[Side Quest — Repair Necessities, Completed!]
[Reward: Technology Points*1, Fine Brass Bullets (Handgun Ammo)*25, issued.]
Compared to the rewards delivered to the system backpack, the words of this NPC seemed even more pleasing.
Not everyone was qualified to work for them, and himself... was undoubtedly one of the best.
Kuang Xin's face showed a restrained smile, and the immersion of the game made him subconsciously bow slightly, nodding in acknowledgment.
"It's an honor to work for you, my lord."
Bai E nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the wood materials, then said, "You did well, but this alone is far from enough, would you be willing to gather more resources for me?"
[Continuation of commission template, publish?]
[No.]
Bai E, seeing the unabashed scrutiny of himself by two players standing beside Kuang Xin, changed his mind on the spot.
[Item reward increased to: Fine Brass Bullets (Handgun Ammo)*27.]
A... loop quest.
The more times a quest was completed, the richer the rewards would be.
Any player would be familiar with this sort of system.
Moreover, this kind of accumulation also created an illusion of sunk costs for the players.
If something were to happen to him, all their previous efforts on his behalf would vanish into thin air, all efforts wasted.
A rational player wouldn't want to see that happen.
[Publish!]
...
[Side Quest — Repair Necessities triggered.]
Kuang Xin glanced over...
Subconsciously feeling something was amiss.
He looked over again...
Hmm?
27 bullets?
The reward, it increased?
"Holy shit!"
Bai E no longer paid him any attention, instead turning to thoroughly inspect the quality of the wood materials.
He had to give players time to communicate, not beg them to do the work.
...
Glancing at the NPC's back, Dai Lian whispered to Kuang Xin.
"Are the rewards issued?"
Kuang Xin looked at the 25 bullets in the system backpack, then at the 27 bullets indicated as the task reward, and just nodded back, "Issued!"
"Let me have a look."
Facing Dai Lian's outstretched hand, Kuang Xin didn't think twice before taking out one of the reward bullets and handing it over.
[Fine Brass Bullet - Quality: Green]
[Basic Parameters: Handgun ammo, Attack Power Modifier +3]
[Usage Requirement: Compatible with handguns.]
[Trait: High precision mass production, exquisite craftsmanship, strict quality inspection, shooting accuracy +6%.]
"Exactly!" Dai Lian's eyes lit up at the bullet's attributes.
"What's up?" Gong Yan timely asked from the side.
"Take a look."
Dai Lian passed the bullet directly to Gong Yan's hand, "This isn't the same stuff we're using. I figured this wasn't for nothing."
"Huh?"
The still-delighted Kuang Xin expressed his confusion with a puzzled sound.
What the heck was the power leveler thinking?
"Money! Can ordinary, inferior bullets and these exquisite, perfect bullets be the same price? We can totally sell the quest bullets and buy the cheap, normal ones instead, at least doubling our profit! That's the real value of this quest reward."
"Is that necessary..."
Kuang Xin, who had already seen the bullet properties, felt disdainful.
Selling and buying, how troublesome, plus good bullets inflict more damage, one shot one young wolf down.
Gaga fierce!
"You understand..."
Dai Lian glanced at Kuang Xin and, considering the other was a bit of a simpleton, his tone instantly softened, "It's not about the harm. What we need most right now is all sorts of experience, and more bullets will undoubtedly give us the chance to gain more proficiency experience. Early in the game, leveling up is far more important than pursuing extreme damage."
"..."
It seemed to make sense.
It turned out the power-leveler really had some tricks up his sleeve, Kuang Xin admitted to himself with admiration.
Gong Yan looked at him with a sort of reverence, "You're really amazing."
Dai Lian's expression remained composed, unaffected by praise or scorn, "Go find him and accept the task quickly, this reward is substantial."
"Okay!"
Kuang Xin volunteered eagerly, "I'll introduce you guys."
"Sir..." Kuang Xin approached Bai E, hesitating before speaking out.
Bai E turned slowly, his expression calm, "You don't need to call me sir, we're all working for humanity, we are like-minded comrades."
I'm here for the orc sisters...
Kuang Xin kept in mind the original purpose of playing the game, but at this moment, he held back his retort, "Sir, you mentioned earlier that your plans required more hands, I've brought two companions today... What do you think?"
Bai E's gaze swept over the two of them, his tone low, "Since they are companions you've introduced, they must be reliable."
...
[Side quest triggered—Expel the Wolf Pack.]
[Side quest triggered—Maintenance Required.]
Five tasks for three people.
Unfortunately, Kuang Xin wasn't diligent enough, his task to kill the wolves was still incomplete, so he missed out on one combat mission.
With the quota reached, a weight lifted off Bai E's heart.
These tasks were like daily quests, with limited resources available each day he felt uneasy if they weren't completed.
It was ironic how he used to be preoccupied with completing tasks in games every day, and now, being played by the game, he still had to worry about issuing tasks every day...
It was rather lamentable.
Having dispensed the tasks, Bai E looked at the three before him and, pointing to the woodpile by his side with a stern expression, spoke, "Perhaps you may bring me these precious resources amidst the circling wolves, but don't forget that driving away the wolf pack is also a serious responsibility. Any potential threat to humankind must be nipped in the bud."
Bai E's steady tone made Kuang Xin subconsciously comply, his military uniform undoubtedly reinforcing this impression.
"Yes, Sir!"
Bai E gave a gentle smile, "You're not my soldier, no need for saluting... Besides, your form is incorrect."
While speaking, Bai E's tone paused for emphasis, keeping a firm control over his inflection, "Also, in the future, the time for me to inspect the resources will always be at this time, you only have one chance per day, so pay attention to the time."
It was during mealtime, maximizing time management to the extreme.
As for nighttime... Night was too dangerous.
He didn't have the immortality of a player right now, and at night, when nature was closest, he kept a respectful distance from such wilderness.
After concluding, Bai E turned and left, decisively and without delay.
His figure was rigid, meticulous in every detail.
Watching the soldier's retreating figure, Dai Lian stroked his chin, his eyes reflecting some confusion.
"I feel... there's something off about this NPC."
From their first meeting, Dai Lian's professional instincts had been sounding alarms.
In that brief interaction, he had intuitively detected something amiss.
But... what exactly could it be?
Staring at the ground in front of him, Dai Lian fell into deep thought.
Hearing Dai Lian's mutterings, Kuang Xin was a bit puzzled.
"What's strange about it, isn't it just an NPC?"
An NPC that gives out tasks is a good NPC.
Plus, this soldier was efficient and decisive in his actions.
Most importantly, the tasks were rewarding, earning his favor.
"I also don't see any issue, there seems to be a heroic aura about him..."
Gong Yan Shi tapped her chin, her gaze slightly unfocused as she recalled carefully.
Everything he said was for humanity, his tone succinct and powerful, yet without losing a humorous charm.
In her eyes, an unexpected sense of loneliness, the gravitas of bearing secrets, and a hint of mystery wrapped around the disciplined face of the soldier, endowing him with the charisma of heroes stepping straight out of legends.
"It's the location!"
Dai Lian narrowed his eyes, his right foot lightly tapping the ground, "There's something wrong with this place, why would he choose to check on the task requirements here?"