Chapter 365.2: New Version, Beta 0.3!

Thinking the administrator was mourning the deceased compatriot, Hedin did not continue talking about the resident. Instead, he continued to talk about the exoframe.

"Including this exoframe and the previous spoils of war... If you're interested, I can sell them all to you for 1.5 million silver coins."

Hearing the number, Chu Guang didn't even pause to act surprised.

"Deal!"

That was what he priced the goods in the previous warehouse in the first place. Thinking about it, he basically got the set of exoframe for free.

What was there to hesitate about?

"Relax," Hedin smiled, hinting at something, "This is the price of friendship."

Seeing the expression on his face, Chu Guang immediately understood what he meant. An interested smile also appeared on his face. "So... How can I earn your friendship?"

Hedin glanced at the door and continued in a softer voice, "I've invested in a food processing plant in the Among Clouds Province, aimed at providing the province and mercenaries with easy-to-carry self-heating meals and a variety of canned goods. However... Not everyone can afford our products. It would be great if there was a low-cost, easy-to-cook, long-lasting, and tasty instant food available."

"Supply issues can't be overlooked, it's not just about survival, but also morale."

"Let's be direct, I'm very interested in your instant noodles. You said they can be stored long-term, are low-cost, and don't need preservatives. It sounds more interesting than compressed biscuits... Also, if you include the recipe for that hot pot, I'd like to learn it."

Looking at those eyes that couldn't hide their eagerness, Chu Guang was slightly startled but almost laughed out loud.

Are we trading instant noodles for an exoframe?!

However, he didn't let his impolite expression show, instead feigning a look of contemplation for a long time. "... Is our friendship a one-time thing, or is this going to be long-term?"

Hearing Chu Guang's question, Hedin immediately reassured him, "Of course, it's long-term cooperation we’re talking about. Neither of us are greedy; sustained business is the only forward, right?"

Hearing this, Chu Guang smiled. "No problem! I'll have someone take you to our factory for a tour at dawn tomorrow!"

He certainly didn't think a mere promise carried much weight, especially coming from a profit-driven businessman.

But as an excellent salesman, he couldn't let his customers feel like he was scamming them.

After all, whether it was instant noodles or hot pot base, they might require some time tp come up with, but they were definitely not too complicated.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

He hoped Hedin wouldn't be too surprised during the factory tour the next day.

...

To help these distant friends resolve their problems, Chu Guang had been busy from morning until sunset, hardly resting all day.

Fortunately, it was quite rewarding.

In addition to the pre-war era exoframe, the Great Rift Valley’s exoskeletons, and the fuel rod with 63% remaining energy, Hedin also persuaded Yun Song to leave 5 logistics personnel to help build a production line for the G9 assault rifle accessories and their ammunition.

That meant that Chu Guang not only received all the spoils from the assault team’s journey from Ideal City to the River Valley Province, but also, Yun Song and his team's future spoils before returning to Ideal City would be sent to the New Alliance first in exchange for silver coins.

Chu Guang could easily sell him to his players or sell them to neighboring settlements for foreign currency!

The relief weapon and ammunition production line was virtually a free gain!

Moreover, their distant friends would also pay for the medical expenses of the 20 wounded. According to their agreement of care, they would pay 500 silver coins per day.

The fee included regular injections of inhibitors and 3 meals a day until they were picked up by their own people.

10,000 silver a day... That was 300,000 a month. Chu Guang wouldn't mind if they stayed here for a year.

Although that was unlikely...

After dinner, Chu Guang returned alone to the shelter.

Xia Yan and Xiaoyu had gone to school. Yin Fang was in West Continent Municipality. Hyrja was shut in her medical lab all day... Chu Guang looked around the empty library and felt a little lonely.

The next second, the doll on the table emitted a pleasant voice. "Hmm... Master, if you feel lonely, Little Seven can keep you company."

Chu Guang casually replied, "Okay."

Little Seven sniffled softly, "

Wuu

, you’re so perfunctory!"

Chu Guang raised an eyebrow slowly. "Then... Okay?”

Little Seven wriggled around. "Hehe, although it sounds fake, it feels much better!"

"..."

Although being easy to console might be considered a plus, wasn't Little Seven coming up with a little too much unnecessary intelligence?

Looking at the doll pretending to be shy and covering its face, Chu Guang suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and sat down at his retro-styled laptop.

It had been a long time since he played any games.

While pondering whether to relax for a while, Chu Guang unconsciously opened the forum.

Sure enough, in his subconscious, Wasteland Online was more fun than ordinary games.

Although the war had ended and the New Alliance had entered a period of stable development, he hadn't introduced new activities in the game for a while. Thankfully, his players had unexpectedly discovered many fun aspects he hadn't envisioned on their own.

Some players followed merchant caravans to the distant Brocade River Province for adventures, bringing back views of the southern jungles and basin plains to the forum. Some went north to the Bugra Free State, seeing the legendary city of sin.

Some players even started romances with random NPCs.

However, Chu Guang was very doubtful, given their completely different language and cultural backgrounds and even mindsets, how long they could last together.

As for revealing the secrets of the game... Chu Guang wasn't worried at all.

Any player who asked him questions related to the game would receive a straightforward admission that they were living in the real world. He casually reminded them to mind their behavior and to manage how others viewed them, subtly hinting that their ‘favorability’ might trigger missions.

Interestingly enough, the more he emphasized it, the less anyone took him seriously.

