Chapter 338.2: Even Lucky Bastards Have Their Unlucky Moments...

He had been contemplating this idea for a long time.

Unfortunately, at that time, there were hundreds of survivor communities, making it impossible to unite.

Later, when they were under the attack of the Bonechewer Clan, this plan was shelved entirely.

Now, West Continent City finally welcomed a visionary leader, and the hero, sharing similar insights, had set his sights on the overflowing West Continent Lake; he couldn't be more pleased about the outcome.

"It sounds like an explosion..." Yuan Feng, an electrical engineer, frowned.

"An explosion?"

"Hasn't the war ended?" The members of the visiting group were in a state of commotion, exchanging surprised glances among themselves.

Seeing this, Lu Bei stepped forward to reassure everyone. "Please don't worry. It could be our soldiers... or perhaps hunters out there. Even though the marauders have been eliminated, there are still many mutants around! But rest assured, our soldiers will do everything to ensure your safety!"

Glancing towards the south, Pai giggled with excitement, "Why would they use cannons for hunting? Shouldn't they use rifles?"

Lu Bei scratched his head, unsure of how to answer her question.

Pai continued in excitement, "Can I go and take a look?"

"No, you can't," Lu Bei hadn't spoken yet, but Butan, standing nearby, immediately rebuked in a low voice, "The forest is too dangerous, and we're not here for a picnic."

"Okay... I understand," Pai stuck out her tongue in protest, elongating her response.

Standing next to them was a person in a white cloak who remained silent from start to finish. The shadow beneath the hood obscured their facial features, offering no contours or lines to reveal their gender.

Walking alongside the group, Ample Time had been observing the particular NPC.

This NPC felt quite unusual to him.

Different from the other members of the delegation, he had witnessed this person coming out from that gate.

At this moment, Night Ten, who was standing by, suddenly spoke up, "I feel like it might not even be human."

Gale frowned. "...Fortunately, it can't understand what you're saying."

Old White nodded in agreement. "I used to think the language barrier was a hassle. Now, thinking about it, it's a good thing there's no common language, or there would've been even more trouble."

Ample Time agreed. "Indeed."

The more realistic the AI, the more sensitive they were. Most players had no limits when it came to what they would say.

Culture was like a photo, adding a filter wasn't a bad thing; it was good for everyone.

Night Ten shook his head and chuckled, “Jeez, I was just saying it... You guys are overly cautious about NPCs!"

"Oh well," Ample Time sighed, looking distressed, "this game is really realistic after all. Our happiness in the latter half of our lives depends on it."

Old White made a helpless expression, "Whether or not this game will bring us happiness can be discussed later, but failing a hidden mission will definitely be upsetting, cause it will surely reduce the favorability."

Sequence levels indicated combat abilities, contribution levels indicated social status. However, most veteran players who had spent some time in the game knew that both were just surface indicators. The biggest variable in this game was the hidden favorability setting.

This favorability could be understood as a form of recognition.

Especially for faction leaders, high favorability would often trigger main storyline missions.

The benefits from those missions often far exceeded regular missions.

Why do you think so many players loved to give the administrator so many different titles to flatter him in so many different ways?

Just for fun?

Of course not!

It was a game after all. Since it was not real life, and players could make money in the game, why would anyone be embarrassed to flatter an NPC?

As they were talking, a group of people walked up from ahead.

They saw an azure exoframe, escorted by about a dozen Guardian Corps soldiers, approaching them.

Seeing the Administrator, Lu Bei's eyes lit up. He eagerly went forward to give his greetings. "Administrator!"

Since participating in the airborne operation, he had been training the new soldiers of the Third Corps behind enemy lines. After the war, he had been tirelessly guiding Wang Zhong to Camp 101.

Now that the mission was over, he could finally return to the administrator's side.

Seeing the loyal-looking young man, Chu Guang, who had lifted his helmet visor, smiled and nodded, then turned to the representatives from Camp 101.

The visiting delegation consisted of 6 people.

For a settlement with a total population of only 200 to 300, that was quite a lot.

It was evident that the other party attached great importance to their relationship.

However, what truly pleased Chu Guang was the knowledge they possessed.

It brought him even more excitement than getting a black box.

Walking at the front, the old man was about to speak. However, Pai stepped forward suddenly, raising her index finger in a salute. "Respected administrator, we come from Camp 101. My name is Pai, representing the visiting group."

That was a line she had thought about the night before.

It would be a pity not to say it out loud.

Chu Guang was slightly surprised as he watched her movements.

He had seen the military salute in the archives of Shelter 117.

If he remembered correctly...

It was the military salute of the federation fleet.

Thinking this, Chu Guang laughed, "Pleased to meet you, new recruit of the fleet. However, our ships are gone, and the last mission given to you by the organisation is to rebuild our home and wait for the day to set sail again."

