Chapter 147: What, Can Toads Eat Too?
"The government says that catching crocodiles can earn you solar panels?"
Today, after returning from work, Liang Xiu told Meng Ci about the official notice, which was recruiting capable individuals to kill fierce beasts in exchange for food and solar panels.
When Meng Ci heard about the solar panels, his heart stirred.
After all, he needed an excuse to take out the solar panels stored in the space.
If he didn't find a way, the sudden appearance of extra solar panels might raise suspicion.
Now that the government had provided a reason, Meng Ci naturally wanted to try his luck.
Liang Xiu nodded, "That's right."
"Do you want to hunt fierce beasts to earn solar panels?"
"Yes," Meng Ci replied.
Liang Xiu thought about the current temperature outside, which was around twenty degrees, but with the sky obscured by various clouds, the sun wasn't visible.
Even if they got solar panels, they wouldn't be very useful.
Liang Xiu was puzzled.
Meng Ci explained, "I see the temperature rising quickly. If it continues at this rate, it might reach forty degrees or more in less than half a month."
"The government's inclusion of solar panels in their rewards suggests they know something in advance."
"If we can kill a crocodile, we can get some solar panels and other items; it won't be a loss."
Liang Xiu found Meng Ci's reasoning sound.
"However, those crocodiles are elusive, and some are over five meters long."
"Someone even saw a crocodile over ten meters long, which would be difficult to fight."
Liang Xiu worked in the security team, though he only handled information registration, he still heard a lot of news from others.
Shen Que also chimed in, "It is indeed challenging."
"Moreover, the skin of these crocodiles is even harder than that of tigers or lions."
"Common weapons are hardly effective."
In his previous life, Shen Que had already joined the security team and become a soldier.
He had participated in several operations led by the military to kill crocodiles.
However, they used firearms, which required a lot of manpower and ammunition.
As for ordinary people, they could at most catch some water snakes.
Hearing this, Meng Ci fell into deep thought.
That night, Meng Ci took Shen Que into the space to show him the weapons stored there, to see if any were suitable for killing crocodiles.
In the end, Shen Que chose three compound bows and the corresponding arrows.
Compound bows are quite heavy, making them difficult for beginners to handle.
But Meng Ci and Shen Que had undergone various training and had fought many times, so they could easily manage them.
The only concern was whether Liang Xiu, who had been sitting in an office for a long time, would find it hard to draw the bow.
"Liang Uncle, you can try it first."
"If you can't draw it, we can switch to another weapon."
Before Meng Ci could finish his reassuring words, he saw Liang Xiu pick up a compound bow, load an arrow, and easily draw it back, aiming at a tree in the yard.
Meng Ci had previously had the drainage system in the villa's courtyard improved, so the melted snow and ice from the house had already been drained away.
"Liang Uncle, how can you draw it so easily?"
Meng Ci was surprised. From his appearance, Liang Xiu seemed slender, but perhaps he was one of those people who look slim in clothes but have a well-built body underneath?
Meng Ci looked Liang Xiu up and down, unable to resist imagining what he would look like without his clothes.
Shen Que, who had spent a lot of time with Meng Ci, could tell what he was thinking just by looking at his eyes, and felt a pang of jealousy.
However, he didn't show it and instead picked up a compound bow and drew it back with a swoosh.
Meng Ci wasn't surprised that Shen Que could draw the compound bow, so his reaction was mild.
Seeing this, Shen Que felt even more jealous.
Liang Xiu paid no attention to the sudden burst of jealousy from Shen Que and spoke arrogantly.
"A mere compound bow, why should I struggle to draw it?"
Whether before or after the apocalypse, although Liang Xiu worked at a desk, he always paid attention to his health, spending at least an hour in the gym every day, regardless of morning or evening.
Even after the apocalypse, Liang Xiu didn't give up on exercising. When he saw the fitness equipment in the house, he continued to exercise regularly.
Moreover, he noticed a bicycle connected to a generator, which could produce electricity.
So, for lighting and daily use, Liang Xiu would often ride the bike to generate power.
Thus, Liang Xiu's physical condition was naturally not bad.
Although all three could pull a compound bow, they had never practiced before and were afraid of poor accuracy, which would waste arrows.
Therefore, the group did not rush to hunt the crocodiles but practiced at home for two days before setting out with two speedboats.
On the way down the mountain, there were still soldiers guarding, but with a pass, entering and exiting was not troublesome.
Driving the speedboats all the way, they arrived at the city center, where many people had already gathered.
There used to be a river here, and before the apocalypse, it only had some small fish and shrimp; there were no dangerous creatures like crocodiles.
It was likely that during the heavy rain period, they came from upstream.
These creatures survived the heavy rain, acid rain, and blizzards, and began to mutate.
However, these things were now just large in size and not poisonous.
Then, the crocodiles and other snakes were weighed by the pound.
One pound of crocodile could be exchanged for half a pound of food, but five pounds of snake meat could only be exchanged for half a pound of food, as the danger levels of the two animals were different.
"Snake, there's a water snake here!"
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone gathered around.
Meng Ci and Shen Que were in one speedboat, while Liang Xiu was in another. Upon hearing the shout, they did not rush over immediately.
"Hiss, is that a toad?" Meng Ci suddenly saw a toad hop onto someone's speedboat.
Toads used to look quite eerie, but after mutation, this one was over thirty centimeters long, and its warts were even more frightening.
Croak, croak, croak!
The three people on the speedboat became excited upon seeing the toad, rubbing their hands together and preparing to catch it.
One person stayed at the front of the speedboat to maintain balance, while the other two lunged forward.
Croak!
Just as they were about to catch the toad, it jumped up and moved to the right side of the speedboat.
"Wait, we'll go left and right this time, don't let it escape again."
"Okay."
This time, the two were prepared; one went to grab the toad, while the other watched closely to see where it would run next.
Splash!
The first person missed, and the toad quickly ran to the other side.
This time, the other person was ready, but the toad was agile and jumped directly into the water.
Without thinking, this person reached out to grab it.
But the speedboat was unstable, and all three fell into the water.
Seeing them trying to catch the toad, Meng Ci asked curiously, "Shen Que, what are they catching the toad for?"
"To eat!" Shen Que replied.
Meng Ci couldn't believe his ears and turned to Liang Xiu.
Liang Xiu nodded.
Meng Ci's eyes widened.
If toads could be eaten, these people must be starving.
"Aren't they afraid of poisoning?" Meng Ci couldn't help but ask.