“Uh…”
Jiang Lin scratched his head, looking at the tentacled axe swaying seductively before him.
If he ignored its minor aesthetic flaws, its functionality was quite practical.
The axe stood upright, two tentacles propped on the ground, while the other two swayed erratically in the air.
White viscous fluid dripped onto the ground, making squelching sounds.
“Hello? Axe?”
Jiang Lin suppressed his sense of strangeness and attempted to communicate.
The tentacles waved twice, as if responding.
Amazing!
The Transmutation Skill was truly powerful and bizarre, actually giving consciousness to an inanimate object.
Did this count as him creating life?
He didn’t know why.
Jiang Lin always felt a strange connection with the axe, as if he was facing his… child?
Shaking his head, Jiang Lin cast aside his jumbled thoughts, forcing himself to focus on serious matters.
He pointed to a tree outside the window and asked, “Can you chop trees?”
The axe’s tentacles tapped in the air, as if nodding.
“I’ll give you a name. Let’s call you Little Axe.”
Nod.
“Go chop trees. Be back before dark.”
Nodding, it pattered to the door.
Open door, exit, close door.
It wasn’t until he heard thudding sounds outside that Jiang Lin snapped back to reality.
“It feels like I’ve gained a companion.”
Scratching his head again, Jiang Lin no longer dwelled on the underlying principles.
After all, the Mist Survival world was already strange enough.
With 25 Spirit Power remaining, the Transmutation Skill could still be used once more.
With the success of ‘Little Axe,’ Jiang Lin was eager to use the Transmutation Skill again to maximize its benefits.
While other survivors had to grunt and hack at trees with inferior axes, he had already achieved automation.
Transforming into the Transmutation Skill was definitely the most correct decision he had ever made.
Gulp, Jiang Lin swallowed, feeling his throat a little dry.
Thirsty.
He took out the mineral water from the 新手禮包 and took a big gulp.
Jiang Lin fell into contemplation, looking at the mineral water in his hand.
Water resources were undoubtedly the most crucial thing for survival. He wondered what would happen if the Transmutation Skill was used on it?
Now with Little Axe, wood collection shouldn’t be a problem, and stones could be found by picking them up outside.
The main concerns were food and drink.
He still had two loaves of bread, which would last a day or two without issue.
However, one bottle of water wouldn't last very long.
But now wasn't the time to think about these things; he needed to collect 50 units of stone before dark to upgrade the shelter.
The Transmutation Skill could be used later.
He glanced at the time on the system panel: 9:45 AM. It would get dark at 5 PM.
He had 7 hours and 15 minutes left.
Jiang Lin stepped out of his door, taking his first step in survival.
The temperature was moderate, but the sky was dim, and he couldn't see the sun; he didn't know where the light was coming from.
Mist surrounded him.
He could see about 10 meters.
The area around the wooden house was very quiet, as if the mist could even swallow sound.
Only Little Axe’s thudding tree-chopping sounds reached his ears.
Jiang Lin looked over and saw that in just that short time, Little Axe had almost chopped down a tree.
This efficiency was comparable to a logging machine.
Except for those survivors who had awakened strength or offensive talents, other survivors' efficiency was less than one-fifth of Little Axe's.
He opened the system panel and inspected the tree, which showed 10 units of wood.
At Little Axe's efficiency, 100 units would be effortless.
Jiang Lin estimated that Little Axe could chop at least 24 trees a day, which was 240 units of wood.
Even if today was delayed by about half an hour, it didn't matter.
This was only Tier 1; if there was a better quality axe, its efficiency after transmutation would surely be higher.
He checked the time.
He couldn't delay any longer. Jiang Lin began collecting stones around the wooden house.
Stone +1
Stone +1
...He didn't stray far from the wooden house. Visibility was too low, and he was afraid he wouldn't find his way back if he walked into the mist.
Moreover, Jiang Lin always felt like something in the mist was watching him.
