June 25th.
10:30 PM.
From deep space, a beam of light, invisible to the human eye, streaked towards the Azure Star, striking Bai Xuan, who had already fallen asleep, with a surprising coincidence.
[Welcome Player to the Game World]
Opening his eyes, Bai Xuan was startled by the words floating in the air.
"Have I traveled through time?"
"No."
With a touch of his left hand, Bai Xuan expertly picked up his phone.
The screen's glow illuminated the familiar scene, confirming that this was his room.
[A.D. 4220, June 25th, at 10:30 PM, a meteor carrying a terrifying virus fell onto the Azure Star. All humans, as well as most plants and animals, were transformed into monsters. Only you remained unaffected.]
"???"
The changing text before him stirred a deep sense of unease in Bai Xuan.
However, as the text faded, Bai Xuan saw the options [Character] and [Exit].
First, check the properties.
[Player: Bai Xuan]
[Strength: 1.23, Constitution: 1.27, Agility: 1.24, Spirit: 1.19]
[Note: The average value of each attribute for a normal adult male is 1]
"You can actually check the attributes."
"As for these attribute values... they should be accurate."
Although Bai Xuan wasn't an athlete, he was very self-disciplined and exercised regularly, resulting in a better-than-average physique.
"So, let's try this exit..."
His eyes darkened, and consciousness began to return.
The familiar touch of the pillow prompted Bai Xuan to ponder.
"My phone's gone."
"What I was like before entering the game world, I'm still the same after exiting it."
"And the phone that exists in the real world also exists in the game world."
Opening his eyes, Bai Xuan saw the translucent [Character] and [Enter] before him, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.
"This isn't an illusion... I seem to have truly gained access to a game world."
"It's just that that game world is almost identical to reality... Maybe it's a parallel world?"
"Whatever the truth is... my life has been altered by this variable, the game world."
At this thought, Bai Xuan couldn't help but smile.
Bai Xuan was a prospective college student who had just finished the Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination).
His scores were average, barely passing the undergraduate entrance exam.
This meant that Bai Xuan could only attend an ordinary undergraduate school.
Whether he could find a desirable job after graduation was also uncertain, given the current severe employment situation.
However, Bai Xuan wasn't particularly worried about this.
His parents, both employees of a state-owned enterprise, had died in an accident, effectively dying in the line of duty.
With funeral expenses, a lump-sum pension, and dependents' allowance, plus an inheritance, if he didn't account for inflation and was frugal, it would be enough for Bai Xuan to live comfortably for the rest of his life.
However, inflation was inevitable, so a life of plenty was impossible, but at least it would allow Bai Xuan to worry less about money for a while.
Bai Xuan was self-aware, knowing that with his own abilities, achieving great wealth and worldly success in this lifetime was practically impossible.
The only way to achieve financial freedom was to leverage his handsome looks and healthy body to find a rich lolita and live off her.
Of course,
that was Bai Xuan's previous plan for the future.
But now,
everything had changed.
The gaming world was his greatest opportunity, a place of extraordinary possibilities.
Perhaps it could grant him power comparable to that of a god, perhaps eternal life, perhaps even the ability to possess many unimaginable beings, or even resurrect his parents...
Although he had long since grown accustomed to being alone, the poor orphan inevitably missed his parents' love.
The feeling was indescribable.
Beyond that, Bai Xuan had also fantasized about traveling through time, practicing martial arts, cultivating immortality, awakening superpowers, acquiring a system... becoming the protagonist of novels and anime, possessing everything he desired.
But Bai Xuan knew these were just fantasies, impossible.
In reality, he was just an ordinary person, without a wealthy family or extraordinary talent, living a mediocre and conventional life.
Bai Xuan even felt a sense of despair at such a life.
But now, his fantasy had come true, and the opportunity to change everything was before him.
So what is there to hesitate about?
"Enter."
With a thought, Bai Xuan entered the game world again. After
entering the game world again, Bai Xuan first turned on the lights, changed into a sports suit, and then picked up the Longquan sword hanging on the wall.
As a young man, isn't it normal to like handsome swords?
The 228 Longquan sword, although not sharpened, is of absolutely no doubt of quality.
The whole body is platinum, with dragon and cloud patterns on the hilt and the blade. It looks extremely majestic, like an emperor's sword.
