Su Chen turned off the lights and adjusted his eyes to the dimness.
[Driving Manual]
"I know how to drive, so this won't be much help to me. But for someone who can't drive, this would truly be a lifesaver."
He flipped to the second page.
[Campervan Survival Guide:
Tonight is your first night in this world.
Tip: There are still four hours until sunrise. Please rest and conserve your energy to face tomorrow!
Temperature: It's 5°C, perfect for wearing a thick winter coat. The inside of the campervan is slightly warmer than outside. Crawl into your makeshift bed (though it's just the car's backseat, it's comfortable enough for one person). Remember to cover yourself with a blanket and rest up for tomorrow's resource hunt.
Note: Nighttime is when monsters are most active. Only the campervan is safe. Do not wander outside.
Quickly go to sleep to replenish your strength. You'll need energy to search for food, water, and other supplies during the day.
During the day, blind boxes will drop randomly. They may contain all sorts of treasures—or dangerous items. For example, there might be cannibals who look just like humans. They could pretend to be friendly and wait for the right moment to turn you into their dinner.
Think carefully before making any decisions.]
Su Chen turned off the screen. It was late, and he needed to sleep.
Without rest, he wouldn't have the strength to search for food tomorrow, let alone drive to another location.
He climbed into his makeshift bed, pulled the blanket over himself, and prepared to sleep.
---
Deep into the night, the once-busy world chat system had quieted down. However, there were still a few people trying to compete for the title of "All-Nighter Champion," probably because they were confident in their ability to handle whatever challenges tomorrow might bring.
Most people, however, understood the gravity of their situation and chose to rest early to conserve their energy.
["Guys, it's late. I'm heading to bed. You all should sleep early too and save your strength."
"Yeah, stop chatting and go to bed, everyone."
"This crappy campervan has nothing! I'm so thirsty right now."
"Help! I don't want to stay in this hellish place anymore."
"Don't go! Let's keep chatting; it's too boring otherwise."
"This broken campervan? Whoever wants it can have it; I don't care."
"I'm starving and thirsty. I wonder what I'll find tomorrow."
"Just sleep already. Sleeping will make you feel less hungry. Wake up early tomorrow to search for food."
"What are those monsters outside? I'll take them on barehanded!"]
While some people seemed fearless, others where not, it was only natural to feel scared after being thrown into an unfamiliar world.
["Don't leave me! I'm so scared. Can someone stay and chat with me?"
"I can't sleep either. Let's keep each other company."
"I'm terrified! Something strange is staring at me from outside…"
"Damn it, I can't sleep in unfamiliar beds!"]
Compared to the rest, Su Chen was far more rational.
He tucked himself into bed early and quickly fell asleep, ready to give his all the next day.
---
The following morning, warm sunlight streamed through the campervan's windows, illuminating Su Chen's face. He slowly opened his eyes and stretched lazily.
"Who would've thought? This crappy bed is actually pretty comfortable."
After folding his blanket, he opened the car windows to take in the view. The scenery outside was much better during the day—fresh air, fragrant flowers, and lush greenery.
"Ah, another beautiful day!"
Time during the day was short, so Su Chen knew he needed to act fast.
In this world, survival belonged to the fittest. Anyone who couldn't adapt was doomed to perish. Laziness meant death, as failing to search for resources would inevitably lead to elimination—a harsh reality.
Before heading out, Su Chen habitually checked the projected display for updates:
[Daytime temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities, and the sun is shining brightly. Today marks your first full day in this world. We encourage everyone to work hard and gather as many resources as possible.
You can also start your campervan and travel to farther locations, where more resources await.
Important Tip: It's not recommended to drive to other locations on the first day, as you don't have enough food or water to sustain a long journey. Focus on collecting enough resources first, then consider traveling later. Since resources in each location are limited, moving between areas strategically is key to survival. Good luck!]
---
Su Chen woke up early because he understood that laziness had no place in this world. After tidying up and grabbing his hoe, he set out.
Stepping outside, he realized the campervan was much larger than it seemed from the inside. It didn't feel cramped at all.
As he walked, he hummed a little tune. Despite last night's terrifying monsters, he knew he had to work hard during the day.
Still, Su Chen didn't fully understand the monsters' capabilities.
"For now, staying inside the campervan should be safe, right?"
Surveying the area, he noticed several spots around the campervan showing signs of damage from the monsters.
"Good heavens! These ugly monsters are way too ferocious."
"Look at this poor van—it's completely wrecked."
Thankfully, the campervan could be repaired and reinforced.
"It looks like I need to gather resources as soon as possible."
The most urgent needs were water and food, followed by spare parts for the campervan.
Su Chen gripped his hoe, ready to start digging, assuming he'd need to work hard to unearth valuable supplies.
But not long after he left, he stumbled upon a blind box.
"As expected, the luck of an advanced player like me is unparalleled."
Su Chen cautiously approached the blind box, which resembled an airdrop from a battle royale game.
Yet, he quickly realized that this wasn't as simple as it seemed.
He was faced with two choices:
1. Give up on the blind box and stick to digging with his hoe. This was the safest and most reliable option.
2. Take a gamble and open the blind box. It might yield rare and valuable items—or unleash a monster that could kill him on the spot.
Cold sweat dripped down Su Chen's forehead as he took deep breaths to calm his nerves.
"If my luck is bad, this could be the end of me."
He couldn't help but think about the unlucky souls who might lose their lives from their very first blind box.
After a long internal struggle, Su Chen decided to take the risk.
Digging for resources was exhausting, and Su Chen hadn't eaten a single meal since arriving in this world.
His stomach growled painfully, reminding him of how hungry he was. If he didn't find food soon, he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold on.
With no other options in sight, the blind box was his only chance.
Su Chen reached out and carefully opened the blind box. A burst of white light momentarily blinded him.
"Ugh, so bright!"
When he opened his eyes, he was relieved to see no immediate danger.
Instead, the box contained a bottle of water, a liter of gasoline, and an old, worn hoe that looked sturdier than the wooden one he was holding.