Volume One, Chapter Twelve: Hidden Peril, Cataclysm of the Ultimate Realm

Even upgrading the most basic level 3 shelter requires ten times the materials needed for a level 2 shelter. Not to mention, the materials now include pig iron. Until now, Lin Yifan had never even seen pig iron before! Upgrading to a level 3 shelter in such a short time seemed nearly impossible.

Just then, the holographic screen in front of him began to flicker rapidly. Moments later, a message appeared:

【Congratulations on becoming the first survivor in this district to upgrade your shelter to level 2. You are hereby rewarded!】

【Reward 1: One piece of bronze-grade equipment】

【Reward 2: One bronze-grade plant】

【Reward 3: A recent hidden crisis alert!】

【Please choose one of the above three rewards.】

(Special reminder: Hidden crises are often related to upcoming environmental changes and may be extreme natural disasters. Survivors must pay close attention, as this could be a matter of life and death!)

Lin Yifan stared at the message, utterly delighted. He had suspected that this survival world might be similar to an online game, where achieving certain special accomplishments or rankings would grant rewards. It was precisely this hope that drove him to upgrade his shelter to level 2 so hastily.

Now that it had come true, how could he not be thrilled? Moreover, whether it was bronze-grade equipment or a bronze-grade plant, both were top-tier treasures in the current world. Across the entire district 10086, aside from the bronze-grade “Wind-Chasing Cloud Piercing Bow” in his possession, he had yet to see a second bronze-grade item appear. Although he had never seen a bronze-grade plant before, its classification alone meant it must be extraordinary.

Either way, choosing either of the first two rewards would be a tremendous fortune.

However, his excitement lasted only a moment. Upon seeing the third option and the final special reminder, his mood instantly cooled.

A hidden crisis! This world actually had hidden crises! And this hidden crisis might even be an extreme natural disaster that could mean life or death! Did he really have a choice?

Lin Yifan smiled bitterly to himself. These three options were nothing but a cruel joke! Life or death, after all! Would he dare pick anything other than the hidden crisis alert?

After a brief complaint, he decisively chose the third reward.

Immediately, a flashing alert appeared in bold red letters:

【Alert: In three days, the Survival World will face its first extreme natural disaster — a mosquito swarm outbreak.】

【Mosquito Swarm Outbreak】: Danger Level 【emoji】【emoji】【emoji】

(Warm reminder: Never underestimate mosquitoes. One mosquito is harmless, but what about hundreds of millions? Are you afraid now?)

A mosquito swarm! As expected, it was a mosquito swarm! Lin Yifan had suspected that the terrifying mosquitoes in the forest would become a deadly threat. The only uncertainty was when this crisis would erupt.

Now it was confirmed — in three days.

This meant his “Powerful Mosquito Repellent” had to be made within three days, and his shelter needed reinforcement.

Mosquitoes were somewhat like termites; any tiny crack in the house would allow them to fly inside. Under the current conditions, preventing mosquitoes from entering was no easy task.

He dared not underestimate mosquitoes. Even back on Earth, the terrifying insects in primitive forests could be deadly. Here in the Survival World, where a hidden crisis could be an extreme natural disaster, it was bound to be even more frightening.

Suddenly, the holographic screen flickered again.

A new message appeared, this time a choice:

【Dear survivor Lin Yifan, as the only lucky individual in this district to receive a hidden information alert, do you wish to share this information with other survivors in the district?】

(Warm reminder: Regardless of your choice, you will receive a reward.)

Lin Yifan raised an eyebrow at this question, then without hesitation chose to share the information.

After all, he was still human, raised with moral education. He couldn’t watch so many people die without doing anything.

He had observed that most survivors in district 10086 were compatriots from China. Though some might be bad apples, the majority were decent people. He simply could not stand idly by while so many lives were at stake.

Perhaps after facing too much bloodshed, his moral boundaries might erode, turning him cold and indifferent. But for now, his conscience would not allow such callousness.

