Chapter 260: Conflict

“Make sure Zhou Rui doesn’t know about your Light-based Superpower,” Fat Boss said while watching outside, carefully observing Yang Bo’s reaction.

Yang Bo nodded without saying a word, also looking at the huge police drone hive outside. It looked intimidating, but the drone had weak anti-jamming capabilities.

Police drones weren’t as powerful as military drones, and they were expensive because building them required rare materials.

Even in the interstellar age with automated mining, gathering rare materials was still costly.

“Boss, last time when we escaped from the dormitory building, I noticed your skin color changed. Was that some secret technique?” Yang Bo had already noticed the change in Fat Boss’s skin before he put on the energy suit.

Yang Bo came from a government-controlled background, and having only just integrated into society, he decided to ask outright.

“It’s a type of ancient martial arts from my family. This fat body is also thanks to it. Once I break through, my hair will grow back, and I’ll have a great figure again, becoming a handsome young man.” Fat Boss nodded, agreeing with Yang Bo’s observation.

“Boss, why don’t I often see superhumans using their abilities in public?” Yang Bo shifted the conversation.

Fat Boss shrugged. “I know what you mean. A lot of people do have abilities, like light, fire, water, or electricity, but most can’t use them to their full potential. For example, my family has a superhuman with fire powers, but their ability is as useful as a candle flame. Doesn’t do much.”

“Those who can harness fire energy for attacks usually keep their ability hidden unless absolutely necessary. Powers like this are often kept secret, either by the individual or their organization.”

“Honestly, most of these powers aren’t as effective as a laser pistol.”

“That’s why you rarely see anyone using superpowers openly.”

“And everyone’s abilities are different. So, no one knows the best way to improve them. That’s why most focus on honing their bodies, building strength and endurance. It’s more practical to carry extra laser gun batteries or even bbombs.” Fat Boss explained at length.

Yang Bo nodded. Fat Boss’s explanation confirmed his suspicions. In this world, even an A-rank fighter would lose if targeted by advanced technology.

The simplest example was when Yang Bo killed the Pirate Leader on the warship. No matter how powerful your superpower was, it couldn’t compare to a mecha’s strength.

“Most superhumans just focus on training their reflexes to avoid danger. I’ve seen a lot of people who tried mastering water, fire, or electricity, only to ruin themselves in the process. My ancient martial arts sect would call it ‘mind-set derangement’.”

“Rest up for now. Don’t worry about eating out tonight. I’m a great cook. Back in the day, our family’s private chef taught me, and I was the top student among my peers.” Fat Boss encouraged Yang Bo to rest.

Yang Bo smiled. “Boss, it seems there’s a high chance of something going wrong when I’m with you.”

“Impossible!” Fat Boss denied it outright but felt a bit uncertain inside.

After Fat Boss left, Yang Bo used Sonic Detection to check the area, confirming no suspicious devices were present.

“This world is dangerous. These thugs even have laser cannons. Who knows how many threats lurk in the vast seas?”

“In any case, things turned out pretty well. I got a lot of money, found a new lead, and managed to outwit the Grey Ash Organization again.”

“The Grey Ash Organization must still be in shock, wondering how things got to this point.”

“Time to log into the game. I don’t fully agree with Fat Boss, but that’s because others don’t have a proper training method or direction. I just need to keep grinding my skills. The rest will come naturally.”

Yang Bo understood Fat Boss was telling the truth. If Yang Bo didn’t have the ability to grind skills, he would’ve been lost, even with superpowers, and might’ve suffered from his own misguided training.

“I’ll log in and cause some trouble. Maybe it’s time for a big move in the mecha game. Was I too cautious with fire in the beginning?”

“I need to find a skill that boosts Mind Control or physique.”

“Too bad the Trihorn Bull on Green Demon Planet breeds so slowly. I’ll have to wait two or three years for the next crop.”

“Humanoid creatures give better abilities than animals.”

“Strengthening every bit counts. Every skill learned is useful. Who knows, some seemingly useless ability might save my life one day.”

Yang Bo understood this well. He once thought swimming was a useless skill, but now realized that a planet with water always made swimming essential. Not only did it let him move fast in water, but it also gave him the passive ability to sense his surroundings, like sonar.

After entering the game, he checked the map and prepared to head to the beast medicine company.

“Damn game! I got screwed again, you bastards! You forced my hand, now it’s war!” A player respawned while cursing and rushed toward the city, fully equipped.

Yang Bo approached the respawn point and saw about a dozen players gathered with binoculars, watching and commenting.

“This game’s crap!”

“Totally. I was just about to grab a bounty item, and someone stole it!”

“You can’t attack players directly, but you can lure monsters to attack them. I almost lost my character there. Luckily, I ran fast.”

“The city’s a mess with two groups fighting.”

“Did they find something valuable?”

“Yeah, they found something good. See all those monsters over there? They’re fighting over it.”

