Page 38
The morning sun was already rising on the horizon, casting golden rays over the arid landscape. The cold mist of dawn was slowly dissipating, revealing the extent of the previous night's carnage. Around the bus, the growing light detailed the grotesque pile of bodies of creatures of various shapes and sizes, a silent testament to Jhon's fury.
"Let's see what we've gained from last night, Loli," Jhon said, his voice hoarse with exhaustion, but with a hint of anticipation.
He stepped off the bus, his feet sinking lightly into the packed earth. There were the drops, glinting faintly in the morning light: differently colored packets of light, each containing the remains of slain monsters.
The first item that caught his eye was an Assault Rifle (Uncommon), shrouded in a greenish aura. Touching it, the system interface opened, offering upgrade options. Without hesitation, Jhon invested a portion of the 1,000 Assault Rifle Ammo (5.56 Caliber) (Common) and another portion of the 8 Medium Creature Meat (Common) he had collected overnight. The weapon transformed before his eyes, its metal darkening and tactical details emerging. It was now an Enhanced Assault Rifle (Rare), sporting a 1km-range telescopic scope and integrated night vision. To his surprise and delight, the description indicated that the weapon was compatible with both 5.56 and 7.62 ammunition. Furthermore, it came with an attached silencer and a retractable tripod. Jhon also noticed six extra magazines with the rifle. He didn't hesitate to use half of the remaining 5.56 ammunition to increase the weapon's power and the other half to multiply by fifty the value of the 5.56 ammunition he still had, bringing his stockpile to an impressive amount.
Beside them, two Pistols (Common) gleamed. Following the same process, Jhon used a small amount of the vast pile of pistol ammunition he had collected (without bothering to count precisely, just grabbing handfuls) and some scraps of the remaining Medium Creature Flesh (Common). The pistols transformed into two Improved Desert Eagles (Uncommon), identical to the one he already owned, both now equipped with a silencer, a tactical flashlight, a 1x1 scope, and a red laser sight. The numerous pistol magazines he had dropped were all multiplied by fifty, ensuring a near-infinite supply of ammunition for his pistols.
Stacks of Medium (Common) Creature Meat were the next item. Intrigued, Jhon began using some units to try and enhance them through the synthesis system, curious about the results.
The Level 1 Badges that had dropped overnight—he was certain he'd picked up at least a few of each type—were promptly processed. Following the strategy he'd established with Loli, all duplicate badges were multiplied by fifty, filling his inventory with a considerable reserve for future bus upgrades.
Loli floated beside Jhon, her eyes shining with excitement. "Jhon! Look at all this! The multi-caliber rifle with night vision and silencer! The upgraded dual Desert Eagles! And a ton of ammo and Level 1 Badges! Jhon, now we can really boost this bus! Do you want to upgrade to Level 2?"
The question hung in the air, charged with potential. Jhon looked at the bus, its former fifty-foot form now seeming small and antiquated in the face of a radical transformation.
"Yes," Jhon replied, his voice firm and resolute.
The next instant, an intense energy began emanating from the bus, enveloping it in a cocoon of pulsating light. The metal structure began to expand, creaking and groaning as it grew to colossal proportions. What had once been a sizable vehicle now became a metal behemoth on wheels.
The transformation was overwhelming. The bus, which previously measured nearly 15 meters in diameter, 3 meters wide, and 4 meters high, swelled to approximately 50 meters in length. Its axle configuration also changed drastically. It now had six axles: two at the front and one at the rear were articulated, allowing for wider maneuvering, while two fixed axles ensured stability. The vehicle's new shape resembled a segmented metal serpent.
The interior underwent a complete overhaul. The cramped space gave way to luxurious compartments. There was now a full bathroom, complete with a spacious bathtub, double sinks, and a modern toilet—almost a hotel on wheels. Jhon's room was now a suite. The bed was a sumptuous mattress measuring nearly 10 feet, 1.50 wide by 8 feet long. There was also a secure compartment for his weapons, accessible only by password or fingerprint.
The former living area has been transformed into a multimedia room equipped with everything imaginable: large screens embedded in the walls, a powerful surround sound system, and intuitive controls.
The driver's dashboard was unrecognizable. The analog switches and dials had given way to a fully touchscreen system, reminiscent of futuristic control panels. One of the screens displayed a tactical map with a 1-kilometer radius, showing the location of monsters (though without indicating their difficulty level), resource crates, and even the presence of other survivors.
