Chapter 3: The Trading Post Opens

In fact, Ryan could be considered a semi-outdoor enthusiast. 

He had dreamed of owning an RV since he was a child. 

So, during his sophomore year, after making his first pot of gold through futures trading, Ryan decided to take a leave of absence from school and bought an RV to travel across the country. 

As a result, Ryan had some experience with outdoor living. 

He felt that in this survival game, players skilled in wilderness survival had a natural advantage. 

Of course, this advantage would only be apparent in the early stages. 

To survive longer—"survival strategy" was the key. 

Whether it was about collecting and distributing resources, planning responses to monsters and dangers, or attitudes when facing other players, even the daily speed of vehicle travel needed careful consideration. 

Ryan was also aware that his biggest advantage lay in the "information gap." 

By utilizing the Admin Work Group, he could stay updated on the latest developments in this survival game! 

This A-Class supply crate was just the beginning. 

Ryan remembered the "Hero Challenge" mentioned in the Admin Work Group. 

The administrator named [Square 7] was likely responsible for monster design. In the upcoming Hero Challenge, the final boss guarded a treasure chest with generous rewards. 

For ordinary players, greed might cost them their lives. 

But Ryan had already figured out the monster's weakness. 

Similar to the sun's ultraviolet rays, exposing it to UV light would significantly slow its movements, allowing him to defeat it. 

That treasure chest was something Ryan was determined to obtain. 

So he needed to create a device that could emit ultraviolet light before the Hero Challenge began. 

"Let's install this battery module first." Ryan said as he set down the battery and pulled up the system panel. "How do I install this? Do I need tools?" 

At that moment, information popped up on the system panel. 

[Vehicle has available upgrade components] 

[Replace vehicle battery module] 

[Would you like to install it?] 

Ryan didn't hesitate and clicked to install. 

The battery module in his hand disappeared, and the vehicle information on the system panel changed. 

[Vehicle: Small Truck (Level 1)] 

[Installed: C-Class Vehicle Battery Module] 

"Hmm, the installation is easier than I expected, this is quite game-like." Ryan said as he closed the system panel and returned to the driver's seat. 

At that moment, the dashboard updated to show the battery capacity. 

[Capacity: 5 kWh (100%)] 

Ryan noticed the fuel gauge next to him, which had changed from a green light to yellow. 

[Fuel Level: 93 Units] 

He vaguely remembered that the fuel level initially displayed 150 units. 

It seemed that the vehicle consumed 1 unit of fuel for every kilometer traveled, leaving him with 93 kilometers of travel distance remaining. 

If he didn't find more fuel before running out, that could lead to some trouble. 

After analyzing the situation, Ryan opened the map again, "Let's plan the next route…" 

With the administrator map, the following tasks became much easier. 

Soon, Ryan had mapped out his route. 

He started the small truck and began driving along the planned path. 

... 

Two hours later, Ryan returned to the vehicle. 

He took off the hood of his winter coat, a faint warmth surrounding him as he looked at the large amount of supplies piled on the back seat, and a satisfied smile spread across his face. 

In just two short hours, he had driven nearly 100 kilometers. 

He had collected 4 C-Class supply crates and 1 B-Class supply crate. 

Aside from the initial C-Class supply crate placed by the roadside, most of the remaining crates were located in the gravel plains on either side of the highway. 

Although they weren't positioned deep, roughly 50 to 200 meters from the road, it still required significant effort for ordinary players to obtain a supply crate. 

First of all, with the outside being so cold, players without winter clothing couldn't easily get out of the vehicle. 

Secondly, even if they drove in, the rocky terrain of the gravel plains presented extremely poor road conditions. 

Venturing in recklessly could even risk a flat tire and getting stuck. 

Even if they didn't get stuck, it would greatly increase fuel consumption. 

But for Ryan, there was no need to worry about that right now. Since the monsters hadn't respawned, he just needed to park the car by the roadside and use the crowbar to collect supplies. 

The total supplies he had collected so far were— 

[Bread x5, Mineral Water x3, Plastic Materials x4, Metal Materials x3, Canned Chicken x2, Firewood x5, Flint x1, Fuel 50 Units] 

"It's a pity I didn't find any electronic components, and I still need one more plastic material, otherwise, I could have made a water filter right away." Ryan said as he searched the map, but unfortunately, he didn't find any electronic components. 

It was likely that the area he was currently in didn't have materials of that level available yet. 

