Sun Han walked back to his underground shelter with a renewed sense of purpose. His mind was buzzing with plans for his base, and he knew that every step he took was a step toward survival. The world around him was harsh and unforgiving, but Sun Han was determined to carve out a place for himself.
The entrance to his underground shelter was cleverly hidden. It was a small, unassuming door set into the side of a hill, barely noticeable unless you knew exactly where to look. The door itself was made of old, weathered wood, reinforced with metal bands to give it some extra strength. It wasn't much to look at, but it served its purpose well.
Sun Han pushed open the door and descended the narrow stairs into his home. The underground shelter was small and cramped, with barely enough room to move around. The walls were made of rough stone, and the ceiling was low enough that Sun Han had to stoop slightly as he walked. Despite its size, the shelter was dry and surprisingly warm, a welcome refuge from the chaos outside.
The entire space was no more than 5 meters in length and width, with nothing but the cold, hard floor. There was no furniture, no storage, nothing to make it feel like a home. It was a stark reminder of the harsh reality he was living in, but Sun Han was determined to change that.
Sun Han set down the crocodile meat and skin in a corner and opened his status screen to access the world chat. He needed to trade the excess meat for gold coins, and he knew that there were plenty of other survivors who would be willing to trade for such a valuable resource. He quickly typed up a message offering 295 pounds of crocodile meat for 1 gold coin each and posted it in the chat.
Almost immediately, he received a flurry of responses. The meat sold out quickly, netting him 295 gold coins. He couldn't believe his luck. With this newfound wealth, Sun Han began to plan his next moves. He needed more space and better equipment if he wanted to continue improving his chances of survival.
He found a middle-aged man in the chat selling 100 wooden logs for 50 gold coins. After a quick negotiation, the trade was made. Sun Han then purchased a normal-grade katana for 50 gold coins and a crafting bench for 60 gold coins. With these new resources, he was ready to upgrade his shelter.
A system prompt appeared in front of him as he considered the upgrade:
**"Do you wish to upgrade your underground shelter to Level 2? Cost: 100 wooden logs."**
Sun Han confirmed the upgrade. The ground trembled slightly as the system began to work its magic. The rough stone walls around him started to smooth out, expanding outward and upward. The ceiling rose, giving him more headroom, and the walls pushed back, tripling the space from 5 meters in length and width to 15 meters each way.
His shelter now felt more like a proper home. The new space allowed for separate areas for sleeping, storage, and crafting. The makeshift bed was replaced with a proper cot, and the small table grew into a full-sized workbench. Shelves lined the walls, providing ample storage for his tools, weapons, and supplies.
Sun Han looked around in amazement. The transformation was incredible. The walls were now reinforced with a layer of wood and metal, providing better insulation and protection. A small ventilation system had been installed, ensuring fresh air circulated throughout the shelter. The entrance had been fortified as well, with a sturdy wooden door that could be locked and barred from the inside.
He set up the crafting bench in one corner, eager to put it to use. The katana was carefully placed on a shelf within easy reach. With his new resources and improved shelter, Sun Han felt a renewed sense of hope. He was no longer just surviving; he was building a future.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment, Sun Han decided to take a break. He sat down on his new cot, the soft mattress a welcome change from the hard ground he had been sleeping on. As he rested, he reflected on how far he had come in such a short time. From a cramped, barely habitable hole in the ground to a well-equipped underground fortress, his progress was undeniable.
But there was still much to do. Sun Han knew that the world outside was full of dangers, and he needed to continue improving his skills and resources if he wanted to stay ahead. The next wave of mutated beasts could come at any time, and he had to be ready.
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