Wasteland: I Awakened A Plant System - Chapter 74: Teasing In Group Chat (Power Ranking Bonus)

Chapter 74: Teasing In Group Chat (Power Ranking Bonus)

As the steam rose and the warm light filled the shelter, the dishes were finally placed on the table.

The rich aroma of hotpot spread through the room, making even the cold outside feel distant.

Vikram picked up his chopsticks, then glanced at Sophia. “Sit.”

Sophia shook her head slightly, “I’ll eat after you, Master.”

Vikram frowned. “Why?”

“That’s how it should be…” she replied softly.

But before she could finish, Vikram directly pulled a chair and lightly pushed her down onto it.

“I said sit. Eat with me.”

Sophia was slightly startled… but didn’t resist.

She quietly sat down beside him. Inside, a faint warmth spread through her chest.

Master… is treating me well…

Her resolve deepened silently.

From this moment, her loyalty toward him only grew stronger.

Just as Vikram picked up a piece of meat and started eating, a notification sound suddenly rang out.

The small group chat, which had been quiet for a while, became active again.

He casually opened it while eating.

[Director Aditya: Everyone, a notification. Later, Kashif Ali, Boss Kashif, will share predictions regarding the next extreme cold change in the group.]

[Director Aditya: This concerns everyone’s future safety, so if conditions allow, I hope everyone takes some time to understand it.]

[Bobby: With Boss Kashif analyzing the news, how dare we not come.]

[Geetanjali: Exactly! Thankfully, Boss Kashif reminded us last time, otherwise my Shelter’s cold-weather supplies would have been insufficient.]

[Radhika: Yes, thanks to Boss Kashif. This isn’t even a prediction anymore—it’s practically a prophecy. His information is almost perfectly accurate.]

[Anjali: Boss Kashif is reliable, unlike a certain so-called Big Boss Vikram, who only knows how to flirt with other people’s girls all day.]

[Sunny Dalal: Which Big Boss Vikram are you talking about? So hard to guess~]

Vikram’s eyebrow twitched.

“…These people…”

He immediately started typing.

[Vikram: Damn it, you two are doing a double act, aren’t you?]

[Vikram: Say whatever you want, no matter what—Little Divya is still mine (grinning emoji).]

As he sent that message, a faint thought of Sophia flashed in his mind, but he ignored it.

In his mind, he had already decided, Divya… would be his.

[Sunny Dalal: Stop talking nonsense. You, nobody, want to pursue my goddess? Wait ten more years.]

[Vikram: What? I already sent you the photo last time and you still don’t believe it? Hahaha.]

Sophia, sitting beside him, quietly ate while glancing at him occasionally.

She didn’t interrupt, but she clearly noticed how casually he spoke about another girl.

Still… She said nothing. As a maid, it wasn’t her place to question.

[Sunny Dalal: That photo must have been sent by the Goddess to her friend, and you just stole it like a dog. You think you can trick me?]

[Sunny Dalal: I advise you to wake up. Don’t fool yourself.]

[Sunny Dalal: Right, Goddess @Divya]

Vikram smirked slightly and typed again.

[Vikram: Little Divya, come out and prove it.]

The group instantly became lively.

[Radhika: Hahaha, wherever there’s gossip, I’m there.]

[Bobby: Same here. Group owner, bring me two kilos of popcorn.]

[Director Aditya: Plus one.]

A moment later, Divya finally appeared.

[Divya: Deputy group owner, aren’t you going to manage them? How can you join them in making trouble?]

Inside her Shelter, Divya’s face had already turned red.

She stomped her foot lightly in frustration. “It’s all Vikram’s fault…!”

“All day long, he just causes trouble for me in the group!”

Meanwhile, Vikram leaned back slightly, still smiling as he ate.

Sophia silently placed another piece of cooked meat into his bowl.

[Director Aditya: Alright, that’s enough. Let’s get back to business. Boss Kashif will now explain the changes regarding the natural disaster.]

[Kashif Ali: Hahaha, don’t be in such a hurry. You young people bickering is quite amusing. I wouldn’t mind watching a bit more.]

[Director Aditya: Uh… this…]

[Kashif Ali: Just kidding.]

Director Aditya, who had just been smiling, was caught off guard by the sudden shift and could only respond with a helpless expression.

[Kashif Ali: Regarding the changes in this natural disaster, I don’t have too much precise information for now.]

[Kashif Ali: The only thing I can confirm is that the extreme cold disaster will continue to lower the temperature every week from here on.]

[Kashif Ali: Based on the last change, it is estimated that the temperature in the Wasteland World will drop to -40°C exactly at 12:00 tonight.]

[Kashif Ali: It’s fine to joke around in the group, but don’t joke with your own lives. I hope everyone is prepared.]

[Kashif Ali: The situation will only become more severe. Being extra prepared is never a mistake.]

As soon as Kashif Ali finished speaking, the group immediately erupted into agreement and praise.

Even Vikram gave a short acknowledgment before closing the chat.

Soon after, Lakshya Verma once again summarized the message and spread it into the public chat channel.

But this time, there was nothing new. Only the temperature drop was mentioned.

Vikram leaned back slightly, resting his chin on his hand.

