Chapter 70: This Meat Isn’t Trash, Hoard It

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: This Meat Isn’t Trash, Hoard It

What a crazy apocalypse.

That was the only thought left in Seraphina Sullivan’s mind after she finished listening to Ash’s story.

It was simply unheard of!

She had expected some kind of viral mutation, an alien system invasion, or a cataclysmic disaster... But instead, animals had become Demons and were now enslaving humanity?

Even for a novel, this plot was a bit ridiculous!

Ash continued to describe the outside world in a low voice:

"At first... humanity could still fight back." His voice was hoarse. "Guns, bombs, even missiles... they were still effective against the newly awakened Demons."

But soon, the Demons began to evolve rapidly.

Some could control the elements, some were impervious to blades and bullets, and some could even live as parasites inside human bodies...

"Their rate of growth... it’s terrifying." Deep despair filled Ash’s eyes. "Humanity’s living space... is being constantly squeezed."

Cities fell, and armies were crushed.

The surviving humans could only hide wherever they could, scuttling like rats to eke out a living in the ruins.

But the most ironic part was...

"The slaughterhouses need ’workers’..." Ash said with a bitter smile. "So some Goblins started specifically capturing humans, forcing us... to process these things."

Seraphina couldn’t help but retort, "Heh, so even in the apocalypse, you can’t escape being an overworked wage slave. What a life of toil."

She finally understood why Wessuri gave her such an oppressive feeling.

That person wasn’t human at all!

But a Goblin capable of perfect Transformation.

"No wonder they’re so beautiful..." Seraphina muttered subconsciously.

When demons transform, they often choose the most perfect appearance.

But the next second, she slapped herself hard across the face. "What are you thinking?!"

’This is no time to be admiring the enemy’s good looks!’

Ash gave her a strange look before continuing, "But... the slaughterhouse isn’t all bad."

He explained that although the work here was bloody and cruel, compared to the treacherous world outside, it offered a sliver of hope for survival.

"If you can become an official employee of the slaughterhouse..." A glimmer of hope flashed in Ash’s eyes. "The master of the slaughterhouse will grant you protection."

But being in the slaughterhouse also meant being closer to all sorts of monsters, so the death rate was also high.

In other words, this place was like a twisted "sanctuary" in the middle of the apocalypse.

You trade your labor for a chance to live.

Even if that labor comes with an extremely high mortality rate.

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, her mind racing as she calculated her options:

’Main Quest Two’s assessment is already complete. Now, as long as I survive for seven days, I can return safely.’

Just then, the conveyor belt started up with a CLACK, and a "live hog" bound by iron chains was slowly lowered down.

It was another huge, black, fat pig!

The numbers on the electronic screen flickered: [99/100]

"Time to get to work," Seraphina said in a low voice, releasing her Control over Ash. "If we don’t finish on time, who knows what those Hogmen will do."

Ash seemed dazed for a moment but quickly came to his senses, apparently completely unaware that he had just been controlled by Seraphina.

He nodded and skillfully picked up the bleeding knife.

Seraphina thought to herself, ’This instance is full of dangers. One careless mistake... and I could end up as the meat on the chopping block.’

The two of them stood before the workstation, facing the fat pig bound by iron chains.

The pig’s eyes were filled with terror, and a mournful WHIMPER came from its throat, but its struggles were futile against the specially made chains.

Ash expertly located the carotid artery and brought the knife down—

"SCHLICK!"

Dark red blood spurted out. The Hogman’s struggles gradually weakened until it stopped moving completely.

Seraphina was surprised by how skilled Ash was, but after hearing his story, she figured he must have learned it to survive in the outside world. It made sense; otherwise, he wouldn’t be the only native to have survived from their group.

Pushing the thought aside, Seraphina got to work.

She took a deep breath and activated the [Butcher’s Skill] from her [Butcher] Profession.

In an instant, her hands seemed to gain a will of their own, each cut landing precisely between joints and fascia.

"SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!"

The blade moved like flowing water, and the massive pig carcass was rapidly disassembled under her hands.

The head, shoulder, loin, belly, hock... each piece was perfectly stripped away and neatly stacked to the side.

Ash watched Seraphina’s practiced movements, stunned. "Were you... were you a Butcher before? You’re so skilled."

"Something like that," Seraphina answered vaguely, unwilling to reveal that she had a bonus from her Profession.

But right now, her eyes were fixed on the workstation.

She saw that the workstation only collected the "prime cuts."

Meanwhile, a huge amount of other parts—like the trotters, blood, offal, bones, and lungs—were all roughly swept into the waste disposal unit by a mechanical arm.

"RUMBLE—"

The waste disposal unit let out a dull roar as it ground the ingredients—which were perfectly usable in Seraphina’s eyes—into a slurry, turning them into a disgusting paste that was discharged into the sewer.

"What a waste!" Seraphina couldn’t help but blurt out.

In her mind, the blood could be made into blood pudding, the liver could be stir-fried, the large intestines were a delicacy, and the trotters and bones... All of it was good stuff!

Ash gave a bitter smile. "The Demons only eat the ’prime cuts.’ The rest... they consider it garbage."

Seraphina was speechless. ’Shut up,’ she thought. ’I feel personally attacked.’

Staring at the waste disposal unit, Seraphina suddenly narrowed her eyes.

’These wasted scraps might just be my opportunity.’

’That isn’t garbage, it’s all good stuff!’

Seraphina stared at the discarded pig offal, bones, and blood, her eyes shining.

’My Space has plenty of room after its upgrade; I can totally hoard all these "scraps"!’

But there was a problem.

Ash was still right next to her.

She couldn’t possibly reveal her Ability in front of this native.

’This is the only way...’

Ash was focused on bleeding the second pig when he suddenly smelled a cloyingly sweet aroma. Before he could even process it, his eyes went vacant.

Sweet Fragrance was activated again.

"Keep working," Seraphina commanded softly.

Ash nodded mechanically. His movements were stiff yet precise as he continued his butchering process, having been turned into a mindless tool.

Now Seraphina could operate without any worries.

While skillfully disassembling the pig, she silently stored some of the scraps into her Space.

A piece of pig liver was tucked into a corner of her Space;

Two marrow bones vanished into thin air;

Three pig trotters.

Half a small bucket of pig blood.

Several sets of pig intestines disappeared without a trace...

She was very careful, only taking a small portion each time to ensure there was always enough debris in the waste disposal unit to avoid arousing suspicion.

’It’s all meat...’ Seraphina was ecstatic. ’These are all precious resources in the apocalypse!’

The originally tedious and bloody work of butchering had unexpectedly turned into an exciting treasure hunt for her.

Every cut was like opening a blind box.

’This pig’s kidneys look good. I’ll take them!’

’That leaf lard can be rendered into oil. Got it!’

She didn’t even pass up small scraps like the pig’s tail!

The numbers on the electronic screen continued to flicker.