"Drifting Island?"
Qin Yu stood at the steel-plated bow, squinting his eyes.
In the distant mist, there was indeed a dark shadow, like a lurking giant beast, appearing and disappearing with the rise and fall of the waves.
"It really is land..."
Yao Xue adjusted her glasses, her voice trembling slightly.
It was the longing for land etched deep in human DNA.
After drifting at sea for two days, constantly standing on swaying wooden planks, that feeling of instability could drive anyone mad.
Seeing an island now was like a drowning person spotting an oxygen tank.
"Don't celebrate too soon."
Qin Yu poured cold water on their excitement.
"These suddenly appearing islands usually mean two things."
"Opportunity."
"And death."
He withdrew his gaze, silently calling out in his mind.
"System."
"Daily draw."
In this perilous world, exploring unknown territories required trump cards.
Yesterday's water cannon was perfect for defense.
But now he needed offensive firepower.
That machete was fine for dealing with zombies, but against large beasts, it would be no different from using nail clippers.
"Ding!"
"Drawing today's reward..."
Qin Yu watched the rapidly spinning wheel before his eyes.
It had to be a weapon.
It must be a weapon.
The pointer gradually slowed.
Finally settling on an intimidating dark red section.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, Host! Jackpot!"
"Obtained S-grade individual weapon: [S686·Equality for All (Modified Edition)] x1."
"Includes: Special Armor-Piercing Slugs x50 rounds."
With a flash of light.
Qin Yu's hands felt suddenly heavier.
A rugged, entirely black double-barreled shotgun appeared in his grasp.
Heavy.
That was his first impression.
Weighing at least twenty pounds.
The barrels were thicker than ordinary shotguns, engraved with intricate dark red patterns that exuded an overwhelming aesthetic of violence.
[S686·Equality for All]
[Grade: S]
[Description: Beyond seven steps, the gun is fast; within seven steps, the gun is both accurate and fast. A violently modified weapon by the system, loaded with special slugs. Close-range firepower comparable to a small hand cannon. One shot, whether you're human or ghost - equality for all.]
"Good stuff."
Qin Yu stroked the cold barrel, a fierce grin spreading across his face.
This thing.
Packed a punch.
Though it only held two rounds, in close-quarters combat, two shots were enough to blast any carbon-based lifeform to smithereens.
"Click."
Qin Yu expertly broke open the barrels, loading two finger-thick red slugs.
Closed it.
Chambered a round.
The crisp sound of metal clicking together was like music to his ears.
"Brother Qin Yu, what's that in your hand..."
Yao Qian started to approach but shrank back when she saw the dark, menacing muzzle.
"A shotgun?"
"That's so cool!"
Though frightened, the starry-eyed admiration in her gaze was unmistakable.
"For self-defense."
Qin Yu slung the gun over his shoulder, instantly embodying the aura of a bandit chief.
"Adjust our course."
"Target, that island to the southeast."
"Full speed ahead!"
...
Five nautical miles wasn't particularly far.
The raft reinforced with sheet metal was heavier to paddle, but its greater momentum meant once it got moving, the speed wasn't slow either.
Half an hour later.
The full view of the "Drifting Island" finally unfolded before the three of them.
The island wasn't large.
Estimated to be about the size of two soccer fields.
There were no tall mountains, only messy shrubs and a few crooked trees.
It was surrounded by black reefs, with waves crashing against them and spraying foam several meters high.
"Stop!"
When they were still fifty meters from the island, Qin Yu suddenly raised his hand.
"What's wrong?"
Yao Xue was paddling vigorously, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.
"The water's too shallow."
"Full of submerged reefs."
Qin Yu pointed underwater.
Through the clear seawater, they could see sharp reefs below like inverted daggers.
With this terrain, the raft couldn't enter.
If they forced their way through, the bottom would definitely get torn up.
Although it was reinforced with sheet metal, this risk wasn't worth taking.
"What should we do then?"
Yao Qian asked with a worried expression.
"Just watch from here? I can already smell the soil..."
"I'll swim over."
Qin Yu slung the shotgun behind his back, securing it tightly with a leather strap.
He checked the Machete at his waist and the dagger on his leg.
"You two stay on the boat."
"Drop anchor, keep away from the reef area."
"If anything approaches, no matter what it is, blast it with the water cannon immediately."
"But..."
Yao Xue looked at the bottomless seawater, her eyes full of concern.
"Could there be danger in the water?"
"It's daytime."
Qin Yu glanced at the sun overhead.
"The rules said marine creatures have reduced aggression during daytime."
"Besides, the water's too shallow for sharks to enter."
"Don't worry."
"As long as I don't do anything stupid, no one in this sea can take my life."
After speaking.
Qin Yu didn't waste any more words.
With a splash.
He dove into the water like a fish.
The seawater was slightly cool.