"Although it is not sharpened, its lethality is not weak. It is not impossible to kill people with a hard blow to the head."
"All humans, and most plants and animals, have turned into monsters."
"Because the virus turns them into monsters, especially humans, they're most likely zombie-like."
"Even if they're stronger than ordinary people, there are limits. They're all flesh and blood, after all."
"Use this sword, they should be able to kill them."
"Let's try it first, but be careful."
Bai Xuan's city, a small county called Lehan, is experiencing severe population loss, with most young people leaving for work.
Bai Xuan's Nanxing neighborhood is no exception. There are few young people, mostly elderly, which is good news.
It's 10:42 PM, and there's not much outside, as the elderly tend to go to bed early.
"Let's observe for a while."
Through the five windows of his house, Bai Xuan only saw two monsters.
Both were transformed from elderly people, with loose, gray-black skin. Their eyes, bloodshot and stained, had turned a terrifying scarlet. Their expressions were twisted and hideous, their mouths open, and saliva dripped from them.
And there were words above their heads.
[Low-Level Infected]
After observing for a moment, Bai Xuan realized these monsters were like the walking dead, moving slowly and with limited perception. He didn't react when he threw textbooks at them, but they had a weak sense of hearing and were attracted to sounds.
"Let's kill one first, and try it."
Without hesitation, Bai Xuan chose to take the initiative.
Cautiously opening the door, Bai Xuan slowly approached the monster.
Three meters, two meters, one meter.
It wasn't until they were less than a meter away that the monster reacted.
The old man's physical condition was already weak, and after becoming a monster, it seemed to have worsened. Its movements were extremely slow and strange... as if it couldn't control its limbs, or perhaps wasn't very proficient at them.
This information was also good news for Bai Xuan.
He swung his sword with all his might.
Even without a sharp edge, it was enough to crush the monster's osteoporotic skull.
"Bang!"
Half of its head was smashed, and a gray-black, sticky liquid splattered out, accompanied by a foul odor.
"Disgusting!"
"But this monster isn't dead yet... What a terrifying vitality..."
His eyes narrowed slightly, and Bai Xuan immediately struck again.
"Bang!!!"
The monster was finally dead.
And with its death, a gray-black ball of light emerged, rising to a height of about a meter above the ground.
"It really is a game... Killing monsters can also drop loot?"
"So what could this loot be?"
Bai Xuan reached out and saw translucent text appearing before him.
[Attribute Points +0.01]
"Zero point zero one..."
The number was subtle, seemingly small, but Bai Xuan knew full well that since killing monsters could make him stronger, his killing speed would surely increase, like a snowball.
If there were no upper limit to his attribute points, he would surely become a being that transcended the limits of the human body, possessing terrifying attributes, comparable to gods, Buddhas, immortals, and demons, or even surpassing them.
"My future truly is bright and limitless,"
Bai Xuan muttered softly, and then couldn't help but smile, a smile that was incredibly bright.
"Regardless of whether or not there's a cap on attribute points, let's focus on them now."
"Let me think, which attribute should I prioritize?"
"Agility."
"If I can't win, I can always run. After all, even though this is a game world, it's basically the same as the real world, and I don't want to get hurt."
"By the way... will getting hurt in the game world affect my real life?" "
Hmm... this game should have a resurrection feature..."
Bai Xuan's brow furrowed slightly at the thought.
"Never mind... the stakes in this game world are simply too high, so taking some risks is inevitable."
"I'd just have to be careful while exploring the game world."
Glancing at the sword in his hand, Bai Xuan fell into deep thought.
"What exists in the real world, exists in the game world... Guns are definitely hard to come by, so I should buy a bow and arrow or a crossbow, something with long-range attack capabilities."
"That way, the risks in battle will be much less."
As he pondered, Bai Xuan selected attributes to add on the [Character] page.
[Agility: 1.24 → 1.25]
The 0.01% increase in Agility might seem slight, but Bai Xuan could clearly feel the change.
His body temperature rose rapidly, his heartbeat quickened, and his blood flow increased…
"This feeling… is so wonderful…"
"It's like I've just finished an intense workout, but I don't feel the slightest bit of discomfort."
"I'm not tired, and my muscles aren't sore."
"I feel great now."
Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Bai Xuan thought for a moment, then returned to his room, locked the door, and [exited] the game.
Returning to the real world, Bai Xuan glanced at the time.
