CHAPTER 199 - LEVEL 3 SHELTER

Han Wu invested 100 Wood and 20 Gold Coins to upgrade his shelter to Level 2. The wooden shack glowed as the dilapidated planks were replaced with fresh, sturdy boards. Now, he no longer had to worry about wind or rain. After transforming the shack into a proper wooden house, he checked the requirements for the next upgrade: 200 Stone and 200 Gold Coins.

With his new shelter, Han Wu could equip a new altar. He had the option to equip an altar obtained from outside, like the Level 1 Infantry Altar: Wild Dogs, or pay 100 Gold Coins to activate an altar based on his units.

Han Wu dismissed the Wild Dogs Altar as useless and chose to spend 100 Gold Coins to activate a new one. The altar materialized inside his shelter, presenting him with a selection of units to summon.

Han Wu weighed the materials he needed for the next upgrade and selected the Technician Scorching Dwarves. As soon as he chose it, the second altar transformed, taking on the fiery appearance of a scarlet furnace.

[Altar confirmed. Level 1 Technician Altar: Scorching Dwarves. It summons 5 Elite Scorching Dwarves daily.]

Han Wu was at a loss for words. Summoning only five Scorching Dwarves each day felt far too few. Based on the pattern of his first altar, he had expected to summon at least ten Elite Scorching Dwarves daily.

When he summoned them, he noticed each dwarf wielded a different tool—axes, hammers, and even a mining pickaxe. He nodded with satisfaction at that. With proper equipment, their work would go much faster. Choosing the Scorching Dwarves had been the right call.

Han Wu instructed the dwarves to gather materials around the shelter, while the Skeleton Knight and Bonehound set out to hunt enemies for Gold Coins. The two returned in the evening, bringing back 130 Gold Coins, 5 Rabbit Meat, 8 Rabbit Pelt, and 201 pairs of Chainsaw Ant mandibles. It was clear they had ventured deep into the Chainsaw Ants’ territory and slain many.

Given the large number of Chainsaw Ants in the area, Han Wu suspected an altar was nearby. He made a mental note to investigate and retrieve it when the opportunity arose. With that altar, he could enhance his own.

First, he roasted the rabbit meat. The Skeleton Knight and Bonehound did not require food, but the Scorching Dwarves did. They consumed most of the rabbit, leaving only a small portion for Han Wu.

Night fell soon after their meal. Han Wu ordered the Skeleton Knight and Bonehound to patrol outside since they did not need rest, while he and the Scorching Dwarves rested inside the wooden house. The dwarves had built a bed for Han Wu, so he no longer had to sleep on the floor.

Unfortunately, the night didn’t pass quietly. Han Wu had barely drifted off when the sounds of an intense battle erupted outside. He sprang up and saw the two skeletons locked in combat with a large, shadowy figure. He immediately checked the beast’s stats.

[Boulbear (Vanguard). Unique life form. Skills: Stone Skin, Rending Claws. A strong unit with high defenses and Life Energy. It fights to the death on sight. You might find a corresponding altar near where it is found.]

The beast was powerful and swatted the Bonehound aside with ease. Wicked Dog Pounce had barely any effect, leaving only a shallow scratch on its hide. The Boulbear was enraged after being bitten a few times and charged at the wooden house in a frenzy. It was determined to tear it down.

Its massive paws slammed against the structure, and Han Wu heard the boards groan and crack under the force.

[Warning. The Boulbear is destroying your shelter. Defeat it quickly. You will be expelled from the major class if your shelter is destroyed.]

Panic surged through Han Wu. If the Boulbear destroyed his house, he would be disqualified. He refused to let that happen.

“You damned bear. How dare you try to bully me? I will kill you now!” he shouted, snatching up the Scorching Dwarves’ axe and hammer before leaping onto the Boulbear’s head.

He brought the axe down hard, sparks flying as the blade struck the creature’s skull. Although the Boulbear howled in pain, the blow left only a faint dent. It writhed and twisted, trying to throw him off.

Most of Han Wu’s skills had been sealed, but his battle instincts remained razor sharp. He darted around the Boulbear’s body and used the hammer to drive the axe deeper into the skull. After three strikes, the axe finally pierced the Boulbear’s brain. The beast collapsed and died.

Han Wu sighed deeply and stepped off the corpse. The Skeleton Knight knew what to do next. Still, since the Boulbear was a Unique life form, completing the summoning would take some time.

After three hours, the Skeleton Knight summoned a powerful Boulbear skeleton. Its injured skull reduced its strength slightly, limiting it to an Elite life form. Despite this, its thick bones and destructive power remained deadly to most foes, and its Rending Claws had been enhanced.

Han Wu gained another formidable unit and looked forward to future expeditions. He also collected 40 Gold Coins, 8 Bear Meat, and 1 Bear Pelt. He was now confident he would have no trouble upgrading his wooden house to Level 3.

Though the Boulbear was dead, its presence had already terrified the nearby animals, so none disturbed Han Wu’s rest during the second half of the night.

When morning came, Han Wu summoned 100 more Common skeletons and five Elite Scorching Dwarves from the altar. He then merged the skeletons into a single Skeleton Knight and sent it out to hunt. As for the ten Scorching Dwarves, he ordered them to gather resources near the shelter.

By afternoon, Han Wu had collected enough materials to upgrade his shelter. He spent 200 Stone and 200 Gold Coins to transform his wooden house into a Level 3 stone house spanning 200 square meters. The new stone walls significantly increased its durability.

With the upgrade to Level 3, Han Wu could add another altar to his shelter. At the same time, he gained the ability to chat online. Opening the group chat, he found only three members, including himself. Unfortunately, the others were not Qin Shuang or Sun Qingnian, but two newer students.

Since they were all students, Han Wu decided to greet them.

[Han Wu: Hello, I’m Han Wu.]

One of them replied cheerfully.

[Duan Meng: Hello, Han Wu, I am Duan Meng.]

The other, Li Chunming, responded with disdain.

[Li Chunming: Han Wu, I thought you were strong, but I never expected you to be slower than me in upgrading your shelter to Level 3.]

Han Wu felt confused. He didn’t recall offending Li Chunming or even knowing his name before. Since Li Chunming had taunted him first, Han Wu decided to call him out.

[Han Wu: Li Chunming, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?]

The group chat erupted as Li Chunming cursed Han Wu, who only chuckled. He reminded himself that no matter how the major class developed, he would make sure Li Chunming ended up dead.