Three people were each lost in their own thoughts, creating a subtle and awkward silence. Fang Senyan pondered for a moment, then produced the keys dropped by the two Rare Elite Hydralisks he had just dispatched. ()

Upon opening the first, deep-blue key, Fang Senyan was momentarily stunned: there was nothing inside! Instead, a massive amount of General Points were instantly transferred directly to his Nightmare Imprint account. And it was added in the form of numbers that jumped and pulsed upward. Watching the digits representing wealth soar wildly, unsure when they would stop, he had to admit such a display was remarkably pleasing to the eye, filling him with eager anticipation.

Mogansha, who had been leaning back lazily nearby, whistled in surprise upon seeing the scene: “Wow! Boss, you hit the jackpot. This is the first time I’ve seen a loot chest explode with so many General Points. Once before, I had a massive gear drop—nothing else came out, just five Blue-grade items. Too bad every single one was completely useless to me; since I happened to be short on cash, I just sold them all off.”

The speed of the jumping increase in General Points finally slowed. Fang Senyan looked and saw he had gained over 8,000 General Points—a very respectable haul. He then took out the key emitting a silvery light and chuckled: “What do you two guess this key will open?”

Even the silent Reef, usually stoic, was shocked: “Did you get this within this world?”

Fang Senyan nodded and smiled: “A low-probability event. I took down two Rare Elite Hydralisks. One dropped the initial deep-blue key, and the other dropped this.”

Mogansha couldn’t help but exclaim: “Oh, damn it. If I had known, I would have entered that cursed cavern with you.”

Fang Senyan forced a wry smile: “If you had gone in with me, you probably wouldn't have made it out alive.”

Fang Senyan then recounted the precise details of being ambushed by the two Rare Elite Hydralisks. Mogansha felt a chill run down his spine listening to the situation. Fang Senyan then summoned the treasure chest to open it, only to find a single item inside.

The item looked truly grotesque, resembling a chunk of clean-cut, purplish-black organ, with seven or eight thick, root-like tentacles growing from its side, dripping purple fluid. Immediately, the Nightmare Imprint sent a notification: “You have acquired the Unidentified Equipment: Rare Acid Sac of the Elite Hydralisk.” “Equipment Grade: Silver Plot-Tier.” “You must identify this item to acquire its detailed information.” “Description: Any Zerg Hive will desire this item for gene devouring and analysis.”

Clearly, the final line of description indicated that this piece of equipment could also be exchanged for reputation points with the Zerg. However, the regrettable truth was that there were only three ways to identify Silver Plot-Tier equipment: The easiest was to pay a fee for identification back in the Space. The second easiest was to pay a fee via the Nightmare Imprint once a certain military rank was achieved. However, this method apparently consumed Merit Points. The most difficult was for a Contractor to use relevant auxiliary identification abilities. The first two identification methods restored the equipment’s original attributes, but if the identification ability was cultivated by the Contractor, it would enhance the equipment’s attributes!

Mogansha and Fang Senyan had also gained considerable benefits while operating separately. After selling off miscellaneous junk, they had scraped together about 2,000 General Points. Furthermore, Fang Senyan wasn't the only one having luck; while slaughtering Drones at a sub-base, he encountered a rare phenomenon of subjugation: A Zerg Drone, just about to be killed by him, willingly submitted as a slave!

In the Black Spine Brood, redeeming such a unit cost fifty reputation points and one thousand General Points! Mogansha, naturally, happily accepted such a windfall. Seeing the poor Drone, riddled with bullet holes and spurting green fluid, on the verge of collapse, Mogansha feared it might die. He painstakingly used a bandage to wrap its wounds.

Although Reef’s mood was quite low, he still showed significant interest in the Zerg Black Spine Brood they were heading towards. After all, the ferocity and death-defying nature of those bugs had left a deep impression on Reef, and now he was to fight alongside them—though still against bugs—which inevitably brought forth complicated emotions.

On the way back, Fang Senyan and Mogansha incidentally captured another mutated Exploding Zerg, one covered in sharp bone plating. Since this unit type was absent from the Black Spine Hive, they planned to try their luck exchanging it for reputation.

Through communication with Reef, they confirmed one thing: the ability to trade reputation points, as seen with the Black Spine Brood, was extremely rare and likely required very stringent conditions to achieve. Therefore, if possible, earning as much reputation as they could was the priority.

