Chapter 51: New Calamities, New Resources

As soon as midnight struck, it signaled the beginning of a new cycle of disaster. Lin Mu watched as the outdoor temperature on the thermometer began to shift. In just ten minutes, it had risen by ten degrees. He wondered how high it might climb by tomorrow. Based on previous experience, even during the harshest winter, the temperature had never dropped below minus one hundred degrees. Back then, wearing clothes, one could still last a few minutes outside.

But high temperatures were different—not everyone possessed the sun-proof suit he wore. Lin Mu shook his head; he would check again in the morning.

After Lin Mu went upstairs to sleep, the others soon drifted into their dreams as well. Meanwhile, changes outside were only just beginning. The rising temperature was secondary; what truly shocked him was the disappearance of all vegetation along the roadside, replaced by endless fields of magma. Yet, this magma was not particularly hot; among its waves, one could spot creatures writhing. These were the special beings they would soon encounter—magma-type creatures.

The next morning, Lin Mu descended from upstairs. Glancing at the scene outside, he instinctively rubbed his eyes. “What the hell is going on?” Bubbling magma? Yet, the temperature hadn’t risen? This defied scientific explanation... But what place was there for science here?

His exclamation startled the others awake. When they peered through the side windows, they were so stunned that words escaped them. At the same time, they felt fortunate to have joined Lin Mu’s vehicle. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have known how to deal with the situation. It was just a collar, after all—not a big deal.

After breakfast, Lin Mu drove through the transformed town. The dilapidated buildings had vanished, replaced entirely by pools of magma. Resource crates now floated at the edges of these pools. Lin Mu parked, gazing at the crates bobbing on the magma’s surface—was that all? It seemed harmless enough.

He extended his collection device toward the crates. The moment he cracked open one, a dog wreathed in flames leapt from the magma pool, biting down on his axe. Under Lin Mu’s gaze, the axe slowly reddened and deformed—but did not melt. Hurriedly, he switched to his long blade and struck the magma dog in one clean blow.

[Ding! S-class threat: Magma Hound slain. Obtained: Lava Stone x1.]

[Congratulations! Silver Resource Crate opened. Obtained: Mithril Ingots x18, Gasoline x950L, Mithril Longsword x6.]

Lin Mu didn’t rush to find the next crate; instead, he examined his new acquisitions.

[Lava Stone (S): 1. Direct use forms a protective membrane for one hour, reducing outdoor temperature by 50% and damage from magma-type creatures by 80%. 2. Weapon enchantment: lowers the risk of weapon melting and increases damage to magma-type creatures by 5% (stackable up to five times).]

Lin Mu stroked his chin. He knew creatures like these must have a countermeasure. However, obtaining Lava Stones wasn’t easy—they had to be slain first.

He then inspected the mithril longsword.

[Mithril Longsword (A): Infused with mithril, this weapon increases damage against special creatures by 50%.]

So, you acquire the weapon first, then hunt the magma beasts? That seemed workable.

Thinking it over, he removed the repeatedly enhanced long knife. Although the steel blade had some mithril added, it clearly wasn’t as effective as this new sword. But that wasn’t the end. Using his modification skill, he improved the longsword further, consuming six pieces of mithril in the process.

The longsword now emitted a white phosphorescent glow, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

[Mithril Longsword (S): Infused with a large amount of mithril, this weapon increases damage against special creatures by 100%.]

As for sharpness, Lin Mu left it as is—he felt it wasn’t necessary.

He also upgraded the collection device, making it resistant to high temperatures.

Arriving at the location of the second crate, this time no magma creature appeared. To be honest, Lin Mu was somewhat disappointed—he found the Lava Stone rather interesting.

Knock, knock, knock~

He opened twelve crates consecutively, encountering neither danger nor new items. It wasn’t until the fourteenth crate that another magma creature emerged—a python.

Hiss—

Thud!

The serpent’s head fell to the ground; another Lava Stone was his.

“That’ll teach you to flick your tongue—off with it.”

[Congratulations! Golden Resource Crate opened. Obtained: Mithril Leather Armor x6, Frost Potion x6, Ice-Cold Mineral Water x30, 200g Roast Meat x30.]

New places indeed brought new treasures.

[Mithril Leather Armor (A): Reduces outdoor temperature by 20% and damage from magma-type creatures by 30%.]

This item’s effect was remarkably similar to the Lava Stone.

The Lava Stone offered only a temporary effect, while armor granted permanent protection as long as it was worn.

[Frost Potion: When applied to a weapon, for thirty seconds, inflicts freezing damage to all creatures. Reduces enemy speed by 50%, 5% chance to freeze target for three seconds, increases damage to magma creatures by 200%.]

Lin Mu raised his brows. Judging by these items, all supplies were now closely tied to the current temperature and the threat of magma creatures.

Clearly, the game’s creators knew humanity could not confront magma creatures unprotected. Otherwise, survival would be impossible.

Opening the remaining crates, he found similar contents: basic supplies, fuel, food, and various weapons and potions for combating magma creatures.

After parking his vehicle, Lin Mu immediately opened the regional channel, eager to see how others were faring.

He owed his survival to his vehicle.

“My car melted! I accidentally drove into the magma—luckily I ran fast!”

“No offense, but with these temperatures, you’re not going to last much longer.”

“How do you deal with those magma creatures? I’m hiding in my car, too scared to step outside.”

“The workbench has basic mithril weapons. Just craft one and fight them.”

“Damn! I traded all my mithril for food and fans!”

“…”

So this was the guy who bought so many supplies from him—thanks! This single person had given him eight mithril ingots, truly a benefactor.

He glanced at the numbers above.

[Zone 562]—Population: 72,116

In just this brief period, over ten thousand people had died. The first day of every disaster always saw the lowest survival rate.

But what was this workbench everyone mentioned?

Lin Mu opened the workbench interface; a new mithril tab had appeared in the sidebar. Inside were only a handful of items, but they were useful in the current circumstances: Mithril Bow and Arrows, Mithril Crossbow Bolts, Mithril Spear, Mithril Long Knife… All offensive weapons, not a single defensive item.

They had been given a glimmer of hope for survival, but it seemed not quite enough.