As long as they still needed helmets to log into the game, they couldn't convince others who also needed helmets to enter the game.

Speculations about the truth weren't important; a thing believed by a few people wouldn’t affect anything.

Just like the night before, the forum was bustling as usual.

Apart from those sporadic posts, the Enterprise’s assault team became the hottest topic on the forum in the past 2 days.

The last time the Pioneer passed through Clearspring City, many players made a small fortune by seizing historical opportunities, making those who missed out and newcomers to the game quite envious.

Now that the Enterprise’s men had come again, although it wasn't the same group, it didn't dampen the players' enthusiasm.

Silver coins were practically walking into their pockets, how could they let them run away?

Bamboo Master: Damn, after running a scam shop for so long, I finally got a wave of fat sheep!

Construction Boy: Brothers, Soup Dumplings, Hotpot, Barbecue, and Crayfish... Let’s go! (proud)

Makka Pakka: Damn! I scoped out their camp during the day, why do I feel like these Heavenly Dragons are so poor this time?

Irene: Poor they may be, but they're from the East Coast; don't say mosquitoes aren't meat! (funny)

Elf Wang: I dunno why, but I don't feel anything when others say this, but when you say it, my stomach churns. (funny)

Tail: Oh! Pass it on! Irena is eating mosquitoes! Ψ(｀?′)Ψ

Teng Teng: ()

Mosquito: You're persecuting me too???!!!

Yaya: You fools, can't you be nicer to friends? Less scheming, more sincerity, you can still make money. (@′｀@)

Eye Owe Money: You have the nerve to say that?! You dirty 100CR mushroom soup seller!

Drumhead Washing Machine: Exactly! You’re the biggest scammer of us all!

Yaya: That... That was a misunderstanding! How long are you going to remember it?! QAQ

Watching those players collectively brainstorming shoddy ideas, Chu Guang couldn't help but smile like a proud father.

This is the behavior worthy of the players I raised.

Not only would they contribute their strength when he needed it, but they also actively helped him fleece others.

Of course... They had to do that properly.

This time, he had already helped the players preemptively negotiate the terms of trade and set the currency for transactions. Players no longer needed to struggle to earn foreign currency.

Using the local market advantage to earn silver coins from NPCs worked just as well!

When those NPCs ran out of silver coins, that captain named Yun Song would naturally bring the good stuff from the East Coast, or the spoils taken from marauders to obtain more money from him.

If they really ran out of money to spend, Chu Guang would introduce them to some lucrative tasks that players couldn't handle temporarily, or let them call back home to get some ransom... More working funds.

As long as it didn't conflict with their missions and the risk wasn't too high, he believed they wouldn't mind helping their allies.

In that way, players earned silver coins, the Enterprise’s assault team solved their logistics issues, and the New Alliance obtained goods from Ideal City gained a thriving economy.

Everyone wins!

With the thought, a pleased smile appeared on Chu Guang's face. He clicked a few times, opening a folder he created earlier.

Lying in the folder was the Beta 0.3 version update notice. He had planned to release it as soon as the black market was opened. Too bad his plans couldn't keep up with changes; the sudden visit from the Enterprise made the original update notice seem a bit outdated.

In the new version, players would have even more development paths and equipment to choose from. At the same time, the factions they belonged to would engage in more frequent exchanges with other forces on the wasteland.

Just as he had once told Luca, they were no longer just a small village or a settlement of survivors. They were an alliance made up of countless survivors!

After spending some time editing, Chu Guang updated the revised announcement on the forum.

[Beta 0.3 Version Update Announcement:

Added a large number of high-tech equipment and bionic prosthetics!

]

[New Equipment:

Round Shield exoskeleton, offering light weapon protection comparable to the Type 6 Heavy Cavalry exoskeleton, designed for the harsh environments of the wasteland... 30,000 silver coins!

]

[New Equipment:

Flint exoskeleton, benchmarked against the Type 5 Light Cavalry exoskeleton, is a lightweight version of the Round Shield, featuring higher mobility and longer endurance... 15,000 silver coins!

]

[New NPC Logistics Officer Hedin:

From Ideal City, Hedin came with the Enterprise to act as their logistics officer. He has no grand ideals, just wants to make money, so please don't waste his time.

]

[New NPC Assault Team Captain Yun Song:

Captain of the 26th Assault Team of the Enterprise, a professional soldier who set out from the East Coast to the western desert to reinforce the Pioneer.

]

[New NPCs...]

[Notice:

VM Activity Shop limited-time sale of high-quality bionic organs and prosthetics, available for silver coin transactions, don’t forget to buy some

]

[Note:

Bionic organs from Ideal City can fetch a good price in Boulder Town, whether for trade or personal use. But please be aware of the equipment drop mechanism; if a character dies unexpectedly, remember to have teammates help recover and schedule surgery promptly.

]

[New Contribution Level:

Knight

]

[Description:

Reach 100,000 contribution points to advance from Advanced Citizen to Apprentice Knight. Once they reach the Knight level, players can purchase and own a set of exoframe and increase their land ownership limit from 500 square meters to 1000 square meters.

]

[...]

Satisfied with the content of the update announcement, Chu Guang nodded. "The Pioneer ran into trouble, might have to mobilize the player corps, our new 'Pioneering' system will have to wait for the next version... Beta 0.3 will just start with this for now."

The update had quite a lot of content.

Surely no one would say he was slacking off anymore!