Chapter 14: Server-Wide Announcement

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Server-Wide Announcement

"What does one screenshot prove? A bad person is a bad person. Stop making excuses!"

"Is the person above blind?"

[Tired to Death]: I’m the victim here! What are you all talking about? So the victim is to blame, is that it?

"??? So shameless. Anyone with eyes can see what’s going on. I’m not going to waste my breath on you. Blocked."

"Blocked +1. That face is thicker than a fortress wall!"

"It’s really something else these days. The moment you say anything that goes against the mainstream, you get dogpiled. I happen to think it’s Blacktiger Ford’s fault. I don’t know what you’re all yelling about."

"Oh, look who it is. Mr. Sober?"

Seraphina Sinclair’s lips twitched. ’There’s no point in arguing about this. Some people just won’t listen to reason; it’s a waste of breath.’

The pressing issue now was what to have for lunch.

Seraphina Sinclair stared in silence at the still-damp wooden floor. ’This shabby little hut isn’t safe for lighting a fire, but I need to grill this fish!’

’I can’t possibly grill it in the bathroom, can I?’

Seraphina Sinclair thought for a moment and decided to smear a layer of Earth on the floor to create a fireproof surface. She would then surround it with a ring of Stone.

No sooner said than done!

Spreading a layer of Earth wasn’t difficult. Most kids have played in the mud, and Seraphina Sinclair was no exception. She wasn’t worried about getting dirty now; in fact, it brought back a nostalgic feeling of her childhood.

After the layer of Earth dried, Seraphina Sinclair brought over the few remaining pieces of Stone and arranged them in a perfect circle.

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t pause for a moment. With the fireproofing in place, she grabbed several pieces of wood. After rolling up some toilet paper for tinder, she successfully started a fire!

Seraphina Sinclair wiped the thin sheen of sweat from her forehead. Looking at the campfire before her, she felt a swell of accomplishment.

She pulled out two sheets of toilet paper to wipe her military knife clean, then skewered a piece of fish with it and began roasting it over the flames.

The fire licked at the fish on the military knife, letting out a faint SIZZLE.

Fat seeped from the flesh, dripping onto the fire and instantly raising a wisp of smoke tinged with a charred aroma.

As the temperature rose, the layers of fat within the fish began to melt. Glistening droplets of oil slid down the Blade, shimmering with a tempting luster in the firelight.

Seraphina Sinclair froze for a second, then immediately used a small, clean iron pot to catch the dripping oil. She might have disdained it in her past life, but in this world, oil was a precious resource!

The surface of the fish gradually turned golden-brown, its edges curling slightly, like clouds kissed by sunshine. A rich aroma filled the air, mixed with the smoky scent of burning wood, making one’s mouth water.

Seraphina Sinclair couldn’t help but swallow, carefully turning the military knife to ensure the fish cooked evenly.

The skin of the fish grew crispy, while the inside remained tender and smooth. A light poke was enough to see the snow-white flesh flake apart, oozing with clear juices.

’It should be ready to eat now.’

She eagerly took a bite. The texture was exactly as it looked: a crispy outer skin giving way to an inside as soft as congealed cream. It melted the moment her teeth touched it, and a fresh, sweet juice instantly flooded her mouth.

The rich flavor of the fat exploded on her tongue, carrying a faint, smoky taste!

Moreover, the fish had almost no bones and not a hint of a fishy smell. Every bite was pure bliss!

Seraphina Sinclair narrowed her eyes, and just as she was about to take another bite, a pop-up window suddenly appeared before her.

[System Announcement: Congratulations on being the first survivor in the entire server to consume the E+ Level ingredient "Black Mist Catfish"! Do you wish to make a server-wide announcement?]

’A server-wide announcement?’

Seraphina Sinclair hesitated for a moment but chose to announce it.

’Don’t they say there’s no time like the present to make a name for yourself? It would be a waste to pass up an opportunity this good.’

’Most people bully the weak and fear the strong. Showing my strength early on could save me a lot of trouble.’

[Congratulations to survivor "Blacktiger Ford" for being the first in the server to consume the E+ Level ingredient "Black Mist Catfish"! A server-wide announcement is now being made as encouragement!]

The entire channel instantly exploded:

"What? E+ Level? Ingredient?! Are you telling me that while I’m still gnawing on compressed biscuits and disgustingly awful bread, *he’s* already eating meat?"

"Pro, please share your hunting method! Pro! Please accept this humble follower’s worship!"

"To the person who just accused him of scamming for charcoal, how’s your face feeling? Must sting. I’m dying laughing. His progress is way beyond ours!"

"Where’d that Mr. Sober from earlier go? Come on out and keep talking, why don’t you?"

"Isn’t anyone curious about the taste? It’s E+ food! I haven’t even seen F+ food!"

"How good can it be without any seasoning?"

Heh.

Seraphina Sinclair wouldn’t stand for that. She didn’t bother arguing—just snapped a photo and posted it.

[Blacktiger Ford]: (Image)

"????"

"It’s sour! It’s gross! It’s disgusting! I don’t care what Blacktiger Ford says, I’ll never admit that thing is delicious! Unless the pro gives me a bite!"

"Let me try some, pro! I really want to eat it! Just one bite! Just one! I’m so tired of being bullied by this food that’s so disgusting it makes me want to puke!"

Before Seraphina Sinclair could even react, "Tired to Death" had already changed his tune.

[Tired to Death]: Pro, I was wrong! Can I trade everything I have for a piece of fish? I want to taste what it’s like, too.

’In your dreams.’

Seraphina Sinclair paused. ’I can’t believe I forgot to block this guy. It’s not too late, though.’

It took Seraphina Sinclair another moment of searching to find the block function.

She frowned and began to reflect on herself. ’Why is it that ever since I entered this world, I’m like a senior citizen when it comes to any of the system’s functions?’

’I either can’t find them or don’t know they exist!’

’Seriously... I’m a perfectly capable twenty-four-year-old! An age where I’m supposed to be on the cutting edge of things!’

Learning from this painful lesson, Seraphina Sinclair carefully familiarized herself with the system’s interface. This little bit of research led her to discover several things she hadn’t noticed before.

First was trading. She had previously thought the only way was for two survivors to agree on a deal, send the items, and complete the trade.

Looking closely today, she realized you could actually create trade agreements with multiple listed restrictions.

There was also non-physical trading, for selling information.

Besides that, there was a gifting function. ’No wonder people in the regional channel were shouting for her to send them a piece of fish to try.’

Seraphina Sinclair nodded to herself. Only after confirming that she had mastered the system panel did she start grilling the second piece of fish.

’This stuff smells amazing, but the portion is too small. I need to eat two pieces to feel full.’

’And one fish only yields three pieces. That’s way too few.’

’But then again,’ she thought, ’it’s an E+ ingredient, so I guess that’s understandable.’

After eating and drinking her fill, Seraphina Sinclair lay on her small bed for a while. When it was almost one in the afternoon, she perked up and stood.

「It was about to rain.」

’I need to figure out how to use the water filter.’

Seraphina Sinclair squatted in front of the water filter, observing it for a long while. She had been worried about how to collect the rainwater from outside, but upon examining the water inlet, she discovered a retractable hose inside. Pulling it out would make collecting rainwater easy.