Chapter 3: I Got a Cheat

Chapter 3: I Got a Cheat

“Wait... if all humans on Earth were transported here, into this hell... is Zoey here too?!”

Jack’s stomach dropped, a cold spike of sheer panic piercing straight through the suffocating heat. Zoey couldn't even stand a hot summer day back home without turning on the air conditioner. How was she supposed to survive a apocalyptic wasteland starting at 60°C?! Without immediate shelter, cooling, and water, she wouldn't last a day—maybe not even a few hours.

“How can she survive this?! She can't possibly live outside in a civilization, let alone this hell!”

Before his spiraling thoughts could consume him, another series of sharp chime sounds resonated directly in his mind, popping up a glowing blue interface in front of his face as if the system was determined to keep piling on notifications.

[All survivors, please select your Class Path as soon as possible.]

[Currently available Class Archetypes:]

Lord of the Dead (Necromancy / Army Command / Undead Summoning)

Wasteland Tamer (Beast Mastery / Creature Breeding / Scouting)

Mechanic Sovereign (Technology / Automated Turrets / Machinery)

Void Assassin (Agility / High Single-Target Burst / Stealth)

Territory Architect (Base-Building / Structural Durability / Resource Buffs)

Jack stared at the five options, his mind racing through his years of hard-core gaming experience.

“I don’t know if the mechanics will stay exactly like [Max Difficulty Survival], but every class here has its own clear pros and cons,” Jack muttered aloud, tapping his chin as he analyzed the choices. “Mechanic Sovereign and Territory Architect are insane late-game classes, but starting with them in a 60°C furnace is basically suicide—you'll burn through resources you don't even have yet. Void Assassin is useless for territorial defense, and Wasteland Tamer requires finding wild beasts that haven't already roasted alive.”

His eyes locked firmly onto the first option.

“The best option right now is 'Lord of the Dead',” Jack decided, a sharp glint in his eyes. “Undead units don't sweat, they don't get heatstroke, and best of all—unless the system changed the rules—they don't need food or a single drop of water to function. In an environment where water is worth more than gold, having an army of infinite, tireless workers who can mine and build in 60°C heat is an absolute game-changer.”

He raised his hand and tapped the selection.

[Congratulations! You have successfully chosen the class: Lord of the Dead.]

“Alright... I guess that’s the best start I could ask for,” Jack exhaled, clenching his fists. “Now I just need to power up as fast as humanly possible, build a secure base, and find Zoey before it’s too late.”

Before he could even open his skill tab, the system interface suddenly glitched. Golden, blinding light burst from the screen, drowning out the blue hue with a series of sharp, private chime notifications inside his head.

[System Notice: Due to Survivor 'Jack Mercer' possessing an extraordinary Luck attribute, a unique origin fate has been triggered!]

[You have awakened the SSS-Rank Hidden Talent: 'Infinite Enhancement'!]

[Infinite Enhancement (SSS-Rank Hidden Talent):]

Description: The user can earn Enhancement Points by slaying monsters, completing objectives, or refining rare materials.

Effect: Enhancement Points can be expended to permanently enhance ANYTHING under the user's control—including weapons, gear, base structures, raw materials, skills, and summoned undead units—boosting their base stats exponentially and unlocking unique, legendary special traits.

Jack froze, his eyes scanning the golden text over and over again until the words fully sank in.

A slow, wild grin spread across his face.

“HOLY CRAP!!!!! I got a cheat!”

“That’s perfect...” Jack murmured, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes as his mind raced with possibilities. “If I can enhance anything, can’t I use this on my own body to raise my heat tolerance? That way, I won't feel like I'm roasting in this fucking unholy, insane hell the moment I step outside the shrine's aura.”

He focused his intent, calling up the talent interface to check his available balance.

[Infinite Enhancement Points: 2]

Without hesitation, he focused on his own body's base resilience stats and selected the heat adaptation trait.

[Prompt: Expend 1 Enhancement Point to enhance 'Heat Tolerance'?]

“Do it,” Jack confirmed inwardly.

A sudden, warm wave of energy washed over his skin and lungs.

[Enhancement Successful!]

[Trait Acquired: Heat Tolerance +1]

[Effect: Increases bodily thermal resistance. Ambient temperatures up to 60°C will feel like a manageable 30°C to your physical body.]

Jack took a cautious step forward, crossing the glowing perimeter line and stepping completely outside the shrine's safe zone into the open wasteland.

He took a deep breath, testing the air. The harsh, scorching heat outside—which would have normally scorched his lungs and felt like inhaling liquid fire—was suddenly mild, feeling more like a warm afternoon breeze on a summer beach.

“Perfect! This power is completely broken,” Jack grinned, stretching his arms. “Now, let’s inspect the actual territory.”

He looked around his starting safe zone. Floating at the center was the glowing blue crystal spire, radiating a soft dome of chill air.

“The shrine's safe zone seems to cover a 50-meter radius,” Jack noted, analyzing the layout with his gamer instincts. “And just like in Max Difficulty Survival, there’s a small wooden house built right beside the shrine—perfect for sleeping and storing supplies without worrying about ambient hazards.”

He tapped the screen to clear the main window. “Alright, now let’s check the rest of these system notifications...”

Before he could tap the log, a loud, irritated groan echoed from inside the wooden house.

“What the fuck is this annoying voice out here?! Can’t you let a person sleep for a damn minute?!”

Jack froze in his tracks, his eyes snapping toward the wooden door as his mouth dropped open.

“What the...”

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