Using a few tissues, Cheng Shuli carefully wiped the oil off the crystal, finally revealing its details.
[Oil Monster Core]
[Description: Cautious survivor, you've uncovered one of the game's rarest drops—a pitch-black, hard crystal. Seems useless, though, doesn't it? It's just taking up space. Why not toss it?]
Cheng Shuli narrowed her eyes. This shady system never spoke a word of truth. The more it urged her to ditch something, the more determined she was to keep it.
She inspected the crystal again, spotting a smudge she'd missed. Patiently, she cleaned it until it gleamed, then swung open the cart's door and climbed back inside.
Next, she methodically sealed every door and window gap. Worried about freezing water, she tucked two bottles of mineral water into her sleeping bag, planning to sleep with them tonight.
At 8 p.m. sharp, the system launched into its recap of the monster challenge.
[Monster Challenge Summary Convention!]
Cheng Shuli's stomach sank at those words. It was like being yanked back to her past life, trapped in an auditorium for endless reports. Hard, uncomfortable chairs, noise-canceling earbuds useless against the microphone's screech, and hours of butt-numbing torment. She'd rather not relive that "convention" nightmare!
[First Item on the Agenda: Announcing the Top Three!]
Cheng Shuli: "…"
Great. This rotten system skipped the good stuff and went straight for the cringe.
[Courage is humanity's anthem!]
[When fear blankets the earth, when death looms near, some still dare to face the abyss, brandishing their blades against the mightiest foes!]
[They're not reckless fools driven by ignorance, but clear-eyed warriors who weigh life and death and still choose to push their limits!]
[Now—let us unveil the three brightest stars in this trial of life and death!]
The system's tone surged, accompanied by the sound of virtual fireworks bursting.
Cheng Shuli: "…"
Fine. What choice did she have but to listen?
[Third Place: What To Eat Today. Challenge Tier: Epic! Battle Duration: 37 minutes!]
[Second Place: Blade Of Ares. Challenge Tier: Epic! Battle Duration: 34 minutes!]
The system paused dramatically, switching to a solemn drumbeat.
[And at the pinnacle—]
The drums cut off abruptly, and even the regional chat's rapid scroll froze.
[—the mortal who trampled Hell itself!]
[Crow Takes Flight! Challenge Tier: Hell! Duration: 5 minutes, 36 seconds!]
Okay, that was kind of hype.
Cheng Shuli's lips twitched into a grin.
The regional chat's freeze shattered, and a flood of question marks filled the screen.
[Nine Four]: ?
[Sashimi]: ???????
[Wan Yi]: ???
Cheng Shuli, still smiling, joined in.
[Crow Takes Flight]: ???
[Times Zero]: Hold up, why're you confused? We knew you were a freak, but not this much of a freak!
[Snap Crackle]: Can someone rein this guy in? Hell-tier, and they cleared it faster than the Epic-tier folks? System, where's the justice?
[Puff Pastry]: I used to think Crow was some 6'2" iron-blooded warrior, but now? I'm questioning their species.
[Moonlit Pond]: There's no justice in this world, only geography.
…
Sprawled on her sofa, Cheng Shuli stared at the system panel, impatient.
Come on, what's the hold-up? Announce the rewards already!
Was this dog of a system deliberately dangling her curiosity?
If the system could read her mind, it'd probably cry foul. It was just giving the top three a moment to "shine." It had studied human data and learned humans loved this—there was even a term for it: "showing off."
Seeing the top three stay silent, the system plowed ahead.
[Second Item on the Agenda: Announcing the Monster Challenge Rewards!]
[All players who completed the Casual-tier challenge receive Wooden Supply Crate x1. Ranked by shortest to longest battle time, the top ten also receive a Standard Heating Stove x1!]
A heating stove?
Cheng Shuli raised an eyebrow. That must be the key to surviving the extreme cold.
[All players who completed the Normal-tier challenge receive Bronze Supply Crate x1, guaranteed to contain Standard Heating Stove x1. Ranked by shortest to longest battle time, the top ten also receive a one-day supply of firewood for the stove!]
[All players who completed the Elite-tier challenge receive Silver Supply Crate x1, guaranteed to contain Intermediate Heating Stove x1 and a one-day supply of firewood. Ranked by shortest to longest battle time, the top ten also receive a three-day supply of firewood!]
Silver crates!
If Elite-tier got silver crates, did Epic-tier mean gold?
Cheng Shuli took a deep breath, her anticipation spiking for the Hell-tier rewards. If Epic got gold, was there something above gold?
[All players who completed the Epic-tier challenge receive Silver Supply Crate x2, guaranteed to contain Advanced Heating Stove x1 and a three-day supply of firewood. Ranked by shortest to longest battle time, the top ten also receive a seven-day supply of firewood!]
Cheng Shuli: "…"
That's a bit stingy, isn't it?
Still, she couldn't help but buzz with excitement for the Hell-tier rewards.
Everyone leaned in, holding their breath for the Hell-tier announcement.
It was Hell-tier, after all!
What could it possibly be?
[This challenge saw only one player conquer Hell-tier: Crow Takes Flight!]
[On top of the standard rewards, this system is granting this extraordinary miracle-maker an additional gift.]
[Hell-tier challenge rewards, Hell-tier first-clear rewards, Hell-tier monster first-kill rewards, a hidden achievement for clearing in under ten minutes, and a special gift from this system…]
Cheng Shuli's heart raced. Who wouldn't lose it over this? So many rewards! Even a penniless nobody could become the richest survivor on the highway!
The other players were just as hyped. Sure, the loot wasn't theirs, but being in the same region as Crow and getting a peek at the top prize? Curiosity was human nature, and the system had everyone hooked, necks craned for the reveal.
[Due to time constraints, player Crow Takes Flight's rewards will not be announced.]
[Third Item on the Agenda: Closing Remarks!]
Cheng Shuli: "???"
The survivors, ready to feast their eyes on the prize: "???"
Who cared about this stupid system's closing remarks?!
In unison, every player cursed: "Damn dog system!"