Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Bai Fu, the True Friend of Players

“I will personally investigate Cao Wenliang’s death, but I have an urgent matter at hand. For now, don’t worry about those outsiders. First, help me with this.”

Upon entering the office of the Wildfire Gang boss, Bai Fu received a new task.

[You have triggered the faction quest [Material Collection (Special)]]

Quest Description: The II-type Amoeba is a bloodthirsty and brutal creature living in the contaminated zone, causing headaches for all scavengers. However, research indicates that the II-type Amoeba’s venom sac has special properties. The Wildfire Gang boss wants you to collect these venom sacs for him.

Objective: Collect 50 II-type Amoeba venom sacs within seven days (0/50)

Rewards: 100 experience points per venom sac collected, an additional 5000 experience points and 20 faction reputation upon completion.

Accept/Reject

Collecting one venom sac gives 100 experience points; collecting 50 would yield 5000 points, plus the additional reward, making the total experience gain 10000 points.

The rewards were generous.

However, even for Bai Fu, completing this task within seven days was challenging.

Her defense could easily withstand the physical attacks from II-type Amoebas, but their deadly poison spray was the real threat.

This poison causes severe corrosive damage to humans. If it reacts with human blood, it can cause mutations, turning people into monstrous creatures.

Bai Fu didn’t dare bet on surviving if she got surrounded by these creatures accidentally.

But her reluctance didn’t stop her from accepting the task.

The task didn’t specify that she had to personally extract the venom sacs from the II-type Amoebas. She could outsource the job to players after accepting the task.

With enough incentives, players would be willing to take on even the toughest challenges.

“I guarantee its completion!”

The Wildfire Gang boss smiled contentedly. “I’ll allocate 50,000 credits from our logistics department for this. You can request funding anytime during your mission.”

What an unexpected bonus?

50,000 credits!

Bai Fu was delighted.

In a place like the Wildfire Gang, where everyone was corrupt, not taking advantage during procurement wasn’t considered professional!

After leaving the boss’s office, she first applied for 5000 credits from logistics before heading home.

It was time to bring back Master Angler Anya!

…

Peripheral area of the abandoned cooling plant.

This area bordered the contaminated zone, becoming a territory for scavengers and outlaws. Even the Wildfire Gang wouldn’t come here under normal circumstances, making it a favorite spot for players.

In the afternoon, Jiujiao walked through the bustling “shopping street,” live-streaming as usual.

Due to Bai Fu’s recent absence from the stream, her popularity had dropped.

She remained calm, knowing this was nothing compared to her previous low points.

Jiujiao was optimistic about the game’s future and believed that by clinging to Bai Fu’s coattails, she would become a major streamer soon.

[Today, let’s experience the wasteland charm]

As she walked, Jiujiao saw a white figure ahead.

[Treasure hunting, do you find the white-haired girl familiar?]

[That’s my sister-in-law]

The chat room buzzed with activity.

Sister-in-law?

After staring at the white silhouette for a while, Jiujiao realized it was the little girl who always followed Fu Fu.

She approached her: “Excuse me, hey, you, the one following Fu Fu…”

Anya turned around, annoyed: “Hey what… Oh, it’s you again. I have a name, Anya. Remember it. Really, go play somewhere else, I’m very busy right now and don’t have time to chat.”

She walked towards another stall, leaving Jiujiao alone in the wind.

Jiujiao shook her head and quickly caught up: “What are you busy with? Maybe I can help?”

“You?” Anya dragged out the word, eyeing Jiujiao skeptically.

Jiujiao’s face flushed.

Though I may be weak, I have friends who aren’t. Don’t you understand the power of bonds?

Anya: “Don’t misunderstand. I don’t look down on you. I know you’re fearless and have many companions, but that’s irrelevant to your fear or lack thereof.”

“Then what is it related to?” Jiujiao asked hurriedly.

“Money, probably tens of thousands of credits.”

“Farewell!”

Jiujiao turned to leave, unable to afford even a few hundred credits.

After walking a dozen meters, she returned: “Let’s talk about the details? Perhaps I can help elsewhere.”

