Chapter 17: Supplies Are Life

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Supplies Are Life

[BigShot]: Sharing for free, but please verify the effects yourself. First, a simple disinfectant solution: 1 part charcoal powder (this needs to be ground), plus 10 parts filtered or mineral water. Let it sit for 12 hours before use. It has a weak disinfecting effect and can be used to clean wounds or tools.

Seraphina Sinclair quietly made a mental note. Although she had an E-level Healing Potion, it was her only one, so it was certainly useful to keep this in mind.

"Uh? Is this for real? Why do we have to verify the effects ourselves? Don’t tell me you’re not sure and you’re just posting this so we can test it for you?"

"Disinfectant? Ground charcoal? Dude, are you serious? How can this be useful?"

"He made it pretty clear, it only has a weak disinfecting effect. Sigh. Simply put, it’s a last-ditch struggle before you die. A little better than just dying, right?"

"I actually didn’t know this before. It’s definitely useful in a world short on medicine. Thanks, BigShot!"

"Don’t be so quick to judge. This is only the first tip, isn’t it?"

[BigShot]: Second, an emergency torch: 1 part cloth (oil-soaked cloth is best, but regular cloth works too), plus 1 sturdy wooden stick. When lit, it provides a longer-lasting and wider-ranging light source than a Sunlight Lamp. It has a weak repelling effect on light-sensitive monsters. Everyone has Insight, so you can check if monsters you encounter are sensitive to light. That’s why I think this is pretty useful.

"Heh, no matches, no lighter. Even if I make one, I can’t light it."

"Can’t you consider the practical problems before sharing? Where are we supposed to get oil? Where are we supposed to get fire?"

"Can’t you just trade for it on the regional channel? Do you need to be taught everything, you big baby?"

"Sounds good! I happened to get a bit of oil from a drop earlier. I’ll give it a try in a bit!"

"You people are... really something. I don’t want to sound harsh, so I won’t say it. This guy kindly shared this, and even if it’s not all that useful, it’s a hundred times better than you all doing nothing but shooting him down!"

For most people, they had no oil and no source of fire. Basically, this tip was complete nonsense.

But for Seraphina Sinclair, it was still somewhat useful. She had a lighter, and she had oil.

But she couldn’t bear to use her Fish Oil to make a torch; at best, she could make a simple one by just wrapping cloth for emergencies. If she’d had one of these when the Blackmist Worms invaded, she might not have needed to burn her Fish Oil.

[BigShot]: These next two tips might not seem useful now, but I’m sharing them anyway because I think they might come in handy one day. As for why I’m not waiting until they’re actually useful to share... what if I don’t live to see that day? Then this knowledge would die with me.

[BigShot]: Okay, third tip: a makeshift trap. This is for small, ground-dwelling creatures. First, dig a shallow pit. Plant sharpened wooden spikes or Metal Fragments at the bottom. Then, camouflage the opening with thin branches and leaves. Its effectiveness is limited, but it’s better than nothing.

[BigShot]: The last tip is for fishing—simple bait. Use a small amount of decaying meat, like tiny tissue fragments from a slain monster. Be extremely cautious, as it’s unclear if certain monster corpses are safe to touch. To be safe, you can wrap the bait in cloth with some bread crumbs. This is attractive to some aquatic creatures.

[BigShot]: I’ll say it again: these are just experiments using basic materials on hand. The effects will vary from person to person and place to place, and there are risks involved. The rules of The Black Mist World are full of unknowns. Stay vigilant and think for yourselves. I hope this helps those who truly need it.

"A trap... doesn’t feel very useful. We’re all in mobile cabins, how are we supposed to dig a pit?"

"Bait! Dude, you’re a genius! I’m going to try it right now! I saw someone mention yesterday that there was something in the water, but they couldn’t catch it!"

"Thanks, BigShot! I don’t know how well it’ll work, but at least it gives me some direction. It’s better than just sitting around helplessly!"

Those two tips really weren’t very useful.

But this "BigShot’s" own assessment was very fair. ’Maybe they’ll be useful one day?’

Seraphina Sinclair made another mental note. After scrolling down a bit more and seeing he hadn’t posted again, she closed the regional channel.

’Instead of wasting time watching strangers fight like mortal enemies, I might as well get some sleep.’

She slept dreamlessly.

「Day three in this godforsaken place.」

Seraphina Sinclair opened her eyes and first checked the time. She’d gone to bed early last night, so she woke up early today. It was just past five o’clock.

She rubbed her eyes and went to the bathroom to quickly wash up.

She had running water for daily use now. No longer did she have to miserably wet her eyes with a tiny bit of water like the past two days.

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t rush to eat breakfast. Instead, she exercised for a while on an empty stomach, treating it as her morning workout.

As soon as it was past eight, the Sunflower stretched out again. It swayed its head back and forth.

Seraphina Sinclair suddenly heard its thoughts: "We’re moving so fast, so far away from the other partners."

’Moving fast?’

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow. ’Speaking of which, I should be a full day’s journey ahead of the average player now, right?’

Her cabin had moved for two hours on the first day, and the second day had proceeded normally.

But today, she would be able to cover two days’ distance.

Seraphina Sinclair glanced at the still-working composting device. If this kept up, she would definitely pull far ahead of the main group.

In other words, what the Sunflower meant by "so far away from the other partners."

’It shouldn’t be dangerous, right?’

Seraphina Sinclair blinked. ’I’m basically in the role of a scout now, but since I haven’t shared any of the information I’ve learned, I’m just scouting for myself.’

’Hm...’

’That sounds acceptable enough.’

’It’s all about self-reliance, after all.’

’I’ll just have to be extra careful.’

’Then again, doesn’t this godforsaken place, this system, have any rewards for someone in a trailblazer role like me?’

’Or maybe everything will be tallied up after the seven-day novice protection period ends?’

Seraphina Sinclair stopped herself from speculating further.

The Sunflower’s Hunger Level was full. It was time to start today’s work!

Seraphina Sinclair gently tapped her arm. ’If this keeps up, I’m going to develop some serious biceps.’

It wasn’t that she was against having muscles; she was against this insane training method.

’It’s just... so exhausting!’

Though Seraphina Sinclair complained internally, her hands were quite honest, cranking the Hand-cranked Sunlight Lamp at top speed.

Every time she saw the Sunflower tilt its little face up, its head turning to follow the Sunlight Lamp in her hands while it endlessly chanted in its mind, "So warm," Seraphina felt her hard work was all worth it.

’Putting aside whether the kid is happy or not, with sunshine comes supplies!’

’And what are supplies? Supplies are life!’

’Who wouldn’t want to live a little better?’

Besides, the Sunflower’s Growth Rate was already at 50. It just needed five more monsters, and today, she was guaranteed to get at least six treasure chests.

The thought that she might be able to evolve the Sunflower today made Seraphina Sinclair’s arm instantly stop aching.