[Cryogenic Freezer Suit]
Type: Rare Item
Material: Multi-layered Taslon, Thermal Microfiber
Effect: Temperature resistance from 0°C to -250°C. Provides freeze, liquid nitrogen, cold, water, and thermal protection.
Movement Penalty: -5%
Description: Specialized protective suit for extreme environments. Suitable for LNG stations, liquefied gas handling, liquid nitrogen/oxygen handling, cold storage, laboratories, and ultra-low temperature environments.
Note: Full protection requires the complete suit: coveralls, hood, gloves, and boots.
---
A grin stretched across Thomas's face. A -250°C suit. Talk about a lucky find.
He contacted the seller. Their request was simple. They'd found the suit in a freezer warehouse, but they were already suffering from [Chill]. Their heating supplies were gone. The suit couldn't stop the inevitable. Now, they had a [Fever]. They needed stew to survive.
Thomas traded three bowls of stew, two ibuprofen, two amoxicillin, twenty units of wood, fuel, and a lighter for the suit.
When he retrieved it from his inbox, it was in a large case. The full suit, plus a compressed air tank with a hose and mask. The description explained it. The suit sealed the wearer off from the outside environment, requiring an external air supply.
"Impressive," he thought, carefully storing the suit.
His World Channel offer, allowing trades for low-grade medical supplies, seemed to have encouraged more offers. Or maybe they finally had something he wanted.
Minutes later, another promising offer.
[Husky Brand Electric Snowmobile]
Type: Rare Item
Effect: Fast snow travel. 50kg carrying capacity. Max speed 20km/h. Quiet and durable.
Battery Life: 6 hours at 0°C, 5 hours at -30°C, 4 hours at -70°C.
Charge Time: 10 hours with a Level 2 Generator.
Description: Experience the joy of dog sledding, solo.
---
"Yes!" He couldn't believe his luck. Both crucial items in one day.
He contacted the seller, haggling over the price. Fifteen bowls of stew. Too much. He frowned. Something felt off.
He didn't reply, feigning disinterest. He wanted to test their resolve and see if other offers appeared.
Just then, a survivor from the West Coast contacted him, offering something he'd been searching for: a pressure-resistant diving suit.
The seller only wanted three bowls of stew and some fever medicine. A steal. The suit was worthless in this weather. But Thomas needed it. He accepted the trade.
[Pressure-Resistant Diving Suit]
Type: Rare Item
Effect: Protects against water pressure up to 500 meters.
Description: Bears the CBS logo. Appears to be of unusual origin.
Note: Requires an oxygen tank for underwater use.
---
"CBS again?" He examined the logo. The third time he'd seen it. The [Laboratory Access Keycard], the suitcase with the serum blueprint, and now this.
He narrowed his eyes. This CBS Laboratory was becoming increasingly intriguing. Its connection to Sparrow City was undeniable. Every faction seemed to be searching for it. And now, an item on the West Coast.
He contacted the seller.
City - Thomas: Where did you find this? Can you tell me more?
West Coast - Liu Cixin: Found it in a storage room at a sanatorium a couple of days ago.
A sanatorium? He frowned. Another piece of the puzzle.
City - Thomas: Thanks. If you find anything else with the CBS logo, contact me. I'll pay well. He sent an extra bowl of stew.
City - Thomas: A little something for your trouble. Stay safe.
West Coast - Liu Cixin: Will do, Legend Smyth! I'll let you know.
Liu Cixin, safe in his hideout, stared at the stew, surprised and grateful. A simple answer, rewarded with food. He'd learned something about Legend Smyth. Generosity had its price.
"He wants that CBS stuff," he thought. "I remember seeing more of it at the sanatorium. I'll go back after the blizzard."
Thomas stored the diving suit, pleased with his progress. Only two requirements left for the serum: the Intelligence Center upgrade and the Disaster Wonder. The upgrade components were being gathered. The lotus would have to wait.
He checked his messages. The snowmobile seller had caved.
Mountains - Wu Jing: Legend Smyth, sorry, typo earlier. Five bowls of stew for the snowmobile. And some fever medicine, whatever you can spare.
Thomas smirked. He waited, sipping his tea by the fireplace.
Ten minutes later.
Mountains - Wu Jing: Three bowls? Can't go any lower. I broke my leg getting this thing!
Thomas set down his tea.
City - Thomas: Deal.
Three bowls of stew, three ibuprofen, and three amoxicillin later, the snowmobile was his.
It was larger than a regular snowmobile, wider, with two treads in the back and small skis in front. Simple and efficient. He plugged it into the generator. The red light on the dashboard came on. Charging. He smiled.
Transportation and cold protection secured. Now, how to reach the roof of the Trading Center?
"Oh, the Super Monopoly roll!" He almost forgot.
He scrolled through his messages.
City - Thomas: You still there? You mentioned custom woodwork on the World Channel?
Forest - Howie Wang: Legend Smyth! You finally contacted me! What do you need?
City - Thomas: A statue of Lord Guan. About 50 centimeters tall. Eyes closed, stroking his beard, holding his guan dao. Coated in tung oil. And a pedestal for it. Three bowls of stew.
Howie Wang, standing by a roaring fire in his forest hideout, grinned. "My lucky break!"
He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Forest - Howie Wang: You'll need an incense burner and incense too, right?
City - Thomas: You can make incense? He was genuinely surprised.
Forest - Howie Wang: I know a guy. He's got tons of it.
City - Thomas: Get it for me. I'll cover the cost. Plus three ibuprofen and three amoxicillin for you. Half an hour, and I'll throw in another bowl of stew.
Forest - Howie Wang: You got it, Legend Smyth!
Thomas hadn't expected this. Incense was hard to come by. Now, he'd have everything he needed for his Lord Guan shrine.
Twenty-nine minutes later, a trade request from Howie. The statue, the pedestal, and a thousand sticks of incense.
Forest - Howie Wang: My friend said it's for you, so just give what you think is fair. He made it for fun, he said. No big deal.
Thomas didn't believe that for a second. He added another bowl of stew to the trade.
City - Thomas: Give that to your friend. And thanks. I might need more later.
The trade complete, he placed the statue prominently in his living area, away from the kitchen and bathroom. He filled the incense burner with rolled oats, placed five cans of food as offerings, washed his hands, and lit three sticks of incense. He stood before the statue, his expression solemn…