"I hear you've lost ten men in the past two days," the cloaked figure known as Ghostface said, his voice a low growl.
"Your information network is impressive, Ghostface," Mad Dog replied, his voice laced with barely concealed anger. "Ten men, gone without a trace. We're fighting a turf war with the rebels, and I can't even tell where they're getting killed!"
"Four of them were eliminated at the Crimson Cabaret this morning," Ghostface said.
"The Crimson Cabaret? How do you know?"
Ghostface paused, then said, "Because one of the God's chosen was also eliminated there."
Mad Dog's eyes widened in shock. "W-what?! A chosen one is dead?"
This news hit him harder than the loss of his own men. As a gang leader, he knew more about Ghostface and the cultists than most. He knew the chosen ones possessed strange and dangerous powers.
Ghostface studied Mad Dog's reaction, the fear in his eyes confirming his suspicions. The chosen one's death wasn't Mad Dog's doing. But it made Ghostface even more curious about the person responsible. The chosen one, though newly ascended, was still powerful. Mad Dog's men wouldn't have stood a chance.
"Mad Dog," Ghostface said, his voice cold and sharp, "I want you to find the one who desecrated the God's chosen. Find them, and bring them to me."
"Understood, Ghostface."
Ghostface melted back into the shadows, disappearing without a trace. Mad Dog shuddered. Ghostface is getting stronger.
He turned to his trembling subordinate. "Spread the word. I want every man patrolling the Garden Street and Crimson Cabaret area. Find that rat. Whoever brings them to me gets 200,000 Apocalypse Coins."
Unaware of the impending danger, Thomas woke up feeling refreshed and energized. Day three. Four days until the blizzard. He could feel the temperature dropping in his hideout.
Need more hideout upgrades, warm clothing, and food supplies, he thought. A fireplace might not be enough for a blizzard. Hopefully, the World Chat will have something useful.
He ate a quick meal, then opened the Super Monopoly interface. He'd earned 128 points overnight, bringing his total to 281. He grinned. His investments were paying off. He had one dice roll available. He looked at a property two spaces ahead on the map.
"Come on, dice gods," he muttered, blowing on his hands. "Give me a two."
He rolled the die.
[5]
Damn it. His miniature self landed on a square with a question mark.
[Special Event Triggered: Apocalypse Knife Runner]
[Apocalypse Knife Runner]
[Objective: Eliminate 3 enemies using only melee weapons (knives, daggers, bayonets, machetes, axes) before midnight.]
[Reward: Rare Skill [Stealth Movement], Rare Head Armor [Hooded Cloak of Night]]
Thomas stared at the objective, his face falling. Are you kidding me? Melee kills? Three of them? He couldn't even soften them up with gunfire first. This was insane. He'd be swiss cheese before he even got close.
Well, that's a bust, he thought, sighing. He wasn't a melee fighter. He was a strategist, a looter, a…well, a coward. He'd stick to his strengths.
He opened the World Chat and posted his trade offers:
City - Thomas: [Images of weapons and gear] Submachine guns x3, AK rifles x2, pistols x7, melee weapons x5, Level 2 armor x3, Level 3 armor x1, 8-slot rigs x5. Trading for rare or cold-weather items, blueprints, or equipment. Limited quantities. Best offers only.
The World Chat went ballistic.
Forest - Sophia Williams: ????????
Plains - Ashley Carter: Holy shit! Is that the same guy from yesterday? More gear?!
City - Lucas Flynn: The legend returns! Bow down!
West Coast - Cole Quinn: Trade offer sent, Pro!
City - Ethan Grant: I'm getting chased by refugees, and this guy's swimming in gear!
Desert - Riley Quinn: Rare items are worth more than that junk. He's dreaming.
Plateau - Hope Newell: Don't be salty. Your rare items won't save you from a refugee with a knife.
Over 5,000 survivors had died in the past two days, leaving less than 95,000. Some had gotten lucky with their starting gear, but no one had amassed the kind of arsenal Thomas possessed. He was quickly becoming a legend among the newbies.
As the World Chat buzzed with excitement, Thomas sifted through the flood of private messages, his inbox overflowing. It was a bittersweet problem.
Back in the Zone Chat, news of Thomas's World Chat post spread like wildfire.
