Chapter 40 - Su Mu Is the Real One

Chapter 40: Su Mu Is the Real One

In his final moments, Chital managed to escape Turde’s ambush—but only just. With his heart pierced, survival was impossible.

His gaze fell upon the last Level 1 survivor from their nation, sprawled lifeless in a pool of blood. It required no explanation; the betrayal was obvious.

“Turde, why?!” Chital’s voice trembled, weak but seething with betrayal.

“This is the apocalypse, my friend,” Turde replied, his tone calm and calculated. “Besides, our objective is clear: surpass that despicable Dragon Nation guy. Consolidating the rewards onto one person makes the most sense, don’t you think?” He smiled coldly. “It’s the only way to ensure our victory over him.”

“You…!” Chital choked on blood, fury and despair burning in his fading eyes. Summoning the last of his strength, he opened the Wasteland Channel and quickly typed a message:

[User1: Turde is not trustworthy!

].

As his final words appeared, Chital collapsed, his vision going dark.

But in the massive flow of two billion survivors’ chatter, his message was buried in mere moments. Only a few lucky individuals caught it before it vanished into the stream.

Moments later, a Wasteland Announcement broadcast echoed across the apocalyptic world:

[Wasteland Announcement: Congratulations to the Shelter Leader, Turde, for slaying the Level 10 Apocalypse Boss, becoming the second survivor to achieve a boss kill.

].

[Wasteland Announcement: Survivors, continue striving toward the position of the Eternal King!

].

The announcement ignited a flurry of excitement on the Wasteland Forum.

[User2: Hahaha, see? I told you Turde is a legend!

].

[User3: He’s incredible! A true boss-slaying powerhouse!

].

[User4: Just wait, Turde will hit Level 3 soon, and then he’ll crush that Dragon Nation guy, Su Mu!

].

But not everyone was convinced.

[User5: Heh, don’t get ahead of yourselves. Just because the leaderboard hasn’t updated doesn’t mean Su Mu’s stopped progressing.

].

[User6: Oh, really? Then take a look at this: image.JPG.

].

The image showed Chital’s final message alongside a screenshot confirming his sudden disappearance from the leaderboard, where he’d ranked 82nd.

[User7: It seems your so-called warrior isn’t as trustworthy as you think.

].

[User8: Chital’s message? That’s suspicious…

].

[User9: So what? It’s the apocalypse—trust means nothing here. Strength is everything.

].

[User10: Keep defending him. Just don’t cry when Turde backstabs you next.

].

[User9: If Chital got tricked, it’s his own fault for being careless.

].

…

Chital’s final message barely caused a ripple in the masses. In the Wasteland, betrayal was par for the course. Most survivors simply chalked it up to his lack of caution.

But some began noticing a different issue.

[User11: Hold up. The announcement didn’t mention the World Blessing.

].

[User12: True. When Su Mu killed the first boss, he got the blessing. Why didn’t Turde?

].

[User13: Maybe the blessing only applies to the first kill?

].

[User14: That doesn’t sound right. Wasteland rewards usually extend something to subsequent killers.

].

[User15: Or maybe Turde has something to hide. No blessing means something’s off.

].

…

While the forum buzzed with debate, Turde stood in the dark cave, frustrated. The World Blessing hadn’t appeared. Why?

“Hmph, it must only apply to the first boss-killer,” he muttered, clenching his fists. “It doesn’t matter. Su Mu’s so-called advantage is temporary. I’ll surpass him soon enough.”

Trying to console himself, Turde began collecting the boss’s loot.

But before he could finish, another Wasteland Announcement rang out, shattering his illusion of superiority:

[Wasteland Announcement: Congratulations to the Shelter Master Su Mu for defeating the Level 18 Apocalypse Boss, becoming the third survivor to achieve a boss kill and receiving the World Blessing effect.

].

[We hope all survivors continue striving toward the position of the Eternal King.

].

The Wasteland Forum exploded once again.

[User16: Someone struggles with a Level 10 boss and thinks they’re hot stuff. Meanwhile, Su Mu solos a Level 18 boss. Bow down.

].

[User17: Dragon Nation supremacy confirmed. Su Mu’s already leagues ahead.

].

[User18: Impossible! You guys must be cheating!

].

[User17: Oh, sure. But when you gang up to kill a Level 10 boss, it’s fair play, right? Hypocrites.

].

[User19: Su Mu, please let me tag along! I’ll even take leftovers!

].

[User20: Notice how Su Mu got the World Blessing, but Turde didn’t? The truth is obvious.

].