Volume 1, Chapter 26: Being a Punching Bag Is Better Than Being Burned Alive!

Chen Hao’s eyes lit up. The reason he possessed fire-based supernatural abilities was that he had consumed a fruit from a mutated plant.

That day, the three of them were starving and had gone out together to knock on doors, begging for a bit of meat. However, not a single resident was willing to open their door. They had originally intended to force their way in, but the security doors proved unexpectedly sturdy. Eventually, the three of them discovered a scarlet mutated fruit near a window. Desperate to avoid eating dry flour any longer, Chen Hao gritted his teeth and popped the fruit into his mouth. The taste was searingly hot, and though he thought he was done for, he ended up gaining fire powers instead.

Now, with a full stomach, there was actually another one in his hands! Did Lin Feng know about the power-granting fruit, or was he simply too afraid to eat it? Chen Hao couldn't figure it out, so he decided not to waste any more time thinking about it. As long as he could get his hands on that fruit, what did Lin Feng’s motives matter?

"Do you guys know where this guy lives?"
"No idea."

Xu Xiaodong stared at the roasted chicken and steak on the screen, his mouth watering uncontrollably. It was as if he could smell the savory aroma through the image! The three of them hadn't touched a drop of fat in nearly five days. Their stash of flour, which had once been their life-saving ration, now felt dry and impossible to swallow. Chen Hao wanted the chicken too, and with another power-granting fruit in Lin Feng’s possession, there was no reason not to target him, especially since he already had powers of his own.

Just then, Liu Jie, who had finished her cigarette, had a sudden inspiration. "There are so many people in our apartment complex group; someone must know his address. Everyone has neighbors, after all."

Hearing this, Chen Hao’s eyes brightened. "That’s right. You two go and private message people in the group right now. Whoever finds out Lin Feng’s address gets to keep his power-granting fruit."

As soon as those words left his lips, Xu Xiaodong stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with longing. To him, supernatural power was far more valuable than food. "Big Brother, if I find the address, can I really have the fruit?"

He had been suffering immensely lately; Chen Hao and Liu Jie were intimate every night. Since his bedroom was right next door, he couldn't help but hear everything. He was consumed with envy and jealousy. Every night, he had to wear headphones and blast DJ music just to fall asleep. If he gained powers, he wanted to experience those pleasures for himself. He had been looking forward to a taste of the "Rune Master" for a long time.

"Of course. We’re brothers, aren't we? You know I’m the most loyal person there is." Chen Hao nodded with a smile, though in his heart, he was already planning to burn the idiot to ashes once he secured the fruit.

Liu Jie was useful for venting his urges, but Xu Xiaodong was just a waste of food. He felt increasingly convinced that Lin Feng’s approach was correct. If he had taken in women from the start, there wouldn't be all these headaches. When danger struck, women could serve as shields. They were not only easier to control but also served multiple purposes. Keeping an ordinary man around only helped consume the food supply.

Liu Jie, however, curled her lip in disdain, looking indifferent. "I don't want some messy, flashy powers; they’d just hurt my eyes. Just give me a few extra pieces of meat, Brother Chen."

Chen Hao nodded with a smile. The woman was sensible enough; she could be kept around to manage household affairs. His ambitions weren't limited to hiding here waiting for rescue. With the power of his abilities, he naturally intended to do something big.

Xu Xiaodong glanced at Liu Jie’s back. *Stupid woman,* he thought. *Long hair and short insight. No amount of runes can increase your IQ. How can food even be compared to supernatural power? Once I have powers, I can just go out and steal food.*

Though Liu Jie acted nonchalant, she actually wanted the fruit, too. But she wasn't an idiot; how could Chen Hao tolerate someone else gaining powers? If she dared to voice her thoughts, she would likely be dead by tomorrow. One mountain cannot house two tigers; Chen Hao would never allow anyone to threaten his dominance. Xu Xiaodong, that fool, was still acting smug; he probably wouldn't live long. Daring to compete with an ability user like Chen Hao for a fruit? Being a punching bag was better than being burned alive.

After much deliberation, Chen Hao finally came up with a way to quickly extract Lin Feng’s address while also solving their current food shortage. He picked up his phone and sent a message in the "Prosperous Jiangnan" residential group:

*A-Block #2304 Chen Hao: [Disasters are heartless, but people are not. To face this white fog catastrophe together, I propose that the residents of A-Block establish a trading market to help everyone exchange for necessary supplies. Let’s trade in the 22nd-floor hallway every day at 2:00 PM.]*

Chen Hao’s proposal was met with an immediate response. The residents were trapped at home with various needs. Soon, the group became lively; even before the market opened, they were already negotiating exchanges.

"I have three bottles of 65-proof Erguotou; I’ll trade for a box of instant noodles."
"Will you take half a pack of noodles?"
"Are you looking for a fight? Who barters that greedily?"
"If you won't trade, then keep hugging your Erguotou."
"I have a bottle of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce; I need fever medicine."
"I’ll trade cigarettes for Lianhua Qingwen capsules!"
"I have some, but I only want food."
"Brother, please, save me! Just trade with me!"
"I have plenty of medicine, but I’m in C-Block. Whoever needs it can come get it."

Chen Hao watched the bustling activity in the group with a sense of triumph. All these people who had spoken up had exposed their assets. Once their food ran out, he would just go and raid them. Of course, some people were hiding their supplies, but that didn't matter—Chen Hao decided he would sweep every room on every floor eventually. Besides, he didn't need to steal forever; he only needed to hold out until official rescue arrived. Once they finished rescuing the upper classes, it would surely be the turn of commoners like them, right?

The most important thing right now was the power-granting fruit in Lin Feng’s hands. Would eating it grant him a second ability? Or perhaps it would strengthen his existing one?

Lin Feng hadn't expected that by playing the role of a spectator, he would end up becoming the target. He had been sensing the conversation between the three of them the entire time and had seen the message they posted in the group. A trading market wasn't entirely useless to him. He didn't lack food or drink, but one could never have enough medicine. Although the bacteria and microorganisms were mutating and old medicine might not be effective, it could potentially save his life in a crisis.

"You want to steal my food? You have to be alive to eat it first."

For someone with powers who harbored such hostility, the safest method was to kill them! A flash of coldness crossed Lin Feng’s eyes as he turned his attention to another household.

A woman with a stunning figure lived on the 29th floor. He didn't know her name, only her group nickname: "Nai Nai." She usually went out wearing conservative clothing, masks, and hats. Even in the summer, she wore long pants and long sleeves. Lin Feng had often delivered takeout to her and had caught glimpses of her in lighter clothing at home. Her incredibly slender waist seemed to carry a pair of remarkably heavy assets. He had even worried once that her waist might snap under the weight. Which man wouldn't love a figure like that—slender branches bearing heavy fruit? Her face was also quite beautiful, with a hint of baby fat that made her look even more youthful and adorable. While she didn't quite match the height of Zhang Xueqi or Li Bing, she possessed the charm of a 2D anime girl.