The campfire had burned out.
Only a pile of pale ashes remained.
The air in the cave turned cold and damp once more, carrying an inescapable scent of scorch and rust.
Qin Yu opened his eyes.
No confusion, no grogginess.
The moment his eyes opened, his hand had instinctively reached for the S686 Shotgun beside him.
The cold touch of the gun barrel brought some slight relief to his tense nerves.
He was still alive.
In this godforsaken place that devoured people, waking up alive was the greatest fortune.
He shifted his body.
There was no expected soreness.
Instead, he felt full of strength.
It was as if all his muscle fibers had been taken apart and rewoven with steel wire.
There seemed to be a fire burning inside him.
B-Grade Moon Wolf Meat.
The aftereffects of this thing were stronger than he had imagined.
After just one night, the gash on his thigh from fighting the large wolf had faded to a faint pink mark.
Even the scab had fallen off.
"Mmm..."
A soft moan came from beside him.
Carrying a hint of laziness, and some barely concealed exhaustion.
Qin Yu turned his head.
Yao Xue was curled up in his embrace, like a docile cat.
The severely damaged windbreaker covered her body, revealing half of her snow-white calves.
The bruises on them were still startling to see.
They were marks left from last night's intense activity.
Hearing the movement, Yao Xue's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Those eyes, usually clear and cold, keeping others at a distance, now held a trace of moist confusion.
She looked at Qin Yu.
Frozen for two seconds.
As if recalling everything that happened last night.
Then, her delicate face visibly flushed red.
All the way to the tips of her ears.
She instinctively pulled at the clothes covering her, trying to hide something.
"Awake?"
Qin Yu's voice was flat.
No emotion could be discerned.
He sat up, pulled a bottle of S-Grade Purified Water from his backpack, and took a large gulp.
"Want some?"
He handed the bottle over.
Yao Xue took the bottle, not minding that Qin Yu had just drunk from it.
She was indeed thirsty.
She had sweated too much last night.
"Gulp, gulp."
She drank in small but hurried sips.
Drops of water trickled from the corner of her mouth, tracing a path down her slender neck.
"How's the wound?"
Qin Yu pointed to her left shoulder.
Yao Xue put down the water bottle and tentatively moved her left arm.
There was no expected sharp pain.
Only a tight pulling sensation and some unbearable itching.
Carefully, she peeled away the thick layer of cloth bandage.
Her pupils slightly contracted.
The three claw marks, originally deep enough to see bone with flesh torn open, had now formed a thick, dark scab.
The redness and swelling around the edges had mostly subsided.
"This..."
Yao Xue touched the skin around the wound in disbelief.
As a chief surgeon, she knew all too well the recovery timeline for such injuries.
In a sterile environment, with sutures, antibiotics, and nutrient fluids, it would take at least half a month to remove the stitches.
And now.
After just one night.
In this cave full of bacteria and filth.
It was almost healed?
"Don't pick at it."
Qin Yu batted away her hand as she reached to touch the scab.
"That's the wolf meat's doing."
"The biological energy contained in a Grade B ingredient is enough to heal minor wounds like this."
"Though the process was a bit rough, the results are good."
Yao Xue withdrew her hand and looked at Qin Yu.
Her expression was complicated.
"Thank you."
"And... last night..."
Her voice grew softer.
Although she was a doctor, accustomed to human anatomy,
the nearly frenzied taking and giving of last night still filled her with shame.
It was something she would never have done in civilized society.
"Mutual benefit."
Qin Yu cut her off.
His tone remained as hard and cold as ever.
"Don't overthink it."
"In times like these, sentimentality is a luxury."
"Got your strength back?"
Yao Xue took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes."
It was true.
The weakness had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of fullness.
Even her vision and hearing seemed sharper.
"Then eat something."
Qin Yu pulled out the clusters of Snakeskin Fruit he had gathered yesterday from his backpack.
Tossing two clusters to Yao Xue.
"Eat up, then we work."
"We still have business to attend to."
Yao Xue caught the fruit, peeling away the snakeskin-like outer layer.
Revealing the jade-white flesh inside.
She took a bite.
Sweet and tart juice burst in her mouth.
Refreshing and invigorating.
Combined with the residual energy from the wolf meat, it left her feeling thoroughly revitalized.
As Qin Yu chewed on his fruit, he stared at the stiff wolf carcass by the cave entrance.
His brow slightly furrowed.
As if pondering some difficult problem.
"What's wrong?Yao Xue keenly sensed his emotions.
"Is there something wrong with the wolf?""
"The wolf is fine."
Qin Yu spat out a seed.
"What's wrong is this place."He stood up, walked over to the wolf carcass, and nudged the fierce wolf head with the tip of his foot.
