Surviving the apocalypse with a wife and a system! [GL]

Chapter 293: The golden fruit 4.

Bai Li, however, was not most people.

She asked another question.

"How long do I have before the fruit is taken?"

"The system cannot determine which individual will successfully reach the fruit first."

"That is not what I asked."

"The fruit has already matured. The longer it remains in its current location, the greater the number of creatures that will be attracted to it."

Bai Li’s lips curved slightly.

"So basically, the sooner I go, the better."

"Yes."

"Can the fruit leave the tree on its own?"

"No."

"Can a monster eat it?"

"Yes."

"And if a zombie eats it?"

"It will absorb the life and mutation energy within the fruit, potentially undergoing a major evolutionary change."

Bai Li’s expression became slightly cold.

"So if a high-level zombie gets it first, things could become much worse."

"Yes."

"How much worse?"

"The resulting mutation cannot be predicted with certainty. However, the probability of the individual increasing its evolutionary level is very high."

Bai Li fell silent again.

That was enough.

She did not need the system to explain what would happen if one of those monsters suddenly became stronger.

The apocalypse was already dangerous enough.

There was another thought that suddenly crossed her mind.

"What happens if an ordinary person eats the fruit?"

"They may become much stronger physically."

"And if they awaken a superpower?"

"The type of superpower depends on their individual constitution and mutation potential. The fruit does not determine the exact ability."

"So it could be anything?"

"Not anything. The ability will generally develop in a direction compatible with the individual’s body and mental characteristics."

Bai Li nodded slowly.

"That means someone with a strong defensive constitution might awaken a defensive ability, while someone with another kind of potential could develop something completely different."

"Correct."

"And if someone already has a superpower?"

"The fruit may strengthen it, improve its stability, increase energy reserves, repair damage caused by excessive use, and potentially trigger evolution."

Bai Li’s eyes narrowed again.

"How many times can someone eat it?"

"One fruit per individual."

"Why?"

"The first consumption will push the body toward its current maximum adaptation. After the energy has been completely absorbed, consuming another Golden Fruit of the same origin would provide severely reduced benefits."

Bai Li nodded.

That made sense.

"Can the fruit be stored?"

"Yes, but its energy will slowly decline after being removed from the tree. It should be consumed as soon as possible for maximum benefit."

"What if someone tries to take it and save it for later?"

"They may, but doing so is inefficient."

Bai Li’s mind kept turning.

The more she learned, the more obvious it became that this was not simply a valuable item.

It was a turning point.

Someone who obtained that fruit could create a much stronger survivor. A person who had once been weak might become awakened. Someone already powerful might become even stronger. A badly injured person might recover. Someone whose body had been pushed to its limits might gain a new foundation.

In the apocalypse, that could change everything.

Bai Li glanced toward Yan Cijin again.

She did not realize that her expression had softened slightly while she was looking at her.

If they could obtain the fruit, it would give everyone around them another layer of protection.

LiLi was still young. Yan Cijin was strong, but surviving did not become easy simply because someone was strong. There were too many unknown dangers ahead. Too many stronger monsters could appear. Too many things could change overnight.

The fruit could give them another chance.

And that chance was worth taking.

But Bai Li was not stupid enough to mistake value for safety.

She had one final question.

"System."

"Yes, host?"

"Just how difficult is it to get this thing?"

The system’s answer came after a short pause.

"The difficulty is extremely high."

Bai Li waited.

The system continued.

"The Inorbit Supermall is expected to become one of the most dangerous areas in Jiangbei City after the Golden Fruit matures. High-level zombies and mutated monsters are being drawn toward the location from the surrounding area. Their numbers will continue to increase. Human survivors who become aware of the fruit will also attempt to enter the mall. Some may cooperate. Others may attack each other. The stronger individuals will have the greatest desire to claim the fruit because they understand its value."

Bai Li listened quietly.

"The top floor itself will also be dangerous. The Pomelo Tree has grown under abnormal evolutionary conditions. Its surrounding area contains extremely high concentrations of mutated energy. There may be mutated plants, hostile insects, hidden creatures, or other evolved life-forms occupying the same area. The tree is unlikely to be unguarded."

Bai Li raised an eyebrow.

"The tree has its own guardian?"

"Not necessarily. However, any strong creature that discovers the tree and recognizes the value of the Golden Fruit may remain nearby in order to protect its opportunity to consume it."

Bai Li let out a soft breath.

"So even if I get through the entrance, reach the top floor, and find the tree, I still have to deal with everything waiting there."

"Yes."

"And all the creatures will be fighting each other too?"

"Yes."

"That sounds messy."

"The situation is expected to be extremely chaotic."

Bai Li almost smiled.

At least the system was not exaggerating.

She could already imagine it.

Countless zombies gathering around the mall.

Mutated monsters tearing through the streets.

Awakened humans pushing their way inside.

People fighting each other before they even reached the top floor.

And somewhere above all of that, hidden inside a mutated garden on the highest floor of the building, a single golden fruit hanging from a Pomelo Tree.

A fruit that every creature wanted.

A fruit that could change the fate of whoever consumed it.

A fruit that could make an ordinary human awaken a superpower.

A fruit that could push an awakened person even further.

A fruit valuable enough to make the entire city fight over it.

.

.

.

TO BE CONTINUED.