NOVEL NEXT 061. Cannibal
- Cannibal
"This time attacking the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization, we got five chicks, two trucks of synthetic food, and four medical devices. This is just part of it. Boss, if we go a few more times, we'll definitely strike it rich!"
The White Fang gang leader listened to his subordinate's report and sneered:
"Two trucks of food and a few chicks, and you're all over the moon? What a disgrace. This time attacking the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization, we lost quite a few men. That female warrior was formidable. Ask yourself, can you shoot her down?"
Although he said this, the smile on his face betrayed his good mood.
The loot was substantial this time, enough supplies to last them a while.
In the outer lands with no seasonal changes, surviving day by day was the norm.
Unlike the simple refugees in the Silk Silver settlement, the White Fang gang were organized and purposeful marauders.
Robbery is an art. Knowing whom to rob and whom to leave alone for sustainable plundering is the key to long-term stability.
These neutral settlements produce very inefficiently, not worth robbing, and attacking them disrupts their rest and recovery.
Also, attacking neutral wanderers might spread news far and wide, leading to their expulsion and attacks from all directions.
However, targeting the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization, the four nations' outposts, or outer land warlord towns was entirely different.
Even unrelated outer land people would admire the White Fang gang for attacking the four nations and warlords.
Of course, this was idealistic; they weren't rebels. In dire straits, they couldn't care less.
"But we did gain a lot this time. I should improve our strength before returning to the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization."
The leader felt eager.
This time, they only reached the first layer, looting a small part of counters, wards, and facilities, yet the gains were significant. If they could capture the entire refuge... maybe the White Fang gang could transform into a warlord faction.
Development is crucial; no one wants to live in constant danger. Outer land people don't have lofty ideals; they live day by day.
Compared to warlord towns with nuclear facilities and industries extracting resources from civilians, these bandit caravans were insignificant.
To stabilize these outer land bosses for easier exploitation by the four nations, the four nations provided far more military aid than they could imagine.
While the leader fantasized about commanding an army and chatting with experts from the four nations, a subordinate rushed in, quickly reporting:
"Boss! The Cannibal is here!"
"The Cannibal!?" The leader's face changed in surprise: "Why is he in the Silk Silver settlement?"
Before he finished, a chilling presence enveloped the tent, the fire flickered, casting shadows. Despite being indoors, the leader and his subordinates shivered.
It wasn't the cold but a fear etched in their genes.
Before the invention of bows and arrows, ancient humans had no defense against predatory birds descending from the sky, only fleeing or watching helplessly as children were snatched away. This fear embedded in their blood made them instinctively react similarly.
Before they could look up from their fear, a gender-neutral voice sounded:
"Living well, aren't you, Zhu Baiya."
The White Fang leader stood up abruptly, eyes deep as he stared ahead.
The tent flap lifted, and a tall figure shrouded in a black robe ducked inside, his pointed helmet puncturing the tent.
"Cannibal..."
Zhu Baiya forced a flattering smile, immediately stepping forward:
"Your esteemed presence, why didn't you notify us in advance?"
"Oh? In the White Fang gang, a Beta-class superhuman needs to report to Boss Zhu before doing anything?"
The Cannibal laughed sharply, the cameras on his four-eyed mask gleaming mockingly. He raised his sharp claws, resting them on his waist, lifting his robe to reveal the armor and steel plates underneath.
The White Fang gang members widened their eyes: this tall Beta-class powerhouse wore a full set of Frost-Plated Republic's level six combat engineer armor!
This 400-kilogram protective suit was made of advanced composite materials: layered Kevlar, high-strength ceramics, alloy plates, and foamed metal.
The chest armor alone was an astounding 40 centimeters thick, looking like a beast's head.
This meant even a direct hit from a 105mm cannon might not penetrate it.
Typically, such armor required a powered exoskeleton and a cooling system, but the Cannibal's flesh supported it all.
Compared to his thick, rhino-like body, the armor seemed as snug as autumn clothing.
Standing there, the Cannibal's sheer presence made the White Fang gang, armed with firearms, feel like they had reverted to primitive apes facing sabertooth tigers and terror crocodiles—desperate and powerless.
"Hahaha... What are you saying! How could I command you? The White Fang gang serves you, and we have to be alert to provide you with the best service."
Zhu Baiya laughed, showing a mouthful of black teeth, and moved on from the topic.
"Smooth talker, but it's your strength."
The Cannibal didn't sit. He raised his sharp claws, gently rubbing them together, the cold gleam making the gang members' hearts skip a beat, but he only said calmly:
"I don't care about your gains or discoveries at the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization—how's the task I assigned you?"
