Chapter 38
As Su Jing climbed out of the ventilation shaft of the abandoned clock tower, the setting sun cast long, pale golden spots of light across the metal ground through the gaps in the New Los Angeles air corridor.
Dust from the ventilation ducts stuck to the soles of the boots fell onto the rusted grille and was swept away by a gust of wind carrying the smell of engine oil.
She raised her hand and patted the dust off her anti-radiation suit, then touched the electromagnetic shielding patch inside her collar—it still had 1 hour and 20 minutes of protection left, enough for her to return to the industrial area and find a safe place to rest.
Walking back along the boardwalk, the roar of laser cannons from the direction of the city lord's mansion in the distance had weakened, leaving only a faint "clanging" sound. It was likely that the city lord robot was unable to move widely due to damage to its leg circuitry.
As she passed the edge of the slum, she saw several indigenous people repairing a damaged cleaning robot. Lina and Martha were among them. When they saw Su Jing pass by, Martha waved from a distance and called out, "Little girl, are you alright? I heard a lot of loud noises just now!"
Su Jing stopped and nodded with a smile: "It's okay, I've already gotten what I wanted, don't worry."
She didn't elaborate on the core issues, fearing it might cause trouble for the indigenous people. After a brief farewell, she continued towards the industrial area—where Martin's generator room was located, relatively secluded and suitable for a temporary rest.
The metal walls of the industrial zone gleamed coldly in the setting sun, and the heavy machinery guards at the main gate had returned to their posts, their red scanning eyes rotating rhythmically.
Su Jing went around to the side door, swiped the access card Martin had given her, and just as she entered the park, she saw Martin squatting on the metal platform outside the generator room, holding a multimeter to check the wiring, his dark blue work clothes stained with fresh engine oil.
"You're back? Judging from your appearance, it seems like you've succeeded."
Martin looked up and saw Su Jing, a smile spreading across his face. His multimeter was still tucked under his arm. "The city lord robot didn't give you any trouble, did it? I heard quite a commotion over there just now."
"It's nothing serious, just a minor problem, but it's been resolved."
Su Jing walked over to Martin, her gaze sweeping over the generator room—the generator inside was still humming, and the core had been replaced with a spare ordinary core. "I want to find a secluded place to rest for a while and check the things. Do you know where that would be suitable?"
“Follow me.” Martin stood up and led Su Jing deeper into the industrial area, past several abandoned industrial robots, and stopped in front of a small metal shed with a sign that read “Tool Storage Room.”
"The lock on the door here is broken, and there's no one inside. I left some spare tools here before. Once you're inside, close the door tightly. Even the patrolling guards outside won't hear you."
Su Jing pushed open the door. The room was not large. On the left was a row of metal shelves with screwdrivers, wrenches and other tools on them. On the right was a worn-out metal bench, just big enough to sit on.
She thanked Martin, closed the door, took out an EMP-proof metal box from her backpack, and opened it. Blue, purple, and dark blue cores were neatly arranged, gleaming with different brightness.
"I need to replenish my energy." Su Jing rubbed her temples, feeling a bit tired after several hours of stealth and dismantling.
She accessed her spatial storage and focused her attention on the "easily accessible layer"—the high-energy bars she had stockpiled were stored there. The silver packaging was printed with the words "each bar contains 500 calories of energy." They were military-grade products that she had specially purchased online before the apocalypse, with a shelf life of 5 years.
She took out an energy bar, tore open the packaging, and a rich chocolate aroma wafted out.
The energy bars are dark brown and have a firm texture. When you bite into them, you can taste a hint of nut bits. While the taste isn't as good as fresh food, they can quickly replenish your energy.
After a few bites, the tense muscles gradually relaxed, the cold sweat on the forehead dried up, and the fatigue in the mind dissipated considerably.
After replenishing her energy, Su Jing brought up the system panel, where the number of cores and ranking information were clearly displayed:
[Core statistics for the instance (task progress is calculated at 100%, and any progress exceeding 100% is not included in the ranking):]
- Superior Energy Core ×1
- Advanced Energy Core ×13
- 30 Common Energy Cores
[Real-time rankings for the instance (12 hours and 8 minutes remaining):]
1. I am the God of Wealth (China): Mission progress 100% (Core quality optimal)
2. Hunter (United States): 5 Common Energy Cores (Mission progress 50%)
3. Sharp Blade (China): 4 Ordinary Energy Cores (Mission Progress 40%)
4. Nightingale (EU): 3 Common Energy Cores (Mission Progress 30%)
5. Black Bear (Russian Bear Nation): Ordinary Energy Core x3 (Mission Progress 30%)
[Note: If there are less than 12 hours remaining in the instance, you can go to the "Cyber Black Market" (abandoned warehouse area in the southwest of the industrial zone) to purchase technological products that can be taken out of the instance. Product types include vehicles, defensive weapons, energy reserves, etc., and points can be directly deducted.]