When Fang Senyan finally saw the Black Spine Brood in the distance, he breathed a sigh of relief. The Fourth-Tier Hive, having advanced, appeared magnificent. The massive pillars growing from its sides resembled the upper torso of an ancient dragon, standing tall and seemingly untouched by any assault.

Above the Hive floated numerous Overlords, Mutalisk Fliers, and circling genuine Exploding Zergs. The standard Exploding Zerg cost only one hundred Pandora Crystals but required fifty Rare GA Ore per embryo larva, hatching two bugs per larva. This meant each unit cost an average of 125 Crystals and 25 GA Ore. These creatures flew incredibly fast but possessed no offensive capabilities other than self-detonation upon approaching enemy air units. However, the resulting damage this time was terrifying, accompanied by a small area-of-effect blast. Few conventional air units could withstand the simultaneous bombardment of two or three Exploding Zergs. It seemed the Black Spine Overmind also began to fear potential enemy "decapitation" tactics, hence the extremely tight security over its airspace.

After landing, Fang Senyan and the others naturally went first to submit the captured mutated Exploding Zerg, then immediately sought updates on the current war status. However, the initial analysis feedback from the Hive was rather awkward: “Submitted mutant biological specimen holds no value. Computer access initiated.” “This is a Tier Four Hive specimen hatched out of desperation to secure air superiority.” “This type of specimen has inherent disadvantages: low output (one embryo larva hatches only one unit), high cost (150 Pandora Crystals, 50 GA Rare Mineral), and low damage. Therefore, it will not be absorbed.”

Fortunately, the subsequent news eased their tension: the Red Stripe Brood had still shown no aggressive movement. It seemed to be obsessively converting Crystals into military strength. While this meant that when it finally moved, the impact would be earth-shattering, for the Black Spine Brood, more time meant more opportunity for thorough preparation. Moreover, because the Black Spine Brood occupied rich Pandora Crystal deposits, its long-term development potential was far superior to the Red Stripe Brood’s.

Among the three surviving members, Mogansha was largely unharmed. The dark-skinned man jumped off the Overlord, happily taking the subjugated Drone first to treat its injuries, and then heading straight for the Pandora Veins, clearly intending to squeeze out whatever residual value he could from the unlucky creature. Fang Senyan, meanwhile, took Reef to the Black Spine Brood's Hatchery, intending to receive proper medical treatment for his wounds.

It must be noted that Fang Senyan had been severely burned by the acid from the two Rare Elite Hydralisks. His left face was now horribly scarred, resembling a phantom, and his left eye was nearly blinded. Furthermore, the acid seemed to possess venomous properties, continuously taking effect and severely suppressing his natural recovery ability.

Reef was also heavily wounded, suffering multiple fractures throughout his body and internal organ ruptures. These injuries could not heal on their own in a short period. Facing the current tense and imminent crisis, he preferred to spend some reputation and General Points in the Black Spine base to recover first. It was worth mentioning that if Fang Senyan still held the 'Revered' reputation status, treatment in the Hatchery would have been free.

The Hatchery within the Hive was the place where embryo larvae were generated. Although this area was lined with flesh-red, writhing walls and pulsing blood vessels, it was manageable once one grew accustomed to it. Guided by Fang Senyan, Reef immersed himself completely in the massive amniotic sac, with writhing embryo larvae nearby. The Hive’s amniotic fluid could then dissociate the energy from the Pandora Crystals, rapidly repairing their injuries. Since the fluid covered their heads, both men breathed through large umbilical cords that automatically lowered into place.

Although Fang Senyan’s external injuries were severe, most were superficial—no fractures or critical internal ruptures. His injuries were significantly lighter than Reef’s, and the damage on his skin soon healed. However, the residual acidic corrosion remained malevolently on his body, like a lingering curse. To quickly dispel it, he would need treatment at the organ structure responsible for secreting Hydralisk hormones.

Fang Senyan climbed out of the amniotic pool, waved to Reef, and then left first. ……

It’s been a while since I interacted with everyone, so here is a challenge for you: Guess what hidden talent Fang Senyan saw in Reef that surprised him so much. Well, truth be told, as I was writing this, I felt the hidden attribute I designed wasn't quite right, and I need everyone’s inspiration and power to flesh it out. Heh heh, same old rules: the one I select will receive points as a reward. Feng Yu will also receive a reward. H