Chapter 5, The Mysterious Merchant
Acquiring A-level skills from the Jiangcheng Bridge, followed by encountering a mysterious merchant at the bus station, all of this is within Zhang Mu's plan, prepared to create a greater advantage in the early stages
Nature: Random Task
Notice: The first post has been successfully created, full image announcement
[Regional Map Manual], 100 gold coins
Finally, Zhang Mu spent 203 gold coins on equipment
After 5 minutes, the number of payments experienced a surge, instantly reaching 160.
Regardless of whether they are wealthy officials with power rivaling nations or dazzling stars who attract the attention of millions, from the moment the game begins, all of this becomes nothing! Therefore, abandon the past glories or stains, and let go of previous pride or inferiority! At this moment, all beings stand on the same starting line; only the true strong can obtain the right to survive, while the weak are destined for elimination and servitude. Life and death, strength and weakness, are choices made by oneself... Please believe, this is the true end of the world, yet it is not the end of humanity. This moment, all beings stand on the same starting line; only the true strong can obtain the right to survive, while the weak are destined for elimination and servitude. Life and death, strength and weakness, are choices made by oneself... Please believe, this is the true end of the world, yet it is not the end of humanity.
The mysterious merchant turned and kicked the truck, shouting: "Hey, you inside, there's business coming in!" The truck was opened, and a long shelf was pushed out, displaying more than twenty different items, all various goods.
A comprehensive document containing important information about all monsters at this stage has been released, which is crucial for people's early survival. At the same time, it will establish a solid reputation for Zhang Mu, making him a celebrity across the entire regional map
[Regional Map] (Dawn Camp), records the terrain of the regional map, the distribution of monsters at various levels, and the locations of outdoor dungeons. The price of this map is 100 gold coins. Remaining quantity: 1
Zhang Mu dragged the weak-legged fat man to stand before the mysterious merchant. He was seated in a black cargo truck, which stood four meters high, constructed of metal, entirely painted black, and showing significant wear and tear.
1 hour, and * picture * book 150 gold coins
The mysterious merchant is a very important element; his whereabouts are elusive and can appear anywhere, with each stay lasting no more than six hours. The probability of encountering him is lower than winning the lottery. However, the first place he appeared was precisely at the bus station
Zhang Mu said: "You are a businessman, prioritizing profit; this transaction is very advantageous"
Furthermore, I must inform everyone of an unfortunate matter: we are no longer on the familiar Earth. It may seem absurd, but the reality is that outside Jiang City has transformed into a vast forest. Yes, we have entered another world; we are isolated, there will be no rescue, no military presence, and no government... Jiang City is the lowest tier area in this map, with monsters ranging from levels 1 to 3. In fact, as long as we overcome our fear and wisely utilize our intelligence, low-level monsters are not invincible!
Difficulty: Level F
"Interesting person." The mysterious merchant looked Zhang Mu up and down, "Although it is generally not permitted, you seem to be different. I can make an exception this time. However, the terms need to be changed. I will lend you 50 gold coins, and in two hours, you will return 200 gold coins."
Although both are of the black iron grade, ordinary black iron equipment is significantly better than inferior black iron equipment. Zhang Mu equipped the short sword and gave the double-handed axe to the胖子.
The population of Jiang City is nearly 4 million, with more than half expected to perish within 24 hours before the disaster. It is estimated that about one-tenth of the population will survive, and among the survivors, one-fifth will qualify as players within the first 12 hours. In other words, nearly 80,000 individuals will qualify as players within 12 hours.
The fat man, upon hearing the system announcement, displayed a look of surprise: "There is actually a forum function. This wooden figure posting is you, the boss, right?"
I accept
[F + Level Skill Book: Assassination], 30h https://m.hetushu.com.com0 Gold Coins
After 10 minutes, the number of paid users gradually stabilizes, reaching 180.
[Refined Iron Double Axe] (Common Black Iron Item), Attack +14, Attack Speed -10%, Durability 20/20. Sale Price 110 Gold Coins
Zhang Mu said after reading it: "I would like to make a deal with you"
Of course, you might choose to hide in a place where food is abundant? This is impossible, as the system will soon issue a mandatory task, and those who fail the task will be eliminated by the system
Spend 10 gold coins to purchase a copy of the F-level Monster Manual
Zhang Mu will copy the information from the Monster Manual, and this section will be charged a fee of 1 gold coin per person. The Monster Manual contains detailed records of all monsters below level 10, totaling an astonishing number of over 1,000 types.
Zhang Mu shook his head and said, "You should understand that at this stage, we cannot afford to buy anything."
3 hours, 590 gold coins
F + Skill Book: Assassination, Occupational Restrictions: Thief, Assassin, Killer, Ranger. Local Map Price: 300 Gold Coins
Having traveled the mainland for many years, it is still the first time someone has asked to borrow gold coins from me
Summarizing the lessons learned from past failures, the primary reason for humanity's ultimate defeat lies in the excessive number of deaths in the early stages. Additionally, the internal strife and turmoil among human factions during the mid-stage, where various forces acted independently, led to the mutual slaughter of the already limited survivors, preventing them from consolidating their strength, which ultimately resulted in total annihilation.
Zhang Mu concentrated all his energy, and he saw a miniature version of himself appear in his consciousness, with various attributes and statuses displayed beside him. Surrounding the character information were multiple options: [Backpack], [Quests], [Guild], [Team], [Forum]. Upon entering the forum, it was completely blank, with nothing resembling a library.
