Volume One, Chapter 13: The Stolen Silver Treasure Chest.
Liu Haizhu: "What!? Level 8? I'm only level 4 right now, level 8! Need 180 experience points? How many treasure chest guardian beasts do I have to kill for that?"
Zhou Zhou and Bu Zhou: "Looking for two reliable teammates to hunt the giant beasts together and survive into the white safe zone."
...
Damn this apocalypse game system, it’s never that simple!
Li Chuan changed his route, starting to circle laterally around the white zone, all the while watching the various towering trees in the forest.
Although this method’s success rate was about as likely as a blind cat catching a dead rat, it was already far better than most others.
...
Bang!
Roar!
Thump thump thump!
"I'll tank, you two quickly finish off this hairless beast."
Not far off, the sounds of fierce fighting were clear. Li Chuan hurriedly hid in the shade and cautiously approached.
Near a thicket, three men were battling a giant lizard covered in scales.
One carried a wooden shield as a tank, and two wielded swords.
The three coordinated their attacks on the giant lizard, their advance and retreat showing signs of tacit understanding.
Li Chuan stroked his chin.
This level of trust, this gear—these three were already a rather formidable team for this stage.
Identification skill triggered.
[Xu Fengyun (A Sudden Storm): Human]
[HP: 100/100]
[Level 5, average constitution human warrior, weak points marked.]
[Corrupted Giant Lizard: Normal]
[330/500]
[Level 15, lizard corrupted by dark energy, possessing strong combat instincts and a chaotic mind. Weak points marked.]
The weak points on this creature were its anus and lower abdomen? What a strange beast.
Li Chuan continued to sneak forward cautiously in the shadows, bypassing the chaotic and dangerous battlefield with a very clear objective.
[Silver Treasure Chest, can drop up to level 15 blue-quality items, no key required. Open?]
While keeping an eye on the chaotic fight, Li Chuan watched the number on the silver chest.
"Don’t see me, don’t see me, I’m just a passerby, just a passerby."
[89%]
"Open!"
That’s good enough; this kind of thing shouldn’t be dragged out too long.
Bang.
The chest exploded open. Li Chuan was swift, gathering all the items and rolling several times away from the spot.
Not far away, on the heated battlefield, the giant lizard sensed its treasure chest was stolen. It roared furiously, then unleashed its rage on the three men before it.
"Damn, this beast has gone berserk."
"Probably triggered by low HP, stay calm!"
...
Finally, Xu Fengyun, wielding a longsword, found the perfect moment and stabbed straight into the giant lizard’s eye.
[Critical Hit -999]
The three players shared the experience from the giant lizard and leveled up together.
"Old Xu, nice job!"
---
Xu Fengyun waved his hand.
"Not at all, if it weren’t for you guys, how would I have found the chance?"
"I got most of the loot from the last monster, so I’ll pass on this time. You two split it."
"It’s just some meat chunks, nothing worth dividing. This white cloth armor pants are pretty good; give them to Old Zheng. Let’s go open the chest."
"Damn! Where’s the treasure chest?"
"What the hell, which bastard is so damn despicable! I swear—"
...
Ah Qiu, Ah Qiu!
Li Chuan rubbed his nose.
"Little Green lonely in the photosynthesis pod? Missing me?"
Another piece of level 10 high-tier gear appeared in his backpack; he needed to hurry and improve himself.
From the silver chest, he had acquired blue cloth armor pants.
[Advanced Combat Pants (Set Transition): Blue]
[Equip Level: 10]
[Armor +400, Agility +5]
[Set Bonus: Not yet activated]
[Evaluation: A refined set transition suitable for various melee classes.]
Game time: 9:00 AM, two suns rising on the left and right.
The forest had returned to the scene from the previous day when Li Chuan first awoke—no frost, no snow, as if last night had never happened.
Huh? Is that a giant dog?
Li Chuan encountered a giant dog for the first time—the most frequently appearing guardian beast of the black iron treasure chest in the chat channel.
[Corrupted Forest Dog: Normal]
[HP: 200/200]
[Level 5, forest dog corrupted by dark energy, the weakest corrupted creature in the Disorder Zone. Weak points marked!]
The red dots were on its neck and waist.
Scanning the surroundings, seeing no one nearby, Li Chuan cautiously approached.
"I'm level six now, and I’ve changed my class, plus I have blue skills. There’s no way I can’t beat the weakest monster, right?"
Swoosh!
The crossbow bolt struck respectfully into the giant dog's waist.
[Weak Point Hit -59!]
The giant dog awakened, glaring with blood-red eyes as it lunged.
Does this thing not feel pain?
Li Chuan quickly reloaded his crossbow.
Side roll!
Stun arrow!
Swoosh!
[-37]
No stun effect triggered!
The giant dog lunged again. Li Chuan rolled sideways to dodge, then sheathed his crossbow and drew his longsword, slashing at the giant dog’s wound.
"Weak point strike!"
[Critical Hit -999!]
[Ding, killed level 5 Corrupted Forest Dog (Normal)*1, experience +10]
No gear dropped, just five copper coins and five pieces of dog meat.
---
No surprises, no dangers! Smooth victory.
Li Chuan encouraged himself, then swiftly ran to the black iron treasure chest’s location.
He feared some despicable person might steal his loot.
[Black Iron Treasure Chest, can drop up to level 5 green-quality items, no key required. Open?]
Waiting quietly.
[100%]
"Yes!"
This was the first time Li Chuan had seen a 100% success rate.
Two barrels of pure water, two boxes of bread.
A green-glowing ring.
[Critical Hit Ring: Green]
[Equip Level: 5]
[Mana +5]
[Critical Hit Rate +10%]
[Evaluation: An extremely valuable accessory in the early stages.]
A critical hit rate boost, just perfect for me.
Li Chuan hurriedly put the critical hit ring on his left hand, elated.
...
Somewhere in the Disorder Zone forest.
"King Zheng, don’t leave me, don’t leave me, help me, I beg you! No, ah!"
Several small green monsters rushed the shouting man with incredible speed, their sharp claws and fangs tearing large chunks of flesh from his body.
"Ah! Help me, save me, ah..."
The person fleeing ahead dared not look back.
"Don’t blame me, don’t blame me. I can’t save you either. Blame this damn system, blame the one who dragged you in."
...
In another corner of the forest.
A woman, pale and drenched in blood, collapsed to the ground with a thud.
...
“Are you all bullying me just because I’m honest? Is honesty meant to be bullied? Forcing me to lure the monsters, so we all die together! Hammer Vine! Kill them all!”
"Damn! How dare you release the plant spirit here? Are you crazy?"
"Stop it, please..."
"Help! Help me..."
This dense jungle seemed like a grotesque beast feasting on human blood, savoring its delicious prey one by one.
...
[Poison Ripple Flower (Plant Spirit): Green]
[HP: 500/500]
[Level 10, intermediate plant spirit species, moderate movement speed, highly poisonous, weak points marked!]
The blind cat really did meet a dead rat.
Li Chuan just thought this flower was too beautiful and looked a few more times, unexpectedly identifying it as a plant spirit.
Finding a thick enough tree, Li Chuan ruthlessly launched an attack on the Poison Ripple Flower.