Little Family Treasure of the Apocalyptic Boss

Chapter 2- Bullying

After three days, the energy grid on the main interface finally reached its maximum capacity.

Ye Ze squinted his eyes. For the first time since his rebirth, he attempted to log in to the dimensional trader.

The next moment, Ye Ze appeared in an empty room.

He wasn’t surprised by the desolation here.

As soon as the never-before-seen login screen appeared, he had already speculated about his situation.

Ye Ze calmly opened the data panel and checked the consumption.

His originally high nine-digit points were all reset to zero; the purchased dimensional shop area was also confiscated, and the goods inside naturally disappeared without a trace.

However, his added friends from the previous life were still there, and his dimensional reputation score remained intact. Starting over this time would be easier than the last, within an acceptable range.

Or in other words, trading for another chance at life and still retaining the dimensional trader itself was quite a worthwhile deal.

Ye Ze opened his friends list and sent a message to Jiang Yi Chen.

This high-level cultivator from a higher cultivation dimension was an outstanding alchemist with whom he had done business in the past. Their similar personalities had led to a good friendship over time.

Considering his current situation, asking for help from Jiang Yi Chen was quite appropriate.

Jiang Yi Chen, upon learning about Ye Ze’s situation, did not hesitate and quickly sent him several bottles of high-quality healing and recuperation pills. He added an unexpected note at the end: “[No need to repay. See if there’s anything good to eat or play within the new world. I’ll use it to feed my rabbits.]”

Ye Ze: “An iceberg raising rabbits? Aren’t you afraid they’ll turn into rabbit ice cubes?”

Jiang Yi Chen: “…”

Jiang Yi Chen: “[Compilation of Rabbits’ Growth.jpg]”

Jiang Yi Chen: “[Rabbits Seeking Affection.jpg]”

Jiang Yi Chen: “[Rabbits…]”

He sent a series of pictures, much like a doting father showing off his children.

This time, Ye Ze, who was somewhat shaken, fell into silence. At the same time, he couldn’t help feeling a bit envious.

Such a warm daily life was probably the beauty he might never have again in his lifetime.

The end of the world really tested human nature.

The changes in his friends made Ye Ze’s distant expression soften a bit. When he opened the medicine bottle and saw the pills, he couldn’t help but smile.

He hadn’t been online for a while, but this guy had made significant progress. Looking at the quality of the pills, Jiang Yi Chen should have already reached the realm of a god-emperor.

He had suddenly incurred quite a large debt in terms of favors.

Ye Ze took out one of the pills and put it in his mouth. Immediately, he felt a warm medicinal power flowing through his body.

After closing his eyes for a while to recuperate, when he got up again, his heavily injured body had mostly recovered.

“Although I haven’t regained the peak power of a Ninth-Tier Esper, I can now at least use the strength of a Sixth or Seventh Tier. In this world, I should have the basic ability to protect myself.”

(T/N: Espers are ability users in apocalyptic setting)

Ye Ze rechecked his physical condition and muttered to himself, planning the direction for the future.

“With these pills, the follow-up recovery should be sufficient. I can consider going out for a stroll soon, gather resources from the new world, and re-operate the industries in the dimensional store. The central Dragon Palace City in this world seems like a very good choice.”

“However, before leaving, I need to prepare some supplies for the little snake sub-beast. It will also make life easier for the little snake sub-beast in the future.”

…

With strength regained, Ye Ze gradually let go of his worries. He carefully put away the medicine bottle and finally had time to observe his new room.

Once a comfortably luxurious sanctuary had become a thing of the past, just like his points. In the completely new starting room, aside from a fruit he had grown himself, it was empty.

Ye Ze looked at the bright red apple with its glistening luster and suddenly remembered the shy, blushing face of the little snake sub-beast. He couldn’t help but smile: “Since that’s the case, I’ll consider this my first little gift. The resources near the cave are relatively scarce, but the little snake sub-beast should like it.”

Without hesitation, Ye Ze held his current and only possession in his hand and exited the dimensional store.

Returning to the cave, Ye Ze found that the little snake sub-beast hadn’t returned yet. However, when he looked up at the sky outside, it was clear that the time for the little snake sub-beast’s outdoor activities had already passed.

The smile of the end-of-the-world overlord gradually faded. He furrowed his brows, revealing a piercing coldness.

He remembered the small, secretive actions of the little snake sub-beast when he left today. Rising from the stone bed, he walked down the mountain.

The plants in the mountain forest began to tremble.

The leaves and flowers bowed to him in reverence.

A faint rustling echoed in the forest.

The root systems beneath the earth communicated intensively, guiding the newcomer emperor towards the information he sought!

An Nuo was holding three straw dolls, waiting on the path that the young beastmen would inevitably pass through on their way to the training grounds.

It was the afternoon, the time when they returned home. Occasionally, groups of three or four beastmen walked past An Nuo, chatting and laughing.

An Nuo watched their lively demeanor, and a subtle envy flashed in his eyes. He tightened the straps of the straw bag even more and hid himself in a corner that wasn’t too conspicuous but could still be seen by the beastmen.

Some beastmen would simply ignore An Nuo, pretending not to see him as they walked by. Others would show a look of disgust, but because An Nuo had tactfully chosen a hiding spot, they wouldn’t make any overly aggressive moves.

An Nuo was being cautious, trying not to provoke the latter group.

After what felt like an extremely long and perilous wait for An Nuo, he finally saw his trading target approaching.

These young beastmen boys may not have reached adulthood yet, but their physique was already far from the slim and small build of sub-beastmen, exhibiting their tall and robust frames.

