Page 19
Night had fallen completely when Jhon sat behind the wheel of the bus. The darkness outside was almost absolute, with only the pale light of the moon and stars piercing the dense cloud cover. The air, now cold and sharp, carried the scent of dew and wet earth. Jhon glanced at his HUD display. The transaction with LuaSerena was complete. The pot, now in his inventory, was a small comfort amidst the desolate vastness.
He decided to prepare something to eat. He took the Multi-Purpose Pot (Rare) and the Large Metal Pot with Lid (Rare) from his inventory, placing them on a small makeshift counter he'd set up near the gas stove. The smell of clean, new metal hung in the air. John took a few pieces of Small Creature Meat from his inventory and sliced them thinly using one of the Survival Knives (Uncommon). The sharp blade glided smoothly through the meat, demonstrating the quality of the upgrade.
As the meat sizzled gently in the heated pan, a distant sound, almost a whisper on the wind, caught Jhon's attention. It wasn't a Predatory Sense alarm, but an organic noise, something moving in the darkness. He knew the world was alive, even at night, and the rookie's protection didn't extend to creatures.
The sound became more distinct, a light scraping, like dry twigs being stepped on. Jhon extinguished the stove with a quick, silent movement and grabbed the Enhanced Desert Eagle. His eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light. He glimpsed silhouettes moving among the trees, small, slender figures, stealthy. They were Nightstalkers, common creatures of the environment, but fewer in number than sometimes. Their putrid odor, though faint, was unmistakable.
"John! Nightstalkers! Three of them!" Loli whispered in her mind, her voice cautious. "They seem to be sniffing out the meat! Careful, they're fast!"
Jhon didn't hesitate. He didn't want a prolonged battle. His goal was to quickly deter the threat and continue his meal. He opened the bus door with a barely audible creak and positioned himself.
The Stalkers noticed the movement. Their red eyes glowed in the darkness, and they emitted high-pitched warning chirps before advancing. They weren't furious, but curious and hungry.
Jhon aimed with icy precision. BANG! The first Stalker, leading the attack, fell with a single shot to the head. The Desert Eagle's sound echoed briefly in the night, but was quickly drowned out by the dense forest. The body fell lifeless, splattering a bit of dark blood onto the unbroken asphalt, which remained untouched.
The other two hesitated, but the smell of meat in the pan, mixed with the scent of fresh blood, spurred them on. They split up, trying to flank John. One of them tried to leap toward him.
Jhon spun and fired again. BANG! The second Stalker fell through the air, struck in the chest. His body twisted and landed next to the first, a dull thud.
The third Stalker stopped, his eyes shining with a mixture of fear and confusion. He hissed and turned, fleeing quickly into the darkness of the forest. John didn't pursue him. His mission was to repel, not exterminate.
He returned to the bus, the pot and meat waiting. The residual heat from the stove was a cozy invitation. Within minutes, the meat was ready, accompanied by some rice he had prepared earlier. The simple but nutritious meal was consumed in silence, the bus the only point of light and safety in the dark expanse of the night. Peace, for now, had returned.
Page 20
The deep silence of the forest engulfed Jhon, who remained motionless for a few moments, the Desert Eagle still raised, his senses heightened by adrenaline. The air began to clear of the putrid smell of Nightstalkers, replaced by the fresh scent of damp vegetation. Pale moonlight began to pierce the treetops, creating patterns of shadow and light on the forest floor. Jhon lowered his weapon, a barely audible sigh escaping his lips. He approached the fallen bodies, checking the drops.
"Jhon! Looks like they left some items!" Loli announced, as loot icons appeared on the HUD.
Jhon bent down and collected the items. They weren't great loot, but they were useful to a survivor.
Stalker Hide x2: Small pieces of dark, rough hide. Can be used to craft or upgrade basic clothing, or for trading. (Can be upgraded 50 times or transformed)
Small Creature Meat x 4: Chunks of lean meat. These can be cooked to restore stamina and satisfy hunger. (Can be upgraded 50 times or transformed)
Pistol Ammo (Varied Caliber) x 3: More rounds. (Can be upgraded 50 times or transformed)
"No badges, Loli," Jhon thought.
"I really didn't expect that, Jhon. Badges come from more valuable supply crates or more challenging creatures. But these items are good for everyday use! The meat, the hides... everything has a use!" Loli replied, trying to remain optimistic.
Jhon nodded mentally. He returned to the bus. The darkness of the night was a protective cloak, but it also concealed dangers. He needed to rest and prepare for the next day. His journey was just beginning.
Ammunition and Resource Calculation:
Pistol Ammo (Variable Caliber) Spent: 2 bullets (1 on the first Stalker, 1 on the second).
Initial Ammunition: 1500 bullets
Supply Crate Ammo: + 5 Bullets
Stalker Ammo: + 3 bullets
Current Total Ammo: $1500 - 2 + 5 + 3 = 1506 bullets
300 Liter Plastic Fuel Cans: 2500 gallons (unchanged as not used)
New Items Purchased in this section:
Multi-Function Pot (Rare): x 1 (Improved)
Survival Knife Set (Uncommon): x 1 (Improved)
Small Creature Skin (Common): x 5 (3 from the box + 2 from the Lurkers)
Dehydrated Meat (Regular): x 2 (from the box)
Small Creature Meat (Common): x 4 (from Lurkers)
Large Metal Pot with Lid (Rare): x 1 (Acquired via Auction)
Car Parts (Armor - Insignia) Spent at Auction: 10
Car Parts (Armor - Insignia) Remaining: 1140