Twenty-three-minute seven.
It seemed that the speed of time in the game world matched the speed of time in the real world.
"Let me search for information first."
He pulled out his phone and began typing.
"Well... in our country, ordinary people can only purchase and possess non-mechanical bows and arrows. All other bows and crossbows are controlled devices, making their purchase and possession illegal."
"As for non-mechanical bows and arrows... common non-mechanical bows and arrows include longbows, Japanese bows, horn bows, horseback archery bows, recurve hunting bows, and modern competitive recurve bows..."
"Well... let's ask Artificial Intelligence Book again. For beginners who want to learn archery for actual combat, what bows and equipment are recommended, and how can they quickly get started?" Bai Xuan
soon
found the answer.
Recommended bow: Recurve hunting bow.
Features: Simple structure, no sights, shock absorbers, or other accessories. Smooth tension curve, suitable for cultivating "intuitive shooting," that is, aiming based on muscle memory and spatial perception.
Recommended reason: No need for complex equipment in actual combat, adaptable to field environments; archery clubs are prevalent in China, making it easy to find coaches and fellow enthusiasts to communicate with.
Representative models, recommended weights, arrow pairings, protective gear options...
"A bow costs between 800 and 1,500 yuan."
"Fiberglass arrows are 10 yuan each."
"Finger sleeves to protect against string cuts and arm guards to protect against bowstring strikes cost between 100 and 300 yuan."
"Targets cost between 100 and 200 yuan."
"Going to an archery gym to practice archery also costs money."
Bai Xuan knew the principle that a good craftsman must first sharpen his tools; this money couldn't be saved.
But it was getting late, so he decided to go to bed.
It would be best if he could maintain his early-to-bed, early-to-rise habits.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"I remember there's an archery gym in Qianhua Plaza."
"As long as they're comfortable, I might pay a premium for the bow, arrows, and protective gear."
"Now's not the time to save money."
These thoughts flashed through Bai Xuan's mind, and consciousness quickly faded.
Bai Xuan always slept well. He closed his eyes, and within a minute, he was unconscious and drifting off into dreamland.
When he woke up, it was already 8:00 a.m. the next day.
"I had a really good sleep."
"First, I'll run five kilometers for exercise, then shower and eat, and then go to the archery gym."
Bai Xuan often ran in the mornings, and for him, five kilometers was just a warm-up, a sweat, and a relaxing walk.
After showering, Bai Xuan stopped at the breakfast shop at the entrance of the community for a serving of steamed buns, fried dumplings, and a bowl of porridge with a side dish. It came to twelve yuan—cheap and delicious.
After eating and drinking, he rode his electric scooter to the archery gym.
While eating, Bai Xuan had already seen it.
Baizhong Archery Gym offers an hour of solo archery for only eighty-four yuan.
It has a lot of good reviews.
They say the owner is not only professional but also patient during instruction and can even take photos.
It's much cheaper than Bai Xuan expected.
"I thought it would be expensive, but it's surprisingly cheap."
"It seems the economic climate is really bad these days."
Bai Xuan knew that the worse the environment, the harder it is for ordinary people to make money.
Fortunately, he had found a gaming world, a way to escape the brutal competition of society.
Soon, Bai Xuan arrived at his destination.
Although the business of Baizhong Archery Hall is okay, there are obviously no customers at this time. As for the boss, he is sitting at the front desk watching short videos.
"Boss."
Bai Xuan's voice caused the boss's expression to change. He immediately put down his phone and stood up.
"Sir, would you like to try archery?"
"Yes."
"Okay, sir. Do you know anything about archery?"
"I'm a complete beginner, but I'm very interested. I searched online yesterday and hope to master the use of a recurve hunting bow."
After hearing Bai Xuan's reply, the boss's attitude became even more enthusiastic.
"Then you have come to the right place, sir."
"There are only two kinds of bows in my archery hall, one is a modern competitive recurve bow, and the other is a recurve hunting bow."
"Come, put on your finger gloves and arm guards first to prevent injury."
"I suggest you start practicing with a 25-pound recurve hunting bow."
"Here is a target ten meters away."
"Let me teach you some basic knowledge."
"First of all, it's about standing. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, face the target sideways, and relax your body naturally. This will stabilize your center of gravity. It's a parallel stance suitable for beginners."
