Matrix Survival: One random treasure chest per day

Chapter 435. A glass of wine, with a dish of cephalosporin. (4,000 words)
The dark red hand braced against the edge of the portal and exerted a little force, causing the portal to expand by a size, from which emerged a two-story-tall monster with ram horns on its head, dark red skin, and an ugly appearance.

[Abyssal Flame Demon]

Li Zheng looked down from the air, not making any rash moves. He felt a sense of pressure from the Flame Demon.

His strength might not be much weaker than his, and he is very likely at the Star-level!
Squeak~

The tavern's main entrance emitted a teeth-grinding sound as the fire demon swayed, shrank to a height that allowed it to pass through, and entered.

In a daze, Li Zheng seemed to see the Flame Demon raise its head slightly and glance in his direction.

"This dungeon is a bit strange. It starts with a Star-level boss?" Li Zheng pondered for a moment, then flew back to the entrance instead of going down. He found Ye Kai and asked, "Have you researched translation-type items?"

"We've researched it, but it's too complicated; we couldn't develop it." Ye Kai opened the door to the mecha's cockpit. "What do you need the translation tool for?"

Li Zheng didn't hide anything and recounted what he had just seen: "I suspect that this instance might not be about combat, but some other gameplay element. Otherwise, with only a Star-level character starting out, other players in teams wouldn't stand a chance!"

"And... that last look it gave me made me feel like it was intelligent. If I had a translation tool, maybe I could communicate with it and find out how to get here."

"A non-combat-based dungeon?" Ye Kai muttered to himself. "Although I haven't been able to develop any translation-related items, here you go. Remember to return it after you're done."

As he spoke, Ye Kai pulled out a prop that looked like a miniature earphone. Li Zheng looked at the thing and felt that it looked very familiar.

"This is……!"

“That’s right!” Ye Kai laughed. “Although I haven’t figured it out yet, I can buy it! It was originally intended as a sample for research, so you can take it and use it first.”

"Is this the only one?" Li Zheng took the earphone, glanced at its attributes, and put it on.

Instant Translation Device

Rank: None
Type: special props

Description: This is a great invention that has solved the problem of countless races being unable to communicate freely!

Features: It has 1,398 built-in languages ​​of different races, which can perform face-to-face real-time translation. The built-in sound card can automatically adjust the language you speak to the target language.

Old Pu: I have to admit, as someone with eyes and ears, there are things I really can't do.

It has amazing attributes, and its value is definitely comparable to a Star-level item!
Ye Kai probably spent a lot of resources trading this item with a special merchant.

"How many more do you want? Do you know how expensive this one pair of headphones is?" Ye Kai held up three fingers. "To trade for it, my sister, Chu Xiao, and I emptied our house just to barely afford it! The three of us were extremely careful during those two days of exploration, afraid of making a mistake!"

"Actually, I've always wanted to buy one, but I never had the chance." Li Zheng opened the translator, searched for Abyss Language, and selected to switch to it.

"Then I thought about it, since those special businessmen almost always know how to use language from other people's minds, buying this stuff is practically a waste."

After Li Zheng finished adjusting the settings, he found that everyone else was looking at him with blank expressions: "What are you looking at... Oh, I forgot that I switched to Abyss Language."

Li Zheng took off his headphones and said to the group, "Find a place to hide nearby. We can't rule out the possibility that those abyssal creatures will come out to patrol. If you run into them, the four of you might not be a match for them."

"Lu Li, you have good eyesight, so be vigilant. If you have any questions, remember to message me privately."

Li Zheng quickly made arrangements for the others and entrusted the sleeping Sakura to their care. Then, he put on the translator again, spread his wings, and flew back to the tavern.

During the flight, Li Zheng felt uneasy, constantly sensing that something might happen.

After thinking for a moment, he conjured up the lantern-bearer and illuminated the surroundings, eventually revealing a hidden abyss in a corner.

"Heh, I knew I had a bad feeling. Turns out there were spies planted outside." Li Zheng sneered, put away the lantern that had become even brighter, and focused his mental energy into a line to scan the area.

This time, after confirming that the surroundings were clean, Li Zheng flew back to the tavern.

At this moment, more and more portals appeared outside the tavern, numbering in the hundreds, from which all sorts of abyssal creatures emerged, each exuding a powerful aura.

As Li Zheng approached, he felt a chill run down his spine upon the brief contact. He quickly lowered his altitude and landed on the ground, hastily changing into a cloak from the trading hall to conceal his appearance. Grabbing the Bloodthirsty Demon Blade, he mingled into the monster horde.

"Raging, bloodthirsty, you little guy up ahead, are you a member of the Power Demon Clan?"

After walking a few steps, Li Zheng was locked onto by an aura from behind, confirming that it was someone speaking to him.

