Chapter Eight: The Dimensional Quest

From the moment Wood obtained the Dimensional Trading System, he knew his life had embarked on an extraordinary journey. Thus, even as he realized Baldhead might have given him a dangerous task, alongside his anxiety, he felt a trace of excitement. After all, everyone secretly wishes for more adventure, a life rich and colorful, unwilling to let it pass by so quietly and uneventfully.

Still, Wood dared not take Gu Feng's words lightly. Since he was told to train diligently, there must be reason behind it. He called Fatty to resign from his job, and took a trip to the city for a grand shopping spree: instant noodles, bottled water, rice, vacuum-packed beef and mutton, countless canned goods—he filled his storage space to the brim.

Next, Wood launched into a month-long secluded intensive training. He needed to master the use of his enhanced physical strength, so he bought sandbags, ankle weights, and various exercise equipment. Wood had a friend in the special forces who taught him grappling. He had also practiced Muay Thai for close combat, but since martial arts were not popular in modern society, he dropped it after a few months. Though he didn't build up much stamina, he remembered most of the moves.

After a month of high-intensity training, the most obvious change Wood felt was his increased strength, especially his endurance. Previously, running a few hundred meters would leave him breathless, but now he could run ten kilometers as if it were nothing. At the end of the month, the effects of the T-virus evolution serum had fully manifested. When Wood checked his stats with Ding Dang, he was astonished:

"Agent physical analysis... Basic Material Plane Agent: Injected with safe T-virus, DNA evolution: Physique, strength, agility, mental power, body possesses immunity. Results... Agent’s physical attributes are low, recommend immediate improvement."

"Damn it, Ding Dang, why do you keep discouraging me? My physical stats have improved tenfold, how can they still be low?"

"...Not discouraging. The Dimensional System does not lie. Your physical stats are still low, not within the rating range."

"Tenfold... I'm ten times stronger than before... Even if I can't wear my underwear outside and play hero, I’m not far off!" Wood protested indignantly. "What numbers do I need for you to call me qualified?"

Ding Dang: "Insufficient authorization..."

Wood fell speechless once again. He had guessed Ding Dang would answer like that, and his month of hard training received not a hint of affirmation from Ding Dang, leaving him somewhat dispirited.

"Beep... Your friend, Baldhead, Agent of Bio-dimension Star Seven, requests communication!"

"Hey, Wood! Looks like the T-virus serum has fully taken effect on you," Baldhead said directly.

Wood replied sheepishly, "Yes, this month was hellish training! But Ding Dang keeps saying my stats are low—I can’t figure out why!"

Baldhead said, "Oh? Tell me your stats!"

Wood sent Baldhead the data Ding Dang had provided. Baldhead frowned as he read it. "It seems the biological strength in your plane is low, and you haven’t undergone targeted enhancement training. Your stats still haven’t reached 100 in any area—not even up to the lowest F-level warrior standard. No wonder your system rates your attributes as low."

Wood had nothing to say.

"But this isn’t a big problem. I believe after you complete the dimensional task I’ve accepted, you’ll definitely reach the F-level warrior standard."

Speaking of dimensional tasks, Wood was intensely curious. "Big brother Baldhead, Gu Feng told me you’d take a dimensional task to help me upgrade. What kind of task is it?"

Baldhead replied, "It’s a science fiction dimension task. You’ll see when you arrive."

As he spoke, Ding Dang’s electronic synthesized voice sounded: "Beep... Your friend, Baldhead, Agent of Bio-dimension Star Seven, invites you to join a dimensional task. Do you accept?"

"Accept!"

"Preparing for dimensional transfer... Data retrieval... Task location: Science Fiction Dimension. Difficulty: Moderate (D-level). Information: One of the planets under Agent of Science Fiction Dimension Star Three is facing a bug infestation. These creatures have mutated, threatening the survival of the local beings. Objective: Extermination."

As Ding Dang’s mechanical voice faded, a soft white light shot from the computer, enveloping Wood. Instantly, he felt a dreamy haze. When clarity returned, he found himself in a hall. Baldhead looked at him with a cold face, while Gu Feng’s usual mischievous smile was oddly reassuring.

"Brother Gu, Big brother Baldhead!" Wood greeted, scanning the room. Besides these two, he knew no one else. Behind Gu Feng stood two stunning beauties, their pink cheeks smooth as silk, pearly teeth and crimson lips, fair necks, graceful curves, slender waists, rounded hips, and waist-length golden hair adding a touch of allure. They were indeed a pair of extraordinary sisters, their features and figures almost identical.