"Then it's about holding the bow. Put the base of your thumb against the concave part of the bow handle, and the thenar against the push handle. Don't hold it tightly to avoid applying excess force."
"To nock the arrow, the bow needs to be placed upright, with the main feather facing the bow window, and the arrow tail stuck under the string buckle."
"Then it's about the string-drawing technique. There are two types of string-drawing techniques, one is the Mediterranean style, and the other is the lower three-finger style..."
"And when you draw the bow, you must first raise the bow to the height of your forehead to avoid drawing it diagonally upwards."
"..."
I have to say, this boss is really professional.
With his guidance, Bai Xuan quickly got the hang of it.
"Swoosh!!!"
The arrow flew out, not very accurate, but it hit the target.
"That's basically right, but you have to pay attention to the strength of your back. Only when the back is continuously strong can your arms be more stable and the arrow be shot more accurately."
"Okay." "
Go on."
Anyway, there were no other customers at this time.
So the boss could concentrate on guiding Bai Xuan.
And Bai Xuan's progress was also very fast. In less than half an hour, he could complete the shooting with standard movements and high accuracy.
For a target ten meters away, six out of ten arrows can hit the bull's eye.
This is not the most important thing.
The most important thing is the change in the [Character] page.
[Skill: Archery LV1 (1/100)]
"Skills, and proficiency display."
Bai Xuan also enjoyed reading online novels, so he naturally understood the power and potential of having both attribute points and a skill proficiency panel.
Furthermore, his player template should have more than just these two features.
His future was truly bright.
Now that archery appeared as a skill in the skill column of his [Character] page, with his proficiency displayed,
Bai Xuan was naturally even more motivated to practice .
When he was tired, he rested. When he was hungry, he bought something to eat next to the archery parlor. When he was thirsty, he grabbed a glass of lemonade nearby.
(Please remember the Taiwan Novel Network → 𝐭𝐰𝐤𝐚𝐧.𝐜𝐨𝐦 website for the fastest chapter updates.)
So, at 2:32 PM, the skill level was upgraded.
[Archery LV1→LV2]
[The skill "Archery" receives an overall improvement in effectiveness, and the player can choose one of the following three enhancement options:]
[Long Range Attack: Increases shooting range by 5%]
[Rapid Fire: Increases shooting speed by 5%]
[Precision: Increases shooting accuracy by 5%]
"Interesting... After leveling up, not only does the skill's effectiveness improve across the board, but it also gains an additional three enhancements."
"There's really no reason to hesitate. In my opinion, the most important attribute of [Archery] is [Precision]. If you can't hit the target, no matter how powerful the arrow is or how fast it is, it's useless."
His eyes fell on the introduction of [Precision]. Although the bonus was not high, only 5%, it accumulated to a huge difference.
If I choose [Precision] every time I level up my [Archery] skill
, the hit rate of [Archery] at max level is already very high. With the additional bonus of [Precision], wouldn't my arrows be almost guaranteed to hit the target?
"I'm really looking forward to my future."
"I wonder how terrifying [Archery] will be at the maximum level."
"Maybe I can easily become a world champion in archery."
"Though I can't become a professional athlete,"
Bai Xuan muttered to himself as he made his choice.
With the bonus of [Accuracy] to [Archery], Bai Xuan felt something strange as he once again raised his bow... a profoundly mysterious feeling, indescribable, but roughly speaking, a greater sense of control.
Pull the string, aim, shoot!
His movements became more skillful, like flowing water, and the release of his power became more exhilarating.
His shooting speed increased, and so did the arrow's speed, naturally increasing its lethality and accuracy.
Precise and graceful!
"Duo!!!"
Twenty meters away, a perfect hit on the bull's eye.
Then, Bai Xuan fired three more arrows with smooth movements, all hitting the bull's eye.
This terrifying speed of progress truly amazed Bai Xuan.
"Ordinary people without talent will find it difficult to achieve anything, no matter what skill they learn."
"But for me, with the player template, no matter what skill I learn, as long as I'm willing to put in the time and effort, I can reach the maximum level."
"What does this mean?"
"I can become a top athlete, a top doctor, or even a top scientist. I can easily gain fame and fortune, even change the world." "
Great! I'm finally a genius. And with the player template, I'm a true genius, the ultimate, most versatile genius."
"I can't wait to master a skill to the maximum level."
"Focus on archery."