Even ignoring morality and considering only personal benefit, he would still choose to share the information. The very fact that the Survival World presented him with this choice indicated it wanted him to broadcast the warning.

From his perspective, sharing the information would maximize his profits. After all, once he produced the “Powerful Mosquito Repellent,” it would sell much better with everyone aware of the threat.

Moreover, whether or not he shared the information, he would receive a reward. There was no loss in sharing.

Right after he shared the message, a green treasure chest appeared before him.

Lin Yifan’s eyes lit up. He had expected at most some random item as a reward but never imagined a treasure chest — and a green one at that.

Green treasure chests always contained items of at least black-iron grade, and each chest yielded three items. While these were not quite as high-tier as the bronze rewards he had just declined, they were still very valuable.

However, Lin Yifan did not open the chest immediately. Instead, he placed it alongside the white treasure chest he had dug up earlier, intending to open both after noon, hoping to trigger his daily buff. Maybe the items would be upgraded — that would be a windfall.

Meanwhile, the chat channel exploded.

At the very top, a bold red announcement dominated the screen:

【District-wide notice: Survivors, be advised that in three days, the first extreme natural disaster with danger level 【emoji】【emoji】【emoji】 will strike — a mosquito swarm outbreak. Please take precautions! Please take precautions! Please take precautions! — Information provided by Lin Yifan】

The announcement sent the entire comment section into an uproar.

“What? An extreme natural disaster? A mosquito swarm outbreak? Can we even live through this?”

“Are you kidding me? We’re barely managing to fill our stomachs, and now a disaster? This isn’t survival; it’s courting death!”

“Exactly! This Survival World might as well be a Death World. If they don’t want us to survive, just say so!”

“Hey, don’t be so dramatic! It’s just mosquitoes, not snakes or rats. They only suck blood; they won’t kill us.”

“Right! Mosquito bites just cause itching; they don’t kill. Don’t lose hope!”

“Hah! The two of you upstairs must be from northeast Earth. If you were from the south, you wouldn’t be so naive!”

“Everyone, don’t underestimate this. I’m a biology professor on Earth’s core. One mosquito isn’t dangerous, but a massive swarm can kill. We must be vigilant.”

“Be vigilant? Who doesn’t know that? But we can barely fill our stomachs now. What can we use to defend ourselves?”

“No mosquito repellent, no mosquito coils, no insecticide—nothing at all. What are we supposed to do? Just wait to die!”

...

Lin Yifan, having placed the two treasure chests aside and grabbed two skewers of roasted meat, began eating while scrolling through the chat.

The screen was flooded with negative energy, but this suited his advertising plans perfectly.

He promptly posted the recipe for the “Powerful Mosquito Repellent” in the chat and added:

“Don’t be so pessimistic. Since the Survival World is meant for survival, it must also provide ways to survive.”

“Today, I obtained this recipe from a green treasure chest. I believe you will soon find items in treasure chests that help resist disasters.”

His message caused a brief pause in the chatter.

Moments later, the messages resumed:

“That’s Lin Yifan — the one who shared the announcement!”

“Wait, isn’t he the same person who traded snake meat for basic supplies?”

“Boss, where did you get this info? Is it reliable?”

“Yeah! Can you confirm if it’s true?”

...

“It’s absolutely true,” Lin Yifan said without hesitation.

“This information came from a reward achievement of mine, so it’s verified. Also, before dark, I spotted mosquito swarms not far from the forest nearby.”

“I’m sure your shelters aren’t far from mosquito swarms either. You can observe carefully.”

Since this was an extreme natural disaster, it was impossible that only Lin Yifan’s shelter was affected.

Sure enough, after a brief pause, the chat erupted again:

“Holy crap! The boss was right. I just listened carefully and really heard mosquitoes buzzing.”

“Me too! A huge buzzing sound — definitely a massive swarm!”

