Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 78 78: A New Instance Quest

The mont they pushed the door open and entered, the feeling of being sealed away by ti washed over them.

Although this villa was located not far from the military base, there were no resources here that Raptures would need. Most likely, no humans had remained behind either–otherwise the Raptures would still have co eventually.

And so, as if forgotten by ti itself, this place had sohow found a peaceful corner to rest within the storm brought upon the world by the Raptures.

In the courtyard, weeds left untended had already grown nearly two ters high, transforming most of the garden into a sea of green. Even the fountain standing in the center had beco wrapped in creeping vines.

Oddly enough, it looked rather beautiful.

"If we dragged this thing back intact, the fountain alone could probably sell for a pretty crazy price."

Charon pulled out his phone and snapped a picture with a completely serious expression.

"If there's sothing you need to do, please hurry. We need to return to the squad as soon as possible," Scarlet reminded him again.

If not for the mission, a place like this–one that had survived through all the chaos–could honestly have been developed into a decent base.

But first and foremost, they still had to remain wary of Rapture attacks.

"Yeah, yeah, stop rushing … actually, co help too."

Charon put away his phone and walked over to the villa's ancient-looking front door with the crowbar in hand.

Just like outside, a massive padlock sealed the entrance shut. Although the old neglected door probably wouldn't survive even a single strike from Scarlet's blade, Charon had no intention of wrecking the place outright.

What a waste that would be.

He wedged the crowbar into the lock and gave it a push.

The padlock's already critically low "health bar" instantly hit zero and fell straight onto the ground.

Scarlet stared at the lock, disbelief still lingering in her eyes.

Even rusted, how had the lieutenant managed to snap it apart so easily with a single motion?

Before she had ti to think further, Charon directly pushed the door open, causing a deep creeeak to echo throughout the entrance hall.

Both of them had already prepared themselves ntally. The sll inside truly wasn't pleasant, but once the doors and windows were opened, it would eventually dissipate.

From Charon's perspective, this entire house was filled with resource points–far more than the previous places occupied by Raptures.

However, he had no intention of looting anything just yet.

The reason was simple.

The only reason he found this place in the first place was because there had been a familiar exclamation mark here.

The symbol of an Instance Quest.

This trip's real purpose was to complete it along the way.

Of course, not all instance quests were equal. This ti, the reward wasn't so major story-altering item, but rather a blue-quality cane.

Even though it wasn't combat equipnt, once Charon saw its effects, he simply couldn't resist obtaining it.

...

[Na: Universal Agricultural Cane]

[Type: Production Tool]

[Quality: Blue]

[Recycle Price: 35,000 Zero Coins]

[Usage Limit: Unlimited]

[Effect 1:] Can transform into tools currently needed, including but not limited to hoes, shovels, rakes, sickles, axes, etc.

[Effect 2:] Can activate scanning mode to identify seeds within a thirty-ter radius that still retain germination viability, along with the nas of the crops they mature into.

[Effect 3:] After scanning planted crops, can diagnose diseases affecting them and provide treatnt suggestions.

[Effect 4:] By inserting the tip of the cane into soil or water sources, it can analyze within three seconds whether the area is suitable for farming or irrigation.

[Note:] It is only suited for those willing to bend their backs and sweat. Compared to those chunks of iron that only know destruction, it understands far better how to care for the land.

...

How should he put it…

A blue-grade item wasn't even particularly expensive. Charon could absolutely have ignored it.

But after reading the description, he simply couldn't walk away.

In this world that was gradually falling into ruin, equipnt capable of assisting with agriculture was, in Charon's eyes, incredibly valuable.

And besides–

Unlimited durability.

The gears in Charon's brain imdiately started turning.

A crowbar counted as a tool too, didn't it?

Absolutely.

Without question.

He was getting this thing no matter what.

Scarlet followed Charon deeper into the old building.

The first floor was extrely spacious. Directly across from the entrance stood a Y-shaped split staircase leading upward, branching apart halfway toward the second-floor hallways.

To the left was a sunken living room. Three steps downward sat sofas and a rectangular tea table completely covered beneath massive dust cloths. Against the wall stood a gigantic stone fireplace, long buried beneath years of neglect.

Charon circled around the sofas and walked straight to the fireplace, reaching inside and rummaging around.

Ash scattered everywhere, but he didn't care in the slightest.

A few seconds later, he pulled out a piece of paper from the ashes.

That was it.

Most of the note's contents were impossible to read now, considering more than half of it had already burned away.

But Charon wasn't here to decipher it anyway.

The instance quest triggered instantly.

...

[Instance Quest: Embers]

[Quest Description:]

Operator, this letter was a warning from many years ago. It seems soone intended to seize this family's inheritance. But now, this place belongs to you. Whether it's old grudges or present-day supplies, once they enter your territory, don't even think about letting them leave alive.

[Quest Conditions:]

Eliminate all enemies: 0/5

[Quest Rewards:]

Basic Reward: 80,000 Zero Coins

Reward Item: Universal Agricultural Cane ×1

...

"Scarlet."

Charon released his grip, and the half-burned note dissolved into particles in the air.

"Have you ever fought special forces soldiers before?"

"…What?"

Scarlet frowned while holding her sword, having absolutely no idea what he was talking about.

"Then let rephrase that. Do you have combat experience against fully ard mass-produced Nikkes?"

At the sa ti, Charon's gaze rapidly swept across the hall, roughly confirming the layout.

"In simulation training, many tis," she answered calmly. "In most cases, we are the victors."

The lee squad had been created specifically to recreate the close-combat legend of Liliweiss. Naturally, their combat capabilities far surpassed ordinary mass-produced Nikkes.

Far surpassed them.

Just as Charon had once said before:

The purpose of ranged combat is to kill the enemy before they can get close.

If they close the distance–

You're dead.

"Excellent."

Charon's eyes locked onto the main entrance.

"From now on, focus on protecting yourself. Don't die."

Scarlet genuinely could not understand what he ant.

Protect herself?

There weren't even any Rapture signals nearby.

And at that exact mont–

Charon suddenly roared:

"Scarlet, duck!"

Hearing that shout, she instinctively obeyed before her brain even processed it.

The instant she lowered her head, a bullet tore through her hair.

Scarlet's scalp went numb.

In the very next second, she flashed behind cover. In that brief instant alone, she had already analyzed the bullet's firing position.

Only afterward did the sound of the sniper rifle reach her ears.

It ca directly from the direction of the villa's front gate.

"There are Raptures?!"

Hidden behind the sofa, Scarlet asked in a low voice.

"No. These bastards are way harder to deal with than Raptures."

Charon burst into motion and slid behind the staircase.

A burst of bullets instantly shredded the exact spot he had just vacated. In the otherwise silent villa, the gunfire rang so loudly it made Scarlet's ears buzz.

"Just leave them to . Once they get inside, check whether you're even capable of attacking them. If not… then figure out a way to run."

Who… were these people?