Chapter 6: The First Battle, A Huge Blow-Up!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
There were two types of upgrades available, each with its pros and cons.
The first upgrade had a lower cost and the results could be seen quicker. The advantageous effects of the upgrade were obvious right away.
The second upgrade required a higher cost and would add an electronic system that increased attacking speed.
“Which should I choose?”
As Su Mo looked at the long spear in front of him, he was a bit hesitant.
In his mind, he was actually more inclined to the second choice. After all, owning an electronic device in an era where everyone was still using stone weapons was surely a quality upgrade.
However…
“I choose the first one!”
Su Mo remembered the description of the chameleon in the ill.u.s.tration handbook.
After the chameleon mutated, its camouflage increased but it sacrificed its mobility.
Compared to the hefty 40 points in exchange for improved attacking speed, it was clear that the first choice had better value.
Not to mention that the electronic system would probably need to be charged…
His base did not even have something as basic as a ventilation system; he would have to get electricity from static electricity if he wanted to charge the weapon.
While Su Mo mused over the thought, the long spear in front of him gradually changed color under the system’s transformation.
It was now a reddish-yellow wood color. Clearly, the transformation would not change the wooden spear into metal or stone.
[j.a.panese Oak Spear]: A brand-new wooden spear with an overall fine texture. Has patterns that resemble flying swans. The material is as hard as iron and boasts impressive lethality.
“I can’t believe it’s j.a.panese Oak!”
When Su Mo saw its properties, he was both surprised and overjoyed.
After all, j.a.panese Oak was one of the most precious types of wood and cold weapons made out of such a fine material were a rarity.
Compared to metal, the toughness of this type of wood made it particularly valuable for a person with no combat experience.
Su Mo could get such a great quality upgrade to the wood with just 5 survival points. Once again, the latest transformation gave Su Mo a better perception of the system’s power.
“Now I just need a set of armor to make sure I won’t get injured in the wilderness!”
After Su Mo opened up the trading panel, he began to browse through the options.
Since the doomsday calendar was already showing Month 1, Day 2, many people were forced to venture out into the wilderness to survive and explore.
Although not many people found treasure chests, there were billions of them originally, so the trading panel showed some armor as well.
“I don’t have to buy the best. Since I have the system, maybe I can buy some and try to level them up.”
While surveying, Su Mo thought to himself secretly.
Since he still had 100ml of water in his reserve, he could probably save up about 200ml by the time he launched his attack at noon.
With the water’s incredible purchasing power, he could probably buy a full set of slightly primitive or bulky ceramic plate armor in the market.
The ceramic plate armor would not be very effective in the face of large creatures, but when dealing with small creatures, it should serve adequately due to its material.
After making up his mind, he waited until noon when the sun felt the most sinister and blistering.
Su Mo first withdrew 200ml to purchase the ceramic plate armor and then another 50ml to buy 300g of bread.
After he polished the remaining pear, bread, and 50ml of water, Su Mo was now fully rejuvenated to his healthiest initial state.
Compared to the chameleon that had been crouching on the dry ground waiting for a long time, Su Mo had already thought out his attack thoroughly. The general idea was that he would launch his attack when his foe was tired.
“Just wait. Just a little longer, now. Just wait a little longer.”
After he took out the monster ill.u.s.tration handbook and used the scanning function once more to make sure the chameleon was still there, Su Mo suppressed his impulsiveness and retrieved his armor.
Several pieces of earth-yellow tiles were woven together by unspecified cotton threads according to the shape of the body and main parts of the legs to protect them.
[Worn Out Ceramic Plate Armor]
First upgrade option: Increase defense, upgrade ceramic plate material, increase overall strength, required survival points (5)
Second upgrade option: Upgrade overall material, change in elasticity, different output based on the input material, required survival points for immediate upgrade (60)
Comment: This armor should not be worn during combat. Placing it in a museum is perhaps the best option.
As usual, Su Mo once again chose the first upgrade option.
There was a flash of light.
The armor which was worn out before suddenly became s.h.i.+ny all over and it emitted a peculiar smell.
[Hunter’s Ceramic Plate Armor]: Made of fine material, intricately and neatly aligned, impressive defense. Has a unique masking scent that can mask the hunter’s body odor.
After putting on the leveled-up ceramic plate armor on his body with great effort, Su Mo felt much better.
