Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Desert Wolf, Enhanced People, and Optimized Superpower

“Is that the Desert Wolf Li Hu and the others mentioned?”

Using the boulder next to the Gray Wolf, Lin Feng calculated its size—it’s a full three meters in length, over two meters even without the tail, comparable to a small tiger, weighing about a hundred kilograms.

At this moment, the Desert Wolf had already set its sights on the group.

Lin Feng swallowed nervously, gripping the Level 2 Revolver in his hand tightly, ready for action.

Ding Yi showed a hint of fear in her eyes; being targeted by such a fierce and cunning beast was not a good thing:

“Exactly, and Desert Wolves rarely act alone. They’re pack animals, so if there’s one, it means there’s an entire Wolf Pack behind it.”

This mutant Giant Wolf was already a challenge for Lin Feng; if there was a pack, everyone would become prey for the wolves.

Chen Shanshan squinted her eyes, observing from behind, and slowly spoke:

“No need to worry, this is an old wolf, its fur already turning yellow and white, not very strong, maybe just Level 7 at most.”

“Such old Desert Wolves are usually ostracized, acting as the outskirts pathfinders, located at least ten kilometers from the core Wolf Pack.”

“It hasn’t howled yet, meaning it’s still observing us, evaluating our strength, likely following the Scavenger Vulture, attracted by the smell of decay, intending to swallow the prey alone.”

“We have enough fresh water now; let’s wait it out, and if things don’t work out, we can catch up with the main force.”

Seeing the leader’s confident assessment based on her rich wasteland experience, the other two relaxed slightly.

Lin Feng sat back down, handed the water bottle to the two, and continued to inquire about the classification of strength in the wasteland, to assess the current situation and determine whether the three of them could counterattack the trailing Deserted Old Wolf.

Ding Yi withdrew her gaze, weaving feathers in her hand, while responding:

“It’s said to be left by our ancestors from long ago. Before becoming an Evolver, one must undergo three major enhancements, known as Enhanced People. These enhancements are further divided into Level 9—the first three levels are Early-stage Enhanced People, with strength increasing from a hundred kilograms to three hundred kilograms; humans were generally at this level before.”

“I’m a Level 1 Enhanced Person, and most Initial Awakened in the wasteland are around this level.”

“Levels 4 to 6 are Mid-stage Enhanced People, with strength around half a ton, the backbone of Deserters. Qi Mountain, who was the deputy leader before, is a Level 6 Enhanced Person, and his subordinates are around Level 4 and Level 5.”

“Above that are Level 7 to Level 9 Late-stage Enhanced People, the top tier among Deserters, with strength nearing a ton. The leader, along with the three people involved in the recent negotiation, including Li Hu, are all in this category.”

“That’s why the situation earlier was exceptionally dangerous; despite their seemingly friendly demeanor, once they decide to act, they are as ruthlessly aggressive as a Desolate Beast…”

“Thinking back, your decision to trade the Vulture Breast Meat was wise; aside from you, it’s the most valuable item in the team, exchanging it for the much-needed fresh water to dissuade their motives.”

Lin Feng was still pondering his own power level when he heard Ding Yi’s explanation, and he earnestly clarified:

“I didn’t think that far ahead; I just want to avoid catching up with the large group too early. It’s crowded there, and there’s no telling who might use unscrupulous means to take me away, leaving no future guarantees.”

“Our combat ability is zero; if you go to trade, you’re likely to be targeted, and the leader can’t protect himself if anything happens to us both.”

“Considering everything, it’s better to exchange for some urgently needed fresh water, and after a few days when I’m more tanned, we’ll head over together.”

Upon realizing Lin Feng was concerned about being taken advantage of, Ding Yi and the other exchanged looks at his serious expression, unable to hold back their laughter.

Chen Shanshan removed her face mask, picked up one of the five bottles of water, took a sip, and carefully poured the rest into her waist water bag.

It was a leather water bag, looking quite old.

This was Lin Feng’s first time seeing the leader’s face. Her wheat-toned skin had a scar stretching from the right cheek to the lip and chin, resembling a sinister centipede.

But the leader’s eyes were very clear, her face lacking the deep lines found on other female Deserters.

Noticing Lin Feng’s gaze, Chen Shanshan put her cloth face mask back on and introduced herself:

“I am currently an Level 8 Enhanced Person.”