“Just a temperature drop…?”

He didn’t believe it was that simple.

“Last time, it hinted that Crimson Creatures would disappear…”

“Why would the Wasteland suddenly become easier?”

“Something else will definitely replace it.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’ll wait until midnight… Missing key information is worse than losing food.”

At that moment, he opened another interface and initiated a trade.

Trader: Vikram

Trade Item: Cabbage x3

Required Item: None

[Vikram: Here. The cabbage I promised you last time.]

On the other side—

[Divya: So much?]

[Divya: Three cabbages together are more than 10 kg… Why don’t you take some back?]

[Divya: I didn’t even keep the secret completely… Anju found out too.]

The trade was rejected. Clearly, she felt embarrassed accepting it for free.

Vikram smirked slightly.

[Vikram: Don’t reject it so quickly. I haven’t even stated my condition yet.]

[Vikram: How about this… since it’s getting colder, you can wear black stockings to keep warm… And send me a photo so I can admire it.]

Beside him, Sophia paused for a brief moment while serving him more food.

She didn’t say anything. She simply lowered her gaze…

But if Vikram had looked closely, he would have noticed, a faint trace of anger hidden behind her calm expression.

Unfortunately, Vikram was completely absorbed in his chat.

[Divya: Get lost, pervert!]

[Vikram: What are you thinking? In my spare time surviving in the Wasteland, I’ve learned a bit of figure drawing. I just need some reference material—you can be my model.]

[Divya: Really?]

[Vikram: Absolutely!]

After a while, despite Anjali’s teasing gaze beside her, Divya gritted her teeth, wore them, took a quick photo… and immediately removed them.

[Divya: Picture.]

“Woohoo!!”

The moment Vikram received it, his eyes lit up as if he had struck gold.

Divya’s already slender legs looked even more refined under the black fabric, the contrast making them stand out beautifully.

At the top, where the stockings met her thighs, the slight pressure created a soft curve, paired with her shy expression, it created a strangely captivating charm.

Vikram couldn’t help but grin like an idiot.

He wasn’t naïve.

He knew perfectly well that his excuse wouldn’t fool Divya.

This… was simply mutual understanding.

She was shy. He gave her a reason. And she still sent the photo.

That alone was enough to make his mood soar.

[Vikram: Hehe… this photo is really something.]

[Divya: Don’t push your luck, understand?]

[Divya: The natural disaster is about to change. Be careful. Don’t just stare at photos all day—go check the chat channel.]

[Vikram: Yes, Officer! Mission accomplished!]

After the chat ended, Vikram finally put the device aside and finished his dinner.

Yet, due to his heightened physique and senses, he felt something… off.

As if someone nearby was… slightly upset.

He turned his head toward Sophia. She smiled gently at him. Calm. Soft. Obedient.

Vikram blinked, “…Must be my imagination.”

He shrugged it off.

After dinner, he sat down on the sofa and glanced at the time.

Less than four hours remained before the next extreme cold change.

“Still some time left…” He opened the trading interface.

First, he searched for cold-resistant materials. After confirming there were no worthwhile deals, he switched to searching for crop seeds.

“Right now, I only have 200 square meters of farmland…”

“And I’ve only planted cabbage so far…”

“That’s not enough.”

He scrolled through the listings, his fingers moving steadily.

Meanwhile, not far away, Sophia quietly cleaned the table. Her movements were still precise.

Still obedient. But deep inside, a subtle, unfamiliar emotion had begun to take root.

Vikram scrolled for a long time…

But in the end, he didn’t find any seeds worth buying.

“Looks like nothing useful today…” he muttered.

Without wasting more time, he shifted his focus, “Let’s check furniture instead.”

As he typed the keyword, a flood of items appeared before his eyes.

His pupils reflected rows upon rows of listings.

“Hmm… I have to admit,” he said quietly, “now that material types have increased, the market quality has improved a lot.”

At the very least, those ridiculous trades like sand for food had disappeared.

He continued scrolling.

Wooden chairs. Tables. Basic beds.

Most of them were… average.

Then, his gaze stopped.

“Now this… is better.”

The furniture in front of him was clearly of higher quality. Soft materials. Better insulation. Comfort-focused design.

The only downside is Price. But Vikram didn’t care much about that.

“Buying blueprints is pointless,” he thought. “They cost almost the same, and I still have to spend materials and effort.”

“I’m not here to become a furniture merchant.”

After a bit of bargaining, he quickly secured three items: Fabric Rocking Chair ×1, Nylon Carpet ×4, Double Bed ×1

He stood up from the sofa.

“Let’s set this up.”

First, he took out the carpets. He spread them neatly across the living room of the Decoy Shelter.

Then he placed the rocking chair near the side. It looked simple, but when he sat on it briefly-

“…Not bad.” The gentle rocking motion, combined with the soft fabric, made it surprisingly relaxing.

Finally, he carried the double bed into one of the rooms. After placing it down, he pressed lightly on the mattress.

It sank slightly, soft, yet supportive. “Much better than before,” he nodded.

As for the Treehouse, he didn’t bother changing anything there.

Everything inside was already upgraded to blue-grade quality. For now, there was no need to replace anything.