According to Walter Quinn’s recollection, one of the survivors had once explained that before a monster tide arrived, powerful monsters would leave their territories to scout the invasion routes. Afterward, waves of lesser monsters would begin harassing nearby settlements in small groups or in continuous attacks.
The Terror Drake had already been dealt with.
But if other powerful monsters also began abandoning their territories, followed by smaller monsters launching repeated raids...
Then it would be time to stay on high alert.
After discussing a few more details with Walter, Ethan heard the familiar voice of the Sign-In System.
[Ding! It’s midnight. Today’s sign-in rewards are:]
[1. Rare-Grade Axe ×1]
[2. Ten Genetically Modified Hens]
[3. Rare-Grade Strength Potion ×10]
Although Ethan now owned a Legendary Alchemy Bench, his potion recipes and ingredients were still extremely limited.
The strongest potions he could currently brew were only basic ones.
Receiving ten Rare-Grade Strength Potions all at once was easily the best choice.
Even if they weren’t especially useful to him personally, they would be invaluable for strengthening his subordinates.
As for the other two rewards...
He ignored them without a second thought.
A mere Rare-grade axe wouldn’t significantly improve his combat ability.
And with plenty of fresh meat still stored away, ten genetically modified hens weren’t tempting at all.
The moment he made his choice, ten crimson potions sealed inside glass vials appeared in his inventory.
Flipping his wrist, Ethan took one out.
The potion was blood-red.
If not for its faint medicinal scent instead of the smell of blood, anyone would have mistaken it for fresh blood.
As his thoughts moved, the item’s description appeared.
[Rare-Grade Strength Potion]
[Permanently increases Strength by 5 points after consumption. Only the first bottle is effective. Additional doses provide no further benefit.]
Five points wasn’t much...
But the increase was permanent.
That alone made it worthwhile.
Without hesitation, Ethan handed the vial to Natasha.
"This one’s for you."
"Okay."
Natasha accepted it without the slightest hesitation or suspicion and drank it in one gulp.
A few moments later, her eyes lit up.
"My strength has increased."
"I’ll be able to help you even more now."
Then she sighed with a trace of regret.
"But... I can already tell another bottle won’t have any effect."
"Yeah."
"What a shame."
Walter, who had quietly watched everything unfold, suddenly spoke.
"Mr. Ethan..."
"Do you have any more of that potion?"
"May I take a look?"
"Of course."
Ethan produced another vial.
This time, however, he didn’t hand it over directly.
Knowing Walter couldn’t physically hold objects in his spiritual form, Ethan simply removed the cork and held the bottle for him.
Walter carefully examined its color before leaning closer to smell it.
After a moment, he nodded thoughtfully.
"Mr. Ethan..."
"We natives can drink this potion as well."
"And unlike you Survivors..."
"We can benefit from four or five bottles before the effects stop."
"What?"
"You can take multiple doses?"
Ethan was genuinely surprised.
But after thinking it over...
The explanation quickly became clear.
The natives had survived a world-ending catastrophe.
Their bodies—even their genes—had likely been altered by radiation.
Fortunately...
The mutations had strengthened rather than destroyed them.
After comparing notes with Walter, Ethan discovered that natives were born with physical abilities far superior to ordinary humans from Earth.
Even without potions...
They could continually improve themselves through training alone.
According to Walter...
Some survivor settlements were protected by extraordinarily powerful guardians.
Their strength was so overwhelming...
That even monsters like the Terror Drake could be killed instantly.
"So..."
"When one door closes..."
"Another opens."
Ethan couldn’t help muttering.
Survivors possessed the Game System...
Powerful crafting abilities...
Shelters...
And countless magical game items.
Yet their greatest weakness remained their own bodies.
He himself had only become this strong because of Gene Enhancement Serum.
Most other Survivors probably hadn’t improved nearly as much.
Then another realization struck him.
At least during the early stages...
Survivors were undeniably weaker than the natives.
If he encountered one of the legendary guardians Walter had mentioned...
He wouldn’t stand a chance.
But...
As time passed...
The Survivors who remained alive would undoubtedly become elites.
Perhaps their bodies wouldn’t surpass the natives’.
But with increasingly advanced technology...
Equipment...
And game abilities...
There was no guarantee the natives would always remain stronger.
One day...
The Survivors might even become the true rulers of this world.
"...God?"
Ethan raised his head toward the clear night sky.
There were no stars overhead.
Only a pale blue full moon hung silently in the darkness.
Beyond that endless blackness...
Perhaps countless unseen eyes were watching.
Maybe...
The Survivors had been thrown into this world because whoever controlled everything had grown bored.
The natives had spent generations barely surviving, unable to reclaim their homeland.
So...
New "players" were introduced.
If the Survivors failed...
Another group might be added.
If the Survivors eventually conquered the world...
Perhaps stronger monsters would be released to restore the balance.
Again...
And again...
Just like a reality television show.
As long as new conflicts kept appearing...
The audience would never lose interest.
Of course...
These were nothing more than Ethan’s speculations.
If he truly wanted answers...
He would first need far greater power.
After talking with Walter for a while longer, Ethan finally returned to the shelter.
He spread two quilts across the floor for Claire and Emily, allowing them to get a proper night’s sleep.
As for keeping watch...
He left that duty to Brutus.
The massive saber-toothed tiger had only just advanced to Tier 3.
It was overflowing with energy.
Standing guard suited him perfectly.
As for Ethan and Natasha...
Naturally, they retired to their bedroom...
To thoroughly "discuss" the day’s gains in private.
The next morning...
Ethan rubbed his sore waist as he walked out of the bedroom.
To his surprise, Claire and Emily were already cleaning the shelter.
The floors...
The tables...
Even the windowsills had been wiped spotless.
"Why didn’t you two sleep a little longer?"
Ethan asked with a smile.
Emily glanced at him before muttering under her breath,
"How was I supposed to sleep..."
"...when you two were making so much noise last night?"
"Hm?"
"What was that?"
Ethan had heard every word perfectly.
But the topic was...
Rather embarrassing.
Pretending not to hear seemed like the safest way to change the subject.
Hopefully...
The two women would kindly give him an escape route.
Otherwise...
He’d just have to brazen it out.
Fortunately, Claire stepped in.
"We rested well enough."
"So we thought we’d help."
"It’s about the only thing we can do right now."
Relieved, Ethan’s smile became noticeably warmer.
"Did you visit your grandfather?"
"We did."
Claire nodded.
"Grandpa doesn’t need sleep anymore."
"He doesn’t need food or water."
"And he no longer has the burden of a physical body."
"Other than not being able to eat, drink, or enjoy life’s pleasures..."
"He actually seems more carefree than before."
"And the Sea of Flowers keeps itself clean."
"We don’t have to worry about the gravestones getting dirty."
"It also seems to reduce its own presence."
"Even monsters don’t casually wander inside."
Ethan nodded.
"That’s good."
"When I have the chance, I’ll see if I can strengthen the cemetery’s defenses."
"Oh, right..."
"I want you two to take a look at this."
With a flick of his wrist...
He produced a Rare-Grade Strength Potion.
Support us on P@tre0n and gain access to 100 Chapters in advance!
[email protected]/inkshield