Survival in an apartment, starting with a stroke of luck on a plane

Lin Yu understood. It seemed that having enough strength and a "fierce reputation" could indeed save a lot of trouble.

Since the problem could be resolved peacefully, Lin Yu was naturally more than happy to accept it. He nodded and asked, "What kind of ingredients do you need? Approximately how much?"

A glint flashed in the old monkey's eyes: "The brain of any creature will do, but the higher the quality, the stronger the energy, and the more intense the emotions, the better the effect."

As for quantity... naturally, the more the better. If the quantity and quality of the 'auxiliary materials' you bring satisfy me, I wouldn't mind using some of my collection of trinkets as payment.

The old monkey skillfully sealed the test tube and handed it to Lin Yu, his face seemingly carrying a hint of "craftsman" pride.

After hearing its words, Lin Yu didn't linger any longer and turned to leave the uncomfortable laboratory.

The monkey with its head sticking out at the front desk looked even more surprised when it saw Lin Yu emerge unharmed once again; its jelly-like brain wobbled in astonishment.

Lin Yu looked at it and smiled: "Surprised?"

The little monkey nodded very honestly, but Lin Yu didn't explain it to it and walked straight out of the shop.

Lin Yu hopped on the electric scooter and had his shadow clone drive it, heading towards the river he had crossed earlier.

Upon reaching the riverside area, we indeed saw all sorts of bizarre monsters roaming along the shore and in the shallow water.

Lin Yu unleashed another army of ghosts and the [Heavenly Cloak].

"Stun them, or subdue them; I want their heads intact!"

Lin Yu casually gave an order, and the ghosts charged towards the group of monsters.

The Heavenly Cloak also flew out.

He himself drew the Demon Sword, preparing to cut off a head.

For a time, a bizarre "hunting" operation unfolded along the riverbank.

The ghosts entangled, possessed, and controlled the monsters, while Lin Yu, like a skilled butcher, wielded his sword with swift movements, and one by one the monsters fell to the ground with groans before having their heads severed.

He also wanted to find more powerful monsters, but there didn't seem to be any nearby, and the delivery time didn't allow him to spend too much time looking for better "materials".

About twenty minutes later, Lin Yu looked at the dozen or so heavy monster heads hanging on the electric scooter, wrapped in rags he had found, and nodded.

The quantity should be sufficient. Although the quality varies, they are all of the Iron grade, with a few of the Bronze grade as well. That should be about right.

He returned to the [Old Monkey Brain Products Specialty Store].

When Lin Yu dragged that large bag of bloody heads back into the lab, the monkey at the front desk was so frightened that it immediately crawled under the table.

The old monkey researcher looked at the pile of still-dripping monster heads on the ground, adjusted his glasses, examined them carefully, and nodded: "While the quality is generally mediocre, the quantity is sufficient..."

It seemed quite satisfied, and took out a piece of brain tissue, about the size of a fist, pink in color, and slightly trembling like jelly, from the refrigerator next to it, and handed it to Lin Yu.

"This is your payment."

Lin Yu took it and looked at it:

[Resentful Monkey Brain]

Category: Materials

Rank: Bronze

Effect: Can be used to craft equipment and items, and can also be used as an auxiliary material for special summoning rituals.

Description: Listen carefully, and you can almost hear the monkey's mournful cry before it dies. Maybe it could be made into jelly? That is, if you can bring yourself to eat it.

The items are so-so, but it's better than nothing.

Lin Yu put it away; after all, even a mosquito's leg is meat.

The old monkey ignored Lin Yu and began excitedly fiddling with the monster heads, taking out various tools to prepare to extract brain tissue.

It skillfully placed Lin Yu's "Inspiration Brain Fluid" test tube into a centrifuge-like instrument, and then added some of its own prepared dark green catalyst.

After a dazzling series of operations and a wait of more than ten minutes, the instrument stopped working.

The old monkey took out the test tube.

At this point, the liquid in the test tube was no longer murky as before, but had become a clear, pale green liquid with a faint phosphorescence, making it look much more appealing.

He handed the brand-new vial of "Inspiration Brain Fluid" to Lin Yu and instructed, "Alright, this is the finished product. Deliver it as soon as possible. This stuff is highly active and has a very short shelf life. If it's delivered late, the effect will be greatly reduced, and the customer will be unhappy."

Lin Yu nodded and carefully placed the test tube into the delivery box. Only then was the order truly complete.

Just as he turned to leave, the old monkey researcher's voice came from behind him again: "Human... if you can obtain higher quality... for example, a biological brain of bronze level or above, you can come to me again."

I will give you... something better.

Lin Yu paused, turned around and glanced at it: "I've got it."