Every day, he witnessed various silly performances by players, and he was accustomed to various eccentric behaviors.

However, what surprised him was the resolute manner of the girl before him, who spoke firmly. "Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission!"

Huh?

Did she understand the joke?

Watching Pai messing around, Butan looked at Chu Guang and said earnestly and nervously. "Respected Mr. Administrator, please forgive her rudeness."

Chu Guang chuckled. "Don't be so nervous. You're not my soldiers, and we're not at war right now. No need for salutes."

With that, he restrained his jovial expression, extending his right hand solemnly. "My name is Chu Guang. My friends often call me Dawn. You can call me either."

Looking at the steel giant hand before him, the old man was momentarily stunned, extending his right hand to shake gently. "I am Butan, an environmental engineer from Camp 101. I heard about your plans to deal with the lake water, so I volunteered to come. This person next to me is Pai, the most knowledgeable student in our camp..."

Not just Pai, Butan introduced all the accompanying personnel, including the silent bodyguard draped in a cloak.

However, he didn't provide much detail about that person, only mentioning their name was Lyra and their responsibility was ensuring everyone's safety.

Chu Guang didn't mind much. After listening to the old man's introduction, his eyes suddenly lit up. "So, you're an expert in hydraulics engineering?"

Butan smiled and said, "I dare not claim to be an expert, but hydraulics engineering is within my professional scope. I've previously looked up information about West Continent Lake. It's a product of the Central Continent's environmental restructuring plan in the Federation Era..."

Once he started discussing his professional field, Butan couldn't stop talking, launching into a lengthy discourse from the plan's origins to the establishment of West Continent City.

Seeing him ramble on, Chu Guang seized an opportunity to redirect the conversation. "We can elaborate on that later! But this isn't the place for a chat. Please come with me to the camp first!"

"We've arranged temporary resting places for you. Tomorrow, I'll accompany you to Dawn City, and we can discuss the matter in detail on the way!"

Butan nodded with a wide smile on his face. "Okay!"

The group continued on their way.

During the return journey, Pai kept circling around Chu Guang, her large eyes filled with curiosity.

More accurately, she was circling around the exoframe he was wearing.

"Is this the legendary exoframe?"

"Yes," Chu Guang replied in a gentle tone.

"Isn't it tiring to wear such a big piece of metal all the time?" Before Chu Guang could respond, Pai giggled in excitement, "Can I touch it when you're not wearing it?"

She seemed to have inexhaustible energy, filled with curiosity about everything she saw.

Chu Guang didn't find it annoying; instead, he developed an interest in her expertise. "I heard your teacher is very capable?"

"Of course! My master manages all the camp's archives! He knows everything!" Pai proudly puffed up her chest.

Chu Guang nodded thoughtfully and asked further, "And what about you?"

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Of course, I'm super amazing too! But unlike my master, I mainly study mechanics..." As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something. She rushed over to the cloaked bodyguard and pulled out a doll from their backpack.

The doll was small, only the size of 2 palms, dressed in a blue-striped white jumpsuit.

Its golden hair and blue pupils were probably modeled after the girl herself, but its features were distinctly different, giving a delicate and gentle impression.

Generously offering it, Pai spoke with a pleasing voice. "A gift from Ambassador Pai. I hope for continued peaceful and friendly interaction between us!"

Seeing this, Butan's forehead twitched, feeling a headache coming on.

Although there was an exchange of gifts planned, it clearly wasn't the appropriate time.

Observing Pai's earnest demeanor and the doll in her hands, Chu Guang couldn't help but curve his lips into a slight smile. He wanted to say something polite to decline the gift.

However, at that moment, he suddenly heard a whisper from Little Seven. “Um, Master~”

The unexpected coquettishness gave Chu Guang goosebumps.

Huh?

Little shit! Where did it download this voice pack from?

Just as he was about to ask what was going on, Little Seven continued in a pitiful tone, "Can I have it?"

Chu Guang was taken aback.

Why do you want a doll?

Seeing Pai's expectant gaze, Chu Guang, who was persuaded by Little Seven's plea, ultimately reached out and took the doll. "Thank you."

Pai's face lit up with a happy smile. "You're welcome! It was a bit rushed, and I didn't have time to prepare other gifts. I hope you won't mind."

Courtesy is a two-way street.

It was evident that the doll held significant importance to her.

After a moment of contemplation, Chu Guang waved to the sky.

A fist-sized hummingbird drone floated down, landing steadily on his hand and retracting its fragile propellers.

Looking at the silver-white metallic sphere, Pai's surprised eyes widened. "Is this... A Hummingbird?!"

It was a product of the Federation Era!