An impressive new addition was the second floor. Accessible by an internal staircase, it housed another smaller bedroom and an armored skylight with 360-degree visibility, specifically designed as a strategic sniping point.
The headlights were replaced with high-tech units. The six powerful headlights were capable of illuminating the darkness up to a distance of 300 meters, with an intensity that could easily blind any creature at night.
Keyless ignition was a thing of the past. Now, the bus was activated by password or digital readout, with a simple start button on the dashboard.
The former luggage space in the bus's hold was transformed into a spacious storage area, with organized shelves and compartments. And one of the biggest surprises was the installation of a cold storage room, perfect for preserving the meat of slaughtered monsters.
The ventilation system was also completely revamped, incorporating hot and cold orb technology. It efficiently regulated the air conditioning and heating temperatures, as well as controlling the running water temperature in the kitchen and bathroom.
Loli pointed to the various animal skins Jhon had collected. "Remember the skins? About 70% of them were integrated into the bus's interior during the upgrade! They were transformed into luxurious mattresses, soft sheets, comfy pillows, fluffy towels, sofa and armchair covers, and more. The interior is now incredibly cozy!"
Jhon watched the transformation with a mixture of shock and awe. The bus, his home and fortress, had evolved into something far beyond his imagination. The darkness of the night outside now seemed much less threatening.
"Loli," John asked, still processing the magnitude of the change. "How do I integrate the eye I got from that flying monster last night? And how can I use the other items I have to become stronger?"
The bus's body now sported a glossy piano black paint job, reflecting the rising sunlight like a mirror. It was imposing and elegant, a metal beast dominating the landscape.
"Let's break for lunch now," said Jhon, feeling hungry after the night of fighting and the morning of transformations. "Then I'll start writing another summary with the details of the eye integration and the options for strengthening myself."
Page 39
The morning light gilded the vast, arid landscape, where the shadows of night receded, revealing the imposing silhouette of the bus. It was no longer the same vehicle as before; its new form, fifty meters long, with six axles and a gleaming piano-black paint job, radiated an almost organic presence, a fortress on wheels that seemed to breathe under the rising sun. The air still carried the metallic tang of gunpowder and the thick smell of damp earth, a somber contrast to the vehicle's magnificence.
Loli floated beside Jhon, her holographic eyes sparkling. "Congratulations, Jhon! You're the first player to upgrade your vehicle to Level 2! That's quite an achievement! My old master didn't even come close. He could barely keep a donkey alive!"
A notification flashed on Jhon's HUD.
Congratulations to the player for being the first to upgrade their vehicle to Level 2!
See your reward in your status.
Do you want your name to be announced or do you want to be announced anonymously?
Jhon didn't hesitate. "Anonymous," he muttered, the word echoing through the system. He didn't want unnecessary attention in this world. The notification light blinked one last time before fading away.
The global chat, once a constant stream of murmurs and pleas for help, exploded into a cacophony of messages:
[Global Announcement]: An anonymous player was the first to upgrade their vehicle to Level 2! Reward granted!
[USER: HUNTER_FIERCE]: "WHAT?! Level 2? Impossible! No one has that many resources!"
[USER: VIGILANTE_DA_SOMBRA]: "Could it be that he's one of those rich people from the old era who saved their resources? How absurd!"
[USER: QUEEN_OF_THE_ROAD]: "Level 2? That's insane! Where did he get so many Level 1 Badges? I barely get one a day!"
[USER: MESTRE_FERROVIÁRIO]: "Interesting... the game is becoming more complex. A Level 2 vehicle could be a game changer."
[USER: CURANDEIRA_DA_NOITE]: "Whoever you are, congratulations. I hope you use this to help. There's an injured group near the jagged rock formations, we need assistance."
Jhon felt a twinge of satisfaction at the frenzy, but quickly focused on the next step. "Loli, what does this status reward mean? And what do I do with all those leftover Level 1 Badges? I have a ton of every type now: wheel, glass, gear shift, armor, headlight, interior, tank... all the Level 1 Badges, and lots of them, over fifty of each! The bus is already at Level 2, they're no longer useful for it, right?"
Loli spun in the air, her holographic features expressing restrained joy. "Exactly, Jhon! The bus is at Level 2, so Level 1 Badges are no longer used to directly upgrade it, at least not its main structure. But the reward for being the first to reach Level 2 is something grand! Open your status, Jhon. You'll like what you see."
Jhon opened the status screen on his HUD.