Page 32
As the sun sank completely below the barren horizon, the world transformed. The fading light gave way to dense darkness, and the temperature plummeted to around 10 degrees Celsius. The air, once dry and dusty, now held a biting chill that promised a sleepless night. Jhon had already stopped the bus, bracing himself for what he knew was coming. The campfire crackled, casting flickering light over the skeletal trees and cracked ground, but it wasn't enough to dispel the oppressive feeling of the night.
He opened the Local Group Chat, the most recent messages flashing on the HUD screen.
[19:00] User 'ExploradorBrarajoso': "Orange box signal to the east, near the canyon. Saw a Shadow Gryphon (Rank D) flying overhead. Need a large group."
[19:30] User 'PeritoEmArmas': "I have some rare sniper rifle ammunition for trade. I'm looking for heavy vehicle parts or rare metal. Inbox."
[20:00] User 'MestreFerroviário': "I just found a Gold crate! And it was guarded by a Mutant Berserker (Rank A)! I almost died! But the loot... was worth it. I won't reveal what came, but it's insane."
[20:45] User 'VigiaSolitário': "The heat is increasing faster than expected. Stay hydrated. I saw some 'hikers' disoriented due to dehydration. It's ugly."
[21:15] User 'RainhaDaEstrada': "To @PeritoEmArmas: I have rare metal. Meet me at the double hill south of the salt flats if you're interested. And I'm a woman, so the trade will be fair."
[22:00] User 'MestreFerroviário': "Attention! Something large is moving southeast, towards the old power plant. I feel the earth shaking. Rank S, perhaps? Stay away!"
[22:30] User 'CaçadorNoturno': "The dead forest is busy today. Sounds of hordes. Be careful when hunting."
Jhon felt a chill. An S-Rank monster? That was a whole other level of threat. Loli's "carnage" seemed to extend far beyond her own actions. The night wouldn't be easy.
"John, did you see the one with the A-Rank Mutant Berserker and the Gold box? What luck! But also what danger! My old master would piss his pants at the mere mention of an A-Rank monster. He once said the most dangerous creature he faced was a mutant chicken that threw explosive eggs. And he barely survived!" Loli joked, a digital laugh, but her tone quickly turned serious. "And now a possible S-Rank! The nights here are unpredictable. Stay alert, John."
Jhon just shook his head. He had to sleep, but he knew it would be a restless one. He placed his Minotaur Katanas (Epic) next to his sleeping bag, his Enhanced Desert Eagle in hand. The crackling of the fire and the tense silence of the desert lulled him into a light sleep, while the 300-meter radar continued its relentless scanning. The journey was long, but Jhon was determined. The hunt would continue at dawn, but the night... the night would be a battle in itself.
Ammunition and Resource Calculation:
Pistol Ammo (Caliber .50) Spent: 6 bullets (1 ricochet, 2 in the knee, 1 in the eye, 1 in the eye, 1 in the throat).
Total Initial Ammunition: 12908 bullets (from the previous section).
Current Total Ammo: 12908 (base) - 6 (spent) + 400 (Improved .50 Caliber Pistol Ammo) + 10000 (Regular .45 Caliber Pistol Ammo) = 23296 bullets.
300 Liter Plastic Fuel Cans:
Starting Gallons: 2700 gallons.
Gallons Purchased from Supply Box (Multiplied): 0 gallons.
Current Total: 2700 gallons (consumption unchanged).
