Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Wang Zheng had been in Fallen Paradise for a week now. Wang Zheng had not managed to enjoy how exactly how fallen the paradise was. He had spent the entire week mining, almost without seeing the light of day. But it was not as bad as it could have been. In this period of time, Wang Zheng could feel that they had categorized arrivals into a few classes. Even the freemen were divided into the physically strong and weak. Those whose bodies were weaker were just given a masturbation product. While those deemed young, strong, and suitable for long term use, like Wang Zheng, were given a day’s holiday each month, where they could take a tenth of their wages to Fallen Paradise and enjoy themselves. As long as one had money, one could thoroughly enjoy being here.
Of course, the mine operators were not at all worried that people would escape. Those who escaped faced terrible fates. Besides, while their wrists were cuffed with that gadget, unless you cut off your hand with an axe, there was no game to play. And those with such determination would not be here.
Wang Zheng’s job was simple. The work time was at least 10 hours, and no one cared if you did more. 10 people made a squad, and they were put in charge of a patch. Salary was pegged to the mining quantity and quality. Of course, quantity alone was not viable. If one was lucky and dug up some rare mineral, then there could be a chance to change one’s fate, and make at least a small fortune.
It was rumored that someone had unearthed a huge sky crystal. Not only had they removed their bracelet, but had also received a reward which allowed them to find a job in Fallen Paradise and enjoy life.
Wang Zheng was not really interested in that. He was an excellent miner, because they used Hercules mecha here, fitted with drill bits and other mining tools.
He played no tricks, and did not consider killing his way out of there. Wang Zheng calmly did his share. In a week, his workload was multifold of others. After work, he rested without causing trouble.
Even the section head felt that this young man was a dependable one. Honest laborers were welcome anywhere, especially in mining. That was why Wang Zheng’s group had better grub than others, with at least some meat.
Although there was not much time for chit chat, Wang Zheng quickly picked up news from others. A Manalasuo person who had quickly become familiar with Wang Zheng had been here for over a decade. He had forgotten why he had come here in the beginning, and he was too lazy to leave. It was familiar work, with three or four days of leave a month, and one could apply for leave. He had not saved money, basically spending it in the vault that was Fallen Paradise. People here called him Old Xiao. Perhaps to him, this was not a bad job.
Old Xiao was a very friendly person, but he loved to brag. He was so on and so forth outside, and got respect everywhere. He could do anything, and was familiar with the three bosses of Fallen Paradise. This guy’s way of speaking was humorous and interesting. Listening to his rambles during break time always got people laughing. This guy could make a living as a speaker.
Naturally, no one gave much credence to his claim that he was familiar with the bosses. After all, he was not even a section head. But it was true that the section heads showed him some respect out of deference to his years.
After the meal, everyone returned to their own sections. Each person was in charge of one cave, much like a lord of a cave. In truth, the work here was exhausting. Besides Old Xiao, who enjoyed it, most of the others were not too willing to talk. After all, only Old Xiao genuinely treated this as a job.
Soon, everyone had left. Wang Zheng was not tired. Although their section was a little darker, murkier, and dirtier, it did not seem particularly dangerous. Seemed like his work was still credited, and he had been allocated to a better place.
Time seemed not to move. There was more than half a month before they could go out. Fallen Paradise was controlled by the three major powers. It was impossible to complete his mission here. And he had to find some way to get in touch with these three powers.
Gambling? Underground wrestling? Or something else?
The key was how to get close. Wang Zheng looked at himself in the mirror. He did not feel like he could hide who he was. If he did not show it, no one would notice him. But if he displayed uncommon ability, he did not think that everyone in this place would be completely vapid. But if he did not show it, how could he get close to those people?
Could it be that he had to mine well enough to become the mining MVP?
Wang Zheng was at a loss. Just as Jiang Feng had said, many things could not be resolved with violence alone. This had stumped even an Earth-rank warrior.
Wang Zheng also knew that not revealing his ability was impossible. The key was how to display it, and find an entry point.
Entry…
Student Wang was still thinking, when a huge, black shadow appeared in front of him. A severe figure…
D*mn!
Never around when it was needed, but always giving people a scare when it shouldn’t be around!
Long time no see, Charcoal!
Wang Zheng was just about to tease Charcoal when he realized that this square Charcoal seemed to be in a morose state.
… Robots could be sad?
Charcoal stared at the mine unmoving, as though in a reverie. Even without intellectual limits, robots would not have Charcoal’s expression. This was not a robot’s nature, but it indeed conveyed the feeling.
It was a long time before Charcoal turned around to look at Wang Zheng. That mournful expression gave Wang Zheng the chills.
“Keke, Charcoal, long time no see. Can you… not look at me like that?”
He had initially planned to tease Charcoal. Wang Zheng guessed that it had seen something of the past. Besides, he and Bonehead were both enigmatic existences.
Charcoal nodded, expression unchanging.
“What, are you familiar with this place?” Wang Zheng asked.
Charcoal sighed in a very human fashion. “It’s like the place I lived in with my master before…”
Wang Zheng was prepared to listen to a story. After all, what he had the most of here was time. Wang Zheng also wanted to know the history of legends.
But just as Wang Zheng had prepared his listening ear, Charcoal stopped.
“And then?” Wang Zheng could not resist prompting.
Charcoal’s eyes became bright and then reverted to their normal state. “That’s it.”
D*mn, he must be joking. These guys. Bonehead liked to bully him, and Charcoal liked to prank him. Really… forget it. He couldn’t do anything to them either. Besides, this was his biggest trump card in this world. It was what had made him.
“Charcoal, why did you disappear for so long? If it wasn’t for Bonehead’s help, I would have died,” Wang Zheng said casually.
Charcoal’s expression was grave. “There’s something wrong with your body.”
Wang Zheng shrugged carelessly. “I don’t feel pain. It doesn’t seem to be a problem; it’s easier to fight as well.”
Compared to his life, Wang Zheng indeed regarded losing his pain faculties as minor. At least Bonehead had been around then.
Charcoal shook his head slightly. “No pain, no love.”
Wang Zheng shivered. “Charcoal, enough with the mushiness, okay? Have you lost your mind while cooped up recently?”
Charcoal continued without the slightest trace of humor. “Losing one’s sense of pain will cause a human to become numb. As time passes, cognitive patterns will change. Pain is humanity’s foundation to maintaining order.”
Charcoal’s words made Wang Zheng think. Wang Zheng was not stupid. Although he believed that he would not change, if he continued to be desensitized, and constantly be devoid of feeling, what would he become?
