Chapter 16: Return to the Shelter, News of the Trade Fair

"Damn it!"

Just as he returned to the small building where the shelter was located, he saw several goblins wandering nearby; Su Hao's brows furrowed instantly, and he charged forward gripping his serrated longsword.

With his current physique, even without using the Blood Flame Technique, dealing with these goblins was just a matter of two casual strikes.

Soon after.

Su Hao and Da Xiong Mao then cleared out all the goblins inside and outside the building, numbering over twenty.

There's nothing to be done about it—a concrete building appearing in the middle of a primordial forest makes it hard not to draw attention.

After this little incident, Su Hao became even more determined to paint the small building with camouflage; he didn't want to wake up every day to find a pack of goblins prowling nearby.

After making sure no goblin had been missed, Su Hao brought Da Xiong Mao to the rooftop, opened the shelter's main door, and went inside.

Just as he opened the door, he saw the little girl run over from the sofa, clutching his ankles tightly with both hands, her pink face still streaked with two tear tracks.

All of the little girl's relatives had been killed by goblins, and now Su Hao was her sole reliance in the apocalypse.

Having been out for so long today, just thinking about the terrifying goblins made her unable to stop worrying about Su Hao's safety.

"Sorry for making you worry."

Su Hao ruffled the little one's head, lifted her up, pointed to Da Xiong Mao behind him, and said:

"I brought you a Da Xiong Mao back today; from now on, when I go out, it will keep you company."

The little girl looked at the honest, adorable Da Xiong Mao at the doorway, her mouth slightly opening; after a moment of dazed silence, a faint smile appeared on her face.

Needless to say, Da Xiong Mao is still quite lethal against small children.

But soon after, the little girl shook her head, wanting to say something, yet because she had been overly frightened the previous day, she found herself unable to speak for a moment, her eyes welling up in anxiety.

However, what she wanted to express was obvious at a glance; Su Hao wiped the tears from her corners of her eyes and said with a smile:

"Don't worry, I'll be fine!"

This really isn't Su Hao boasting; the strongest aspect of a blood-flesh controller is actually their tenacious vitality—even when facing a stronger opponent, he can wear them down by trading wounds.

Even if he truly can't win, escaping alive poses no major problem.

As long as he doesn't die on the spot, Su Hao can gradually recover to his original state!

Seeing Su Hao's confident smile, the little girl froze for a moment, then nodded firmly.

"Hahaha! Come on, big brother will make you something delicious today!"

Su Hao laughed loudly, picked up the little girl, and walked inside.

Da Xiong Mao: ……

How come I feel a bit redundant?

Watching this heartwarming scene, Da Xiong Mao silently took out a segment of purple-gold bamboo, bit into it, followed Su Hao inside, and with a light twist of its hindquarters, closed the door.

Hmph! I've claimed this thick thigh; no one can take it from me, and I'll just mooch off this place from now on!

Da Xiong Mao nodded firmly, walked over to the edge of the living-room sofa, and lay down.

Mmm… what is this? It's soft and so comfortable—much more so than my bamboo bed.

Da Xiong Mao closed its eyes contentedly and shifted into an even more comfortable pose.

……

"Don't just lie there—come eat."

"Roar!"

Hearing Su Hao's shout, Da Xiong Mao hurriedly scrambled up from the sofa, wiggled its chubby body, and made its way to the dining room.

Looking at the sumptuous dinner on the table, saliva involuntarily flowed out, and the idea of sponging off Su Hao grew firmer.

From now on I'll be the master's lackey; whoever dares to disrespect my master, watch me slap them to death with one paw!

"Dig in, don't be shy!"

Seeing Da Xiong Mao drooling and the little girl's eyes shining, Su Hao couldn't help but feel immensely proud.

One big, one small, and a bear—enjoying a lavish dinner in the apocalypse—this is something Su Hao never dared imagine in his previous life.

This is just the beginning; things will only get better!

Su Hao's lips curled slightly, revealing a confident smile.

……

Ding-ling-ling!

After finishing dinner, Su Hao, the little girl, and Da Xiong Mao were crowded in the kitchen washing dishes when the communicator bracelets of Su Hao and Da Xiong Mao simultaneously sounded a notification.

Upon opening it, a message popped up.

【Regional Notice: I am Hua Yao of the Flower Sprite Tribe; tomorrow at noon I will hold a trade fair in the tribe—welcome all to come participate (picture).】

"A trade fair? The timing couldn't be better!"

Su Hao smiled faintly, noted the location on the picture, then closed the message.

Originally he had planned to use the Item Refining Technique at dawn to gather wood and other basic materials himself, then build the fireplace.

Now that he had learned of the trade fair, he changed his mind—these basic materials could surely be bought at the fair.

Furthermore, at the trade fair he could surely acquire other items; if he could also get hold of a blueprint, upgrading the shelter would be just around the corner.

Once the shelter reaches First Rank, the contract function unlocks; only after contracting does Da Xiong Mao truly become a member of the shelter.

It can enjoy bonuses from the shelter's special structures, become immune to the Withering Curse of the Withered Ancient Tree, and Su Hao can also view some information about the other party.

The healing potion and poisoned dagger he obtained today are useless, so they can just be taken to trade.

……

Dawn.

Su Hao got up early in the morning, emptied everything from his Storage Bag onto the bed in neat order, and pondered what to synthesize.

He only has three synthesis chances per day, but the materials he carries would not even be enough for six attempts, so he needs to plan carefully.

"Just like that!"

After some thought, Su Hao made a decision; he first picked up three drops of contaminated blood and used the Synthesis Heart.

After a flash of golden light, the three drops of jelly-like dark red blood turned into a drop of scarlet blood.

【Thin Scarlet Blood】

Rank: First Rank

Effect: Originally blood contaminated by an ominous curse, after removing impurities, it became blood containing a trace of scarlet power; consuming it enhances resistance to the Scarlet Curse.

"Nice!"

"As I thought, after synthesis there's no more ominous curse!"

Su Hao's face showed a satisfied smile; this way, he no longer needs to worry about the blood issue.

In his hand, a drop of clean blood is equivalent to a bottle of enhanced healing potion; even if his organs are shattered, they can be restored to their original state.

Although the flesh-and-blood controller's super regeneration only works on flesh and organs, if his limbs are cut off, as long as he has enough blood, he can reattach them.

"Hmm... let's keep it for now; maybe it can be used in an emergency."

After a moment's thought, Su Hao stored this blood in his storage space.

Next, he picked up the chameleon's skin and the automatic paint bucket, used the Synthesis Heart again, and a golden light enveloped the two materials.

"Hope it turns out as I thought."

As long as the synthesized item can produce chameleon pigment, the shelter's concealment will be greatly enhanced.

In Su Hao's expectant gaze, the golden light before him gradually faded; the chameleon's skin had disappeared, leaving a paint bucket that had turned multicolored.