Guna fell silent, staring at the glowing upgrade options hovering before him. His fingers itched with frustration. The upgrade requirements were too steep. If he wanted to reinforce the car windows with Tempered Glass, it would cost him three whole gold coins. That meant killing thirty zombies just for a single upgrade.
He grimaced. He had only sixty bullets, and unless every single shot was a perfect headshot, there was no way he'd be able to manage that many kills. Even if he did, burning through his limited ammunition so early was suicide.
He glanced at the sun overhead. The system clock in the corner reminded him—just a little over three hours remained before nightfall.
Panic lurked in his chest, but he forced himself to breathe deeply. "Relying on zombies for gold isn't going to cut it. I need treasure chests. Fast."
Guna started up the battered van again, guiding it slowly across the plains. The wide wilderness looked endless, but searching for treasure chests was a test of patience and eyesight. The landscape offered no real obstacles, just a sea of grass under blinding sunlight. His eyes grew sore from staring at the monotony.
After more than an hour of searching, he finally spotted a small fruit tree bearing crimson fruits. His spirits lifted, and he gathered them all.
[Fresh Fruit x43]
---
Fresh Fruit
Rating: One of the most common fruits on the plains. Contains vital nutrients for the human body. Long-term, small consumption enhances physical fitness. However, it cannot replace staple food. Excess consumption can easily cause diarrhea.
---
Guna tried one immediately. The sour and astringent taste twisted his face, but at least it moistened his throat and eased his hunger slightly. He stored the rest in his backpack and climbed back into the van.
He had barely driven a few hundred meters when the ground beneath the tires softened, turning spongy and treacherous. The van wobbled and sank slightly. His stomach dropped.
"Damn... wetlands."
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. In this world, there was no road rescue service. If the van got stuck, he would be finished. Stranded, helpless, and likely devoured by monsters before sunrise.
Slamming the brakes, he stopped immediately and stepped out. His boots sank into soggy mud. The terrain had shifted—he was entering swamp land.
He tightened his grip on his Glock, forcing himself to stay calm. "I can't risk the van. I'll have to scout on foot."
Just as he steadied himself, a familiar chime echoed in his ears.
[Ding!]
[Today's Intelligence triggered! Do you wish to receive it?]
His pulse jumped. "Finally!"
This time, without hesitation, he pressed Accept.
---
Today's Intelligence
You have arrived at the outskirts of the swamp area, where danger and opportunity coexist. Even zombies become prey here for more terrifying predators. But great risks bring greater rewards. Roughly one hundred meters southeast of your current position, an unusual bronze luster has appeared. Investigate carefully, and you may find a remarkable harvest. Remember: bring your weapon.
---
"One hundred meters southeast..."
Guna's eyes narrowed as he turned his gaze. Sparse grass, slick mud glistening faintly, no zombies in sight. But the silence was unsettling. He could almost feel hidden eyes watching.
Still, he had to take the risk.
Gun held firmly in both hands, he bent his knees slightly and crept forward step by step. The mud squelched around his ankles, sucking at his boots like hungry mouths. Each step felt like he was planting rice seedlings, the muck threatening to rip off his shoes.
As he moved deeper, his eyes caught faint serpentine trails etched into the muddy grass.
Snake tracks.
His scalp prickled. Some were thin, but others were thick as a man's arm. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay alert.
Finally, after trudging a hundred meters, he spotted it. Half-buried in the muck was a wooden treasure chest glowing faintly.
"There!"
Cautiously, he bent and lifted the lid.
Light spilled out as items materialized in front of him.
[Obtained Gold x1, Python Skin x5, Universal Bullet x200]
[Obtained "AK47" x1]
[Obtained "Short Dagger" x1]
Two weapons at once!
Guna grinned ear to ear. His luck was finally showing.
---
Rifle: AK47
Magazine: 30/180 (Auto-reload)
Durability: 100%
Modification Device: None
Rating: The world's most mass-produced rifle. Beloved by pirates, gangs, and hardened soldiers alike. If one burst doesn't work, try two.
Short Dagger
Durability: 100%
Modification Device: None
Rating: Razor sharp and easily concealed. Perfect for sneak attacks in desperate life-or-death situations. (Don't hesitate. Pull it out and stab!)
---
On top of that, he had python skin—a useful crafting material for armor—and two hundred universal bullets, ammunition compatible with nearly all firearms. In this world, that was real currency.
"Jackpot."
Sliding the dagger into his belt alongside the Glock, Guna cradled the AK47 in his hands. The solid weight filled him with confidence. Compared to the shaky pistol, this was a real weapon of war.
But something didn't sit right. The Intel had said a "bronze luster" had appeared. Yet all he had found was a wooden chest. Where was the bronze shine?
Frowning, he crouched low, scanning his surroundings with heightened caution. The swamp was too quiet.
Then his breath caught.
A massive python slithered out from the grass. Seven or eight meters long, as thick as a bowl, its glossy scales glistened in the fading light. It slid past him just a few meters away.
"Oh... my god..."
Cold sweat drenched his back. And it wasn't alone.
In less than ten minutes, he spotted five more, one of them stretching over fifteen meters long. His muscles froze as it passed, its thick body undulating silently like a living nightmare.
If one of those things coiled around him, his bones would be crushed like twigs.
The outskirts of the swamp were far more dangerous than he had imagined.
Half an hour passed in tense silence as he continued searching, each step cautious and deliberate. Finally, in the damp grass where a python had just passed, his sharp eyes caught it—an unusual shimmer, the faint glint of bronze beneath the muck.
His heart thundered. "There!"
Suppressing his excitement, he waded forward, mud swallowing his calves. He rolled up his sleeves and plunged his hands deep into the sludge. His fingers scraped against something hard, square-edged.
"Yes!"
Gritting his teeth, he heaved upward. Mud bubbled and gurgled as he pulled, until at last a box coated in bronze sheen broke the surface.
---
Bronze Treasure Chest
Rating: If you've found me, consider yourself blessed.
(Treasure Chest Levels: Wooden → Black Iron → Bronze → Silver → Gold → Violet Radiance → Black Diamond → Legendary)
---
Guna's eyes widened in disbelief. A third-tier treasure chest—on the very first day?!
Suppressing his elation, he quickly flipped the lid open.
Clang—!
A crisp sound rang out as dazzling light spilled from the chest, bathing the swamp in brilliance...