Chapter 75: A New Beginning—First, Let's Modify the Vehicle

A buzzing sound rang out, and the color of the mist outside began shifting at a speed visible to the naked eye, soon turning a pale green.

“As all players can see, the mist has changed color. Some of you might have guessed this at the very start. If you didn’t, well, your intelligence must be questionable; surviving till now is nothing short of miraculous.

But that’s not the main point. What matters is the patch of dark green mist advancing behind you. If it catches up… I imagine the scene would be quite entertaining.

However, there’s no need to worry. On the first day, the dark green mist will only advance 200 kilometers, while on the last day, it’ll surge forward 1,000 kilometers.

Just keep moving and you’ll be fine.”

Lin Mu’s lips twitched. So this is the mist they spoke of, though the color seems off. Surely the mist that comes later must be even more formidable.

“Well then, enjoy your game-life. One last reminder: the labyrinth has undergone a slight change. Hahaha!”

The voice faded, and everything returned to calm.

Lin Mu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, all caused by the mass deaths moments ago.

Damn it! Why does this thing always spring surprises out of nowhere?

Behind him, the little chubby fellow whispered, “Mu bro, Wang Changjun is fine, sleeping like a log.”

Lin Mu was stunned—he’s actually unharmed.

So the ones who died… were they the vehicle owners?

That does seem possible.

“All right, a new disaster has begun. If you need sleep, go ahead and rest.”

After everyone left, he opened the panel.

“How is… the vehicle’s mist-dispelling range calculated?”

He’d meant to ask about the deaths, but thought better of it.

Besides…

He resolved never to provoke the panel again; it truly kills people, and without reason. If he ever irritated the panel, or the voice behind it, he’d be doomed.

From today onward, he would be a person of high moral character.

Of course, that morality only applied to the panel. As for others, well, that’s another matter.

[Vehicle level x 0.5 + core level x 1.]

Enlightened, Lin Mu realized his vehicle now had a base range of 12.5 meters.

But…

He’d installed quite a few lamps; with the current setup, 25 meters should be reliably covered.

If he continued upgrading, 50 meters wasn’t out of reach.

Lin Mu glanced out the window, at the area illuminated by the spotlight overhead.

Should he modify it now?

But first, it was best to check the vehicle info, just in case there were hidden costs.

Upon inspection, there was no indication that the lamps would consume any resources.

However, the electricity supply was insufficient.

He built two more wind turbines, placing them atop the rear waste storage box.

Thankfully, such devices existed; otherwise, there simply wouldn’t be space.

He’d originally intended to place them on the roof, but the panel indicated it was impossible; the only suitable spot was at the rear.

“If only I could get a nuclear fusion generator,” Lin Mu muttered regretfully.

...

The next morning, Lin Mu took his place in the driver’s seat.

In daylight, the mist outside was clearly visible.

If yesterday’s mist was pale green, today it was a grassy green, slightly deeper in hue.

Thinking for a moment, Lin Mu took out half a chicken from his backpack and handed it to 001.

“Bind this to the collector.”

“Yes, Master.”

Once it was secured, Lin Mu controlled the collector, slowly extending the chicken into the green mist.

Five minutes later.

Peering through the window at the unchanged chicken, Lin Mu fell into deep thought.

It seemed this toxic mist affected only living things—an inhaled poison.

He wondered if breathing through pores counted as respiration.

He instructed 001 to toss the chicken far away; he certainly wouldn’t dare eat it.

...

Half an hour later, the vehicles started up, three in a convoy slowly departing.

The half chicken left behind gradually darkened, then began rotting, dissolving into a pool of black liquid.

Driving along, Lin Mu calmly switched on the roof lamps, watching the green mist recede.

Feeling reassured, he continued.

“Mu bro, Mu bro, something ahead—what should we do?”

Lin Mu operated the collector, extending it skyward; the newly installed surveillance captured the situation ahead.

Watching the media feed, he was speechless—what on earth was this?

Ahead, two forks appeared, but unlike previous splits, these two roads resembled the upper half of the letter M.

Everywhere else was shrouded in mist, and even Lin Mu’s lamps couldn’t reveal if the roads led backward or forward.

Remember, behind them lay the so-called dark green toxic mist.

Who could tell where that mist was now? If the road only led backward, what then?

Lin Mu activated his modification skill.

“Enhance illumination range.”

He decided to add an antidote, using it as a base for the skill’s options.

Less than a minute later, two options appeared.

[Option 1]: Standard Mist Liquid Energy Spotlight. Antidote x5, Mithril x10. (Note: Consumes 1 antidote per hour; constant range of 50 meters.)

[Option 2]: Enhanced Mist Solid Energy Spotlight. Antidote x10, Mithril x10. (Note: Consumes 1 antidote ointment per day; range adjustable from 50–200 meters.)

??

What on earth is antidote ointment?

When in doubt, ask the panel.

[Antidote ointment is an alchemical product. Please open the alchemy interface at the workbench for details.]

Suppressing his urge to complain, Lin Mu opened the workbench—why is it that new things are never announced, always appearing right when needed?

He opened the workbench; at the bottom was indeed an alchemy section.

Previously, the interface had been labeled ‘manufacturing’.

Along the side was a recipe for antidote ointment.

Beneath it were many other formulas: life potion, stamina draught, lightning mixture…

Aside from the initial ones, he couldn’t decipher any of them.

[Antidote ointment]: Antidote potion x20.

Effect: Apply after poisoning to block spread. In severe cases, ingest for powerful detoxification.

Lin Mu’s eyelid twitched—what did that mean?

Apply after poisoning?

Does the inhaled toxin also affect the skin?

Or does poisoning not cause instant death?

Shaking his head, Lin Mu thought this stuff could be useful; better prepare a supply.

Looking at his nearly 2,000 antidote potions, he immediately crafted 20 ointments.

Once he’d finished, he upgraded to the enhanced mist solid energy spotlight.

A silver cube engraved with mysterious runes appeared in the vacant space atop the vehicle.