Chapter 6: Supplies Running Low
The moment ten vines appeared, he could distinctly sense the presence of each one, like ten extended fingers, guiding them as naturally as breathing.
With a subtle shift of his will, he locked onto a smooth wall.
“Go!”
Ten dark green vines, bristling with sharp wooden thorns, whipped fiercely through the air, striking the solid concrete wall with a rushing whoosh.
*Clap! Clap! Clap!*
A rapid series of heavy, muffled impacts echoed.
The tiles on the wall shattered, leaving dozens of clear whip marks.
Fine cracks radiated outward from the center of the strikes.
The sharp thorns at the tips of the vines dug deeply into the concrete.
[Vine Technique (Intermediate) proficiency +1, 1/200]
Han Ning had tested the beginner level before—at most, it could only leave shallow scratches on walls.
But now, the vines could shatter tiles outright.
“The power has increased significantly.”
He tried contracting the vines to strangle.
The ten vines twisted and coiled wildly against the wall like serpents.
The surface of the wall emitted a grating, teeth-aching creak.
Fragments of cement crumbled and fell.
[Spiritual Energy: 5/15]
Suddenly, a wave of weakness surged from deep within his body.
Han Ning retracted the vines and gasped for breath.
Clearly, the increased power came with a heavier toll.
Looking at the chaotic cracks on the wall, he approached and poked the edge of a dent with his finger.
The texture was very hard; the thorns on the vine's surface were far tougher than he had imagined.
“The number has increased, the speed is faster, hardness and piercing power have significantly improved... an overall enhancement of nearly fifty percent. At the same time, spiritual energy consumption has risen.”
“Against these crocodile lizards with astonishing defense, relying solely on the vines’ physical binding and piercing won’t be efficient enough... a more direct offensive method is the key to a qualitative leap. But for now, this should suffice against juveniles.”
His gaze drifted across the panel to the newly awakened skill: [Animal Companion].
[Animal Companion]: Form a natural pact with a flora or fauna, commanding it absolutely and sharing its vision.
Sharing vision?
Han Ning's heart stirred.
This was truly a divine skill for exploring the post-apocalyptic world.
---
If he could control a bird or a stealthy animal, it would be like having a tireless scout fearless of most dangers.
Unfortunately... in this damned place, besides ferocious monsters, not even a single normal rat could be seen.
This skill would have to be set aside for now.
“Gurgle...”
A protest from his stomach brought Han Ning back to reality.
His strength had improved.
But...
His body’s consumption seemed to have grown as well.
Han Ning twisted open a half-drunk bottle of mineral water and sipped cautiously.
Only six and a half bottles remained.
He looked out the window.
The torrential rain continued unabated, showing no sign of easing.
Occasional lightning illuminated the dark scenery.
Murky rainwater rushed wildly through the ruins of the city, forming vast “lakes” on the ground.
Some low-lying, lower-floor buildings were completely submerged, with only crooked roofs stubbornly poking above the water.
Further away, floating debris from furniture and car roofs bobbed uncertainly on the turbulent surface.
“Now that I’m stronger but food is running low, it’s time to go out.”
Without finding a safe water source and more food soon, he would be trapped in a dire predicament.
To prevent other crocodile lizards from sneaking into his home while he was out,
Han Ning planned to reinforce the damaged security screen again.
He rummaged through his apartment.
Eventually, inside the wardrobe, he found several composite wooden boards used as shelves—about half a meter wide and one centimeter thick.
He dismantled these boards and then searched through boxes, uncovering half a roll of transparent tape and a small bundle of leftover thin iron wire from previous renovations.
Back on the balcony, the juvenile crocodile lizard’s corpse lay in a pool of blood, its grotesque head tilted to one side, yellow vertical pupils staring emptily at the ceiling.
Han Ning threw out a vine, wrapping the corpse tightly before swinging it with force toward the hole in the security screen.
The body was flung off the balcony, plunging into an unknown depth of the ditch below with a splash.
He had no intention of eating the lizard meat for now, nor the energy to dissect the corpse for biological research. What he needed most was a safe food source and clean water.
*Plop, plop...*
The faint sound of flowing water emerged but was quickly drowned by the patter of raindrops.
Then, he exerted force with both hands, bending the torn, barely hanging security screen inward to close the basin-sized hole as much as possible.
Next, he covered the hole with the dismantled wooden boards, wrapping the edges with transparent tape in multiple layers, sealing it tightly.
---
He then wound the thin iron wire around the boards and the twisted frame of the security screen, tightening it with pliers to ensure it wouldn’t be easily broken in the short term.
He covered several boards until most of the security screen’s area was blocked and finally stopped.
“Phew... hopefully this will hold for a while.”
Wiping rain and sweat from his face, he felt somewhat relieved seeing the hole barely sealed by wood and wire.
During the work, rainwater inevitably dripped onto him.
The skin contacted by the rain felt a faint sting, soon developing small red marks.
As he suspected, the rainwater outside contained some toxins and was unsafe to drink directly.
But it seemed brief contact wouldn’t cause serious harm.
Back inside, Han Ning locked the balcony door from within and tightly drew the living room curtains.
He checked the remaining six and a half bottles of mineral water, carefully tightened the caps, and placed them within easy reach on the bedside table.
After finishing these tasks, exhaustion surged over him like a wave.
He shed the blood-soaked, cold, wet pajamas, roughly wiped himself, changed into relatively dry clothes, and collapsed onto the bed.
An old injury in his waist began aching faintly after the recent fight and heavy lifting.
He instinctively raised his palm, a weak green light blooming. The power of [Rejuvenation Technique] flowed slowly like a gentle stream into his aching muscles and bones, bringing a touch of cool relief.
[Spiritual Energy: 4/15]
[Rejuvenation Technique proficiency +1, 9/100]
Feeling the faint warmth in his palm, Han Ning closed his tired eyes.
The relentless sound of the rain outside was the only background noise.
In his weary state, the rain’s steady beat was quite soothing.
Unconsciously, he fell into a deep sleep.
---
The next day.
When Han Ning awoke, the sky outside was already beginning to lighten.
“Ugh... I’m so hungry!!”
He wasn’t awakened by his biological clock, but by hunger!
A burning hunger roared through his stomach.
Grimacing, Han Ning sat up and checked his spiritual energy reserves.
[Spiritual Energy: 15/15]