A shiver crawled up Hank Fowler's spine, goosebumps erupting across his skin. He grimaced, "Okay, Fency, seriously, cut it out with the cheesy lines. I can't handle that level of cringe."

"Yes, Big Brother," the Wooden Fence readily agreed, before resuming its vigorous consumption of raw wood.

In less than ten minutes, all fifty logs had vanished.

Hank examined it closely. The fence's color had deepened considerably, giving it a much more robust appearance.

The fence: "Big Brother, why are you staring at me like that?"

Hank cleared his throat, "Now that you've leveled up, can you block the Big Black Wolf's attacks?"

The fence declared confidently, "That Big Black Wolf is only level 2. It can't hurt me anymore."

"Huh?" Hank was taken aback, "How do you know the Big Black Wolf is level 2?"

The fence: "I'm not entirely sure how it works, but I can sense its level."

Hank narrowed his eyes thoughtfully before turning to the Thatched Hut, "Thatchy, can you sense the Big Black Wolf's level too?"

The Hut: "I can."

"Big Brother, I can sense it too," chimed in the entrenching tool.

"Why can't I sense it?" Hank muttered to himself.

"Big Brother, may I speak frankly?" The fence chuckled.

"Go ahead," Hank said nonchalantly.

The fence stated slowly, "We've all awakened our spirits and are now higher-level beings. You, on the other hand, are just a human, the weakest existence in this world. Naturally, you can't compare to us, so it's normal that you can't sense the Big Black Wolf's level!"

Hank: "..."

Since when did a mere Wooden Fence get such a superiority complex?

What the heck!

After a moment of stunned silence, Hank scoffed, "And you have the nerve to look down on me? You think I can't smash you to pieces?"

The fence chuckled, "Big Brother, don't underestimate the fact that you've reached level 3. But if you think you can hurt me, you're dreaming."

"Is that so?" Hank's eyes gleamed.

The fence: "If you don't believe me, go ahead and try."

"Fine," Hank nodded, turned, and entered the Hut. He emerged a moment later, wielding the Machete.

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The fence was stunned, "Big Brother, that's not fair! You said you'd fight me with your bare hands! Why are you using a knife?"

Hank grinned, "When did I ever say anything about bare hands?"

The fence: "..."

He actually hadn't.

Hank brandished the Machete, a sinister smile playing on his lips, "Fency, are you ready? Here I come!"

So the fence wanted to show off?

Today, he would show it what's what.

The fence panicked, "Big Brother, there must be some misunderstanding! You're always the most respected Big Brother in my heart, there's no need for violence!"

Hank stroked his chin thoughtfully, "You're right, there's no need for violence. However, there's something I'd like to test."

The fence: "What's that?"

Hank said gravely, "Is Chopper sharper, or are you tougher?"

The fence caught on immediately and hurriedly said, "Big Brother, I admit I was showing off. I'm definitely not as tough as Chopper, there's no need to test it."

"Have some confidence in yourself!" Hank's eyes narrowed, and he swung the Machete, bringing it down hard on the fence.

Crack!

A gash appeared on the Wooden Fence.

"Argh..." The fence let out a pained shriek.

"Not bad," Hank commented.

The Machete was incredibly sharp.

Previously, it had sliced through a thick tree branch in one swing.

Yet, it had only managed to create a gash on the fence, which spoke volumes about its defenses.

"Alright, stop yelling. I'll heal you in a bit," Hank said soothingly.

The fence grumbled indignantly, "Of course it doesn't hurt you! If it were you, you'd be screaming even louder!"

"Why are you so mouthy?" Hank shot it a glare, then muttered, "Mute the Wooden Fence!"

The fence: "..."

He hurts it, and then he won't even let it complain?

How tyrannical!

Once the noise had subsided, Hank pulled out the Machete and placed his hand on the gash.

A milky-white light flowed out, covering the wound.

In an instant, the gash healed completely, leaving no trace.

"Big Brother, how was that? Pretty sharp, right?" The Machete boasted.

Hank scoffed, "You can't even chop through a wooden fence, and you have the audacity to brag?"

The Machete protested, "Fency is already level 2, while I'm only level 1. There's a whole level difference. If I were level 2, I could chop it into firewood in one swing."

"Is that so?" Hank's eyes flickered, "What do you need to level up?"

The Machete answered without hesitation, "I need to devour metal."

Hank sighed.

The entrenching tool and the Frying Pan also needed to devour metal to level up.

But metal was incredibly scarce.

Even if he wanted to trade for it, there was none available.

Helping these three rapidly increase their levels was a long and arduous task.

Hank shook off his thoughts and turned to the fence, "Unmute the fence."

The fence immediately started complaining, "Big Brother, muting is unethical! You can't treat me like this anymore! I'm your most loyal Fency!"

"Don't talk back to me, and I won't mute you," Hank chuckled, then instructed, "When that Big Black Wolf appears tonight, notify me immediately!"

The fence muttered under its breath, "What's the point of notifying you? You'll just hide in Thatchy and shiver anyway."

"What did you say?" Hank glared.

The fence quickly corrected itself, "I will stand guard diligently. The moment I spot the Big Black Wolf, I'll notify you immediately."

"That's more like it," Hank nodded, then entered the Hut with the Machete.

The interior of the hut was already dim.

Hank wanted to light the oil lamp, but then he remembered, he had no fire!

The sun had already set, so the Magnifying Glass was useless.

He had no choice but to give up.

Next, Hank opened the game panel.

Just then, the private message icon lit up.

Seeing that the message was from Wally Cox, Hank Fowler quickly opened it.

Wally Cox: Hank Fowler, as per your request, I've gathered fifty kilograms of thatch. When do you want to trade?

Hank's eyes lit up: Right now.

They then entered the trading hall.

Hank traded a Red Pine Crab to Wally Cox for fifty kilograms of thatch, which was stored in his warehouse.

With this thatch, he could finally start making a thatched bed.