But for Qin Yu in his current state, this temperature was just right.
His physical condition had been enhanced by the system, far surpassing ordinary people.
Arms paddling through water.
Even carrying twenty pounds of heavy weapons, he moved as fast as a swordfish.
Fifty meters distance, covered in the blink of an eye.
Qin Yu grabbed onto a moss-covered reef with both hands.
Pushed hard.
His entire body shot out of the water, landing steadily on the shore.
Beneath his feet were wet gravel.
The firm feedback sensation shot from his soles straight to the crown of his head.
Comfortable.
So comfortable.
The feeling of standing on solid land was completely different from standing on a raft.
Qin Yu took a deep breath.
The air was mixed with scents of rotting leaves, soil, and sea brine.
Not particularly pleasant.
But somehow brought a sense of peace.
He took off the shotgun from his back, shaking off the water.
S-grade weapons had top-notch waterproof performance, no need to worry about misfires.
"Click."
Safety off.
Qin Yu didn't rush inland.
Instead, he crouched on the beach, carefully observing his surroundings.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Apart from the sound of waves, the entire island was deathly still.
No bird calls, no insect chirps.
This wasn't normal.
Since it was an ecological island, there should be some living creatures.
Unless...
There was an apex predator at the top of the food chain here, either eating all other living things or scaring them away.
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes.
His gaze fell on the sandy ground ahead.
There was a row of messy footprints there.
Very deep.
Arranged in a plum blossom pattern, but with two deep holes at the front.
Hoofprints.
And from a large creature.
"A wild boar?"
The thought sprang into Qin Yu's mind.
But the size of these prints was larger than a washbasin.
If it was a wild boar, it would have to be the size of a tank.
"This is interesting."
Qin Yu licked his lips, the wariness in his eyes intensifying.
He lowered his posture and slowly crept into the bushes, following the direction of the footprints.
The bushes were dense.
Thorny vines snagged on his clothes, rustling as he moved.
Qin Yu advanced slowly.
With each step, he paused to listen for any sounds.
After about five or six minutes.
The view ahead suddenly opened up.
There was a small earthen slope.
Below the slope lay a natural depression.
And right in the center of that depression.
Sat a chest.
A metallic chest, silver-white all over, emitting a faint chill.
The luster.
The texture.
It was at least a grade higher than the previous B-grade chest!
On the side of the chest was carved a large letter.
[A]
A-grade treasure chest!
Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat.
His breathing instantly grew rapid.
A-grade!
If S-grade was divine artifacts, then A-grade was top-tier equipment!
This trip wasn't in vain!
But immediately after.
He forcibly suppressed that surge of greed.
His gaze shifted from the chest to its surroundings.
Right there in the shadow of the silver treasure chest.
Lay a mound... of flesh.
Yes, a mound of flesh.
It was a wild boar covered in black fur.
At least four meters in length.
The bristles on its back stood erect like steel needles.
Most terrifying were its tusks.
Two curved tusks, each a meter long, tinged with a withered yellow hue, their tips stained with long-dried dark red blood.
It was lying there, dozing.
Its massive nostrils flared in and out.
The exhaled air blew dust off the ground.
With every breath, a bellows-like rumble could be heard from its chest.
[Mutated Steel-Bristled Boar (Elite)]
[Description: The overlord of this island. Thick-skinned and tough—ordinary blades cannot pierce its hide. Extremely ill-tempered and highly territorial. Its tusks can easily pierce through sheet metal.]
"So there is a guardian monster."
Qin Yu hid behind the bushes, tightening his grip on the hunting rifle.
This was the system's usual tactic.
High risk, high reward.
To obtain an A-grade chest, he had to pass this trial first.
Qin Yu quickly ran calculations in his mind.
This boar had thick hide.
Even with an S-grade hunting rifle, a shot to its fleshy parts would likely only cause superficial wounds.
The creature was incredibly tenacious.
If it didn't die from the first strike and charged in a frenzy.
In this confined depression, he would undoubtedly be trampled into pulp.
He had to aim for a weak spot.
The eyes.
Or the soft cartilage behind the ears.
Qin Yu held his breath.
Slowly, he extended the rifle barrel through a gap in the bushes.
The distance was about thirty meters.
At this range, the slug round would have maximum power and accuracy.
He aimed at the boar's closed eye.
His finger rested on the trigger.
Applying pressure gradually.
Just then.
A sudden sea breeze swept through.
The wind direction changed.
The boar, previously asleep on the ground, twitched its large, fan-like ears.
Its enormous snout twitched violently.
It had caught the scent.
The smell of a stranger.
"GRUNT—!!!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
The boar snapped its eyes open.
They were a pair of blood-red eyes, filled with brutality and killing intent.
It sprang up from the ground almost instantly.
Without the slightest hesitation.
Its four hooves dug into the earth.