Anya shrugged: “Fine, actually, I came to buy II-type Amoeba venom sacs. The boss needs 50. I asked if they were selling, but after asking half the street, I haven’t found any. Without money to hire hunters, the boss might have to enter the contaminated zone himself.”

She became anxious.

Jiujiao cautiously asked: “Is the II-type Amoeba dangerous?”

“Of course,” Anya explained the situation.

Jiujiao was shocked: “Why does Fu Fu need venom sacs?”

Anya shook her head: “I don’t know. I heard the boss mention it randomly. I’m worried and thought I could help. Do you want to help collect venom sacs?”

This…

Jiujiao was about to say something when a game prompt suddenly rang.

[You have triggered the commission quest [Collect Venom Sacs]]

Quest Description: …

Objective: Collect II-type Amoeba venom sacs

Reward: 100 experience points per venom sac collected, +1 affinity with Anya

Jiujiao froze. The next second, she excitedly shared the quest interface with the live stream.

Jiujiao: [Ah, quest, I triggered a quest! Hahaha!]

[Jiujiao, are you okay? It’s just a quest, not winning the lottery]

[This quest’s reward isn’t high. If I remember correctly, II-type Amoebas are level 4 monsters, yet each venom sac only gives 100 experience points]

Jiujiao: [Youngsters, you’re too young. Do you really think the value lies in those 100 experience points?]

This left the viewers confused.

Jiujiao: [Sigh, you call yourselves disciples of the Fu Sect. Experience isn’t important. Haven’t you realized this is the first quest we’ve triggered with Fu Fu and Anya?]

Wow, it really is?

Jiujiao gloated: [Once I boost Anya’s affinity, I can get closer to Fu Fu and trigger more of her quests, hahaha]

With her laughter, the chat room messages multiplied several times.

Some exclaimed “Wow, impressive,” others expressed envy, some simply went crazy, and others rushed towards her location.

Damn, how could I let Jiujiao hog all the glory? The first to trigger a hidden quest must be me!

“Hey.” At this moment, Anya waved her hand in front of Jiujiao’s eyes. “Dazed?”

Jiujiao snapped out of it: “No, no, no. I’ll help you, but I need more people.”

Anya’s eyes lit up: “Of course, but, are you really going to help?”

Jiujiao: “Absolutely. By the way, can you promise me something?”

Anya instinctively stepped back, wary of Jiujiao.

Jiujiao quickly added: “It’s not bad, just don’t tell Fu Fu now. Wait until we have all the venom sacs and give her a surprise.”

“I thought you’d ask something serious. Fine, but if the boss gets restless and goes to the contaminated zone, I’ll have to tell her.”

“That’s fine.”

Anya scrutinized Jiujiao: “You’re quite nice. Thank you. What should I call you?”

Ha ha, her affinity must have increased!

Jiujiao laughed, her eyes crinkling: “Just call me Sister Jiujiao. Let’s start by asking around here if anyone has venom sacs.”

Anya didn’t refuse. As they asked along the street, more players came over.

Unsurprisingly, all these players received tasks from Anya.

Jiujiao wasn’t worried. She never intended to keep secrets; being first was enough!

[Let’s go to the contaminated zone and hunt II-type Amoebas]

[Wait, let me buy some anti-infection medicine first. This will increase our survival rate]

Amidst the commotion, a large group of players headed towards the contaminated zone.

Anya hurried to the prearranged meeting point with Bai Fu.

“Boss, you’re amazing. You made them work for free without spending a penny!”

She began to suspect Bai Fu might have a magical allure.

If so, couldn’t they open a factory and let outsiders work for free?

Bai Fu patted Anya’s head: “Calm down.”

As expected, after assigning Anya a supply officer task, she could issue quests to players. Now, there was a new method to exploit players.

The success of this task was due to both Anya’s and Jiujiao’s efforts.

On closer inspection, Jiujiao’s contribution was greater. Not only did she brainstorm in the stream after receiving the task, but she also constantly promoted the idea that Bai Fu had hidden quests.

Without this, the players wouldn’t have believed her and come to work for free.

“Jiujiao’s gaming skills are poor, but her imagination alone makes her worth cultivating.”