New Items Acquired in this section (all stored in inventory/bus):
Minotaur Katana (Epic): x 2 (Transformed from Mutant Minotaur Horns)
Mutant Minotaur Skin (Rare) : x 1
Mutant Minotaur Eye (Epic): x 1
Large Creature Meat (Uncommon): x 10
Improved Pistol Ammo (.50 Caliber) (Rare): x 400 (Multiplied by 8)
Indestructible Tactical Tire (Rare): x 1 (Upgraded from Reinforced Tire)
Level 2 Badge (Exchange): x 1 (Evolved from Level 1 Badge (Exchange))
Advanced Medical Kit (Rare): x 1 (Upgraded from First Aid Kit)
Pistol Ammo (Caliber .45) (Common): x 10000 (Multiplied by 200)
Purifying Canteen (Rare): x 1 (Upgraded from Water Canteen)
Car Parts (Badges):
Engine - Insignia (Level 1 Max): Yes
Armor - Insignia (Level 1 Max): Yes
Wheels - Insignia (Level 1): 10 Missing
Exchange - Badge (Level 1): Missing 10 (despite having a Level 2)
Glass - Badge (Level 1): 10 left
Body - Badge (Level 1): 10 to go
Fuel Tank - Insignia (Level 1): 10 Missing
Interior - Insignia (Level 1): 10 to go
Lighthouse - Badge (Level 1): 10 to go
Total Missing Level 1 Badges: 70 (unchanged)
Page 33
The darkness of night completely swallowed the arid landscape of what was once Rio de Janeiro. The sun sank into a heavy silence, and the sky, once a mosaic of oranges and reds, transformed into a black velvet dotted with indifferent stars. The scorching heat of the day, which had hovered around 52 degrees Celsius, gave way to a biting cold that quickly dropped to around 10 degrees Celsius, making the thin air seem even more frigid. A shiver ran through Jhon, not just from the cold, but from the oppressive feeling the night brought with it. The radio on his HUD tuned to a distant hiss, interrupted only by the restless voices in the local chat, a reminder that he was not alone, but that everyone was fighting their own war.
Jhon had positioned himself inside the bus, the engine off to conserve fuel, but the 300-meter radar still active, scanning the perimeter like a tireless sentinel. The campfire outside, a small island of flickering light, was a fragile beacon against the gathering darkness, its dry twigs crackling and sputtering, the smell of smoke a primal comfort. He picked up one of the Minotaur Katanas (Epic), feeling its balanced weight and cool blade in his hands. The other was strapped to his back. His Enhanced Desert Eagle (.50 caliber) rested heavily on his lap, its six magazines nearby: two with armor-piercing ammunition, two with standard Desert Eagle ammunition (.50 caliber), and two with the newly acquired pistol ammunition (.45 caliber). Jhon knew the .45 ammunition would be ineffective against monsters above Rank F, but useful against smaller creatures. The night was a prelude to carnage.
"John, are you ready for what's coming?" Loli asked, her voice serious. "Local chat indicated heavy activity. This night won't be for the faint of heart."
"Ready as ever, Loli," Jhon replied in thought, his voice metallic and determined. His eyes scanned the HUD, the local chat messages blending into the focus of his radar.
[22:00] User 'MestreFerroviário': "Attention! Something large is moving southeast, towards the old power plant. I feel the earth shaking. Rank S, perhaps? Stay away!"
[22:30] User 'CaçadorNoturno': "The dead forest is busy today. Sounds of hordes. Be careful when hunting."
[23:00] User 'RainhaDaEstrada': "Anyone out there in the abandoned mine area? I found a Purple Box. It's guarded by a Ground Abyssal (Rank B)! I need help! This one's too big for me to handle alone!"
[23:45] User 'VigiaSolitário': "The Road Queen is right. The Earthen Abyssal is a hell of a force. Avoid the mine unless you want to be turned into crumbs."
[00:15] User 'CurandeiraDaNoite': "I have a patient with severe dehydration. I need purified water or medical supplies. I will pay well in food."
The mention of a Purple Box and a Rank B monster made Jhon's eyes narrow. That was a significant threat. And curiosity about the Purple Boxes was high; Loli hadn't yet explained them in detail.
"Loli, what are the Purple Boxes? And what can I expect from a Terrestrial Abyssal (Rank B)?", Jhon asked.
"Purple Boxes, Jhon, are extremely rare," Loli began, her voice taking on a reverent tone. "They contain items of the highest quality, with a high chance of being Epic or even Legendary. The chance of a Level 1 or Level 2 badge is almost guaranteed. But the danger... the danger is proportional. They are almost always guarded by Rank B or A monsters, and sometimes even an S-Rank can appear. The Earth Abyssal (Rank B) is a massive creature, like a living rock, with incredibly tough skin. Its attacks are slow but devastating, and it can cause earthquakes. You would need something that can pierce its natural armor."
As Loli spoke, the radar beeped, a loud, clear signal. It wasn't coming from a single box, but from multiple heat sources, rapidly approaching the bus. Outside, the night's chill was slowly being dispelled by something far more sinister.