Volume One: The Planet of Ten Thousand Beasts Chapter 13: Explosion

The monkey and the hunting dog had died. The drummer would need at least half a month to start walking again, and a full month to regain fighting strength. The team suddenly lost three fighters, making it impossible to continue the mission. Fortunately, the task they had taken on wasn’t time-sensitive; failing to complete it only meant no reward. Each member had already received over five hundred thousand copper coins, enough to sustain them for a while, so there was no urgent panic.

As team leader, Cao Gang was responsible for recruiting new members, while the others were free to do as they pleased. Before leaving, Cao Gang advised everyone to avoid going out as much as possible; the current gathering place was far from peaceful.

This gathering spot was merely a refuge built by humans on the Beast Planet to huddle together for warmth. Many rules and orders there were temporary and imperfect. Accidentally offending the wrong person could mean death without cause. Moreover, the area was a mix of all kinds of people, including those who set traps. Many newcomers arriving on the Beast Planet were swindled out of all their possessions. Of course, losing all one’s money wasn’t the worst fate—it was far worse to lose one’s life.

Cao Gang was considered an experienced veteran, yet even he had to tread carefully here, as if walking on thin ice. No sooner had he stepped out of the inn than Li Juxu also left, heading straight to the only bank in the gathering place—the Sunlight Bank, named because wherever there was light, there was Sunlight Bank business.

Li Juxu transferred nearly all his savings, leaving only a small amount for daily expenses. The rest was sent back to the account of Zhao Huier at Xinhe Hospital on the home planet. Zhao Huier was his girlfriend, suffering from neuro-central fission cancer, a disease with only a 0.05% chance of cure. Yet Li Juxu refused to give up. He had traveled thousands of miles to the Beast Planet to earn money, having heard that if one dared to work hard, it was easy to make a living here. But upon arrival, he realized he had been deceived. On the Beast Planet, many toiled desperately, but few earned much. Many came to make money; few succeeded.

Only after repeatedly being cheated did he begin to understand the survival rules of the Beast Planet. From near starvation, he became a competent sniper, gradually earning an income. He knew the money was but a drop in the bucket compared to the total cost of treatment, but he was doing his utmost.

His greatest wish was to buy a super serum to enhance his physique, but even the cheapest cost 120 gold coins—he had already transferred all his money to Zhao Huier and could only sigh in despair.

Transfers at Sunlight Bank required fees, tiered by amount: 0.6%, 1.1%, and 2.3%. Li Juxu’s sum fell into the lowest tier, 0.6%, yet even that small charge pained him deeply. Still, there was no other company or channel.

After leaving Sunlight Bank, Li Juxu wandered aimlessly down the street. Shops were few, but stalls were numerous, many temporary. Vendors sold weapons, bullets, and knives of uncertain origin. Without good sales channels and unwilling to be ripped off by middlemen, setting up stalls was the best choice.

Generally, there were no good goods. Valuable items were carefully preserved; no one wanted to sell them, knowing there was no chance of bargains. Still, Li Juxu couldn’t help but scan the stalls carefully.

Bullets of every kind—pistol, submachine gun, sniper rifle, shotgun—were cheaper at stalls than in stores, but risky. Many had quality issues: expired rounds, factory rejects, defective products, even deformed bullets crudely repaired and resold. Buying at stalls required not only keen eyesight but also luck.

Li Juxu had witnessed an amateur produce a batch of bullets so cheap many bought them. Yet in battle, they jammed or exploded, killing many. The amateur was later found and beaten to death.

Such acts angered the masses. If only a few were duped, it was their own fault for poor judgment, and the stall owners refused to be held accountable. The saying went: once the deal is made, the buyer bears the risk.

Li Juxu himself had been scammed. Cheap bullets bought at a stall exploded, ruining his first sniper rifle and injuring his face; three finger bones were broken. He spent over a month recovering. Since then, he was extremely cautious with stall goods, occasionally buying, but never bullets.

He also avoided grenades, mines, and signal guns. He lingered longest at the knife stalls, seeking a razor-sharp dagger both practical for daily use and vital in combat. Such exquisite daggers were rare; when one appeared, others snatched it first or outbid him. He had to wait patiently.

Ancient cold weapons like bows and crossbows shone brightly on the Beast Planet. Their silent nature made them excellent for stealth attacks, unlike sniper rifles, which were loud even with silencers and emitted visible muzzle flashes.

Li Juxu had little interest in bows but favored mini crossbows that strapped to the wrist. These held five arrows at most, sometimes just one. Small though they were, their power was considerable. Experiments showed they could penetrate red bricks at ten meters. In life-or-death moments, they were effective lifesavers.

Yet seeing the price, he quietly walked away—secondhand mini crossbows started at 60 gold coins, negotiable, but usually ended around 65 to 68.

Suddenly, Li Juxu felt someone brush against him. Instantly alert, he turned and discreetly checked his purse—it was still there. The person was a boy of about twelve or thirteen.

“I’ve got a great piece of work. Interested?” Though young, the boy spoke with practiced ease. In the local slang, “work” meant a valuable treasure.

“Not interested.” Li Juxu gave him a cold glance and walked off.

He had been swindled before, trapped in a corner where several burly men surrounded him, knives drawn. At such times, the only option was to pay up. Refusal meant a beating followed by a search of your belongings.

Of course, this was the fate of ordinary folks. Those with status could also produce treasures and happily trade if the price was right. They truly had valuables, but only a few qualified as clients.

Li Juxu thought the matter was over, but suddenly a violent explosion shattered the street’s calm. The blast came from the alley the boy had indicated, causing buildings on both sides to collapse. Before the pedestrians on the street could react, an even louder explosion followed—flames shot skyward, shockwaves spread in all directions, and dust billowed upward. The sound was deafening; nearby people were stunned into temporary deafness. Bricks flew high into the air, then rained down like hail.

Like the others, Li Juxu crouched, covering his head to shield himself. Just as he prepared to flee the area recklessly, his peripheral vision caught sight of an object, and his steps involuntarily faltered.