On the ice surface, the last mutated sea urchin monster was sliced in half.
The purple blood didn't even have time to spray before freezing into grotesque ice sculptures in the extreme cold.
Qin Yu flicked his wrist slightly.
The transparent fishing line emitted a crisp snapping sound in the air before instantly retracting into the SSS-grade fishing rod.
No bloodstains remained on it.
Because the fishing line was too fast - so fast that even blood couldn't catch up with its speed.
Standing amidst the mountain of corpses and sea of blood, Qin Yu let out a long breath of white air.
The white air condensed in the atmosphere, resembling two small white dragons.
"Hah..."
This battle had been satisfying.
Not only had he tested the defensive limits of the S-Rank Battle Suit, but he had also verified his combat capabilities on land (though it was ice surface).
It hadn't been as difficult as he'd imagined.
One could even say it was somewhat easy.
Qin Yu glanced down at the system panel on his wristband.
Dense kill notifications flooded the screen like a waterfall.
[Ding! Killed C-grade mutated sea urchin monster. Obtained C-grade sea urchin venom spines12, sea urchin roe50kg (premium ingredient).]
[Ding! Killed D-grade sharp-toothed fishman. Obtained D-grade fish skin5, sharp teeth20.]
[Ding! Detected host has completed "First Beast Tide Cleanup" achievement. Additional reward: S-grade lottery fragment*1.]
The corner of Qin Yu's mouth lifted slightly.
An S-grade fragment.
Collect three to synthesize one S-grade designated lottery draw.
This was the real prize.
As for the monster corpses, Qin Yu wasn't in a hurry to collect them.
Too demeaning.
Such rough work could be left to robots or new laborers in the future.
He turned and looked at the steel behemoth not far away.
The "President" remained quietly anchored there, like an unshakable Steel Fortress.
However.
Qin Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.
His gaze pierced through the wind and snow, settling on the bridge on the top level.
Despite the distance and the anti-spy coating.
He could still sense it.
Something interesting had just happened there.
"Some insects just can't help themselves in the end."
Qin Yu sneered coldly.
He put away his fishing rod and began walking toward the gangway at a leisurely pace.
His steps were steady.
Each footstep on the ice surface produced a crisp "crunch" sound.
Like the countdown of death.
...
In the bridge.
The air was filled with a nauseating smell.
It was the scent of charred human flesh, mixed with the stench of urine and blood.
Li Ruobing sat slumped on the floor beside the control panel, tightly clutching the blood-stained dagger.
Her wrist was badly swollen from where Wang Long had struck her with a steel pipe.
It hurt.
Excruciating pain.
But she didn't make a sound.
Her eyes were fixed intently on the doorway, her body trembling uncontrollably from blood loss and fear.
Not far from her feet.
Zhang Hu lay limp on the ground like a pile of mud.
All his earlier ferocity had vanished.
Now, snot and tears covered his face, his pants were soaked through, and he kept mumbling incoherently:
"Don't kill me... don't kill me..."
"I was a victim too..."
"Wang Long forced me into this..."
He was truly scared out of his wits.
Just moments ago.
He had witnessed Wang Long's head being instantly pierced by that blue light, bursting open like a rotten watermelon.
The visual impact was ten thousand times more intense than watching a horror movie.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Footsteps echoed from outside the door.
They were light.
But in the silent corridor, they struck like heavy hammers, pounding relentlessly against the hearts of the two men inside.
Zhang Hu's body stiffened abruptly.
He even held his breath.
He was here.
That god of death had returned.
Click.
The locked door was effortlessly opened from the outside.
Even without a key, a door like this was no obstacle to Qin Yu, given his current authority and methods.
The heavy blast-proof door slowly swung open.
A gust of icy wind, carrying the chill of snow, instantly swept into the room.
It dispersed some of the foul stench inside.
Qin Yu stepped in.
His black battle suit was spotless, without a single wrinkle.
If not for the recent slaughter, who would have guessed that this man had just butchered dozens of sea beasts on the ice?
He didn't even glance at Zhang Hu on the floor.
He stepped directly over Wang Long's corpse.
As if stepping over a bag of trash.
He walked to the control panel, glanced at the "Smart Brain Guard" still glowing red, and gave it a gentle pat.
"Well done."
The metal sphere seemed to understand, flashing blue twice before retracting and reverting to its unassuming decorative form.
Qin Yu turned around, leaning against the control panel.
He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one, and lit it.
Inhale—Exhale—
Pale blue smoke curled upward.
Through the haze, Qin Yu's indifferent eyes fell upon the two men on the floor.
"Who can explain to me."
"What is this filth on the floor?"
His voice was soft.
Devoid of any killing intent.
As casual as asking, "What's for dinner tonight?"
But to Zhang Hu's ears, it sounded like a verdict from the King of Hell.
"B-Boss!"
As if suddenly revived by a last surge of energy, Zhang Hu scrambled up on his hands and knees, kneeling and kowtowing frantically.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The floor shook with the force of his pounding.
"Spare me, Boss! It really wasn't my fault!"
"It was Wang Long! That bastard Wang Long!"
"He said he wanted to seize the ship! He said he wanted to kill you! I tried to stop him, but I couldn't beat him!"