"I've been thinking since last night."
"This wolf was a Grade B Elite Monster."
"Logically, a monster of that level should be the undisputed ruler of an area."
"Like that boar last time, guarding something."
Qin Yu's gaze swept around the cave.
Nothing but scattered rocks and a pile of dry bones.
Completely empty.
"But there's nothing."
"Aside from its hide and meat, this beast is dirt poor."
"If there's nothing here..."
"Then there's only one possibility."
Qin Yu turned, his gaze piercing through the cave entrance into the deep, dense jungle beyond.
His eyes grew sharp.
"This wolf wasn't the top dog here."
"At best, it was a guard."
"Or perhaps... a hunting dog for something even more terrifying."
Yao Xue's hand trembled.
The fruit in her hand nearly fell to the ground.
A Grade B Elite Monster.
A creature so fast it was a blur, with claws that could slice through rock.
Merely a guard?
Then what level must the true master of this island be?
Grade A?
Or... Grade S?
"Don't scare yourself."
Qin Yu saw her fear.
"Greater risk, greater reward."
"If there's no treasure chest here,"
"then it means the real prize is with that bigger creature."
"As long as we can kill it."
"System."
Qin Yu silently called out in his mind.
A new day.
He had good luck yesterday, drawing the Assault Boat.
Today, he hoped for something more useful.
Especially if they were really going to hunt that unknown entity.
Relying solely on an S686 and two blades was clearly insufficient.
"Sign in."
"Draw."
The familiar roulette wheel materialized in his mind.
The pointer spun rapidly.
Sweeping past the white household items, green basic materials, and blue tools.
Its speed gradually slowed.
Purple?
No.
It hadn't stopped yet.
The pointer trembled as it slid past the purple zone.
Finally.
It came to rest on a dazzling golden section!
Golden light erupted!
The brilliance made Qin Yu's mind buzz with a ringing sensation.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host! Luck has exploded!]
[Obtained S-grade Special Item: All-Terrain Tactical Satellite Terminal (Sky Eye)]
[Description: Though the satellites have fallen, the data links remain eternal. This is a military-grade tactical tablet connected to still-functional backup orbital satellites.]
[Function 1: Full Map Scan. Displays terrain and Resource Point distribution within a 50-kilometer radius of the host.]
[Function 2: Biological Radar. Marks the location, level, and energy signature of hostile creatures in real-time.]
[Function 3: Communication Hijacking. Can intercept or block radio signals within range (though few use radios these days).]
[Note: Unlimited battery, solar-powered self-charging. Waterproof, shockproof, explosion-proof.]
Qin Yu's eyes snapped open.
He couldn't suppress the grin spreading across his face.
He even laughed aloud.
"Hahaha!"
"Excellent!"
"Just what we needed!"
A flash of light appeared in his hand.
A palm-sized tactical tablet, entirely black and encased in thick shock-absorbing rubber, materialized.
The screen lit up.
Without any startup logos.
It directly displayed a high-precision aerial map.
"What's this?"
Yao Xue leaned closer.
Staring at the high-tech device in Qin Yu's hand with astonishment.
"This... is this a tablet?"
"And it has internet?"
"Something even better than internet."
Qin Yu's fingers slid across the screen.
"This is our eyes."
On the screen.
Was a map so detailed it was almost obscene.
Blue represented the ocean.
Green represented land.
In the lower left corner of the screen, a blinking green dot pulsed.
That was their Raft.
Qin Yu zoomed in.
He could even clearly see the small figure curled up in the corner of the second floor on the raft.
It was Yao Qian.
The girl was still alive.
And appeared highly vigilant, clutching that dagger tightly in her hand.
"Xiao Qian..."
Yao Xue covered her mouth, her eyes reddening.
Seeing her younger sister safe and sound finally eased the anxiety in her heart.
"Don't cry."
"Look at this."
Qin Yu dragged the map to the upper right.
This was the crucial part.
The entire island's layout unfolded before them.
It was huge.
Far larger than what they had seen from the shore.
It resembled a massive skull floating on the sea.
Their current position was at the chin of this skull.
Which was the cave near the gravel beach.
On the screen.
Dense clusters of red dots covered the display.
Tiny as sesame seeds - those were F-grade insects or small beasts.
Slightly larger ones like mung beans - those were E-grade wild animals, such as wild boars or wolves.
And deep within the jungle.
Right at the position of the skull's "eye sockets."
There was a red dot.
No.
That couldn't be called a dot.
It was a massive red blotch!
As large as a thumbnail!
The color was so deep it appeared black, pulsing rhythmically without cease.
Even through the screen alone.
One could feel the overwhelming pressure radiating from it.
And surrounding that massive bright spot.
