Chapter 29: Kowtowing

[Natural Blessing]: Concentrates abundant natural energy and channels it into the target organism, healing certain injuries and purifying the mind. There is a small chance to optimize the target’s genetic code, prompting evolution; however, the optimized target’s level cannot exceed that of the Druid. The simpler the life form’s structure, the higher the chance of optimization.
Note: The direction of optimization is uncontrollable.

[Fish Gills Technique]: The Druid mimics aquatic creatures’ forms, controlling natural energy to grow gill- and fin-like structures, gaining the ability to breathe underwater and swim for a short time.

“Hss… Both these skills seem quite impressive.”

Before Han Ning could fully appreciate the special effects of these two abilities, a sharp, piercing roar suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

“Roar!!!”

His attention was instantly drawn to Xuebing.

Xuebing writhed violently, splashing water everywhere.

It appeared to be in great pain, with crackling sounds resembling joint snaps coming from its body.

Its muscle fibers seemed to be repeatedly torn, stretched, and crushed by invisible immense forces, only to be rapidly reorganized, woven, and strengthened by an even more powerful life force.

Under everyone’s gaze, Xuebing’s body visibly grew outward before their very eyes!

After about ten seconds, the growth ceased.

In front of Han Ning stood a grayish-white crocodile lizard about 1.3 meters long.

Its overall appearance was much like a wild crocodile lizard, but the claws at the ends of its limbs were unique.

The claws, covered with tough scales, subtly bore faint green wooden rings resembling the ancient rings of a tree trunk.

[Swamp Crocodile Lizard Growth Progress +20]
[Swamp Crocodile Lizard Lv1 → Lv2]
[New Skill Acquired: Paralyzing Toxic Claws]

[Paralyzing Toxic Claws]: As the Druid’s animal companion, the swamp crocodile lizard is blessed by the Druid. When its sharp claws tear into an enemy’s flesh, the wooden poison at the claw tips automatically seeps into the enemy’s body, causing paralysis and poisoning effects.

“Hsswu…”

The now stronger Xuebing moved its body, flicked its thick tail with a crisp snap, then obediently returned to Han Ning’s side, rubbing its head against its master’s leg.

On the rooftop, the four survivors who had narrowly escaped death were stunned into silence.

The bearded man’s mouth hung open, his eyes nearly popping out as he glanced at the floating crocodile lizard corpses on the water’s surface.

His gaze then shifted to Han Ning and Xuebing, hesitating to speak.

“Where did you come from? What are you doing here?” Han Ning finally broke the tense silence with a question.

The group shivered under his scrutinizing gaze.

The bearded man hurriedly struggled to his feet, speaking with reverence:

“Uh… benefactor, we’re residents of the nearby Sunshine Garden community, just… just living opposite the park.”

He pointed in a direction.

“At home… there’s nothing left to eat, and the water’s almost gone. I remembered there was a small convenience store here, so we came to try our luck, hoping to find something to eat.”

Han Ning knew Sunshine Garden well. Compared to his own mid-range neighborhood, Sunshine Garden was considered a relatively cheap housing complex, located somewhat remotely with limited nearby facilities.

Though described as opposite the park, it was actually separated by a major road and about two to three hundred meters away in a straight line.

“I’ve been to Sunshine Garden. There are plenty of convenience stores and restaurants at the community’s entrance. Why would you come so far when there are places closer to you?” Han Ning frowned slightly.

“That’s because in our neighborhood… there are people like you who can wield supernatural powers. They have taken over the nearby convenience stores. We had no choice but to come this far to look for food,” the bearded man said with a troubled expression.

At this, a tall, thin man beside him pointed at the murky water beneath their feet and the colorful packaging floating on its surface, adding:

“We just pried open the back window of this little store and climbed in. Before we could grab anything, those monsters surrounded us…”

He glanced at the water, now stained with murky blood and floating fragments of clothing, his voice breaking.

Han Ning looked in the direction he indicated.

Beneath the murky water, the outlines of toppled shelves were faintly visible. Various bags of snacks, puffed food packaging, bottled drinks, and instant noodle cups floated atop the water, rippling with the waves.

Some well-sealed items remained intact, but most had been soaked long enough for their packaging to break and their contents to spoil.

“Everything from the convenience store is here?” Han Ning asked calmly.

“Yes… yes,” the bearded man nodded hurriedly, afraid to answer too slowly.

“The entire first floor is flooded. The goods are all floating in the water. The second floor seems to be a small warehouse, but the entrance is underwater. We didn’t dare go down…”

Before the bearded man finished, Han Ning announced firmly:

“I’m taking all these supplies.”

Pausing, he looked at the shocked faces of the group, now pale as death, and continued:

“I’ll assess the supplies and allocate some food to you, enough to cover your basic energy needs for a day or two.”

Han Ning believed that having saved these people, taking the food was entirely justified.

The rooftop fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the sound of rain pelting down.

The bearded man’s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, and the three behind him showed expressions of unwillingness.

They had risked their lives coming here, seeking hope to survive.

Now that hope—the food—was taken away. How would they live?

Yet, since Han Ning had saved their lives, none dared to argue.

Suddenly, a heavy thud echoed atop the convenience store’s roof as someone knelt down.

Han Ning’s eyelid twitched. Looking at the man kneeling before him, he said coldly, “What are you doing?”

“Benefactor, please, please give me a little more to eat. I’ll work for you—do anything, be your servant—I just ask for more food…”

As he spoke, his head nearly collapsed onto the roof, but Han Ning’s vine shot out, firmly halting him.

“Benefactor, Old Xu is different from the rest of us. He has a young daughter to care for. She hasn’t eaten for days. Please have mercy…”

The others began pleading as well.

Why do I feel like the villain here? Han Ning thought helplessly.

In this apocalypse, so many need help. If not for Old Xu, there’s Old Ma, Old Yang… does he have to help them all one by one?

“You have your hardships, and so do I,” he said, shaking his head as he turned toward the convenience store’s first floor.

“Benefactor, I can cook, do laundry, mop floors, even repair things. If all else fails… I can be cannon fodder, as long as you give me a full stomach…”

Old Xu, unwilling to accept this, shouted after Han Ning’s retreating back.