Doomsday: Conquering the World

Chapter 5: Secret Message, Tactical Sight

As the rest area upgraded, Roger opened the area chat.

"Now that I have an extra pistol and body armor, there's no point in keeping them. I might as well see if I can trade them for something useful."

The area chat was buzzing with activity. Roger noticed that the number of players in the area had dropped to 968, indicating more deaths. Desperate messages filled the chat, with players begging for weapons and armor.

"Five packs of instant noodles! I need a weapon, even a melee one! Anyone willing to trade?"

"Looking to trade for a firearm. I have two keys. Contact me if interested."

"Help! If anyone has healing items, please. I'm bleeding out!"

"I have a crowbar for trade. I'm looking for abandoned factory keys."

"I'm starving and dehydrated. My satiety and water levels are at zero. I'll soon lose health. Help me!"

Roger's eyes quickly locked onto a specific message, and he got in touch with the sender.

[Roger: What keys do you have?]

[Jason: Brother, do you have a firearm? I have the keys to Apartment No. 15 and the Red Romance Club. I haven't used them yet! (picture)]

Roger was thrilled. He happened to have keys to Apartment No. 15 as well.

[Roger: I have a pistol (picture), but two keys aren't enough.]

[Jason: Damn, boss! How did you get a pistol with a full magazine so quickly? (shocked expression)]

[Jason: I only have some food and drinks besides the keys. How about I add a secret piece of information to the trade?]

[Roger: Information? Don't try to scam me.]

[Jason: No scam. This is confidential. Only a few know about it. I learned it accidentally. Do we have a deal?]

[Roger: If it's so valuable, why trade it like this?]

[Jason: At this stage, a firearm is worth more than anything. Besides, after the first disaster, everyone will know. Few know it now, though.]

Roger pondered. Jason seemed genuine.

[Roger: Alright, I'll trade the pistol for your keys and the information. Don't lie to me.]

[Jason: No worries. I promise it's worth it.]

Roger traded a pistol and a magazine of bullets for Jason's keys to Apartment No. 15 and the Red Romance Club. Jason sent the information:

[Jason: Master, collect the electronic component "graphics card" early. After the first disaster, our game version will merge with the older one, and the "graphics card" will become vital for earning "disaster coins," a rare trading currency.]

Two new terms, Graphics Card and Disaster Coin, appeared before Roger. What concerned him more was the merging with the older game version.

[Roger: Are we only with new players now?]

[Jason: Yes, boss! We're all newbies. The game is at the easiest level. After the first disaster, we'll merge with the older players, and the difficulty will spike. You'll face players from all races.]

Roger quickly understood. They were in a newbie area, and the older players were in the main area. Surviving the first disaster would merge the two areas, exposing them to veteran players and tougher conditions.

He looked at the nearby subway station monitoring station, realizing he needed to seize every opportunity for improvement.

Roger was glad to have traded with Jason. The information provided a clearer picture of the challenges ahead. He went to the monitoring station and collected components from damaged cases:

CPU fan × 1

Memory module × 1

Power supply unit × 1

Power cord × 1

The haul was modest but might be useful later. Though he didn't find a "graphics card," he discovered a new way to scavenge supplies: dismantling computer cases for electronic components.

Roger then posted two new trade messages in the chat:

[Damascus dagger (picture), trade for an anti-theft lock cylinder and any key. Contact me if interested!]

[Level 2 bulletproof vest (picture), trade for hideout upgrade materials. Contact me if interested!]

The chat exploded with reactions:

"Another melee weapon trade? How are so many people getting weapons? Is this boss upgrading the hideout door directly?"

"This boss has a level 2 bulletproof vest too! Did they take down refugees just after entering the game?"

"Boss, please share your weapon acquisition strategy!"

Private messages flooded Roger, most offering food or resources for weapons, which he ignored. Some, however, proposed trades, and Roger waited for the right offer.

One message caught his attention:

[Hello, I can trade an anti-theft lock cylinder and a tactical sight (picture) with you.]

"Tactical sight!" Roger sat up straight and opened the picture.