Chapter 48: A Marvelous Thing! Once You Wear It, Chains Are No Longer Needed

Day six. The next town was five hundred kilometers away.

No matter how early Lin Mu started walking, it would take him three hours to reach his destination.

The first town looked promising...

But it was nothing but ruins, rubble strewn everywhere.

He glanced at the time; it was already half past ten, nearing eleven.

“001, start cooking.”

“Yes, Master.”

001 picked up the rice cooker and the induction stove, preparing the meal for the day.

Perhaps it was because the upcoming disaster was supposed to be scorching heat—there had been an abundance of electrical appliances these past two days. Rice cookers, induction stoves, electric ovens—Lin Mu had collected several of each.

Some he had already sold in exchange for a large quantity of supplies.

Yes, a considerable amount of supplies.

After all, with the weather outside so hot, cooking outdoors was out of the question. He could only cook inside the car.

But as soon as the stove was fired up, the temperature inside the vehicle soared.

Lin Mu leaned against the driver’s seat, inspecting Zhang Qian’s vehicle core.

It was actually a Level 5 core, the highest Lin Mu had encountered so far.

“Jiang Ying, take the tape off her mouth, and remove the sock from her mouth as well.”

“Alright.” Jiang Ying moved reluctantly.

Once the sock was removed from Zhang Qian’s mouth, she gasped for breath, her gaze fixed fiercely on Jiang Ying.

“What? There’s no water to wash my feet, so they smell a bit. Maybe a little sour. But I don’t have athlete’s foot, so stop looking at me like that.”

Jiang Ying said loudly, defensive and unapologetic.

Anyway, everyone—except Lin Mu—had their own particular odors.

Zhang Qian’s eyes were sharp enough to cut.

All night, her mouth had been assaulted by that sour, salty taste, and her nose was filled with the stench of socks.

“Ahem, your feet do smell rather strong. Even the chubby one doesn’t have such an intense odor.”

Lin Mu couldn’t stand it anymore. He hadn’t expected Jiang Ying’s feet to be quite so pungent.

Clearly, it was time to pursue some vehicle modifications.

He hadn’t explored the functional zone since it had been unlocked.

Mostly because there just wasn’t enough time in the day; every minute was a race.

“So, Zhang Qian, is your vehicle core upgraded using cores collected from killing other people?”

Zhang Qian stared at Lin Mu. “Yes, so what?”

Lin Mu frowned. “Is there no other way to obtain vehicle cores?”

“Hmph, even if there is, I won’t tell you!” Zhang Qian turned her head away, refusing to speak.

Lin Mu couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. Wasn’t it unclear who was the real boss here?

If she weren’t still useful, he’d have buried her already.

“Jiang Ying, stuff both pairs of your socks in her mouth!”

“Fine.” Jiang Ying reluctantly removed her other sock.

Zhang Qian struggled desperately, while Chubby and Gu Wanqing came over to help.

It was just a bit hard for her to breathe.

With the tape sealing her mouth, Zhang Qian’s eyes filled with tears.

Whether from humiliation or the stench, it was impossible to say.

Seeing the hate still burning in her gaze, Lin Mu decided that once he had new team members, he’d get rid of her.

No, the man too.

“001, those two won’t get any food today.”

“Yes, Master.”

They’d be dead in a few days anyway, so there was no point wasting provisions.

While waiting for the meal, Lin Mu opened the regional channel.

[Zone 562]—Population: 92,452

In the past two or three days, the number of people had plummeted.

But compared to the beginning, things weren’t so bad.

Most deaths were still caused by people killing each other; deaths from wild beasts and strange creatures only made up a small portion.

“Have you noticed? Each town is different.”

“Isn’t that stating the obvious? Anyone can see that.”

“Let’s not talk about that. With vehicle cores, everyone’s fighting when they meet. Is there any other way to get them?”

“So, what’s next week’s disaster? Extreme heat?”

“...”

Lin Mu rubbed his chin, watching the chat scroll.

There was a lot of pointless chatter, but some bits were useful.

At least he’d learned how to make small talk...

Everyone’s lips were sealed now, no one shared anything.

He really missed the early days, when information flowed freely—it had been such a thrill.

Lin Mu glanced at the people behind him. He realized that everyone he’d met was from the regional channel. Did that mean everyone in a regional channel was on the same planet?

How many planets would that require?

But if it weren't so, why hadn’t he encountered anyone from other channels?

He actually wanted to meet someone from the global channel; then he wouldn’t hesitate for even a second when it was time to fight.

After eating, the three were tied up again.

Although they obeyed Lin Mu without question now, he remained cautious.

To unlock the chains, he’d need to observe them longer and run a few small tests.

Looking at the ruined town by the roadside, Lin Mu summoned a black hole and started absorbing.

He didn’t even get out of the car, just drove along the edge.

All sorts of items—even stones—were sucked into the black hole.

“Wonderful!”

This was the most satisfying city Lin Mu had visited.

After the black hole finished, resource boxes were left behind; just break them open and take the goods.

An hour later, a box with a question mark appeared before Lin Mu.

His lips twitched; hopefully nothing unexpected this time.

He broke the box open, and a glowing orb appeared.

Such a familiar scene.

The same garbage heap, the same box, the same orb.

It was almost identical.

But recalling his previous haul, he had to open it.

Even if it was a dangerous game, to him it was just an amusement park.

Pop!

The orb shattered.

[Shackles Collar (SS)]—When worn, any negative thought toward the player brings punishment.

Lin Mu’s eyes lit up as he looked at the collar in his pack.

He glanced in the rearview mirror at the five people behind him.

“You all want to be freed from your chains? Just put this on.”

He dangled a silver collar in his hand—leather, with a small metal plate attached.

“This isn’t right. I’m not... that kind of person.” Jiang Ying blushed, unsure what she was imagining.

Lin Mu’s lips twitched. What went on in this child’s mind every day?

“Ahem, wear this and you won’t need chains anymore. This is your one chance.”

Jiang Ying immediately stood up. “I’ll wear it!”

She wasn’t about to miss the opportunity.

Gu Wanqing and Chubby nodded as well.

“001, put them on everyone, including the two on the floor.”

Moments later, all five had their chains removed.

Jiang Ying stretched her limbs. “This feels amazing. Finally free from restraint.”

Bzzz~~

A current crackled from Zhang Qian’s body, making her tremble slightly.

Lin Mu looked at the remaining five collars in his pack and smiled.

A perfect item.