26 Upgraded Frying Pan

Shaun turned and headed downstairs. He arrived at the side of the mutated ant queen and the soldier ants, whose flesh had been mostly consumed by now.

"Ding! Successful collection, obtained the mandible of the mutated soldier ant!"

"Ding! Successful collection, obtained the crystal nucleus of the mutated ant queen!"

...

Shaun hadn't expected to actually collect a crystal nucleus!

"Mutated Soldier Ant's Mandible: Material from a first-tier mutated creature, extremely sturdy, can be used to forge weapons or armor!"

"Crystal Nucleus: Formed by creatures of second tier and above, versatile in use, currently usable as an auxiliary material for crafting, enhances crafting effects!"

Shaun was surprised, realizing that the crystal nucleus could only be formed by creatures of at least the second tier. He had just ascended to the second tier as an elite zombie, and his body contained one too. He touched his abdomen, wondering if it was like a gallstone.

Once the system finished collecting materials, it stored them in a dedicated crafting space. The materials didn't take up his backpack space, which was quite user-friendly.

With a thought, the crafting option appeared in his mind alongside the host information, tasks, and backpack.

"Ding! Please add materials, Host!"

Three large frames appeared in his mind. The first two were empty, while the third had a "+" symbol, indicating the possibility of fusing multiple materials for crafting. Above the large frames, there was a small frame specifically for placing the crystal nucleus. Below were the materials he currently possessed: a black mandible, a white diamond-shaped object, and even a concave frying pan.

He placed both the black mandible and the white diamond-shaped object in the frames. Finally, he also added the concave frying pan. The model selected the frying pan, and the crafting process began. A flash of light later, a new frying pan had been created, appearing in his backpack.

Shaun took it out and noticed that the frying pan had doubled in size. It was entirely black now, its material completely transformed due to being reinforced with materials from two mutated creatures. Was this an upgraded frying pan?

Shaun evaluated it and found it to be quite comfortable to wield. Could it be that the frying pan was his signature weapon?

Now holding the frying pan, he felt like he could easily crush the head of a mutated rat with it. He put the frying pan back into his backpack, feeling a surge of battle intent.

Shaun returned to the location of the mutated green mosquito, intending to collect from it. However, he was dumbfounded when he arrived – not a trace of it remained, not even a single hair!

With no other choice, he continued forward, still avoiding the commercial area. Third-tier mutated creatures were beyond his current capabilities. Hunting first and second-tier mutated creatures for evolution seemed to be the most practical approach.

He continued to follow this street, activating the Insightful Eye periodically for observation. Based on his experience, he estimated the maximum range of the Insightful Eye to be around a kilometer. As long as he didn't encounter creatures with extremely abnormal speed, his safety was assured.

With the stout and lean zombies leading the way, he followed behind sneakily. He quickly finished traversing this street and reached the east side of the commercial area, which was once bustling as well.

Suddenly, Shaun's figure froze, standing still in his tracks.

Huh?

In his field of vision, a massive red silhouette floated in mid-air.

Name: Mutated Poison Spider.

Tier: Second Tier.

Innate Ability: Rapid Crawling.

Skills: Neurotoxin, Silk Restraint.

It was a second-tier mutated creature, but not as insane as the orange cat.

Looking ahead, Shaun saw a restaurant. The restaurant only had one floor, but the mutated poison spider was suspended in the air, likely crawling on the ceiling. If any human survivors were to search for food, they would be constantly watched by this enormous spider from above, creating a horrifying scene.

Shaun didn't rush forward. A second-tier mutated creature was on par with him, and his combat ability wasn't outstanding. According to his estimation, the odds of three zombies defeating one second-tier mutated creature were probably only around 80%.

He couldn't take such risks lightly!

Nearby, he found two machetes next to a large supermarket. Their blades were incredibly sharp, meticulously polished. It seemed survivors had come here, but unfortunately, they got infected and dropped their weapons.

The stout and lean zombies held the machetes, and with the enhanced Heavy Strike skill, they posed a significant threat to the second-tier mutated creature. Shaun also found some alcohol and lighters, storing them in his backpack to counter the spider's silk.

The once-bustling restaurant was now desolate, with shattered glass doors strewn about. The stout zombie activated its Hardened Skin, taking the lead. Wearing a suit and wielding a machete, it exuded a powerful aura. Although the obese zombie had lost an arm and wobbled as it walked, it didn't affect its suave demeanor.

However, the mutated poison spider showed no reaction to the zombies. Its various-sized eyes moved around, and the presence of lower-tier zombies in front of it made it completely uninterested in hunting.

Both sides awkwardly stared at each other. The spider clung to the ceiling, while the zombies couldn't attack.

Shaun, puzzled by the lack of movement, used Mind Control to take control of the stout zombie's body. Looking up, he saw the mutated poison spider on the ceiling.

Its body was over a meter in length, with eight legs measuring more than three meters, predominantly red and black. Its mouth trembled slightly, sending shivers down one's spine.

Sensing the absurd atmosphere, Shaun inwardly cursed both sides as idiots. He threw the machete in his hand, the accuracy lacking, and it merely grazed the spider's massive leg. Nevertheless, it infuriated the mutated poison spider, and it emitted an eerie hiss.

It immediately lunged downward, knocking the obese zombie to the ground. Shaun ordered the two zombies to restrain it while he returned to consciousness, wielding a massive frying pan, and boldly approached.

The obese zombie was now in a precarious situation. Although its Hardened Skin had been reinforced, it still couldn't defend against the mutated poison spider's attacks. Its venomous fangs pierced into the zombie's body, injecting neurotoxins.

Meanwhile, several of the spider's eyes were fixed on Shaun, its excitement conveyed through its movements, as if it longed to devour the zombie before it.

Its eight legs twitched, ready to strike again.

However, the obese zombie beneath it used both arms and legs to tightly embrace it.

The neurotoxin had lost its effect?

The mutated poison spider's small eyes were filled with puzzlement.

The zombie's Devastating Nerves talent was its nemesis!

Yet, Shaun wasn't going to give it time to figure that out. Wielding the massive frying pan, his aura was overpowering.

Heavy Strike!

A tremendous force surged within him, and he struck forcefully.

Bang!

A sound echoed out. The mutated poison spider's eyes immediately displayed a stunned expression, its head buzzing.