Clearing his mind and clearing his mind of distractions, Bai Xuan began practicing with all his heart.
Meanwhile, the boss, who had just finished his work, glanced at Bai Xuan and was stunned.
One arrow, two arrows, three arrows...
"Shoot so fast? So accurate?"
"Genius!"
Not only the boss, but also some of the girls, impressed by Bai Xuan's handsome appearance and his fast and accurate archery skills, couldn't help but stare at him.
Some of the girls even looked eager to ask for Bai Xuan's contact information.
But Bai Xuan was so absorbed in his training that they couldn't interrupt him.
Time flew by.
He rested when he felt tired, and continued when he recovered. The training
didn't end until seven in the evening.
Afterward, Bai Xuan paid and also bought a twenty-five-pound recurve bow, a set of protective gear, and three hundred arrows at the archery parlor, for a total of five thousand yuan.
While there was a slight price premium, it wasn't excessive. The owner of the parlor was quite considerate. Perhaps he wanted to keep Bai Xuan as a big customer, so he even gave him a quiver.
But these were minor matters.
"By the way, Bai Xuan, you practiced all day at the parlor today. It might be okay now, but your arms will definitely be very sore tomorrow."
"I suggest you find a professional physical therapy clinic to recover. The one in front of No. 3 Middle School is a good one."
"I see."
Bai Xuan nodded. He didn't know much about physical therapy, but his phone wasn't just for decoration. Wouldn't a simple search tell him everything?
So Bai Xuan got the following results.
Physical therapy is a method of treating diseases and restoring body functions through physical means.
Heat therapy, electrotherapy, and other treatments can dilate local blood vessels, increase blood flow, improve circulation, and increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients, helping to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Massage and traction can relax muscles, reduce tension and spasms, and alleviate pain. Certain physical therapy methods, such as ultrasound therapy, can directly act on nerve endings, reducing the transmission of pain signals.
Furthermore, physical therapy can restore joint function, promote tissue repair, and boost immunity...
"It looks good, I'll give it a try."
Since the owner of the archery gym recommended the one near No. 3 Middle School, Bai Xuan didn't plan to look for another. He went out, found his electric scooter, and headed straight for No. 3 Middle School.
"It's a physiotherapy center. The decor is pretty ordinary."
"And the price is quite cheap, but that makes sense."
"It's right outside No. 3 Middle School, so the main clientele must be gym students."
"If that's the case, it must be professional and affordable."
The logic was simple.
Gym students specialize in sports; if this physiotherapy center wasn't professional, they wouldn't come.
Furthermore, most gym students are poor and don't have much money. If this one was too expensive, they wouldn't be able to afford it.
"Classmate, where do you feel uncomfortable?"
"My arms. I practiced archery all day."
"Oh, how about a massage and electrotherapy?"
"Okay."
Bai Xuan agreed directly.
There's nothing much to say about massage and electrotherapy. They are a little comfortable, but not that comfortable. At least Bai Xuan doesn't particularly like this feeling.
However, in order to have a better condition for his arms tomorrow, Bai Xuan decided to do some physical therapy every time after practicing archery.
After all, now is not the time to save money.
An hour passed quickly.
The massage and electrotherapy cost only eighty yuan in total, which is really cheap.
After returning home, Bai Xuan didn't plan to enter the game world.
He would rest for a night and talk about it tomorrow.
At 9:17 pm, Bai Xuan was lying on the bed and shopping online.
"The recurve hunting bow I bought at the archery parlor has a 25-pound capacity. It's perfect for now, but as my Archery level increases and my Strength increases, I'll naturally need a bow with a higher poundage."
"I'll buy a 30-pound, 40-pound, and 50-pound bow."
"And arrows? The only ones I can buy at the parlor are fiberglass arrows, and they're too weak."
"I need to look online to see if there are any arrows with higher damage that I can legally buy."
A quick search using the Artificial Intelligence Book of Heaven quickly revealed the answer.
Hunting arrowheads, such as triangular blades and telescopic hunting arrowheads, are designed to emphasize penetration and cutting power, making them significantly more lethal than target arrows.
Hunting with bows and arrows is prohibited in China. According to the Wildlife Protection Law and local hunting bans, hunting with bows and arrows is a criminal offense.
Hunting arrowheads are available for purchase, but only for collection or professional use, and must be disassembled for transportation.
