<strong><b>Chapter 14: Disassembling a Corpse with Bare Hands</b></strong>


    Would someone eventually take out the Fragmented Gold Grass? Su Mu wasn’t in a hurry. After all, it wasn’t he who desperately needed the bones—it was the people buzzing about on the World Forum.


    <strong><b>[User 1: Damn it, Su Mu changed the terms of trade again!]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 2: He can’t do that; I just finished mining some ore!]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 3: I thought Su Mu had a conscience, but he’s just a profiteer.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 4: ssic case of sour grapes. You were just too slow.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 5: Haha, I managed to get mine, so I’m not worried.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 6: Rx, Lord Turde said he’d put up another batch of bones soon.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 7: A batch? Five bones at a time? That’s a joke, right?]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[User 8: I need to figure out where to find that Fragmented Gold Grass…]</b></strong>


    …


    In a deste area far from themotion, Turde—one of the survivors—red at the sarcastic remarks directed at him on the World Forum.


    “Hmph, a bunch of smug fools enjoying their temporary triumph,” he muttered, barely suppressing his rage. “You people of the Dragond think your luck willst forever. Just wait. I, Turde, will soon crush you all!”


    …


    Meanwhile, in other corners of the world, several individuals who had also imed “first kills” scowled at Su Mu’s name.


    “He’s monopolizing the market with those bones!”


    “It’s that sted special chest he found—it gave him too much of an edge.”


    “Never let anyone from Dragond get the first kills again!”


    Despite their resentment, none dared to openly challenge Su Mu’s rising reputation. Producing one hundred units of bones effortlessly? That alone was enough to keep everyone on edge.


    …


    Back at the energy stone pit, Su Mu casually stirred a pot of bone soup, letting its enticing aroma waft through the air. The scent worked like a charm, attracting monsters to him faster than before.


    After dispatching thest Scarlet Boar in the area, a system notification appeared before him.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    <strong><b>[Character Level: Level 1 (990/1000)]</b></strong>


    Taking a sip of the broth, Su Mu’s experience bar filled uppletely.


    <strong><b>[Character Level: Level 2 (0/5000)]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[Congrattions, Survivor, on sessfully leveling up!]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[Your physical attributes have been significantly enhanced.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[Would you like to learn more about yourbat improvements?]</b></strong>


    “Finally,” Su Mu murmured, stretching his shoulders as a series of satisfying cracks came from his bones. It felt incredibly refreshing.


    When the system offered a detailed exnation of his improvements, Su Mu didn’t hesitate to confirm. Knowledge was always an advantage, especially in this apocalyptic world.


    <strong><b>[Upon leveling up, the survivor’s physical strength and resilience areprehensively enhanced.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[As levels increase, survivors will gradually transcend human limits.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[Weapons and tools will scale in effectiveness based on the survivor’s level.]</b></strong>


    <strong><b>[Note: A survivor’s level is not equivalent to a monster’s level. A monster twice the level of a survivor will haveparable strength, but survivors can surpass them with equipment and tactics.]</b></strong>


    Su Mu nodded, digesting the information. A shelter master’s level was indeed more valuable than a monster’s. With his enhanced strength and better equipment, hisbat potential had grown exponentially.


    …


    Eager to test his newfound power, Su Mu turned his attention to a Skeleton Dog that had wandered into the area. Unlike the Scarlet Boars, which had grown cautious of him, these undead beasts showed no fear. Despite the litter of Skeleton Dog corpses scattered nearby, they still charged at him recklessly.


    After putting away the Anti-Evil Crossbow, Su Mu put on his ss wrist guards. He hadn’t used today’s protective barrier yet, so if anything went wrong, he could use it to save himself.


    Without drawing his Anti-Evil Crossbow, he steadied his stance and flexed his fingers, ready to fight barehanded. As the Skeleton Dog lunged, he intercepted it mid-air, effortlessly pinning it down. One hand gripped its jawbone, preventing it from snapping at him.


    “This is the effect of leveling up?” Su Mu mused, marveling at his enhanced strength.


    The Skeleton Dog thrashed, but Su Mu held it firmly in ce. For many neers, the biting force of such a creature would spell disaster, but for him, it was little more than a mild inconvenience.


    With a decisive motion, Su Mu crushed its skull with his bare hands. The system promptly confirmed the kill.


    <strong><b>[Skeleton Dog eliminated. Experience gained.]</b></strong>


    “Incredible. No need to waste bolts on these weaklings anymore,” Su Mu remarked, tossing the corpse aside.


    As he surveyed the trade market, a notification caught his eye. Someone had finally put up Fragmented Gold Grass for trade. A satisfied smile spread across his face.