Wasteland Development Diary

"Regarding this ragged Red Scarf Skull, Red Kestrel said, 'Such physiological characteristics, they are of the Bone Man.'"

"It seems that a Bone Man has been born in the Mushroom Forest."

Zhou Yi knew about Bone Fish but had never encountered a Bone Man before.

The drone stated, "Bone Men and Bone Fish themselves belong to two different branches of skeletal species, just like us Electromechanical Life, there are both the Flying System and the Agricultural Machinery System."

"Compared with the numerous Bone Fish, there are much fewer Bone Men, their most significant feature being their possession of considerable intelligence. Some also believe that Bone Men are enhanced humans with stronger adaptability and survivability."

"The current opinion of electromechnical scientists is that Bone Men can be regarded as a deviant branch of humanity under the irradiation of Death Light, whereafter the flesh structure is stripped, leaving behind a more streamlined and modifiable bone structure, although the specifics of the transformation mechanism are still unclear."

Red Kestrel said, "Bone Men are also social creatures, but although they originate from within the range of the Death Light, they do not settle in the Dead Sea. Instead, they inhabit weaker irradiated lands or coastal areas."

"There are a large number of Guangna Species living in the Dead Sea, and powerful creatures are found lurking there. It is much safer on land, where Bone Men have an advantage."

Zhou Yi was more concerned about, "From the sound of it, Bone Men should be able to communicate?"

"Of course."

Synthesized voice came from the remote control, "Whether it be Mechanical City or Human City, the Bone Men can be found in any larger places, and they also have their own cities and settlements."

"Generally speaking, Bone Men maintain a low profile and secrecy when they travel. Unless they undergo enhancement, the physical strength of their bodies is not even as good as that of ordinary people, but their advantage lies in being able to move about safely in the Dead Sea and using their brains and technology to enhance their group's competitiveness."

According to the high-altitude observations of Red Kestrel, the Bone Man inside the giant was quite feeble, its body even weaker than the surrounding Black Hand Mushrooms.

Yet the Black Hand Mushrooms were sheltering it.

Zhou Yi looked at the screen on the remote control.

As Bird's Eye View unfolded, thoughts began to materialize above the Bone Man's head.

——The Alien problem remains unsolved.

——The number of explosive mushrooms is getting fewer and fewer, and if we continue to feed them, we can only sustain two more days. These two days are our final deadline. We must find a way to control the Alien long-term within this time. Otherwise, using it as a frame to build a movable fortress would be impossible.

——Is the energy still not enough? The inability to communicate is the biggest issue... can we only guide it to walk in a specific direction?

——No. There must be a way.

——Unfortunately, those arrogant enhancers simply cannot be spoken to; they just want to forcefully move the Alien. Maybe we could have gotten some clues from them... If it really doesn't work out, we can only evacuate and give up on the Alien to ensure the safety of the Black Hand Mushrooms and prevent them from being drawn into the Dead Sea.

...

The Mushroom Kings of foreign origins are calm and rational, having prepared for the worst.

The most important thing is the tendency shown by the Bone Man, who does not mind cooperating with the outside world.

It is indeed worth a try.

After Zhou Yi announced his decision, Red Kestrel, Ye Zhao, and the Agricultural Machinery Brothers all expressed strong opposition.

Red Kestrel's attitude was the most straightforward, "If you wish to seize this Dead Sea Alien, you could use the Samurai Crab Army to attack directly. I can lock onto the Bone Man's location, and as long as the Black Samurais break through the defense and kill or capture it, we can achieve our goal."

Ye Zhao also agreed, "Exactly, master, there is no need for you to take such risks by yourself. Those mushrooms might have set up some kind of ambush inside the Alien, and if the giant goes berserk, it will be unpredictable."

Tie Ma also thought it wasn't a good idea: "Buddy, I admire your courage, but this is far too dangerous."

"Those few enhancers seem to be in control here, having awakened the Alien, but in fact, they are completely being played by the Bone Man, doing its bidding. That guy is not as straightforward and forthcoming as us brothers and might have some dangerous methods up its sleeve, not worth it."

Zhou Yi brushed aside all objections.

The Black Hand Mushroom group led by the Bone Man might retreat at any moment. Once they leave, and the explosive mushrooms feeding energy are gone, the giant might become uncontrollable and start to move.

That would be the most dangerous moment for the giant.

If we can negotiate a cooperation with the Bone Man right now, whatever the outcome, it would still be an attempt while they are stabilizing the giant. A win would be a huge gain, and a loss won't be a deficit.

Another crucial point is that the Mushroom Forest's history predates that of Mao Valley Town, and the Black Hand Mushroom community is one of the local old residents and powers.

Now that they have an intelligent leader, Zhou Yi also wanted to make contact.

Not to mention, the Mushroom Forest is right next to the company's farmland, so interacting with this neighbor in the future is inevitable.

