[Nature's Blessing]: Gathers dense natural energy and channels it into a target organism, restoring some of its injuries and purifying its spirit. There's a small chance to optimize the target's genetic code, triggering evolution. However, the target's level cannot exceed that of the Druid, and simpler lifeforms have higher optimization probabilities.
Note: The direction of optimization is uncontrollable.
[Gills Technique]: The Druid mimics aquatic lifeforms, manipulating natural energy to grow fish-like gills and fins, temporarily gaining underwater breathing and swimming abilities.
"Hiss... both these skills seem quite impressive."
Before Han Ning could fully appreciate the special effects of these two skills—
"ROAR!!!"
A piercing screech abruptly interrupted his thoughts.
His attention snapped toward Snowflake.
The Crocodile Lizard writhed violently, splashing large waves of water around.
It appeared to be in immense pain, its body crackling with sounds resembling popping joints.
Muscle fibers throughout its body seemed to be repeatedly torn, stretched, and crushed by an invisible force.
Only to be rapidly reassembled, woven, and strengthened by an even more potent vitality.
Under everyone's gaze, Snowflake's body visibly expanded outward!
After about ten seconds, the growth stopped.
A 1.3-meter-long, grayish-white Crocodile Lizard now stood before Han Ning.
Its overall appearance was similar to that of a wild Crocodile Lizard.
But the claws at the ends of its limbs were distinctly different.
The tough, scale-covered claws now bore faint green, wood-like patterns resembling ancient tree rings.
[Swamp Crocodile Lizard Growth Progress +20]
[Swamp Crocodile Lizard Lv1 → Lv2]
[New Skill Unlocked: Paralyzing Poison Claw]
[Paralyzing Poison Claw]: As the Druid's Animal Companion, the Swamp Crocodile Lizard receives the Druid's blessing. When its claws tear into an enemy's flesh, Wood Poison seeps into the wound, causing paralysis and poisoning effects.
"Hsss..."
Now stronger, Snowflake flexed its body, flicking its thick tail with a sharp "crack."
Then it obediently returned to Han Ning's side, nuzzling its head against its master's leg.
On the rooftop, the four survivors who had narrowly escaped death were utterly stunned.
The bearded man gaped, eyes nearly popping out of his head as he glanced between the floating Crocodile Lizard corpses in the water and Han Ning with Snowflake. He seemed to want to speak but hesitated in fearful awe.
"Where are you from? What are you doing here?" In the end, it was Han Ning who broke the eerie silence, his questioning gaze sweeping over them.
Under his scrutiny, the group shivered involuntarily.
The bearded man hurriedly scrambled to his feet, his tone reverent:
"B-Benefactor, we're residents from the nearby 'Sunshine Garden' neighborhood—just across the park."
He pointed in a direction,
"Our... our homes ran out of food. The water's almost gone too. I remembered there was a small shop here, so we came hoping to find something to eat."
Sunshine Garden was familiar to Han Ning. Compared to the mid-range residential complex he lived in, Sunshine Garden was positioned as a relatively low-cost commercial housing area.
As a result, its location was quite remote, with few supporting facilities nearby.
When they said "across the street," it was actually separated from the park by a main road, with a straight-line distance of two to three hundred meters.
"I've been to Sunshine Garden. There are plenty of convenience stores and restaurants at the entrance of the complex. Why would you go so far out of your way to come here?" Han Ning frowned slightly.
"That's because... in our complex, there are people like you—people who can use supernatural abilities. They've taken over the nearby convenience stores. We had no choice but to come this far to find food."
The bearded man looked miserable.
At this point, a tall, thin man beside him pointed at the murky water beneath them and the colorful packaging floating on the surface, adding:
"We just pried open the back window of this little shop and climbed in. Before we could even fish anything out, those monsters surrounded us..."
He glanced at the water, where only a murky red hue and a few floating scraps of clothing remained. His voice choked up.
Han Ning followed his gaze.
Beneath the turbid water, the outlines of toppled shelves were faintly visible. Packaged snacks, puffed food wrappers, bottled drinks, and instant noodle cups floated on the surface, swaying with the ripples.
Some well-sealed food items hadn't completely bloated yet, but most had been soaked for a long time, their packaging damaged, the contents long spoiled.
"Is everything in the shop here now?" Han Ning's tone remained indifferent.
"Y-yes."
The bearded man nodded hurriedly, afraid of answering too slowly.
"The first floor is completely flooded. Everything's floating in the water. The second floor seems to be a small storage room, but the entrance is underwater. We didn't dare go down..."
As soon as the bearded man finished speaking, Han Ning declared:
"I'm taking all these supplies."
He paused, watching as the group's faces instantly turned pale, then continued:
"I'll assess the condition of the supplies and give you some food—enough to sustain your basic Energy needs for a day or two."
Han Ning believed that since he had saved these people, taking the food was only natural.
The rooftop fell into dead silence, broken only by the sound of pouring rain.
The bearded man's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, while the three behind him wore expressions of resentment.
They had risked their lives coming here in search of hope for survival.
Now, without food, how were they supposed to live?
But since Han Ning had saved their lives, none of them dared to argue.
Thud!
A heavy sound of someone kneeling echoed across the shop's rooftop.
Han Ning's eyelids twitched as he looked at the man kneeling before him. "What are you doing?" he asked coldly.
"Savior, please... please, could you spare me a little more food? I'll do anything for you—work like an ox or a horse—just give me a little more..."
As he spoke, he began to lower his head toward the rooftop, only to be stopped by the Vines Han Ning shot out.
"Savior, Lao Xu isn't like us. He has a little daughter to feed. She hasn't eaten in days. Please, have mercy..."
Seeing this, the others also began to plead.
Why do I suddenly feel like the villain here?
Han Ning sighed inwardly.
In this apocalyptic world, there were countless people in need of help. Without this Lao Xu, there would still be Lao Ma, Lao Yang—was he supposed to help every single one of them?
"You have your difficulties, and I have mine."
He shook his head and turned to walk toward the first floor of the convenience store.
"Benefactor, I can cook, do laundry, mop floors, and even repairs. If nothing else... I can be your cannon fodder, as long as you give me a full meal..."
Lao Xu was unwilling to give up. Watching Han Ning's retreating figure, he shouted loudly.