Chapter 343.2: Pai's Photographic Memory

The group arrived at the Industrial Zone.

The first thing that caught their eyes was the notorious Goblin Technology.

According to information from other Lifestyle Profession players, occasional explosions and even screams could be heard from inside. While this certainly contained an element of exaggeration and possibly even competitor smear campaigns, it didn't stop the rumors from spreading.

Later, these rumors somehow made their way to the ears of the NPCs, resulting in a situation where hardly any wastelanders were willing to work there.

Most of the workers there were players, especially newcomers to the game, dedicating themselves to technology.

Considering New Alliance's prestigious image, Sisi decided to quietly avoid that sweatshop, but without paying much attention, Pai had already curiously wandered in.

In the center of the factory ground.

Mosquito and a few apprentices were gathered around a blackboard, murmuring about something.

Not far from them were two W-1 and W-2 gliders dismantled into parts, along with a heap of parts ordered from other factories.

In the previous battle in the Pinewood Forest Valley, the W-series attack aircraft had performed remarkably on the battlefield but had also exposed numerous problems.

One was its poor maneuverability, and the other was its fragile outer shell.

During the dive towards the ground, a mere 7mm gun could damage the plane. Those marauders even managed to fight them off with makeshift anti-aircraft machine guns, resulting in a 1/1 KD ratio.

While the gliders were enough to bully the marauders, they wouldn't stand a chance against survivor forces like Boulder Town, regardless of how many they had.

As a result, the administrator placed a new order with Goblin Technology.

They were required to produce a sturdier, faster, and more aerially adept fighter plane to reduce the pilots' casualty rate.

Honestly, Mosquito found it unnecessary.

What use was defense for a manned missile?

With that kind of extra payload, they could just carry 2 more air-to-ground missiles!

What? The opponent was Boulder Town that had advanced aircraft?

And its power principles and weapon systems were not disclosed?

Then, what was the point of fighting them?

Might as well just surrender!

Staring at the sketch on the blackboard, Stopping Fights scratched his head and said, "The propeller plane's speed isn't high; why don't we just make a jet plane?"

"Why not just make one with a steel shell?" Taking Lives' eyes brightened. "If we can't win, we can ram into them! Use our wings to kill them!"

Chasing Souls interjected, "I don't get it, are you talking about the MiG-25?"

"Hahaha, the mighty flying brick! I love it!" Killing Gods exclaimed.

Mosquito rolled his eyes. "You guys sure know how to daydream.”

Jet planes?

A MiG?

How would it be that simple!

It was not a matter of whether or not they had the technology; it was that the supporting industries couldn't handle it. They couldn't possibly use high-precision plasma cutting machines for every part of the aircraft.

Not to mention how much time and materials it would consume. Even if they managed to do it, the cost would be beyond what they could accept.

What they needed to consider was how to maximize their limited advantages.

Gazing at the rough concept sketches on the blackboard, Mosquito, feeling a headache coming on, said, "... Or we can just do as I suggested, make a manned air to air missile, and save yourself the trouble of considering EMP and signal hijacking."

At that moment, a strange voice suddenly came from nearby.

"Wow! Are these your planes? They look so retro!" Pai curiously observed the aircraft shell displayed on the open ground.

Mosquito turned to look and saw a young girl with light golden hair standing next to his dismantled W-2 Ground-Attack Aircraft.

Normally, he wouldn't mind wasting time bragging, but he wasn't in the mood.

"Go away, kid, don't disturb the adults working."

Though his federation language skills were not yet proficient, he had no problem with daily communication due to frequent interactions with NPCs. Most Lifestyle Profession players were the same.

Pai looked at him displeased. "Who said I'm a kid! I'm already 16 years old this year!"

Mosquito pretended to clean his ears and chuckled, “16 years old? Then you haven't even finished middle school yet."

Pai tilted her head. "Middle school?"

These people always spoke with some difficult words mixed in.

"Anyway, this isn't a place for kids. Go back to your mom. If you don't leave, I'll call the guards." Mosquito made a shooing motion.

This guy...

Feeling belittled, Pai furrowed her brows.

About to leave, her eyes fell on the blackboard nearby, and her expression suddenly became on of interest.

"Are you planning to atomize the kerosene and ignite it?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Mosquito replied nonchalantly.

"

Humph

!" Snorting loudly, Pai stared at the blackboard for a moment, memorized the densely written content, and then turned to walk away.

Mosquito watched the girl's departing figure, feeling puzzled by her actions.

At that moment, Stopping Fights suddenly spoke up. "That NPC... Seems like Pai?"

Chasing Souls looked at him oddly. "π?"

Stopping Fights shook his head. "Haven't you seen the discussions on the official website? She seems to be from Camp 101."

...

[Mission:

Dive into Hell

]

[Briefing:

The Mutant Slime Mold is one of the core threats faced by survivors in the wasteland. To understand their origin and find ways to counter them, the shelter's medical laboratory requires more samples. Note: Strong electromagnetic interference has been detected in the area; electronic devices may malfunction, and aerial support cannot be used for this mission.