Zhou Yi first tested the outskirts of the Mushroom Forest.

After he stopped breathing, the toxins that could cause unconsciousness here had no effect on him.

This matched his expectations.

Strictly speaking, Zhou Yi was now just a humanoid organism, essentially a White Suanni, and indeed closer to a Dead Sea Alien like the High-rise Giant. Toxins couldn't enter his body in large quantities, which would not affect him, also in line with past experiences.

At Tie Ma's insistence, Tong Niu carried Zhou Yi deep into the Mushroom Forest.

Electromechanical life was also unaffected by the toxic mist here.

Although Tong Niu still hadn't spoken a single word to Zhou Yi, the twin large-caliber machine guns were in themselves a deterrent to the Mushroom Forest.

Ye Zhao was the first to rush in, making contact with the inside Black Hand Mushrooms.

Soon, two individuals approached. They wore brown wide-brimmed hats and clothed themselves, with a stature only about 1.3 meters tall, resembling the size of ten-year-old children.

Zhou Yi was seeing the Black Hand Mushrooms up close for the first time.

The eyes, mouths, and noses of these two Mushroom People looked as if they had been painted on with pigment, reminding Zhou Yi of the cosmetics from his own era, quite lifelike. Only, since they were not actual eyes and mouths, their faces only twisted slightly when they spoke, which felt rather stiff.

"The mighty outsider, the Lord invites you to enter the Alien for negotiation," said the Black Hand Mushroom. Its speech was muffled and vague as if its mouth were stuffed with cotton, but still understandable.

They led the way, wobbling as they walked, resembling the unsteady gait of someone inebriated.

Zhou Yi got out of the car, instructed Ye Zhao to wait, and followed the Mushroom People alone.

Passing through a forest of colossal giant mushrooms that towered straight up, he drew ever closer to the desolate high-rise.

Suddenly, two Black Hand Mushrooms ahead came to a halt.

Zhou Yi stopped as well.

After standing still for about five or six minutes, the Black Hand Mushrooms resumed their journey.

Zhou Yi followed.

Then one of them said, "Ahead, wild explosive mushrooms were found. Our people were relocating them to prevent them from detonating as we pass by, which caused a slight delay."

Zhou Yi nodded, "Hard work."

The two Black Hand Mushrooms continued their staggering walk.

Soon, the area in front of them shockingly cleared.

The ground around the Dead Sea Alien was in disarray, with collapsed and broken giant mushrooms everywhere, and a huge irregular crater on the ground—a result of its emergence from underground.

Beneath the ruined building, rusted steel bars spread out like tree roots, entwining and stretching in all directions, resembling a massive tree made of reinforced concrete.

The entrance was a typical residential building lobby, but the front door had vanished, leaving only a gaping square hole. Many of the beige exterior wall tiles had fallen off, and surprisingly, the energy-efficient lights on the ceiling were still flickering on and off.

Two Black Hand Mushrooms with crossbow mechanisms stood at the entrance.

Zhou Yi followed the Mushroom People inside. As they walked, the hallway lights surprisingly still shone.

The two Black Hand Mushrooms immediately took to the stairs, saying the Lord was waiting on the rooftop.

Zhou Yi couldn't help but ask, "Why not take the elevator?"

"Elevator? What is that?"

"This here," Zhou Yi pressed the elevator button, displaying a red downward arrow, followed by the sound of the elevator descending.

The two Black Hand Mushrooms were alarmed and immediately drew their small knives, gesturing at him from afar.

"What are you doing! Don't touch it recklessly! Are you trying to get us all killed?"

"What magic have you used! What intention have you awakening the giant's intestines for?"

Zhou Yi spread his hands in exasperation, "Let me explain..."

Only after he entered the elevator himself, explained for a long time, and tested it repeatedly with rocks and his own body, did the two Black Hand Mushrooms believe that the "giant's intestines" could indeed be used for vertical movement.

"Truly marvelous."

"This is indeed a lot more convenient... The giant's intestines are a great thing!"

Zhou Yi taught them how to use it.

The two Black Hand Mushrooms, thrilled at learning a new skill, started pressing every button, stopping on each floor to confirm the change before running out joyfully to check.

This gained Zhou Yi some time.

He placed his hand against the inner wall of the elevator, attempting an energy output.

-10

-10

...

Energy continuously flew from his body into the elevator, being absorbed.

On the wall were also the community property service phone number, the QR code for the building manager's WeChat, and the name of the real estate development.

This place was called Jade City.

Zhou Yi looked at the wall, and thought silently, "Jade City, can you hear me talking?"

After a few seconds.

A somewhat fuzzy voice resounded in his mind.

"Are you one of my residents?"

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up.

This was the real reason he came here alone.

Pouring energy into the bodies of the Guangna Species enabled frequency-tuning conversation.

It worked with the Dead Sea Alien too!