Travel through time, and then establish an anomaly management bureau!

Page 68

This amount of money is an absolute astronomical figure for ordinary people, enough for a working-class family to live comfortably for more than half a year.

But for Zhang Su, who has a net worth of nearly a thousand pounds, it is completely within an acceptable range.

“A very professional list, boss.” Zhang Su nodded, folded the list and put it in his pocket (actual income was a virtual space). “Just follow this list, one set of each item, pack it up. Also,” he added, “add three more days’ worth of dry rations, fill the water bag, and give me two more jars of salamander oil.”

Although Old Buck had already anticipated that Zhang Su would make the purchase, he still couldn't help but look at him in surprise again when he heard that Zhang Su had agreed so readily and even added an expensive ointment.

This rare individual is not only commendable for his courage, but also incredibly generous with his money!

Moreover, his calm tone made it seem as if he wasn't buying equipment for a one-way ticket to hell, but rather going on a picnic.

“Yes, sir!” Old Buck suppressed his shock and immediately displayed his professionalism. “Please wait a moment, I will prepare all the goods for you and pack them up right away!”

After saying that, Old Buck, like a wound-up robot, quickly turned around and began to move through the shelves, skillfully taking down every item on the list with swift and precise movements. Soon, a small "mountain of adventure gear" had piled up on the floor behind the counter.

Looking at the pile of equipment, Zhang Su pondered: controlling the clone requires physical and mental energy, and these high-calorie rations are the "blue bottles" prepared for the main body.

As for the equipment? It's for the two stand-ins, of course.

Although they don't feel cold or hungry, when tools are needed to clear a path, digging with a pickaxe is much more cost-effective than using supernatural abilities that consume spiritual energy to smash through.

The energy saved might just be a lifesaver in a critical moment.

Old Buck was indeed efficient; in less than twenty minutes, all the equipment was prepared according to the list and had undergone preliminary inspection and packing.

The heavy canvas backpack was packed full and sturdy; various tools were properly tied and secured; small items such as ointments, medicines, and dry food were also packed in categories.

He also thoughtfully included a few spare wicks and a small can of lamp lubricant.

"Sir, all equipment is complete and packed! Please check it."

Old Buck wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and pointed to the bulging, heavy backpack on the ground.

Zhang Su stepped forward, symbolically checked the condition of several key items (miner's lamp, rope, safety belt, grease), and nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. The boss is indeed professional."

He reached into his coat pocket and took out the money he had prepared beforehand from the void—two brand-new 10-sola banknotes and two 20-sola banknotes, and then counted out enough sora silver coins and fennig copper coins to make up the difference.

64.86索拉+追加的2罐油膏14索拉+3天干粮约1.5索拉≈80.36索拉。

相当于付出4张纸钞：210+220=60索拉，以及20索拉36芬尼的硬币。

A thick stack of banknotes and clattering coins sat on the counter, making a pleasant sound.

After skillfully counting the money and confirming that everything was correct, Old Buck smiled sincerely, though still carrying a hint of worry for Zhang Su's trip: "Payment and goods settled! I wish you a safe and smooth journey, sir."

He seemed to want to say something auspicious, but thinking of his destination, he ultimately only offered the simplest blessing.

Zhang Su easily lifted the large backpack, which might require two people to lift for an average person, with one hand. After weighing it in his hand, he slung the backpack over his shoulder and adjusted the straps.

“Thank you for your kind words, boss.” He nodded to Old Buck, slung his large bag full of valuable equipment over his shoulder, pushed open the heavy oak door of the Rock Workshop, and once again blended into the slightly lazy afternoon light and shadow of the streets of the city of Miga.

The next step is to return to the mine after dark and have the stand-ins take these guys to "visit" that ice cave.

Volume 2: Chapter 20: Entering the Mine

After leaving the Rock Workshop, Zhang Su packed all the equipment he had purchased—probing lamps, reinforcing ropes, rock bolts, a portable geological hammer, and so on—into his void space. The heavy metallic texture flashed through his mind and disappeared as if it had never existed.

He walked along the slightly slippery cobblestone path in the port area toward his hotel, "Seagull Lodge".

This is the only decent hotel in the area near the port. It's a three-story brick building with a slightly faded wooden seagull painted on its sign.

Pushing open the somewhat old oak door, the hinges made a slight creaking sound.

The old man on night duty at the front desk was dozing off, his head nodding slightly.

Zhang Su did not disturb him. He tiptoed up the creaking wooden stairs and returned to room 301 (8) on the third floor.

He then washed up, the cold water stimulating his skin and dispelling the fatigue of the day.

He changed into soft, comfortable cotton pajamas and lay down on the bed, the mattress making a slight springy sound.

He planned to take a nap first to prepare for the evening.

Before going to sleep, he habitually took out the thick book "A Brief History and Doctrine Overview of the Seven Major Orthodox Churches" from the void space and casually flipped through it by the dim light of the kerosene lamp on the bedside table to consolidate his knowledge.

In a place like Miguel, it's never a bad thing to know more about these things.

The rustling sound of turning pages was particularly clear in the quiet room, and the hands of the brass wall clock ticked steadily, making a regular "tick-tock" sound.