After 30 minutes, it will exceed 200 people
Even if it is one or two months later, 1200 is still an extremely considerable amount of wealth. Coupled with the previous 200 paid subscriptions, there are 1400 individuals who have paid to read posts containing a wealth of monster information. People typically do not act alone; if one person in a group pays, it is sufficient, resulting in the number of information sharers being at least four to five times the number of paying individuals
Zhang Mu nodded: "Let me take a look first at what products are available"
From now on, every coin earned will be entirely Zhang Mu's personal wealth
Skill scrolls can upgrade skills, which is an extremely important matter, costing a total of 900 gold coins
[Prompt: Trigger task to repay debt, task difficulty level F, do you accept?]
***
... ...
Zhang Mu pondered for a moment and immediately wrote in the post:
Zhang Mu said: "Lend me 50 gold coins, at most two hours, and I will return double the amount."
Among the more than twenty items, there are intelligence items, equipment, enhancement scrolls, and skill books, but most of the prices are above several hundred gold coins, which players absolutely cannot afford at this stage
[Mysterious Merchant] (Neutral Faction), Level ? ? ? ? Attributes. ? ? ? Skills. ? ? Introduction: A merchant that appears randomly in the wilderness or towns, the most mysterious smuggler on the continent, selling items that cannot be purchased in regular stores at low prices, with a certain chance of offering rare items, skill books, and skill scrolls.
[Fine Iron Short Sword] (Common Black Iron Item), Attack +8, Sharpness +1, Durability 20 / 20. Selling price 80 gold coins
A total of 1,200 gold coins have entered the backpack after 5 hours
The "F-Class Monster Manual" (Dawn Camp) contains information and data on normal and elite monsters of levels 1 to 10 in the Dawn Camp. The price for this map is 10 gold coins. Remaining quantity: 1
Success Reward: Favorability with the Mysterious Merchant and the Bookseller + 20
Zhang Mu clenched his fist, feeling very pleased. The speed of income was much faster than he had anticipated. He handed 200 gold coins to the mysterious merchant
Task completed
[F Level Skill Book, Backstab], Class Restrictions: Assassin, Thief, Killer. Local Market Price: 200 Gold Coins
F-level Skill Book: Speed Skating, 200 gold coins
Mysterious merchant favorability + 20, favorability rises to 20. Relationship change: Neutral → Ordinary
Zhang Mu received 50 gold coins, sold the dogman's machete, and obtained another 15 gold coins. He now has a total of 69 gold coins
The mysterious merchant said: "Is there anything you fancy?"
This document is extremely important and has the potential to rewrite history
The post purchased from the mysterious shop is used for creating posts in the forum
Approximately 2 minutes later, the first payer appeared, earning the first gold coin
Task: [Repaying Debt]
4 hours, 950 gold coins
Zhang Mu sat down and waited quietly, while the monster outside the iron gate continued to roar furiously. However, within 100 meters of the mysterious merchant, no monster could approach. Before the mysterious merchant left, the two were absolutely safe. Due to the system announcement, players learned about the post immediately, and the view count quickly reached over 1,000. The total number of players in the city was estimated to be not much higher than this number.
Notice: The first poster in this local area will receive a reward of 300 reputation points
[F + Level Skill Book, Heavy Strike], Class Restrictions: Berserker, Shield Warrior, Knight. Local Price: 300 Gold Coins
***
First, purchase the most important skill books and maps, totaling 500 gold coins
Spend 50 gold coins to purchase a [Post (6 hours)]
[LV1 Skill Enhancement Scroll], 400 gold coins
"Warriors from another realm, you are fortunate to have encountered me." The mysterious merchant's voice was hoarse and deep. He jumped down from the cart and continued, "Welcome to the mysterious shop. Our products are of excellent quality and reasonable prices, guaranteed to satisfy you."
Since we are starting anew, we must not repeat past mistakes. By utilizing the known information, we can seek to maximize our benefits. However, this is not a game for one person alone; Zhang Mu must also ensure that more people survive, thereby strengthening the overall power of the human faction
F-Level Skill Book: Speed Skating, Profession Restriction: Assassin, Ranger. Local Market Price: 200 Gold Coins
The mysterious merchant is expected to leave in approximately twenty minutes
2 hours, 400 gold coins
The mysterious merchant smiled: "Oh, what kind of business do you wish to engage in?"
Notice: The post has been successfully created and will be automatically deleted after six hours
In the mysterious shop, there are many good items, but time is too limited to collect more gold coins, so only the most useful items can be selected for sale. After purchasing skill books, skill scrolls, and maps, Zhang Mu also bought a remaining "post" from the shop. When funds are low, the same method can be used to quickly amass a considerable fortune.
This is the information on monsters below level 10, which includes details on their habits, weaknesses, attribute information, skill information, etc. It is crucial survival intelligence, and everyone must take it seriously
Reading will incur a fee of 1 coin
The volume of paid transactions is continuously increasing, as the number of players is on the rise. More players are engaging in monster hunting to earn gold, resulting in a steady increase in growth rate
Failure Penalty: The mysterious merchant's favor is permanently negative, resulting in the permanent deprivation of one skill
[Post] (6 hours), E-level item, the lowest level post, can be used for forum posting, visible only to players in this regional map, automatically deleted after 6 hours. The price in this map is 50 gold coins. Remaining quantity: 2
Repay the mysterious merchant 200 gold coins within 120 minutes
Zhang Mu uses the username "Wooden Man" for the forum and posts a message