Chapter 34: Lv11 Overhauled Camper

"Heading out together?"

Lin Feng tossed the question over his shoulder as he returned to his camper. With no takers, he shrugged and climbed in.

"Drive, let's test the waters," he instructed Chen Yanyan, as the camper sped through the toll station into the dark.

In Lin Feng's view, the Lv10 modified camper displayed upgrade point acquisition, indicating they were within the swarm's territory to earn mileage-based points.

"Activate shield form. Go faster, but don't venture deep; let's hover around the edges."

"Remove the night vision goggles; with the high beams on, they're unnecessary."

Chen Yanyan, though puzzled, followed Lin Feng's orders, toggling the waist switch to manifest the full-body shield.

Following the GPS, they cautiously navigated the swarm's fringes.

With a full tank offering 500-600 km range and four spare fuel drums, they felt secure.

Lin Feng aimed to cover eighty kilometers, meeting the camper's upgrade requirements, enhancing safety for deeper incursions.

In swarm territory, transportation was more critical for survival than offense.

Soon after Lin Feng's camper left, two other awakeners, leading their teams, ventured into the insect domain.

Qin Hu watched them depart, then ordered the others to form up, weapons ready.

Fifty rifles and grenades could easily dispatch four or five Black Spinal Bugs.

With a grenade launcher for support, this mission seemed straightforward to Qin Hu. Even if trouble arose, they could drive away.

Unlike the thrilling urban rescue, this was manageable.

Cradling his gun in the jeep's backseat, Qin Hu lit a cigarette, hoping Lin Feng's group fared well.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng's camper skirted the northern highway, staying within twenty-five kilometers of the border, cautiously exploring.

With increased mileage, the Lv10 camper gained another upgrade point, closing in on the 100 km target with seventy to go.

In Haicheng's outskirts, Chen Yanyan's familiarity with roads surpassed the others', from frequent business trips and chauffeuring Lin Youzhi.

The camper's high beams illuminated the empty streets, save for abandoned cars, adding to the eerie solitude.

Chen Yanyan's long legs gently maintained 80-90 km/h.

After half an hour, no Black Spinal Bug scouts appeared, but they spotted firelight and gunfire ahead.

A battle raged.

Lin Feng, seeing further, explained:

"That's the state armed guard, frontally blocking the swarm."

"Such intensity isn't for us. Turn back before attracting the swarm."

As he spoke, a distant explosion rocked the camper, vibrations felt through the glass from the blast wave.

Chen Yanyan nodded, braking to turn away from the battlefield.

Behind them, a mushroom cloud rose slowly.

Lin Feng peered out the window, estimating a 3,000 kg aerial bomb had caused the massive blast.

To stop the swarm from annihilating the Thirteenth Army, they'd committed significant resources.

Such a bomb could flatten a football field, with a lethal radius expanded severalfold.

Used well, it could kill hundreds of Black Spinal Bugs.

Hopefully, they'd succeed!

On the return, Lin Feng's group encountered Red Armored Beetles, drawn by the camper's lights, lurking roadside.

Lin Feng switched to Divine Handgun mode, severing their limbs with ease. Stopping, he and Liu Yueqi dispatched the disabled bugs, farming upgrade points for themselves and the Thousand Slash Blade.

They harvested carapaces, storing them atop the camper for later use.

Time constraints prevented crafting a new shield for Liu Yueqi.

Covering another forty kilometers, the camper finally accumulated enough points for an upgrade.

Upon upgrading, the Lv10 camper offered an additional option:

"Consume a self-upgrade to activate extra attributes with materials. Current matches: Red Armored Beetle carapace, Black Spinal Bug mandibles."

Delighted, Lin Feng chose to integrate both insect components.

During the upgrade, Lin Feng instructed Chen Yanyan to park at a junction, keeping high beams on to attract stray Red Armored Beetles.

This allowed farming upgrade points and materials, while reducing local beetle numbers, mitigating potential swarm threats.

Chen Yanyan practiced with the Divine Handgun replica, honing her skills.

With little else to do, Lin Feng used tools from the villa's garage to craft a shield from beetle carapaces.

After five carapaces, a new Lv4 Red Armored Shield was completed.

Adding spare parts, he called to Liu Yueqi:

"Hey, take this."

Carefully slaying a beetle, Liu Yueqi returned with its carapace:

"This is..."

Lin Feng pointed to his and Chen Yanyan's armor:

"Our armor, it can block beetle pincers, but not certain about Black Spinal Bug jaws."

Ecstatic, Liu Yueqi took the A4-sized shield as Chen Yanyan explained:

"Slip it into your back, it'll attach automatically. Use the button on your waist to switch to shield form."

Lin Feng nodded:

"Lasts a few hours, which is enough."

Returning to the camper, he monitored the upgrade progress. Without Black Spinal Bugs, the women could handle the beetles.

His Explosive Gun was reserved for Black Spinal Bugs.

The camper's exterior shimmered with red light, the upgrade progressing slowly.

Twenty minutes later, the camper's overhaul completed:

"Overhauled Camper Lv11/19, Red Quality"

"Upgrade Points: 0/10, Damage: 40, Defense: 60, Average Speed: 120 km/h, Range: 400 km"

"Extra Attributes: Bio-Armor (Defense +20), Armor-Piercing Front (Damage +20)"

"Evaluation: A hybrid bio-combat vehicle with tough armor and a hard-nosed front, formidable on the battlefield. Monitor wear and tear. Gains upgrade points per kilometer in the combat zone."

With Red Armored Beetle carapaces, the camper's exterior adopted a shield-like red-silver hue, boosting defense to eighty, impervious to lower-grade Black Spinal Bugs.

Integrating Black Spinal Bug mandibles, the camper's bumper sprouted a sharp, triangular prow, matching the mandibles in black hardness, bullet-resistant.

Transformed from flimsy to an apocalypse war vehicle.

Lin Feng felt it could plow through several Black Spinal Bugs at full speed.

The women, witnessing the transformation, were awed. Chen Yanyan, accustomed to Lin Feng's anomalies, was merely surprised, while newcomer Liu Yueqi gaped, clutching her blade, stunned.

Chen Yanyan's quick reaction saved her shield from damage, shooting an attacking beetle.

Regaining composure, Liu Yueqi admired the camper, a menacing war beast.

Lin Feng was equally thrilled, eager to take the wheel, but the task at hand was luring the bugs out.

Patting the sturdy armor, he declared:

"Let's unleash hell!"

Chen Yanyan approached the driver's seat, Lin Feng tossed her the keys:

"Didn't expect you to get the first drive post-upgrade. Show us its full potential!"

Elated, Chen Yanyan reveled in the opportunity.

The camper's fierce front and solid armor offered unmatched security.

Strapping in, she revved the engine, its roar a beastly growl, exhilarating.

"Go!"

At Lin Feng's command, the Lv11 overhauled camper charged into the swarm's depths like a released beast!

The bright headlights and engine roar soon attracted a patrolling Black Spinal Bug scout team!

Three bugs appeared two kilometers ahead of Lin Feng's temporary stop.

Perfect for the upgraded camper.

"Charge! Don't stop!"

Lin Feng shouted, leaning out with his eager Lv10 Explosive Gun, unleashing a barrage on the distant Black Spinal Bugs! 

Boom!!!