Chapter 8: Monsters Land on the Island

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Monsters Land on the Island

The flame flickered, and Shi Zhile remembered: the fire from the burning underwear came with damage immunity.

With such a great helper, plus the fact that she couldn’t truly die during the novice protection period, she had a double layer of security. The excitement welling up inside her became harder and harder to suppress.

She wanted to take a risk and make a trip, chalking it up to gaining experience.

Besides, she wouldn’t go into the ocean. As long as she stayed far away from the shore, she definitely wouldn’t be attacked by monsters.

[How about we sign the agreement first? I have the stones stored by the seaside. I’ll go get them and send them to you right away.]

[Volcanic Eruption: Okay, okay, okay! I’ll go get the lava for you.]

The agreement was signed quickly.

’I’ll need a stone container for the lava.’ Thinking this, she opened the Mission Hall and found the crafting recipe for a stone basin among her unlocked items.

[Materials required for Stone Basin: Stone ×1, Chisel ×1, Hammer ×1. Build?]

Shi Zhile picked up the square-shaped stone she had been sitting on, placed it in her backpack, and tapped "Yes."

After the corresponding items were deducted, a CLANGING and BANGING sound came from the stone in her backpack.

She didn’t know how long it would take, and she didn’t want to wait. While there was still some light left in the sky, Shi Zhile gathered a few long branches, hoisted the burning underwear on top, and set off.

Before leaving, she built a campfire with some branches where she stood and also brought along a flint and a dried, tattered pair of underwear, just in case.

As she neared the coast, the sound of the rising tide grew clearer.

Shi Zhile walked cautiously, scanning her surroundings. The sea was pitch-black, the waves were high, and the wind was strong.

Wave after wave crashed onto the sandy beach. Before one could recede, another, or even several, would roll in together. It was as if something under the sea was stirring, eager to come ashore.

Her intuition told her the sea was dangerous right now. At night, let alone going out to sea, even just staying by the shore was extremely risky.

She didn’t dare set foot on the sandy beach, sticking instead to the rocky shore a good distance from the water.

All was silent; there were no chirping insects or birds. Her footsteps, mixed with the roar of the tide, vanished among the loose stones.

She walked faster and faster, finally reaching the rocky shore where she had first started just before nightfall.

A little ways inland from the rocky shore, stones were scattered everywhere.

Holding up her torch, she first filled one inventory slot with large stones. Then, with a ’since I’m already here’ mentality, she filled the remaining three slots with stones of all sizes.

She didn’t linger. As soon as she finished collecting, she immediately started heading back.

As expected, by the time she was halfway back, the sky had turned completely dark.

The tide was rising much faster than she had anticipated. The path she had taken on her way there was now submerged.

Splashing water soaked the tops of her shoes, so she moved as far up the steep, rocky slope as she could.

Just as she turned, a piercing sound echoed in her mind.

[Warning! Warning! An unknown species is approaching.]

Shi Zhile didn’t break her stride, but she brought the hand holding the torch a little closer to her body. A rusty axe appeared in her other hand.

She hadn’t had time to sharpen the axe, but splitting a skull open with it would still be easy enough.

She deliberately lightened her steps. In the darkness, intermittent footsteps could be heard amidst the sound of the tide.

Listening closely, she could tell the sound was coming from the direction of the sea.

Knowing it was something from the ocean, she became even more vigilant. The sound drew closer, and a briny, fishy stench washed over her. When the smell was at its thickest, it was nauseating.

She raised her axe, spun around, and swung fiercely. In that instant, a tall, round creature rolled past her and into the sea.

Shi Zhile looked out at the sea. The waves churned, but the surface was empty. The fishy, briny smell also began to fade.

It seemed the unknown creature was gone.

’But it might just be hiding.’

She remained on high alert and turned to keep walking, her grip on the axe tightening.

Her wound split open, soaking the cloth bandage with fresh blood. But the pain only made her feel more clear-headed.

The rest of the way was peaceful. After returning to the shelter, she first inspected the yard. Once she confirmed everything was clear, she immediately locked the main gate and barricaded it with stones.

Only after she had relit a torch in the yard did she finally begin to relax.

She first set down a large stone, then plopped down on it.

"That scared me to death!"

’I need to fish for a lot more underwear tomorrow. This stuff isn’t useless at all. In fact, it’s incredibly useful.’

She had seen it clearly. The monster had been right up against her back. If she hadn’t suddenly moved the torch closer, the axe alone wouldn’t have been enough to drive it away.

By the light of the torch, she re-bandaged her wound.

The surrounding silence was terrifying. She eagerly opened the [Chat] function, seeking the presence of another living person.

In her private messages, "Volcanic Eruption" had sent several messages twenty minutes ago.

[Volcanic Eruption: Bro, listen to me, don’t go to the seaside! There are ghosts there! Long, stringy ghosts from the sea, totally hideous and terrifying.]

[I’ll send you the lava first so you can get a fire going quick. That ghost is afraid of fire. Remember, whatever you do, don’t leave the campfire. You can give me the stones tomorrow, just don’t you dare die.]

[Why aren’t you replying? You didn’t already go to the seaside, did you?!]

[Bro, hurry back! Your life is on the line!]

He had sent a new message every few minutes. The most recent one, from five minutes ago, was a wailing voice message, so dramatic it was enough to make one’s vision go black.

Shi Zhile’s fear completely vanished.

Her backpack was full, so she didn’t accept the "lava" the other player had sent.

She replied: [Not dead yet, but I was close. Ran into a monster while looking for your stones. The thing chased me for half a mile. Not only is my hand injured, but I almost died.]

[Volcanic Eruption: Same here, but I had it a little better. I ran into one at the entrance to my shelter after getting the lava.

Y’know, I built my shelter by the sea because I was afraid the volcano on the island would erupt. Who knew the seaside at night would be even more dangerous than a volcano?

Bro, when you think about it, you actually saved my life. I’ll get you some seafood tomorrow to help you recover. It’s on me, no stones required.

Anyway, bro, did you find the stones? [Shy Lady]]

Shi Zhile sent the large stone directly.

The stone was a full two meters long and one meter wide. She had pried it out from a rock crevice. Aside from being a bit dirty, it was perfect.

[Player 138138: The biggest one.]

[Volcanic Eruption: Nice, nice, thanks a lot, bro. Seeing as we both risked our necks for each other, let’s add each other as friends. Let me know if you need lava in the future.

Also, bro, you should change your username. It’s awkward to call you by your current one.]

’Calling me 138... it always feels like an insult.’

His reminder made Shi Zhile remember that she could change her username.

She’d been annoyed by the number for a long time.

"Open character panel."

[Player ID: 1381389 (Cannot be changed)

Account Name: None (Pending change)

Name: Shi Zhile

Gender: Female

Age: 23

Skill: Level One Architect (1/3, can be upgraded after two more constructions)

Title Acquired: Handicraft Old Six (Passive Skills: Any item repaired by your hand has a 0.01% chance of being upgraded to Level 1 to 8.)

Pet: None

Life Value: 90/100 (Minorly injured)

Physical Strength: 62/100

Body Temperature: 37

Raft: Dilapidated Level 1 Damaged Raft (I have endured too much torment. I am very broken and cannot shelter you from wind or rain. I am very old and might let you accidentally feed the sharks.)

Island Shelter: A relatively safe Level 1 shelter]