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The Gray Beast's (Rank G) growl echoed through the bus's cabin, a primal sound of fury and hunger. Its red eyes fixed on Jhon through the windshield, its claws scraping furiously against the vehicle's armored side, producing a grating metallic sound but leaving no damage to the bus's sturdy armor. The creature, the size of a large wolf, had tense muscles beneath its sparse, gray fur, exuding a fetid smell of decay and savagery. The heat in the air was palpable, already approaching 40 degrees Celsius, but Jhon, immersed in the tension of combat, barely noticed it.

Jhon didn't move from his driver's seat for a moment. He watched the creature, assessing its movements. The beast tried to leap at the side of the bus, searching for a weak spot, but the armor was impenetrable. Frustrated, it retreated a few steps, crouching and preparing for a more direct attack. The unbreakable asphalt beneath its paws remained smooth and perfect.

"John, she's going to try a frontal attack! Open fire!" Loli warned, her digital voice sounding almost like a military command.

Jhon swiveled in his seat, opening the bus door with a swift, fluid motion. The Enhanced Desert Eagle in his hands felt like an extension of his arm. The Gray Beast saw the opening and advanced with surprising speed, a blurry gray figure pouncing on him.

BANG!

The sound of the Desert Eagle burst through the dry air. The loud explosion shattered the silence of the surroundings. The projectile, a pinprick of light and metal, struck the Gray Beast in the shoulder, causing it to screech and stagger to the side. It didn't fall, but its momentum was broken. Dark blood gushed from its wound, staining the arid ground, but the asphalt remained immaculate, as if repelling any stain.

The wounded creature spun furiously, its eyes flashing. It tried again to attack, but it was slower, its agility compromised.

BANG! BANG!

Two quick, precise shots. One hit the Gray Beast's head, and the other pierced its heart. It shuddered, its red eyes fixed on John for a final instant, and then, with a guttural sigh, it collapsed to the ground, a dead weight. The creature's body lay motionless, a pool of dark blood spreading around it. The battle lasted only a few seconds.

Jhon approached the creature's body cautiously, the Desert Eagle still trained. He didn't like risks. His Predatory Sense no longer detected threats. The smell of gunpowder and blood hung in the air, a vivid reminder of the fragility of life in this world.

"Threat neutralized, Jhon," Loli confirmed. "Check the drops."

Jhon bent down, examining the Gray Beast's body.

Gray Beast Hide x1 (Uncommon): A thick, tough, dark gray hide. Can be used to create light armor or protective clothing.

Sharp Fangs of the Gray Beast x2 (Uncommon): Long, sharp fangs, ideal for turning into improvised melee weapons.

Medium Creature Meat x 5 (Common): Larger chunks of meat, more substantial than small creature meat.

Pistol Ammo (Varied Caliber) x 4 (Common): Standard ammunition rounds.

"No badges, Loli," Jhon thought, a slight disappointment.

"It's understandable, Jhon. G-Rank creatures have a low chance of dropping badges. But the fangs are a good find! We can upgrade them into something interesting, or you can multiply them. And ammo is always useful too. What's your choice for the Sharp Fangs and Ammo?" Loli asked.

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The heat in the air was palpable, already approaching 40 degrees, but Jhon, immersed in the tension of combat, barely noticed it. He glanced at the options Loli offered. The Sharp Fangs of the Gray Beast were tempting.

"I'll upgrade the Sharp Fangs of the Ashen Beast into a melee weapon, a dagger," Jhon thought. "And the Pistol Ammo (Variable Caliber), I'll multiply it by 50 times."

"Great choices, Jhon!" Loli agreed. "The Sharpfang Dagger will be an excellent addition for close combat, and the extra ammo is always a vital insurance policy."

A pulsing white light enveloped the fangs in his inventory, transforming them into a sleek, lethal form.

Sharpfang Dagger (Uncommon): A curved-blade dagger forged from the fangs of an Ashen Beast. Extremely sharp and lightweight, perfect for quick and precise strikes. It features an ergonomic handle made of polished bone, providing a firm grip. Causes slight bleeding on organic targets.

The 4 pistol rounds replicated in a silent burst of energy, and where there were 4 before, there were now 200 Pistol Rounds (Varied Caliber) (Common), which Jhon quickly organized into his inventory.

Jhon put the items in his inventory. The meat would be enough for lunch and dinner. The hides would be useful later. He checked his fuel level, still plentiful. With each combat, with each upgrade, he felt his control over this new world grow.

Jhon resumed driving the bus, the engine returning to its steady roar. The battle with the Gray Beast, though brief, served to reaffirm the constant threat looming over this world. The barren landscape and skeletal trees flashed past the windows. He had collected the spoils and now focused on the next Supply Crate Loli had spotted.

"John, the box is only a few meters away now," Loli informed, her voice neutral. "The one that was near the dry tree."

Jhon slowed down and stopped the bus beside a gnarled tree, its thick, gnarled roots exposed above the parched soil. The supply crate was partially hidden among these roots, a blue metallic cube that blended into the bleak landscape, though its sheen betrayed it. The air was still, the silence broken only by the rustle of the wind in the few withered leaves of the distant trees.

He stepped off the bus, his Enhanced Desert Eagle at the ready, though his Predatory Sense indicated no immediate threat. The unbroken asphalt beneath his feet felt like a dark carpet, with no cracks or dirt visible.

Jhon approached the box and opened it. A bright green glow emanated from within.

"John! Looks like this blue box really brought something good!" Loli exclaimed, with a note of surprise. "You have three items!"

Jhon grabbed what was inside. It was a 300-liter plastic fuel can (regular), exactly the kind he already had in abundance. It included the fuel hose and shut-off valves, all perfectly intact. There was also a reinforced tire (regular) and a Level 1 badge (wheels).

"A gallon of gas, a tire, and a Wheel Badge, Loli," Jhon thought. "For the gallon of gas, I'll multiply it. For the tire, I'll upgrade it. And for the Wheel Badge, I'll upgrade it, too."

"Great choices, Jhon!" Loli agreed. "Fuel is vital, the improved tire will bring more safety, and the Wheel Badge is essential for improving the bus!"

White light enveloped the canister, and then, in the blink of an eye, 50 new 300-Liter Plastic Fuel Cans (Regular) materialized around the box, stacking neatly. Jhon quickly rearranged them and carried them into the bus's cargo hold.

The Reinforced (Regular) Tire shone brightly and transformed.

Indestructible Tactical Tire (Rare): An advanced tire made of a flexible rubber and metal compound. It's bulletproof, nail-piercing, and alligator-toothed trap-proof. Its grip is superior on any terrain, and it automatically repairs itself after minor damage.

The Level 1 Badge (Wheels) shone brightly and transformed, evolving.

Level 2 Badge (Wheels): A second-level upgrade badge for the vehicle's wheel system. Allows for further advancements in wheel durability, grip, and propulsion systems.

"Wow, Jhon! 50 more gallons of fuel! You won't have to worry about running out of gas for forever! And this Indestructible Tactical Tire is amazing! Your wheels are practically immune to any damage! And the Wheel Badge has evolved to Level 2! That's fantastic, Jhon! When all your parts are at the Maximum Level of Level 1, you'll have this Level 2 Badge to continue the evolution!", Loli cheered.

Jhon nodded to himself. Fuel was, indeed, the lifeline of this world. With this addition, his exploration capacity increased exponentially. The tire, now indestructible, was an added layer of security. And the Level 2 Wheel Badge was a promise for the future. The afternoon wore on, and the dark horizon invited further exploration.