Wolfpack, a mid-tier squad numbering between three and four hundred members, was mainly active among low to mid-level adventurers. Their leader, reputedly a top-tier powerhouse, held considerable influence. Qin Ming had naturally gathered basic information on such groups since it was essential to know who was who in Nightmare Space.
Frowning at the insignia before him, an emblem recognized by the space itself, he addressed the recruiter in a level voice.
"Tell me, why are you recruiting me?"
The recruiter grinned, his response sharp and direct.
"We see your potential."
"Potential?"
"Exactly. The flamethrower is a Stage Two item, not something that appears in Punisher's Stage One. That you have it means you triggered a hidden quest, followed Punisher to Stage Two. And that's no easy feat—the guy values ability over everything. If he chose you to join him in battle, then you've got serious combat skill. We could use someone like that."
The man's eyes met Qin Ming's with a calculating gleam. "Join Wolfpack, and you'd be one of us. We'd give you access to two White and two Green items on loan to gear you up, a free investment in you. You'd also have full access to intel on task worlds, triggers for hidden missions, and boss-fighting strategies."
He paused, adding, "With strong enough performance or a unique talent, you'd qualify for priority training, which includes direct access to Blue, and even Silver-tier gear. Well, how about it?"
The offer left Qin Ming silent for a moment before he replied coolly, "I'm not much for handouts. What's the cost?"
"In return, you'd be expected to support Wolfpack. If we're hunting down an enemy or undertaking a large-scale mission, you'd be required to participate and follow orders."
"...I'll pass. I don't like being tied down."
He waved dismissively and turned to leave, only for the recruiter to step into his path once more.
"No pressure if you're not ready yet. Here's my space ID. If you ever reconsider, look us up. But I'll be frank: Lone wolves don't last long here, and the danger only grows. Think it over."
The recruiter handed him a contact number before disappearing into the crowd, leaving Qin Ming alone with the slip, his expression pensive.
Squads like Wolfpack had always been on his radar. Their intelligence network and reach far surpassed his own, not to mention their numerous eyes and ears. Just knowing such groups existed made Qin Ming abandon his early plan of using his crafting skills to buy cheap and sell high in the market for easy profits. With squads like these around, they would quickly notice anyone showing a knack for commerce and take action.
If he tried to go big on item sales, they'd soon start probing him, forcing him to join or threatening him with elimination. Selling and trading items might be lucrative, but it came with no end of complications, and he had no interest in testing how quickly he could grow against the collective might of such squads.
After tucking the ID away, Qin Ming continued browsing the other stalls, purchasing items he needed. Half an hour later, a familiar notification rang in his ears: the silver equipment had sold, albeit at a less-than-ideal price.
In low-level areas, adventurers were typically short on funds. His flamethrower, a rare silver item in this zone, fetched only 18,000 points—higher than Blue equipment, yet far below its true value.
With 24,000 points on hand, Qin Ming set off on a shopping spree, loading up on a selection of skill books. An hour later, he returned to his room with his haul: six skill books in total, including three E-level and three D-level books, costing him a full 20,000 points.
These skill books were all targeted at strengthening the passive abilities he'd picked up from Punisher: Basic Firearms Proficiency, Basic Combat Proficiency, and Basic Weaponry Proficiency. The skills had imparted valuable combat experience and technique, and Qin Ming felt that upgrading them would be a wise investment, fully covering his combat weaknesses.
After burning through the books, Qin Ming's three passive skills jumped up in rank, advancing from their initial E-level to D-level, then to a solid C-level.
As knowledge flooded his mind, he felt his understanding of hand-to-hand, firearm, and melee weapon techniques sharpen. His new skills reflected his improved prowess:
Passive Skills:
Advanced Combat Proficiency (C)
Advanced Firearms Proficiency (C)
Advanced Weaponry Proficiency (C)
He moved through a series of combat exercises, his strikes precise and fluid, each punch unleashing explosive force from coordinated muscles. Feeling satisfied with his progress, Qin Ming reflected.
While he doubted he could yet single-handedly take down someone of Punisher's caliber, he was certain that sneaking up on him now would be a far more challenging task for even a master like Punisher. With his newly acquired skill set, Qin Ming had effectively become an elite-level soldier, fully proficient in hand-to-hand, firearm, and melee combat.
However, he realized this revelation brought another problem to light. Unlike him, who'd started as a street vendor with zero combat skills, real-world professionals—boxers, soldiers, mercenaries, even assassins—likely entered Nightmare Space already equipped with skills. Such backgrounds granted them a natural edge, effectively starting them off with abilities that gave them a decisive head start.
And it wasn't just fighters. Computer whizzes, expert drivers, and gun smiths must also have their unique advantages, and skills that made them equally valuable and better prepared in this world. It dawned on him: practical expertise from real life conferred unique perks in Nightmare Space.
Looking down at his three upgraded combat skills, Qin Ming's brow twitched. He felt an urge to head back to the real world and start training in Muay Thai or Sanda, just to see if honing himself outside would translate to passive skills here.
If real-life training could indeed influence his attributes in Nightmare Space, then perhaps he'd found a way to strengthen himself beyond the limits imposed in the world of the space itself.
(End of Chapter)