NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 18 - Cooperate Again
Chapter 18: Cooperate Again
“I only want in-game gold coins.” Ye Qiu said calmly.
In the future, the real-world currency system will completely collapse.
Or rather, it would cease to exist entirely!
With the game merging into reality, even the NPCs from the game will appear in the real world, living and breathing just like real people!
By then, the Trial City would dominate everything!
And the original human inhabitants of Earth would have no choice but to submit.
One by one, they would begin using game currency.
Ye Qiu could never forget what happened when the game merged with reality, when the financial system crumbled, when monsters roamed unchecked.
At that moment, countless people wept in despair. Countless others screamed in agony. And far too many chose to end their lives.
On that very day, they committed suicide.
When a person reached the point of collapse, they lose all hope for life, grow weary of existence. Only death could grant them release.
“Just in-game gold coins?” Thousand Faces Gentleman was immediately troubled, his face full of hesitation.
At this moment, he truly couldn’t produce that much.
Fortunately, Ye Qiu continued, “You don’t have to provide it all in one day. Just gather it within three days, according to in-game time.”
Hearing this, Thousand Faces Gentleman let out a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly. “Okay! Three days later, I promise to have 50,000 gold for you!”
In any game, as long as enough players were active, the economy would change rapidly, day by day!
Three in-game days would be more than enough for players to accumulate additional gold in their accounts!
Ye Qiu nodded in agreement before shifting the topic, “Besides the gold, I need you to do something else for me.”
“Oh?” Thousand Faces Gentleman was intrigued. “Go on.”
Ye Qiu spoke slowly, “Recruit some players. Have them go to Tiger Mountain and dig a pit at the summit, about the size of a soccer field.”
“A soccer-field-sized pit?!” Thousand Faces Gentleman was stunned.
That was a massive task even in the game!
Ye Qiu added, “The edges can be shallow, but the center should be deep.”
Thousand Faces Gentleman weighed the pros and cons, then finally nodded. “Alright, should I deliver it in three days as well?”
Ye Qiu replied, “The sooner, the better. Ideally, finish it within a day.”
—
At the entrance of the Novice Village…
Just like yesterday, the line of players stretched endlessly into the horizon.
“Can we really get inside?” Thousand Faces Gentleman was feeling anxious.
At this moment, the two of them had already reached the village gate.
“NPC bro!”
“Hey!”
“Why did you disappear last night?”
“NPC grandpa, I’m begging you, please give me a quest!”
The moment Ye Qiu, wearing his cloak, appeared, a group of players immediately swarmed around him, their voices filled with flattery and pleading.
Ye Qiu ignored them.
Leading Thousand Faces Gentleman, he walked straight to the village chief, Elder Xu.
“Elder Xu, I’m bringing someone inside. That’s fine, right?”
As he spoke, he straightened his posture slightly. At his waist hung the Golden Pass.
Based on his memories, even a regular wooden pass allowed one additional player inside.
A Golden Pass would, of course, be even more effective!
As expected, Village Chief Xu nodded. “You may bring up to ten people in and out of the village at a time. However, if any of them break the village rules, I have the right to revoke your pass.”
After saying this, he waved a hand at Ye Qiu, granting them entry.
Ye Qiu gave a quick “Thanks.”
Then, with the still-stunned Thousand Faces Gentleman, he stepped into Novice Village.
“Holy crap! That NPC just brought a player inside!”
“What the hell?! Why him?!”
“That guy is called Thousand Faces Gentleman, right? He’s pretty rich in real life!”
“Can you bribe NPCs in this game?!”
“I wanna go in too! I don’t wanna wait in line anymore!”
A wave of uproar spread through the waiting players.
Inside Novice Village, Ye Qiu gave some advice, “This place is massive, almost the size of a real-world county. So, there are tons of NPCs. Pick one to befriend. Once you build rapport, they might party up with you and help you level up.”
This was knowledge from his past life.
However, Thousand Faces Gentleman was still in a daze.
He still couldn’t believe it.
He had actually made it inside the village!
And so effortlessly!
After snapping back to reality, he looked at Ye Qiu and made up his mind.
He had to cling to this expert’s leg!
To Thousand Faces Gentleman, Ye Qiu had already become a mysterious god-tier player!
“But I suggest,” Ye Qiu continued, “that you prioritize NPCs who look strong or wield weapons. Once you pick one, maintain a good relationship. If their favorability drops, all your previous efforts will be wasted. It’s much harder to regain favorability than to build it from scratch.”
Thousand Faces Gentleman quickly took notes.
As he wrote, he asked, “If I ask you for help, could you guarantee I’ll team up with an NPC?”
Ye Qiu neither nodded nor shook his head. He simply smiled. “Nothing in the world is 100% certain. Besides, if you want me to handle it, the cost will be far more than 50,000 gold.”
Thousand Faces Gentleman sighed in defeat. “Looks like I’ll have to try on my own first.”
However, he wasn’t too disappointed.
Gold could be gathered over time.
Eventually, he’d be able to afford Ye Qiu’s assistance!
And now that he was inside the village, he could finally interact with NPCs!
He could finally accept quests!
Since launch, he hadn’t been able to take on a single one!
“I’ll be off now. Message me if you need anything.” Ye Qiu waved.
Then, his figure vanished into thin air.
The Coward’s Cloak’s ability acted as a short-range teleport!
“H-how did he do that?!” Thousand Faces Gentleman stood frozen, watching Ye Qiu disappear.
His mind was filled with shock and confusion.
It had only been one day since launch!
He looked at Ye Qiu, then looked at himself.
This… was the difference in skill!
“Wait…
“Why isn’t he looking for an NPC to help him level up?
“Could it be… he’s already found one?”
Doubt crept into Thousand Faces Gentleman’s mind.
—
Meanwhile, at Wolf Head Ridge…
This was the hunting ground of the Black Wolf Monsters.
Ye Qiu had come here to grind levels!
In his past life, this place was widely recognized as the most efficient grinding spot.
Black Wolf Monsters lived in packs of Level: 7.
Each kill had a high chance of dropping gear, and the experience gain was substantial!
Ye Qiu activated Heavenly Eye!
[Normal Monster: Black Wolf Monster]
[Level: 7]
[HP: 600]
[Preference: Nighttime, Moonlight, All Types of Meat]
At this stage, players were still low-level. And so, almost no one was farming here.
But Ye Qiu rushed forward.
With the Coward’s Cloak’s 100 agility bonus, he moved like the wind.
Even though he was only level 5 facing these level 7 Black Wolf Monsters, he was already untouchable!
AWOOOOO!!!
The Black Wolf Monster howled, calling its pack.
Ye Qiu grinned. “Perfect. Let’s put you to the test!”