This is undoubtedly a long-term material procurement task.

It seems that the number of NPCs in this world is far more "rich" than he imagined.

Lin Yu stepped out of the shop and got on his electric scooter.

The battery level is down to 25%. I must rush to the Howling Recording Studio to complete the final delivery and then return to the station at full speed.

Lin Yu drove his electric car back to the wide but treacherous riverbank.

This time, he was too lazy to use the Trident of Poseidon to summon aquatic creatures. Instead, he simply activated the [Heavenly Cloak], wrapped himself and the electric car, and took off, flying towards the opposite shore.

Although this method consumes more mana, it is indeed much faster and also saves you the trouble of being underwater.

After successfully crossing the river, he turned on the ignition again and drove towards the familiar ruins of the Howling Recording Studio.

Entering the ruined hall with practiced ease, the "beautiful" receptionist with a hot figure but whose face was mangled and bloodied by rusted nails was indeed still there.

It was facing away from the door, head down, seemingly secretly eating something, making a soft crunching sound, and didn't even notice Lin Yu approaching.

Lin Yu glanced curiously at the "snacks" in its hand, which turned out to be a handful of round, wet, and slightly trembling eyeballs.

The receptionist was stuffing these eyeballs into that terrifying mouth one after another, like eating grapes, with great relish. The scene looked quite gruesome.

Seemingly sensing Lin Yu's gaze, the receptionist turned her head sharply. Upon seeing Lin Yu, her movements froze instantly, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on her face (if that could be considered an expression).

It quickly hid the remaining half-bag of eyeballs in the front desk cabinet, then gave an embarrassed laugh, the bits of flesh and nails on its face swaying with its expression.

It seemed to hesitate for a moment, then took an eyeball out of the bag, handed it to Lin Yu, and said in a low voice, "Um... buddy, please have this... don't tell my boss..."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, took the slippery, cold object, and examined it closely:

The Eyeballs of the Thousand-Eyed Monster

Category: Materials/Props

Rank: Bronze

Effects: Direct consumption can slightly improve eyesight. Consuming large quantities of the same item has a very low probability of obtaining the awakening catalyst for the bronze-level talent [Psychedelic Eyes]. It can also be used to craft certain items.

Description: Slippery and cold, as if still bearing the original owner's fear. It is said that when the Thousand-Eyed Monsters look at each other, they will have a contest to see who blinks first.

"Good stuff," Lin Yu's eyes lit up slightly.

Although eating this stuff directly is a bit unpleasant and requires a lot of determination, it has to be said that it is definitely a good thing, especially since it can also grant talent. Even if the probability is extremely low, it is worth trying.

He put his eyeballs into his backpack, then casually asked, "Beautiful lady, just one more question... where did you buy these 'little snacks'? They're quite unique."

He almost said "curiosity" out loud.

The receptionist seemed quite pleased with Lin Yu's address (especially the word "beautiful"), and gave him a flirtatious wink. If you ignored his face, which was covered in nails and covered in blood, the gesture actually had a certain charm.

It answered directly: "Over on Chunhua Street, there's a shop called 'Thousand-Eyed Insight Shop,' which is run by the Thousand-Eyed Monster. It specializes in all kinds of eyes and eye products. That's where I buy my things."

Lin Yu's expression was somewhat strange: "The Thousand-Eyed Monster... runs a small shop? Selling his own eyes?"

This business model is incredibly hardcore.

The hot receptionist nodded and said matter-of-factly, "Don't be so strange, sir. We're monsters, so it's normal for us to produce and sell our own products."

We don't have as many fuss over things as you humans. It's just body parts; isn't it great that we can recycle them and create value? They'll just grow back anyway.

These monsters are not as delicate as humans.

Lin Yu was speechless for a moment, and could only nod awkwardly to indicate that he had learned something.

He quickly changed the subject: "Um...where's Mr. Bones? His takeout has arrived."

"The boss is playing drums in practice room number 3. Go there yourself, it's the one making the most noise," the hot receptionist pointed out to Lin Yu.

After thanking it, Lin Yu walked in the direction it pointed.

Soon, he found the room from which came the dull, chaotic, yet rhythmic "drumming".

Lin Yu knocked on the door, and the drumming inside stopped abruptly.

A few seconds later, the door opened, and a skeleton wearing a studded leather jacket and sporting an afro appeared in the doorway.

When it saw Lin Yu, the green flame in its eye sockets flickered, and it emitted a familiar clattering laugh.

"Click... Number 003, you're really professional, much better than the riders I've encountered before," said the frizzy-haired skull. "Those guys always drag their feet, have no sense of time, and easily go over time. Many times, they've caused my creative inspiration to be interrupted."

