Mike's heart was pounding as he stepped out of the refuge. He had a mission, a purpose - to create a strong enough refuge before his parents and sister arrived. But first, he had to solve the most pressing issue at hand - the material problem.
Clutching his fists, Mike made his way down the steps, his mind racing with ideas. He knew that food and water were the top priorities, and fortunately, he had a survival system to help him navigate this wasteland.
Approaching a small tree, Mike used his body weight to snap off a branch, and a notification flashed on his screen.
[Timber+1]
Next, he scoured the ground for solid stones of different sizes, and placed them in his inventory. Within moments, another prompt sounded.
[Stone +1]
"Sure enough, it has become gamified," Mike muttered to himself, "but at least my stamina won't be much weaker than others in the early stage."
With renewed confidence, Mike opened the manufacturing panel, his eyes scanning the available options.
[Stone Axe (Ordinary): Wood 1/1, Stone 1/1]
He quickly gathered the required materials and selected the stone axe.
"Confirm the build!" he declared, feeling a sense of excitement building within him.
[Record]: Wood-1, Stone-1
[Record]: The stone axe (normal) was successfully created.
With a brand new stone axe in hand, Mike marveled at its rough wooden body and sharp, wedge-shaped blade.
[Stone Axe (Ordinary)]: A sturdy, forearm-length axe that makes wood collection a breeze.
"Not bad at all," Mike grinned, testing the sharpness of the blade with a few deft motions.
As the sun beat down on his back, Mike set about his task with renewed vigor. Cutting down 15 units of wood and 4 units of plant fiber, he began to feel the effects of the harsh wasteland taking its toll on him.
With a parched throat and a growing sense of urgency, Mike hurried back to the underground shelter. The cool, shaded space provided some respite from the scorching sun, but his hunger and thirst were becoming unbearable.
"People can last 7 days without eating, and 3 days without drinking water," he reminded himself, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him.
With heavy labor and the unforgiving climate taking its toll, Mike knew that he couldn't afford to go without water for another day. He needed to find a solution, and fast.
Mike's body was exhausted from the grueling labor, and his fear of dying of thirst was palpable as he contemplated the barren wasteland surrounding him. Two days without water was a death sentence, and he knew it. But he refused to give up.
"First, let's try building a simple water intake device with the materials we have and see if we can upgrade it later," Mike said to himself.
He rested for a while to regain some strength, then headed to the shade where he had taken shelter. With a stone axe in his hand, he carefully removed a piece of flooring, being careful not to damage the surrounding area. Once he had removed a sufficient amount of flooring, he retrieved some wood and began constructing a barrel.
After using four units of wood to create the barrel, he fashioned a stick with one unit of wood, a wooden shovel with two units of wood, and a hemp rope with two units of plant fiber. With his tools in hand, he set out to dig a hole deep enough to hold the barrel.
Surprisingly, digging the hole was easier than he had imagined with the right tools. He used the wooden shovel to excavate a substantial amount of dirt with each thrust, ultimately reaching a sufficient depth for the barrel.
With the hole dug, Mike set to work assembling the tools he had constructed earlier. He placed the wooden barrel in the hole, hung the wooden stick between two floors, and connected the barrel and the stick using the hemp rope.
As he focused on his work, the survival system's prompt popped up.
[Well water extractor? ? ? ]
Current efficiency: 0ml/day
Upgrade direction 1: Upgrade the barrel material, increase the barrel volume, increase the sealing function, so that the drinking water preservation time is greatly extended, and the upgrade consumes 20 survival points.
Upgrade direction 2: Expand deep wells, strengthen water extraction efficiency, upgrade costs 130 survival points.
Evaluation: A pit, a bucket, the well water is made up by your brain?
"Sure enough, it can be like this," Mike muttered, relieved to have found a solution. He ignored the system's complaints and felt a rush of excitement.
While wells may be scarce in cities, rural areas still utilize primitive wells as of 2022. When selecting a well, one must consider the topography and try to find a low-lying area where water can collect. Modern tools can be used to drill wells, but with the survival system, Mike could create a model of the object, and survival points could replace subsequent work.
Mike had saved himself with ingenuity and determination.
Mike gazed at the well with a mixture of hope and skepticism. Its current efficiency was at an abysmal zero milliliters per day. He knew he had to do something if he wanted to survive in these trying times.
After careful consideration, Mike decided to invest his survival points in upgrading the well. He selected the second option, which involved expanding the deep well pits and strengthening the water extraction efficiency. The upgrade would cost him 130 survival points.
As he confirmed his choice, a green light suddenly returned to his body, signaling the successful upgrade. He eagerly checked the well's panel, and his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the new attribute.
[Micro Well Water Extractor (Ordinary)]
Current efficiency: 2000ml/day
Upgrade direction 1: Upgrade the water well material, increase the sealing function and water purification function, so that the water quality is improved, and the upgrade consumes survival points (200).
Upgrade direction 2: Expand deep well pits, strengthen water extraction efficiency, upgrades consume survival points (300).
