CHAPTER 661: BOSS LU’S STEEL HOUSE

One after another, all the rotten mermaids began gnawing at the outer covering of the structure, revealing the room inside, which was made of unknown materials. This outer covering seemed extremely fragile in the rotten mermaids’ mouths; a few bites were enough to eat away a section. They could even consume materials like dirt mixed with rebar, turning it into food!

This genuinely surprised Jing Shu. She hadn’t expected the rotten mermaids’ biting power to be so formidable. She wondered if it had something to do with their saliva. However, as apocalyptic Dark Creatures that fed on White Energy, their great power likely stemmed from their access to it.

"Such ability not used for digging tunnels is truly a waste."

In fact, Jing Shu had already reached an agreement with insect woman Xiao Wei. If things went as planned, they would increase the reproduction of the Engineer Insects and those specialized in digging tunnels. If everything went according to the normal schedule, the insects should have been bred by now and started digging a tunnel. The tunnel project was massive, stretching from Wu City towards the distant south.

This was one of the preparations Jing Shu was making for the migration of Wu City. However, she had been trapped on this deserted island for one or two months now and didn’t know if Xiao Wei had initiated the project. Furthermore, the task was enormous. Even if Xiao Wei’s insects were proficient tunnel diggers, the project might not reach the south by next year.

"However, if a large number of rotten mermaids could also dig tunnels, that would greatly increase the chances."

"If the migration later took place through the tunnel instead of braving the cold weather outside, fewer people would freeze to death. They also wouldn’t encounter as many terrifying Dark Creatures, and the journey could be much faster."

The most important thing was to scout the route first, as the earth’s plates might shift, and prior knowledge would be crucial for issuing warnings.

When Jing Shu looked at the rotten mermaids again, her eyes lit up. While the rotten mermaids weren’t as versatile as Xiao Wei’s insects—which could both eat meat and dig tunnels—they were at least plentiful.

Regrettably, how could she tame so many rotten mermaids? Even if she used the power of space, Jing Shu could not control too many, which would be akin to a drop in the bucket.

"How can I make the rotten mermaids work for me?" Jing Shu wondered, resting her chin in her hand as she watched a rotten mermaid snap vigorously at the steel house.

CRUNCH! SCREEECH!

Harsh, straining sounds erupted, like heavy metal clashing. However, the rotten mermaids’ teeth soon snapped off. Many lost their teeth biting the room, which appeared to be made of steel. But they seemed to feel no pain. Even with their teeth broken, they continued to ram their bodies against the house.

Jing Shu could clearly see that the steel room, many centimeters thick, had been dented and mangled by their bites.

The dumbfounded Da Ji trembled and hid in a corner. It was as if a realization had struck him, yet he looked at these rotten mermaids with even greater confusion.

Meanwhile, the patrol and Boss Lu’s men heard the sounds and rushed over with flashlights. Jing Shu quietly found a dark corner to observe, simultaneously releasing more insects to scout the surroundings.

The rotten mermaids below the building were restless but hadn’t climbed onto the shore. So where did these rotten mermaids suddenly appearing from the ventilation outlet come from? Da Ji looked bewildered, then fell into deep thought.

Why were the rotten mermaids ignoring Da Ji and so intent on gnawing this hard building? What was their purpose?

The people in the building already had experience dealing with such creatures. They grabbed electric batons, torches, Fire Bottles, and shields, rushing forward without a word to shock the creatures’ eyes and burn their mouths.

As for this batch of uninvited guests, the eyes of the other rotten mermaids glowed green. They immediately charged, attacking what they saw as delicacies. In that instant, they reverted to their bestial nature and indulged in frenzied violence. However, another group of rotten mermaids continued to attack the steel house.

The two sides quickly engaged in battle. More rotten mermaids kept pouring out of the ventilation shaft. However, the building’s inhabitants were experienced and employed various electrical and fire attacks, leading to a temporary stalemate.

Jing Shu heard Li Chenglong’s shouts and the building’s alarm. The numbers on both sides were steadily increasing.

"So... what was the reason?" Jing Shu frowned, clearly puzzled. She looked at Da Ji and suddenly saw excitement, greed, and disbelief in his eyes.

Da Ji, who had initially been worried about being bitten, quietly crept closer to a corner of the steel house. He stared intently at the structure as if it were a treasure trove. What wonderful things might be inside? he wondered. Could there be piles of white rice and white flour? Or perhaps mouth-watering hams?

"Sausages! I really want some sausages!" Da Ji muttered, saliva dripping from his mouth.

Jing Shu was speechless.

CRACK...

The fully armored steel room, under the relentless attacks of numerous rotten mermaids, gradually gave way. It was forcibly deformed and dented to an extreme angle before it cracked open, and the rest followed inevitably.

An incredulous Da Ji’s face lit up with wild joy. Amidst the chaos, he crawled inside, and his uproarious laughter soon followed. Jing Shu, hidden in the darkness, slowly approached him. No one paid attention to this area. Everyone’s focus was on the rotten mermaids.

In the dim light, Da Ji felt bag after bag of sealed rice. He looked around the small room, which was filled with a variety of foods. The light was too dim, so he fumbled to identify each item. It was unbelievable! "Smoked chicken! My favorite smoked chicken! My favorite sausages... This is wonderful, so wonderful!"

This place was a food paradise, filled with foods that were almost extinct in the apocalypse. Almost everything he loved to eat was here. My God, am I dreaming?

A dim light suddenly switched on, and a gun was pressed against Da Ji’s head. Da Ji struggled to lift his head and saw Boss Lu, his face ashen, wearing a bathrobe.

"Do you think you’ll live long enough to eat any of this?" Boss Lu snarled through gritted teeth. He scrutinized the oblivious man before him, then mournfully looked at his ’Doomsday Fortress.’ It had cost a fortune to build and had just been breached by these creatures after only a few minutes of continuous attack.

He had whimsically constructed this impregnable secret place when he renovated the building before the apocalypse. Originally, he’d thought that if he were ever chased for debts or attacked, he could hide here. He had prepared enough supplies, food, and weapons for one person for ten years. After the apocalypse, he had secretly continued to stock it with good things, never daring to indulge himself. He had endured the hardships of the apocalypse for so long, yet he’d never brought himself to use the supplies inside. Instead, he had guarded the building, refusing to leave, largely because this iron behemoth was immovable. But today, unexpectedly, these creatures had pried it open. And the worst part? This man before him was trying to freeload?