The importance of weapons and defense could not be overstated in the doomsday world.
“Let’s see where you run now, beast!”
He opened up the base door and gripped the spear with both hands, just like a gun in the movies. Su Mo took vigorous strides and headed straight for the place where the chameleon was.
Yesterday’s deforestation had left the thicket in a mess.
Dried leaves were scattered everywhere on the ground, blocking his view and making it difficult for him to pinpoint the exact location of the chameleon.
Even so, it did not matter.
After silently retrieving the Monster Ill.u.s.tration Handbook in his mind to scan the area once more, a prompt line appeared.
[A mutant camouflage chameleon is detected 19 meters away from the player. Danger factor 65. Please be cautious.]
[Today’s count 0/3]
In his field of vision, Su Mo finally got a good look at the chameleon for the first time.
Instead of lying on the ground, the cunning chameleon was currently lying on top of the first tree that had not been cut down yet.
If Su Mo did not notice the chameleon today, it would have launched a sneak attack on him while he was cutting the tree, landing a critical blow.
Now that Su Mo had spotted his enemy, he carefully walked over and pretended to not have seen it.
“I don’t know if this beast is consciously intelligent, so I can never be too careful.”
As Su Mo walked over slowly, he abruptly burst into maximum speed as he rushed toward the chameleon when he was about two meters away from it.
The j.a.panese Oak Spear that hung from his hand immediately pointed straight ahead.
The chameleon lying in the tree also seemed to realize that its disguise had been exposed and hurriedly tried to adjust its position.
Unfortunately, its slow reaction speed did not allow it to dodge.
Charge, stab, turn!
A set of moves were executed smoothly!
Although it was Su Mo’s first strike and it was not very accurate—the blow did not strike its head—the tip of the j.a.panese Oak Spear still precisely stabbed right into the middle of the chameleon’s body.
Yank out!
A stream of bright neon green blood flew into the air and splashed the tree bark below, emitting a burnt smell!
When Su Mo noticed that it was toxic, he pulled out his j.a.panese Oak Spear and backed up decisively.
The chameleon, which had a bowl-sized hole opened in its body following the stab, began to go on a rampage from the excruciating pain.
The constant flow of blood made it completely lose its mind and it began to attack the surrounding area furiously.
Green venom kept spewing out from the chameleon’s mouth. The scene within a three-meter radius was abnormally gruesome.
“Hiss… What deadly venom.”
While Su Mo waited, he looked down and his scalp went numb.
At that moment, pores of various sizes covered the entire tip of the j.a.panese Oak Spear, making it look like ice cubes that were in contact with fire as it was melting rapidly.
After silently putting the j.a.panese Oak Spear aside, Su Mo, who was lying p.r.o.ne on the floor, once again whipped up the game panel to create a wooden spear and used 5 survival points to level it up as he did before.
When the upgrade was completed, the chameleon, who was opposite him, also seemed to have lost all its energy.
It was motionless on the ground and looked as if it was dead.
Su Mo, who was lying on the ground watching it from afar, raised his eyebrows and continued to wait patiently.
From the information he learned from the chat channel yesterday, there should be a treasure chest from monsters that were killed.
If he had not learned about that information, he would have rushed up to it and foolishly tried to deliver the finis.h.i.+ng blow.
Now that he knew better, the chameleon’s ploy at playing dead turned out to be useless.
Sure enough, after less than a minute.
The chameleon raged uncontrollably on the ground. It began to twitch and after three or five seconds of continuous spraying, it fell onto the ground with a plop.
When Su Mo saw that it was the right time, he threw the corroded and badly damaged j.a.panese Oak Spear out of his hand, landing it right next to the chameleon.
With its final reserve of strength, the chameleon gave a final desperate spray of its venom.
However, when it looked up and saw it was just a wooden spear, it immediately let out a cry of anger, slumping heavily onto the ground.
After that, the chameleon no longer had any chance to stay alive.
Right then, the green venom on the ground rapidly disappeared with the chameleon corpse bursting out a dazzling light. When the flash of light subsided, there was a silver treasure chest where it used to be!
“It’s a silver treasure chest! I’ve struck the jackpot this time!”
When he looked at the treasure chest in front of him, Su Mo was so ecstatic that he could not wait to rush over and open it to see what was inside.