‘A treasure chest?!’
Yu’s heart skipped a beat the instant he saw the dark-green object in full.
Something he had only encountered in countless novels was now resting before him, half-buried in the cold mud of a riverbank.
Scenes from countless webnovels flashed through his mind—finding a treasure chest at the start, obtaining divine equipment or a secret manual, and rising to the top overnight.
His reason told him this was only a Bronze Treasure Chest, the lowest tier.
It probably would not contain anything extraordinary, yet he could not suppress the thrill of discovery.
Yu immediately crouched down.
Ignoring the cold water and filthy mud, he dug with his bare hands until the chest was completely freed from the silt and pebbles.
It was heavier than expected.
The metal felt cold, while the rough corrosion scraped against his palms.
He lifted it with both hands and placed it on a large, relatively dry stone beside the river.
Under the Eye of Omniscience, its label expanded beyond the simple words [Bronze Treasure Chest], revealing a long and complicated explanation.
[Bronze Treasure Chest]
[Description: A relatively common resource container found across the Wilderness Continent.
It usually contains basic survival supplies, with a small chance of yielding more valuable blueprints, recipes, or special items.]
[Possible Contents:]
• Common Item: 100%
• Blueprint: 0%–80%.
The probability varies according to the blueprint’s rarity.
• Recipe: 0%–80%.
The probability varies according to the recipe’s rarity.
• Rare Item: 10%
[Note: The types and quantities of items obtained are random.
Each successful reward dynamically lowers the chance of obtaining another item of the same category or a higher rarity.
Results are also influenced by multiple hidden factors.]
Yu took a deep breath after reading the complicated list of probabilities.
The guaranteed Common Item meant they would at least receive something.
If the chest contained a useful crafting Blueprint, it could greatly improve their chances of survival.
‘The note says the odds will decrease after something valuable appears.
I suppose that prevents extremely lucky people from farming endless treasures.’
The system seemed to have considered balance after all.
Yu brushed the mud and water from the lid.
His fingers passed over cold metal and coarse patches of corrosion.
There was no lock or latch.
It seemed the chest only required someone to will it open.
“Marin, come here.” Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
Yu beckoned to the blonde girl, who was still crouched beside the temporary pool and staring longingly at the Silver-Scaled Fish.
“Huh?
What is it?
Did you catch another fish, Yu-kun?”
Marin immediately turned around and hurried over.
Seeing that her mind was completely occupied by food, Yu did not know whether to laugh or sigh.
He lightly chopped her smooth forehead with the edge of his hand.
“Ow!”
Marin covered her forehead and pouted.
“Stop thinking about food for a moment.” Yu pointed toward the Bronze Treasure Chest resting on the stone.
“You are opening this.”
“Me?”
Her attention immediately shifted to the ancient-looking chest.
Curiosity and excitement appeared on her face.
“Why do I get to open it?”
“You have better Luck.”
Under the Eye of Omniscience, Marin possessed ten points of Luck, while Yu had a miserable five.
When opening a treasure chest—an activity clearly governed by chance—it made far more sense to let the luckier person handle it.
Of course, Yu could not be certain whether the Luck attribute affected rewards quite so directly in this world.
“Really?
Hehe, all right!”
Hearing that she had been chosen for her good Luck delighted Marin.
She rubbed her hands together, then copied Yu by placing her pale palm on the chest’s cold, curved lid.
“Hmm…
Open!”
She took a moment to prepare herself before calling out in a bright voice.
As soon as the word left her mouth, the ancient patterns across the Bronze Treasure Chest lit up.
Click!
The tightly sealed lid unlocked and swung open on its own.
Three different lights rose from within: one white, one pale blue, and one earthy yellow.
The lights circled above the open chest for half a second before descending onto its edge.
Their glow rapidly faded, transforming into three physical rewards.
Yu immediately stepped forward and examined each one.
The white light vanished first, revealing three square blocks wrapped tightly in thick brown waxed paper.
A label appeared beneath the Eye of Omniscience.
[Description: High-calorie, high-sugar compressed food designed for extreme environments.
It tastes overly sweet but quickly replenishes large amounts of energy and a small quantity of water.
It also has a long shelf life.]
[Use: Can be eaten directly.
Each ration greatly restores Satiety and slightly increases stamina recovery for a short time.]
The pale-blue light transformed into a blue sheet of paper.
[Blueprint: Simple Stone Fireplace]
[Required Materials: Stone ×15, Clay ×10]
[Effect: Builds a small indoor fireplace that must be placed near a wall.
It provides a stable source of heat and light while unlocking basic Cooking.]
[It greatly improves indoor temperature and comfort, with a chance of dispelling certain negative statuses caused by cold and damp conditions.]
The earthy-yellow light became a visibly damaged leather map.
[Damaged Stream Area Map]
[Description: A fragment recording information about a nearby stretch of river and its surrounding area.
It was damaged and lost for unknown reasons.
Its information may be incomplete, but it still possesses practical value.]
The three rewards lay before them.
The instant the lights disappeared, Yu and Marin focused on entirely different prizes.
Marin’s gaze locked firmly onto the three Emergency Rations wrapped in waxed paper.
In the blink of an eye, she reached out and grabbed one.
She held it close and instinctively sniffed it, though the thick wrapping prevented her from smelling anything.
Even so, a delighted and expectant smile had already appeared on her face.
Yu immediately picked up the Blueprint and the Damaged Stream Area Map.
He swiftly unfolded the Blueprint.
Simple lines depicted a basic square fireplace, with the required materials written beside it: fifteen units of Stone and ten units of Clay.
“A fireplace!”
Yu’s eyes lit up.
This was exactly what they needed.
A fireplace would warm the cabin and provide a steady light source.
More importantly, unlocking Cooking meant they could turn raw fish and wild vegetables into proper meals.
Cooked food would taste better and carry a lower risk of harmful bacteria.
The riverbank already had both Stone and Clay, so they could gather every required material right here.
It seemed they might actually get a relatively warm and secure night’s sleep tonight.
He could even sit before the warm fireplace with Marin…
Inappropriate, suggestive images flashed through his mind.
Parting Marin’s legs, thrusting straight in, the orange firelight illuminating their bodies…
It encourages me!