"No need to get cocky—I'll show you how I deal with you!" Han Feng snapped, his voice edged with a cold bite.
"Come on, then! Hurry up and take me down!" the oyster taunted, its arrogance swelling by the second.
"Just you wait!" Han Feng shot back with a venomous glare before turning on his heel and storming off.
Sure, he'd hit Level 3, but even that wasn't enough to crack the oyster's rock-hard shell. If he couldn't break through, he couldn't touch it. Brute force was out—so brains it would be.
"Haha! Coward!" the oyster jeered, assuming Han Feng was backing down. Its mocking laughter echoed across the beach.
Han Feng didn't bother responding. Instead, he picked up his pace, making a beeline for his shelter.
"Big bro, if you can't handle that thing, don't act all tough. This whole scene's making me feel secondhand embarrassment!" the engineer's shovel grumbled.
"What do you know? Who says I can't handle it?" Han Feng shot the shovel a withering look.
"So, what's your plan?" the shovel asked, curiosity piqued.
A sinister grin crept onto Han Feng's face. "Same old trick—outsmart it."
The shovel fell silent, processing. Another sneaky move, huh?
Back at the shelter, Han Feng snatched up his magnifying glass and retraced his steps. Along the way, he gathered a small bundle of straw. Soon enough, he was standing in front of the oyster again. Without a word, he dumped the straw right on top of it.
The shovel finally caught on. Han Feng was going to roast the d*mn thing alive!
"Human, what's with piling straw on me? Trying to tuck me in for a nap?" the oyster mocked, oblivious to the danger.
"You'll find out soon enough," Han Feng replied with a sly chuckle. He lifted the magnifying glass, angling it just right until a pinpoint of light landed on the straw. After a few seconds, a wisp of white smoke curled up from the spot. With a gentle puff of breath, a tiny flame sparked to life, quickly spreading to engulf the surrounding straw. In no time, a roaring fire blazed, the heat spiking sharply.
"Argh!" Under the searing flames, the oyster let out a panicked scream. "Human, put it out quick—I'm getting cooked alive!"
"What do you think this is for? I lit the fire to burn you to a crisp!" Han Feng said, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.
"I was wrong, okay? I won't gloat anymore, won't mock you—please, just let me off this once!" the oyster wailed, practically sobbing.
Han Feng rubbed his nose, his tone calm but ruthless. "You're overthinking it. Even if you didn't mock me, I wouldn't let you go. Your meat's too delicious—I've been craving your body for a long time."
The oyster froze, then erupted in fury. "You filthy human! I hope you rot—I curse you!"
Han Feng's eyes darkened. He blew on the fire again, stoking the flames higher.
"Argh!" The oyster's shrieks grew more desperate, piercing the air.
"The louder you scream, the more excited I get," Han Feng said with a dark chuckle.
The beach itself muttered in disbelief. "Human, you're brutal."
Han Feng snorted. "You've got to be ruthless to survive. It came at me first—its death's on its own head."
"But didn't you just say you wanted to kill it because you were craving its body?" the beach pointed out.
Han Feng faltered for a second, then coughed awkwardly. "What, I can't come up with an excuse?"
The beach had no comeback for that.
The shovel chimed in, "That's my big bro for you—always playing dirty, cold as ice! Stick around him long enough, and you'll get used to it. Nothing to fuss over!"
"I'm an upright guy—how dare you make me sound that shady?" Han Feng growled, teeth clenched.
"Big bro, I was just hyping you up! Maybe I worded it wrong—don't take it personally!" the shovel backpedaled hastily.
"Talk less from now on. Better yet, play mute," Han Feng huffed, shifting his focus back to the oyster.
The flames had done their work. The oyster's cries had stopped, and its tightly shut shell had cracked open, revealing tender, juicy flesh inside. A mouthwatering aroma wafted up, teasing his senses. Han Feng licked his lips, pried the shell apart, and dug into the succulent meat with relish. Fresh ingredients like this needed no fancy prep—just fire to unlock their full flavor. He savored every bite, lost in the sheer deliciousness. When he was done, he wiped his mouth with a satisfied sigh, picked up the empty shell, and headed off.
"Big bro, what's with the shell?" the shovel asked, puzzled.
Han Feng grinned. "Taking it back to use as a plate."
The oyster's shell was sturdy and spacious—perfect for holding food. Waste not, want not.
Crossing a stretch of rocky reefs, Han Feng arrived at another beach, twice the size of the last one. This place was anything but peaceful. Two blue-green crabs—the same ones he'd met yesterday—were cornered by a dozen red crabs, likely the red pine crabs the sand had mentioned. Han Feng crouched behind a patch of tall grass, keeping out of sight.
"Didn't you say you'd save those crabs? Why aren't you jumping in?" the shovel whispered.
Han Feng's eyes glinted with calculation. "Not yet."
The blue crabs were locked in a tense standoff with the red pine crabs. The timing wasn't right. He'd wait until they started fighting—until the blue crabs were in real danger. Then he'd swoop in, play the hero, and earn their undying gratitude. After that, they'd be his to command.
"So, when are you making your move?" the shovel pressed.
"Why so many questions?" Han Feng snapped, annoyed by the chatter. "Mute the shovel," he muttered under his breath.
The shovel's voice cut out, and blissful silence settled in.
On the beach, the male blue crab glared at the encircling red pine crabs. "What's your game? Why're you boxing us in?" he demanded.
The red pine crab leader leered, a creepy grin spreading across its face. "Your wife's a looker, huh? Me and the boys have been feeling lonely lately. Lend her to us for a couple days—we'll give her back when we're done!"
"Even crabs are this sleazy? This world's gone nuts," Han Feng mused, stroking his chin.
"Shameless!" the female blue crab spat.
The red pine leader shrugged, unfazed. "Stick around—you'll see shameless real soon."
"Bastards!" The male blue crab roared, his patience snapping. "Touch my wife, and I swear I'll tear every last one of you apart!"
"Big talk for a little guy!" the leader sneered, then barked at its crew, "Boys, don't just stand there—take him out!"
With a chaotic rush, the red pine crabs swarmed forward. The fight was on.
Han Feng watched from his hiding spot, adrenaline simmering. The blue crabs were scrappy, but outnumbered. He'd bide his time, let the red pine crabs wear them down. Then, when the moment was ripe, he'd step in—shovel swinging, plan in motion. Those blue crabs would owe him big, and he'd cash in that favor when the time came. For now, he stayed low, eyes sharp, waiting for his cue.
The clash unfolded fast. Claws snapped, sand flew, and the air filled with the clatter of shells. The male blue crab lunged at a red pine crab, pinning it down, while the female darted side to side, fending off two more. The red pine leader hung back, barking orders, its smug grin never fading. Han Feng's grip tightened on the shovel. Soon, he thought. Very soon.