Lin Yu glanced briefly at the room behind the frizzy-haired skull, and sure enough, as expected, the drum this guy was playing wasn't a proper drum either.

Instead, it was a "drum set" pieced together from various bones and skulls, with other random musical instruments made from unidentified biological tissues placed next to it.

As he finished reading, Lin Yu casually replied, "Perhaps you should be more patient with the riders, after all, the road conditions and 'residents' of your city... are really not very friendly."

The frizzy-haired skull shook his head, his jaw agape: "Click... I'm a customer who paid for this. Shouldn't these problems be solved by you riders yourselves? Efficiency and professionalism, you should know that."

Lin Yu was too lazy to argue with a skeleton monster about the hardships of the service industry, so he just shrugged and said, "Anyway, I delivered it on time."

He took the clear vial of "Inspiration Brain Fluid" out of the delivery box and handed it to it.

The frizzy skull took the test tube, looked at the clear, sparkling liquid inside against the light, and seemed very satisfied. The green flames in his eye sockets even intensified: "Clatter, clatter, perfect, too perfect, it's actually high-quality brain fluid."

It's so clear, so full of energy. You're amazing! It seems I made the right choice in selecting you. Those other idiot riders can't even get a passable product from that old monkey, let alone this top-quality one.

It exclaimed in admiration as it eagerly opened the test tube, drank the faintly phosphorescent liquid inside in one gulp, and then let out a satisfied sigh, as if its bones were rubbing together.

"Click... That feels so good! Inspiration is flowing! Five stars, I absolutely have to give it five stars!"

He immediately took out a strange bone fragment and operated it for a few moments.

Lin Yu's phone immediately vibrated:

[Order completed!]

Customer review: 5 stars

[Basic delivery points +25]

[5-star review reward: Double points]

Total points earned: 50

Meanwhile, the frizzy-haired skull gave Lin Yu 50 points as a tip: "Click! You deserve it! I'll definitely ask for you again next time!"

[Receive customer tips: Points +50]

[Current total points: 440]

Lin Yu was in a good mood as the points arrived smoothly. At his current rate of point accumulation, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would likely be able to collect enough points to purchase the multi-functional electric vehicle in no time.

After the transaction was completed, Lin Yu intended to say goodbye and return to the station immediately, but the frizzy-haired skull seemed to have taken a talk.

It pointed with its finger bone at the set of bone musical instruments in the room and asked, "Clatter... I noticed you seemed quite interested in my instruments just now? Do you also know something about music?"

Lin Yu was about to subconsciously answer "no," but then he remembered his previous encounter with the faceless dancer. He had improved his mental attributes after watching it perform a dance.

What if listening to the skeleton drumming might bring some benefit? Even if it's just triggering a quest.

So he changed his mind before he could finish his sentence: "It's alright, I personally quite like... rock music."

Judging from the afro-haired skull's clothes and personality, he felt that he was the type who would like rock music.

Surprisingly, the afro-haired skull scratched its empty eye sockets with its bony fingers, asking curiously, "Click? Rock music? What kind of music is that? Furious? Ridiculous? Or... uh, bone-crushing?"

Lin Yu's lips twitched slightly. Good heavens, it seems that this skeleton's music taxonomy is based on destructive power.

It seems I've been playing music to a brick wall; this monster doesn't know anything about rock and roll.

But that doesn't make sense. Wasn't that faceless dancer performing ballet? Logically, they should know something about the human world.

Doesn't this guy with the afro have any interest in human music?

He explained, "It's kind of... a type of music that has a strong sense of power and attitude in the human world."

The afro-haired skull nodded at its head, seemingly understanding, then extended a warm invitation: "Click! Powerful! I like it. Looks like I'll have to learn about your human musical works sometime."

That's really true.

Then, the frizzy-haired skull quickly added, "By the way, would you like to hear an original piece that my band and I just wrote? It's full of our...unique understanding of the world!"

Looking into the other person's enthusiastic green eyes, Lin Yu, hoping it might be of some benefit, nodded: "It would be my honor."

He was invited into the "music room" by the afro-haired skull.

The room was even more eerie. Besides the bone drum set, there was a rib guitar with tendons as strings, a bass with a skull as a soundbox, and several strangely shaped monster musicians were tuning their instruments.

They are: a zombie lead singer whose throat is constantly leaking air, a spider monster with six arms that is adjusting various bizarre musical instruments, and a slime whose body is constantly writhing like mud and responsible for emitting low background sounds.

Add a skeleton drummer.

Well, they don't look like a proper band at all.

But... since we're already here, we should definitely listen first.

The frizzy-haired skull pressed Lin Yu down onto a "chair" made from a complete human spine and pelvis, then excitedly introduced him to its band members: "Clap, guys, this is my new rider friend, number 003."