“There’s a forest right in front of my shelter. I peeked through the leaky grass walls and saw a huge, dense black cloud of mosquitoes like a dark fog.”

“Oh my god! That black cloud was actually mosquitoes! I saw it near dusk and thought it was just fog!”

“This is terrifying! So many mosquitoes... if they attack, they’ll suck us dry!”

“The swarm attacks in three days! What do we do?”

“Wait, the boss has the ‘Powerful Mosquito Repellent’ recipe. If he makes the repellent, won’t we be saved?”

“Yeah! We still have the boss’s powerful repellent!”

“Boss, when will you make the repellent? I’m willing to trade all my supplies for a dose!”

...

Lin Yifan saw the flood of messages and replied frankly:

“I haven’t gathered all the materials yet. Once I do and make the repellent, I’ll put the extras on the market.”

“Don’t be too pessimistic. Although the mosquito swarm is scary, upgrading your shelter to level 2 should help resist some of the swarm.”

“There are still three days left. If everyone works hard, I believe you can all upgrade your shelters to level 2.”

He was generous with this information because obtaining basic materials was no problem for him. What he truly needed were rare recipes and precious medicinal herbs.

Since he had the recipe for the “Powerful Mosquito Repellent,” surely there were other valuable recipes as well. In the Survival World’s nature, any recipe could eventually prove useful. It was wise to keep them close.

Most comments in the chat after his message were grateful or hopeful:

“Upgrading the shelter to level 2 can resist some of the swarm? That’s fantastic!”

“Thanks for the reminder, boss. I was about to give up, but tomorrow I’ll gather supplies and try to upgrade my shelter.”

“I’ll focus on mining stones tomorrow. I have plenty of stones but need wood. I hope someone can trade.”

“I have lots of dawn redwoods here. They’re easy to chop. I’ll trade wood for stones.”

“Anyone got clay? I’ve been searching all day but found none. Without clay, I can’t upgrade!”

“I have clay, but it’s tough to dig. I’ll work hard tomorrow and trade with you guys.”

“Great! If we unite, we can overcome this!”

Lin Yifan felt a warm glow inside. Since arriving in this precarious world, his spirits had been low. Even with rare talents and a better start than most, living hand-to-mouth was no joy. Opening the chat was often depressing with all the negativity.

But seeing everyone’s high morale lifted his mood somewhat. Humans were social creatures; even if everyone was confined to their own shelters without physical contact, chatting online helped ease loneliness.

That said, while most comments were positive, some voices dissented.

Especially after Lin Yifan put all his remaining snake meat and wild blueberries up for auction, specifying he wanted to trade for materials to make the “Powerful Mosquito Repellent,” namely mugwort and mint.

Though the auction house was anonymous, many already knew the cobra meat came from him. So anonymity was meaningless.

As soon as he listed the items, the opportunists and parasites immediately pounced, flooding the comment section with sarcastic remarks:

“We’re all compatriots facing a crisis. So why doesn’t he just give us the extra food for free?”

“Exactly! We’re starving. Food should be shared first to save lives!”

“That’s right! Hoarding food and refusing to share with those in need is heartless!”

...

Lin Yifan laughed bitterly at these freeloaders trying to guilt-trip him. But since they didn’t name him directly, he chose to ignore them.

Others, however, couldn’t tolerate this and began to fiercely scold the parasites:

“What nonsense! If you don’t go out to gather supplies and only want handouts, how is that fair? Not giving handouts doesn’t make someone heartless!”

“Right! There’s plenty of daylight and little danger outside. Even if you can’t find food, chopping some trees can get you supplies. Yet some people won’t lift a finger and just want to freeload. Shameless!”

“And trying to guilt-trip our boss Lin Yifan? Ridiculous. Boss, don’t listen to them. Let these entitled brats starve!”

“Exactly. Don’t engage with these people. This is a survival world, not a begging world. If you can’t survive, so be it. Survival of the fittest!”

...