Chapter 30 Maritime Peril 5

Chapter 30: Peril at Sea 5

In room 106, Ding Yikai was on the verge of losing his mind. He snapped irritably, "It's already the third day, why haven't we seen Gu Siyuan yet?!"

Wei Zhong looked grave and slowly uttered a few words, "Things look pretty bad."

Ding Yikai was burning with frustration and growled, "Among the three of us, only he has a Portable Storage! He's carrying most of our supplies! How can he just disappear like that?!"

Wei Zhong's expression was grim. He pursed his lips, barely maintaining his composure, "Why are you yelling at me? I'm just as anxious as you are, aren't we trying to figure something out?"

"Figure out what? We're screwed!" Ding Yikai's emotions were spiraling out of control, "Without enough water or daily supplies, how can we last until the 10th day? We're definitely toast!"

According to the plan, most people on the cruise were supposed to be poisoned, and they only needed to do some simple cleanup work.

But in fact, not as many players drank the bottled mineral water and got negative statuses as expected. Many players caught on early and even took advantage of this great opportunity to rob.

By the time they realized they could no longer act separately, Gu Siyuan had already disappeared.

As a result, they had carefully orchestrated a grand scheme, but the final outcome was that the ship's supplies were taken over by some guild. Now, it seemed they were about to be eliminated due to a shortage of supplies.

...

This is what you call shooting yourself in the foot.

The more Ding Yikai thought about it, the angrier he became, burning with frustration, wishing he could go out and pick a fight with someone.

Wei Zhong took a deep breath and calmly analyzed the situation, "After we found out we couldn't contact Gu Siyuan, didn't we rob some people? We've got Sprite, Fanta, beef jerky, and milk sticks. The situation isn't as severe as you imagine. Calm down."

Ding Yikai sneered, "What's your plan?"

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Wei Zhong's eyes, "After identifying a suitable target, we'll ambush them. If that doesn't work, then we'll have to resort to force." As he spoke, he looked up at the ceiling, clearly implying something.

Ding Yikai's face was dark as water, reminding him, "Going after the guild? Remember, they've got over 20 people."

Wei Zhong smiled disdainfully, "Only 20 people, my poison could wipe out hundreds in one go. What we lack now is just an opportunity."

Only then did Ding Yikai's expression ease up.

**

At exactly 9 o'clock, the system's mechanical voice announced, "Day 3 of the Game."

Su Han received 4 bottles of milk, 1 piece of rye bread, 1 piece of Pork Floss Cream Bread, and 1 piece of chocolate cake. She felt truly blessed to have plenty of food and drink.

On the other hand, Cai Cheng's face flushed a deep red.

His talent skill's 1% chance actually activated! He scored a piece of glass-type imperial jade! It was as big as a volleyball!

Cai Cheng clutched his chest, feeling a faint pain in his heart. As far as he knew, this piece of jade was of the right color and quality, worth at least several million Bei, possibly even over ten million.

But he'd promised Zhong Rui he'd hand over all the gems obtained in this round of the game. What was even more frustrating was that he didn't have a Portable Storage, nor a hidden place to stash the jade...

Cai Cheng painfully closed his eyes, feeling like giving away the jade was akin to losing a loved one.

After being heartbroken, gnashing his teeth, and wildly regretting, he finally closed his eyes and handed over the jade.

"Precious grade gem?" Zhong Rui was quite surprised, but he didn't hesitate at all. He snatched it up and tossed it carelessly into storage.

But after thinking about it, he generously said, "Since there's a precious grade gem, you don't need to pay any further rewards, you can keep it for yourself."

Cai Cheng finally felt the precious grade gem was a bit of a consolation.

"Wanna go fishing?" Zhong Rui invited his companion.

Unexpectedly, Su Han shook her head and politely declined, "I still have fish left from yesterday's catch. I'm planning to hole up in my room for a few days."

"Alright," Zhong Rui then took Cai Cheng with him and went out together.

**

At this moment, the deck was alive with activity.

Players who had initially chosen to wait and see found that there weren't many clashes when they gathered together, so some gave in and joined in. Some were fishing, others hunting, everyone going about their own activities.

Cai Cheng glanced around and noticed that there were far more people on the deck than yesterday.

Some players even took the opportunity to set up makeshift stalls.

"Toothpaste, toothbrushes, perfume—looking to trade for meds and ready-to-eat meals."

"Military knife, razor-sharp! Trade for meds only."

"Bottled water, trading for food, daily essentials, and meds."

As the third person's call just rang out, the air suddenly went still.

Someone couldn't hold back and muttered, "In these times, can you still trust the water others are holding? I wouldn't risk it."

The stall owner, a young girl, coldly retorted, "If you’ve got poison, why waste it on water? You could spike the food, and no one would be the wiser!"

