Su Han, gripping Xiao Ling's hand, burst from the street corner and sprinted towards the residential district. People trapped in the high-rise buildings spotted him, leaning out windows, waving frantically for help. He ignored them, diving into the nearest apartment building and forcing open the first unlocked door.
A bed was easily found in the bedroom. He punched it apart and stuffed the pieces into his inventory. Next, he ransacked the apartment. The fridge yielded vegetables and bread, all swiftly claimed. Xiao Ling rummaged through a wardrobe, blushing furiously as she discreetly pocketed unfamiliar undergarments along with a few changes of clothes.
Su Han's search turned up a hammer, a kitchen cleaver, a spatula, a wok, and a dumbbell. *Metal! Perfect for synthesis!* He pulled out the Random Synthesis Table and placed the spatula and wok inside.
*Ding~*
**[Wok Shield]**
*...Unexpected.* He tossed in the hammer and dumbbell next.
*Ding~*
**[Existence vs. Essence]**
*Huh? An art piece? Too avant-garde…* He added the cleaver.
*Ding~*
**[Chinese Army Knife]**
Su Han stared at the multi-tool amalgamation, deep in thought. *This Synthesis Table's logic is completely opaque!* Shaking his head, he stowed the Army Knife and Wok Shield. *Useless to me, but someone might buy them.* Packing away the table, he pulled Xiao Ling downstairs.
Avoiding the main road, they navigated side streets towards the police station. Sixteen minutes later, they arrived, only to find a crowd of about a dozen people, including officers, clustered outside. Shockingly, firearms lay discarded near the entrance – roughly ten pistols and ten shotguns.
*Why leave guns unused?* Puzzled, Su Han edged closer to eavesdrop.
A blocky man in a chief's uniform gestured north. "We head for the capital! Seek reinforcements!"
Immediately, someone countered, "Pointless! Ballistics aren't native to this world. Damage output is capped at 0.01 per hit! Finding help won't matter. We need to focus on quests!" Arguments erupted.
Su Han silently pushed through the crowd towards the weapons. All eyes turned to him.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!* Guns vanished into his inventory.
A young officer rushed forward. "Hey! Civilians can't touch police weapons!"
Su Han paused, looking up with a faint smile. "Planning to lug these paperweights to the capital? I've only got a wooden sword; let me use them as clubs. As thanks, I'll share a secret."
"What secret?"
"The zombies are evolving soon. Better finish your quests and power up." *Total lie!* He resumed collecting the guns. Gasps and murmurs swept through the crowd.
"Evolving?! Damn it, I'm not done yet! Gotta go!"
"Party up! I'm Puppetmaster Path!"
"Guardian here!"
"Guardian too!"
Groups quickly formed and scattered. Seizing the chaos, Su Han slipped away with Xiao Ling.
Navigating the city's backstreets took hours. Finally, the substation came into view. They dispatched stray zombies as they approached, but the number of shambling figures near the substation grew denser. Su Han stopped at a vantage point. Over a hundred zombies milled within the fenced area. Charging in meant suicide.
*Lure them one by one? That'd take forever!* He stroked his chin, watching the blocky sun bleed crimson onto the horizon. The bloody dusk amplified Xiao Ling's fear. Tentatively, she gripped his arm. Glancing sideways and seeing only deep concentration on his face, not panic, she tightened her hold.
Three minutes later, inspiration struck. *My speed outpaces theirs. Lure the entire horde, then use the floating shelter tactic from last night!* He checked his inventory: 68 planks – enough for another box shelter! Without hesitation, he pulled Xiao Ling towards the substation.
Terrified by the direct charge, Xiao Ling's legs trembled. Only his iron grip kept her from collapsing. She watched in horror as he sprinted a full circuit around the perimeter. Over a hundred zombies locked onto them, roaring, forming a terrifying tide at their heels. Once certain he had the entire horde, Su Han veered sharply into the substation entrance. Before the zombies could flood in, he scooped Xiao Ling onto his shoulder and rapidly stacked six blocks beneath his feet. A glance down confirmed the zombies matched last night's type. Relieved, he expanded the platform and began building the shelter.
Five minutes later, as the final block sealed the roof, the piercing air raid siren tore through the air. Zombie roars intensified, signaling the start of Night Three's assault. Xiao Ling clung to Su Han, trembling uncontrollably, soft whimpers escaping her lips. He patted her blocky head reassuringly with one hand while placing the Random Synthesis Table with the other.
*Ten shotguns, ten pistols. Worth a shot.* He placed one shotgun and one pistol into the grid.
*Ding~*
**[Iron Chain]**
*Useless. Again.*
*Ding~*
**[Iron Apple]**
*Harder, not better! Next!*
*Ding~*
**[Steel Fishing Rod]**
*WTF... Well, better than chains.* He added another shotgun, pistol, and a wooden stick.
*Ding~*
**[Iron Pickaxe]**
"Wh—?!" He rubbed his blocky eyes in disbelief. *An actual Iron Pickaxe! I can mine now!* Ecstatic, he snatched it up instantly, paranoid the table might reclaim it. Safely stowing it in his hotbar, he placed another trio of materials (shotgun, pistol, stick) into the table.
*Ding~*
**[Iron Gauntlets]**
*Pure randomness... But at least it's a weapon. Sell it later.* This time, he tried a shotgun, pistol, and… the flint and steel.
*Ding~*
**[Dragon's Breath Iron Ring]**
*A ring?* He inspected it.
**[Dragon's Breath Iron Ring]**
**[Quality: Tier 2 - Fine]**
**[Attribute Bonus: Grants Equipment Skill]**
**[Equipment Skill: Wyrmfire Blast (Cost: 3 months lifespan. Summons a draconic head to unleash a sweeping cone of fire.)]**