Chapter 31: Plans for the Future, Preparing Wolf-Repellent Powder

[Name: Zhang Ran]
[Power: Quasi-Evolver]
[Evolution Point: 0/1 (Current Evolution Point Condensation Progress: 0.00%)]
[Strength: 2.0 (At the human limit)]
[Constitution: 2.0 (At the human limit)]
[Agility: 2.0 (At the human limit)]
[Mental Power: 2.0 (At the human limit)]

As the analysis display appeared, the state of each part of Zhang Ran’s body was thoroughly researched and analyzed by the chip. At the same time, his physical attributes were displayed to one side. Gazing at these renewed stats, Zhang Ran couldn’t help but break into a wide grin.

“Excellent, I’m now a quasi-evolver! As long as I condense an evolution point next, I can advance to a true evolver, truly stepping into the extraordinary system of this world and awakening my own ability! But before that, let me test out the differences in my body at the quasi-evolver level!”

Nodding with satisfaction, Zhang Ran drew out his military dagger, performed several maneuvers, then tried a sprint and a high jump, savoring the state of his upgraded body.

“Hmm, though only my mental power increased by 0.001, my overall combat effectiveness rose by about twenty percent—remarkable, truly wonderful!”

After experiencing the changes firsthand, a hint of delight flashed in his eyes, and he couldn’t help but exclaim excitedly.

With all four attributes perfected and the quasi-evolver stage reached, Zhang Ran’s body entered a state of coordination and completeness. His overall strength had risen significantly. Even when facing a Rotwolf with 2.5 points in strength, constitution, and agility, he now had the confidence to fight one-on-one without relying on firearms; his power had truly leaped upward.

“Chip, analyze for me: if I hunt ordinary Frenzied Field Mice, elite Frenzied Field Mice, or Rotwolves as targets, how many must I slay to condense the first evolution point and complete my advancement?”

Having savored the might of a quasi-evolver’s body, Zhang Ran paused again and issued a new command to the chip.

“Ding! Analyzing...”
“Ding! Analysis complete: To condense your first evolution point, you would need to slay approximately 48,240 Frenzied Field Mice, or 5,150 elite Frenzied Field Mice, or 1,270 Rotwolves.”

As Zhang Ran’s order was processed, the chip swiftly listed the requirements for his first evolution point.

“Forty-eight thousand Frenzied Field Mice! Why so many?”

Zhang Ran asked in confusion as he listened to the chip’s report.

During his previous acquisition of evolution energy, Zhang Ran had made rough estimates: slaying a Rotwolf granted about six to seven times the attribute increase of a Frenzied Field Mouse. Yet, when it came to condensing an evolution point, the gap widened to nearly forty times!

“Master, compared to enhancing physical attributes, the condensation of evolution points demands much higher quality evolution energy. The energy provided by Frenzied Field Mice is of lower quality. Thus, if you wish to condense an evolution point by hunting them, you need to slay far more than you would Rotwolves. Moreover, this method can leave genetic impurities in your body, hindering your future evolution.”

The chip’s explanation sounded gently by Zhang Ran’s ear.

“So, the quality of evolution energy is lower. I see! If I try to condense the first evolution point and advance to a level one evolver by slaying Frenzied Field Mice, it would take at least half a year or more. That’s far too slow—and this sort of advancement would leave genetic impurities in my body, which is absolutely not a good choice!”

Understanding dawned on Zhang Ran’s face as he immediately dismissed the idea of continuing to evolve by fighting on the Frenzied Field Mice grasslands. Considering both the time investment and his future potential, this was not the path he should take.

“Clearly, condensing the first evolution point by hunting Rotwolves is the better choice! After advancing to quasi-evolver, while my strength, constitution, and agility may still be inferior to a Rotwolf, with the comprehensive boost from my advancement, I can still stand against them!”

“Besides, if I keep targeting Frenzied Field Mice, it’s safer, but too comfortable—I won’t hone my combat skills. Over time, I’ll grow weaker in battle. Hiding in a comfort zone will never do.”

“Conversely, if I set Rotwolves as my targets and encounter those equal in strength, I can keep sharpening my combat skills. Even if I meet a stronger Rotwolf, with my rifle, I’m unlikely to face mortal danger—at worst, I’ll be injured. Compared to the future rewards, this risk is entirely acceptable!”

After careful deliberation, Zhang Ran made up his mind. For his future development, he must not complete this evolution by hunting Frenzied Field Mice. He would head out to hunt Rotwolves, training his combat abilities while quickly accumulating evolution points.

Decision made, Zhang Ran did not immediately seek out Rotwolf dens. Instead, he returned first to the Forward Base—he had preparations to make before setting out to hunt Rotwolves.

Back at the Forward Base, Zhang Ran headed to the mission area to sell the materials he had collected.

During the past few days of hunting, to avoid slowing his efficiency, Zhang Ran only gathered materials from elite Frenzied Field Mice, leaving the ordinary ones behind. As a result, although he slew over a hundred Frenzied Field Mice daily, his lack of material collection meant his earnings were only two or three hundred Black Hawk coins per day. After paying for lodging, meals, and showers, he’d saved up about five hundred Black Hawk coins over these few days.

With those coins in hand, Zhang Ran went to the trading area, spending four hundred to purchase several materials. Seeing the prices, he cursed the Forward Base’s greed again—the sale price was more than twice the purchase price, a truly exorbitant profit.

Next, he spent fifty Black Hawk coins to rent a basic room, then took out the materials he’d just acquired, along with a simple set of potion-making tools.

Before heading out to hunt Rotwolves, Zhang Ran was determined to be fully prepared. The materials he bought were the main ingredients for making Wolf Repellent Powder—a substance with a special scent. To humans, it was unremarkable, but to Rotwolves, it stank repulsively and could often drive them away.

The Forward Base also sold Wolf Repellent Powder, but at prices much steeper than raw materials. Having learned how to make it at the Black Hawk Training Camp and with the chip’s assistance, Zhang Ran planned to concoct it himself.

“Chip, activate potion-crafting assistance. Target template: Wolf Repellent Powder!”

While taking out the first ingredient, Zhang Ran issued his command to the chip.