"As long as they're legal to buy and own, that's fine."
"I won't be using them in the real world anyway."
"Then buy 300 first."
Just after placing the order, a message suddenly popped up.
Jiang Yuqian: Good brother, I'm back from hiking. Want to have dinner with you tomorrow?
Upon seeing this message, Bai Xuan's eyes lit up.
Jiang Yuqian was his high school deskmate, known for her outgoing and generous personality, who often treated him to snacks.
She was petite and well-proportioned, with delicate and lovely features and fair, smooth skin, so pale you couldn't see your toes when you looked down.
In Bai Xuan's opinion, she was a very beautiful lolita. She
also came from a wealthy family; her parents were businessmen, and among her relatives were directors, school principals, and deans. She was a true small-town Brahmin, a truly wealthy lolita.
More importantly, Bai Xuan knew Jiang Yuqian had a crush on him. If he used some tricks, he could definitely win her over and keep her as his wife.
Bai Xuan had considered this before, wondering if he should just go ahead and win over his good friend during the summer vacation.
But right now, Bai Xuan had no interest in a relationship; he wanted to focus on exploring the gaming world.
Of course,
not wanting a relationship didn't mean he wasn't interested in meeting Jiang Yuqian for dinner.
Humans are social animals, and having a friend or two is a good thing.
[Bai Xuan: "Date, my dear friend, what do you want to eat?"]
[Jiang Yuqian: "Hot pot, of course!"
Jiang Yuqian: I also had hotpot at Yuelu Mountain, but it wasn't anything like Lehan's. It wasn't spicy enough, not numbing enough, and it wasn't satisfying at all.
Bai Xuan: Sure, let's go to our old place, Zou's Spicy Hotpot. Jiang
Yuqian: Definitely.
Bai Xuan: Okay, see you tomorrow at 6 PM.
Jiang Yuqian: OK, OK.
After making the appointment, Bai Xuan put his phone down.
It was getting late, and it was time for bed.
He closed his eyes and fell asleep in less than a minute.
Waking up, Bai Xuan frowned slightly, his arms stretched straight out, a slight soreness making him feel a bit uncomfortable.
"It seems I did overexert myself yesterday." "
Even after physical therapy, my arms are still a little sore."
"But it's nothing serious, and it won't affect my hunting today."
He washed up first, then had breakfast.
No morning run today. After breakfast and a half-hour rest, he'd jump directly into the game world.
He'd observe the changes in the outside environment through the window.
"This [Low-Level Infected] is still here."
"I feel like these monsters are weaker than zombies. Is it because they were all elderly?"
"Never mind. There's no point in dwelling on this."
"Let's just start hunting."
Fiberglass arrows have a weaker killing power and are difficult to penetrate the skull, but difficult is just difficult, not impossible.
Bai Xuan believes that if he aims for the eyes, the fiberglass arrows can still kill the monster.
Thirty meters is about the right distance.
Raise the bow, aim, draw the string, and shoot!
"Whoosh!"
The arrow pierced the air, accurately hitting the monster's left eye and penetrating the brain.
"Puff!"
The monster, feeling no pain, showed no reaction to the eye shot.
"Not dead yet... then another arrow."
"Whoosh!"
The second arrow accurately hit the monster's right eye, also penetrating the brain.
"Sizzle!"
A viscous gray-black liquid spurted out.
This time, the monster was finally dead.
"It only takes two arrows to kill a [Low-Level Infected]... not bad."
Bai Xuan smiled, watching the gray-black ball of light emanating from the monster's corpse.
"It's time to reap my spoils."
Bai Xuan left.
Soon.
[Attribute Point +0.01].
Then.
[Constitution: 1.27 → 1.28].
Body temperature rose rapidly, heartbeat quickened, blood flow increased... Bai Xuan could clearly feel the changes within himself, the subtle strengthening of his body.
This feeling truly pleasurable, even addictive. Just keep growing stronger, little by little. Sooner or later, he would become immensely powerful, comparable to, or even surpassing, gods and demons.
"[Low-level infected] have very weak perception and only minimal hearing."
"I can start by smashing the glass and then playing music on my phone to attract monsters."
"The only problem is the volume. Too low won't attract monsters, and too high will attract too many. We need to test it."
"Start with the first floor."
The window glass in this old neighborhood is easily shattered; a fist-sized stone will shatter it. And most windows are just regular glass, not security windows.
