I transmigrated to a chaotic world and became the sole player.

Zhang Kui's burly body blocked most of the light from the cave entrance, casting a somber shadow. But the look of surprise on his face was like a pebble thrown into stagnant water, creating a cold ripple in Lu Zhao's heart.

The upgrade brought not only a complete recovery of his physical condition, but also a sense of confidence derived from the data itself. Power surged through his limbs, and although it only increased from 0.6 to 0.8, it was a world of difference compared to his previous weakness. More importantly, his health and stamina were now fully restored!

Zhang Kui was clearly bewildered by the scene inside the cave. He had imagined Lu Zhao to be on the verge of death from the snake bite, or even already a corpse, not like this—his eyes were sharp, his steps were steady, and he even carried an aura that sent chills down his spine.

"You...you're not dead?" Zhang Kui instinctively took a half step back, then flew into a rage, feeling incredibly ashamed to have been frightened by a mere brat. He roared, his voice trembling with fear, "Playing tricks! Even if you weren't bitten to death by a snake, I'll make sure you die today!"

He suddenly reached out, trying to pull Lu Zhao out of the cave.

It's now!

Lu Zhao moved! Instead of dodging, he charged forward to meet Zhang Kui's hand! The moment he burst out of the cave, he lowered his body and center of gravity, using the simplest move, "Wild Boar Charge," slamming his shoulder into Zhang Kui's abdomen!

"Bang!"

A dull thud resounded.

"Ugh!" Zhang Kui was completely taken aback by Lu Zhao's willingness to retaliate, and he was even more surprised that the boy seemed to be much stronger than yesterday. He felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen and was knocked backward, almost falling to the ground.

[Initiate an impact! Inflict damage on Zhang Kui!]

[Zhang Kui's Health: 100% → 94%]

Lu Zhao pressed his advantage relentlessly, giving Zhang Kui no chance to catch his breath. He remembered the weakness highlighted by the yellow exclamation mark yesterday—the armpit! Taking advantage of Zhang Kui's momentary lapse in concentration as he bent over to clutch his stomach, Lu Zhao clenched his left fist and, using all the power he had gained after the upgrade, delivered a powerful punch to Zhang Kui's right armpit!

"Crack!" A soft, teeth-grinding snap. It sounded like a rib breaking.

"Agh—!" Zhang Kui let out a pig-like scream, his right arm drooping down instantly, his face as pale as paper, and cold sweat pouring down his face.

[Trigger a weakness attack! Deals critical damage!]

[Zhang Kui's Health: 94% → 73%! Additional Status: Severe Arm Injury (Loss of Most Function)!]

All of this happened in the blink of an eye! It wasn't until Zhang Kui screamed and fell to the ground that his two henchmen reacted, rushing over in shock and anger.

"Big brother!"

"You're asking for it!"

Lu Zhao's eyes turned cold as he bent down and quickly picked up the rusty woodcutter's knife that Zhang Kui had dropped. The weapon in his hand, though broken, gave him a sense of security. He assumed an unorthodox but sufficiently wary stance, the knife held horizontally in front of him, his gaze sweeping over his two henchmen.

When the two henchmen saw their leader's arm crippled in a single exchange, and then saw Lu Zhao wielding a sharp blade with a fierce look in his eyes, their momentum immediately diminished. They slowed their pace, shouting insults with bluster but not daring to actually fight back.

Lu Zhao ignored them, his gaze falling on Zhang Kui, who was rolling on the ground groaning in pain. Zhang Kui's health bar was down to 73%, and it was still slowly decreasing due to his [Severely Injured] status.

Kill him?

A chilling thought flashed through my mind. According to the rules of this world, killing this scoundrel would likely yield experience points. Moreover, it would be a good way to nip the problem in the bud and prevent future trouble.

Lu Zhao slightly raised the wood-chopping knife, his breathing becoming rapid. He wasn't a bloodthirsty person, but Zhang Kui had repeatedly tried to kill him, which had become a deep-seated grudge.

However, when he caught a glimpse of the refugees standing and watching in the distance, their faces filled with fear and numbness, his hand, which had been holding a machete, paused.

Killing Zhang Kui here might feel satisfying, but what then? He would be seen as a murderer. In the eyes of the refugees, what difference would there be between him and scoundrels like Zhang Kui? What would Master Zhao think of him? How could he maintain his position in this group? It might even attract the attention of the authorities (if there were any authorities in this chaotic world).

More importantly, his "game" has only just begun. His goal is to explore the world and gain power, not to get entangled with a thug here.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhao took a deep breath and suppressed his killing intent. He walked up to Zhang Kui and patted the man's face, which was contorted in pain, with his machete.

Zhang Kui trembled with fear, stifling his screams, and stared at him in terror.

"Listen," Lu Zhao's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable chill, "I'll remember your life today. If you dare to provoke me again, or cause trouble for other refugees, I guarantee that the next thing I'll chop off is your head."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two trembling henchmen: "Take him and get out. Don't let me see you again."

The two henchmen, as if granted a pardon, rushed forward to help the almost limp Zhang Kui up, and scrambled away in the direction away from the refugee group, not daring to look back.

Watching the three figures flee in a disheveled state, Lu Zhao slowly put down his wood-chopping knife, finally having the opportunity to carefully examine the changes after the upgrade.

Name: Lu Zhao

[Level: 1 (30/200)]

【HP: 100%】

[Stamina: 100%]

【属性：力：0.8（+0.2），体：0.7（+0.2），敏：0.9（+0.2），神：1.9（+0.1）】

【Skill: Turtle Breathing Technique (Beginner) Lv1 (3/100)】

[Title: Novice Hunter (Damage against low-level non-human creatures +5%)]

【装备：破旧的麻布衣（耐久度：2/10），生鏽的柴刀（攻击力+3，耐久度：15/20）】

All attributes have been boosted, and I've also gained a title and a weapon! Although I'm still weak, I'm no longer an ant to be slaughtered at will.

He went back to the snake den and dragged out the carcass of the mutated spotted snake. It was at least a trophy; the snake meat could fill his stomach, and maybe the gall bladder and skin would be useful?

When he dragged the snake carcass out of the riverbed and returned to the vicinity of the refugees, the way all the refugees looked at him changed. No longer was it numbness or pity, but rather awe, fear, and a complex, indescribable feeling.

Master Zhao stepped forward from the crowd, looked at Lu Zhao, then at the snake carcass in his hand and the woodcutter's knife at his waist, his gaze deep, and finally turned into a long sigh: "Young man, I never expected you... Alas, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, take care of yourself."

Lu Zhao understood what the old scholar meant. The "ruthlessness" and power he displayed had certainly deterred the villains, but it might also bring more trouble.

He bowed slightly to Master Zhao: "Thank you for the cakes yesterday. Lu Zhao is not a bloodthirsty person, but only seeks to protect himself."

After saying that, he stopped talking and silently walked to the edge of the line, found a relatively clean spot to sit down, and began to deal with the snake carcass. He used a machete to skin it and remove the gall bladder, his movements clumsy but determined.

The surrounding refugees whispered among themselves, but no one dared to approach within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) of him. Only the middle-aged refugee who had previously accepted his dandelion leaves hesitated for a moment, then nodded to him from a distance, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.

Lu Zhao tore off a piece of snow-white snake meat, put it in his mouth and chewed. A fishy-sweet taste spread out, but it brought a real feeling of fullness.

He raised his head and looked at the seemingly endless official road in the distance, and at the faint outline of a low, dilapidated adobe city wall at the end of the road.

Will that be a new "map"?