Chapter 101: The Attention Drawn by the Canned Food

Yun Xuan landed in the pit formed by the explosive flames. The searing heat seemed to scorch his skin, but he leaped to the center and seized the golden fruit.

“Congratulations, host. You have obtained the Slime Core. Swallowing it will increase your ability by one level; if a beast swallows it, it will evolve a level.” The cat-eared girl, Meow Meow, appeared before Yun Xuan.

“Ability increase and beast evolution?” Yun Xuan put away the fruit and swiftly left the area.

Currently, the highest beast level is nine, just like humans. Yun Xuan had never seen a level nine ability user, but Hui Hui was at least a level six. Yun Xuan’s level reflected the upgrade system; even at level twenty, he was only equivalent to a level two ability. The rhino beast and wolf-shaped beast he’d just encountered were both level three, their size giving them an edge.

“It’s time to leave. Hui Hui, you should go rest.” Yun Xuan landed on the rooftop, stored Hui Hui and Bing Xue in the strategy machine, summoned the wolf-shaped beast, and headed toward Research Institute 1215.

Barely five minutes after Yun Xuan left, a winged dragon landed in the pit, staring at the vanished slime and letting out an angry roar.

…

Meanwhile,

Qingyue City Executive Meeting.

“The force in the city center shook all of Qingyue City. We’ve ruled out the possibility of it being a weapon,” said a young man with glasses.

“If it’s not a weapon, could it be a person?” The woman beside him smiled.

“That possibility can’t be excluded.” The young man adjusted his glasses, opened his phone, and a virtual screen appeared.

“An ability user? Magic?” The masked man across the table, dressed in black, spoke up.

“Magic? Wu Shuang, you may have seen a lot, but surely you haven’t witnessed magic firsthand?” The woman scoffed.

“I haven’t, but... Zhao Hongyan, have you forgotten about the special-type ability users?” The masked man replied coolly.

“Hmph, people like that are one in a million. Even if there was one, they wouldn’t come to Qingyue City.” Zhao Hongyan crossed her arms, her expression haughty.

“Have you heard about the new fresh canned food that appeared in the market yesterday? I took four cans from the warehouse today so we could all try them.” The young man with glasses clapped his hands, changing the subject.

Outside the door, Yue Ming entered and respectfully placed the canned food before the four.

“Gao Yunyi, are you planning a trap? I’m just a girl—how could I handle it?” Zhao Hongyan shot a charming glance at the young man.

“As the acting head of Qingyue City, would I do something like that?” Gao Yunyi removed his glasses, cleaned them, and smiled.

“I’ll try it first.” The burly man across from Zhao Hongyan grabbed a can and began eating.

“Fresh canned food?” Wu Shuang asked, holding a box.

“Yes, completely fresh, as if it just came off the production line. Sold to us by a mysterious organization. Yue Ming, tell them the details.” Gao Yunyi nodded and picked up a can.

“Yes. The seller is a high school student named Yun Xuan, about seventeen years old, accompanied by a girl. According to the Ye Shan team’s information, that girl single-handedly killed a level three beast, unharmed.” Yue Ming bowed.

“She killed a level three beast alone? Impossible!” The burly man sprang up in shock. Even as a power-type ability user, he couldn’t take down a level three beast solo.

“Brother Ge, it's true. Ten ordinary people from the Ye Shan team witnessed it. It’s not false. Sit down and let Yue Ming continue.” Gao Yunyi waved his hand.

The burly man sat down, watching Yue Ming.

“Ye Shan introduced him for the trade. He offered three batches: the first is ten thousand cans, the second is fifty thousand, and the third is one hundred thousand. The first batch was traded yesterday. During the transaction, I noticed their influence was considerable and very dangerous.” Yue Ming continued.

“One hundred and fifty thousand cans—where are they?!” Zhao Hongyan was excited.

If she had one hundred and fifty thousand cans, how much power could she wield? What resources could she control? She might even break through to level six.

“We haven’t located their residence yet, but we’re certain they live near the city center, within fifteen kilometers of Qingyue City.” Gao Yunyi shook his head.

“You’re no good at finding people, but I’m great at it.” Zhao Hongyan smiled.

“Using your slaves?” Gao Yunyi frowned.

“Just scatter some coins. Finding clues is easy. Those people outside will gladly search for me.” Zhao Hongyan stood, taking the cans.

“I’ll head back, too,” the burly man said, cupping his fists.

The two left, leaving only Wu Shuang and Gao Yunyi.

“Testing them via others? That’s just like you.” Wu Shuang tapped the table.

“I just want to find a better way to survive. They're too violent.” Gao Yunyi stood, walked to the window, and shook his head.

“I’m a lone wanderer. If Qingyue City falls, I lose nothing.” Wu Shuang stood, took the canned food, and left.

“Qingyue City can only be led by one person. This wall must be broken, so they become true humans.” Gao Yunyi looked out at the slums, his fist clenched tightly.

…

Night.

At Research Institute 1215, Yun Xuan and his companions dined together.

Hui Hui was eating Yun Xuan’s roasted meat, her blissful expression showing just how delicious it was.

“Yun Xuan, you’re amazing! You can make such delicious roasted meat.” Hui Hui praised.

“As soon as we finish this mission in Five Mountain City, you can have roasted meat every day.” Yun Xuan smiled.

“Really? If you’re lying, you’re a puppy!” Hui Hui’s eyes sparkled, and she nearly drooled.

“Wait until I bring you back to my world—you’ll see.” Yun Xuan watched her salivating, handed her another piece.

“So happy!” Hui Hui cupped her cheeks, looking adorable.

“Hurry and eat. After we finish, we’ll wait until midnight and then set out.” Yun Xuan interrupted her daydreams.

After eating, Hui Hui went to bathe. Yun Xuan registered an account on the Apocalypse Forum under the name “Apocalypse Merchant.”

He opened the help page for Five Mountain City and immediately posted a reply:

“100,000 fresh cans will arrive in Five Mountain City tomorrow. Price: 40 coins each, no discounts.”

A simple reply.

In less than a minute:

“I am Gao Yunyi, head of Qingyue City. Requesting 200,000 fresh cans. You are welcome.”

“I am Bai Xiaojie, head of Luoyue City. Requesting 300,000 fresh cans. You are welcome.”

“I am Yuan Pin, head of Jiulong City. Seeking large, ongoing purchases of fresh cans. You are welcome.”

“I am… seeking… fresh cans. You are welcome.”

“I am Chen Dongcheng, head of Five Mountain City. Welcome!”

Yun Xuan looked at these responses, a smile at his lips. This world truly was a vast market.

“Pity I only brought 300,000 cans this time. But next time, I’ll get them from the Food Wars world. I must be cautious in the real world.” Yun Xuan sipped his coffee and began watching anime.

(P.S.: All names and cities are fictional; any resemblance is purely coincidental. Please vote for recommendations. Also… why are cute girls like Oujinjin so popular? And, I don’t know what Gao Yunyi and Bai Xiaojie represent. Hmm, no idea.)