Two liters of water per day! Mike couldn't believe his luck. He knew that even in the best of times, people struggled to drink the recommended amount of water, let alone in the harsh conditions of the end times. But with his newly upgraded well, he had a fighting chance.
He began to calculate in his head. "If I don't exercise, I can survive on about 300ml of water per day. Even if I have to work, one liter should be enough."
Mike felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had taken a crucial step towards ensuring his survival. A smile crept across Mike's face as he contemplated the possibilities. With the upgraded well, he could collect enough water to sustain himself without much effort.
"If I continue to upgrade the well, I may even be able to trade water with others in need," Mike mused to himself.
But he also knew that he couldn't rest on his laurels.
He studied the upgrade options carefully, weighing the costs and benefits. Option one involved upgrading the water well material, increasing the sealing function and water purification function to improve water quality. The upgrade would cost 200 survival points.
Option two, on the other hand, focused on expanding the deep well pits and further strengthening water extraction efficiency. It would cost 300 survival points.
Mike knew that both options had their merits, but he ultimately decided to go with option two once again. He couldn't risk running out of water, and he needed to maximize his water output as much as possible.
As he confirmed his choice, the green light returned to his body once more, signaling another successful upgrade. Mike felt a surge of excitement as he checked the well's panel.
Micro Well Water Extractor (Upgraded)
Current efficiency: 2500ml/day
Upgrade direction 1: Upgrade the water well material, increase the sealing function and water purification function, so that the water quality is improved, and the upgrade consumes survival points (200).
Upgrade direction 2: Expand deep well pits, strengthen water extraction efficiency, upgrades consume survival points (300).
Evaluation: A pit, a bucket, the well water is no longer just made up by your brain!
Description: After upgrading the water well material, the water quality has been significantly improved, and the sealing function has been enhanced to prevent contamination. The efficiency of the Micro Well Water Extractor has also been increased to 2500ml/day.
To his delight, the efficiency of the Micro Well Water Extractor increased to 2500ml per day. The water quality was significantly improved, and the sealing function had been enhanced to prevent contamination.
Mike was ecstatic about the efficiency improvements he had achieved in upgrading his well. He marveled at how easy it was to upgrade his equipment, and felt that his talent for survival was very scary. As he looked to the future, Mike knew that he would continue to upgrade his well and other equipment to ensure his survival in this harsh new world.
Mike decided to upgrade his well again, and was very excited about it.
He considered two upgrade options: to upgrade the water well material and add a water treatment system to remove impurities and contaminants, or to expand deep well pits and add a water circulation system to improve water quality. Eventually, he chose to upgrade the well material and add a water treatment system, which consumed 200 survival points.
Miniature Water Treatment System
Current efficiency: 3500ml/day
Upgrade direction 1: Upgrade the water well material, increase the sealing function, and add a water treatment system to remove impurities and contaminants, upgrading consumes survival points (300).
Upgrade direction 2: Expand deep well pits, increase water extraction efficiency, and add a water circulation system to improve water quality, upgrading consumes survival points (500).
Evaluation: Who needs fancy water treatment plants when you have a mini version right here!
Description: With the addition of a water treatment system, the Micro Well Water Extractor can now remove impurities and contaminants, providing clean and safe drinking water. The efficiency of the water extraction has been increased to 3500ml/day, and the water quality has been improved with a circulation system.
The efficiency of the water extraction had been increased to 3500ml/day, and the water quality had been improved with a circulation system. Mike was impressed by the results
Mike was so impressed with the upgrade that he decided to take it to the next level. He assumed that this was the maximum upgrade level, but he still wanted to give it a try. He loved the description of the latest upgrade, which was the High-Pressure Water Pump-Solar-Powered Micro Well - The Almighty AquaSpring.
The Almighty AquaSpring
Current efficiency: 12000ml/day
Evaluation: Who needs a fancy water supply when you have the Almighty AquaSpring!
Description: The final upgrade of the Micro Well Water Extractor, the Almighty AquaSpring can extract water at an efficiency of 12000ml/day, making it the most efficient and advanced water extraction system available. With upgraded well materials, enhanced sealing functions, and a water ionization system, the water produced by the AquaSpring is not only abundant but also healthier than ever before. Additionally, the expansion of deep well pits and the inclusion of a rainwater harvesting system ensure that the water supply is always plentiful and reliable. The Almighty AquaSpring truly lives up to its name, providing a limitless source of high-quality water for all your survival needs.
The AquaSpring could extract water at an efficiency of 12000ml/day, making it the most efficient and advanced water extraction system available.
With upgraded well materials, enhanced sealing functions, and a water ionization system, the water produced by the AquaSpring was not only abundant but also healthier than ever before. Additionally, the expansion of deep well pits and the inclusion of a rainwater harvesting system ensured that the water supply was always plentiful and reliable. Mike was amazed by the AquaSpring.
Mike realized that his upgrade was so advanced that even people in the civilized world could not match his water output. He thought about how the drinking crisis was now lifted, and wondered about the next problem to solve - the food problem.
