Chapter 98: Repairing the Broken Army

“Incredible! After evolving, the effect of Blood Plunder is so much more practical now—it allows me to fight far longer!”

Feeling the energy and vitality returned to him through Blood Plunder, a smile appeared on Zhang Ran’s face as he nodded in satisfaction. He then drew the Broadsword of War from the corpse of the Tyrant, aiming it at the mutated blade arm.

With a thought, Zhang Ran severed the Tyrant’s mutated blade arm and claws, carefully packing them away before storing them in his spatial box.

Without the enhancement of the 'Strengthen Mutated Blade' ability, the hardness of the Tyrant's blade arm couldn't compare to Grade 3 alloy, but it rivaled the best Grade 2 alloys, making it quite valuable.

Next, Zhang Ran moved to the Tyrant’s head. With a swing of his Broadsword, he pried open the skull, rummaged through the brown-red brain tissue, and finally found the brain core.

Unlike the blue brain cores of ordinary zombies, this special mutated Tyrant’s brain core was gray and radiated a violent aura. Zhang Ran could also sense the intense energy within.

Compared to normal zombies of the same level, the energy contained in the Tyrant’s brain core was two to three times richer, but unfortunately, the toxins and harmful substances were also several times higher, making purification and refining extremely difficult. Thus, it could not be used to craft gene enhancement medicines.

Even so, brain cores from special mutated zombies like the Tyrant were still on Black Hawk Corporation’s acquisition list, and the price wasn’t low—a brain core from a Level 4 special mutated zombie could fetch five thousand Black Hawk coins.

Aside from the brain core, the Tyrant's mutated blade arm and claws could sell for around ten thousand Black Hawk coins. Altogether, if Zhang Ran sold all the materials from the Tyrant, he could earn fifteen thousand Black Hawk coins.

Normally, materials from a Level 4 mutated creature would sell for about seventy-five hundred Black Hawk coins, while materials from a Level 5 creature might reach fifteen thousand. However, this Tyrant stood at the pinnacle of Level 4 mutated creatures and was extremely rare, hence the high price.

“The harvest is indeed good, but unfortunately, after this battle, the Broadsword of War needs repairs.”

After storing the Tyrant’s materials, Zhang Ran gazed sorrowfully at the two cracks on his weapon, sighing in regret.

During the fight with the Tyrant, the Broadsword took damage while blocking the mutated blade arm, resulting in two cracks—one of them a full centimeter deep, splitting a fifth of the blade.

Such damage wasn’t enough to render the Broadsword unusable, but any further collisions in battle would worsen the cracks, potentially making it irreparable. Thus, Zhang Ran decided to end his hunt for the day and return to Black Hawk City to repair his weapon.

Two hours later, Zhang Ran arrived at Black Hawk City and entered the material sales area in the guild hall.

As a two-star employee, Zhang Ran didn’t need to queue like ordinary workers. He was led to a private office and greeted by a dedicated attendant.

“Please, come in, sir.”

Looking at Zhang Ran, the female clerk inside the office spoke respectfully. Generally, two-star employees were Level 3 or higher evolvers, considered the middle tier among evolvers in Black Hawk Corporation. The company had thousands of evolvers, but only a few hundred were Level 3 or above, making them rarities worthy of respect.

“These are the materials I wish to sell. Please tally them for me.”

As he spoke, Zhang Ran took out the materials from three Level 3 mutated creatures and placed them on the table.

“Yes, sir!”

Seeing the materials for Level 3 mutated creatures, the attendant’s respect deepened.

“That totals eleven thousand Black Hawk coins and accumulates eleven hundred contribution points for you. Would you like to receive cash or keep it in the company?”

After tallying Zhang Ran’s submission, the clerk continued.

“Keep it in the company.”

Zhang Ran already had about fifty thousand Black Hawk coins on him, more than enough for daily needs, so he chose to leave this sum with the company. In Black Hawk City’s official venues, Black Hawk coins stored in the company could be used directly.

Leaving the guild hall, Zhang Ran went to the corporation’s administrative center and obtained a certificate for entry into the armory, then headed to Black Hawk Corporation’s armory.

Since Zhang Ran needed to repair a large weapon, he wasn’t permitted inside the armory itself. Instead, he waited outside under the guard of one soldier, while another entered to fetch a free blacksmith.

Soon, a blacksmith emerged from the armory.

“Master, please restore this broadsword for me!”

Zhang Ran greeted the blacksmith politely.

“No problem, let me take a look!”

The blacksmith approached Zhang Ran’s Broadsword, running his hand over the blade and tapping it thoughtfully.

“A weapon crafted from Grade 2 alloy, yet it’s suffered such damage. Looks like you faced a Level 4 or higher creature! Coming back alive—quite impressive!”

Examining the scars on the Broadsword, the blacksmith’s eyes showed a hint of surprise and admiration.

“Sharp eye, master. I was lucky to return. May I ask how much it will cost to repair this broadsword?”

Not wishing to reveal his strength, Zhang Ran replied noncommittally, then asked.

“For a Grade 2 alloy weapon, it’ll be three thousand Black Hawk coins.”

As he spoke, the blacksmith moved closer to the Broadsword.

“Here you are, master.”

With that, Zhang Ran handed over three purple-gold Black Hawk coins.

“Good. Wait here and don’t disturb me while I restore your weapon.”

Taking the coins, the blacksmith laid the Broadsword flat on the ground, crouched beside it, and placed his palm on the cracked blade.

As he worked, a faint white glow appeared on his arm, flowing to his palm and then steadily into the Broadsword’s blade.

With each infusion of light, the damaged blade seemed to come alive, slowly writhing as the jagged crack disappeared and nearby fissures were fully restored.

This white light was the effect of the 'Metal Restoration' ability of the Spirit Energy Domain, which manipulates metal atoms to restore damaged metal objects.

About ten minutes later, the blacksmith had finished repairing one side of the Broadsword. He then flipped the blade and activated 'Metal Restoration' again on the other crack.