In doing so, they would have to pay an even higher price.
Cheng Shuili tucked away the shards, continuing her journey in a pleasant mood.
She had already guessed the organization would choose the first piece of information; after all, "how to enter a beastman town" sounded more direct and useful.
But they would soon discover that without game coins, that information was utterly meaningless.
When that time came, they would have no choice but to come crawling back to her.
And she could drive a hard bargain.
Cheng Shuili was in high spirits, twisting the handle of the cart all the way to the limit.
It would be best if she could drain the shopping cart's battery before dark so that upgrading the vehicle wouldn't feel like a waste.
Cheng Shuili hummed a little tune as she forged ahead.
Strangely enough, after she set her mind on traveling, not a single supply crate appeared on the road. It was as if even the heavens were complying with her wishes.
It wasn't until dusk approached that Cheng Shuili finally pulled over properly.
There was no other way; traveling at night was far too dangerous.
Even though those monsters still wouldn't attack players, every time the sun went down, they would creep a little closer to the vehicle. Seeing them crowded together in such dense numbers was oppressive and terrifying.
Cheng Shuili crouched beside the shopping cart and, just like last time, placed the 25 shards together to obtain the vehicle upgrade material.
Electric shopping cart Tier 2 to Tier 3 upgrade options:
1. vehicle upgrade material x1, iron block x10, iron nail x40, heat-shielding material x2, insulation material x2, plastic x4, rubber x2, wire x1.
2. vehicle upgrade material x1, vehicle upgrade core x1.
The materials required this time were double what they were last time, with the addition of a wire.
It seemed the materials needed for future upgrades would only continue to increase.
Cheng Shuili decided to use the first option to upgrade. The jump from Tier 2 to Tier 3 wasn't a major milestone, and the probability of being rewarded with another silver chest was slim, so she could take her time.
Although using the first vehicle upgrade core felt a bit like a loss, she had at least secured the server's first place, so it could be considered put to good use!
Thinking this, Cheng Shuili picked out the necessary materials. She wasn't lacking in any resources, and after laying everything out, she tapped the upgrade button.
This upgrade would take ten minutes.
Cheng Shuili was patient, resting her chin in her hands as she waited quietly.
Ten minutes later, the upgrade was complete.
The appearance of the electric shopping cart had changed once again.
The original carriage had doubled in size, and the driver's seat now featured a steering wheel and a foot brake. It looked like it had nothing to do with an electric shopping cart anymore.
The roof was flat and tidy, storage compartments had been added to both sides of the body, and the windshield had been upgraded to a double-layered one, providing both soundproofing and safety.
What surprised Cheng Shuili the most was that the interior of the carriage now included a simple kitchen area, equipped with a small induction cooker and a mini-fridge.
There was also a small power outlet on the side, and the battery could be swapped out from beneath a shelf on the wall!
Only now did Cheng Shuili realize why a wire was needed this time!
【Congratulations to player Cheng Shuili on the successful vehicle upgrade! Current Level: Tier 3.】
【Vehicle storage capacity expanded to 500kg, maximum speed increased to 60km/h.】
Cheng Shuili was quite excited. Although the fridge was empty, having it meant that the problem of preserving fresh food would be solved from now on.
While the induction cooker wasn't high-powered, it was more than enough to boil noodles or heat up a dish.
"Talk about a total overhaul!" she couldn't help but exclaim.
She opened the upgrade page to check the number of shards needed for the next level.
125.
Cheng Shuili: "?"
125?!
Why not just rob me? It increased by a full 100 pieces!
Cheng Shuili had obtained these 25 shards through extortion; it was hard to imagine accumulating 125 pieces just by scavenging.
Cheng Shuili shook her head and sighed, then looked at the vehicle that was now completely different from before and let out a couple of bitter laughs.
Might as well just smile about it.
She was already far ahead of the curve.
As night fell, Cheng Shuili locked the door and lay down on the upgraded sofa, checking the Regional Channel with a bit of a boastful mindset.
Today's chat was as lively as ever. Some were showing off the supplies they'd found, some were complaining about the monsters they'd encountered, and others were discussing how to form teams.
She originally wanted to post something in the Regional Channel, but after thinking it over, she decided against it.
It was better not to be too flashy.
Keep a low profile and make a fortune in silence!
Cheng Shuili planned to close the Regional Channel and cook some rice. Although her cooking skills weren't great, she didn't have high standards for food.
As long as it was edible.
Just as she was about to click close, she saw a message from an acquaintance.
【Strawberry Hard Candy】: Does anyone have an antidote? I'm willing to pay a high price.
【Strawberry Hard Candy】: Does anyone have an antidote? I'll trade all my supplies for it.
He sent several messages in a row.
Cheng Shuili flipped through her supplies. Medicine had always been a rare commodity. Forget about something like an antidote—Cheng Shuili hadn't even seen basic fever reducers or painkillers.
【Panda】: Who would have something like that?
【i-Wealth Expert】: Brother, why don't you tell us why you need an antidote? Share the experience with everyone.
【Strawberry Hard Candy】: I got bitten by a monster inside a chest, and the wound has turned purple. After getting injured, you can get a condition analysis from the system by consuming materials. The system suggests I take an antidote.
【Purple Sweet Potato Ball】: That's actually useful. Thanks, brother. I hope you get well soon.
【ALS】: I really haven't seen that item, otherwise I'd definitely save your life. Why don't you go message those big shots privately? They should have more supplies in their hands.
Cheng Shuili frowned and opened her private chat with 【Strawberry Hard Candy】. The last entry was their transaction record. Just as she was about to say something, she saw that his avatar had gone dark.
Dead?
Cheng Shuili reopened the Regional Channel, and many others had also noticed that his avatar was now gray.
【ALS】: Sigh, he didn't make it after all.
Cheng Shuili stared at 【Strawberry Hard Candy】's grayed-out avatar, her finger hovering in mid-air, hesitating to close the system panel.
"Just like that, he's dead?" she murmured to herself, the transaction records from the past few days flashing through her mind.
Although it was just an exchange of interests, the person behind that ID, who always spoke with such exaggerated tones, was a living human being after all.
Outside the shopping cart, the night was as black as ink.
The dark red sky was swallowed by darkness, leaving only a few stars flickering faintly.
Cheng Shuili could feel that those monsters had moved even closer. Their blurry figures swayed in the distance, letting out hair-raising low groans.
"50% off everything! 50% off everything!" The shopping cart's speaker suddenly blared, sounding exceptionally piercing in the silent night.
Cheng Shuili jerked upright, her heart pounding violently in her chest, fine beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead.
It wasn't because she was afraid of those monsters.
They indeed wouldn't attack players—at least not for now.
It was because the death of 【Strawberry Hard Candy】 made her suddenly realize that this game was far more cruel than she had imagined.
"Antidote..." Cheng Shuili whispered the word, opening her inventory list.
She truly did not have that medicine; in fact, even her basic medical supplies were pitifully few. If the next person to be poisoned was herself...
Rate on N.U.