After thinking about it, Mike opened the trading panel and was pleased to see a lot of things that appeared on the previously empty panel.
[Seller: John Smith]
[Trading item: 1 iron block]
[Items needed: 100ml purified water]
[Remark message: Don't write a private message that I'm being unreasonable. I spent over an hour digging this up under the scorching sun.]
...
[Seller: Emily Jones]
[Trading item: 200g bread]
[Items needed: 1 copper block]
[Remark message: If you want to avoid starving to death, quickly hand over that copper block. It's already expired.]
...
[Seller: Marcus Brown]
[Trading Item: 500g Mutant Desert Coyote Meat]
[Items needed: 300ml purified water]
[Remark message: Exchange some pure water for fresh wolf meat, straight from the oven. Hurry up if you're interested.]
...
As he scrolled through the list of sellers, he couldn't help but chuckle at some of their remarks.
"These sellers sure have a way with words," he thought to himself.
Mike couldn't help but be impressed with the creativity of his fellow survivors in finding ways to trade for what they needed. However, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at one particular listing.
[Seller: John Smith]
[Trading item: 100ml thirst quenching liquid]
[Items needed: Anything to talk to me privately]
[Comment: A little birdie told me that drinking urine can help you survive in the wild. So why not try it out with my special thirst quenching liquid? Don't worry, it's been purified and filtered for your safety. But if you're feeling adventurous, I also have the raw version available.]
Mike couldn't believe that someone was actually trying to trade urine as a thirst quenching liquid. He couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
Mike navigated through the trading system with a discerning eye. He had learned from experience that loopholes existed, and traders could be sneaky.
He continued to observe the market, taking note of the fierce players who had already killed numerous mutant creatures. Some had found treasure chests filled with food and tools, but the most scarce resource was water. Despite occasional offers, any available water was quickly bought up. Mike exited the trading panel and turned to chat with other players in the area.
As he read through the messages, Mike learned some valuable tips for survival.
"Kill mutant beasts to get treasure chest rewards," one player wrote.
"You can find treasure chests in the wilderness too, so don't mistake them for trash."another added.
Most players were discussing ways to find supplies, with only a few focused on building shelters. The majority aimed to hoard enough supplies for the next disaster.
The wilderness was a place of danger and opportunity. With each mutant beast killed, there was a chance to receive a treasure chest reward. However, the contents were subject to luck and the strength of the creature. There were also many treasure chests scattered throughout the wilderness, waiting to be discovered. As long as players were willing to venture out and explore, there was hope for survival.
Mike watched and learned from the chat, recognizing that those who were too pampered or lacked survival instincts would be eliminated in this global race for survival.
Four hours had passed, and Mike had already accumulated 2000ml of fresh, underground mineral water in his trusty bucket. Without hesitation, he hung up the water and opened an auction in the bustling trading channel.
[Seller: Mike]
[Trading item: 1500ml of fresh, underground mineral water]
[Items needed: any food]
[Remarks; This water was carefully dug out from the depths of the earth and is of the highest quality. The higher the quality of the food offered, the higher the price I am willing to pay.]
As soon as Mike posted the auction, the chat channel erupted in excitement.
"What a find! Someone has dug up fresh water from the ground!"
"Water underground? That's insane! I need to start digging for water immediately!"
"I can't believe someone is actually trading water! Most people get their water from treasure chests these days."
"I have plenty of high-quality food to trade. Would 300g of bread be enough to exchange for this precious water?"
The world channel was buzzing with chatter.
On the other side of the screen, Mike was bombarded with private messages from eager traders.
"Sir Mike, can I offer 20 units of wood for your water? I'm dying of thirst over here."
"My assets are worth billions. I will pay you handsomely for your water. Name your price!"
"I'm so thirsty, sir Mike. If you give me your water, I will do anything you ask of me."
"Sir, I have 300g of wolf meat and 200g of bread. Would you be willing to trade for your water?"
"..."
Thousands of private messages flooded in at once, even from foreign avatars, but the trading system translated them all into English.
Among these traders were many familiar faces, including celebrities, wealthy individuals, and government officials.
Some made outrageous promises, while others resorted to threats. Many attempted to lure Mike with their charms.
But Mike remained steadfast and ignored them all.
With the first round of disasters fast approaching in just five days, everyone was equal.
After carefully screening the offers for ten minutes, Mike chose the trader with the highest bid and completed the transaction.
[Record]: You have traded 200ml of water.
[Record]: You have received 350g of bread, 200g of beef jerky, 1 iron, and 1 lighter.
With the completion of the trade, the water in the bucket mysteriously disappeared, replaced by the newly acquired items in Mike's inventory.
Now, after factoring in the previous costs, Mike was left with only four units of wood in his inventory.
He had spent a total of four pieces of wood to craft a sturdy wooden box and placed all the items from the trade inside it.
With the bucket in hand, Mike savored the remaining half of the water before venturing out once more into the dangerous, post-apocalyptic world.