dmims Chapter 16, Day 1 Settlement
Chapter 16, Day 1 Settlement
"The whole thicket was full of these things. We had just picked a few when suddenly a swarm of huge black beetles appeared out of nowhere, densely packed, each as big as a newborn baby!"
As Zhong Chengyu spoke, he gestured, a look of lingering fear on his face.
"Those beetles were ferocious; they pounced on us and bit us as soon as they saw us. If we hadn't run fast, we probably would have been bitten to death like those other unlucky guys."
Jiang Ming frowned.
Those black beetles again?
It seems I'll have to stay away from them quickly if I encounter them again.
"Alright, it's good enough that we have something to eat." Jiang Ming put the few blue-veined berries in his pocket and continued to the four people, "Let's start a fire first, I'm starving."
on the balcony.
The bed board that had been removed from the iron bunk bed was placed on two bricks, with a pile of dry branches underneath.
As the flames shot up, a pungent smell of smoke quickly filled the dormitory, but it was soon masked by an even stronger aroma of meat.
Both mutton and rat meat were cut into small pieces, skewered on sharpened branches, and sizzled and dripped oil as they were roasted over the flames.
There were no seasonings whatsoever, not even salt.
But that primal aroma of meat is enough to awaken the most intense and ravenous appetite deep within human genes.
"Gulp."
The sounds of swallowing saliva rose and fell.
Even Jiang Ming felt his stomach churn from the aroma.
"Is it ready yet? Is it ready yet?" Wang Yang stared at the skewers of golden-brown mutton, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. "They're going to burn if we don't eat them soon!"
"eat!"
Jiang Ming gave the order.
Several hands reached out towards the fire at the same time.
The piping hot mutton, even without salt, fills everyone's mouth with its unique umami flavor and the satisfying burst of fat.
"Waaaah...it's so delicious..."
Zhong Chengyu's bespectacled roommate, while breathing heavily from the burn, actually burst into tears, saying, "I thought I'd never be able to eat meat again in my life..."
The meal was eaten in a whirlwind.
The dormitory door was wide open, and the strong aroma of barbecue wafted down the corridor.
People from several nearby dormitories poked their heads out as soon as they smelled the odor.
Some stood at the doorway, swallowing hard, while others watched longingly from afar, their eyes filled with envy and longing.
Several boys from dormitory 303 across the street were leaning on the balcony railing, holding dry bread in their hands, watching Jiang Ming and his friends eat with gusto, their teeth itching with hatred.
"Damn it, they're eating barbecue!"
"That's mutton, isn't it? I can smell it! It's definitely mutton!"
"Why? We have to cut back on instant noodles, and they're eating barbecue?"
Complaints and curses echoed in the corridor, but this did not affect the feast inside dormitory 302.
In this world, the law of the jungle prevails.
Being able to eat meat is a skill in itself.
envy?
Then just keep it to yourself.
……
The group only stopped when all that remained of the lamb was a pile of clean bones, and they were still reluctant to leave.
They slumped to the ground, rubbing their round bellies, their faces filled with long-lost happiness.
"Great!" Li Bin let out a satisfied burp, pushed up his glasses, and said, "This meal was totally worth it!"
Jiang Ming stood up and patted the dust off his backside.
"Having eaten and drunk their fill, everyone went home."
He glanced at the clock hanging on the door.
It's almost midnight.
That was the settlement time mentioned in the system announcement.
"I'm gone."
Jiang Ming pulled Wang Yang and Li Bin, who were still reminiscing, back to his dormitory 305, locked the door, and then moved a table to block it.
This night was destined to be anything but peaceful.
……
The moment when the hour and minute hands coincide at that "12".
In everyone's view, the semi-transparent icon that had been quietly sitting in the lower right corner suddenly burst into a dazzling golden light.
[Daily Survival Results Begin!]
Lines of golden text appeared before Jiang Ming's eyes.
[Survivor: Jiang Ming]
[Today's Performance Assessment:]
[1. First kill of the stiff-haired giant rat (Lv.1), commendable courage. Rating +1]
[2. Successfully synthesized "Paralyzing Smoke Stone" and "Rat Tooth Dagger" for the first time, demonstrating exceptional survival wisdom and creativity. Rating +5]
3. Assist in and lead the acquisition of large amounts of food resources (mutton, young bulls), greatly improving the team's survival rate. Rating +3
4. Establish a small, initial survival team and solidify leadership. (Rating +1)
Overall Rating: S-level (Outperforming 99% of survivors)
Congratulations! You have received an S-level rating reward: three chances to win a prize in the "Lucky Roulette"!
Jiang Ming stared at the glittering golden "S" and his heart began to pound.
S-grade rating!
Three draws!
Without any hesitation, he clicked on the previously grayed-out "Lottery Roulette" option.
A huge, colorful virtual roulette wheel filled his field of vision.
The roulette wheel is densely covered with various icons: food, water, medicine, weapons, equipment, skill stones, attribute cards...
There's even an area for extremely rare "special items".
"Start the prize draw!"
The roulette wheel spun rapidly, leaving only a blur.
Jiang Ming held his breath, staring intently at the red pointer.
"stop!"
The roulette wheel gradually slowed down.
The pointer swept across a large area of white (ordinary supplies), then across a green (high-quality equipment) area, and finally shakily stopped on a single blue area.
Congratulations on obtaining: Strength Attribute Enhancement Card (Blue) x1
[Effect: Permanently increases Strength attribute by 3 points upon use.]
Good start!
A great item that directly adds attributes!
Jiang Ming clenched his fist and started the roulette wheel again.
the second time.
This time the pointer spun faster, and stopped at a more precarious position.
It barely crossed the huge white area and stopped on another blue square.
Congratulations on obtaining: Perception Attribute Enhancement Card (Blue) x1
[Effect: Permanently increases Perception attribute by 3 points upon use.]
Attribute cards again!
While physical strength and agility aren't what he lacks most, power and perception are crucial for anticipating danger in the jungle.
There's one last chance.
Jiang Ming took a deep breath and silently prayed for the blessings of all the gods.
"change!"
This time, the roulette wheel landed in the green zone.
Congratulations on obtaining: Black Iron Grade Weapon Pack (Sword and Shield Combo)
[Upon opening, you will receive: 1 Black Iron Longsword and 1 Black Iron Round Shield.]
[Description: The perfect partner for beginners, excelling in both offense and defense. Although only Iron tier, it's enough to make you invincible in the early stages.]
It's a set!
A sword and a shield!
Jiang Ming felt like he was about to stop breathing.
With this set of equipment, plus the Rat Fang Dagger and the Paralyzing Smoke Stone...
In this primeval jungle, he has already developed the ability to protect himself!
The heavy weight of the black iron longsword and round shield pressed down on my palms and arms as I held them.
The scabbard was made of some kind of rough animal hide, which covered the metal blade, and the hilt was wrapped with non-slip black hemp rope.
Without pausing, Jiang Ming focused his mind on the two blue cards floating in his field of vision.
"Use the [Strength Attribute Enhancement Card (Blue)]?"
"Use the [Perception Attribute Enhancement Card (Blue)]?"