Like a runaway train, it charged thunderously toward Qin Yu's hiding spot!
"Damn!"
"Sharp nose!"
Since he was exposed, there was no point in hiding.
Qin Yu leaped to his feet.
The wild boar was now less than twenty meters away.
The terrifying pressure was palpable—he could even smell the foul stench from its mouth.
"Come on then!"
"Taste Grandpa's big treasure!"
Qin Yu planted his feet firmly, one in front of the other, leaning forward slightly to brace for the recoil.
The rifle stock was jammed tight against his shoulder.
Calm.
Absolute calm.
He watched as the boar's savage tusks closed in.
Fifteen meters.
Ten meters.
Five meters!
Now!
A sharp glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes.
He pulled the trigger.
BOOM!!!
A deafening blast, like sudden thunder from a clear sky.
A brilliant muzzle flash erupted from the barrel.
The powerful recoil slammed into his shoulder, forcing him half a step back.
The specially crafted armor-piercing slug tore through the air, spinning rapidly.
At such close range.
Aiming was unnecessary.
THWACK!
The bullet struck the boar's forehead with precision.
Its tough skull shattered like paper against the S-grade weapon.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The massive kinetic energy halted the boar's charge dead in its tracks.
Its huge body jolted to a stop, head snapping backward.
ROOOAR—!!!
A piercing shriek tore through the sky.
Half its head was blown apart.
But it wasn't dead!
The vitality of this mutated creature was absurdly tenacious.
Even with its brains nearly blown out, it thrashed its head wildly, a single remaining eye burning with madness.
It lowered its head again.
Preparing for one last desperate lunge.
"Still alive?"
"Then have another!"
Qin Yu gave it no chance to recover.
He angled the barrel downward.
Pulled the trigger again.
BOOM!!!
A second shot rang out.
This one.
Plowed straight into the gaping wound.
Detonating from within.
BANG!
The boar's head exploded completely.
Red and white matter splattered across the ground.
The massive body swayed twice.
Then toppled like a falling mountain.
THUD!
It crashed heavily to the earth.
Kicking up a cloud of dust.
Its four stout legs twitched a few times, then fell still.
"Hah…"
Qin Yu let out a long breath.
Rubbing his numb shoulder.
"Damn, that was tough."
Without this rifle.
Relying only on that blade, he'd probably have ended up dead today.
He stepped forward and nudged the motionless boar carcass with his foot.
[Acquired: Intact Mutated Wild Boar Carcass x1]
[Description: Every part is valuable. The meat is edible, the hide can be crafted into armor, and the tusks can be made into weapons.]
"Store!"
Qin Yu waved a hand.
The enormous boar carcass vanished instantly into his system backpack.
Meat for tonight.
And real pork at that.
Not that piss-flavored shark meat.
With the guard dealt with.
Qin Yu's gaze finally settled on the silvery-white case.
This was the real prize.
He walked over and placed a hand on the cool surface of the case.
A slight chill tingled at his fingertips.
Without wasting a moment.
He stored it directly in his spatial backpack.
This was no place to linger.
The gunshots were too loud, the bloodscent too strong.
If it attracted something big from the sea, the return journey would be treacherous.
Qin Yu turned and sprinted away.
Bursting out of the bushes, he reached the shoreline.
Out on the distant sea.
That iron-reinforced raft was still drifting there.
Two small figures were leaning against the railing, anxiously scanning the surroundings.
The gunshot earlier had clearly frightened them.
"Qin Yu!"
Seeing Qin Yu appear, Yao Xue waved her arm, her voice trembling with tears.
Qin Yu didn't speak.
He raised the hunting rifle in his hand and shook it.
Then he dove headfirst into the sea.
The return journey was faster than the trip out.
When Qin Yu grabbed the ladder and climbed back onto the deck, Yao Qian immediately threw herself at him.
"Wahh... you scared me to death!"
"I heard such a loud noise, I thought you'd blown up..."
The young girl clung tightly to Qin Yu's waist, smearing tears and snot all over his clothes.
Yao Xue also approached.
Though she didn't speak, her red-rimmed eyes betrayed her emotions.
She reached out to wipe the seawater from Qin Yu's face.
Her fingers felt somewhat cold.
"Are you okay?"
"Are you hurt?"
She looked Qin Yu up and down, worried that he might be missing a piece of flesh.
"I'm fine."
Qin Yu patted Yao Qian's head and peeled off this octopus-like girl.
"Just got a bit dirty."
He set the hunting rifle aside.
"Let's go."
"We're having a feast tonight."
A mysterious smile appeared on Qin Yu's face.
"What are we eating?"
Yao Qian sniffled.
"It's not shark meat again, is it?"
"No."
Qin Yu shook his head.
"Tonight we're having braised pork."
"Time to open the box."
"Let me show you what A-grade goods really look like."