Chapter Seventy: Are There Good and Evil Among the Fallen?

"You are Fang... the boss?"

"Yes, yes... Fang Tang?"

"Oh my god, we've run into a legend! Ah!!! Boss, can I have your autograph?"

A group of nine stared at Fang Tang, their excitement palpable. One man even threw caution to the wind, rushing forward with paper and pen in hand.

Yet the man underestimated Fang Tang's patience.

A crackling flash of white lightning struck the ground at the man's feet, sending up a puff of smoke.

"...Uh?"

The man jolted in fright, freezing mid-motion, blinking innocently at Fang Tang.

"B-boss, I just wanted an autograph..."

Fang Tang said nothing, merely gazing at the man, the mechanical claw arms behind him twisting erratically.

"Xiao Chen, come back," the bearded man called, then turned to Fang Tang. "Mr. Fang, we were too forward today, please forgive us. We truly meant no harm—we just wanted to band together for warmth, to survive more easily in this underground abyss."

Fang Tang replied coolly, "If you encounter a powerful Fallen, no matter how many gather together, you'll just be fodder. The only path to survival is to become strong yourself."

The bearded man was lost for words, forcing a smile and surreptitiously glancing at his companions. Seeing none showed any intent, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr. Fang, we'll leave now!"

The bearded man stepped forward, pulling Xiao Chen towards the wall. Someone behind them opened a hole, and the nine filed through the thick black mist.

The last to leave, the bearded man, bowed deeply to Fang Tang.

"Mr. Fang, you made weapons for us free of charge and helped us grow stronger. That is true nobility. This bow represents the gratitude of all our people."

"No need," Fang Tang waved his hand, his expression as indifferent as ever.

The bearded man smiled, turned, and disappeared into the black mist.

Only after the bearded man had been gone for a while, and nothing else stirred, did Fang Tang move.

He returned to his dwelling and found Ye Qing had come out at some point.

"You're making weapons free of charge now?"

"Yes, for a limited time."

Fang Tang eyed Ye Qing suspiciously.

He'd made such a commotion with his free offer, and Ye Qing hadn't heard a word?

Ye Qing seemed to read his thoughts and explained, "I don't check messages often, so I didn't know."

"Um..." Ye Qing bit her lip, hesitating.

"What is it?"

"...Could you make me a weapon?"

"Give me the materials."

Fang Tang didn't refuse.

He and Ye Qing were friends now; helping her was no trouble. Besides, Ye Qing's sequence talent was formidable—if they ever escaped the abyss together, she might be invaluable.

In short, Ye Qing was useful.

Fang Tang was never stingy with useful people. For instance, he'd been generous with Xie Ling—after all, she was lucky and had helped him a lot.

Ye Qing was embarrassed. "I... don't have any materials..."

"Hmm?" Fang Tang paused, speechless. "You mean you want me to give you a weapon?"

"Is that okay?" Ye Qing nodded, hope shining in her gaze.

"I'm running a business, not a charity. What can you offer me?"

Fang Tang looked as if she must be joking, his voice cool.

"I..."

"Hmm?"

"I mean... am I not enough?"

Fang Tang's heart skipped a beat, blood surging, excitement stirring within him.

He'd already expended all his energy during the day, and now felt depleted. But as a stage-two, level-four, his physical prowess was more than ten times what it had been before evolving.

Though his 'sage mode' had already activated, the endless allure swirling in his mind roused him again.

What a predicament!

Fang Tang sighed inwardly, tilting his head lightly toward the room.

...

The night passed in silence.

Normally, sleep seemed to fly by.

But that night, to Fang Tang, it felt unusually long.

At breakfast, Fang Tang made a silent decision.

Next upgrade, he would definitely boost his stamina.

Top priority!

Ye Qing left after eating, her hands now holding two elemental weapons and a light ring slipped onto her left ring finger—for reasons unknown.

Fang Tang wasn't moved by Ye Qing's little thoughts, but for her survival, he reluctantly parted with two spirit-bound items.

As those two items left his palm, Fang Tang felt his heart bleed for the first time.

He kept reminding himself: investing in a future helper was not a losing deal!

After breakfast and playing with Yue Yue for a while, Fang Tang got moving.

Only two uses remained for the pickaxe before it needed cooling down.

While he didn't need ordinary supplies much anymore, he still enjoyed improving his quality of life.

Abyss No. 119.

Yue Yue transformed into a streak of white light, playing with Doghead.

Doghead looked furious, but Yue Yue was thoroughly enjoying herself—it was just play.

Without lending Fang Tang her speed, the little one could maintain an astonishing pace on her own—that was her talent.

As she grew larger, her speed increased, and the duration she could lend Fang Tang her speed lengthened.

Thanks to Fang Tang's generous feeding, Yue Yue was now much bigger. She used to perch on his shoulder, but that was no longer possible—his shoulders weren't wide enough.

"Awuu~"

Yue Yue let out a cheerful howl, then pounced at Doghead's neck.

Her sharp claws swept across Doghead's throat.

With a thud, Doghead's massive body collapsed.

Fang Tang strode over with his dismantling hammer and obtained a pink pearl.

A tidy profit!

He collected the supplies from the silver chest in the corner and moved on to Abyss No. 120.

Here, a Fallen awaited—one Yue Yue couldn't handle.

Passing through the black mist, Fang Tang spotted a green, jelly-like mass in the corner.

[Aha! The cute little eyes are showing themselves. I know you need me right now, don't you? Let me take a look at this one... Oh dear, what an unlucky little soul.

This child grew up in a warm family, loved by both parents, with an optimistic older sister—a childhood anyone would envy.

Sadly, school life was not so comforting. What's the word...?

Ah, yes! Bullying.

The little one saw classmates bullied and bravely rushed to protect them—and then was bullied himself. He was just a child, not very strong.

When the twisted rules descended, his fierce desire to protect his classmates was magnified infinitely... Yes, you read that right. Even positive desires can create a Fallen, only this one became a benevolent Fallen.

Stage-two Fallen. Rare mutation ability: Slime's Protection, Invisible Liquid.]

Fang Tang: "..."

He found it hard to bring himself to strike.

This Fallen... what a pitiful child!

Fang Tang approached the green jelly, gently touching the sympathetic child, and softly said:

"I don't know if you can hear me, but I want to remind you—it's best to hide. I won't kill you, but that doesn't mean others won't. Take care of yourself. I hope one day you'll grow strong enough to protect even more people."