As Wood’s gaze drifted their way, Gu Feng quickly shielded the two women, grinning, "These are my forbidden treasures! Don’t even think about getting ideas!"

His words drew laughter from Baldhead and a young man, while the two beauties blushed and lowered their heads.

Behind Baldhead stood five burly men, each over two meters tall, their faces expressionless and exuding a menacing aura.

"Hello, Agent of the Basic Material Plane! I am the Agent of Science Fiction Dimension Star Three. You may call me Zi Gui," the young man who had laughed stepped forward to introduce himself. He had jet-black hair and striking blue eyes. Behind him stood three robots matching his height, though these robots lacked the imposing presence of the five burly men.

"Hello! I’m Chen Mu, but everyone calls me Wood!"

"Well met, Brother Wood! Thanks for coming to help. The robot behind you—where did it come from? Has the technology in your plane advanced enough to produce robots?" Zi Gui asked curiously.

"Huh?" Only now did Wood notice that Fearless One had somehow followed him, and strangely, it had shrunk to a little over two meters tall. Though still imposing, it was far from its previous three-story height.

"One! How did you get here?" Wood was amazed.

"One has established a mental link with the master. When spatial anomalies occurred, One tracked the master’s spatial data and followed," One replied, startling Wood—this was a top-tier bodyguard; he’d never have to worry about safety again!

Zi Gui’s eyes flickered with shock. "A robot capable of spatial jumps? Could it be... a silicon-based life form from the Silicon Dimension?" After all, both the Science Fiction and Silicon Dimensions were technology-driven, and Zi Gui had some dealings with the Silicon Dimension.

"Exactly. This is a combat-type Transformer exchanged from the Silicon Dimension—Fearless One! But it used to be ten meters tall!" Wood explained. "One, can you change your size? How small can you get?"

"Reporting, master, this is One’s smallest form. Silicon-based life forms can manipulate internal space to change shape. In normal form, height is eleven meters."

"Combat-type Transformer?" Zi Gui’s eyes were red with envy. "Brother, what did you exchange for it? I negotiated with their agents for ages, and they wouldn’t give me one!"

"Iron meteorite," Wood replied.

"Iron meteorite? I know of it." Zi Gui was puzzled. "After centuries of development, this resource is scarce across all dimensions. We need it too. Most importantly, how much iron meteorite does it take to exchange for this One? I want to get one myself!"

Wood shrugged. "It was a gift from them."

Thud... Zi Gui collapsed to the floor, yelling, "Impossible! Which dimensional agent is so generous? Giving away a combat-type Transformer?"

Wood wondered aloud, "Is it really so rare? That agent gave me two!"

...Zi Gui was nearly drooling with envy. "Two... two?" He grabbed Wood’s collar, shouting, "What kind of dumb luck did you have? Or is that agent an idiot? Giving you two at once? It’s outrageous!"

He cursed, "The agent I dealt with was a real bastard. He claimed that for certain reasons, intelligent combat-type Transformers are nearly impossible to produce now. He only gave me a normal combat robot—so unfair!"

Then he frowned. "Wait, according to my information, the mother entity of silicon-based life—the Source Seed—has been affected somehow. Now, it’s rare to see a Transformer with autonomous ability even once a year."

"Source Seed?" Wood didn’t know what that was.

Zi Gui couldn’t explain, so he said, "It’s another kind of technology I can’t clarify. It’s somewhat like a magical being from the Fantasy Dimension—elves. Their lives are granted by the mother entity, the World Tree. After death, they can be reincarnated through the World Tree. Now, the Silicon Dimension’s situation is akin to the World Tree no longer granting elves life. Transformers with life are getting fewer; more are mindless machines following orders. If this continues, the silicon civilization will wither away for lack of fresh blood."

Apparently, fantasy novels were popular in the Science Fiction Dimension, Wood mused, with such explanations.

Gu Feng plucked a strand of hair, blew it away with a flourish, and reminded, "Exchanged items are merely external aids. The most important thing is your own strength. Look at me—I exchange skills, and wherever I go, I’m a top-notch guy, haha!"

Baldhead spoke seriously, "Gu Feng is right. Strengthening your own abilities is paramount. External aids are just that—helpful, but not to be relied upon completely."

Wood understood their deliberate guidance and thanked them promptly, while Zi Gui pursed his lips, muttering, "Uncivilized plane... How could you know the benefits of technology?" With that, he took out a pile of items...