It was still early, the sun had just risen, everything was quiet, and the riverside breeze was pleasant, putting Lu Qin in a better mood.
Why was there no movement? She shaded her eyes with her hand, standing on tiptoes to look ahead, hoping for her teammates to appear.
After who knows how long, gunshots rang out from the forest, followed by strange cries and beast roars, like a surging tide of wind and waves, approaching the riverside at a terrifying speed!
Lu Qin's eyelids twitched as she paced anxiously at the shore, unsure what to do.
Should she rush over to help her teammates, or keep waiting here?
Lu Qin decided to prepare early. Just as she pushed the swim ring into the water, Xia Chang and Song Ziyi came running back, pursued by a dark mass of beasts and zombies.
"Go! Quick!" They shouted as they jumped into the river, catching up to Lu Qin, and together they pushed forward with the swim ring and luggage.
However, many beasts and zombies plunged into the river, pursuing them.
How could this be?!
The zombies were one thing - they'd charge through water, fire, or pits. But those beasts weren't supposed to enter water - had they undergone another mutation?
The three were extremely anxious, but the luggage made it hard to speed up. Xia Chang said decisively: "Forget it, throw everything away!"
"No!" Song Ziyi clutched the luggage tightly, protesting: "We can't lose more things!"
"Throw it!"
"No!"
"Stop arguing!" Lu Qin saw figures approaching ahead and waved, shouting: "Boss Qian, we're here!"
Xia Chang and Song Ziyi fell silent, paddling desperately forward. Finally, they reached the shore before the beasts and zombies could catch up.
Song Ziyi waded ashore, chuckling, "Good thing we didn't lose the luggage..." Before he could finish, he suddenly screamed and fell forward onto the gravel beach.
A snake was wrapped around his right calf, apparently having emerged from the water.
"Little Song!" Lu Qin cried out.
Xia Chang drew his dagger, looking for the snake's vital point, but couldn't tell where to strike.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, the bullet cutting through the air like lightning.
The snake's head exploded, blood spraying as its severed body flew past Song Ziyi's pants and landed among the rocks, still writhing.
This—
Such excellent marksmanship and cool judgment, far surpassing their abilities!
Xia Chang and Lu Qin turned around to see A Miao ten paces away, calmly putting away the gun and returning it to Qian Zhenzhen.
[Your employee completed side quest *1
Kill zombies/beasts (1/1)]
[You received 18 Koi Vouchers]
[Your inn gained 200 experience points]
[You received 1.8 Koi Vouchers—[United We Stand · Employee 10% Bonus]]
[Your inn gained 20 experience points—[United We Stand · Employee 10% Bonus]]
Qian Zhenzhen dismissed the system messages and, seeing the two still dazed, raised her voice: "Don't just stand there—hurry and treat Xiao Song's wounds!"
She took A Miao to the riverbank, drawing away the beasts and zombies that had climbed up.
A Miao wielded his wooden club masterfully, taking down enemies one by one, expertly targeting their weak points.
Qian Zhenzhen tried to steal some kills, darting around with her iron axe looking for opportunities, but she couldn't compete with him at all.
In the end, all she got was—
[You killed [Zombies]*3]
[You gained 300 experience points]
Well, what could you do when your excellent employee specialized in combat?
The commotion attracted many zombies and beasts. Though some were washed away by the river current, forty or fifty were still approaching, with more entering the water from the opposite bank.
Staying wasn't an option, so Qian Zhenzhen called A Miao back to the guests' side.
Xia Chang and Lu Qin had finished administering the antidote serum to Song Ziyi and removed the broken snake fang from his flesh.
"Cold... so cold..." Song Ziyi mumbled in his daze, soaked through. The poor guy's old wound on his left eyebrow hadn't even healed yet, and now his right leg bore a fresh injury.
Seeing the zombies and beasts gathering in increasing numbers, the four worked together to carry him away from the riverside.
In the kitchen, the stove and charcoal furnace were lit. Xia Chang dried Song Ziyi's body, left Lu Qin to watch over him, and walked out alone.
The back door was closed, and Qian Zhenzhen and A Miao stood by the window with weapons, observing the situation outside.
Seeing him approach, Qian Zhenzhen asked, "How's Xiao Song?"
"He'll wake up after some sleep," Xia Chang replied.
Seeing him lingering, Qian Zhenzhen fidgeted with her bamboo staff and asked softly, "Captain Xia, do you have something to say?"
Xia Chang sighed and pulled out two An Xi Base vouchers, showing them to her.
"We need A Miao's help. These are our last vouchers. If it's not enough, we'll have to stay and work here to pay off our debt."
Their determination was clear—the lost luggage must be very important to them.
Qian Zhenzhen didn't ask about the luggage but took the two metal vouchers to examine them. Both were valued at "50" and could be exchanged at par for 100 Koi Vouchers.
Most importantly, she could complete the adventure quest now!
"Wait." Xia Chang reached out and took back the two metal vouchers, instead opening his backpack to take out the earlier cloth bag. "This is just the deposit. Once we find the luggage, I'll pay you the remainder."
Qian Zhenzhen laughed wryly. "Captain Xia, you're so cautious. Afraid I'll go back on my word?"
Xia Chang gave her a penetrating look. "You actually want An Xi Base vouchers, don't you?"
Qian Zhenzhen: ...
Had she said anything? How did he figure it out?
Seeing her stunned reaction, Xia Chang knew he'd guessed correctly.
He looked at the metal token vouchers in his hand and suddenly snorted, saying jokingly: "You're quite 'naughty.'"
[Guest [Xia Chang]'s evaluation of you has increased, please keep up the good work!]
This... why does this "naughty" comment paired with the system prompt feel like tsundere complaining?
"Ahem." Qian Zhenzhen cleared her throat. "Captain Xia, you should rest for now. There's still a tough battle ahead."
She turned around. In the distance, behind the shadows of trees, wet beasts and zombies had appeared, wandering in large numbers. They would reach the inn's back door area soon.
The system popped up the third tutorial mission:
[Tutorial Mission (3): Repel an Attack
Gather your employees, raise your weapons, and protect your inn!
Rewards:
*For each zombie/beast killed by you and your employees, you'll receive 5 Koi Vouchers!
*For each zombie/beast you kill, you'll receive 200 experience points!
*For each zombie/beast your employees kill, your inn will receive 200 experience points!*This is a great opportunity to earn Koi Vouchers and inn experience points, don't miss out!]
Qian Zhenzhen thought for a moment and mentally asked the system: What about kills by guests?
The mission information refreshed, adding one more line:
[For each zombie/beast killed by your guests, you'll receive 10 Koi Vouchers and your inn will receive 200 experience points! (Special Reward Mechanism!) (Double!)]
Qian Zhenzhen squeezed the cloth bag in her hand.
She understood.
Qian Zhenzhen went to the attic, retrieved some of the vouchers paid by the wandering team, and then headed to the kitchen.