As for the volume on the phone, Bai Xuan briefly tested it and found that about 70% of the volume can attract monsters within a five-meter radius.
"Let's play an instrumental version of Guanghan Palace's Breaking Formation Song."
As the majestic music began to play, Bai Xuan felt his blood boiling.
"Let's begin the hunt!"
He raised his bow, aimed, pulled the string, and shot!
"Swoosh!! Swoosh!!!"
"…"
Arrow after arrow hit the target, killing monster after monster, giving Bai Xuan a taste of the thrill of hunting.
This seems to stem from human instinct, the memory of ancient hunting ingrained in our genes.
Every successful hunt triggers a surge of dopamine and endorphins in the brain, and adrenaline and testosterone in the body.
Pleasure, excitement, and satisfaction!
Hunting is truly exhilarating.
And the rewards are even more satisfying.
[Attribute Point +0.01], [Attribute Point +0.01], [Attribute Point +0.01]...
In just one morning, Bai Xuan had gained 0.57 attribute points.
Because the hunt went so smoothly, Bai Xuan decided to balance his points.
[Strength: 1.23 → 1.37]
[Constitution: 1.28 → 1.42]
[Agility: 1.25 → 1.39]
[Spirit: 1.19 → 1.34]
Strength, Constitution, and Agility each increased by 0.14.
Because Spirit is lower than the other three, it receives an additional 0.01, for a total increase of 0.15.
The slight increase in the four attributes caused Bai Xuan's body and mind to tremble uncontrollably.
What a wonderful feeling it was. It
was as if my body were immersed in a hot spring, as if countless invisible hands were massaging every cell in my body, including my brain.
Skin, flesh, bones, internal organs, even the brain... every organ, every cell in my body, was cheering and leaping with joy.
This incomparable sense of satisfaction and joy simply made Bai Xuan unable to stop.
"Ah! So powerful!!!"
It was as if an unknown, mighty energy was transforming his body. Fat began to burn, and muscles were strengthened and nourished, becoming tougher and stronger.
Bai Xuan stared at his arms, watching the muscles bulge and contract, making the lines more distinct and smoother.
Although he couldn't see all the muscles on his body, Bai Xuan knew that he already had a physique that only ordinary people could achieve through hard training.
And this was just a small reward from just one morning's hunting.
He wondered what his future would bring him, if he successfully hunted down some powerful monster.
"Meow..."
The sudden meow of a cat put Bai Xuan on alert. He turned and his gaze focused. A cheetah-sized creature was reflected in his pupils.
[ Low-Level Mutant] Gazing at its bloodthirsty yellow-blue eyes, Bai Xuan seemed to see greed and hunger. "Is this a stray cat that mutated after being infected by a virus?" "It also has a low-level prefix. The infected form seems weaker than before, while the mutant form is far more powerful." "A cat of this size... its combat power is quite terrifying..." "But I still have a question. This game world is so real... it's like a parallel world... so the laws of this world should be the same as the real world." "According to the law of conservation of energy... how could a stray cat mutate into a monster the size of a cheetah... where would it get the energy?" "By eating?" "If that's the case, how many infected and even mutant forms did this mutant cat consume to become what it is now?" "For now." "After all... now's not the time to think." These thoughts flashed through Bai Xuan's mind. Seeing the mutant cat ready to attack, Bai Xuan decided to strike first. He raised his bow, aimed, pulled the string, and fired. Each movement was smooth and seamless. "Whoosh!" Seeing this, the mutant cat's pupils constricted and it dodged quickly. Although it was fast, the arrow was even faster. "Puff!" The arrow pierced through the fur and flesh, but only the fur and flesh. The mutant cat's fur was resilient, and its muscles dense. While the fiberglass arrow could injure the mutant cat, it was unlikely to be fatal unless it struck a vulnerable spot like the eyes. However, the mutant cat's reflexes were quick and agile. Hitting the eyes was no easy task. However... Bai Xuan glanced at his skill bar. [Skill: Archery LV2 (198/200)] "I'll be upgrading soon." "Then... it will be different..." The mutant cat was struck by an arrow, but its eyes grew even more ferocious. The pain fueled its ferocity, and its bloodshot eyes turned even crimson. Just as it was about to strike, Bai Xuan had already released a second arrow. "Swoosh!" Seeing this, the mutant