Chapter 145 - 136: Day 28 Settlement
"Since you’re Hunters, you should know how to make bows, right?"
Zhang Meng replied, "I know a little."
The taller Shi Xuong cupped his fists. "I can make Hunting Bows, but not military Crossbows."
Qin Ziwen nodded. "Alright. After dinner, go out and find materials to make bows. Just bring the materials back, and don’t go too far. There aren’t any dangerous beasts around the Gated Community right now. You can take some meat with you. I’ll give you a lighter in a bit."
Zhang Meng and Shi Xuong were taken aback. They glanced at the darkness outside but didn’t object, simply cupping their fists in acknowledgment.
Du Yu was amazed. "My Lord, you’re sending them out in the middle of the night to gather bow-making materials..."
Qin Ziwen said, "This area has been cleared so many times, it’s basically impossible for there to be any large beasts. They just need to be careful of venomous insects and snakes. Besides, they’re both Hunters."
"The danger really isn’t that great." Du Yu had to agree. The Lord had even given the two men a lighter and raw meat, so they wouldn’t have to worry about food at night. All they needed to do was find suitable wood for the bows.
Qin Ziwen turned to the old tanner, who looked to be in his fifties, and said, "Chen Pi... Craftsman."
"Present, my Lord."
"I have a wild boar hide I’ve been saving, and also a Giant Sloth hide. See if you can turn them into good leather."
Qin Ziwen brought out the giant wild boar’s hide, along with the Giant Sloth’s skin, which had been stripped off not long ago and was still streaked with fresh blood.
After inspecting them, the old tanner exclaimed, "My Lord, these are top-quality hides! It’s just that the skinning technique has ruined a good portion of them."
The old tanner was pained. The quality of both hides was excellent, but the skinner’s inexperience had resulted in uneven thickness. Combined with the damage from Arrows and Long Spears, the surfaces were severely marred. In his eyes, these two hides weren’t worth even thirty percent of their full potential.
Qin Ziwen cleared his throat. He was the one who had skinned that giant wild boar.
"It’s fine. Just do your best with them."
Chen Pi asked cautiously, "Yes, my Lord. May I ask what you intend to use these hides for? Decoration, clothing, or Leather Armor?"
"Make them into Leather Armor. Prioritize defense."
"Yes, my Lord. Do you have a scraping knife?"
"No. Go find Li Tieshan. Tell him what you need, and have him forge one for you."
𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
"Understood."
With today almost over, only two days remained before the next transmigration. Qin Ziwen felt an increasing sense of urgency. ’Time waits for no one.’
He had already stockpiled some water. With the Fish Pond and the Level 2 Spring Eye, he wasn’t lacking in water resources; he even had a surplus.
As for meat, they had successfully hunted a Giant Sloth today. Combined with the various beasts caught in the preceding days, their supply was basically sufficient. Even if they couldn’t find any meat on the new map, they had enough to last for a month, which would see them through to the map after next without issue.
But simply having enough to eat and drink wasn’t enough.
’Since I’ve come this far, I can’t be content with just surviving. I have to live a proper life.’
If the number of new residents arriving on the next map was small, it would be fine. But if there were many, conflict with the original inhabitants was inevitable. The only questions were the scale of the conflict and how long it would last.
The Gated Community was stable for now, largely because the current residents could be self-sufficient with their food supply.
But the resources on the Gobi Map would only be scarcer than in the forest.
Lying on his side in bed, he watched the white vapor rising from a fissure in the rock floor. Though it was night, the room wasn’t cold, feeling as if it had underfloor heating.
You have successfully survived in the wilderness for twenty-eight days. You obtained two Cards and successfully hunted a Giant Sloth... Comprehensive Score: 111 points.
Rewards granted: [Building Card] Level 1 Residence x1, [Enhancement Card] Human Physique Enhancement Card (One Star) x2, Sleeping Bag x1.
Upon waking and seeing the results of yesterday’s settlement, Qin Ziwen’s expression was a little strange. He hadn’t expected the Enhancement Cards he’d used up to come back to him in this way.
And he’d gotten two of them at once.
Qin Ziwen first took out a Human Physique Enhancement Card and chose to use it on himself.
The blood and muscles in his body seethed. He felt as if he had just gone through a long and arduous training session.
When the light from the Enhancement Card faded, he extended his arm and clenched his fist.
He now felt like he could kill a bull with a single punch.
Of course, he knew this was just an illusion.
But he could genuinely feel that his strength, speed, endurance, and explosive power had all reached an absurd level.
’So this is how great the difference between people can be.’
Now, both he and Du Yu were maxed out.
Without much hesitation, Qin Ziwen decided who would receive the remaining Human Physique Enhancement Card.
"Xiaowu, come here."
"Big Bro, what’s up?"
"Come upstairs with me." Qin Ziwen wasn’t sure if using a Card like the Enhancement Card could also activate a Home.
If it could, then using it in Apartment 602 would be the most suitable choice.
"Use this." Qin Ziwen took out the Enhancement Card and handed it to his brother.
Taking the Card, Qin Ziwu didn’t ask where his brother had gotten it and immediately chose to use it.
The moment he used it, a look of astonishment flashed across Qin Ziwu’s face.
When the enhancement was over, Qin Ziwen asked, "How is it?"
Qin Ziwu opened his palm, a look of disbelief on his face. "I feel so much stronger."
He suddenly remembered that his brother’s strength had abruptly increased a while back. He had found it strange at the time, but now he realized his brother must have acquired an Enhancement Card back then.
"Did your Home awaken?"
Qin Ziwu paused for a moment, then nodded. "It awakened. Just as it was awakening, I heard a voice in my ear. It said, ’Current Home has no master. Now occupying Home.’"
Qin Ziwen nodded. "That’s it, then. If there are multiple people in one family, they can awaken a Home by occupying an unowned room."
Qin Ziwu wasn’t too concerned about acquiring a new Home. According to his brother, he was just "holding a spot." He would still live downstairs as usual.
Back in his own apartment, Qin Ziwen took out the new Building Card he had received: [Residence].
This was the first time he had obtained this type of building. Judging by its name, it was a place for people to live.
’This Residence won’t just give me two beds and two sets of blankets to improve my sleep quality, will it?’ Qin Ziwen wondered.
The Residence’s footprint was 4x3.
It didn’t require a very large empty space.
He used the Card, and a white light flashed.
A small, rather crude-looking bungalow appeared on the spot.
There was a wooden door on the front.
On the side were several holes that served as "windows."
Pushing the door open, he found a large, heated sleeping platform built against one wall. It was a communal bed with four spaces, each furnished with a cotton quilt and a wooden pillow.
Against the left wall stood a large wooden cabinet.
Against the right wall was a small table, with a chamber pot placed underneath it.
The layout was spartan.
Qin Ziwen used Insight on the Residence.
[Level 1 Residence: Level 1 Settlement, Level 1 Cold Resistance] (Settlement Capacity: 0/4)
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