Chapter 16: Third Night – Escalating Terror
Su Chen gave the wild fruit a quick rinse. Judging by its appearance, it didn't seem poisonous.
The small fruit was yellow-green, fitting snugly into his hand, with enough room to hold three or four at once.
It resembled a mango. Mangoes were common, and Su Chen had seen plenty, but this was his first time encountering something like this.
Taking a cautious bite, Su Chen grimaced. "Oh, damn! This is ridiculously sour!"
He guessed only lemons could compete with this level of acidity…
"Wait, food can be enhanced, right?"
Clinging to this hope, Su Chen decided to try it out and clicked the enhancement option.
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[Ding! Congratulations to the host! The enhancement is successful. The extremely sour and astringent wild pear fruit has been upgraded to a premium, sterile wild pear fruit.]
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Su Chen had never even heard of such a fruit, but the system displayed a helpful explanation option. He clicked on it.
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[Host, hello. This system is now providing you with information:
Wild Pear Fruit: The unripe wild pear is dry and extremely astringent. Once fully ripe, it remains firm and is not particularly palatable. However, it is often used as a rustic snack. Typically, wild pears are harvested and stored for months until they soften, producing a flavor that balances sourness with sweetness.
Do you have any further questions, host?]
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"No, that's all. Thanks," Su Chen replied.
It was astonishing how even a system could be so… considerate.
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[Of course! I am the world's most advanced system, after all.]
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"Wait, I didn't say anything. How did you respond to me?"
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[Host, from the moment we bonded, we became soulmates. I can perceive your every thought with perfect clarity.]
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"What a considerate system," Su Chen said, unable to suppress a thumbs-up.
So, it turned out this fruit was a type of nostalgic snack, likely popular among rural children who would pick it and savor its unique taste.
Looking around the room, Su Chen's gaze landed on a table where two thick winter jackets lay.
The jackets were made of high-quality, dense materials that felt exceptionally soft and warm to the touch—likely stuffed with goose down, one of the best materials for winter coats.
Wearing one of them, Su Chen couldn't help but sigh. It was incredibly comfortable.
One jacket was enough for him, and he decided to make the other into a custom outfit for Er Bao.
Judging by Er Bao's current state, the little guy probably wouldn't last through the harsh winter without help.
Today, with some spare time on his hands, Su Chen decided to focus on crafting a specialized coat for his loyal companion.
Under the dim light of the alcohol lamp, the faint glow cast soft shadows on Su Chen's face as he worked.
He pulled out the knife at his waist, ready to transform the second jacket into something Er Bao could wear.
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Er Bao's thoughts.
"Master looks so focused! He's so handsome when he's serious!"
"What is Master doing?"
"Is it for me?"
"I can't wait! This winter is freezing—I feel like I'm shivering to my bones!"
"Oh my, what will it look like? I want to know"
---
Er Bao wasn't idle either. The little dog sprawled lazily on the table, its eyes half-closed and its tail wagging as it gazed at Su Chen with infatuation.
What a lovestruck dog.
Su Chen had already formed a plan in his mind:
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Step 1: Remove the sleeves of the jacket and carefully sew up the exposed fabric.
Step 2: Measure Er Bao's paws and cut four small holes into the jacket so its little legs could fit through.
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The jacket was a bit oversized for Er Bao's frame, but it could still work. And even if it didn't fit perfectly, wouldn't that just make it warmer?
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"Click—"
The knife was sharp, slicing cleanly through the jacket in one stroke.
Su Chen then used a piece of refined iron, carefully scraping it with his knife until it became a sturdy needle.
He threaded some old jacket fabric through the makeshift needle and began sewing, meticulously crafting a custom winter coat for dogs. The final product fit snugly and provided excellent insulation, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -10°C.
With the leftover scraps, Su Chen decided to make full use of them:
A pair of insulated gloves (also capable of withstanding temperatures below -10°C).
A pair of small dog booties (designed specifically for Er Bao, also winter-proof).
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First, he dressed Er Bao in the new winter gear. Then, he slipped on the gloves himself.
The winters in this world were brutally cold.
Su Chen couldn't imagine what kind of clothing the others were wearing before this. A thin jacket like the one he'd been using up until now? In these conditions, that would be a death sentence.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Su Chen was likely the only person in this entire world wearing a properly insulated winter coat.
After finishing a quick wash-up, Su Chen prepared to go to bed.
Outside, the gloomy and eerie atmosphere made him feel incredibly oppressed, but inside the camper van, it was warm and peaceful—almost blissful.
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"Thump, thump, thump…"
Suddenly, the sound of ferocious wind and rain echoed from outside, growing louder and more menacing.
Just as Su Chen was lifting his blanket to lie down, the howling outside intensified.
It sounded as though some kind of wild beast was relentlessly pounding on the camper door. The door shook violently, the impacts coming faster and harder.
A chill ran down Su Chen's spine, and goosebumps covered his arms.
Er Bao leapt off the table, running to the door. Standing guard, the little dog bared its sharp teeth and claws, growling fiercely at the unknown creature outside.
In all their time together, this was the first time Su Chen had seen Er Bao act so bravely.
To Er Bao, this camper was its home now. And Su Chen was family.
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"What the hell is out there?"
Letting go of the blanket, Su Chen prepared to fight alongside Er Bao. Seeing the dog's determined and unyielding posture gave him a surge of courage.
This battle wouldn't be his alone.
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Su Chen quickly activated the danger detector to get a sense of what was outside.
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[Ding! Activating danger detection system…
Detected: Combat-class beast.
Bloodthirsty Frenzy Spider: Extremely powerful. Will drain your blood dry. Its size is dozens of times larger than an ordinary spider.]
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Peeking cautiously through the window, Su Chen's heart nearly stopped.
The spider outside was easily twice his size, with countless legs that stretched ominously. It stood right in front of the camper door.
The door, made of aluminum alloy, would never withstand the assault of such a mutated beast.
Cold sweat dripped down Su Chen's face as panic surged through him.
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[Battle Tip: For a beast of this caliber, the camper is highly vulnerable. It is unlikely to hold up against the attack. Please prepare appropriate defenses]
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Reading the system's warning, Su Chen's heart sank further.
The monster outside grew even more aggressive, relentlessly hammering the door with what seemed like unshakable confidence. It wanted to finish this quickly and claim its prize.
Suddenly, one of the spider's legs pierced through the camper's wall, nearly scaring Su Chen out of his wits.
The sheer destructive power of the creature was terrifying.
"What the hell am I supposed to do now?"
Su Chen's eyes fell on the hoe nearby. It might be the only weapon he had.
Gripping the hoe, he asked himself, "Can I really take it down?"
"The problem is, it looks so ferocious… And it might even be poisonous."
"If I somehow manage to win, but the poison gets me afterward, wouldn't I be doomed anyway?"
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