"To be honest, we didn't capture any infants at the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization, but I sent Zonia and others to the Silk Silver settlement. They should have results soon."
Zhu Baiya spoke cautiously. A Beta-class superhuman was elite even in the four nations. How many outer land people could reach this level?
The Cannibal claimed to be an outer lander, but his equipment and power bore strong four nations' marks.
Zhu Baiya dared not provoke such a figure. Even if the Cannibal spared him, his four nations' backers wouldn't.
"Smart answer. No rush, I have plenty of time now." The Cannibal was unconcerned.
Zhu Baiya's eyes flickered.
This meeting felt different; the Cannibal wasn't in a hurry, seemingly just passing by.
"There will always be babies and bread."
The Cannibal chuckled, his dual-filter respirator mask covering his face, making his expression unreadable.
He paced slowly in the tent, casually asking:
"How are the two commodities?"
Zhu Baiya, relieved by the topic change, quickly answered:
"The sister's combat strength is decent but not brave enough. In this attack, Zonia severely injured an Alpha-class female warrior, which is commendable."
"Haven't tried the brother?"
The Cannibal chuckled:
"He should be more useful than the sister."
"He's my trump card." Zhu Baiya said confidently: "With him, I can rise again even if I lose everything. How can I use him so easily here?"
"Oh? Really? I think you're wary of Zonia."
The Cannibal's eyes gleamed:
"A suggestion: bring the brother next time you attack the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization."
"Those women are already broken—"
"No, you only defeated Nurse Nordly, a warrior. Assistant Physician Anna is far more terrifying."
Zhu Baiya dared not ignore the Cannibal's advice and nodded:
"In that case, I'll bring Yohulai next time. We'll capture the refuge. You can take all the technical data."
"Haha... But I see greed in your eyes."
The Cannibal spread his arms, producing a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy like a magic trick.
Zhu Baiya's eyes were glued to the boy as if magnetized.
The boy was bald, without eyebrows or lashes, hairless, and stared blankly ahead.
"He's different."
Zhu Baiya said solemnly:
"Previous commodities retained some humanity and intelligence, but he feels like a cold, precise, deadly revolver."
"You're right."
The Cannibal smiled:
"This is the third-generation Calamity Armament, matching the Frost-Plated Republic's military-grade implants and warriors. The sister and brother's issues don't exist in him; you can use him freely."
"After all, he's a pure weapon."
Like a devil, he enticed:
"Isn't wielding your own power better than having others fight for you?"
Zhu Baiya realized the boy's true use.
"Not cheap, I suppose?"
"Fourteen more infants on top of the original price; you can pay in installments."
Zhu Baiya instinctively objected:
"That's too expensive. We've already captured some infants; we can't stay in the Silk Silver settlement. This will cost us more resting places..."
"But you'll gain your own true power."
"Lord Cannibal, with all due respect, capturing infants is bad enough. In the outer lands, newborns are highly valued—"
"Mr. Zhu Baiya."
The Cannibal's mask eyes squinted into crescents, appearing cute and gentle:
"For home invasion victims, private guns are more effective than calling the police."
"Do you think, after capturing the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization and monopolizing medical supplies, other gangs will let you dominate?"
"I..."
"The White Fang gang isn't the only group eyeing the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization. Others are more professional, better equipped. They value their reputation and won't attack a humanitarian organization."
He raised his fan-like claw, patting Zhu Baiya's shoulder, mentioning another name:
"The Rose Army."
Zhu Baiya's eyes narrowed, then he said solemnly:
"I'll take it!"
"Wise choice."
The Cannibal pushed the boy towards Zhu Baiya:
"As usual, I'll need some deposit."
Zhu Baiya's face darkened. He raised his mechanical left hand, pressing his neck, and whispered into the communicator:
"Bring the two pregnant women captured at Housong Town."
"Boss!" A subordinate protested: "That's killing the golden goose; the pregnant women are valuable..."
"You can't catch wolves without risking kids."
Zhu Baiya decided:
"We must capture the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization. Besides, the Rose Army won't attack a humanitarian organization. If we take it, they can't kill us all. Even if they try, the four nations won't—"
Bang!
A loud crash outside interrupted, and the Cannibal slightly turned.
Vroom—screech!
A moment later, an off-road vehicle burst into the tent, tearing the fabric. The bright headlights blinded everyone.
As blood and snow-mud-covered tires approached, they heard Nomi's triumphant laugh from the driver's seat:
"Scum, bastards, filth, your Rose Army grandpa is here!!!"
