Chapter 5

Choi Jae quickly calculated that the large batch of bait obtained through the death bombing, plus the five F-class zombies he had taken down individually earlier, would be enough to exchange for four E-class baits!

"Should I go for four E-class fishing attempts, or more F-class fishing attempts?"

Before Choi Jae could make up his mind, [Beast's Breath: Spatial Perception] detected a large group of zombies rushing from the front, all attracted by the massive explosion just now.

"Looks like I need to change the evacuation route temporarily!"

Choi Jae's expression changed slightly, and he quickly altered his route out of the town. He found a secluded path to avoid the large group of zombies rushing towards him.

Without the support of firearms, relying solely on the small nail hammer, he couldn't deal with so many zombies at once.

Choi Jae didn't feel regretful; the harvest from earlier was already substantial enough. He left the town without looking back.

On the way, Choi Jae continuously used the wide-ranging detection ability of [Beast's Breath: Spatial Perception] to head towards a relatively remote and desolate area, eventually arriving at the foot of a very desolate small stone peak.

"Now I've retreated far enough...

This small stone peak has a bleak environment with no zombie threats; and the terrain is high, providing a good view, making it a perfect temporary base for the next few days!"

With sore legs, Choi Jae sat down beside a large rock at the foot of the small stone peak, leaning against it. He took out some dry rations and drinks he had brought with him, slowly replenishing the energy he had expended earlier.

While eating, Choi Jae observed the situation in the sky.

"The intensity of Kaido and Zeff's battle is decreasing. I wonder when these two immortals will finish...

It's both good and bad..."

Shaking his head, Choi Jae summoned the light screen and looked at the considerable number of F-class baits on the screen, choosing to fuse them.

He had already decided on the way: to go for four E-class fishing attempts directly!

"Let's start with the E-class bait from the tall mutated zombie!"

Before [Fishing], Choi Jae glanced at the arc of the Goddess of Fortune.

As usual, it was a big D.

"Shaky Goddess of Fortune..."

Using his finger as the rod and his will as the line, Choi Jae cast the E-class Victory Bait into the Dimensional Sea, and soon received a response.

[Type of this fishing harvest: Item]

[E-class Item: Nichirin Blade (Sharp Weapon)]

[Item Origin: Demon Slayer]

[Item Description: The Nichirin Blade, crafted by the Demon Slayer Corps' swordsmith, Kurogane Tsukuro, contains a small amount of material that absorbs sunlight—Gorilla Crimson Sand Iron]

[Item Effects: 1. Durability: Compared to ordinary weapons, the sharp weapon has higher hardness; 2. Sharpness: Compared to ordinary weapons, the sharp weapon has greater sharpness; 3. Color Change: Depending on the user's attributes, the blade will change color (only on the first use); 4. Sunlight Break Evil: Higher damage bonus against any race that fears sunlight]

[Item Evaluation: Manual color change~ (funny)]

Snap!

Choi Jae felt a weight in his hand, and a katana landed in his palm.

The black scabbard and the blade inside were both straight, with a round tsuba (hand guard) with engraved hollow patterns, and a dark blue tsuka (handle) wrapped in deep blue ito (handle wrap). If not observed closely, the two would almost blend together.

"The Nichirin Blade, the standard equipment for members of the Demon Slayer Corps in Demon Slayer..."

Choi Jae didn't immediately draw the long sword, even though he quite liked the appearance of the Nichirin Blade.

"Unfortunately, I don't know any sword techniques, and all the sword forms recorded in [Beast's Breath] are 'two-sword style.' Giving me one sword is less practical than using a hammer!"

He casually attached the Nichirin Blade to his waist, picked up the second E-class bait, and muttered to himself.

"Except for the first fishing attempt, all the subsequent ones were items... Can't [Fishing] even pull up ability entries?"

The light screen quickly proved that Choi Jae's worries were unnecessary.

The results of the second and third fishing attempts were both ability entries, derived from zombie abilities.

[Type of this fishing harvest: Ability Entry]

[E-class Ability Entry: Keen Hearing]

[Entry Description: After humans are infected by the virus and turn into zombies, their vision, touch, smell, and taste all significantly deteriorate, but their hearing ability is greatly enhanced]

[Entry Effect: Within a fifty-meter range, any rustling of the wind or grass will not escape your ears]

[Entry Evaluation: Your earlobes won't become sensitive skin!]

[...Fishing...]

[Type of this fishing harvest: Talent Entry]

[E-class Talent Entry: Resilience]

[Entry Description: After humans are infected by the virus and turn into zombies, their motor skills are completely impaired, but their physical attributes are slightly enhanced, and their ability to resist negative states is improved to varying degrees]

[Entry Effect: 1. Your Durability attribute gains a 1-point E-class bonus; 2. Your tolerance for pain, fear, and hunger is significantly increased]

[Entry Evaluation: Zombies speaking human language!]

"Good grief—"

The third fishing attempt ended, and before Choi Jae could react, a tingling sensation like an electric shock instantly spread throughout his body. Before he could savor it for long, the tingling became increasingly intense and stimulating, eventually turning into a needle-like pain.

"Ouch—"

Choi Jae drew in a sharp breath, gritted his teeth, and sweat poured out of his body like a spring.

If it weren't for the muscle tearing aftereffects from the previous intense use of [Beast's Breath], he would have fainted from the pain by now!

Even so, Choi Jae was tormented to the point of unbearable pain by the sudden increase in his [Durability] attribute.

Fortunately, the intense pain didn't last long. When it dissipated, Choi Jae was drenched in sweat, as if he had just been fished out of the sea.

"Can't it be a painless upgrade?!"

Although he complained, the sparkle in Choi Jae's eyes showed that he was overall very excited and happy.

"[Keen Hearing], while it doesn't match [Beast's Breath: Spatial Perception] in terms of range, is a passive ability that doesn't consume any resources when used!"

"Talent Entry [Resilience], this might be the biggest gain from this fishing attempt! Although it doesn't enhance combat ability, it significantly improves daily and combat endurance!"

Looking at the two entries he had obtained, Choi Jae was even more eager for the result of the fourth fishing attempt!

"The Goddess of Fortune is smiling!"

Fourth fishing attempt!

Start!

[Type of this fishing harvest: Item]

[E-class Item: Tanjiro Kamado's Special Onigiri]

[Item Origin: Demon Slayer]

[Item Description: The onigiri made by Tanjiro Kamado for his sister, filled with the warmth and love of a brother]

[Item Effect: 1. Feeding any intelligent being younger or smaller than yourself will significantly reduce their hostility and increase their goodwill; 2. Satisfy hunger]

[Item Evaluation: This is not a child-capturing device!]

Choi Jae's smile hadn't fully bloomed when it was immediately extinguished by another onigiri from Uchiha Tanjiro.

"Truly a persistent and stubborn big brother!"