Was actually a vacuum zone.
No other red dots dared approach that area.
For several kilometers around.
Was it barren of all life?
Or had all creatures submitted to its dominance?
"What... what is this?"
Yao Xue pointed at the enormous red spot, her voice trembling slightly.
"This is that 'big one'."
Qin Yu stared intently at the bright spot.
His eyes burning with fervor.
"The system determines that the size of red dots represents the strength of energy reactions."
"That B-grade Moon Wolf would probably only show as soybean-sized on the map."
"But this one..."
Qin Yu licked his lips.
"Is at least A-grade."
"Possibly even quasi-S-grade."
A quasi-S-grade creature.
That represented a qualitative leap.
If B-grade creatures could still be worn down through traps and numbers.
Then quasi-S-grade creatures were walking natural disasters.
Their fur could withstand bullets, their strength could overturn tanks.
"Are we going... to find it?"
Yao Xue recognized Qin Yu's intention.
Though she had mentally prepared herself.
Faced with this unknown terror, her instincts still made her want to flee.
"Can we win?"
"It looks... too big."
Qin Yu didn't answer immediately.
He zoomed out the map.
Glanced at the terrain surrounding the massive red spot.
It was a valley.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one exit.
Typically easy to defend but hard to attack, and also a typical death trap.
"Even if we can't win, we must try."
Qin Yu put away the tablet.
Turned to look at Yao Xue.
"Do you know what's most terrifying in this world?"
"The monsters?"
"No."
"Mediocrity."
Qin Yu pointed at the ground beneath their feet.
"Our current resources are indeed enough for us to survive for a while on the sea."
"But only for a while."
"When the real 'storm' arrives."
"Even reinforced iron rafts would be as fragile as paper before true disasters."
"What we need isn't wood and stone."
"What we need is a core."
"A core that can establish our foothold in this apocalyptic world."
His gaze returned to the direction of the red spot.
"What that big one is guarding."
"Definitely can transform us completely."
"Maybe advanced weapons."
"Or some kind of serum that can alter our physique."
Qin Yu clenched his fist.
His knuckles turning white.
"Yao Xue."
"I don't want to encounter powerful enemies in the future and only be able to flee like rats with all of you."
"I want to be the one who makes others flee."
"Do you understand?"
Yao Xue looked at him.
At the burning ambition in this man's eyes.
It wasn't recklessness.
It was a determination born from careful consideration.
She remained silent for a moment.
Then.
Reached out and grasped Qin Yu's hand.
"I understand."
"I'm a doctor."
"I know some surgeries carry great risks, might even kill the patient."
"But without them, the patient would certainly die."
"Since you've decided to perform this surgery."
"Then I'll be your first assistant."
"Passing scalpels, stopping bleeding, stitching wounds."
"As long as I live."
"You won't die."
Qin Yu smiled.
This time, his smile held less coldness and more approval.
He gripped Yao Xue's hand in return.
Squeezing firmly.
"Good."
"Then let's pull off something big."
He released her hand.
Began checking his equipment.
S686 Shotgun.
Eighteen rounds left.
That's enough.
If eighteen blasts can't take it down, then a hundred and eighty wouldn't make a difference.
Fine Iron Dagger.
Sharpened, still razor-sharp.
Two Wolf Fangs.
Freshly pulled from wolf corpses.
Though not yet polished, their natural barbs and hardness made them perfect bloodletting tools.
Qin Yu handed one of the fangs to Yao Xue.
"Take it."
"This works better than your machete."
"Stab it in, don't pull out, twist it around."
"Even a god would kneel."
Yao Xue accepted the blood-scented fang.
Cold to the touch.
She mimicked Qin Yu's gesture, practicing the motion in the air.
Her gaze gradually sharpened with ferocity.
Last night's experience had taught her one truth.
In this world.
Mercy is for the dead.
The living only need cruelty.
"Let's move."
Qin Yu shouldered his pack.
Kicked dirt over the dying embers.
Without looking back.
Strode out of the cave.
Outside.
The sunlight was bright.
Yet couldn't penetrate the dense jungle.
Dancing shadows resembled clawing, snarling demons.
Qin Yu studied the satellite map in his hand.
That massive red blotch still pulsed quietly in the valley.
As if waiting.
Or mocking.
"Just wait."
Qin Yu narrowed his eyes.
"I'm coming to collect you."
...
The two moved in single file.
Reentering that suffocating green ocean.
With the satellite map's guidance.
Their progress was much faster this time.
Qin Yu no longer needed to navigate blindly or wander aimlessly.
"Turn left, bypass the swamp."
"Stop. Wild boars two hundred meters ahead. Don't alert them, flank from the right."
"Speed up, this area's clear."
Like having full map awareness.
