Shelter for All: People catch ghosts and gain entries in the end times - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Weakest First Kill

As Su Mu scrolled through his trade notifications, a familiar system message popped up.

[System Message: Iron Shard Stone x6 has been received.].

[Black Bone Bird Meat: 2 pieces sold, Black Bone Bird Feather: 4 feathers sold.].

The power of two billion survivors was truly immense. Su Mu had barely listed the items, yet he already had enough Iron Shard Stones to upgrade his glass bracers.

Amused by a complaint on the trade forum, Su Mu typed a quick response:

[Su Mu: There is no problem with the flesh of undead creatures.].

[Su Mu: Non-toxic and harmless, just a bit strange in taste.].

[Su Mu: No cheating here, no returns accepted.].

His reply sent the forum buzzing:

[User 1: Wow, Su Mu left a message on the world channel! Screenshot it, quick!].

[User 2: Such eloquence—this must be the cultural heritage of Dragonland.].

[User 3: Su Mu, I’m starving. Could you spare some good food? (Attaches a blurry

picture.)].

[User 4: Hey, move your big white… thing! You’re blocking my view of Su Mu.].

The buyer of the Black Bone Bird Meat fell silent. After Su Mu addressed the complaint directly, they didn’t dare to push further. Trading Iron Shard Stones for food or throwing knives wasn’t a bad deal, and they likely realized they had little leverage to argue.

Curiosity drove another user to ask:

[User 5: Su Mu, isn’t Iron Shard Stone used for upgrading equipment?].

[User 5: You’re asking for both Fragmented Gold Grass and Iron Shard Stone. Does that mean you already have two pieces of equipment?].

This sparked a flurry of speculation:

[User 6: Exactly! Su Mu only trades for materials to upgrade equipment. He must have two pieces.].

[User 7: Su Mu is living the dream. Most of us don’t even have decent starter gear.].

[User 8: Other first killers may also have two pieces, but Su Mu’s drops are probably superior.].

[User 9: Jealous! My equipment is garbage; I want something better.].

[User 10: Humph, it’s just two pieces. Other players are catching up quickly.].

[User 11: Don’t forget, Su Mu’s special chest rewards ensure he’s ahead of the curve.].

Ignoring the commotion on the forum, Su Mu focused on strengthening himself.

The system prompted him:

[Iron Shard Stone x3, Energy Stone x20. Materials are ready. Shall we proceed with the upgrade?].

“Upgrade”

A soft glow enveloped the glass bracers as the upgrade completed.

The bracers now offered increased defense, and their durability felt more reassuring.

“I’m definitely safer with these,” Su Mu muttered, flexing his wrists.

His next priority was to secure a water source. The looming acid rain disaster made it essential to find and store water.

Su Mu recalled seeing a shop on the trade market that sold bottles. “If I can’t store water after reaching the source, it’ll be pointless,” he reasoned.

…

Meanwhile, in a small, dim shelter, a round-faced girl stared gloomily at her empty trade board.

“No customers as usual,” Meng Tianyi sighed. “My stuff must seem useless right now. I wish my items were as popular as Su Mu’s.”

She flopped onto a pile of grass, muttering, “I’m probably the weakest first killer on the list.”

Suddenly, her trade board lit up with a notification.

“Huh? A customer?” She blinked, then froze. “That name looks familiar… Su Mu!”

Panicking, she opened the chat window.

[Meng Tianyi: Su Mu, do you want to buy bottles?].

[Su Mu: Make as many as you can with the materials you have.].

Su Mu needed bottles to store water and distribute Scarlet Boar Blood. Bottles were not something he could craft himself yet, so this trade was crucial.

As he browsed Meng Tianyi’s shop, he noticed how unique her inventory was. While others traded food, weapons, or survival materials, Meng Tianyi specialized in selling bottles—a rarity in this apocalyptic world.

Meng Tianyi typed nervously:

[Meng Tianyi: Su Mu, I can’t make bottles right now.].

[Meng Tianyi: The materials require Energy Stones, and I’ve run out.].

She attached an image of her key tool:

[Handmade Knife].

[Quality: Excellent].

[Effect: Can drill Energy Stones and process them into tools or weapons.].

Su Mu raised an eyebrow and replied with a single question mark.

Su Mu couldn’t help but wonder: How on earth did this seemingly helpless girl manage a first kill with nothing but a handmade knife?