]

[Primary Objective:

Proceed to the area between the second ring and the third ring of the city center. Collect Slime Mold samples from map points 1, 2, and 3.

]

[Secondary Objective:

We have lost a reconnaissance aircraft in the city center area. If conditions allow, please retrieve the pilot's VM (Player ID: Falling Feather).

]

[Mission Issuer:

Hyrja

]

[Minimum Required Level:

LV20

]

[Required Team Size:

4 to 8 people

]

[Mission Risk Level:

?

]

[Recommended Equipment:

Gas masks, protective suits, compasses, paper maps, and other low-electronics devices.

]

"The risk level is marked with a question mark; that's something," Night Ten remarked.

This was going to be quite the endeavor.

At the northern save point of Dawn City, Night Ten, looked surprised at the mission pop-up on his VM while standing at his storage box.

A few minutes ago, Old White had formed a team and shared this mission from the medical laboratory to their VMs.

Quickly equipping himself with the necessary gear, Night Ten confirmed the coordinates on the map and immediately rushed to meet up with his teammates.

The rendezvous point was at the airport near the northern barracks.

Due to the complex road conditions in the urban area, and numerous mutant activities along the way, to save time and ammunition, the Dragonfly transport of New Alliance would parachute them along with air dropped supplies to the edge of the fifth ring, and they would jump into the target area.

It would be just like when they were in West Continent City.

Arriving at the assembly point, Night Ten found that his four teammates had been waiting there for some time.

Everyone, including the frontline Old White, tacitly decided not to bring exoskeletons, only carrying cheap and durable lightweight gear.

Everyone's expression was relaxed, casual even.

After all, the people here weren't first-timers when it came to parachuting.

Although the situation in Clearspring City was far more complicated than West Continent City, and the risk level of the mission was highly suspicious, the mission only required collecting a few samples.

For them, the strongest team on the server, it was not much of a challenge.

"... Our company's business license has been issued, and the registered office is in Shanghai."

"In the future, the transactions can be processed through the company's account, and then the company can pay individuals in the form of technical service fees. I consulted with a friend who is a game studio owner, and they mostly operate in a similar way, which can help avoid a lot of hassle." Next to the runway, Ample Time and the teammates discussed real-world matters.

The funds obtained through the virtual currency trading platform would directly enter the company's account. After deducting personal income tax and a 5% operational cost, the remaining amount would then be paid to the players.

The company would sign a partnership contract with the players, not a labor contract.

As the portion of money paid to the players fell under business' operational costs, the 5% retained by the company could only be considered profit after deducting a series of other expenses, so there was no issue of the same money being taxed twice.

Considering the different policies in various regions, although there was an additional intermediate step through this series of operations, the cost wasn't much higher than transferring funds privately.

They would also be able to avoid the hassle of explaining their income source.

Everyone would hold some shares, serving both as shareholders and employees.

Considering that there would be more players in the future, they could also promote the company to other players in need and symbolically charge a 5% service fee.

After all, their core business was in the game.

They didn't intend to rely on their Bull and Horse Company to make money.

After listening to Ample Time's explanation, Night Ten was amazed. "So fast?"

Ample Time chuckled and said, "I found an accounting firm to handle it. There are many companies in Shanghai that do this kind of business, and they can even provide associated premises. But later on, I'll rent an office and hire a professional accountant. After all, with a large amount of capital, I'm not entirely at ease using someone else's financial system."

The most critical issue was security, be it was property security or information security.

Impressed, Quit Smoking said, "Bro, that's really impressive!"

"Is it really? This isn't something particularly difficult." Ample Time sighed, then paused for a moment before continuing, "Actually, these days I've been thinking about a question."

Quit Smoking curiously asked, "What question?"

Ample Time said seriously, "What was that auction item that sold for 4 million silver coins?"

4 million silver coins!

According to the average price of 1 silver coin for 80 RMB before the auction, it was equivalent to over 300 million RMB!

Such a large sum wasn't likely due to the actions of a player in the game. After all, even their Bull and Horse Brick Factory would find it quite challenging to bring out such a huge amount of cash at once.

Moreover, the mysterious buyer vanished after winning the item, not showing off on the forum or bragging to anyone.

The game company had also never disclosed what the item was. The onlookers only watched the bidding price soar in shock and then, with a final tap of the gavel, everything disappeared.

This series of abnormal operations made many ponder what the item actually was.

No wonder Mosquito was interested.

To be honest, even he was starting to feel curious.

Night Ten asked with interest, "What do you think it can be?"

Ample Time thought for a moment and gave an ambiguous answer. "Perhaps something more valuable than money."

He wasn't sure if his guess was correct; so these days, he had been paying attention to the news.

"?" Night Ten looked puzzled at his good friend.

What can be more valuable than money?

At that moment, a call came from the runway.

"Damn it! How much longer are you guys going to dawdle? Are you going or not?" Seeing the pilot urging them, Old White relaxed his contemplative expression, laughed, and patted his teammates on the shoulders. "Let's go. We'll talk on the plane."