Shelter for All: People catch ghosts and gain entries in the end times

Chapter 31: Blessing of Favor, Entering the Water

[Ding! Congratulations to Survivor Su Mu for receiving the top world’s blessing.].

[Name: Exclusive Blessing of the Top Survivor].

[Effect: Self-healing ability will be enhanced by 100%, allowing ordinary wounds to heal quickly. Even severe injuries, such as a severed limb, will automatically heal over time.].

The familiar chime of the world announcement reached Su Mu’s ears. Upon hearing the effects of the blessing, he nodded in satisfaction.

In the post-apocalyptic world of sanctuaries and survivors, there was always one primary goal: survival.

If one couldn’t manage to stay alive, any dreams of becoming an eternal king were nothing but fantasy. With this newfound healing ability, he no longer needed to fear death—so long as he avoided a fatal blow.

Even fatal injuries would gradually heal under the effects of the supreme blessing. Still, he wasn’t overly concerned about lethal strikes. After all, he possessed the Glass Wrist Guard, an artifact capable of blocking a single fatal blow.

With his preparations complete, Su Mu turned his attention back to the water’s surface, his gaze sharp and calculating.

“When I was hunting monsters earlier, I circled the area,” he murmured to himself.

“I didn’t find any unusual monsters or environments that could cause undead creatures to resurrect. Only the ones I killed in the water would come back. Something is wrong beneath the surface.”

After considering his options, Su Mu decided to investigate the water first. However, he hesitated to dismantle the defense tower just yet. As long as the tower remained inactive, neither the undead nor other monsters would attack it.

The defense tower hadn’t yet earned its keep, and he intended to use it to eliminate nearby monsters after returning. Satisfied with his preparations, he shifted his gaze to the clear water beneath him.

“Rotten Wasteland Blueprint, can you create an underwater map?”

[Blueprint: No problem, master. The level 3 blueprint of the Rotten Wasteland can show all surface and underground passages.].

Su Mu nodded as the blueprint in his hand shifted. The vast expanse of the wasteland map now revealed large blank areas, interspersed with a network of underground passages. Zooming in on his location, he quickly spotted a hidden passage beneath the river.

Without the blueprint revealing both surface and underground details, he would never have discovered this concealed area.

“My level is three now,” Su Mu muttered thoughtfully.

“I can hold my breath underwater for ten minutes. That’s more than enough to reach the secret passage. Let’s go!”

Setting the blueprint aside, he dove into the water. The river was remarkably clear, and with his level three abilities, he moved through the currents with ease.

“Good thing I found this place now,” he thought, his strokes steady and deliberate.

“If I’d waited until the acid rain came, this river would’ve been impossible to navigate. Did I stumble across a time dungeon?”

He chuckled to himself, feeling fortunate. Initially, he had only come here to collect water, but the sight of the resurrecting big-headed skeleton fish had caught his attention. Most importantly, waiting even two more days would have rendered this place useless once acid rain began to fall.

As he swam deeper, his movements grew cautious. The water’s resistance was significant, limiting the range of his Anti-Evil Crossbow. Finding the hidden passage was crucial; otherwise, encountering the big-headed skeleton fish again would turn into a grueling battle.

Guided by the blueprint, Su Mu quickly located the underwater entrance.

The hidden passage resembled an underwater curtain cave, concealed in an unassuming yet dangerous location. Without the blueprint’s guidance—or the revival of the skeleton fish—he wouldn’t have suspected anything lay there.

As he ventured into the dark, foreboding cave, a warning chimed in his mind.

[Warning: A level 15 elite monster is within 500 meters of the host.].

[Blueprint suggests immediate retreat for safety.].

“Retreat?” Su Mu scoffed, his resolve hardening. “Not a chance.”

Realizing the level of danger, he swiftly upgraded his Anti-Evil Crossbow. The materials in his possession were just enough to improve his main weapon.

[Anti-Evil Crossbow].

[Level: 3 (Character Level is 3, granting an additional 60% attack power)].

[Next Upgrade Requirements: Fragmented Gold Grass x10, Energy Stone x100].

The upgraded weapon felt reassuring in his hands as he advanced. The further he swam into the cave, the less water he encountered, until he finally emerged into an air-filled chamber.

And there, at the center of the chamber, stood a human-like monster, its presence emanating raw malice.