Chapter 9: The Unfinished, Eradicated!

“Dream’s Measure”: “No, your logic is flawed. Just because some top player is impressive doesn’t mean they owe you an explanation. Why should they have to tell you? You’re just using your words to guilt-trip them!”

“Commander Spring”: “You’re way too hostile. Everyone’s in the same server; it’s natural to help each other. As the strongest player in the entire server, the top player certainly has the responsibility to help everyone improve together.”

Many others quickly chimed in, agreeing with this, but plenty of players couldn’t stand it and soon a heated argument erupted in the chat hall.

Su Liu didn’t pay much attention to the bickering. Instead, she sank into deep thought.

There were many unfamiliar usernames; it seemed other players were about to level up their spirit beasts as well.

This was a huge variable.

She couldn’t afford to be complacent, celebrating every small opportunity. That attitude would lead to her downfall sooner or later.

Suddenly, a soft, gentle voice broke into Su Liu’s ears—

“Liu Liu sister, what are you thinking about?”

Startled, Su Liu looked closely—it was Little Tuanzi!

The little creature held its head high with pride; it had grown noticeably bigger, its fur shining with a healthy gloss, and now faint streaks of pale blue light shimmered across its body.

But the biggest change was that Little Tuanzi now had an extra tail, two fluffy tails swaying happily to show its joy.

“Is that really you, Little Tuanzi?” Su Liu asked tentatively.

“Yes, it’s me! Liu Liu sister, I can talk now! But I can’t speak human words aloud yet; I have to transmit my voice directly into your mind through our contract.”

Su Liu was stunned—so this was the power of a legendary spirit beast?

Her own little water buffalo had only gained the ability to communicate freely with her at level five, and then she died before they could really chat much. Little Tuanzi was only level two, yet it could already converse with her autonomously.

“Our Little Tuanzi is amazing! Tuanzi, does this upgrade bring any other changes?”

“Hehe, Liu Liu sister, you’ll see for yourself!”

Great, it had learned to be mysterious.

Su Liu shook her head with a smile, but before she could think further, she opened the spirit beast panel—

“No way, Tuanzi, why do you have an extra attribute? Dual attributes!!!”

Name: Little Tuanzi
Species: Nine-tailed Fox
Type: All-rounder
Attributes: Space, Wind (both scalable)
Level: Two
Potential: Legendary
Talent: The contract holder gains a 4-square-meter spatial domain (the flow of time inside and outside is the same; inaccessible during battle; can grow)
Skills:
- Space Scar (spirit beast can simultaneously inflict two spatial slicing attacks on an enemy)
- Windstorm Step (spirit beast leaps and stomps three times in the air, each stomp releasing small wind pressure bombs that slow enemies in range)
- Void
Affinity: 50

“Little Tuanzi, do you get an extra tail and an additional attribute every level?”

“Mm-hmm, Liu Liu sister, you’re so clever!”

So that’s what ‘scalable’ meant in parentheses behind the attributes—attributes could increase over time.

“But what does the last skill slot labeled ‘Void’ mean?” Su Liu asked, puzzled.

“Oh, that’s because each time I level up, besides gaining skills corresponding to my attributes, I get an extra skill slot. If I find skill imprint scrolls related to my attributes, I can add new skills!”

Wow, so this is what a legendary spirit beast is like.

Not only can its attributes grow, but it can also add and upgrade skills on its own.

“Liu Liu sister, wait, there’s more—I forgot to activate my talent just now.”

“Ah? There’s more?” Su Liu was already pleasantly numb with excitement.

Little Tuanzi stuck out its tongue, raised its head, and a pale blue halo spread outward. Instantly, the spatial domain around them expanded to nearly twice its original size.

“Every time I level up, I can double this space. That means now we have 8 square meters!”

Su Liu petted Little Tuanzi’s head, examined the newly expanded space with its jagged boundaries, then reluctantly pulled out her fully automatic magical renovation wand. Blushing but determined, she sang “Good Luck Comes” once again.

“Good luck comes~ wishing you good luck~...”

A flash of light, and a warm little home appeared.

Home? Suddenly, Su Liu felt a little dazed. How long had it been since she last thought about home?

Her memories flashed back to her senior year of high school—when toxic chemicals leaked, the lab exploded... and her parents disappeared forever from her life.

The system’s broadcast voice interrupted Su Liu’s thoughts.

“Settlement time! Seriously, is there really someone who hasn’t even covered this short distance yet? Fine then... here’s a big gift pack!”

“Calculus Hates Me”: “Huh? Is this game really that generous? They’re giving subsidies to those who didn’t finish? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bothered finishing, I’d get a little gift too. I don’t want much, just food and water—dying of thirst in the desert here!”

“Username Load Failed”: “Come on, don’t act like it’s some great gift. Can’t you tell the system is being sarcastic? Not the sharpest tool in the shed.”

“Commander Spring”: “Hey, Username, don’t be so malicious. The world is still beautiful. I’ve seen many like you who won’t develop well with that attitude—they need to change.”

“Username Load Failed”: “What’s it to you? Why do you always have to preach? Think you’re so kind and great, like you know everything better than anyone else? Ridiculous!”

...

Suddenly, the chat hall fell silent.

No other reason than the pinned bold black-and-red text clearly declared—

“Activated the strange berserk mechanism for rule violators. Those who fail, will be eliminated!”

After a while, a trembling message appeared:

“Can any of those who didn’t finish please come out and say no? I’m a little scared... is this really how it is?”

“Marshmallow Bear”: “Waaah, I really don’t know what to do! I was just talking to my bestie, and suddenly her avatar turned black.”

Panic swept through the entire server—everyone except Su Liu.

She had already witnessed the game’s brutality and was now planning how to spend the night. All time-related items would only take effect the next day.

It was ten at night. Su Liu decided to spend an hour with Little Tuanzi practicing their cooperation and fighting the strange berserk state. Then she’d retreat to her space for a full seven and a half hours of sleep, waking at 6:30 a.m. to get ready. At 7:00 a.m., she could start covering the required distance.

Yes, with an eight-square-meter space, Su Liu had no worries about nighttime safety—the space had no entry-time restrictions.

“Well, congratulations to the remaining players for making it through the first night. Be sure to keep your oil lamps lit—that’s the only way to truly experience the berserk’s enthusiasm~”

The system’s taunting broadcast had just finished when Su Liu opened a new silver secret chest, receiving two Fire Evolution Stone Fragments (1/3), one Water Condenser Blueprint (1/5), a dagger, five pieces of glass, three bandages, a single bed, and 600 ml of drinking water.

She glanced at the dagger—it was decent, granting +3 strength to its user.

Su Liu put the Water Evolution Stone, Time and Fire Evolution Stone fragments, tent, and sleeping bag up for trade in the market. She didn’t need them herself, so better to exchange for urgently needed items like blueprints, Space Evolution Stones, or transportation fragments.

Next, Su Liu used her workbench to dismantle some unused crates, gaining eight pieces of wood and three iron blocks. She then used six pieces of glass and six nails to make a simple glass box, placing a lit oil lamp filled with kerosene inside.

That way, the lamp wouldn’t be blown out by the wind.