He paused, turned his head slightly, and saw a monster with a wild boar's head, baring messy, sharp teeth.

[Abyss Pig Demon]

"none of your business?"

Li Zheng, his voice rough and irritable, said, "Looking for a beating?"

"Hahaha! A personality like this, apart from the Power Demon Clan, you won't find another like it in the entire Abyss." The Pig Demon laughed instead of getting angry, opening his huge mouth and spewing out a strange stench. "Boy, your aura isn't pure; you must have just come of age recently, right?"

"Is this your first time participating in a boxing tournament?" The pig demon scratched himself. "On the days when the boxing tournament is held at the Succubus Tavern, you're not allowed to fight anywhere else except in the ring. You'd better tone down your arrogance, or you'll suffer!"

"Shut up!" Li Zheng snapped. "You should be glad today is the day of the boxing tournament, otherwise you'd be a dead pig by now."

The Berserker Demon race is naturally unruly and acts like a fool to everyone. The Abyss Boar Demon didn't care and bypassed Li Zheng to enter the Succubus Tavern first.

Li Zheng stopped at the entrance of the Succubus Tavern and looked inside.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that there were many others dressed similarly to him, each wearing a cloak and walking around.

The abyssal boar entered the tavern, paused briefly in front of a three-headed monster dog, then took something from the next counter before venturing deeper into the tavern.

Cerberus

The famous creatures from my old fantasy novels are here!
However, the legendary Cerberus, who is said to guard the gates of hell, is now lying at the entrance of the Succubus Tavern. He looks like a security guard or... security checkpoint?

Li Zheng gripped the demonic blade tightly and slowly walked into the tavern, pausing briefly in front of the three-headed dog, mimicking its actions.

One of the three-headed dogs suddenly sniffed the air, looked up at Li Zheng, and a strange, almost human-like smile appeared on its lips.

"First time here?"

The three-headed dog spoke in human language: "The scent is unfamiliar. Has a new race emerged in the abyss?"

"Ah."

Li Zheng nodded without saying anything more, but tightened his grip on the knife.

"Go in. Those who want to box, go to the basement level. Those who want to relax, go to the counter and get a number."

After the three-headed dog finished speaking, it lay down again, its eyelids drooping, and ignored Li Zheng.

Li Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the counter.

Behind the counter sat a woman with striking beauty, curved ram's horns on her head, and a pair of dragon-like wings on her back.

[Abyss Succubus]

"Distinguished guest, please proceed to the basement level to participate in the boxing match. For betting on the boxing match, please present your identification and proof of assets." The succubus was very polite, smiling and charming, her eyes exuding indescribable allure.

The light, airy words stirred Li Zheng's heart, almost causing him to lose control. Suppressing his lustful thoughts, Li Zheng nodded, walked past the counter, and saw a staircase leading to the basement on his left.

Just then, a dark blue gargoyle flew down from the second floor and whispered something to the three-headed dog.

Although Li Zheng didn't hear the conversation clearly, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the three-headed dog glanced at him seemingly unintentionally, the curve of its mouth becoming increasingly eerie.

After a moment's thought, Li Zheng realized that his identity had most likely been exposed, including the fact that the abyssal creatures in the tavern knew everything about him killing an abyssal walker outside.

The three-headed dog waved its paw, signaling the gargoyle to retreat, then lay down at the doorway and did not react further.

Didn't he expose himself?

Li Zheng was slightly surprised, wondering what the three-headed dog was up to.

However, since the other party doesn't care, there's no need for me to interfere. The most important thing is to figure out how to clear this dungeon first.

As you descend the stairs, the bright lights are gradually replaced by the dim, yellowish light of the oil lamps on the walls.

Li Zheng glanced at the staircase and felt that the architectural style here was somewhat familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

"newcomer?"

The sudden, rough sound interrupted his thoughts. Li Zheng turned around and saw that he had arrived at the first basement level.

There was a table next to the stairs, and behind it sat a [Abyssal Goat's Hoof Demon].

The goat-hoofed demon tapped the parchment on the table and said coldly, "Come and register!"

Another Star-level player. This dungeon is too dangerous. If we had followed our usual approach, we probably would have been wiped out long ago.

Li Zheng did not hesitate and walked up to them.

"Name?"

"The one who holds the lamp."

"Competition level?"

"How are the competition levels divided?" Li Zheng asked.

"The lowest level is extraordinary, the highest is king," the Sheep Demon explained briefly.

"Then let's make it extraordinary," Li Zheng said casually.

"Transcendent?" The Sheep Demon revealed a half-smile. "The final rewards of the Boxing Tournament are determined by the level of participation. Are you sure you want to participate in the Transcendent level?"

Are there any rewards?

