Wilderness Survival with Druid System

Chapter 167: Chapter 53: Danger in the Crevice

Rock climbing, an ancient extreme sport.

It has existed since our ancestors first descended from the trees.

Of course, back then, our ancestors climbed rocks mainly to escape predators.

In modern times, climbing has gradually become a sport that showcases strength.

Chen Wen considered himself as strong as the ancestors.

But when he actually started climbing the rock face, he realized climbing was no easy task!

First of all, rock climbing emphasizes upper body strength in the arms and wrists.

If you can’t firmly grasp the rocks, no matter how strong you are, you can’t fully utilize your strength.

Secondly, climbing requires strong core strength.

Chen Wen considered his core strength quite decent.

But after starting to climb, he still found it somewhat strenuous.

In the end, Chen Wen chose to rely entirely on the trait.

[Climbing] made him better at rock climbing.

It had enhanced Chen Wen’s muscles.

When [Climbing] was triggered, Chen Wen could clearly feel his core strength was much stronger.

If quantified now, his core strength might be several times what it was before.

Moreover, the muscles in Chen Wen’s fingers and arms were also somewhat enhanced.

Previously, when gripping rocks, Chen Wen always had a feeling of lacking strength.

But now, that feeling was gone.

He was like Spider-Man, steadily grasping the protruding rocks, climbing upward following the route mapped out in his mind.

”This guy really knows his stuff!”

Roland’s eyes widened, as if he’d seen a ghost.

He thought Chen Wen meant a little bit when he said ”a little bit.”

But now he suddenly realized, that ”a little bit” was no small feat!

...

Over on Chen Wen’s side.

He carefully grasped a protruding rock above with his left hand and exerted some force.

The protruding rock crumbled under his grasp...

”Seriously, is this rock made of tofu dregs?”

Chen Wen muttered as he crushed the rock in his hand and tossed it gently below.

The desert is still the desert, and these weathered rocks are truly unreliable.

After a brief contemplation, Chen Wen slightly adjusted his route.

What followed was quite smooth.

Chen Wen agilely maneuvered up to halfway up the cliff using the rock face.

Reaching this point, Chen Wen leaned against the rock face to rest for a while.

He was a bit tired.

And the real challenge lay ahead.

Slightly above halfway up the rock face, there was a large expanse of densely packed crevices.

Something bad might be hiding in these crevices.

Like poisonous snakes, spiders, scorpions.

These creatures particularly enjoyed such dark places.

Thus, Chen Wen planned to allow himself to regain some strength before proceeding.

He also pulled out his dagger, holding it in his mouth.

Just in case.

After resting, Chen Wen continued climbing.

The first crevice.

Chen Wen cautiously stretched out his hand, gripping the edge of the crevice.

With a sudden exertion.

Chen Wen’s head was parallel with the first crevice.

Nothing there.

Chen Wen breathed a sigh of relief.

The route he chose had four major crevices, the remaining smaller crevices should pose no problem.

But these four major crevices could be dangerous.

Now, a quarter of the potential danger was eliminated.

Crevices pose danger, but they also offer convenience.

Chen Wen wedged his left foot into a crevice and pushed off, lifting himself up a great deal.

He could even hook onto the second major crevice above his head and rest here for a while.

But Chen Wen didn’t waste time and continued climbing.

Soon, the second crevice was level with Chen Wen’s head.

This crevice was also clear.

However, there were some shed snake skins inside the crevice.

Chen Wen observed them for a while; these shedding had been left there a long time ago.

This observation made Chen Wen more alert.

Yet, he still had to climb.

When Chen Wen’s hand reached the third crevice.

An unexpected event occurred.

Chen Wen thought he heard some buzzing.

A chill ran down his spine, and he quickly withdrew his hand, sticking closely to the rock face, listening intently to the sounds from the third crevice.

”It must be some kind of insect, and with wings.”

Chen Wen frowned; a sound like that couldn’t be from anything good.

Ever since dealing with the western diamondback rattlesnake, Chen Wen developed a psychological shadow regarding creatures that made sounds.

But staying stuck here wasn’t an option.

Chen Wen, with the dagger in his mouth, slowly leaned forward to peer upwards.

Soon, Chen Wen’s eyes were level with the crevice.

Hiss!

Even with the dagger in his mouth, after seeing inside the crevice, Chen Wen couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath.

What the hell is this?

Spider?

Why is it so big!

No, what’s that climbing on the spider?

Damn, those wings are so yellow, that abdomen is so large, could it be a desert spider wasp!

Information Chen Wen had read suddenly came to mind.

In this desert, there resides a terrifying type of wasp known as the desert spider wasp.

The desert spider wasp is also known as the tarantula hawk, spider-hawk wasp, tarantula hawk wasp.

Its body is deep blue in color, with bright orange wings.

This creature perched on the spider matches the characteristics of a desert spider wasp perfectly!

Most importantly, the desert spider wasp is a natural enemy of spiders!

At this moment, this desert spider wasp was doing something to the spider below its body.

The spider beneath it seemed not quite dead, its body still twitching slightly, yet it was as good as dead.

Moreover, the spider was incredibly large!

Chen Wen felt that this spider seemed slightly larger than a burrowing owl!

It was also bristling with dense fuzz, the overall color a golden hue.

Not to be trifled with!

Both these creatures were not to be trifled with!

Chen Wen thought for a moment, planning to bow his head and retreat while the desert spider wasp hadn’t noticed him.

But just when he was about to retreat.

The desert spider wasp, which was busy with the large spider, slowly raised its head.

Chen Wen and the compound eyes of the desert spider wasp met.

He really wanted to say he was just passing by, with no malicious intent.

But the desert spider wasp clearly wouldn’t give him this chance.

Accompanied by a flapping sound, the desert spider wasp suddenly took flight.

...

Over at the production team.

When the desert spider wasp appeared in the camera capturing Chen Wen’s climb, the monitor operator screamed in terror.

The guide quickly approached, took a close look, and his eyes nearly popped out: ”What kind of luck is this? To encounter a desert spider wasp laying eggs?”

”Desert spider wasp? Laying eggs?”

Lin Jiawei was dumbfounded.

But the guide clearly had no intention to explain.

He quickly said, ”John, I think we need to send a rescue team!”

John, the on-site manager and a director in the show.

Upon hearing the mention of the desert spider wasp, John immediately called the rescue team.

Locals like him were well-aware of the horror of desert spider wasps.

”What exactly happened?”

Observing everyone’s genuine reactions, Lin Jiawei also started to panic.

The guide looked at Lin Jiawei with regret: ”This is the most terrifying creature in this desert. The sting of a female desert spider wasp can reach up to seven millimeters, considered one of the most powerful stings in the world.”

”While I do wish to see Chen Wen win the championship, encountering a desert spider wasp while climbing is a matter of life and death!”

”I believe you’ve heard of the Schmidt sting pain index designed by entomologist Justin Schmidt, it’s a scale measuring the pain inflicted by different insect stings.”

”The desert spider wasp rates a 4, the highest on the scale. Have you heard of the bullet ant? The pain from a desert spider wasp is only slightly less than that of a bullet ant!”

”We have a pain-testing blogger who was stung by a desert spider wasp and went into shock from the pain!”

This made Lin Jiawei break out in a cold sweat.

Stung on flat ground is already so severe, but where is Chen Wen now?

On a cliff!

”Rescue! Rescue!”

Lin Jiawei immediately went into panic mode, wishing he could grab a helicopter to go help Chen Wen.

But at that moment, the more composed Jiang Chang said, ”Don’t worry, there’s a twist!”