Around 1 PM, the sunlight was intensely bright with scorching heat waves, already giving a hint of midsummer's arrival.
Li Wei rested for half an hour, or more precisely, he determined the time by checking the attribute changes in his status panel.
When his stamina recovered to 80 points and his strength returned to 7 points, he immediately grabbed his axe and headed straight for the east bank of the stream.
But his physical sensations remained terrible - his entire body ached unbearably, and his arms were so swollen he could barely grip the axe.
Both his hands were bloody and mangled, with some areas even beginning to fester and inflame.
Conditions that would have made him retreat and worry before, he now completely disregarded.
Because he felt that something more important might happen next, and greater benefits needed to be pursued.
Or, taking a step back, he couldn't just watch his so-called mother live in that dark, damp shack every day, so building a small wooden house as soon as possible was perfectly reasonable.
"Thud!"
He was going all out.
However, after yesterday's and today's chopping, he had at least preliminarily mastered the basic techniques of swinging the logging axe. The effectiveness and efficiency of his chopping had undoubtedly improved significantly. Ignoring the pain in his palms, this was very effective for conserving stamina.
Before, he had wasted too much stamina on ineffective chopping.
He could even begin to summarize some patterns - how much strength to accumulate, what angle to swing the axe to, how much force to use, coordinating with body movement for the chop.
He was truly fully focused, calculating all this with his entire being.
There was no other way - it hurt too much, and he had to ensure every chop provided maximum positive feedback.
The results were quite noticeable. When he cut down the first tree, he only used 15 stamina points, but by the time he cut down the second tree, his stamina had dropped by 20 points, his strength fell to 5 points, and mild hunger turned into moderate hunger.
Previously, this would have been when he approached exhaustion.
His efforts only slightly improved the outcome - he was still far from cutting down the third tree.
But at this moment, Li Wei's determination became incredibly firm. Gritting his teeth, even if he had to rest briefly after each chop, he absolutely would not give up.
He stubbornly persisted until just before sunset when he finally cut it down. At that moment, he was trembling so badly he could barely stand steady.
Penny led the emaciated old ox across the stream, looking at him with somewhat complex eyes, but said nothing. She just hitched the logs and dragged them back.
Li Wei sat there for a long time before finally picking up his axe and limping back to camp.
Fila had already cooked wild vegetable soup. She looked much more energetic, her face illuminated by the red flames, appearing quite serene.
But just then, Li Wei suddenly shuddered.
The gray card in his hand appeared and disappeared.
Immediately, several lines of information silently flashed by.
[The house construction plot initiated by Apprentice Craftsman *** has reached the one-third milestone. Progress as follows: Site selection completed, leveling completed, stone foundation laid, log reserves completed.]
[Calculating rewards, current total reward is 30 construction experience points]
[You cut down ten logs required for building the cabin, you gained 10 construction experience points]
[Since you did not participate in the log transportation process, 1 construction experience point has been deducted.]
[You currently possess 10 logging experience points, 9 construction experience points.]
[Friendly reminder: You can invest different work experience points into the Farmer Card to upgrade it. Specific upgrade standards are - 100 farming experience points can upgrade a one-star Farmer Card to two stars. Or accumulate 200 logging experience points, or 200 construction experience points, which can also upgrade the Farmer Card to two stars.]
[Friendly reminder: Due to the absence of the family head, internal family affairs are showing signs of chaos. Ownership of this house will belong to you and Apprentice Craftsman ***, with respective ownership shares determined by participation level.]
——
So that's how it is.
Li Wei looked at Penny with shocked eyes, and she seemed to sense it, quickly glancing back but immediately turning her gaze away, drinking her wild vegetable soup with a normal expression.
At this moment, he finally understood - his so-called sister Penny, like him, wasn't a native of this world.
The difference was that he had fused with a one-star Farmer Card, while Penny had likely fused with a one-star Craftsman Card.
Furthermore, without doubt, Penny was probably a more experienced player compared to him.
Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how she, despite her thin and weak appearance, could earn 20 construction experience points in less than two days.
After all, land leveling, moving stones, and building foundations weren't easy tasks either.
Li Wei really wanted to ask, but ultimately decided not to be presumptuous.
He hadn't forgotten the initial warning - not to reveal details that didn't belong in this world.
On the other hand, if Penny wasn't a native but rather a card player like him, she should have guessed his identity long ago but hadn't said anything, which spoke volumes.
Additionally, what was the core mechanism of this mission? They appeared to be a family, but was there really no competition mechanism?
Like how Penny used the ox to help him transport logs but still earned 1 construction experience point from him.
That was too easy.
Also, there must be other mechanisms in this mission.
For example, Penny had cooked before - was there cooking experience to gain?
And what about their so-called mother Fila? Who could guarantee, who could confirm she was actually a native?
Sipping slowly, Li Wei finished two bowls of wild vegetable soup. He was still very hungry and physically exhausted, but his spirit was exceptionally vigorous. Just as he was attempting to speak with Fila, his so-called sister Penny suddenly stood up, took out a small package, and came to Li Wei's side.
"I gathered some medicinal herbs when I had time today. The blisters on your hands are almost rotting. Let me apply them for you."
She spoke very softly, as if genuinely concerned about this younger brother.
But in reality, a line of information immediately flashed before Li Wei's eyes.
[Apprentice Craftsman *** is selling healing herbs to you. Will you pay 1 construction experience point to purchase?]
——
Damn!
What a touching scene of sibling harmony.
Li Wei looked at Penny in shock and chose to confirm - he couldn't refuse.
It was exactly like an upperclassman collecting protection money from an underclassman.
But he needed to pay the protection money, and also needed to ensure his body's health as much as possible. If the inflammation in his hands continued, they might truly fester.
Transaction successful. 1 construction experience point gone.
And Penny acted as if nothing had happened, continuing without pause. She opened the small package, mashed some herbs, and carefully applied them to Li Wei's hands. Who knew if they would be effective?
"Sleep early, try to finish building the cabin tomorrow."
After saying this, Penny naturally left. While Li Wei was still pondering, several more lines of information unexpectedly flashed by.
[Apprentice Cook *** is requesting payment for food over the past two days. Friendly reminder: All food and some property in this family currently belong to her. You need to pay the fees. Fee list as follows:]
[Coarse Wheat Porridge ×3, requires payment of 3 points of any experience.]
[Delicious Wild Vegetable Soup ×4, requires payment of 2 points of any experience.]
[You successfully paid 5 logging experience points.]
——
What the hell?
Li Wei looked at the drowsy Fila by the campfire in utter shock. My god, she's a player too.
By this logic, wouldn't the so-called father who died yesterday also have been a player?
This really was one loving and caring family.
Damn it, after working himself to death these past two days, he ultimately only earned 5 logging experience points and 8 construction experience points!
Li Wei finally realized that this seemingly simple mission was actually not simple at all.