The sound of ticking. When the minute and hour hands coincided at seven o'clock, he closed the book and blew out the oil lamp.

The room was plunged into darkness, with only the occasional beam of light from the distant lighthouse sweeping across the ceiling. He closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and sank his consciousness into a tranquil void, conserving his energy for the exploration to come.

……

The wall clock struck a dull thud—it was exactly eleven o'clock.

Zhang Su opened his eyes almost simultaneously.

The room was pitch black, but the lights from the port area outside the window shone through the thin curtains, casting blurry patches of light on the floor.

I slept quite soundly, without any disturbing dreams, and my mental and physical energy were restored to their best state.

He threw off the covers and sat up nimbly.

The hotel was unusually quiet late at night. No footsteps could be heard in the corridor, except for the occasional suppressed cough of the old man on night duty downstairs and the long, indistinct wail of a ship's horn from the distant port, which added to the desolation.

He quickly changed into a set of dark casual clothes that were easy to move in and a pair of sturdy leather boots, opened the door silently, and like a cat blending into the shadows, left the "Seagull's Nest" without disturbing any of the sleepers.

The streets were empty and deserted late at night.

The gas streetlights cast dim, yellowish halos in the damp, cold air, lengthening and shortening his shadow.

The cold wind whipped up fallen leaves and scraps of paper, making a rustling sound.

Zhang Su originally planned to run directly to the Rusty Ditch, as he was currently not much slower than a horse-drawn carriage.

However, just as he was warming up and preparing to exert his strength, his gaze was drawn to a horse-drawn carriage parked under a solitary street lamp on the street corner ahead.

It was a common two-wheeled carriage, with horses pulling it pacing restlessly in the cold night, puffing out puffs of white steam.

The driver, wrapped in a thick old overcoat, huddled in the driver's seat with his hat pulled low, seemingly dozing off, or perhaps cautiously observing his surroundings.

Zhang Su's heart stirred, he changed his mind, and stepped over.

Hearing footsteps, the driver suddenly looked up, revealing a pair of wary and tired eyes under his hat brim.

But when his gaze swept over Zhang Su's dark coat, whose quality was evident even in the darkness, his wariness quickly vanished, replaced by a professional, slightly ingratiating smile.

"Sir, do you need a car? It's so late, where are you going?" The driver's voice was a little hoarse.

The husband's voice was a little hoarse.

"Rusty Ditch, slum." Zhang Su opened the car door and got in. The car was filled with the smell of old leather and tobacco.

The driver was clearly taken aback, seemingly not expecting that respectable people would go to such places at this hour, but he didn't ask any further questions, only quoting a price much higher than during the day: "Where to? Late-night express, 1 Sola 50 Finni."

“Sure,” Zhang Su readily agreed.

The carriage started slowly, the horseshoes striking the stone pavement with a crisp "clatter" that carried far in the quiet night.

"Sir," the driver's voice came from the front seat, tinged with curiosity, "why are you going to a place like that so late? In that city of Miga?"

Zhang Su leaned back in his chair, looking at the dimly lit street scene rushing past the window: "I see you're still open for business, aren't you? Is the security in this city so good that even a rickshaw driver dares to solicit customers alone late at night?"

“Hey,” the driver chuckled dryly, “Good? Not really. Robberies, drunken brawls, gang fights—it’s the same every day. On the other hand, as long as you avoid the really dangerous neighborhoods and don’t flaunt your wealth, you generally won’t run into any serious trouble. As for me…” He paused, his voice lowering, tinged with helplessness and self-deprecation, “I have several mouths to feed at home, so every extra trip I make is a good one. Besides…”

He turned slightly to the side, his eyes quickly glancing under his seat cushion. Although the movement was small, Zhang Su still noticed it.

"We're not completely unprepared, are we? If we really run into some fools, I'll show them that bullets don't have eyes."

A knowing smile curved Zhang Su's lips as he calmly said, "I see. I understand."

He understood the driver's implication—a gun for self-defense was hidden under the seat.

That coachman has some nerve.

The carriage traveled through the city in the dead of night, moving further and further away from the brightly lit port area. The surrounding buildings gradually became low and dilapidated, and the air began to fill with the sour smell of garbage and sewage, unique to slums.

Around 11:30, the carriage stopped at the entrance of an alleyway that reeked of a strong stench and was filthy muddy. The driver refused to go any further, his voice visibly tense: "Sir, we've reached Rusty Ditch, this is the last stop! If I go in there, my carriage will get stuck! And it's the middle of the night... please be careful!"

Zhang Su paid the fare, and as soon as he got off the carriage, it turned around and sped away as if fleeing for its life, splashing mud that almost landed on his trousers before disappearing into the darkness from which it had come.

The slums at night are a stark contrast to their daytime bustle. On the surface, they appear utterly silent.

The low, dilapidated shack resembled a monster crouching in the darkness, with most of its windows pitch black.

However, this "quiet" was tinged with unease.

Listen closely, and you'll hear all sorts of subtle sounds, like ghostly whispers, seeping from the dark crevices: suppressed sobs, painful moans, the incoherent curses of drunkards, the cries of hungry children, and prayers in a desperate tone coming from some unknown corner... Countless unseen undercurrents surge beneath the filthy swamp.

