Chapter 28: Level 2 Alloy Military Dagger, Modified Bullets

Take, for example, the encounter Zhang Ran had with the carrion wolf on his way back to the base. If, at that time, Zhang Ran had not been armed with a Silver Eagle pistol but instead had an AM41 automatic rifle, the carrion wolf’s reaction speed would have hardly allowed it to dodge the first bullet from the AM41, and Zhang Ran could have taken it down with ease.

Now, with the AM41 automatic rifle in his possession, even if he were to encounter a level 1 mutant beast, Zhang Ran had at least some means of defense. This was especially true against those less agile mutants, who were particularly vulnerable to firearms.

Of course, Zhang Ran was well aware that firearms were merely external tools. Against slower-moving mutants, guns were indeed highly effective, but when facing specialized agile mutants—like the Stinger Serpent, Shadow Wolf, or Steel-plumed Vulture—their speed made them nearly impossible to target, and they could even kill Zhang Ran before he had a chance to fire. To truly contend with level 1 mutants, what Zhang Ran needed was to collect evolution points and advance to become an Evolver.

Despite the inherent shortcomings of firearms, Zhang Ran was quite satisfied to have found precious gold during his first expedition and to have acquired such a formidable weapon as the automatic rifle. After safely stowing away the AM41, he made his way to the cold weapons sales area.

“How much is that military dagger on display?” he asked, pointing to a black, forty-centimeter-long dagger on the wall, its blade lined with sharp spikes and a blood groove running down its length.

“Sir, this dagger is forged from level 2 alloy. The price is 1,870 Black Hawk coins,” the salesperson replied promptly, approaching with respect.

“Very well. I’ll take it. Here you go,” Zhang Ran said, pulling two purple-gold Black Hawk coins of 1,000 denomination each from his purse and placing them on the counter.

“Sir, this dagger is quite heavy—you’ll need to take it yourself,” the salesperson said with a courteous smile, handing him his change and leading him to the military dagger.

“Excellent. This weapon is superb.” Zhang Ran hefted the dagger, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. Compared to his previous dagger, this new one, forged from level 2 alloy, was vastly improved in both weight and sharpness. It weighed in at twenty kilograms and could even be wielded as a machete if he so chose.

His former dagger was made from ordinary alloy steel, classified as level 1 alloy. While still sharp and effective against level 0 mutants like carrion wolves or berserk mole rats, it struggled to pierce the defenses of level 1 or higher mutants and could easily be damaged in battle.

Now, however, the new military dagger, crafted from level 2 alloy, was a significant upgrade in every aspect. It was capable of confronting mutants up to level 3, more than sufficient for Zhang Ran’s current needs, and granted him a substantial advantage against ordinary mutant beasts.

With his purchases complete, Zhang Ran restocked his supplies and finally made his way to the residential district of the Forward Base.

After buying weapons and provisions, Zhang Ran was left with about five hundred Black Hawk coins. He ordered a fifty-coin set meal at the residential district cafeteria and sat down to eat.

Out in the wild, ordinary folk survived on black bread costing two coins a serving. A fifty-coin meal was already considered a luxury, offering not just a large bowl of wheat rice but generous portions of meat and vegetables. Though the fare was more basic than that in the training camp, the quantity was just as filling, and far tastier than high-energy food rations.

With dinner finished and his hunger sated, Zhang Ran spent another fifty coins to secure a lodging permit within the Forward Base, then took his assigned number tag and entered a single-occupancy room.

He locked the door behind him and carefully set up a small alarm device that would make a sound if the door was opened. Then, Zhang Ran took out the bullets and the level 2 alloy dagger he’d just purchased and began carving special patterns into the ammunition with the dagger’s blade.

Bullets treated in this way would fragment shortly after being fired or upon entry into a target, greatly increasing their lethality. On Earth, these were known as “dum-dum bullets,” banned by international treaty for their inhumanity. But in the wasteland, no such restrictions existed.

Naturally, this modification slightly reduced the bullets’ accuracy, so Zhang Ran only altered ten rifle rounds and ten pistol rounds before stopping.

With the bullet modifications complete, Zhang Ran stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower, washing away the dirt, sweat, and blood.

Even this brief three-minute shower cost him thirty Black Hawk coins—all water had to be treated to reduce harmful substances and radiation. While this bathing water wasn’t purified to drinking standards, the quantity involved made it a considerable expense.

After bathing, Zhang Ran felt refreshed and invigorated. Though he could tolerate the filth, blood, and sweat if necessary, being able to sleep clean and comfortable was a luxury well worth the thirty-coin price.

With everything settled, Zhang Ran lay down on the bed and, with the aid of his neural chip, entered deep sleep. Even as he slept, the chip continued to monitor his surroundings. If the alarm was triggered or any suspicious sign appeared, it would alert Zhang Ran instantly. Thus, he could rest easy.

Seven hours later.

At five-thirty in the morning, the chip sent a special signal, waking Zhang Ran from his sleep. After seven hours of deep rest, he was fully recovered in both body and mind. He donned his gear energetically and left the room.

He returned to the residential district and ordered breakfast—thirty Black Hawk coins bought him a filling meal. Though nothing compared to life on Earth, it was a luxury few ordinary people in the wasteland could ever hope to afford.

By the time he finished breakfast, it was six o’clock. The main gate of the Forward Base opened once more.

Amid the distinct noise of hydraulic machinery and the grinding of gears, hot steam billowed from the exhaust ducts outside the gate. Then, the massive five-meter-wide, thirty-centimeter-thick silver alloy gate slowly retracted and rolled aside, revealing the passage leading out into the wilderness.