However, with his current supply reserves, he didn't need to worry about water sources for the time being. 

Ryan sighed, "Well, I'll take a break and have some lunch first." 

After working hard for most of the day, he was feeling a bit hungry. 

Ryan planned to reward himself with a can of chicken. 

In such a cold environment, he needed to replenish his calories, just eating bread wouldn't suffice and could jeopardize his health. 

"Now that I have flint and wood, let's start a fire…" 

He picked up the wood and went outside the vehicle to prepare for a fire. 

Suddenly, the system panel popped up automatically. 

[Can only make a simple campfire using a basic crafting station] 

"A crafting station? Where is it?" Ryan opened the trunk at the back of the vehicle and found a small table in the corner. 

[Please place materials on the workbench] 

As Ryan picked up the wood, all the basic crafting options for wood appeared on the system panel. 

To create a simple campfire, he needed wood x3. 

Ryan gathered the wood, then reached out to click on the crafting option on the system panel. 

In the next second, 

The wood on the workbench joined together, forming a spot on top where items could be placed. 

Holding the makeshift campfire, Ryan set it down beside the vehicle. 

He grabbed the metal bucket filled with fuel and poured some fuel on top, then easily ignited it with the flint. 

The campfire quickly blazed to life. 

Ryan opened the can by pulling the tab and placed it over the fire to warm it up. 

Soon, the solid broth inside the canned chicken melted into a golden chicken soup. 

A delicious aroma wafted up into the air. 

Especially on this cold winter day, the warm and fragrant smell made Ryan's mouth water. 

Unable to resist, he eagerly scooped up a piece of chicken leg and took a bite. 

The hot chicken melted in his mouth, and a warm sensation filled his entire body. 

He couldn't tell if it was just a psychological effect.

But Ryan felt that this inexpensive canned chicken tasted even better than the gourmet dishes he had enjoyed in the past, with each bite worth savoring. 

"Ah, this is the moment I truly feel alive…" Ryan couldn't help but exclaim. 

He took some bread and dipped it in the chicken soup to eat. 

At that moment, the system panel popped up automatically. 

[The trading post has been unlocked] 

[Players can exchange supplies at the trading post] 

[You can also initiate trade requests in the chatroom] 

"Oh? The trading post is finally unlocked." Ryan reached out and clicked on the trading post, but there wasn't much there at the moment. 

He urgently needed an electronic component and wanted to see if he could find one. 

So Ryan opened the chatroom. 

[The trading post is unlocked, I have a lot of water. Is there anyone who wants to trade food with me?] 

[I'll trade, 1 loaf of bread for 3 bottles of water.] 

[Go to hell! Is your bread made of gold?] 

[If you want to trade, go ahead, there's snow everywhere, and when it melts, it's just water. Do you really think water is that valuable?] 

[Is there any kind-hearted person who can spare me some food? I'm hypoglycemic and can't hold on much longer.] 

Ryan looked at the chat messages and realized that some people had already started eating snow. 

He keenly sensed that in a few days, medications like anti-diarrheal drugs might be in high demand and could sell for a high price. 

As a seasoned trader, Ryan understood—prices are determined by the market. 

Just like how war can cause metal prices to skyrocket. 

For example, natural disasters can lead to corn shortages, causing fluctuations in beef prices. 

These are all market principles. 

Only those who seize the opportunity can reap great rewards. 

[You can collect some moss under the snow by the roadside, it's edible in small amounts. Also, it's best not to drink snowmelt directly, as it may cause diarrhea, and in severe cases, it could even be life-threatening.] 

Ryan raised an eyebrow, "Oh? It seems there's a good Samaritan?" 

Since the member profiles in the regional chatroom are all public, players can view each other's names and photos. 

Ryan clicked on this person's avatar. 

His name is Ethan, and he is a kind-looking middle-aged man. 

"Brother, good people have short lives." Ryan said with a wry smile, not taking it to heart. 

Ethan's warning didn't really have much of an impact. 

Players without a water source, when they are extremely thirsty, would still take the chance to eat snow. 

Ryan remembered that he needed electronic components. 

Right now, he had plenty of food and water, but electronic components were scarce materials. 

He had opened so many C-grade boxes without finding any, and he figured he would need to offer something more attractive. 

He still had one can of chicken, and he felt like someone would want it. 

Ryan posted a buy request— 

[Buying electronic component x1, trading item chicken can x1] 

As soon as the message was sent, the group fell silent for two seconds.