Play it safe! Be steady!
Time passed.
He glanced at the time; there was still 1 hour and 30 minutes until dark.
He already had 55 units of stone in his backpack.
He had done his best; the surrounding resources seemed to be calculated, as there were no more stones visible around the wooden house.
He had picked up some shallowly buried in the soil, but deeper ones couldn't be dug without a shovel.
In addition to the stones, there were 186 units of wood, all thanks to Little Axe.
Due to Little Axe's efficiency, there were no more trees around the wooden house, so Little Axe had to venture deeper into the mist to chop trees.
No tree-chopping sounds came from the mist, confirming that the mist indeed absorbed sound.
It was even more dangerous.
Jiang Lin's expression turned grim at this thought.
It was well known that ears were one of humanity's most important senses, working with eyes to avoid danger.
Not being able to hear meant being unable to avoid danger through sound, which was undoubtedly fatal in a survival world.
Because you wouldn't be able to be vigilant about unseen places.
Looking at the hazy mist, Jiang Lin abandoned the idea of exploring it.
There was nothing else to do; he should upgrade the shelter first.
He opened the system panel and selected 【Shelter】.
【Dilapidated Wooden House (Tier 0, upgradable): 186/100 Wood, 55/50 Stone】
【Evaluation: Might not survive tomorrow night.】
Click Upgrade.
Rumble!
The wooden house began to emit a white light, so blinding that Jiang Lin couldn't see what was happening inside.
In a blink, the light faded.
A brand new wooden house appeared.
Stones were interspersed between the wooden planks, making it look much sturdier than the previous dilapidated wooden house.
It would be no problem to defend against some small beasts.
【Stone-Wood House (Tier 1, not upgradable): 86/300 Wood, 5/150 Stone, 0/20 Crystals】
【Evaluation: Barely able to survive the third night, but probably won't see the fifth day.】
Ignoring the changes in the system text, Jiang Lin was a content person.
Mainly because he couldn't change much more right now.
“Not bad!”
Jiang Lin punched and patted the walls, satisfied with the hardness of his ‘new house.’
Walking into the wooden house, the furnishings were the same, except for an oil lamp on the wooden table.
He opened the system to inspect it.
【Strange Oil Lamp: A gift from the system to brave and diligent survivors, capable of warding off dangers in the darkness.】
【Note: It will automatically light up at night. Please do not discard it casually or extinguish it intentionally; it is your guarantee of survival.】
Jiang Lin was somewhat puzzled.
But since the system said so, there must be a reason for it, no need to dwell on it.
He sat on the bed.
He took out a piece of bread and ate it with the last of the mineral water, alleviating much of the day's fatigue.
“Last time today, don’t disappoint me.”
Looking at the mineral water bottle in his hand, he had no other good options.
Transmutation Skill activated!
25 Spirit Power was injected.
The surface of the mineral water bottle began to familiar wriggle, gradually transforming into a cup with red tentacles growing from its bottom.
The fine red tentacles swayed in the air, as if searching for a place to root.
【Transmuted Plastic Water Bottle, obtained Red Tentacle Cup】
【Red Tentacle Cup: Tier 1, a cup that has undergone unknown changes, can infinitely produce water when rooted in the ground】
“Good stuff!”
Jiang Lin was a little excited; he no longer had to worry about drinking water.
Although its appearance was a bit unsightly, as a pragmatist, Jiang Lin didn't care.
Touching the cup in his hand, Jiang Lin found a corner of the wooden house and placed it down.
The red tentacles quickly burrowed into the ground, and soon clear water seeped out from the bottom of the cup.
Before Jiang Lin could rejoice, a pattering sound came from outside the wooden house.
Little Axe was back.
Jiang Lin went to the door, but what he saw made him frown deeply.
Little Axe had two tentacles propped on the ground, one tentacle holding the collected wood.
But another tentacle was gone!
Green viscous fluid seeped from the severed end.