Li Zheng's eyes lit up, and he secretly handed a diamond-grade power core to Yang Mo.

The Sheep Demon put away its power core and remained silent.

Li Zheng understood, gritted his teeth and gave out another one: "I'm short on cash, that's all I have."

The Sheep Demon nodded in satisfaction and whispered, "For this boxing tournament, the Flame Demon King, together with the Succubus King and the Destruction King, have all offered prizes of corresponding tiers. The prize for the Extraordinary-level boxing tournament is ten Extraordinary Flame Demon Cores, the prize for the Star-level boxing tournament is a Succubus Servant with extremely high growth potential, and the prize for the King-level boxing tournament is the Destruction Black Dragon Spear, a weapon once used by the Destruction King."

"Your strength is not weak. I suggest you participate in the Star-level boxing tournament. The prize... In the Abyss, who wouldn't want a succubus as a servant?" The goat demon's face showed a knowing smile.

Succubus!

Li Zheng recalled Sakura's five evolution paths, one of which led to the Succubus Queen. He had previously regretted not being able to see the details of each evolution path, but here he actually had the chance to get a Succubus as a pet!

Li Zheng thought for a moment and asked Yang Mo, "Who are the participants in the King-level boxing match?"

Sheep Demon wanted to tease Li Zheng a little longer, but seeing that he really couldn't come up with anything, he stroked his beard and said, "Don't even think about that level of competition. With your current strength, you'd be beaten to a pulp if you went on stage."

It looked around, leaned forward, and lowered its voice to say, "Moreover, most of those who came to participate in this boxing tournament are here for that Black Dragon Spear. Many Star-level demons have participated in the King-level boxing tournament, so the Star-level boxing tournament is actually quite safe!"

Li Zheng understood. After listening to the information it provided, he secretly took out another platinum-grade power core and quietly handed it over: "Thank you, brother."

Putting away the Platinum Core, the Sheep Demon's interest seemed to suddenly wane. Knowing he couldn't get any more benefits from Li Zheng, he sat up straight and said, "Then I'll sign you up for the Star-level boxing tournament. Remember, you can use any means necessary in the tournament, so be careful."

It's different when you receive benefits; even your advice becomes heartfelt.

Li Zheng nodded and took the wooden plaque handed to him by the Sheep Demon. It had something written on it in Abyssal script.

I'm guessing it's a boxing match level and identification number.

"Take this sign and go to the second room over there to prepare. Don't go to the wrong room, or you might accidentally enter a King-level room and get killed on the spot. You can't blame anyone else for that." The Sheep Demon pointed to several doors embedded in the walls made of gray stone in the distance.

"The Star-level boxing match will take place after the Extraordinary-level match, so you'll have to wait a while. In the meantime, you can go to the bar over there to relax and have a drink. Besides the regularly held boxing matches, the Succubus Tavern also serves some pretty good Soul-Stealing and Bone-Corroding drinks. Since you're a Star-level boxer, you can have three drinks for free."

"If you don't want to drink, that's fine too. There are special stands for boxers on the second floor. With your ID card from earlier, a waiter will take you to the corresponding stand to watch the boxing match."

"Go ahead, I hope to see you again at the next boxing tournament. By then, you should be able to participate in the champion-level boxing matches."

The Sheep Demon's last words were quite meaningful, and seemed to contain some hidden meaning.

Li Zheng remained silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and turned to walk towards the bar.

Although he doesn't like drinking, he figured he might as well drink the three free drinks.

And you can also take the opportunity to sample special drinks that may not be available in the Matrix, so why not?

The bar area was quite empty, with only two hot, beautiful, and worldly succubi waiting there. As for the customers, they had probably all gone upstairs to watch the boxing match. There were only two or three figures sitting around the bar, far apart from each other.

"Please show your ID card."

A succubus said to Li Zheng with a professional smile.

Before even taking a sip of his drink, Li Zheng felt an intoxicating pleasure just from the sound.

He took out the sign and handed it over, but the succubus didn't take it. She just glanced at it and then smiled, "You're a Star-level fighter, so you can have three drinks for free. Do you have a favorite? If this is your first time here, I suggest you try our tavern's signature drink. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Li Zheng pulled over a stool and sat down close to the bar, saying in a deep voice, "Give me a glass of Soul-Stealing Delight, and a dish of cephalosporin!"

"Okay, one cup of intoxicating pleasure, and a dish of... uh???"

The succubus responded habitually, then realized what was happening and stared at Li Zheng in astonishment.

Damn, what is cephalosporin?
How come I've never heard of it?

Is it some kind of new species of fungus?
This chapter is from yesterday. I fell asleep while writing. I'll continue writing today's update later. My goal is at least 6,000 words, with a maximum of 12,000.

Wish me luck in writing without getting stuck!

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(End of this chapter)