Merchant

Entering the cockpit, Reno heard the familiar notification sound: "Congratulations to participant 3546 for returning to base. You are the seventy-sixth returnee. According to the rules, you will not receive any point rewards."

Although resetting the center point did indeed shorten the distance between Reno and the mech, sometimes scientific methods were no match for invincible luck. Some mechs were directly near the first center point, allowing some lucky ones to find their mechs shortly after disembarking from the shuttle. Moreover, Reno had spent a lot of precious time searching the entire island earlier.

However, Reno didn't mind.

The biggest problem with luck was its inconsistency. Being lucky at one moment didn't guarantee luck in the next. Rational tactics and scientific methods were what truly propelled people forward.

After the notification sound, a second prompt followed: "The organizers remind you that there is a large number of original Algae Star Serpent Lizards in the 457, 896 coordinate area. Killing Serpent Lizards earns one point for every five kills."

Serpent Lizards were native beasts of the Algae Star, incredibly strong and untamed creatures often used in gladiatorial competitions, similar to bullfighting but more thrilling. Although ferocious, they were no match for mechs, hence requiring the killing of five to earn one point.

Reno ignored this and instead initiated the mech's startup sequence: "Initiate system self-check."

"System self-check in progress. Mech energy pod at ten percent capacity, energy generator locked at ninety percent, ammunition box three, containing nine-millimeter shellless bullets, twelve-millimeter armor-piercing rounds, and eighteen-millimeter explosive shells. Ammunition factory locked. Ion thrusters locked, unable to fly. Cold fusion engine installation adjustment valve, power decreased by seventy-five percent..."

As the system self-check report went on, the current status of the Silverwing Angel appeared on the window in front of Reno.

Seeing the red disable marks one by one, Reno couldn't help but shake his head in admiration. "Suddenly back to the Stone Age. Why don't they just give us axes and swords to fight with?"

The organizers had disabled all high-power energy weapons, shut down production capacity, reduced power, and restricted live ammunition. The only weapons allowed were close combat energy weapons, with power also restricted, and the only live ammunition available was machine gun bullets, and damn it, three types at that—considering that a significant portion of mechs didn't have multi-caliber spare gun barrels.

It was simply frustrating!

But that was the mech competition. It wasn't just about the pilots; it was also about the mechs themselves, testing their combat capabilities under various conditions.

If it weren't for the fear of mechs becoming completely immobile due to lack of energy, the organizers probably wouldn't even provide that ten percent energy capacity.

Of course, the organizers didn't intend for everyone to fight primitive wars. There were plenty of resource points on the battlefield. As long as contestants could find them, they could strengthen and arm themselves, making the competition more dynamic and watchable. It made mech competitions not just about strength but also about strategy and luck.

It might be unfair, but as a competition, it was definitely exciting.

With the search completed, Reno opened his personal terminal and released the nearby topographical map he had captured earlier. He quickly found a suspected resource point not far from his location.

"Well then, let's get to work!" Reno piloted the mech towards the resource point.

Compared to obtaining a few limited points, obtaining more resources was the current priority.

A few minutes later, Reno arrived at the resource point. Removing the camouflage, he revealed a large box.

Opening the box, Reno saw two small energy cells, an ammunition box, and twelve spider mines inside.

The energy cells were used for recharging, with one small energy cell only able to provide five percent of energy to the mech's energy pod.

"Congratulations, you are the third discoverer of the resource point, earning eight points as a reward," suddenly came the notification sound from the mech's cockpit.

Scientific arrangements still couldn't beat invincible luck. This time, Reno still couldn't secure the first place.

But Reno understood that one of the hidden rules of this competition seemed to be that as long as you entered the top ten in something, you would be rewarded with points according to your ranking. First place earned ten points, second place nine points, and so on.

The first batch to board the shuttle, the first batch to find the mech, and the first batch to find resource points all had corresponding reward tasks. So according to this logic, the first batch to find the special merchant and the first batch to achieve certain defeat points or reach a certain point threshold should also receive corresponding rewards.

"Well, if that's the case, then the next plan should change a bit," Reno thought.

After collecting the contents of the box, Reno changed direction and ran towards another location.

This time, he no longer cherished energy, maximizing his speed and sprinting through the jungle. Along the way, he encountered several contestants searching for mechs—some of those who had landed at the first center point had already found nearby ones.

