Chapter 132: Supplies At Half Price
Number 3 was rejected but didn’t say much.
Looking at such a rundown RV, the interior decoration probably isn’t great either.
“The mission for this instance is to investigate. I reckon we need to find certain clues at specific locations for the progress bar to increase,” said the Number 8 player wearing a knit hat.
The others strongly agreed, and the slimmer Number 9 player immediately started flattering.
“Bro, you look like an experienced master. What do you think of this instance? The mission description says the monsters inside can one-shot people. We’ll have to rely on your guidance.”
How could Number 8 not know his goal? It sounded nice, but he just wanted more information from him, ideally to scout ahead and take the risks.
No one was stupid. Number 8 player sighed and waved his hand, his tone natural.
“I’m no master. If anyone had enough supplies, they wouldn’t risk an instance with such high difficulty. I’m sure everyone has already guessed that.
What I mean is, since we all have the same goal, whoever finds a clue should tell the others. That way the mission progress speeds up, we finish the mission sooner, and get out of danger earlier.”
“Makes sense!”
“Okay!”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“What’s your name, bro? We picked this instance because it doesn’t require fighting. Starting tomorrow when we enter the instance, we’ll listen to you!” Number 9 player looked at his companion, Number 10.
“Just call me Old Eight.” Number 8 smiled.
“Then call me Little Nine. Using the instance numbers is convenient too.” Number 9 player added. Everyone could see his flattery and show of weakness.
The names didn’t matter. Everyone agreed. It was just one instance anyway; they might never meet again after leaving, so no need for proper introductions.
Yu Jiang silently looked at Shi Xu beside her. Calling 2 “Old Two” or “Little Two” didn’t sound great.
Luckily, she was Number 1!
Shi Xu caught Yu Jiang pursing her lips to stifle a laugh. Expressionless, they said somewhat resentfully, “Just call me Number 2.”
“Got it, Old Number 2.” Yu Jiang smiled.
Yu Jiang had no intention of chatting more with the other groups of players. It was just probing for information. To save energy, she didn’t join in.
She said she was going to rest first, then returned to the RV and chatted with Shi Xu in the team chat.
“Do you think there might be others here to do missions?”
Their mission was in this instance; others might have the same purpose.
“Probably.” Shi Xu sent another message as a supplement.
“Assassins for sure, but so far, you’re the only alchemist I’ve seen with an attack skill.”
“If there really are competitors for the mission, we’d better stay alert.”
When Yu Jiang sent this, she already had a decision in mind.
If this instance only had 5 Manjusaka to gather and someone competed with her, she would complete the mission no matter what.
Even if it meant killing the other person.
A few seconds later, Shi Xu replied, “Same here.”
The two had reached a consensus.
What they meant earlier was: they could fully assist each other to complete the mission, but if one hesitated to deal with a competitor themselves, that was on them.
Teaming up to proceed was fine as long as the teammate was reliable.
But seizing an opportunity to improve strength was different. If one hesitated themselves, it wasn’t worth making the companion expend effort.
“I’m going to rest first.” Yu Jiang ended the conversation and carefully checked the RV’s doors and windows.
Only after confirming they were securely sealed did she relax and lie down to sleep.
Unless someone outside had x-ray vision, they couldn’t see the luxurious interior of the RV, which seemed to be on a different layer from the battle-damaged vehicle cover.
Lying on the sofa bed, Yu Jiang’s mind started thinking. The players in the instance might not be great at combat, but most should be decent.
Numbers 9 and 10 were a pair. Number 10 said they chose the hot spring motel because it felt warmer here, a place to catch their breath. Outside was too cold, full of ice zombies that were hard to fight.
The investigation mission just required finding clues, so at least no need to risk life fighting monsters.
Numbers 5 and 6 were two female players who felt the same.
Numbers 3 and 4 said they were friend list buddies who came together after discovering team-up instances were available.
At least nothing they said was problematic.
She was the same. When they asked about her, she said her stats were average, just a scrap-picking, manufacturing player.
Other instances required killing dozens of monsters, so she came here.
As for the RV, she chose it at game start.
At that moment, everyone’s gaze toward her was complicated. Several inwardly cursed, “Damn, why could she pick an RV!”
Seeing her and Shi Xu’s somewhat rundown vehicle, they believed two or three tenths of what she said.
Thinking about these things, Yu Jiang unknowingly fell into a hazy sleep. When she woke, it was already past 6 a.m. the next morning.
She got up, dressed neatly, and packed the gear needed for the instance.
She needed to clear some grid space; maybe she could pick up things in the instance.
Finding useful supplies but unable to carry them would make her sigh even if she woke up in the middle of the night.
After preparations, she ate some bread for breakfast, then waited for the instance to open.
Having done several instances, no one felt nervous anymore. They methodically packed their equipment.
08:30
The instance opened on time. Hearing the familiar prompt sound, everyone opened their eyes again to find themselves at the town entrance.
A somewhat narrow cement road, with Japanese-style wooden houses built along the mountainside on both sides. The road surface and roofs were covered in snow. From afar, it had a dreamy anime movie feel; up close, it was very rundown.
The surroundings were so quiet it felt eerie. Not a soul in sight on the road.
The first floors of the houses on both sides were originally shops, still with faded, worn billboards. But the doors were all closed, windows pitch black, looking uninhabited.
Roadside stood a common scenic wooden route map. Following the road ahead, the largest building was their target hot spring motel.
Everyone followed the map indications forward, staying vigilant the whole way.
Not seeing people was a good thing.
Since arriving on this road, aside from players, they hadn’t seen other humans. If it were full of people here, that would be scarier.
The whole town wasn’t large, just one main road. It wouldn’t take half an hour to walk from end to end.
In the stone-paved alleys, many old low Japanese-style wooden houses, all silently still.
From the house styles and patterns on the billboards, they could guess they used to sell handmade souvenirs, matcha shops, and yakitori places.
The styles of instance maps in this game were quite diverse, Yu Jiang thought to herself.
The group reached an alley where, under the eaves, there was a lit vending machine.
Identical to the one seen before in the service area, a system-made thing.
The vending machine sold common supplies: compressed biscuits, instant noodles, water, and beverages.
But! Prices were much cheaper than on the trading platform.
Due to increased difficulty gathering supplies on the road, a compressed biscuit could sell for 6 crystal coins, instant noodles for 10 crystal coins, self-heating rice for 20 crystal coins.
Here, they were half the price.
