Waldo’s intention was obvious. With so many survivors willing to sell experience points, and considering the demanded resources were mainly water, food, and Molotov cocktails, Waldo immediately thought of organizing an auction. This way, he could maximize his profits.

Waldo explained in the group, "Everyone, I don’t have a lot of resources on hand, but I genuinely want to do business with all of you. Since none of you have given me an offer, I’m afraid someone might overcharge me. I hope you all understand and cooperate."

Russe asked, "So, are you planning to engage in transactions by having us bid for goods using experience points?"

Waldo confirmed, "Exactly! Dealing with smart people is easy!"

Sarra protested, "Why should I sell experience points like this? You’re making it all about bidding, and you’re the only one benefiting! This is ridiculous!"

Seeing Sarra’s message, Waldo chuckled. He then sent a message to the group, "Sure thing, please feel free. But let me kindly remind you that other survivors might not agree to exchange goods for experience points. It’s still uncertain. You’ve entered the group because I’m willing to accept a large amount of experience points."

The participants fell silent. They knew that Waldo was speaking the truth. While they were frustrated by this forced approach, they understood that most survivors wouldn’t choose to exchange a substantial amount of resources for experience points.

Indeed, many survivors had recognized the potential value of experience points in the future. However, not everyone was as well-off as Waldo in terms of resources. So, the willingness of these survivors to enter the group and exchange experience points was mainly due to Waldo’s willingness to accept a large number of them.

Sarra said, "Let’s get started quickly and finish this."

Waldo replied, "No worries, let’s begin then!"

The bidding began for items such as bread, mineral water, and Molotov cocktails. Eventually, the auction progressed to the point where some survivors had exhausted their experience points.

Waldo counted his gains with delight. He had obtained tens of thousands of experience points from just three survivors. Considering that he needed around 1,100 experience points to level up from the 10th to the 11th level, the thousands he had acquired were not excessive at all.

Waldo decided to exchange his life supplies for experience points. He offered various goods in exchange for experience points, such as a bottle of mineral water for one point, a bottle of soy sauce for one point, a bottle of red wine for ten points, an antibiotic bottle for ten points, and a Molotov cocktail for ten points.

At that moment, their armored vehicle was violently hit. Waldo grabbed onto something nearby to maintain his balance, while Alanna and Helen, who were sitting, were only mildly shaken and unharmed.

Enemy attack?! Waldo quickly ensured Alanna and Helen were prepared for combat within the vehicle, then he put on his combat suit and grabbed his combat robot before rushing out.

"West, let’s go outside and fight."

"Yes, master!" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Waldo had considered it might be zombies or other survivors. However, he didn’t anticipate facing a mutated plant, its vine-like appendages as thick as a python’s body.

It turned out this plant was the one striking their armored vehicle. Thankfully, the vehicle was sturdy; otherwise, a normal transport would likely have been shattered by the strike.

"West, engage!"

Upon receiving the order, West’s blue ocular lights immediately switched to red, activating combat mode. Equipped with a critical-hit katana, West dashed swiftly towards the mutant plant.

With a flash of cold light, the katana struck. In just one blow, West displayed an unwavering aura of valor.

Clang!

However, the katana only produced a metallic clashing sound upon hitting the mutant plant’s exterior. It merely left a white mark on the plant’s surface.

The plant’s skin was incredibly robust, comparable to high-level defensive gear.

West attempted to deliver a second strike, but other vines from the mutant plant struck him, sending him flying.

In mid-air, West executed a flip, maintaining balance with the thrusters on his back, and landed next to Waldo.

"Master, the exterior of this mutant plant is tough. Physical damage may not be effective."

Waldo frowned, then ordered, "Try shooting at it again, target the vulnerable spots within the vines, and see if it has any effect."

"Understood!"

West retrieved a submachine gun and activated his thrusters, launching attacks on the mutant plant’s core in mid-air.

Rat-a-tat-tat! The mutant plant seemed to sense pain and attacked West with several vines at once. However, the powerful thrusters on his back allowed West to nimbly dodge the attacks.

It seemed that attacking the plant’s weak spots did indeed inflict damage.

However, according to information from other survivors, these mutant plants regenerated incredibly quickly. Even if damage was inflicted, they would likely recover fully by the next day.

We can’t afford to delay any longer!

By now, West was starting to struggle with the constant evasive maneuvers in the sky. It was only a matter of time before he would be caught off guard.

Waldo grabbed a few Molotov cocktails from his backpack and threw them with precision. They landed directly on the roots of the mutant plant as it emerged from the ground.

Feeling the scorching flames, the mutant plant wildly thrashed its vines. Despite the mutation, its natural aversion to fire was still present.

Burned and injured, the mutant plant temporarily retreated.

Waldo took advantage of the opportunity, quickly pulled West back, and ran back into the armored vehicle.

Stepping on the accelerator, they swiftly departed.

Alanna and Helen witnessed the presence of mutated plants and the process of combat between battle robots and mutated plants. For the survivors, the danger posed was no less than that of a zombie wave!

The armored vehicle quickly moved out of the range of activity of the mutated plant, finally escaping the danger. Alanna was still trembling with fear. "My goodness, is this still a plant? Since when do vines grow several meters long?"