Occasionally, a few faint, flickering oil lamp lights would peek out from behind the broken window covered with oil paper, like eyes peering into the darkness, adding to the eeriness.

The air was filled with a mixture of cold air and heavy foul odors.

Zhang Su took a deep breath of Yin Ling's breath; the cold air stimulated his lungs and made him even more awake.

He moved his neck and limbs, making a slight "click" sound. Then, his gaze locked onto the direction of the mine pit, and his leg muscles instantly tensed and exerted force!

"Whoosh-!"

His figure moved like a cheetah tearing through the air, suddenly launching into motion! His enhanced body unleashed astonishing speed, leaving almost a blur in the dim light.

He deftly avoided the piles of garbage and puddles on the ground, navigating at high speed through the maze-like, narrow, and winding alleyways. His night vision allowed him to clearly see every obstacle. The wind whistled past his ears, leaving the unsettling noises of the slum far behind.

Just four minutes later, the open depression and the mine entrance, which resembled the throat of a giant beast, reappeared before Zhang Su's eyes.

Bai reappeared before Zhang Su.

In stark contrast to the "lively" daytime scene, the area around the mine was now eerily deserted! A chilling stillness pervaded the air!

The crowds that had lingered, prayed, and tried their luck during the day had long since vanished, presumably deterred by the deep darkness and the terror emanating from the mine.

Only that eerie, clear river still shimmered with a faint, cold light in the darkness, flowing silently into the unfathomable abyss.

The cold wind blowing from the mine was even more biting and piercing during the day! It was more than just a physical low temperature; it was a chilling cold that could freeze the soul, carrying a heavy, decaying stench that seemed to come from the depths of the earth.

The cold wind blew through the thick layer of ice that had frozen at the cave entrance, producing a sharp, wailing sound, like the wailing of ghosts.

What's even more unsettling is that from the deep, dark mine, a series of indescribable, low, and continuous rumbling sounds can be faintly heard.

The sound didn't resemble flowing water; it was more like the slow friction and compression of some enormous, heavy metal structure, or the heavy breathing of some unimaginable behemoth in the darkness.

Occasionally, there would be a few extremely faint yet sharp hissing sounds that could pierce the eardrums, like metal being forcibly torn apart, or like the painful or angry screams of some non-human creature. They were intermittent and faint, but enough to make anyone who heard them feel their scalp tingle and their blood freeze.

Standing at the edge of the mine, Zhang Su felt the chill that seemed to freeze his very bones, and listened to the terrifying sounds coming from inside the cave. He understood.

"No wonder there's no one around at night," he muttered to himself, his voice unusually clear in the deathly silence of the cold night. "With this noise and this chill, it's definitely enough to deter people."

His gaze swept over the abandoned stone houses he had selected during the day, and he finally settled on the one that was the most intact and had the thickest walls.

Without hesitation, he moved swiftly and silently into the shadows of the stone house, like a ghost blending into the night.

Now, the real exploration for tonight begins.

He needs to release his double to delve into this mine, which is like the entrance to hell, to explore the truth behind the "thing" that devours garbage, purifies water, and walks under the moon.

Then, Zhang Su entered the most secluded dilapidated wooden house in the vicinity. Its broken walls and ruins barely blocked some of the biting cold wind, but the bone-chilling cold and the eerie sounds coming from the cave still penetrated everywhere.

Zhang Su sat in the corner to the left of the door, slowly closing his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the void. 'Foundation, preparing to deploy Substitute Number One. Target: Deep within the mine. Equipment: Probe lamp, rope, rock bolt, geological hammer, Bloodthirsty Dagger, geological hammer, Bloodthirsty Dagger, Shadow Gloves.'

In the darkness, his heart was filled with excitement for the exploration that was about to begin.

The abyss, he's coming soon.

The moment the command was given, two figures appeared silently at the edge of the mine entrance outside the stone house.

The stand-in number one still has that classic Eastern beauty face, wearing a black combat suit, with a lithe figure and calm, unwavering eyes.

Stand number two, Mr. K, wore a perfectly tailored pure black suit, with his bowler hat pulled low, the shadows completely obscuring his face, revealing only his cold, hard jawline, exuding a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

Zhang Su's original consciousness split into two, like a sophisticated dual-threaded processor, simultaneously taking over the vision and control of two substitutes.

Despite having two sets of sensory perspectives, he was still able to coordinate and control them perfectly.

'Operation begins.'

The stand-in took the initiative, adjusting the powerful prospecting lamp fixed to her forehead, and a bright beam instantly pierced the darkness at the mine entrance.

Within the beam of light, wisps of tangible white, chilling air were clearly visible, drifting and swirling slowly with the airflow, as if countless icy ghosts were wandering in the air.

Stand number two followed closely behind, his steps steady, like a king surveying his territory, the shadow under his hat brim sweeping over the surroundings.

The two stand-ins, one in front of the other, followed the river and resolutely stepped into the dark entrance that resembled the throat of a giant beast.

It was even colder inside the mine than at the entrance!