Han Feng raised an eyebrow. "I'm about to lose my patience. If you don't tell me now, I swear I'll pee right here on you!"
"Wait, no! I'll talk!"
The beach panicked and quickly spoke up. "There are no crabs around here, just a few clams."
"Where exactly?"
Han Feng's eyes lit up, gleaming like a hungry wolf spotting fresh prey.
The beach hesitated for a second before giving in. "Three meters straight ahead, one clam. Five meters to the left, two clams. Ten meters to the right, seven clams!"
Excitement surged through Han Feng. Without wasting a second, he strode forward three meters and began digging with his entrenching shovel.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
After a few strokes, he had dug a deep hole in the sand.
Yet, there was no sign of a clam.
Han Feng wasn't discouraged. He simply kept digging.
After a few more strokes, the entrenching shovel suddenly let out a wail.
"AHH! That hurts like hell!"
Han Feng blinked in confusion. "What's wrong, little shovel?"
The entrenching shovel whimpered, "Big bro, a d*mn clam just bit me! Help!"
Han Feng was speechless. "You're made of metal. How the hell can a clam bite you?"
"It's got a crazy strong bite! I swear, it hurts! Big bro, think of something!"
"Can't you just toughen up a little?" Han Feng scoffed, looking down at his shovel with disdain.
He lifted the tool and found a fist-sized clam stubbornly latched onto it.
Han Feng gave it a few shakes, but the clam wouldn't budge. His expression darkened.
"Listen up, little clam. I'm warning you—let go of my shovel right now, or else!"
The clam hesitated. "If I let go… will you spare me?"
Han Feng smirked. "I promise… I'll put you straight into a nice, hot pot."
The clam fell silent.
So that was his plan all along?!
"You leave me no choice!"
Realizing it was doomed, the clam clenched tighter.
Han Feng's patience snapped. He marched over to a large rock, raised the shovel, and slammed it down hard.
CRACK!
A sharp sound rang out.
The clam's tough shell cracked slightly from the impact.
"AAAHH!"
The clam shrieked and immediately let go.
"Big bro, hurry up and smash it! Get revenge for me!" the entrenching shovel yelled furiously.
"No need."
Han Feng chuckled.
"Why not?"
The entrenching shovel sounded confused.
Han Feng smirked. "I prefer my food fresh."
The clam: "..."
What kind of monster was this?!
Without wasting time, Han Feng returned to digging. Following the beach's guidance, he unearthed nine more clams, bringing his total to ten.
That was more than enough for dinner.
But Han Feng wasn't satisfied just yet.
Since he had the time, he might as well gather more. Even if he didn't eat them himself, they could be traded for other supplies.
"Hey, beach, got any more clams around here?" Han Feng asked.
The beach hesitated before answering. "No more clams… but there is an oyster on the reef."
Han Feng's eyes gleamed. "Where?"
Oysters were delicious. Bigger, meatier, and tastier than clams. He had to get it.
"Fifteen meters straight ahead, on a large reef," the beach replied.
Han Feng squinted and spotted the oyster.
It was enormous—at least thirty centimeters long—and firmly attached to the reef.
He grinned and strode forward.
The oyster immediately became wary. "Human, what do you want? You're not thinking of messing with me, are you?"
Han Feng chuckled. "You must be lonely sitting here all by yourself. Come with me, I'll take you somewhere nice."
The oyster snorted. "If I go with you, I'll end up in a boiling pot. Do I look stupid to you?"
"Alright, if you won't come willingly, I'll just have to take you by force."
A cold glint flashed in Han Feng's eyes.
The oyster sneered. "No offense, but you're not strong enough to handle me."
Han Feng's expression darkened.
A mere oyster dared to mock him?!
Unacceptable.
Han Feng's face twisted with fury as he gripped his entrenching shovel and attempted to pry the oyster off the rock.
But it was as if the d*mn thing was fused to the reef.
No matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't budge.
Han Feng refused to give up. He kept at it, sweat dripping from his brow.
Before long, the entrenching shovel started wailing again.
"Big bro, stop! You're gonna bend me out of shape! This isn't what I was made for!"
"You're useless!" Han Feng grumbled.
The oyster snickered. "Weren't you going to 'take me by force'? Go ahead, I'm waiting."
"You son of a—!"
Han Feng couldn't take it anymore. He raised his shovel and smashed it against the oyster with all his might.
BANG!
The impact sent the shovel flying out of his hands.
The oyster remained completely unharmed.
Its shell was tougher than solid rock.
"HAHAHAHA! Is that all you got?"
The oyster cackled mockingly.
The entrenching shovel groaned, "Big bro, this guy is too tough. Let's just give up."
Han Feng's face darkened. "Maybe you should be tougher instead. If you were just a little stronger, this would be over already!"
The entrenching shovel: "…"
Was he really blaming it for his own failure?
How shameless could a person be?!
Han Feng sighed, deciding to cut his losses.
But just as he was about to leave, he noticed something floating in the sea.
Three dark objects bobbed on the water's surface.
From a distance, they looked like metal chests.
Wait a minute…
Metal chests shouldn't float.
They should sink.
A realization struck Han Feng like lightning.
These must be treasure chests!
His heart pounded with excitement.
Every fiber of his being screamed at him to rush in and retrieve them.
But his rational mind quickly overruled his impulse.
This wasn't Earth's ocean.
There were unknown dangers lurking beneath the waves.
A single reckless move could mean instant death.
Still, the chests were right there.
So close, yet just out of reach.
He couldn't just give up on them.
There had to be a way.
Han Feng narrowed his eyes, his mind racing for a solution.
Suddenly, an idea hit him.
He turned and left the beach, heading toward a large tree.
Once there, he pulled out his entrenching shovel and started peeling away the bark.
Scrape, scrape, scrape…
One strip after another, the tree's outer layer was stripped away.
The tree shuddered. "Human! What are you doing?! I didn't do anything to you! Why are you hurting me?!"
Han Feng smiled apologetically. "Sorry, tree bro. I just need to borrow some of your bark. Don't worry, I'll return it later!"
The tree: "…"
Return it?
How the hell was that supposed to work?!
The tree trembled with rage. "A tree's bark is its skin! If you strip me bare, how am I supposed to live?!"
Han Feng rubbed his nose. "Relax. I'm only taking a little. You won't die."
"Maybe not, but it still hurts!" the tree protested. "You have to stop!"
Han Feng's smile vanished.
His expression turned cold.
"I am the ruler of this island," he declared. "Everything here belongs to me, including you. I do whatever I want. If you keep whining, I'll strip you completely naked!"