Bai Fu viewed players as tools to boost her own progression. She would extract various benefits from them but wouldn’t hesitate to nurture potential players because it would ultimately benefit her.

Of course, she would only cultivate players who wouldn’t betray her for other gains.

Jiujiao clearly fit this criterion. Her popularity was deeply intertwined with Bai Fu’s, and the more successful she became, the higher Jiujiao’s visibility would rise.

Besides Jiujiao, Bai Fu planned to cultivate a few players who could provide combat support, setting examples to attract others to fight for her.

Simply relying on popularity to maintain good relations with players was unstable. Adding some mutual benefits would strengthen the relationship.

“Let’s return. In two or three days, they should complete the task.”

Bai Fu didn’t intend to wait idly.

By the next day, she brought Anya back to the same “shopping street” to find Jiujiao and company.

“Fu Fu, why are you here?”

Jiujiao was stunned when she saw them.

She noticed Anya looking down, appearing distressed. Could it be…

“I know about your help from Anya,” Bai Fu sighed.

Indeed.

Jiujiao seized the opportunity to boost Anya’s affinity: “Fu Fu, the child is young. Don’t punish her. I proposed helping you. She just cares about you. What’s wrong with that?”

Jiujiao felt she must be looking incredibly cool, maybe even becoming a light giant in Anya’s eyes.

Ha, others only care about completing quests. Paying attention to such small details is what truly matters!

Bai Fu gently shook her head: “Since it’s done, I’ll accept your kindness, but I can’t show my gratitude without doing anything. I’ll buy the venom sacs you collected for 200 credits each.”

Huh?

Jiujiao and Paida Xing nearby immediately refused: “No, no, you shouldn’t spend your money.”

Bai Fu: “Take it, this money isn’t mine. It’s from the Wildfire Gang. Take it, you need the money, right?”

Of course, we do.

These words moved the players to tears.

[Damn, this is Fu Fu, the true friend of players. If this were another NPC, they’d be thrilled to have us work for free, not give us money from the Wildfire Gang]

[Brothers, I have no regrets joining the Fu Sect!]

[Oh no, encountering Fu Fu has made me realize I can’t look at others anymore. Will I be single now?]

[Wake up, you were single before meeting Fu Bao too]

Bai Fu secretly chuckled.

If she had included the 200 credits in the quest rewards initially, the players’ reaction wouldn’t have been so strong. They would have taken it for granted.

This time, she hit the jackpot.

To collect 50 venom sacs, she would give the players 10,000 credits, which seemed substantial, but she could still make 40,000 credits from the Wildfire Gang. However, she planned to leave 10,000 credits for the gang to showcase her frugality.

“You’ve helped me greatly. Giving you just this money doesn’t express my gratitude. If you have any other requests, I’ll try to fulfill them.”

This statement caused another stir among the players.

“Uh, no specific requests.”

“Seems like there’s nothing we want.”

“Um… Can we have a profession knowledge book?”

“Hey, why are you asking this?”

The player raising their hand was immediately silenced.

“A profession knowledge book?” Bai Fu frowned slightly. “I remember the Wildfire Gang library has some, though they’re hard to obtain. I’ll try to get them.”

Her words stunned everyone. Was this possible?

No, it’s too dangerous. What if Fu Fu gets arrested while stealing the books?

A portion of the players tried to persuade Bai Fu to give up, but she insisted. They could only silently cherish the feeling.

[I’m stealing the Wildfire Gang’s profession knowledge books to feed you all.jpg]

That night, a player posted a manipulated image online, which instantly rocketed to the top of the community’s trending list.

Bai Fu couldn’t help but chuckle.

The benefits from this operation far exceeded her expectations.

She waited another day, and the players finally collected the 50 venom sacs.

Before she could celebrate, a less-than-ideal piece of news reached her ears.

“Yesterday, when we followed the boss to capture outsiders, we killed two identical-looking outsiders.”

Bai Fu: “Could they be twins?”

“Initially, we thought so, but after a while, we saw him again.”

“Triplets?”

“That’s unlikely.”

Bai Fu realized the secret of player resurrection might be exposed.

PS: Thanks to Tianyou Anan and Yunzhong Gumei for their donations