"Food, water, firewood... these are the three most important things. I have to prioritize them."
Chu Yuan's eyes were pensive as his thoughts raced. Anyone who had ever watched survival shows knew that the four pillars of survival were: Shelter, Water, Fire, and Food.
He currently had shelter and fire. Though the hut was crude, it offered decent protection from the elements. As for the fire, it needed more fuel; Chu Yuan estimated that with his remaining wood, the flames would only last a few more hours.
However, gathering firewood meant searching for fallen branches, and food meant looking for wild fruits or vegetables—though the risk of poisoning was dangerously high. As for drinking water, he could potentially collect dew from leaves or find where the mist had condensed.
"Without tools, this is going to be brutal!"
Chu Yuan sighed. Without equipment, he might as well be starting from the Stone Age.
Suddenly, a virtual screen flickered to life before his eyes. This screen was Golden, not blue. On it, a string of text appeared—another mysterious language he had never seen, yet understood perfectly.
At the same time, a voice echoed in his ears. It was genderless, yet felt both sophisticated and oddly welcoming.
[Feeble Campfire]
Description: A weak fire providing minimal warmth and light.
Strengthen? [Yes / No]
... ...
!?
The sudden display made Chu Yuan freeze in shock.
"Ha... A Hack!? A Cheat!?"
Realization dawned on him almost instantly. His entire face lit up with a massive grin, and his body trembled with sheer excitement.
"Haha! I knew it! I am the protagonist!! 99.99% certainty!"
As a veteran novel reader, how could he not know what a Strengthening Cheat was? If used correctly, his mid-to-late game would be a total Power Trip.
"No!"
Chu Yuan declined for now. He needed to understand exactly how this functioned. If he used it recklessly, he might waste precious resources.
Closing his eyes, Chu Yuan contemplated his next move. He realized there was nothing more valuable to strengthen right now than his own body. After all, a healthy body was the foundation of survival; it was the ultimate tool to solve any problem.
Immediately, the golden virtual screen flickered before him.
[Chu Yuan]
Description: An ordinary, unremarkable human being.
Strengthen? [Yes / No]
... ...
"Yes!"
The text on the screen shifted, and that sophisticated voice echoed in his ears once more.
[Strengthening will take 24 hours. Confirm?]
"No!"
Chu Yuan quickly declined. It turned out there was a second confirmation step. He had almost thought the first "Yes" would trigger it instantly. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck him.
"I want to strengthen... [Strengthen]!"
[Strengthen]
Description: A unique ability capable of infinitely strengthening all things and all beings.
Strengthen? [Yes / No]
... ...
"Yes!"
[Strengthening will take ∞ years. Confirm?]
"NO, NO, NO! DO NOT STRENGTHEN!!!"