Listening for a bit, Yang Bo figured it out. Someone found a high-value item and got killed by another player who claimed it. Then they argued, leading to a fight. The original finder threw a bomb, attracting a horde of monsters and killing his opponent. Chaos followed.

These players didn’t bother with bounty items anymore. They just threw bombs to lure monsters toward other players, took the loot when they died, and left.

“Definitely a broken game. The developers sell revival tokens while hoarding resources, stoking player conflict.”

“Let’s see what the developers decide. They could easily fix this by creating a virtual server for troublemakers to play the real game.” Yang Bo listened for a bit before returning to his own tasks. After all, being online cost money.

While Yang Bo was in-game, Zhou Rui returned to the farm.

On the terrace in front of the farmhouse, Zhou Rui’s father sat, dressed in cowboy attire, looking much younger.

“Father, you look much younger.” Zhou Rui regarded her father, who looked significantly rejuvenated after using the Longevity Energy Stone.

“Thank you. How do you plan to recruit Yang Bo?” Zhou Rui’s father seemed pleased. He had been ready to retire and die here, but with multiple Longevity Energy Stones, he could trade the extras for many resources.

“Still observing. He’s hiding something. That fat guy from An Zhijie Corporation seems very protective of him. I’m not making any moves yet.” Zhou Rui poured herself some water and sat down.

“Your judgment’s sound. The family behind An Zhijie has faded in recent years, but their roots run deep in the Alliance, with connections in many gray areas.”

“Even though our guild’s strong, we should tread carefully around such entrenched powers. I’ve seen Yang Bo’s file. Guys like him, reared by the Alliance, are easy to handle. Just be kind, give him small perks, and he’ll trust you.” Zhou Rui’s father played with his cup, watching the livestock in the farm. He couldn’t see complete details, but rough timelines sufficed.

“If needed, consult a behavioral psychologist to devise a tailored plan,” Zhou Rui’s father added.

Zhou Rui drank juice as a white bird flew over, landing on the wooden table. The bird looked like a white-feathered mynah.

Once it landed, it affectionately nudged against Zhou Rui’s hand. She petted the bird, and it laid down, exposing its belly.

“I’m confident in handling someone just coming out of a controlled environment. Who was the kidnap victim? Have you found out, Father?” Zhou Rui asked while playing with the bird.

Her father shook his head. “The military took direct action. Few on March Planet know the victim’s identity.”

“Our Bounty Hunter Guild’s policy is to stay out of military matters, so information from them’s always delayed. We should know in two days.” Her father shrugged.

“As for Third Master, I’d like to meet him,” Zhou Rui’s father said.

“No news yet. I don’t know if he left the mining planet,” Zhou Rui replied.

“People like Third Master are solely driven by profit. We should do whatever we can to meet his demands. He’s seen and lived through so much, it’s pointless playing the emotional card. Strictly business with him.”

“I understand, Father. I suspect Third Master has uncovered the planet’s secret.”

“Unlikely. I think it’s just a lie.”

“Perhaps the pioneer families on March Planet spread the rumors to boost population.”

“But this planet does have strange features.”

“Maybe their deception is just that good.”

“I’ll pay Yang Bo a visit. Since he’s joined us, I need to dig into his secrets and offer him tailored rewards.”

“Take him to the vault if needed. That kid’s lucky and might join the Thief Sect. Even I’ve barely scratched the surface of lockpicking, and he’s promising in that area.” Zhou Rui’s father advised.

“Understood, Father.” Zhou Rui nodded and left.

As it neared dinner time, Yang Bo logged out of the game. While closing the game, he thought, “I need to head to the beast medicine factory in-game, but none of the three routes are easy.”

In the game, the world had been abandoned for decades. Tall grass and vines filled the area. Controlling a bionic puppet, he found himself lost, and the surrounding buildings were unstable.

The dense bushes made it impossible to move quietly. Any sound would attract monsters, and sometimes small buildings could hide dozens of them.

“How are these zombies even surviving?”

“Are they more like typical undead? Lying around until there’s movement?”

“What happened to those people?” Yang Bo had many unanswered questions.

“Too bad the bionic puppet can’t turn invisible, or traveling would be much easier.” Yang Bo wasn’t fighting that afternoon; he was just learning the bionic puppet’s controls.

Operating the puppet required skills. Each person controlled them differently, with unique walking patterns and actions. Bionic puppets could also perform complex maneuvers.

It was even harder than controlling a mecha, as mechas had far stronger energy systems and superior defenses.

“What are you two up to?” Yang Bo asked, washing up before heading downstairs, only to find Fat Boss and Zhou Rui cooking together.

Yang Bo was stunned. Could something be going on between them?

Fat Boss heard and grinned at Zhou Rui. “Some people don’t believe in my cooking skills.”

Zhou Rui snorted. “My skills aren’t bad either.”

Yang Bo was confused. Were they competing in cooking to win him over, or did something happen between them before he came down? “Dinner’s ready, Yang Bo. Try it and see whose dish is better,” Fat Boss said, presenting two plates.

Stay tuned for the next chapter.