Helen, on the other hand, had a serious expression. "Moreover, these mutated plants can’t be effectively destroyed, only pushed back. This makes the survivors too passive."

Waldo activated the armored vehicle’s autopilot mode and said, "Eliminating mutated plants is definitely possible, we just haven’t found a way yet. Dealing with something that’s practically invulnerable is indeed a challenge. I reckon we’ll need some special formula of chemicals to get rid of them."

Helen was quite skeptical. "You think it’s that easy? If spraying some potion could wipe out these mutated plants, what level of resources do you think that would require?"

Waldo burst into laughter. "I was just kidding! Well, even though we can’t easily defeat these mutated plants, we shouldn’t be too afraid. We have enough Molotov cocktails, and if we can’t win, can’t we at least strategically retreat?"

Waldo wanted to lighten the mood, but at that moment, the intelligent alarm system in the armored vehicle suddenly went off. "Could there be more mutated plants?" Waldo sighed, feeling a headache coming on. However, the alarm message was unexpected.

"Multiple unidentified survivors ahead. Please disengage autopilot mode and enter a state of combat readiness!" Waldo hurriedly approached the driver’s seat and looked outside through the windshield.

Sure enough, there was a group of armed survivors gathered on the road ahead, blocking their way. "Could they be trying to rob us?" Waldo pondered. "If that’s the case, I won’t hesitate to get ruthless."

Waldo stepped out of the armored vehicle, accompanied by West. "What’s going on? Why did you stop my vehicle?" Waldo asked.

A man with a stern expression, pointing to the emblem on his shoulder, said condescendingly, "Listen carefully. Our team is gathering supplies ahead. No one is allowed to pass through here. You better stay put!"

Waldo frowned. "So, you’re not trying to rob us, but you’re just thugs blocking a public road?"

Waldo and his group were in a hurry and didn’t have time to wait around. Who knew how long these guys would block the road?

"I can’t agree to that. I’m in a hurry and can’t wait around here indefinitely. I won’t let you delay me," Waldo retorted.

The group of survivors exchanged amused glances. Looking at Waldo, they treated him as if he were clueless.

"Are you an outsider? You don’t even recognize us?" one of them said mockingly.

Waldo’s curiosity was piqued. These guys seemed to have a reputation. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so arrogant. "I’ve never heard of you."

The man continued with a smirk, "Haha, a country bumpkin indeed. Let me educate you then. We’re the Swordbreakers, the largest team in the suburban area of City 25. My advice to you is to mind your own business!"

Waldo’s attitude turned cold, and he replied with a touch of harshness, "Step aside! Regardless of who you are, I don’t want you wasting my time. And your advice? I’ll return it right back to you."

Waldo wasn’t fond of these individuals. They spoke as if they were superior.

Things escalated as Blackface Man fired shots into the air. Then, he aimed his gun at Waldo and threatened him with a menacing tone, "Kid, don’t think we won’t kill you. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed. If you don’t want to die, obey me!"

Waldo’s eyes narrowed. "I warn you, don’t point that gun at my head!"

Blackface Man laughed uproariously in response.

With his patience reaching its limit, the years of surviving in the post-apocalyptic world had made Waldo more affected by his surroundings than he used to be. In this situation, his temperament had definitely taken a turn for the worse. Right now, he was radiating a strong sense of hostility. With tensions high, a group of people emerged from the road that was blocked off.

At the forefront was a middle-aged man with a deep scar visible down to the bone on his face.

Ignoring Waldo, Blackface Man quickly went to him. "Boss, why are you out here? Did you secure what we were after inside? Boss, you’re amazing!"

"Boss, that guy in the armor just tried to break through our blockade. I suspect he wanted to steal whatever opportunity we’re after!"

"Oh?"

Scarface Man also noticed Waldo and walked over. It seemed he was their leader.

Waldo nodded. "That’s correct. But that’s because you blocked my way. Can we leave now?"

Scarface Man chuckled. "Let you leave? Haha, let’s make it simpler: you’ll stay here forever!"

Waldo’s expression darkened. "So, you’re willing to take my life just because I wanted to pass through this road?"

Scarface Man laughed without showing his teeth, but the scar on his face made his grin look more sinister.

"What else can we do? Are you scared now? Should have thought of that earlier."

"Waldo, let’s settle this with violence!" Waldo’s companions whispered.

Waldo laughed, then said, "So, are you planning to kill me?"

Scarface Man’s grin grew. "And if not? Do you realize you’re afraid now? What took you so long?"

"Phew!"

"Argh!"

Without warning, Scarface Man found himself holding his disemboweled belly. Waldo’s hand was drenched in hot, fresh blood, having made a precise strike. Before anyone could react, Waldo yanked his hand free and fired a gunshot into Scarface Man’s head.

Bang! Bang!

Then, with rapid precision, Waldo continued shooting, taking out several more assailants before they could properly react.

West, deal with the remaining ones.

"Understood, my master."

A brutal one-sided fight unfolded. Just then, the opposing group unleashed a deadly weapon: portable rocket launchers.

Swoosh!

A rocket was launched directly at West.

Activating energy shield.

West’s hands moved to form a blue energy shield in front of him, intercepting the rocket.