cat dodged and charged. But arrows were not so easy to dodge; this one pierced its torso. "Puff!" Gray-black blood spurted out. Though the mutant cat felt the pain, it knew its prey's counterattack was not fatal. So, why should he be afraid? Soon... I'll be able to savor the delicious taste of my prey. This aroma... it's truly delicious... [Skill [Archery] Proficiency +1] Watching the mutant cat approach, Bai Xuan fired as fast as he could. The third arrow. "Swoosh!" "Puff!" Still, it only hit the torso. But then a prompt appeared before him. [Skill [Archery] Proficiency +1] The skill [Archery] has finally been upgraded. [Archery LV2 → LV3] [The skill [Archery] has been comprehensively improved, and the player can choose one of the following three enhancement options:] [Long-range Attack: Increases range by 5%] [Rapid Fire: Increases firing speed by 5%] [Precision: Increases accuracy by 5%] Without hesitation, Bai Xuan chose [Precision]. The mutant cat was now five meters in front of Bai Xuan. With a leap, its sharp fangs bared, seemingly ready to bite Bai Xuan's neck off. But at that moment, Bai Xuan had already released his fourth arrow. This one was faster, more accurate, and more powerful! "Swoosh! " "Puff!" An arrow pierced its left eye, and as gray-black liquid gushed out, the mutant cat couldn't help but scream in pain. "Meow!" Its body suddenly stiffened. Seizing this opportunity, Bai Xuan shot the fifth arrow. "Swoosh! " "Puff!" This arrow pierced its right eye and went straight into its brain. Just two arrows were enough to destroy half of the mutant cat's brain. So it died. The body fell to the ground, and a gray-black ball of light emerged. However, this ball of light was not the size of a fist, but a circle larger than a fist.
He extended his right hand and touched.
[Achieved the skill "Agility"]
[Skill: Agility LV1 (0/100)]
[Effect: Passive skill, you become more agile, Perception +5%, Reaction Speed +5%, Agility +5%]
After acquiring the skill "Agility," Bai Xuan felt a sudden pain all over his body. The pain wasn't intense, but bearable.
But after three seconds, the pain suddenly turned to a tingling sensation, which was very comfortable and enjoyable. More importantly, the changes in his body:
lighter, more alert, more agile.
"This feeling... is truly wonderful..."
"Just the passive skill unlocked by killing a [Low-Level Mutant] feels like a complete transformation."
"While this transformation doesn't break the limits of the human body, for ordinary people, it would take long-term training and practice to achieve such a result."
"And this is just the beginning for me."
"In the future, if I hunt even more powerful monsters and gain even more powerful skills, what kind of amazing changes will this bring to me?"
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"Let's keep hunting."
During the hunt, Bai Xuan discovered something.
By moving at maximum speed, he could gain proficiency in the skill [Agility].
This was great news.
So, this afternoon's hunt
not only earned Bai Xuan 0.68 attribute points,
but he also naturally allocated these points evenly.
[Strength: 1.37 → 1.52]
[Constitution: 1.42 → 1.59]
[Agility: 1.39 → 1.54]
[Spirit: 1.34 → 1.49]
Furthermore, the proficiency of the skills [Archery] and [Agility] has increased significantly.
[Archery] proficiency has also increased to (113/300).
[Agility] proficiency has also increased to (62/100).
This feeling of gradual improvement, of growing stronger bit by bit, is truly addictive for Bai Xuan.
[Exit] the game world.
Bai Xuan planned to take a shower before going to his hot pot appointment.
However, after showering, Bai Xuan looked at himself in the mirror and his eyes changed.
"My changes... are so obvious..."
The increase in attributes naturally triggers changes in the body.
Bai Xuan noticed the changes in himself, but he hadn't expected them to be so obvious.
His skin had improved, becoming not only whiter but also more delicate, and many minor blemishes had disappeared.
His muscles have become more pronounced, and his previously thin muscles have become sharply defined, as if sculpted with a knife and an axe, symmetrical and harmonious, a truly beautiful sight, giving him a masculine and heroic look.
While his facial features haven't changed drastically, the numerous subtle changes have made them more coordinated, significantly improving Bai Xuan's appearance.
Overall, Bai Xuan has become more masculine, heroic, and handsome, his entire body brimming with the vigor and youthful spirit of youth.