He led Yao Xue through the perilous jungle.
Avoiding all unnecessary conflicts.
Closing in precisely on that red blotch.
The deeper they went.
The stranger the surroundings became.
Trees grew twisted.
Once-straight trunks appeared spiraled, as if wrung by giant hands.
Leaves lost their green hue.
Taking on an eerie purplish-red tint.
A faint sweetness permeated the air.
Floral fragrance.
But sickeningly potent.
"Masks on."
Qin Yu tore two cloth strips.
Poured water to dampen them.
Handed one to Yao Xue.
"The mist is toxic."
"Not lethal, but causes hallucinations."
Yao Xue quickly covered her nose and mouth.
She'd felt it too.
For a moment, she'd seen human faces sprouting from tree trunks.
Early signs of poisoning.
"How much further?"
Yao Xue's voice muffled through the wet cloth.
Qin Yu glanced at the screen.
The red blotch now covered half the display.
Distance...
Under one kilometer.
"Close."
"Just beyond that mountain ahead."
Qin Yu halted.
Stowed the tablet.
From here on, no more screen watching.
They'd need their eyes.
Their ears.
Their instincts.
Because a quasi-S-class creature's detection range far exceeded expectations.
Perhaps even now.
That massive being had already sensed two ants trespassing.
"Check your weapons."
Qin Yu worked the shotgun pump.
Chk-chk.
Round chambered.
"Stay close."
"Watch your step."
"Don't step on the branches."
"If it charges at us."
Qin Yu turned his head, staring intently at Yao Xue.
"Don't worry about me."
"Find cover."
"Leave the shooting to me."
"Leave the finishing blows to you."
Yao Xue tightened her grip on Wolf Fang.
She nodded heavily.
"Understood."
The two crouched low.
Like two ghosts.
They slowly crept up the not-so-tall ridge.
Once they crossed this ridge.
It would be the battlefield.
The wind.
Suddenly stopped.
The irritating chirping of insects and birds around them vanished completely in that instant.
Dead silence.
Absolute dead silence.
Only the drum-like beating of their hearts echoed in their eardrums.
Qin Yu lay behind the scattered rocks on the ridge.
Slowly peeking half his head out.
He looked down into the valley below.
With just one glance.
His pupils contracted violently to the size of needle points.
It felt as if all the blood in his body had frozen at that moment.
"My god..."
Yao Xue behind him also peeked out.
Seeing the scene below.
She covered her mouth.
Almost letting out a scream.
It was a massive circular valley.
Barren of any vegetation.
The ground was covered with a thick layer of white crystals, like frost, or perhaps bone dust.
And right in the center of the valley.
Loomed a "mountain of flesh."
Yes.
A mountain of flesh.
It was a gigantic mutated bear.
As tall as a two-story building.
Its body was covered in black scale armor instead of fur.
On its back.
Grew a row of sharp bone spikes, shimmering with a faint purple glow.
It was sleeping.
With every breath.
Two white gusts of air shot out from its nostrils.
Sending the bone dust on the ground swirling into the air.
And beneath its body.
Lay a golden chest.
That was...
A quasi-S-grade treasure chest!
His judgment had been correct.
This was the guardian beast.
But this guardian beast...
Was just too damn big!
"That's... the Black Armor Spineback Bear."
Qin Yu swallowed hard.
The system in his mind provided a prompt.
[Warning! Extreme Danger!]
[Creature Name: Black Armor Spineback Bear (Quasi-S-grade Lord)]
[Description: A land tank, the ultimate combination of strength and defense. Its scales can deflect small-caliber bullets, its paws can crush rocks. Highly aggressive and extremely territorial.]
[Weaknesses: White patch on the abdomen (its only soft spot), eyes.]
"Do we fight?"
Yao Xue's voice trembled.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself.
The instinctual fear from seeing such a monster, as if it had stepped out of mythology, still made her legs weak.
This was not something humans could contend with.
Qin Yu stared fixedly at the treasure chest.
Then looked at the seemingly invincible giant bear.
Finally.
His gaze fell on the faintly visible patch of white fur on the bear's abdomen.
That was their only chance of survival.
And also their only path to death.
"We fight."
Qin Yu spat out the word.
His voice was soft.
He slowly raised the S686.
Aiming at the bear's closed eye.
"Yao Xue."
"Are you ready?"
"Wait for me to fire the first shot."
"Then run to the left."
"Lure it to turn around."
"I'll find an opportunity."
"To blow its balls off."
Yao Xue tightened her grip on Wolf Fang.
Took a deep breath.
Suppressing the fear in her heart.
Her eyes became resolute.
"Alright."
"I'll be the bait."
"Qin Yu."
"You must..."
"Kill it!"