Chapter 11: Trading Supplies and the Black-Tech Camouflage Coating
Roger discovered that most of the survivors who reached out to him for trades offered construction items, electronic components, food, and water. However, the critical materials he desperately needed—stones, wood, and cotton—were nowhere to be found.
This realization made Roger frown. Could it be that these materials weren't obtainable in the city?
Suddenly, he recalled a passage in the training manual and had an epiphany.
Indeed, such materials weren't produced in urban areas.
Stones were generally found in mountainous or Gobi desert regions.
Wood was most abundant in forested areas.
Cotton could only be harvested in plains or similar regions.
Each geographical area had its own unique resources. Urban areas, for example, primarily produced items commonly used in cities, as well as slightly scarce essentials like food and water. Survivors in cities generally had easier access to basic necessities.
However, urban areas came with greater risks. Refugees and rebels were far more active in cities, which meant the pressure to survive was significantly higher.
With this in mind, Roger switched to the [World Channel], which he hadn't checked in quite a while.
The conversations there were far less frequent compared to the regional channel, with only a few scattered exchanges.
Roger swiftly drafted and sent his message:
[City - Roger: 4 melee weapons and sabers available for trade. Ideal for self-defense and hunting. Don't miss out if you don't have weapons! Seeking cotton, stones, wood, wool, and similar materials. Limited quantity! I'll quote you my offer, and the highest bidder gets the deal!]
This announcement instantly drew a flood of attention from survivors worldwide.
The number of views on the [World Channel] visibly surged, and the regional chat soon became even more chaotic than before.
[Mountain Region - Liu Tao]: Awesome! There's been a wolf lurking outside my hiding place. Now I can deal with it. Sent a trade request already!
[Plains - Ma Jingtao]: Sabers! Four of them! This is incredible!
[Forest - Zhang Wenwen]: Brother, please lend me the weapon! I'll return it as soon as I can, I swear!
[Coastal Area - Zhang Dong]: Boss, can I trade seafood for your weapon?
Roger's private messages also exploded, quickly reaching 999+ notifications.
Unfazed, Roger used keyword filters to sort through the messages.
He deleted irrelevant chats and narrowed his focus to trade offers featuring the materials he urgently needed—cotton, stones, and wood. These were vital for preparing for the polar blizzard disaster, which would be the next major challenge.
Unsurprisingly, cotton and wood were far scarcer than stone, with only a handful of offers.
Roger wasn't in a hurry, though. Weapons were invaluable in this stage of survival. Survivors were far more desperate to acquire them than he was to trade them.
True enough, the offers steadily grew more competitive.
In the end, Roger traded four melee weapons in exchange for:
30 units of cotton
80 units of wood
150 units of stone
20 units of wool
Since Roger's backpack was already full, the materials were sent to his mailbox for retrieval once he returned to his hideout.
Likewise, he successfully traded two Level 2 bulletproof vests, selecting the highest bidders.
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Returning to the Hideout
After completing his exploration of the Red Romance Club, Roger's sole focus was returning safely to his hideout.
With his loot securely packed, Roger exited the club and hurried toward the subway station across the street.
Fortunately, the journey was uneventful. Though slowed down by his heavy load, Roger managed to reach his hideout within an hour.
Once inside, Roger began sorting through his spoils.
The haul from the Red Romance Club was substantial:
Doomsday Coins: 110,000
Valuables: Guitar pick ×2, doll ×2, gold necklace ×1, gold rooster statue ×1, gold egg ×1, commemorative gold coin ×1
Medical Supplies: Various items
Electronics: Assorted components
Additionally, Roger had looted weapons and gear from the followers of the Evil God and the refugees he had defeated:
PP-9 Submachine Guns ×2 (with 4 magazines)
MP-443 Pistols ×2 (with 2 magazines)
9x19mm Submachine Gun Ammo ×120
9x19mm Pistol Ammo ×56
M67 Grenades (various quantities)
But the most valuable finds were undoubtedly the rare military boots, a Level 4 bulletproof vest, two rare blueprints, and the [Camouflage Coating Sticker].
Roger marveled at the sheer scale of his spoils before opening the hideout's construction interface.
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Constructing the Warehouse
Previously, Roger hadn't felt the need for a warehouse, as his inventory had been modest. Now, with his resources overflowing, it was essential.
[Warehouse] Level 1
Effect: Adds a 5×8 (40-slot) storage space to the hideout.
Requirements: 10,000 Doomsday Coins, one backpack with at least six slots.
Construction Time: 30 minutes.
Roger used an 8-slot military backpack for the build and chose a spot near the hideout's entrance for the warehouse.
With 10,000 Doomsday Coins spent, construction began.
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Testing the Camouflage Coating
Next, Roger took the [Camouflage Coating Sticker] outside and applied it to the hideout's security door.
As the item disappeared, the door transformed. Its texture and color seamlessly blended with the surrounding wall, becoming virtually invisible.
Roger was amazed.
He examined the door from every angle, but it was impossible to detect.
"This is incredible! Definitely black-tech!"
Satisfied, Roger grabbed the invisible handle and opened the door. The seamless wall parted to reveal the hideout's interior.
After stepping inside, Roger closed the door again. Within seconds, the door vanished, leaving behind an unbroken wall.
"Perfect," he muttered, shaking his head in admiration.