye-opener for Su Chen. Having listened to many conversations at the salon, he knew that weapons and equipment forged from ores with specific attributes offered better conductivity. After being enchanted with a corresponding Element, their effects and special properties were significantly enhanced.
For example, a suit of armor forged from Thunder Crystal Ore, after being enchanted with a lightning shield, would be wreathed in a much denser arc of electricity. If this defensive power were converted into an offensive attack, the resulting thunderstorm damage would also be significantly increased.
’So, a complete set of Rune Equipment was indeed necessary.’
"The appearance of the Separation Refining Skill was a huge help. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have so many clients," Xing Jingsong said, full of praise for his younger brother.
The process of forging equipment from ore was not an easy one.
A private forge’s blast furnace needed sustained high temperatures and a powerful airflow to smelt ore. But after the apocalypse cut off water and electricity, once the diesel generators ran out of fuel, the electric bellows, water pumps, and all the various controllers would become useless.
But then, the Separation Refining Skill appeared.
It was an absolutely monumental change.
One only had to cast a simple bit of Rune Magic to extract pure metal from ore. Just like that, blast furnace smelting was obsolete, the furnaces themselves left to cool and sit idle.

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