Chapter 17: Level 3 Vehicle

In that case, they will have to pay a higher price.

Cheng Shuili picked up the fragments, feeling pleased, and continued on her way.

She had long guessed that the officials would choose the first message, after all, 'How to enter the beastman town' sounded more direct and useful.

But they will soon discover that without Game Coin, this message is meaningless.

By then, they will have no choice but to turn back and look for her.

And she, can set her own price.

Cheng Shuili was in a great mood, twisting the handle all the way down.

It would be best to drain the cart's battery before nightfall, so upgrading the vehicle wouldn't feel wasteful.

Cheng Shuili hummed a little tune as she pressed forward.

Strangely enough, after she resolved to hurry on her way, no treasure chests appeared along the road—as if heaven itself were obeying her wishes.

Only when dusk was approaching did Cheng Shuili finally stop the cart in earnest.

There was no choice; traveling at night was too dangerous.

Although those monsters still wouldn't attack players, each time night fell they would creep a little closer to the vehicle, crowding together in a thick mass that felt oppressive, and they still looked quite terrifying.

Cheng Shuili crouched beside the cart, just as before, gathering the 25 fragments together to obtain vehicle upgrade materials once again.

Electric Shopping Cart Upgrade Plan from Level 2 to Level 3:

1. Vehicle Upgrade Material x1, Iron Lump x10, Iron Nail x40, Heat Insulation Material x2, Warm Insulation Material x2, Plastic x4, Rubber x2, Electrical Wire x1.

2. Vehicle Upgrade Material x1, Vehicle Upgrade Core x1.

This time the required materials are double what they were last time, plus an extra electrical wire.

This means that the materials needed going forward will surely keep increasing.

Cheng Shuili still decided to use the first option; upgrading from level two to three isn't a major milestone, and the chance of another silver box reward is small, so she can take her time.

Although using the first Vehicle Upgrade Core feels like a loss, after all she secured first place server-wide, so it's still making good use of it!

Cheng Shuili thought, selecting the needed materials. She lacked nothing, arranged everything, and then clicked to upgrade.

This upgrade takes ten minutes.

Cheng Shuili was very patient, she propped her chin and waited quietly.

Ten minutes later, the upgrade was complete.

The electric shopping cart's appearance changed again.

The original cabin doubled in size, the driver's seat gained a steering wheel and foot brake, making it look utterly unrelated to an electric shopping cart.

The roof became smooth and tidy, storage compartments were added to both sides of the body, and the windshield was upgraded to double-layered, providing both soundproofing and safety.

What delighted Cheng Shuili most was that the cabin interior now featured a simple kitchen area, equipped with a small induction stove and a mini-fridge.

Besides that, a small socket was installed, and the battery can be replaced beneath the wall panel!

Only then did Cheng Shuili understand why this upgrade required electrical wire!

【Congratulations to player Cheng Shuili, vehicle upgrade successful! Current level: 3.】

【Vehicle storage capacity expanded to 500 kg, top speed increased to 60 kilometers per hour.】

Cheng Shuili felt a bit excited; although the fridge was empty inside, having it meant the problem of preserving fresh food would be solved from now on.

Although the induction stove's power isn't high, it's more than enough to boil noodles or heat a dish.

"This is truly switching from a bird gun to a cannon!" she couldn't help exclaiming.

She opened the upgrade page to check how many fragments would be needed next time.

125.

Cheng Shuili: "?"

125?!

Why not go rob it? It just increased by 100 straight away!

Cheng Shuili's 25 fragments were still extorted; it's hard to imagine accumulating to 125 by mere piling up.

Cheng Shuili shook her head, sighed again, and gave a wry laugh twice at the sight of the vehicle, now completely different from before.

Just laugh it off.

She was already far ahead.

As night fell, Cheng Shuili locked the car doors, lay on the upgraded sofa, and glanced at the regional channel with a hint of pride.

Today's chat contents remained lively, someone was showing off loot, someone complained about encountering monsters, and others discussed how to form teams.

She had wanted to post something on the regional channel, but after thinking she decided not to.

Better not be too showy.

Men Sheng Fa Da Cai!

Cheng Shuili intended to close the regional channel and go cook something to eat; although her cooking skills weren't great, her standards for food weren't high either.

As long as it's edible, that's fine.

Just as she was about to click close, she saw a message from an acquaintance.

【Cao Mei Xiao Ying Tang】: Who has antidote? Buying at a high price.

【Cao Mei Xiao Ying Tang】: Who has antidote? I'll exchange all my supplies for it.

He sent several in a row.

Cheng Shuili checked her own supplies; medicine had always been scarce. Not to mention antidote, she hadn't even seen basic fever reducers or painkillers.

【Xiao Xiong Mao】: Who has that thing?

【iCai Xiao Gaoshou】: Brother, say why you need the antidote? Share with everyone.

【Cao Mei Xiao Ying Tang】: I was bitten by a monster inside a box, the wound turned purple. After the injury, consuming supplies can give a system medical analysis, and the system advised me to take antidote.

【Purple Sweet Potato Pill】: It really works, thanks bro, wishing you a speedy recovery.

【ALS】: I've never seen this thing before; otherwise I'd definitely save your life. Why not private chat those few big shots? They probably have more supplies.

Cheng Shuili frowned, opened the private chat page with Cao Mei Xiao Ying Tang, the last message in their transaction log. Cheng Shuili was about to say something when she saw his avatar had gone dark.

Dead?

Cheng Shuili reopened the regional channel; many people also noticed his avatar had gone dark.

【ALS】: Ah, still didn't make it.

Cheng Shuili stared at Cao Mei Xiao Ying Tang's dim avatar, finger hovering in midair, unable to close the system panel for a long time.

"Just died like that?" she murmured, flashes of their transaction records over the past few days appearing in her mind.

Although it was just a transaction of interests, behind that ID that always spoke in an exaggerated tone was, after all, a living person.

Outside the shopping cart, the night was as dark as ink.

The dark‑red sky was swallowed by darkness, only a few stars flickering weakly.

Cheng Shuili could feel those monsters drawing nearer; their blurry shapes swayed in the distance, emitting a chilling low moan.

"Storewide 50% off! Storewide 50% off!" the shopping cart's blared suddenly, especially piercing in the quiet night.

Cheng Shuili jerked upright, her heart pounding violently in her chest, fine beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead.

This wasn't because she feared those monsters.

They really don't attack players—at least not for now.

But because Cao Mei Xiao Ying Tang's death made her suddenly realize that this game was far more cruel than she had imagined.

"Antidote…" Cheng Shuili whispered the word, opening her own supplies list.

She really didn't have this medicine, and even the most basic medical supplies were pitifully scarce. If the next person poisoned were her…