Surviving the Long Night: Starting from the Gas Station and Infinite Upgrades

Chapter 28 Intelligence, Flame-Striped Tiger, and Relaxed Hunting

Jiang Shutong immediately ruled out weaponization. She had seen many similar things; attaching automatic machine guns to a quadruped robot would instantly turn it into a killing machine.

That wasn't what she wanted. Although the threat from the creatures of the night wouldn't end, she didn't think the situation was so dire that she needed to turn her playmate into a killing machine.

The remaining two options made her hesitate for a moment. After thinking for about a minute, she made up her mind:

"It's smarter, isn't it? As long as I cherish it, it can stay with me for a long time."

Lu Sheng nodded, waved his hand, and the robot dog was reconstructed in the light. When the light faded, the original briefcase turned into a rectangular base, and the robot dog stood up from inside.

It has grown larger than before, reaching 1.2 meters in length and nearly 70 centimeters in height.

Jiang Shutong carefully examined the upgraded robot dog when suddenly, an unfamiliar voice rang out from the warehouse.

"Master, it's been a long time. I'm so glad you've awakened me."

Jiang Shutong was stunned because the voice came from the robot dog's head.

"According to the system logs, I have undergone a major upgrade. In accordance with the Artificial Intelligence Restriction Act, my intelligence level can reach level three, and I have been equipped with multiple sensors, enabling me to complete surveying tasks in various natural environments."

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

The robot dog's voice was calm and steady. Although it was close to a human voice, it lacked some emotion. It mentioned the level of intelligence, which Lu Sheng had also heard about.

In the early days of the Long Night, humanity developed powerful artificial intelligence to combat drastic environmental changes.

Perhaps due to haste, many controversial technologies were used without restraint, and all restrictions on artificial intelligence disappeared. With no taboos, artificial intelligence with a strong sense of self was developed.

Then, just like those over-made AI rebellion movies from the old world, while pondering "how to help humanity overcome the Long Night," it forcibly took over the mechanical army and launched an AI rebellion.

During that period, humanity fought on two fronts. Under the immense pressure of annihilation, it managed to survive, sealed away the rebellious artificial intelligence, and revised the Artificial Intelligence Restriction Act.

The bill categorizes intelligence levels into seven levels, and raising the level of artificial intelligence to level five or higher in any way is a crime against humanity.

Lu Sheng couldn't help but think that in today's world, where related technologies are either destroyed or monopolized, with his upgrade capabilities, he might be able to give a machine equipped with only low-end intelligence self-awareness after several upgrades.

This made him realize that there were still many aspects of his power that he did not yet know, and what he had seen so far was only the tip of the iceberg of its full power.

Jiang Shutong didn't think that much about it as Lu Sheng did. Seeing her robot dog fully upgraded, she immediately got to work after regaining her senses.

"Zhao Cai, it's been a long time indeed. Let me introduce you. This is my friend Lu Sheng, the one who helped you level up. The girl on the bed behind you is Lin Ran, also a friend of mine, she just fell asleep."

"Okay, mark Lu Sheng and Lin Ran as my friends. From now on, I will treat them as kindly as I would my master."

The robot dog named Zhaocai flashed its indicator lights a few times and then said:

"Bio-radar indicates that a high-energy-response individual is approaching. After checking the database, it is determined that it is most likely a Flame-striped Tiger."

Upon hearing this news, Lu Sheng became interested:

Which direction?

The advantage of building the wall is that it improves security, but the disadvantage is that intelligent beasts like the Ink Wolf will stop fighting to the death once one of its companions dies.

Hunting ferocious beasts is currently the only source of income, and Lu Sheng can't stand earning only 20 credits in one night. The Flame-Patterned Tiger happens to be a high-value target.

Guided by the bio-radar of the robot dog Zhaocai, Lu Sheng attached an extended barrel to his revolver, climbed onto the roof, and Zhaocai followed behind.

After the upgrade, its limbs became very dexterous, making climbing stairs a piece of cake.

After climbing onto the roof, Zhao Cai adjusted his position and faced a certain direction.

"Please follow my direction; the Flame-Patterned Tiger is expected to appear from this direction."

Zhao Cai was facing directly in front of the warehouse. Lu Sheng guessed that the bloody smell of the Mo Lang that died outside the wall had attracted the Flame Pattern Tiger.

He lay down on the ground, set up his gun, and aimed it in the direction where the Flame-Striped Tiger was about to appear.

"Does your gun use 9mm ammunition?"

Lu Sheng was waiting patiently when Zhao Cai suddenly asked him for information about his firearms.

"Yes, to be precise, it's 9.1 mm caliber, but we usually call it 0.38 caliber. Is there a problem?"

"According to the information on Flame Tiger, this type of bullet is unlikely to cause fatal damage. It is recommended to switch to more powerful bullets or aim for the head and chest."

Thanks.

Lu Sheng stared at the field of view in the scope. He remembered the scene when he shot the cannibalistic rat leader. The first shot to the head did not kill him immediately.

The Flame-Patterned Tiger is much stronger than the Man-Eating Rat Chieftain, but if you exchange it for Lin Ran's bolt-action rifle, the power is sufficient, and the aim assist attribute will become ineffective.

He was prepared to take a risk. Now it wasn't a situation where he would die if he missed. Even if the Flame-Patterned Tiger escaped without being killed by a single shot, he wouldn't lose anything.

If it gets enraged and attacks the wall, that would be even better.

"Please note that the target is about to enter firing range."

With Zhao Cai's reminder, Lu Sheng noticed a huge figure appearing in the darkness in front of the wall.

The Flame-Patterned Tiger was much larger than the Ink Wolf, almost on par with the Ink Wolf leader. As it approached the wall, Lu Sheng carefully locked his aim at its head.

Just as he had expected, the Flame-Patterned Tiger was attracted by the bloody scent of the Ink Wolf's corpse. However, it was very wary and only after observing its surroundings and finding no ambush did it step forward, bite the Ink Wolf's corpse, and prepare to leave.

The moment it lowered its head, Lu Sheng's crosshair locked firmly onto its forehead.

boom!

The moment the gunshot rang out, the Flame-Patterned Tiger sprang up from the wound, its mournful roar shaking the wilderness.

Even when hit in the head, this small-caliber bullet failed to kill him instantly.

Lu Sheng remained calm and steady, maintaining his breathing, and pulled the trigger again.

boom!

The shot hit the Flame Tiger in the face.

boom!

One shot hit the Flame Tiger in the chest cavity.

With the third shot, the Flame Tiger finally located the attacker, but it was too late; the three bullets had completely drained its life force.

With a thud, its body fell outside the wall.

"call……"

Lu Sheng slowly exhaled, and he suddenly understood the confidence Jiang Shutong had shown when she first boasted about her shooting skills.

It's surprisingly easy to fire a gun from an absolutely safe position.

"Once the service area is built, I'm definitely going to get a sniper rifle."