Meng Hao was armed with a 98K sniper rifle, with 188 bullets remaining.
His sister possessed a powerful Red Hawk revolver, which had been automatically equipped with 200 rounds. The exact number she had left was unclear.
Though grenades were undeniably potent, bullets clearly held more strategic value for Meng Hao at this stage.
"Option one," he chose.
Instantly, his total bullet count soared to 688.
Among them, 188 rounds were specific to the 98K, while the other 500 were universal bullets that would automatically adjust their caliber to match any equipped firearm.
One final treasure chest remained.
[Ebony Chest Discovered. Open it?]
"Open it."
With his response, the ebony chest unlocked on its own.
Inside, a plastic vial containing a thick, green liquid was nestled. The contents were viscous and unidentifiable.
[Nutrient Serum – Decayed-grade item. A specially formulated liquid meal replacement. One bottle sustains a human for an entire day without food.]
[Ding! Divine Fortune triggered. One hundredfold reward activated.]
Choose one of the following rewards:
100 bottles of Nutrient Serum
1 bottle of Gene Enhancement Elixir
Meng Hao's heart skipped a beat.
The nutrient serum was easy to understand—one bottle could sustain him for a day, which meant he wouldn't need to worry about food for the next hundred days.
But in the apocalyptic island survival game, was food truly the highest priority?
Clearly not.
Eating was merely the first step toward survival. Once basic needs were met, the true goal was growth and strength.
Even with endless provisions, a single bite from a zombie would render them meaningless.
What use was sustenance if life itself was forfeit?
Power—real, formidable strength—was what determined survival. With enough of it, resources would no longer be a concern.
Option two was the wiser choice.
Though he wasn't entirely sure what the gene enhancement elixir entailed, its name alone suggested a means to gain power.
"Option two."
[Gene Enhancement Elixir – Bronze-grade item. A potent serum capable of modifying human genes, dramatically boosting physical capabilities.]
As he read the description, a surge of excitement rushed through him. His handsome face lit with undisguised anticipation.
A serum capable of rewriting the human genome—did this mean he could truly become stronger?
Yes, this was exactly what he needed.
In every circumstance, strength reigned supreme.
Unable to contain his eagerness, he raised the vial toward the sky.
"A toast!"
He tipped his head back and drank it in one go.
To the blazing sun, I raise my cup—may I rise anew as a warrior.
Glug. Glug. Glug.
Burp.
Meng Hao emptied the elixir, letting out a hearty belch.
The taste was sour and pungent, reminiscent of pickled fish soup, with a powerful briny tang.
As the serum hit his stomach, a burning sensation ignited within him.
Like drinking pure chili oil, his insides blazed.
"Huh?"
But soon the fire ebbed, replaced by a bitter cold that froze him from the inside out.
His stomach churned, chilled to the bone, as if his guts had turned to blocks of ice.
From fiery heat to glacial frost.
"D*mn… am I dying?"
Shivering violently, Meng Hao felt as though he had plunged into an icy abyss, the blazing sun above powerless to warm him.
Just as he thought he could endure no more, the cold began to fade, replaced once again by searing heat.
"What the—?"
The pain surged anew—like flames licking at every nerve, needles piercing from within.
He trembled, drenched in sweat, his body pushed to its limit.
He dared not cry out, for the island beyond still harbored unknown dangers.
Seconds crawled like hours, and just when he felt he would pass out, the burning receded.
But then, the frost returned.
Utterly disoriented, Meng Hao was tossed between extremes of agony—scorched by fire, frozen by ice—over and over again.
His body felt like forged steel, being tempered in flame and plunged into icy water.
[Beep! Congratulations, player upgrade successful.]
[Player: Meng Hao746996585][Level: Tier-One Warrior][Stats: Strength +10, Agility +10, Endurance +10][Weapon: 98K Sniper Rifle][Assessment: You are now barely worthy of being called a warrior. Even unarmed, you can put up a fight.]
Reading the system's evaluation brought a flicker of satisfaction. The suffering had not been in vain.
He stood, clenched his fists—and felt raw power surge through his limbs.
A light jump sent him soaring—his body felt spring-loaded.
Truth be told, his physique now exceeded that of any modern martial arts champion.
Of course, brute strength alone wasn't everything—technique still mattered.
But against zombies? This should suffice.
"D*mn!"
Looking down, he realized he was caked in mud and filth.
His clothes clung to him, sticky and uncomfortable—like lathered soap left unrinsed after the water shuts off.
"Could this be… the legendary purification of body and marrow?"
"Incredible!"
He stripped off his garments and waded into the sea to cleanse himself.
The beach was narrow—less than ten meters—but ample for a bath.
Though seawater lacked the freshness of a proper wash, it was better than wallowing in grime.
The island was cloaked in fog, so he had little fear of being seen. He lay spread-eagle in the shallows, letting the waves rinse him clean.
His body drifted with the tide, as if greeting the world anew.
Fatigue melted from his limbs—a natural spa for the soul.
Having consumed the gene elixir, his senses seemed heightened—especially his hearing.
Beneath the rhythmic slap of the waves, another sound whispered through—the sharp slicing of water by something swift and sharp.
"Hm?"
"Something's wrong!"
Startled, Meng Hao sprang from the water, dashing for the shore.
Behind him, a massive shark—over two meters long—burst from the sea, its jaws agape in a savage lunge.
Its breath reeked of death, its fangs gleamed with lethal precision.
The beast missed him by mere inches, crashing back into the ocean with a thunderous splash.
Cold sweat drenched Meng Hao's back.
That had been far too close.
"A shark?! In these waters?"
Heart racing, Meng Hao scanned the sea with newfound vigilance.
Zombies on land, sharks in the water—this game was designed to grind survivors into despair.
He stood at the shoreline, overwhelmed by a thousand thoughts.
Tilting his head at a poetic 45-degree angle, his once-handsome face now bore a trace of rugged depth.
A gust of sea wind swept past. He shivered.
"…D*mn. My clothes!"