Building My Empire in the Frozen Apocalypse (Riley Carter) novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132 A Gift for Tartking.

Chapter 132 A Gift for TartKing

“TartKing: Okay, I feel roasted but message received! I’m on it.”

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In “Region 8 Survivors”, the group chat had been flooded with complaints about how difficult it had grown to scavenge supplies lately.

Then, that familiar, hyperactive profile picture popped up.

“Tartking: Hey, listen up! I just caught some wild rumor on the globat channel. No clue if it’s legit, but it sounded pretty convincing.”

“RandomGuy: What’s the word, Tartking? Don’t leave us hanging.”

“Tartking: Word is the System’s about to drop the second major dungeon. They’re saying the rewards are insane—but so’s the difficulty. The post got nuked right after it went up.

“Tartking: Real or not, I’d hold off on burning materials for decorations. Better tune up your gear and stock up on medicinal herbs. You know, just in case.”

The chat exploded.

“ToxicReaper: Makes sense… The System always pulls something after a merge. I’m hanging onto my potions.”

“FrostWolf: If TartKing says it, I’m listening. She runs with those heavy hitters. Thanks for the heads-up-gonna go sharpen my

blade.”

“Way you said that makes it sound like those ‘heavy hitters’ aren’t exactly angels.”

“Thanks, TartKing! I’ll turn that scrap iron I found into a proper shield.”

Watching the mood shift from whining and complaining to gearing up and prepping, Riley closed the chat window.

That was all she could do.

In this brutal game, she was a guide-not a babysitter. She could point the way, but surviving was on them.

“Riley!”

୮

Heavy footsteps thudded outside before the wooden door burst open. Neeko, back in human form, charged in like a little shadow, covered in coal dust from head to hands, but her eyes were bright and eager.

Behind her, she’d hauled two overflowing mine carts all the way back.

She held up a faintly glowing blue stone like it was treasure.

“Dug it up! It’s shiny!”

Riley leaned in, and her eyes flickered with surprise.

“Associated Adamantine Ore (Rare)

“Description: An extremely rare mineral found in rich coal seams. Essential for crafting Epic-tier equipment.”

1/3

7:48 pm

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Chapter 132 A Gift for Tartking

“Nice find!”

Riley didn’t mind the grime and pulled Neeko into a bear hug.

“BBQ tonight-and cake!”

“Yes!!”

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Outside, the blizzard had stopped, but a bitter wind still moaned against the walls.

Every so often, the scraping of a Ghoul’s claws against stone echoed through the cold, along with tow, hungry growls.

Before, Riley would’ve grabbed her axe and headed out to grind XP.

But now, she just sat calmly by the fireplace, not even glancing toward the noise!

Since hitting the level cap at 10, ordinary monsters didn’t grant experience anymore. No point freezing out there-better to research indoors until she could get her hands on a class-change card.

Inside, it was warm and quiet. Pine logs crackled in the hearth, and the faint scent of incense hung in the air.

In front of Riley sat the Beginner’s Alchemy Bench she’d taken from that Nightfall member.

It was cluttered with bottles and jars, a steady flame flickering beneath a small crucible.

“Three medicinal herbs… one silverleaf… grind to powder, simmer on low heat…”

Goggles over her eyes, Riley carefully stirred the thick green mixture with a glass rod.

According to the blueprint, once the liquid turned a clear red, the Minor Healing Potion would be complete.

But…

A minute passed.

Then two.

Not only did the mixture refuse to turn red-it began bubbling, releasing odd violet fumes. The room quickly filled with a smell like rotten garbage.

‘Cough, cough-ugh!”

Neeko, who’d been sprawled on the rug watching Tom and Jerry after dinner, shot up, pinching her nose as she stared wide-eyed at Riley.

“Riley… stinks!!”

“Don’t panic, this is just… part of the process.”

Riley tried to sound sure, but sweat beaded on her forehead.

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