He's the first human being willing to appreciate our original music, so let's give him a little... auditory shock!

After saying that, it suddenly sat down in front of the white bone drum, and the other musicians also took their places.

The zombie lead singer took a deep breath (though its lungs were probably rotten to the bone) and let out a hoarse roar like a broken gong.

Then... disaster struck.

A variety of indescribable, sharp, muffled, tearing, and sticky noises instantly filled the entire room.

The so-called "music" was completely out of tune; it was more like a violent mix of various sounds that tormented the ears.

The lead singer of Zombie has a hoarse and grating voice, and the lyrics are full of words that are not suitable for children.

The drumbeats of the frizzy skull were completely arrhythmic, consisting only of frantic pounding. The spider monster multitasked, its eight long legs controlling various different instruments, producing completely discordant sounds.

The slime emitted a gurgling, annoying low-frequency noise...

Lin Yu sat expressionlessly in the spinal chair, feeling as if his eardrums and brain were being subjected to a continuous attack.

This cannot even be called music; it is nothing short of auditory torture.

The illusion he had imagined—the attribute boost, the system notifications—none of it appeared.

All I could hear was endless noise and a throbbing pain in my head.

It seems that not all "art" appreciation is beneficial, or rather, this thing doesn't even qualify as art.

After about five or six minutes of agonizing waiting, just as Lin Yu was considering whether to pull out his gun and end this "performance" early—

Bang! Crack!

With a crisp crack! The frizzy-haired skull was too excited and slammed down with his bone club, shattering a large piece of the drumhead of the white bone drum. At the same time, the bone club in his hand also broke in two.

The piercing noise stopped abruptly.

The world... is quiet now.

The frizzy-haired skull stared at the shattered drumhead for a moment, then clicked his teeth in frustration: "Click... What a pity! I got too into it! This is the third drum set I've broken this week! Looks like I really need to find some sturdier materials..."

It turned to look at Lin Yu, seemingly seeking comfort: "Clatter... Friend, what do you think? Isn't it full of primal explosive power and rebellion against order?"

Lin Yu stood up from the chair, rubbed his still-ringing ears, and forced a polite but slightly awkward smile: "Hmm... very... attitude, yes, very clear attitude."

This is the only kind of all-purpose evaluation he can give.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the green flames in the skull's eye sockets suddenly blazed brightly, and he excitedly clicked his tongue: "Click, I knew it! You really understand! The purpose of our music is to express an attitude! To rebel against that hypocritical tranquility! To praise chaos and reality!"

Seeing that it was about to start rambling on again, Lin Yu quickly interrupted it: "Um... Mr. Bone, it's getting late, I have to go back to the station to report on my work, shall we stop here for today?"

"Clatter clatter! I understand, I understand, work is important! I'll invite you to listen to my next new work!" The frizzy-haired skull seemed completely oblivious to Lin Yu's perfunctory attitude and enthusiastically escorted him to the door.

Lin Yu practically fled the Howling Recording Studio, hopped on his electric scooter, and sped off towards the station without looking back.

The torturous "music" still seemed to echo in his ears, leaving him with lingering fear.

……

Soon, Lin Yu returned to the station and arrived at the entrance of the battle. There weren't many monsters here, and it seemed that they had been mostly cleared out by other players. He would finally no longer encounter those annoying monster attacks.

Although those monsters were weak and posed little threat to him, they were certainly annoying.

With the station's tall barbed wire fence and tightly closed electric gate already in sight, Lin Yu relaxed a little.

However, at a corner less than 100 meters from the station entrance, seven or eight players suddenly emerged from the nearby ruins, lined up in a row, and blocked his way.

Lin Yu slowly stopped the car, his eyes slightly narrowed, his right hand seemingly casually resting on the [Azure Rose] at his waist.

He hadn't forgotten that this round of the game also allowed player-versus-player combat, so there would definitely be situations where players would rob each other. It was just that he left early and kept avoiding other players, so he didn't encounter this.

To be honest, although Lin Yu killed most of the players in the previous game and amassed a lot of wealth, he still didn't really want to get into conflicts with the players.

It's not that he's being overly compassionate; if he were, he wouldn't have killed so many people in the previous game.

It's simply because I don't want to kill too many of my own kind.

This group of players appears to be a team; their equipment is fairly good, and their strength seems decent.

The leader was a tall, somewhat refined-looking man wearing round glasses and an inappropriate fur coat.

He wore a seemingly kind smile as he looked Lin Yu and his electric scooter over.

"Brother, you're back? You must be tired." The bespectacled man spoke first, his tone very polite.

Lin Yu asked expressionlessly, "What is it?"