Reno knew he didn't have much time left and headed full speed towards the valley he remembered.

Finally, after crossing a small stream, Reno entered a valley.

In the valley stood a stone house.

The stone house was situated on a limestone, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment, making it not easy to spot without careful observation.

Reno had seen this place from the shuttle, and at that time, he realized that this might be the location of the special merchant mentioned in the rules.

As Reno piloted the mech towards the stone house, before he could even step out of the cockpit, a middle-aged man in a black tailcoat emerged from the house. He smiled at Reno and said, "Welcome to Abbis's hut. What can I get for you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the notification sound came from the cockpit: "You are the first to discover the special merchant, earning ten points as a reward."

As expected," Reno chuckled.

He stepped out of the cockpit and jumped down from the mech. "May I inquire what you have in your hut, Mr. Abbisulf?" he asked.

"Oh, plenty," Abbisulf chuckled. "All sorts of energy cells, ammunition. I have everything you need here. Besides, I can also unlock the weapon restrictions on your mech for you, but all these services must be purchased with points. I must remind you that the points you spend won't be refunded, and the final ranking in the competition is determined by points."

"So, the competition doesn't count points earned, only the final points?"

"Exactly. But the items here are affordable and of good quality. With just one point, you can get a meal; with two points, you can get a small energy cell or a box of ammunition; with three points, you can increase the power of some weapons or equipment; with five points, you can unlock a weapon or equipment with an attack strength equivalent to ten S&P points. How about it? Would you like to give it a try?" Abbisulf grinned. "Oh, by the way, friendly reminder, I'll change locations periodically, and every time I do, prices go up. My next move is before this sunset, so... seize the opportunity."

"Understood. In that case, I happen to have eighteen points, so I'll use them all," Reno replied.

"A smart choice!" Abbisulf laughed. "So, what do you plan to buy?"

As he spoke, he opened the terminal in his hand, displaying the list of services.

Reno looked carefully. "Unlocking the energy generator requires forty-five points?" he asked incredulously.

Abbisulf replied, "The organizers set obstacles based on different functions and importance. The importance of the energy generator is unquestionable, directly related to the mech's sustained operational capability, defense, and attack capabilities. Therefore, the required points for unlocking are high. But you can unlock it in stages. The energy generator has nine locks. Each lock can unlock ten percent of the energy generation capacity, and it only takes five points to unlock one lock."

Indeed, the energy generator was the most important equipment in the mech. With so many places in the mech requiring energy consumption, relying solely on energy cells would not be enough. Even those different types of energy weapons also required this basic energy to operate.

"Understood," Reno nodded. "I need to unlock one layer of the energy generator, unlock the shoulder positron cannon, and increase the power of the energy sword."

Unlocking one layer of the energy generator required five points, unlocking the shoulder positron cannon required ten points, and increasing the power of the energy sword required three points, totaling exactly eighteen points.

"No problem, but aren't you planning to get some more food?" Abbisulf asked.

Food was also available here, with one point per meal.

"Thank you, but I already have some. In fact, I have an extra portion," Reno replied, taking out the extra portion of food. "I don't know if you recycle here."

Abbisulf was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. "Of course, any consumable supplies are recyclable. So if you have enough loot, you can also sell it to me."

"That's good. I want to use it to exchange for a set of repair systems," Reno said, pointing to the list.

"I'm sorry, but that won't work. Even the simplest repair system requires one point, and I only give half price for recyclables," Abbisulf replied.

"I see," Reno rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "Then, how about just the tools without the parts?"

"Just the tools, no parts?" Abbisulf was astonished.

He had never expected such a request, shaking his head repeatedly. "I can't make that decision. There's no precedent for this."

"Then ask your superiors and listen to the audience's voices," Reno replied.

In the audience stands, countless spectators were already shouting:

"Agree to his request!"

"Agree to him!"

"I like his performance!"

"I want to know how he'll repair his mech without spare parts!"

"Agree to him! Agree to him! Agree to him!"

Undoubtedly, manipulating the crowd was always the best way to coerce those in power.

Abbisulf's terminal soon rang, and after answering, he looked at Reno with a strange look.

He said, "Okay, I agree."