My Post-Apocalyptic Shelter Levels Up Infinitely! Chapter 3
Previously on My Post-Apocalyptic Shelter Levels Up Infinitely!...
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Deuce! It’s actually feasible.”
A wave of relief washed over Su Mo as he read the second option presented by the system.
??
Disregarding the sarcastic remark, Su Mo’s face lit up with delight.
Water wells might be a rarity in the city, yet in many rural areas, even in the year 2022, people still relied on primitive wells. Before selecting a location for common wells, the terrain's topography was a crucial consideration; low-lying areas where water naturally gathered were ideal for drilling with modern tools.
However, with the Survival System now at his disposal, Su Mo merely needed to construct a basic model of the item, and his survival points would handle the rest.
A glimmer of hope ignited within him!
Su Mo began to examine the options for upgrading the water well. If he were to proceed with an upgrade without any personal contribution, it would cost him 130 survival points. At his current rate of earning 5 survival points daily, accumulating enough points would require at least five more days—a period during which he would undoubtedly succumb to thirst.
Simply waiting around to reach the target survival points was clearly an unviable strategy!
A grin spread across Su Mo’s face as an idea formed.
“I can provide the materials for the upgrade…”
With a mental tap on the second upgrade option, Su Mo swiftly received a list of two materials he could presently supply: 10 units of stones and 6 units of plant fiber.
Lifting his stone axe, Su Mo felt a surge of renewed vigor as he strode out of the shelter’s entrance, eager to gather the necessary supplies.
He began stripping leaves from trees and collecting stones.
After about half an hour of dedicated gathering, Su Mo returned to the shelter, his resource haul complete. The survival points requirement for the upgrade had now decreased to 75.
Option two was selected!
A verdant luminescence emanated from beneath Su Mo’s feet, gradually merging with the excavated pit. To his sight, the pit deepened progressively, and the wooden bucket, along with the surrounding terrain, seemed to descend and vanish from view.
Several units of plant fiber, previously fashioned into hemp rope, began to extend downwards in tandem with the wooden bucket.
The piles of rocks scattered on the ground diminished at an astonishing pace.
As all the required supplies were consumed, a distinct *snap* echoed, and the green glow returned to Su Mo’s body.
He directed his gaze toward the water well, where a brand-new attribute had appeared.
[Miniature Well Water Extractor (Normal)]
Current Efficiency: 2000ml/day
First Upgrade Option: Enhance well materials, improve sealing and water purification functions to increase water quality. Survival points required for upgrade (200).
Second Upgrade Option: Excavate a deeper pit to boost water extraction efficiency. Survival points required for upgrade (300).
Comment: Essential for survival in the wilderness!
Noting the well panel’s daily output of two liters, Su Mo felt a surge of elation and began calculating mentally.
Without strenuous activity, he could subsist on approximately 300ml of water daily. Even with demanding labor, a liter would suffice. The scientific recommendation of at least 2 liters per day seemed excessively extravagant in this post-apocalyptic setting.
A significant number of people did not even consume that much water daily during the era of civilization. It was highly improbable that anyone entering this post-apocalyptic world would aim to maintain perfect health.
The immediate threat of a water crisis had been averted!
His next priority was addressing the food shortage.
After some thought, Su Mo accessed the trading panel. As expected, the previously empty interface was now filled with various listings.
[Seller: Luo Feng]
[Trade Item: 1 Iron Block]
[Required Item: 100ml Pure Water]
[Remark: Don’t message me about the price; I spent over an hour digging under the scorching sun for this.]
…
[Seller: Su Yu]
[Trade Item: 200g Bread]
[Required Item: 1 Copper Block]
[Remark: If you don’t wish to starve, hurry up and hand over your copper. I won’t wait once the time is up.]
…
[Seller: Han Li]
[Trade Item: 500g Mutant Desert Coyote Meat]
[Required Item: 300ml Pure Water]
[Remark: Exchange fresh coyote meat for fresh water. Still very fresh. Hurry if you want it.]
…
[Seller: Wang Fugui]
[Trade Item: 100ml Thirst-Quenching Liquid]
[Required Item: Private message me if you have anything to offer.]
[Comment: Motherf*cker, your so-called thirst-quenching liquid is actually urine. Why don’t you quench your own thirst with it?]
[Comment: You swindled 10 units of wood from me. You’d better not let me catch you.]
…
Urine?
Su Mo found himself caught between amusement and exasperation upon reading the words 'thirst-quenching liquid'.
It appeared there was a loophole in the trading system, and it wasn't surprising the seller hadn't been specific about the liquid's origin. After all, newly transmigrated individuals wouldn't dream of drinking urine, even at death's door!
After a few minutes of careful observation.
