[Sharkskin Wetsuit]
Type: Rare Item
Effect 1: In water, reduces frictional drag by 30%, wave resistance by 30%, and form drag by 30%.
Effect 2: Increases swimming speed by 40%, reduces stamina consumption by 30%.
Description: A diving suit designed to mimic sharkskin, highly sought after by swimming enthusiasts since its release.
This suit, Thomas thought, his eyes gleaming, was practically a godsend for the impending deluge. He already possessed the [Son of the Ocean] gene-modifying serum. Once synthesized, it would grant him underwater breathing and water manipulation abilities. Combined with this Sharkskin Wetsuit, his mobility in the underwater world would be dramatically enhanced.
He immediately contacted the seller, only to learn the man was at death's door, stricken with a severe cold. Otherwise, he wouldn't be trading such a valuable item. The seller, originally from the coastal region, had planned to explore the underwater world after surviving the extreme cold. Now, survival itself depended on this trade.
The deal was struck: three bowls of Nourishing Mutton Stew, two cans of meat, two fever reducers, and two amoxicillin capsules in exchange for the rare wetsuit. Enough supplies for the seller to weather the storm, as the blizzard was predicted to lessen by morning.
A successful first trade brought a flicker of satisfaction to Thomas's face. He then returned to the deluge of private messages. His trading agenda for the day was packed: securing materials to upgrade his Intelligence Center to Level 2, the Generator to Level 3, and reinforce his Hideout Walls to Level 2. If he failed today, the chances of acquiring these materials after the blizzard subsided were slim to none.
Once this wave of newbies survived and integrated into the real Apocalypse Game, the value of these high-level materials would skyrocket—potentially tenfold, even a hundredfold. Thomas knew, with chilling certainty, that the surviving newcomers would become prime targets for the veteran players, their advanced materials and rare items highly coveted.
Those who survived the Apocalypse Game were seasoned predators. In this world of survival of the fittest, any atrocity was justifiable. Even encountering fellow Earth survivors warranted caution. And then there were the myriad alien races mentioned in the training manuals, the true adversaries. While cooperation among humans was conceivable, facing these alien races meant a fight to the death. This grim reality had been drilled into him before entering the game.
"Speaking of which," Thomas mused, his thoughts drifting, "those alien races must also integrate new players periodically."
He snapped back to reality. Over an hour had passed. Driven by the pressure to survive, he had gathered most of the materials needed for the upgrades. Yet, each upgrade was missing one or two crucial components: two Confidential Intel reports for the Intelligence Center, a Fuel Injector and a Thermostat for the Generator, and, ironically, a Sledgehammer for the Hideout Walls.
Impatience gnawed at him. He contacted Ben Walker, unsure if he was awake. A swift reply arrived.
[Ben Walker: What's up, Legend?]
[Thomas: Damn, you're still up?!]
[Ben Walker: Was asleep! Your message woke me.]
Thomas realized Ben had set his messages to alert him. A pang of guilt hit him.
[Thomas: Sorry! Do you have any World Channel announcements left?]
[Ben Walker: Yep! What do you need to announce, Legend? I'll post it for you.]
Thomas relayed his requirements. Soon, the World Channel buzzed with a new message:
[City - Ben Walker: Attention everyone, Legend Smyth asked me to announce that he's buying "Confidential Intel," "Fuel Injectors," "Thermostats," and "Sledgehammers." He's offering 10 bowls of Nourishing Mutton Stew per item. Offer valid until 7 PM tonight. Don't miss out!]
The message caused a ripple of excitement. Nourishing Mutton Stew was the hottest commodity in these early days. Rare items usually fetched three or four bowls at most. Ten bowls was unprecedented. Many were tempted. The exorbitant price was the main draw.
While Thomas dominated the Mutton Stew trade, a few other survivors were also peddling smaller quantities on the World Channel. These were individuals who had previously traded with Thomas and now possessed a surplus. Since Thomas wasn't buying every type of material, focusing on upgrade components and high-value items like graphics cards and rare items, the market had stratified. Mutton Stew circulated in the high-end and a fraction of the mid-tier market.
Lower-tier materials, like wood for heating or cotton and wool for clothing—essential for survival—rarely earned Mutton Stew from Thomas unless he specifically requested them, such as medical supplies, electronic components, or food. He had ample stockpiles and wasn't interested in reselling. His focus remained on upgrading his Hideout and acquiring the Calamity Relic, [Arctic Snow Lotus].
This created a supply imbalance. A network of middlemen emerged in the lower and mid-tier markets. Those with surplus Mutton Stew traded it for large quantities of wood, cotton, and wool, then used these to acquire other essential supplies, preparing for the post-blizzard world. For these individuals, a single bowl of Mutton Stew was a small fortune. This explained the fervent reaction when Thomas contacted Howie Wang, offering Mutton Stew for the statue of Lord Guan. Profit was the driving force. Even if they didn't use the stew themselves, trading it was a lucrative venture.
So, when Ben Walker, Thomas's designated mouthpiece, broadcast the message, those possessing the desired items were instantly intrigued. Some hesitated, unaware of the true value of their possessions, but sensing their significance if Thomas was willing to pay such a high price. They wavered between holding onto their items and making the trade.
