Steve's acting skills leveled up by +1. While this wasn't immediately useful, it was still a win.
According to the system's skill improvement rules, upgrading acting skills from level 2 to level 3 required 20,000 popularity points. But thanks to the lottery, Steve had managed to increase his level for just 10,000 points, making it an absolute bargain.
However, when his gaze fell upon one of the newly acquired skills—"Kato's Hand of God"—his expression stiffened.
What kind of name was that?
Was the system not afraid of getting censored?
Shaking his head, Steve decided to ignore it for now. Having more skills was always a good thing, even if their purpose wasn't immediately clear. Who knew? They might come in handy in the future.
The one-minute strength-doubling experience card was another useful addition. At a critical moment, it could mean the difference between survival and death.
But the most valuable prize from the lottery had to be the "Wilderness Survival Knowledge Encyclopedia."
It contained an extensive collection of survival techniques, covering everything from finding water sources to selecting safe campsites. Though it wasn't particularly detailed in any one area, it provided a broad understanding of various essential skills—perfect for someone like Steve, who was a complete novice at wilderness survival.
Another lifesaving reward was the 10-hour novice protection period. This meant that, for the next 10 hours, his body wouldn't suffer from exhaustion, heatstroke, or other natural weaknesses. However, it wouldn't protect against external injuries.
Even so, it was a massive relief. Given his current physical condition, Steve didn't dare exert himself too much, fearing that another bout of heatstroke might end his life again.
And then there was the final skill he had won—Diving Level 1.
Steve's eyes lit up. Now that was useful!
In an island survival scenario, knowing how to dive properly could be a game-changer.
Feeling the new skills integrate into his body, Steve marveled at how natural it all felt.
His fingers twitched slightly, moving at an absurd speed.
"…Well, that's definitely not a normal human ability," he muttered, slightly disturbed.
Next, he tested his acting ability, but there wasn't any immediate sensation—probably because acting skills only showed their effects when actively used.
However, the diving skill gave him an unexpected sense of familiarity with the sea.
Only moments ago, the vast ocean had seemed foreign and intimidating. But now, he felt an odd urge to dive right in and test out his new abilities.
Glancing at his teammates, who were busy building a shelter, Steve felt guilty just sitting around.
He needed to contribute.
Not only would it help the group, but it would also improve his image in front of the audience, potentially increasing his popularity points.
And what better way to prove his worth than by catching some fresh seafood?
Making up his mind, Steve scanned their limited supplies.
The program had allowed them to bring ten tools to the island—one per person.
After much discussion, the group had chosen:
An axe
A machete
A large waterproof cloth
A fire starter
A cooking pot
A shovel
A waterproof flashlight
A fishing hook
A bow (with five arrows)
A spear gun
These were the best survival tools available, given the show's restrictions.
Steve picked up the spear gun, grabbed a few vines for makeshift rope, and headed toward the beach.
Live Broadcast Room—Audience Reactions
The moment Steve stepped toward the water, the live chat exploded.
"What's this kid trying to do?"
"Wait… is he seriously going to try fishing? LMAO!"
"Him? Fishing? With those noodle arms? Bro, a fish is more likely to catch him."
"This is straight-up self-elimination. He's not even trying to survive at this point."
"Can we just vote him out already?"
"Maybe, just maybe… he might actually catch something?"
"I bet he won't last 10 minutes."
"Five minutes tops."
"Three minutes before the rescue team drags his sorry ass back to shore."
Ignoring the audience's mocking comments, Steve waded into the ocean.
The cool water immediately soothed his overheated body, making him exhale in relief.
"Man, this feels amazing…"
Wait—wasn't it supposed to be winter here?
Right, this was the southern hemisphere. It was June, which meant winter—but the daytime temperatures still reached 35°C (95°F).
At night, however, temperatures would plummet, dropping to around 12-15°C (53-59°F).
Such extreme temperature fluctuations would be a serious challenge for survival.
For now, though, he had more pressing matters.
Taking a deep breath, Steve submerged himself.
Underwater Exploration
The sea was crystal clear, offering an unobstructed view of the underwater world.
Schools of small fish darted between the rocks, and patches of kelp and sea lettuce swayed with the current.
Steve instantly recognized the value of these plants.
Kelp contained essential nutrients like iodine and salt—critical for survival.
But food could wait. Right now, he needed protein—fish or shellfish.
After diving for a while, Steve noticed that his breath-holding capacity had greatly improved.
One minute underwater? Easy.
Three minutes? Doable.
Even the water pressure at a depth of 7-8 meters didn't bother him.
"Damn, this diving skill is insane…"
Despite this, his stamina was still awful. His muscles were already beginning to fatigue.
Just as he was about to turn back, something caught his eye.
A large, orange shell nestled behind a reef.
Steve swam closer and grinned.
A coconut snail—as big as a football!
It had to weigh at least 10 kilograms—a perfect catch!
Stuffing it into his makeshift bag, he turned to leave…
…But then he noticed something else.
His heart nearly stopped.
Just a few meters away, lurking within the reef's shadows, something huge moved.
A yellowish-brown figure suddenly shot out—its jaws wide open!
Steve's eyes widened in horror.
A Moray Eel!
It was fast—almost too fast for him to react.
Steve had seen enough nature documentaries to know one thing—moray eels had razor-sharp teeth and a vice-like bite.
If this thing latched onto his arm or leg, he'd be in serious trouble.
Above Water—Live Broadcast Room
The chat exploded again.
"HOLY SH*T! What is that?!"
"Bro's about to get eaten LMAO!"
"He just unlocked HARD MODE."
"If he makes it out alive, I'll actually start supporting him."
"Damn, this just got interesting!"
"COME ON, STEVE! DON'T DIE NOW!"
Back to Steve
Adrenaline surged through Steve's veins.
He had one second to decide—fight or flee?
Without hesitation, Steve tightened his grip on the spear gun…
…and turned to face the predator.
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TO BE CONTINUED…
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