2 days later he redeemed again, receiving 2 batches of 4 bananas each.
His skin had turned darker and more and more of it was flaking off. How he wished for some sunscreen. As of now, he could only endure the itch and pain the sunburns brought.
The roar of his stomach heralded the arrival of a banana in his mouth. Char bit large chunks of it off, greedily swallowing after just a few chews.
He only devoured 6 bananas, keeping the other 2 as rations for the next day.
Originally wanting this to suffice for the remaining days, he failed. Char was rewarded with 2 batches of 5 bananas each for this failure.
"No matter, just an extra day" commented Char, his voice brittle. Although he occasionally broke the monotonous silence with self-talk, these occurrences had dwindled over the days. The previous day had been the first for him to remain completely silent throughout.
When Char woke up on the 10th day, he was greeted with a blue line of text hovering before him;
[Able to redeem 1 random reward of the 'useful' tier between at least 10 s-iv and at most 99. Additionally, able to redeem for 10 'trash' tier random rewards or select 1 lowest 'trash' tier reward (1 s-iv). More accumulation will increase quantity of useful rewards for every one redeemed. However, quantity of trash tier will not.]
Char decided to wait another day to redeem some food before redeeming a useful tier. His growling stomach did not allow otherwise.
The next day, while consuming 8 coconuts for breakfast, he redeemed a useful tier reward;
[Environmental factor applied. Received lowest level cultivation talent.]
"What the f*ck?" Char could not help but exclaim. What the hell was cultivation? More importantly, was it even something he could use at the moment?
At this time, more text appeared;
[Insufficient balance to merge. Please come back tomorrow.]
After a moment's pause, the text continued;
[Cultivation is the gathering of spiritual energy in order to improve the body. Eventually, it is possible to become like superman or even approach the level of the divine.]
[However, with your talent, you can perhaps barely achieve flight, depending on the highest quality technique as well as your entire lifespan of training.] The system added.
Xianxia? Char's nephew had once bounced up to him with excitement and attempted to bring this topic to Char's heart. Char, naturally, had told his nephew to stop being childish and focus on studying instead.
Surprisingly, their relationship had afterwards soured. In fact, his nephew had run out of the room and would not speak to him since.
Recalling the rough outline of what he had been told, he could somewhat understand what this text was talking about. But, technique?
[A cultivation technique is required to cultivate] the system replied.
Char's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "In other words, this talent is completely useless?" Char interrogated.
[Once you obtain a technique and reach a certain level, you won't need food] the system defended its commodity.
"But I will until I do!" Char exclaimed, furious. His hopes had been thoroughly dashed. This 'useful' tier actually had this junk!
[Lowest level cultivation technique can be obtained in the 'useful' tier. Value: 99]
"You're telling me to starve for god knows how long?" growled Char. His stomach feeling thoroughly empty once more.
[Value can be spent to increase environmental factor. However, this only increases probability of environment related rewards to be acquired.] The system suggested.
Char's face distorted as he howled at the system; "I'm no damn gambler!". Char had been suppressing these feelings ever since his hunger started becoming painful. All his frustration was released in one go, as he knelt and punched the sand in front.
The system's message, which had just appeared before him, changed silently: [suggested investment: 1->2].