"I was forced! He dragged me into this!"
"I've always been loyal to you, Boss! I've worked the hardest these past few days! You know that!"
Zhang Hu wailed, dumping all the blame onto the dead man.
After all, Wang Long was already dead.
Dead men tell no tales.
If he insisted he was coerced, there might still be a sliver of hope for survival.
Qin Yu didn't speak.
He simply watched the performance calmly.
His gaze was like that of someone observing a monkey putting on a show.
Only when Zhang Hu had kowtowed until his forehead was bleeding and his voice was hoarse did Qin Yu finally flick the ash from his cigarette.
He spoke softly:
"Finished?"
Zhang Hu froze for a moment, then nodded hurriedly.
"Y-Yes... I'm finished..."
"Boss, you have to believe me! I'm just a laborer—even if you gave me a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare betray you!"
Qin Yu smiled.
A cold smile.
He walked over to Zhang Hu, crouched down, and pinched the man's fleshy chin with two fingers, forcing him to look up.
"Zhang Hu."
"Do you think my ship isn't equipped with surveillance cameras?"
A single sentence.
It plunged Zhang Hu straight into the abyss.
Zhang Hu's pupils instantly dilated, the fat on his face trembling violently.
"Sur... surveillance cameras?"
Qin Yu released his grip, wiping his fingers disdainfully on Zhang Hu's clothes.
"Earlier outside, I was fishing while watching the live feed."
"The footage was quite clear."
"I saw someone holding a harpoon against Li Ruobing's neck."
"And heard someone say: 'Let's do it! Better to die than be slaves for life!'"
Qin Yu stood up, looking down at Zhang Hu's ashen face.
"Those were your words, weren't they?"
"Quite brave of you."
"Why are you begging to be a slave now?"
Zhang Hu completely collapsed.
The last shred of hope was mercilessly crushed by Qin Yu.
He knew.
It was over.
Everything was over.
"Boss... please give me another chance..."
"I... I can be your dog..."
"I can really be your dog! I'll bite whoever you tell me to!"
Zhang Hu was still making his final struggle.
He clung to Qin Yu's leg, smearing snot and tears all over his trousers.
Qin Yu frowned.
Such spineless trash wasn't worth keeping around.
"I don't need dogs."
"Besides, you're not even worthy of being my dog."
Qin Yu kicked Zhang Hu away.
He turned to look at Li Ruobing, who had remained silent all this time.
"Li Ruobing."
Li Ruobing shuddered, lifting her head with difficulty.
"Boss..."
Her voice was hoarse, thick with guilt.
"What do you think we should do with him?"
Qin Yu passed the decision to Li Ruobing.
It was a test.
And a pledge of loyalty.
Li Ruobing looked at the wailing fat man on the floor.
The hesitation in her eyes flashed briefly.
Then it was replaced by resolve.
She knew that in this post-apocalyptic world, mercy was cruelty to oneself.
If Wang Long hadn't triggered the defense system earlier.
If they had actually gained control of the artillery.
Qin Yu would be dead now.
And she would be the one thrown overboard as fish food.
"Kill him."
Li Ruobing spat out the word.
Cold.
Final.
Qin Yu nodded with satisfaction.
"Good."
"Since he came with you, you'll send him on his final journey."
Qin Yu pointed toward the door.
"Throw him overboard."
"The sea beasts below haven't had their fill yet."
"Don't let it go to waste."
Li Ruobing gritted her teeth, enduring the sharp pain in her wrist as she stood up.
She walked over to Zhang Hu.
Zhang Hu was still begging for mercy, but seeing the ice in Li Ruobing's eyes, he knew it was useless.
Fear turned to rage.
"You bitch! You'll die a horrible death!"
"I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"
Zhang Hu suddenly lunged, trying to bite Li Ruobing's leg.
"Thud!"
Li Ruobing's dagger plunged into Zhang Hu's thigh without hesitation.
"Ahhh!!"
Screams echoed through the bridge.
Li Ruobing showed no mercy, grabbing Zhang Hu by the collar and dragging him out like a dead dog.
Zhang Hu struggled desperately, but between the excruciating pain and terror, his bulky frame was useless.
She dragged him along.
Leaving a long trail of blood.
Reaching the edge of the deck.
The wind and snow howled outside.
Beyond the railing lay the dark seawater, where several lower-tier sea beasts still fought over remnants on the ice.
"Go down."
Li Ruobing panted heavily, her eyes showing no emotion.
"No—!!!"
"Ruo Bing! For the sake of our school ties..."
"To hell with your school ties!"
Li Ruobing shoved with all her might.
Zhang Hu's obese body traced a parabolic arc before plummeting into the darkness.
"Ah—"
His scream was abruptly cut off mid-air.
Followed by.
A dull splash.
"Plop!"
Then came the grating sound of chewing, accompanied by the excited roars of sea beasts.
Violent splashes erupted on the water's surface before quickly calming down.
Only a dark red stain of blood slowly spread through the black seawater.
Li Ruobing clutched the railing desperately.
Staring down at the abyss that had devoured everything.
Tears finally streamed down her face.
The survivor.
Was Li Ruobing, a crew member of the President.