“Level 9 Enhanced People are just a step away from becoming Evolvers, yet the qualitative leap creates a gap as wide as a chasm between them. An Evolver can easily suppress an attack by more than ten Enhanced People, not to mention their most vital ability.”

“Upon evolution, one awakens a Superpower.”

Saying this, Chen Shanshan turned back to look at Lin Feng and the new Revolver in his hand:

“This is also the foundation for an Evolver’s survival.”

Lin Feng didn’t evade, displaying the Revolver in his hand. The leader’s strength could crush ten of him, and since they were now a team, he openly explained:

“I discovered upon waking that my body’s Energy can optimize weapons and equipment.”

He omitted the mention of the Upgrade System and chose a different explanation.

Hearing the man openly admit this, the two women were surprised, especially Ding Yi, whose eyes gleamed:

“So that means, Lin Feng, you were already an Evolver before!?”

The power and status of an Evolver were indisputable, revered by all Deserters.

Lin Feng glanced at the Level 2 on his panel, with a twitch in his lips, quickly explaining that he doesn’t recall his past, and his current strength was just slightly superior to Ding Yi.

Chen Shanshan added:

“Even without becoming an Evolver, during the Late-stage Level 7 enhancement, there’s a chance to awaken a Superpower, though it’s less than a ten percent probability.”

“I was fortunate to be one of them, awakening a sensing and detection ability, allowing me to locate resources left behind after the leading force sweeps through, including survivors.”

“Lin Feng might have been just a Late-stage Enhanced Person, as if he were an Evolver, it’s unlikely the major forces would overlook him.”

Ding Yi nodded in half-understanding.

Lin Feng narrowed his eyes; it made sense why Li Hu and the others wished for Chen Shanshan to join them, even inviting her more than once.

Sensing-type auxiliary Superpower is indeed powerful.

Especially in the resource-scarce, perilous wasteland, finding food and avoiding danger is of paramount importance.

After chatting and taking a brief rest, Lin Feng stood up slowly, feeling an emptiness in his stomach, and then focused on the Desert Wolf slowly approaching from several hundred meters away:

“I need more food, especially energy-rich meat, to continue evolving and restore my strength.”

“We have to find a way to deal with this old Desert Wolf.”

Ding Yi put down her work, looking surprised at the man before her.

His ideas were always strikingly original.

The humble teams of Deserters, upon encountering a Desert Wolf, always chose to flee, yet he was considering a counterattack.

Chen Shanshan furrowed her brows slightly:

“The Desert Wolf is not like the Scavenger Vulture; they are smarter and more cunning, capable of piercing your throat with a single bite and snapping your neck. A slight mishap, and you’d fall victim to the wolves.”

“Moreover, carnivores are distinct from herbivores; they are natural hunters and killing machines, seldom do Deserter teams proactively hunt them.”

“We are only three people; this is too risky.”

Lin Feng understood the danger involved.

But given the current situation, they were caught between the main force and the Desert Wolf, with other Deserter teams eyeing them in the front, and the Wolf Pack trailing behind.

Resolving the immediate problem was the only way to gain breathing room.

With this in mind, Lin Feng firmly said:

“Despite the dangers, it’s just an old Desert Wolf; its abilities definitely aren’t what they used to be, and it wishes to monopolize our resources, which is an opportunity.”

“No matter how clever or cunning a beast is, it’s still a beast, unable to control its greedy desires. If we show enough flaws, we’re sure to lure it in.”

Chen Shanshan glanced at him, then at the remaining minced meat provisions on the cart.

Eight Sea Buckthorn Grass Rhizomes, one piece of Vulture Breast Meat, and three dried pounds of minced meat and innards were left.

These would certainly suffice for two days, but such items could not exchange for any resources at the Holy Spring Gathering.

Lin Feng was right; for a team of only three to survive, they must take risks to hunt, to regain the resources that Qi Mountain had taken.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Shanshan focused on him, handing over the steel rod in her hand:

“See if you can optimize it.”

Lin Feng took it, finding this unimpressive, worn-out steel rod surprisingly heavy, requiring effort to lift it single-handedly with his two hundred kilograms of strength.

As he touched it, perception results appeared in his eyes:

“Unknown Titanium Gun, Level Unknown, Quality Unknown”

“Basic Attributes: Damage 20, Durability 4/10, can consume 1 Life Value to restore 1 Durability”

“Evaluation: Suspected relic of prehistoric advanced civilization, Host Level too low to analyze”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep