Mortar?

[Solar Panel

Crafting Materials:

High-Grade Metal Plate x25 + Electrical Wire x25 = Solar Panel x1]

[Craft]

[Solar Panel x1 Crafted]

[Acquired 100xp]

The same thing with the house and the planter, summoning the solar panel out of the inventory, conjures a 3D image of its likeness. It was nearly as long as the metal walls, and was as wide. The panels were horizontally slanted to face the rays of Thyra.

I chose to place it beside the right wall of the shelter where the star would be able to shine on it for the whole day.

[Solar Panel

Converts Solar Power into electricity. Produces 20 units of energy.]

Once built, the appearance was fully revealed. It had blue-colored solar cells and was encased by metal all around. A metal frame propped up the entire structure. Behind, a two-meter cord was attached, to connect it to a generator

[Solar Generator

Crafting Materials:

High-Grade Metal Plate x25 + Large Battery x1= Solar Generator x1]

[Craft]

[Solar Generator x1 Crafted]

[Acquired 80xp]

It was heavier than I thought, but I summoned it just right behind the panels. I reached for the cord and then connected it to the generator. A notification popped up.

[Solar Generator Active]

Then came the last of the tasks.

[Light Bulb

Crafting Materials:

Metal Scraps x10 + Small Battery x1 = Light Bulb x1]

[Craft]

[Light Bulb x2 Crafted]

[Acquired 10xp]

When they were in my hands, a green circle appeared around the Solar Generator, to indicate the range of the area it covers. Fortunately, it covered almost the entirety of the shelter.

I rushed inside, the light bulbs still in hand. When I looked at the ceiling, a small window appeared.

[Place]

When I selected the option, one of the light bulbs was instantly installed in the center of the ceiling. After a couple of seconds flickering, the light bulb produced light.

To fully illuminate the shelter, I placed the other bulb on the other side. And just like that, I acquired electric power in a dead world. The whole place was given a whole different vibe, from gloomy to a more lively atmosphere.

[Advanced Tutorial Tasks (Power Source) Finished]

[Obtained EEL-5 Mortar Blueprint]

"What the fudge." I blurted out, surprised that the 'random' in random blueprint, was that random.

I wasn't complaining however and like a child running towards a Christmas tree in Christmas Eve, I summoned the crafting window.

[EEL-5 Mortar

EEL-Mortar Blueprint x1 + Low-Grade Metal Scraps x200 = EEL-5 Mortar x1]

"How many hours before sundown?" I asked the bot for the time, my mind already set in stone.

<Seven hours>

The kid in me overcame my reason. I knew that I wouldn't have a need for an artillery piece, but what man wouldn't want to see it in action and much more a work of his own hands.

For the second time that day, I went down the plateau, and more excited than I was in the morning. The bot did not speak anything about the decision.

I encountered two packs of common rat during the second run, and I chose to deal with it myself. When the threat was dealt with, it was the metal piles' turn to receive my wrath.

After several hours and nearly a hundred piles, I had the necessary materials. When I left, about half of the metal piles that were there in the beginning have been scavenged. But yet again, I did not give it much thought.

When I returned to the plateau, crafting the mortar was the first thing I did.

[EEL-5 Mortar x1 Crafted]

[Acquired 200xp]

[You have leveled up]

I set it up near the cliff, right where I conduct my shooting practice. It was smaller than I have expected it to be, but apart from that, it looked similar to the ones I have seen in war movies.

When it was ready, I realized something. Unlike the guns, it did not come with free ammo. So, I scanned the crafting list for one.

[Low-Grade Mortar Shell

Gunpowder x10 + Metal Scraps x10 = Low-Grade Mortar Shell x1]

[Craft]

[Low-Grade Mortar Shell x1]

There were better shells, but unfortunately, I have run out of gunpowder. It did not matter much though, all I wanted was to try it out.

I had no idea how to fire a mortar, but I have seen soldiers in videos do it. And all they did was dropped the shell unto the tilted mortar.

The bot gave no hints of disapproval, and I took it as a sign that I was not doing something life-threatening.

After a deep breath, I placed the shell in front of the tube. Hesitation took over for about a minute. Then, with a sigh, just let go.

A loud thud sounded, and the shell flew right out of the tube less than a second when I dropped it. I barely saw it and were it not for the smoke, I would have questioned my eyes.

Moments later, a distant explosion reached my ear. Northwards, to which the mortar was facing, about a kilometer away, a small cloud of smoke arose.

I pulled out my rifle, and through the scopes tried to determine the damage. It landed on the ground and created a small crater. A little underwhelming, but the kind of explosion I was thinking of were created by artillery cannons.

Not to mention, I was using the shell with the lowest quality. I plan to craft better shells for it sometime, but with my curiosity appeased, I lowered it in my priority list.

The star was setting and with two hours left in the day, I began my shooting practice. 60 shots, 20 hit the bullseye, 30 near it and 10 wild misses. A result that brought a good ending to my day.

When Thyra finally slipped into the horizon, the brightness of the new light bulbs revealed itself. Inside was even brighter than day, and it shooed away my sleepiness for several more hours.

I spent the time scrolling through items and tasks, and ended up crafting a new Locmann Pistol. As for what to do when Thyra rises again, I chose to do another Advanced Tutorial Task, tempted with obtaining another 'random blueprint'. Who knows what I'll get next time?