031 Show one's true colors

"Location?"

Kuang Xin looked around in confusion, the vigorous forest growing wildly not far away, human buildings towering in the distance, the flat black earth beneath their feet stretching to the horizon, emanating a natural wildness with no sign of having been cultivated.

"What could possibly be wrong with this place?"

"It's too far."

Dai Lian's tone was firm; he had carefully read the task's description, and if it was supplies needed by the barracks, this should not be the chosen delivery location.

It was too far from the barracks.

Could it be that they were considerate of their labor capacity? If so, they might as well be closer to the forest...

It could only be... a private job?

In the limited time available to play in this game, his way of thinking had already adapted to that of Galaxy World, due to the immersive experience of the game and the realism exhibited by those NPCs.

The actions of all NPCs here are never aimless; behind every move, there is an inevitable and absolute reason.

By grasping these details, one might uncover opportunities that other players have not realized.

The most important thing is... trying doesn't cost a thing.

Kuang Xin's brain raced, "So it's not something the barracks want?"

This big brother, you wouldn't want others in the barracks to know about your private jobs, right?

I could keep your secret for a lifetime!

Such thoughts popped into Kuang Xin's mind in a flash, "I wonder if it's possible to threaten an NPC..."

Dai nodded, "Of course you can, I've tried it."

"..."

Kuang Xin looked at Dai Lian's calm face, taking a step back in reverence.

Bro! You truly are a bro!

"So we..."

"Profit."

Dai Lian looked at the timber on the ground, "Generally speaking, those who engage in shady dealings tend to offer us more advantages. Moreover, we know nothing about his identity, and it's not easy to provide evidence; even if we wanted to report him, we likely wouldn't know how."

As for what shady dealings themselves mean in this world...

What do we players have to fear?

"The only point is, we can't be kept in the dark..."

Gong Yan highlighted Dai Lian's thoughts.

"Exactly! Next time we meet, we can look for an opportunity to proactively probe."

Details are important.

If enough details are observed and the argument is logical, those NPCs will also take corresponding actions.

The NPC that Dai Lian had threatened had done just that.

"That's settled then."

"Oh, right..."

Kuang Xin recalled something, "How much was your task reward?"

"10 and 25 bullets, why do you ask?"

Kuang Xin blinked, "I just took 'Maintenance Required,' 27 bullets..."

In an instant, Dai Lian's eyes lit up fiercely, "Chain quests!"

As the number of completed tasks increased, so did the rewards.

He was all too familiar with this pattern!

"The rewards actually increase?"

The original reward of 25 bullets already seemed like a prime task to him, but now...

"I wonder how long we can do it for..."

"Is it calculated by time or by the number of cycles?"

The three of them exchanged glances quietly, suddenly thrilled.

Gong Yan turned her head slightly, her voice raspy and deep, "Then what are we waiting for, let's get started?"

Dai Lian looked at Kuang Xin's right hand, "Where'd you get the axe from?"

"...Stole it."

"..."

After a slight hesitation, Dai Lian decided, "Then let's go exchange for bullets first, and we'll start with the 'Expel the Wolf Pack' task."

"But I'm already on the second cycle of tree chopping," Kuang Xin voiced his confusion.

"Both!"

Dai Lian was resolute, "Don't forget what he just said, we only have one chance to meet each day. The implication is most likely that each task can only be published once a day, and as these are both daily tasks, we definitely need to do both of them. Before he comes to check, let's complete the other task that doesn't require verification, so we can free up the slot to take on new tasks."

Dai's line of thinking was clear, and Kuang Xin suddenly felt that his previously instinctive and chaotic thoughts had become lucid.

"Alright then, I'll go exchange the bullets for some inferior quality ones,"

"Hold on!"

"Hold on!"

Watching Gong Yan and Dai Lian speak in unison, Kuang Xin was a bit stunned. "What's up?"

Gong Yan flashed a smile. "You've been chopping trees for so long, you must be tired. Take this chance to rest. If you trust us, you can leave the bullets with Dai, and he can go exchange them while we wait here for him,"

"Oh~"

She's so considerate~ I'm gonna cry!

And there's even a chance to be alone...

Kuang Xin promptly took out his bullets, each set of ten wrapped in a special greaseproof paper, a total of two and a half sets, and handed them over to Dai Lian, "Here you go!"

"Off you go, and be quick about it~"

Gong Yan and Dai Lian exchanged knowing glances.

If Kuang Xin were to exchange the bullets himself, he might very well end up with a one-to-one resentment.

"Don't worry."

The voice of Dai Lian was gentle, reassuring that, when it came down to it, he could rely on himself.

Watching Dai Lian's retreating figure, Kuang Xin asked casually, as if he didn't care, "How do you know each other?"

Gong Yan suddenly leaned in close, tilting her head up to lock eyes with Kuang Xin, her peach blossom eyes fluttering, a direct gaze into the soul. "Why? Are you jealous?"

Kuang Xin's heart skipped a beat and he instinctively avoided her gaze, "No... not at all..."

"Silly~"

"Huh?"

Kuang Xin's eyes were clouded with confusion, his gaze swung back seeking an explanation, but he found she had already turned away with her hands behind her back.

What does she mean?

What on earth does she mean?

...

"I'm back."

Dai Lian returned quickly.

Carrying a small box filled with bullets, Dai Lian handed them all back to Kuang Xin, "75 bullets, count them."

Three to one!

Although he hadn't been in Galaxy World for very long, his connections were clearly nothing Kuang Xin could compare with.

25 exquisite brass bullets had been exchanged for 75 inferior bullets.

The actual disparity in worth between the two, it seemed, was considered even greater than their cost of production in the eyes of those local toughs.

Carrying the box and feeling its hefty weight, Kuang Xin grinned foolishly, "No need, no need... Hey, aren't you going to take some?"

Gong Yan waved her hand dismissively, "No need, you use them for now. If we run short, we'll ask you for more."

With that, she beckoned towards the forest and declared with vigor, "Let's go!"

"Are we going straight to kill the wolves? Is the damage from our three guns enough?"

"The firearms' DPS might not be enough, but don't we have traps?" Dai Lian was unfazed.

To him, in the game, there was only what he wanted to do and what he didn't, nothing he couldn't do.

"Huh?"

Dai Lian pulled out an entrenching tool from the canvas bag he'd been carrying on his back all this time, "No worries, just follow my lead."

Leading a levelling party... a familiar feeling.

Dai Lian took a deep breath, his professional ethics driving him to be thoroughly proficient.

"I'll dig the traps later, you go find the wolves' trail. Once we're ready, you'll lure the wolves into the traps. After they're trapped, we'll suppress them with firepower. Now that we're not short on bullets, we can empty them first and then switch to melee for the kill,"

Pausing briefly, Dai Lian added, "Of course, some unexpected situations might arise during the execution of the plan, so at that time, follow my commands. Now, let's get moving."

...

[Successfully crafted a small batch of minor items, skill *Crafting Experience +2.]

[Current Crafting Experience 2/100, at 100 points you will master "Level 1 Crafting."]

[Sharp Wooden Spikes: Arranging them together might have some special effects...]

...

[Successfully set up a trap, knowledge *Trapping Experience +2.]

[Current Trapping Experience 34/100, at 100 points you will master "Level 1 Trapping."]

[Simple Trap: Movement of "medium-small sized" creatures falling into the trap will be greatly restricted, receiving 2 points of "Piercing" damage per second.]

...

[You are using your Hole Insight ability to observe and track your target's trail...]

The three of them each focused on their tasks.