"Technology products that can be taken out?" Su Jing's eyes lit up—she had been focused on completing the mission but forgot that the dungeon also had "rewards that can be taken out." Technology products are crucial for survival in the apocalypse. For example, flying cars can be used for rapid relocation, laser guns can be used for defense, and energy crystals can power generators. These are all things she urgently needs.
She immediately turned off the panel, pushed open the door and walked out of the tool storage room, just as Martin was passing by.
"Do you know how to get to the Cyber Black Market? The system says you can buy tech products that can be taken out of the country there," Su Jing asked quickly as she stepped forward.
"The black market is in the abandoned warehouse area on the southwest side of the industrial zone. It's quite hidden, and most people can't find it."
Martin stopped, took out a simple map from his pocket, and drew a route on it with a marker. "Go south from here, go around the abandoned factory number three, and you'll see a warehouse with a neon sign that says 'Scrap Recycling.' Behind it is the entrance to the black market. There's a vendor in a black leather jacket at the entrance. Give him my name, and he'll let you in—remember, don't buy 'refurbished goods.' Although they're cheap, they're easy to break. Make sure the vendor tests the machine before you buy it."
Su Jing took the map, thanked him, and immediately set off according to the route.
On her way south, she encountered two patrolling mechanical guards. She took out the robot malfunction simulator Tony had given her and pressed the red button. The simulated malfunction signal emitted by the device instantly overwhelmed the guards, who immediately turned and walked towards the source of the signal. Taking advantage of this, Su Jing quickly passed through the guards' patrol range and continued towards the abandoned warehouse area.
On the way, she subconsciously opened the global channel. The red chat box was still conspicuous. It was from "Hunter (US)" Jack: "Damn natives! How dare they block our way! If I wasn't afraid of triggering the alarm, I would have wiped them out with my laser gun! Now we haven't gotten the top-tier core and have wasted half a day. Does anyone know where the Cyber Black Market is? If you know, DM me. I'll pay 100 points for the address!"
Zhao Yue, the dark gray-clad "Flying Swallow (China)," replied: "I'm also looking for the black market. I just asked a few natives, but none of them would say anything. They seem very afraid of being discovered by the 'Metal Man.'"
Emily, the golden "Nightingale (EU)," sent a message: "I heard the black market is in the abandoned warehouse area, but I don't know the exact location. Is anyone willing to team up to find it? It's safer with more people."
Su Jing ignored the messages in the channel, closed the interface, and quickened her pace. After passing the abandoned factory building number three, she indeed saw a neon sign that read "Scrap Recycling"—half of the light tube was broken, and only the two words "Scrap" were lit, emitting a faint orange glow.
Behind the warehouse was a hidden metal door, beside which stood a stall owner in a black leather jacket, a synthetic cigarette between his fingers, staring at passersby.
"Was it Martin who introduced you?" the stall owner asked as Su Jing approached, his voice hoarse and husky.
Su Jing nodded: "Yes, Martin said you can take me into the black market."
The stall owner threw away his cigarette butt, stomped it out, and pushed open the metal door: "Go in. There are quite a few stalls inside. If you see something you like, just talk to the stall owner directly. Don't touch other people's things, it's easy to get into a conflict. By the way, there are a few stall owners inside who are 'bad robots' people. Don't deal with them. Most of their things are stolen, it's not safe."
As Su Jing stepped inside, the scene before her instantly became bustling—it was a huge underground warehouse divided into small stalls, each with a flashing neon sign hanging in front of it.
Some signs read "Flying Car Specialty," others "Laser Weapon Wholesale," and still others displayed piles of energy crystals. The vendors' shouts, the clanging of mechanical parts, and the sounds of synthesized music mingled together, creating the unique hustle and bustle of the cyber black market.
She slowed her pace, her gaze sweeping over the various stalls—the first stall on the left displayed several silver flying car models, with a real one standing next to it, featuring a streamlined body and a blue levitation device at the bottom.
In the middle of the stall, black laser guns were neatly arranged on metal racks, their muzzles gleaming coldly.
The stall on the right is piled high with orange energy crystals, like a small mountain, and the stall owner is using a tester to check the energy density of the crystals.
Su Jing took a deep breath and walked to the first flying car booth.
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