Su Mo managed to get a general grasp of the market's dynamics.
At this nascent stage, numerous brave souls had already emerged, some even managing to fell several mutant creatures using their rudimentary tools.
Others had been fortunate enough to discover treasure chests scattered across the desert, yielding essential food and tools.
Nevertheless, water remained the most sought-after commodity.
Hardly anyone listed it for sale, and even the smallest amounts were snapped up in mere seconds.
Exiting the trading interface, Su Mo navigated to the Regional Channel, where he found a significantly greater amount of practical information being shared.
“The moment you defeat a mutant beast, a treasure chest containing various items appears. I just took down a mutant rabbit and got a bottle of water and a wrench from its chest.”
“You can also find treasure chests out in the wild. Just be careful not to confuse them with mere debris.”
“Is there any kind soul willing to spare some food? I've gone a full day without eating and am succumbing to thirst and hunger.”
Aside from the few individuals who had resigned themselves to lying on the ground, the majority were actively discussing methods for scavenging supplies.
At this juncture, few were focused on developing their shelters; most were concentrating on accumulating enough provisions before the next impending disaster.
Su Mo observed for a while longer, absorbing valuable insights.
As the initial introduction had hinted, the wilderness presented a dual nature of peril and opportunity.
Each defeated mutant would trigger the appearance of a reward treasure chest, the contents of which were dictated by sheer luck and the mutant's tier.
Furthermore, many treasure chests were simply scattered throughout the wilderness, waiting to be discovered and opened.
In essence, during this novice phase, survival was attainable for those willing to venture out and explore, offering a slim but present chance of overcoming hunger and thirst.
Conversely, individuals accustomed to comfortable lives, who only knew how to issue commands and had lost their survival instincts, would likely be the first to perish in this global survival competition involving billions of humans.
Su Mo remained seated on his shelter's steps until the sun, high in the sky, began its descent. Then, using the fading daylight, he began hauling up the wooden bucket.
After five hours, the bucket had yielded 400ml of water.
Next, Su Mo expended another 4 units of wood to construct a second bucket. He poured the well water into this new container for sedimentation, then lowered the original well water bucket once more to resume the extraction process.
Enduring his own thirst, Su Mo accessed the trading panel again. He listed 200ml of water and initiated an auction.
[Seller: Su Mo]
[Trade Item: 200ml Underground Mineral Water]
[Required Item: Any food item]
[Remark: Fresh underground water. I spent an entire day digging to collect this meager amount. My sole requirement is food. Highest bidder takes it.]
Before Su Mo had even finished posting the listing, the chat channel erupted instantaneously.
“Holy crap, someone actually put up water for trade—freshly dug water!”
“There’s water beneath the earth. Don’t need to say more, I’m digging immediately!”
“This is the first time I’ve heard of someone actually digging for water. Most of the water traded today came from treasure chests; I can’t believe this guy is actually willing to trade it away.”
“He’s only asking for food. I have 300g of bread. Can I swap it for some water?”
The World Channel chat was in a frenzy.
Meanwhile, a deluge of private messages began flooding Su Mo’s inbox via the trading channel.
“All-knowing Su Mo, might I barter 20 units of wood for your water? Please be merciful. I am desperately thirsty.”
“I possess a hundred billion dollars in assets; give me this water, and I’ll bestow upon you a billion. I guarantee you a life of immense wealth henceforth.”
“Charming Su Mo, I’m terribly thirsty. Would you be willing to spare some water, pretty please? If we ever meet, I’ll do absolutely anything you desire~”
“Hey man, 300g wolf meat + 200g bread for an exchange? I need water.”
“...”
Thousands of private messages poured in, including many from foreign users whose messages were automatically translated into Chinese. Among the senders were numerous former celebrities, influential tycoons, and high-ranking officials.
Offers ranged from grand promises and veiled threats to outright seduction attempts via private text.
Su Mo disregarded them all.
Five days remained until the initial wave of catastrophe descended, a period where uncertainty leveled all of humanity. Who among them would pull through the coming ordeal was anyone's guess. After a brief ten-minute deliberation, Su Mo selected the offer that currently held the highest value and finalized the exchange. [Record]: 200ml of your water has been deducted. [Record]: You have acquired 350g of bread, 200g of beef jerky, 1 unit of iron, and 1 lighter. Upon the completion of the trade, a significant portion of the water in the wooden bucket disappeared, replaced by the newly acquired goods now stored in his inventory. Reviewing his prior expenditures, Su Mo noted that only four units of wood remained in his possession. With the remaining wood, Su Mo crafted a wooden box, carefully placing all the items he had just obtained inside. He then picked up the wooden water bucket, consumed half of the water left within, and stepped out once more as dusk began to settle.