[Obtained Gold x20, Parts x50, Universal Bullets x2000]
[Obtained "Sniper Rifle" x1]
[Obtained "Firearm Modification: Ballistic Correction" x1]
[Obtained "Armor Core" x1] (Rare)
---
Jackpot!
Guna's eyes nearly sparkled as the rewards materialized before him. Twenty gold coins, fifty parts, a mountain of ammunition, and—most importantly—top-tier equipment. His lips curled into a grin that stretched nearly to his ears.
He hadn't expected his first triggered Intelligence to yield such a massive windfall. The swamp's danger had nearly killed him, but the rewards were worth it.
Without hesitation, he pulled each item from the treasure chest and inspected them carefully.
---
Sniper Rifle: TRG-22
Magazine: 5 / 30 (Auto-fill)
Durability: 100%
Modification Device: None
Rating: A powerful rifle with an effective range of over 2000 meters. One sight lock means instant death for the target.
Modification Device: Ballistic Correction (Firearm)
Rating: Can be applied to any firearm. Once installed, bullets are no longer affected by wind resistance. Enhances accuracy significantly. (Note: Once applied, it is permanently bound to the weapon.)
Armor Core (Rare)
Rating: The core material for upgrading a Level 2 vehicle. Extremely precious and rare in the early stages. Anyone who sells this is a fool.
---
Guna exhaled sharply. The sheer value of these items was immeasurable. Not only the rifle, the modification device, and the rare Armor Core, but also the 20 gold, 50 parts, and 2000 bullets—luxuries most players could only dream of.
Indeed, the system was right. Danger and opportunity walked hand in hand. If not for his nerve and willingness to gamble, who else would have dared step into a python-infested swamp and dig a treasure chest out of the mud on the very first day?
Still grinning, Guna turned to leave, his mind buzzing with plans. But then he froze.
Hiss... hiss... hissss...
A deep, chilling sound slithered through the air. From behind him, a massive python—fifteen meters long, as thick as a bucket—rose from the mud. Its body coiled, lifting the front half upright. A forked crimson tongue flicked in and out. Cold, vertical pupils locked on him.
The distance between them: less than two meters.
Guna's breath hitched. The blood in his veins felt like ice.
Before he could move, glowing text appeared before his eyes.
---
Adult Swamp Blood Python
Rating: A large swamp predator, capable of growing over 100 meters in length. Docile when well-fed, but fiercely territorial. If provoked, it will crush every bone in your body before swallowing you whole.
---
The python leaned closer, its forked tongue flicking so near that he could feel the faint brush of air. Its pupils glimmered with hostility.
If he turned to flee, it would lunge. One strike, one coil, and he'd be nothing but shattered bones and flesh.
His only chance—fight.
Click-clack!
The sound of his AK47 cocking rang out, crisp and sharp.
The python hissed in alarm, rearing back slightly before lunging forward with a roar. But Guna was faster. He had already raised the rifle, his finger squeezing the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!—!
Gunfire erupted in rapid succession, the AK's muzzle flashing like firecrackers in the swamp. Bullet after bullet tore into the python's massive head, spraying mud and blood.
HISSSS!!!
The serpent thrashed violently, its body twisting and rolling across the ground like a monstrous whip. The ground shook beneath its weight.
Guna clenched his jaw, refusing to let up. He emptied the entire magazine into the python's skull. When the weapon clicked dry, he yanked out his Glock and fired round after round, each shot slamming into flesh.
After a brutal barrage, the python's body collapsed. Its skull was a pulpy ruin, its enormous frame twitching only with residual muscle spasms.
[Successfully killed an Adult Swamp Blood Python! Gold +0.5! Python Skin +1!]
Panting, Guna leaned against his knees. Relief surged through him, mixed with disbelief. That beast's sheer size and strength meant even a casual tail swipe could have broken his bones. If not for his weapons, he would be inside its stomach right now.
He glanced at the reward and blinked. Only 0.5 gold for all that? Still, it had dropped a python skin, which would fetch a decent value. Clearly, these monsters were worth hunting—just not up close.
A sudden rustling noise snapped his head up.
His face drained of color.
The gunfire had drawn attention. From the reeds and swamp water, more blood pythons slithered out, circling him.
"Shit!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! The AK roared again, its magazine reloaded. Guna backed away step by step, aiming carefully. Even without perfect accuracy, the rifle's raw firepower shredded the bowl-thick serpents. Scales cracked, bodies split apart, and blood sprayed across the mud.
[Successfully killed a Juvenile Swamp Blood Python! Gold +0.1!]
[Successfully killed a Juvenile Swamp Blood Python! Gold +0.1!]
[Successfully killed a Juvenile Swamp Blood Python! Gold +0.1! Python Skin +1!]
On and on it went. By the time he staggered back into the van, he was soaked in sweat, his body coated with mud and blood. His arms trembled from the recoil.
But his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He had killed eighteen juvenile pythons and one adult. His spoils: 2.3 gold coins and 7 python skins.
Sliding into the driver's seat, Guna exhaled shakily. His backpack inventory shimmered before him.
---
Gold: 24.4
Weapons: Pistol x1, Rifle x1, Sniper Rifle x1, Short Dagger x1, Universal Bullets x2200, Firearm Modification: Ballistic Correction x1
Tools: None
Materials: Parts x53, Python Skin x12, Leather x2, Armor Core (Rare) x1
Food: Fresh Fruit x42
---
He leaned back and laughed softly despite his exhaustion. What a haul.
But time was slipping away. Less than an hour remained before nightfall.
He drove away from the swamp, searching for a safer place. Finally, he parked the van in a low, bushy terrain that provided concealment. Engine off. Silence.
First order of business: upgrades.
The car windows had two upgrade paths—Tempered Glass, which offered defense, and Firing Port, which combined defense with offense. Now that he had three firearms and over two thousand bullets, the choice was obvious.
[Firing Port] required 5 gold, 2 parts, and 5 steel sheets. He already had the gold and parts, but no steel sheets.
Opening the Exchange, he scanned through the listings. The marketplace was bustling now, with weapons, ammo, tools, and resources on display. Food and water were dirt cheap—players weren't starving yet. Weapons, fuel, and parts fetched high prices..
Steel sheets, however, surprised him. He expected them to be expensive, but they were abundant and listed at rock-bottom prices, some as low as 0.1 gold.
Perfect.
He purchased five immediately. With all requirements met, he confirmed the upgrade.
[Upgrading Car Windows → Firing Port...]