Wasteland: I Awakened A Plant System-Chapter 66: Making Spy And Sending Group Chat

Every secret spilled out in painstaking detail. After a long while, his voice finally grew hoarse.

"That’s... that’s everything, Big Brother..."

Vikram hummed thoughtfully.

"Good. You stay here for now. I’ll be right back."

Vikram walked into a side room, unfolding a worn map of the Wasteland World on the table.

A crude mark had been scratched onto it, the location of the Brown Wood Shelter, as Abhishek had described in trembling detail.

"So... the Wolf Spirit Orb I left in the ruins really didn’t mislead them," Vikram murmured, slowly stroking his chin. "Their Shelter is this far from the ruins, yet they still managed to trace activity in this direction..."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Since they’ve already provoked me, I can’t pretend nothing happened. They need to be taught a lesson."

Yet the scale of the problem made him frown.

"Brown Wood Shelter has quite a few members... wiping them out in one go won’t be simple."

He tapped the map thoughtfully.

"If it comes to it... I’ll just deploy the Sprout Team and level the place."

It wasn’t an empty boast.

During the recent battles, the destructive potential of the Fire Mage Sprout had already left a deep impression on him. Despite its childlike appearance, the intensity of its flames could turn bodies to ash in seconds.

Then there were the Water Mage Sprout and Light Mage Sprout, each with their own terrifying utility in combat and territory control.

The more he considered their coordinated strength, the more confident he became.

Still... Vikram’s thoughts soon shifted. "Or... should I turn this Abhishek into a mole inside Brown Wood Shelter?"

He muttered softly, weighing the risks.

"The problem is... he now knows where my Territory is. If I simply let him go, I don’t know who will end up deceiving whom."

A faint, dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

"I need a leash."

As if remembering something, he quickly reached into his inventory and pulled out a reward he had obtained earlier after clearing the Kobold Dungeon.

A metallic bracelet shimmered faintly in his palm.

[Slavery Bracelet —When worn by another person, the wearer becomes unable to resist the host’s commands. Any attempt at disobedience triggers high-voltage electric shocks. The bracelet cannot be removed by anyone except the host.]

Vikram nodded in satisfaction.

"This will do."

He stepped back into the living room.

Abhishek, who had been sitting stiffly on the sofa like a prisoner awaiting judgment, immediately stood up the moment he saw Vikram.

Without wasting words, Vikram tossed the bracelet toward him.

"Wear this."

Abhishek caught it instinctively.

The metal felt cold... smooth... and strangely heavy, despite its light weight.

Its refined texture and silvery sheen made him instantly realize that this was no ordinary equipment.

"What... what is this?" he asked cautiously, fear tightening his throat.

He was terrified that putting it on blindly might cost him his life.

Vikram’s expression darkened.

"Enough nonsense. If you don’t want to be chopped into pieces right now... put it on."

His tone was flat, but the killing intent beneath it was unmistakable.

Abhishek’s face turned pale.

"No... no, I’ll wear it... I’ll wear it!"

He hurriedly slipped the bracelet onto his right wrist.

The metal instantly contracted slightly, fitting his arm perfectly like a living thing.

At that moment, his heart pounded violently.

He didn’t dare hesitate.

Because in his mind, the image was crystal clear. If Vikram lost patience, the Warrior Sprout’s blade would fall first. After that... the Fire Mage Sprout would reduce him to ash. And finally, the Water Mage Sprout would wash away the last trace of his existence.

Compared to that fate... a bracelet was nothing.

"Very good... now slap yourself." The moment the bracelet fully locked onto Abhishek’s wrist, Vikram gave the command without the slightest pause.

"This..." Abhishek froze. Humiliation flashed across his face. For a brief second, he instinctively wanted to resist.

But the memory of the severed heads outside... the silent, efficient Sprout soldiers... and Vikram’s terrifying strength crushed that thought instantly.

With trembling fingers, he slowly raised his palm.

Before he could even decide whether to actually strike himself— "AHHH—!"

A shrill scream tore out of his throat.

His entire body suddenly stiffened like a wooden puppet. His muscles convulsed violently, his spine arched backward, and every strand of hair on his body stood upright.

A faint crackling sound of electricity filled the room.

His eyes rolled upward as his limbs spasmed uncontrollably.

After several agonizing seconds, the current stopped.

Abhishek collapsed onto his knees, gasping for breath like a drowning man who had just surfaced.

Cold sweat drenched his back.

He didn’t even understand what had happened.

He had merely hesitated... and the punishment had already arrived.

When he looked up again, the fear in his eyes had deepened into something closer to worship mixed with terror. His body began to tremble uncontrollably.

"You’ve seen the bracelet’s power," Vikram said calmly. "If you disobey my commands... it will shock you. Simple as that."

Even as he spoke, Vikram himself felt a strange sense of awkwardness.

How did this suddenly turn into some weird domination scene like BDSM from a cheap underground movie...