Oblivious to the commotion he'd caused, Thomas returned to his private messages, shifting his focus to lower-tier material trades. Today's offers were scarce in medical supplies and electronic components. Those who possessed them had mostly traded with him yesterday. Today's offers primarily consisted of chemical raw materials from survivors in the mining and city zones, hoping to barter for Mutton Stew.
Thomas swiftly assessed the offered quantities and negotiated accordingly. Direct trades were made when feasible. If the quantity was too low to warrant a full bowl of Mutton Stew, he'd state this clearly, leaving the decision to the seller.
Within half an hour, not only was his four-tiered shelf overflowing, but he'd also contacted Howie Wang in the forest zone to craft two more. Only then could he accommodate the influx of chemical raw materials.
He frowned at the increasingly cramped Hideout. "This space is too small!" His Hideout, already upgraded once with a scroll, had expanded from its initial 82 square meters to over 200. It had felt spacious initially, but with the constant upgrades and accumulating supplies, it was becoming constricted.
He rubbed his temples. So many problems! It felt like playing whack-a-mole. "One step at a time," he muttered, brewing a cup of black tea to combat fatigue.
He returned to his messages. Ben Walker's announcement had worked its magic. Three people had contacted him, confirming the ten-bowl offer for the listed items. They sent him the details of their possessions. Two had a Sledgehammer and a Fuel Injector, crucial for upgrading the Generator and Hideout Walls. The trades were swiftly executed.
Finally, all the materials needed to upgrade the Hideout Walls to Level 2 were secured. The Generator only required a Thermostat. Coincidentally, the third trader possessed this very item. Thomas's initial elation soured when he saw the asking price: 15 bowls of Mutton Stew. His worst fears were realized.
After a moment of contemplation, he replied:
[City - Thomas: Friend, ten bowls is already a generous offer. Will you trade?]
A test.
[Storage Depot - Dash Strong: Seriously, Legend? Isn't this what you've been looking for? I almost died getting this. 15 bowls, firm.]
Thomas scrutinized the message, his gaze flitting between the avatar and the text, analyzing the hidden implications. He desperately needed the Thermostat, but the seller clearly had him over a barrel.
After a few seconds of hesitation, he made his decision. Fifteen bowls he could afford. Acquiring the Thermostat was worth it.
[City - Thomas: Fine, let's trade.]
This time, the response was delayed. A full minute passed before a new message arrived.
[Storage Depot - Dash Strong: Seems I'm the only one with this item. I've changed my mind. I want 30 bowls.]
Thomas closed the message window, blocking the sender. A cold smile touched his lips. He knew these greedy types were never satisfied. Had he agreed to 30, the demand would have instantly jumped to 50.
"Storage Depot - Dash Strong," he murmured. "Interesting. I'll remember you."
This was the second name added to his mental list. The first was Sandy. He wasn't one to turn the other cheek. Retribution was his creed. Especially in the Apocalypse Game, where kindness was a death sentence. For now, during the first calamity, separated by different zones, he would simply remember. Opportunity would present itself eventually.
He composed himself. As if to compensate for the previous encounter, someone offered him Confidential Intel. The asking price was ten bowls of Mutton Stew and a submachine gun. Thomas readily agreed. Confidential Intel was exceedingly rare. He traded one of the silenced submachine guns acquired from the hospital delivery.
The trade went smoothly. Now, only a Confidential Intel report and a Thermostat remained. After quickly scanning his private messages for any further offers and finding none, he cleared his inbox and waited.
He retrieved the upgrade materials for the Hideout Walls.
[Hideout Walls - Insulated] Level 1
Type: Hideout Facility
Effect: Reduces heat loss within the Hideout by 60%, increases soundproofing by 40%.
Next Stage: [Hideout Security] Level 2, [Ventilation System] Level 2, [Generator] Level 2. Requires: Sledgehammer x1, Toolbox x1, Metal Parts x5, Expanding Foam Sealant x10, Duct Tape x5, Electrical Wiring x15, Screws x3 packs.
Upgrade Time: 120 minutes.
Upgrade conditions met. Upgrade?
[Yes]
The wall dissolved into a shimmering light.
"Two hours until completion. Not bad."
"Now, only the Intelligence Center and the Generator remain." He sighed softly. But he wasn't discouraged. He checked the time. 3:30 PM. After another fruitless scan of his inbox, he retreated to his resting area and crawled back into bed.
Time to conserve energy. Tonight's operation was crucial. He needed to be at peak physical and mental condition. He set an alarm for 7 PM and closed his eyes, his breathing gradually evening out.
While he rested, preparing for the night ahead, in the Storage Depot zone, Dash Strong, recently blocked by Thomas, waited impatiently for a reply. Seeing the notification that he'd been blocked, he immediately contacted his accomplice.
[Dash Strong: Boss, that Thomas guy blocked me. Did we push too hard?]
A few seconds later, the reply came.
[Liam Brightman: Damn, that Sandy bitch is unreliable. She said this Thomas guy would pay anything for stuff he needs.]
[Liam Brightman: Forget it. Blocked is blocked. I'll contact him again tonight. You said he agreed to 15 bowls, right? I'll ask for 15 tonight… The idiot doesn't know how to make a profit. What a waste of his good fortune…]