Check the World Chat! Thomas is selling a ton of gear! It's a feeding frenzy!
He's not human! Where's he getting all this stuff? Is he a dev?
I saw it! Woke me right up! Why isn't he selling in Zone Chat? We need gear too!
Because we don't have anything he wants! Remember the submachine gun yesterday? No one could afford it.
He should just give us the gear! Help us out! No class!
Shut up, idiot! He doesn't owe you anything!
Stop complaining. He said to DM him with rare items. Go find some!
Ben Walker, having traded with Thomas twice already, saw the World Chat post. He thought for a moment, then sent Thomas a private message.
Ben Walker: Pro, you interested in this? [Image of Paralyzing Toxin] x1
Thomas opened the image.
[Paralyzing Toxin]
Type: Rare Liquid Poison
Uses: 5/5
Description: Can be applied to melee weapons or cloths. Causes paralysis on contact with blood or through inhalation.
Effect: Melee weapon application: Target paralyzed for 300 seconds upon being hit. Cloth application: Target paralyzed for 300 seconds upon inhalation.
Note: Highly volatile. Use within 3 minutes of application.
Thomas's eyes widened. Holy crap! That's powerful!
Thomas: What do you want for it? Why aren't you keeping it for yourself?
Ben Walker: [Embarrassed emoji] Not a melee fighter, Pro. I'd rather trade it for the Level 3 armor, 2 submachine gun magazines, and 60 rounds.
Thomas understood. Most survivors avoided close combat. The toxin was a niche item. But Thomas, remembering the Apocalypse Knife Runner event, had an idea.
Thomas: Deal.
Firearms and armor were the most valuable items right now. Walker had traded for a submachine gun yesterday, so his request for more ammo and a better vest made sense. But two rare items in two days? This Walker guy was definitely hiding something. Thomas didn't care. As long as Walker kept providing valuable resources, their partnership would continue.
The trade went through. Walker happily examined his new armor and ammo. Time to check out that car dealership, he thought.
Thomas, holding the vial of glowing green liquid, smiled. A good start.
Two hours later, he'd finally found a few more items he liked:
[Hideout Security Upgrade Blueprint – Silent Alloy Door]
Type: Rare Blueprint
Effect 1: Eliminates all noise when opening and closing the hideout door.
Effect 2: Completely seals the hideout, providing +40% soundproofing and preventing water leakage.
Requirements: hideout Security Level 1, Sealing Strips x2, Soundproofing Material x2, Alloy Steel x2, Latex x1, 30,000 Apocalypse Coins
Upgrade Time: 1 hour
---
[Hideout Wall Upgrade Blueprint – Insulated Model]
Type: Rare Blueprint
Effect: Reduces heat loss by 60%, increases soundproofing by 40%.
Requirements: Ventilation Level 1, Insulation Panels x5, Expanding Foam x1, Sealing Strips x2, 40,000 Apocalypse Coins
Upgrade Time: 1 hour
---
[07A Tactical Gloves]
Type: Rare Hand Armor
Material: Leather, D3O Shock Absorption Plastic
Warmth: Good
Dexterity Bonus: +10%
Grip Bonus: +15%
---
[Dark Mask]
Type: Rare Face Armor
Material: Wool, Cotton
Warmth: Good
Breathability: Good
Ambient Hearing Penalty: -5%
Special Effect: A realistic black man face mask. Provides +20% concealment and +20% disguise in dark or dimly lit environments.
---
[Rabbit Brand Sheepskin Coat]
Type: Special Equipment
Material: Sheepskin, Cotton, Fleece
Warmth: Excellent
Breathability: Very Poor
Movement Penalty: -15%
These five items were exactly what he needed. He traded the three submachine guns and two AKs for them. The sellers were all from other city zones. He contacted them and finalized the trades.
Thinking about the materials needed for the blueprints, he contacted Ben Walker.
Thomas: Post this in World Chat for me: "Thomas is looking for sealing strips, soundproofing material, insulation panels, alloy steel, etc. DM him if you have any."
He posted the same message in Zone Chat.
Within half an hour, thanks to the lure of his remaining weapons, he had all the materials he needed. He used the blueprints.
[Hideout Security Upgrade – Silent Alloy Door: Upgrading…]
[Hideout Wall Upgrade – Insulated Model: Upgrading…]