He shook his head slightly, dismissing the inappropriate thought.

Business first.

"Now listen carefully," he continued, his tone turning cold again. "I want you to return to the Brown Wood Shelter."

"You will become my eyes and ears there.

Lie low. Don’t act suspicious. When the time is right... I will contact you."

"Understood?"

"Understood, Big Brother!"

Abhishek answered almost instantly, his voice hoarse but firm.

That single electric shock had already crushed whatever lingering thoughts of resistance he had.

Right now, survival was his only instinct.

"I swear I’ll complete the mission!"

Vikram studied him for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively.

"Good. Now go back where you came from."

Abhishek didn’t dare waste even a second. He staggered to his feet and hurried toward the exit like a prisoner suddenly granted temporary freedom.

Watching his retreating figure, Vikram clicked his tongue softly.

"Tsk... Brown Wood Shelter, huh..." A faint, dangerous smile slowly appeared on his face.

"Let’s see how strong you really are."

---

Three days passed quietly.

During these three days, Vikram also did not go out, spending each day tending to his vegetable garden, baby goat and little chicks.

It’s worth mentioning that these two days, due to having ample time, he spent more time chatting in the group, and his relationship with the group members gradually grew closer.

In fact, because he was the only lone wolf in the group, several group members even admired him, praising him as a big shot.

After all, in this environment, those who could survive on their own were basically ruthless individuals, and they obviously considered Vikram to be one of them.

[Shalini: Speaking of which, Big Shot Vikram, can you manage your Shelter all by yourself? How do you still seem to have so much time?]

[Vikram: My Shelter indeed only has me, but that doesn’t mean I have to do everything myself, does it?]

[Vikram: Don’t you agree, Little Divya (grinning emoji).]

[Divya: Go away, I don’t know you.]

[Shalini: I thought Vikram was joking, I didn’t expect you two actually had dealings?]

[Divya: He’s the landlord’s Stupid Son (silly son), I just earn some extra money from him, no other relationship.]

[Vikram: That’s right, just helping me work in exchange for my love. We both get what we need.]

[Radhika: Oh~ So that’s what’s going on with you two!]

[Divya: Don’t listen to his nonsense, it’s just a normal food transaction.]

[Radhika: I don’t believe it. Your Shelter was missing a piece of cold-weather clothing, right? Now it’s not missing, is it because Big Boss Vikram gave it to you?

[Radhika’s tone was very certain.]

The night the extreme cold hit, she had originally wanted to find a down jacket or something for Divya, but she didn’t expect Divya to tell her she didn’t need it shortly after she turned away.

Looking closely at the item information she sent, good heavens, it was even of exquisite quality. Such a valuable item, she had been wondering that day who was so capable as to provide materials of that grade.

Today, seeing the message, the evidence immediately came to light. It was solid proof that the two of them were secretly flirting.

[Shalini: Is Big Boss Vikram that capable? At this stage, can he still provide food and cold-weather supplies for trade?]

[Geetanjali: No wonder he’s like a street loafer every day, wandering around the group. So it’s because he lacks nothing. Am I the only one who stares at the group every day out of gossip?]

[Bobby: A few days ago, when you all called him Big Shot, I thought it was strange. Now I’m truly convinced.]

[Geetanjali: Most importantly, Big Boss Vikram has always been a Survivor alone. He’s truly a ruthless person.]

[Vikram: It’s not as exaggerated as you say. I just got lucky and hunted a few more creatures. My area is flat, so prey is very obvious, which is why I have these supplies.]

[Although the praise from the group members was quite gratifying, he still didn’t intend to show off. He casually made up an excuse, trying to conceal the reason for having so many supplies.]

"It’s better to stay low-key," he thought. "The group members seem nice, but I can’t let my guard down completely."

[Kuldeep Singh: Hmph, I’ve watched you chat all morning, why are you all constantly flattering this Vikram? If you ask me, he’s not that great. Food is all it is; my Shelter isn’t lacking either.]

[Kuldeep Singh: Are there any group members who want to join my Shelter? My Shelter is the famous Savage Wolf Shelter.]

[Kuldeep Singh: Group members who want to join can private message me. Ladies first!]

Suddenly, an unfamiliar ID appeared in the group chat, first inexplicably disparaging Vikram, then beginning to heavily promote the Savage Wolf Shelter in the group.

[Radhika: Hey, when did you join, newcomer? Not only did you not say hello, but you also immediately started cursing and trying to poach members.]

[Bobby: Indeed, he’s so ill-mannered. He has no basic courtesy. Who let this trash in?]

[Kuldeep Singh: A small group chat like this is trying to talk about manners with a member of my Savage Wolf Shelter? Let me tell you, in the Wasteland World, whoever has the bigger fist makes the rules.]

[Kuldeep Singh: For a small group like yours, ten of you wouldn’t be enough for my Savage Wolf Shelter to beat.]