Hei Mang, alerted by his companions about An Nuo’s presence from a distance, briefly displayed a hint of surprise on his face. Then, a malicious grin curved from the corner of his mouth as he signaled several of his companions to come forward.

Seeing the evident disgust on their companions’ faces as they approached, Hei Mang chuckled and explained, “This kid might be a failed sub-beast, but you guys know about the handicrafts he makes, right? In the caravan, they can fetch prices nearly as good as magical beast crystals. Normally, he stays deep in the mountains, and we can’t easily get to him. But now he’s practically come to us. Don’t you want to take a look?”

Several beastmen clearly showed interest. After some hesitation, their greed for Beast God Stones overcame their aversion to An Nuo’s presence, and they followed Hei Mang forward.

As the tall figures approached, An Nuo instinctively shrank back. He hesitated momentarily, but before he could step back, he stopped himself.

Ye Ze was waiting for him in the cave.

He couldn’t retreat because of fear. Nuo Nuo was a brave little snake sub-beast!

An Nuo silently encouraged himself in his heart and politely greeted the beastmen, bowing his head.

Hei Mang, showing disdain in his eyes, casually gestured with his chin, “Let’s go. We’ll talk inside.”

An Nuo followed the direction and glanced briefly into the depths of the forest. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded under Hei Mang’s uncompromising gaze, “Alright.”

“I would like to exchange for some high-quality healing medicine. Do you happen to have any with you right now? If possible, I hope to obtain it today,” An Nuo gathered his courage and expressed his request, his heart beating wildly. He then anxiously looked at Hei Mang.

“Healing medicine, huh? Of course, I have it,” Hei Mang, looking down on An Nuo, took out a clamshell box from his fur pouch and casually shook it in his palm.

An Nuo’s golden eyes instantly lit up, and his gaze couldn’t help but follow the movement of the clamshell as he kept pace with the beastman’s steps.

Now, Hei Mang had ready-made healing medicine. Calculating the time, An Nuo thought he might be able to return home before dinner!

The delighted little snake sub-beast, however, didn’t notice the malicious glances the beastmen exchanged among themselves ahead.

The group continued onward. Their destination was the edge of a safe zone, a place rarely visited by others.

Here, even if something happened, no one would be able to find out.

Not to mention any accidents, let alone to an outcast sub-beast like him. No one would even bother.

Arriving at the desired location, Hei Mang’s contempt was no longer concealed. He reached out his hand without courtesy, “How much did you bring? Hand it over.”

“T-Th-Three. Please rest assured, these can definitely cover…” The sharp hostility made the snake sub-beast’s voice quieter, and the scales on his tail began to quiver slightly.

However, Hei Mang didn’t wait for the snake sub-beast to finish speaking at all. With a single stride, he approached the snake sub-beast and snatched the woven grass bag from his arms.

An Nuo was startled by Hei Mang’s sudden movement.

But thinking of his goal for today, he instinctively clutched the small bag in his arms.

“Troublesome.” It didn’t work the first time. Hei Mang clicked his tongue impatiently, swatted An Nuo aside, and with his other hand, snatched the grass bag.

The little snake sub-beast was thrown to the ground by the tremendous force. His tail and arm were both marked with small wounds, oozing tiny drops of blood. The impact on his shoulder, hit directly, instantly turned blue and purple, stark against his fair skin, emitting a restrained but subtle painful groan.

Nobody cared about all of this.

The four beastmen eagerly opened the grass bag and examined the woven grass dolls inside, revealing satisfied smiles.

The little snake sub-beast had finally recovered a bit. He covered the sore spots from the beating, finally unable to deceive himself any longer. Tears welled up in his eyes, but with surprising determination, he said, “My medicine. You haven’t given it to me yet.”

Hei Mang, as if he had heard something incredibly funny, burst into laughter while holding the clamshell box. He opened it to reveal an empty interior, tossing it in front of An Nuo like trash. He mockingly said, “Medicine? What are you even thinking, huh!” Hei Mang mocked An Nuo, “A degenerate sub-beast like you is still delusional about using high-grade medicine. Can you believe it, guys?”

“Yeah, right. If the other tribes found out we have a sub-beast who can’t even transform into a human form in our tribe, the entire tribe would be burdened by you and criticized by other tribes.”

“You’re the shame of this tribe, a disaster! How could you possibly deserve healing medicine?”

The surrounding beastmen immediately chimed in, laughing heartily. Their words were filled with disdain and disgust.

“But, this is what you promised me.”

He just wanted to buy some medicine to treat Ye Ze’s injuries when he returned. The woven grass dolls he had prepared far exceeded the value of a box of medicine.

He wasn’t asking for much.

An Nuo bit his lower lip, trying hard not to appear so disheveled. But tears sometimes had a mind of their own, flowing from his eyes uncontrollably.

“Hmph!” Hei Mang sneered, lifting his leg to step on An Nuo’s tail. Hearing An Nuo’s suppressed cries of pain, his expression grew even more arrogant, filled with a condescending attitude. “Do I have to fulfill my promises just because I made them to you? Does that mean I have to respond to promises I made to pigs and dogs as well?”

Whimper… No, Nuo Nuo was not a pig or a dog!

And why look down on pigs and dogs anyway? They’re cuter and more trustworthy than you. Many times over!

An Nuo was in pain and heartbroken. He curled up on the ground, trying to minimize the harm he was enduring.

When Ye Ze followed the clues provided by the plants and found An Nuo, he witnessed the scene of the obedient little snake sub-beast being mocked and bullied by four big guys.

A small, cowering figure on the damp, cold ground, weak and scared.

Suddenly, an unprecedented rage surged through his heart.

“What are you doing?” Ye Ze’s voice was colder than ever.