At these words, most people's expressions changed. By the looks of it, they were ready to bail—no longer daring to exchange goods with others.

The stall owner girl continued, "If you want to trade with me, I’ll take a sip right here to show it’s safe."

The player who first questioned chuckled, then said expressionlessly, "You might as well keep it."

The stall owner girl didn't mind, "When the water runs low, even if unwilling, some folks will have to take the plunge. I'll wait."

After all, water’s life—you can’t live without it.

Zhong Rui felt the voice sounded familiar. Turning his head, he recognized her—they’d met before—the stall owner girl had just exchanged two bulletproof vests for a pile of medicine with him yesterday.

Cai Cheng whispered, "Trading water for food, essentials, and meds... Did she hoard a bunch of water earlier?"

"Who knows?" Zhong Rui didn't care and continued fishing.

**

"Hu—hu—" Labored breathing echoed down the hall. At the same time, chaotic footsteps sounded. One guy was sprinting for his life, not daring to look back.

Not far behind, two men were closely following. One teased, "No one’s coming to your rescue. Quit fighting and hand over the goods."

The speaker was none other than Ding Yikai, and his companion was Wei Zhong.

Clearly, the two had chosen their target and were chasing their prey.

"Speed up," Wei Zhong ordered coldly, quickening his pace.

Was he really being treated as a subordinate? Ding Yikai was displeased but didn't show it, instead jogging to catch up.

The guy being chased, panicking, bolted into the study. Upon realizing there was only one door, his heart sank—there was no way out.

"Who are you?" a lazy voice asked.

"My name is Tian Zhe," the pursued person said despondently, "And you?"

To his surprise, the other person replied very bluntly, "I'm on the brink of death; my name is irrelevant."

Tian Zhe was speechless.

Only then did he notice that the other person was leaning against the bookshelf, with only 9% of his HP left. He was practically at death's door.

He had hoped someone might help. Tian Zhe buried his face in his hands, looking utterly defeated.

"If you wandered in by accident, just get out of here," the young man said with an unusually sincere expression. "I want to die in peace."

Tian Zhe felt a heavy heart. He wanted to leave the study to the young man, but he was trapped.

At that moment, Ding Yikai and Wei Zhong happened to arrive.

"Quit wasting time and energy. Hand over your stuff, now," Ding Yikai urged.

Tian Zhe clenched his teeth, ready to fight to the death, thinking he might as well take someone with him.

The young man's eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly said, "Ding Yikai?"

Ding Yikai was momentarily taken aback. After scrutinizing the young man, he realized he didn't recognize him and wondered, "Do I know you?"

"The mineral water supplied on the cruise ship was poisoned. Anyone who drank it would be affected. But what can you do? They were too greedy for their own good," the young man said word by word.

Ding Yikai was stunned. Those were his exact words!

The young man laughed in extreme anger, saying coldly, "Thanks to you, all my friends are out. I'm barely hanging on myself."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Wei Zhong said indifferently. "He's practically dead; nothing to worry about."

Ding Yikai felt a twinge of unease but quickly composed himself, "You're right."

"So you're the ones who poisoned the water??" Tian Zhe couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, it was us. Too bad the plan didn't go perfectly," Wei Zhong couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.

"Go to hell!" Tian Zhe immediately drew his crossbow and fired at the two.

The arrow nicked Ding Yikai's right arm, and blood started pouring out.

"Tsk, what a pain." In a two-against-one fight, the prey was just flailing in its death throes. Ding Yikai didn't bother to bandage the wound and instead drew a dagger, charging at Tian Zhe.

Wei Zhong took out a bag of powder.

Poison Powder: After use, reduces health by 10, with a certain chance of causing the attacked to be blinded for one minute.

He grabbed the powder with his hand and threw it at Tian Zhe's face without hesitation.

"Ugh—" Tian Zhe couldn't dodge in time and was hit squarely. He immediately felt a sharp pain in his eyes and couldn't open them.

Ding Yikai took the opportunity to kick him, sending him flying.

Tian Zhe was kicked hard in the abdomen and couldn't hold back, dropping the crossbow.

The young man picked up the crossbow and calmly aimed. The arrow flew straight towards Wei Zhong.

Wei Zhong couldn't dodge in time and was hit in the shoulder, causing blood to flow immediately. But he didn't care, "You know you can't win, but you're still thrashing around, refusing to give up. Do you think causing us more trouble will make you feel better psychologically?"

The young man suddenly laughed. A mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he whispered, "Can't win, huh?"

A sudden sense of foreboding surged in Wei Zhong's heart.

Right after, the young man pulled out a bundle of five High-Energy Explosives from his chest.

High-Energy Explosives: When used, it attacks everything within five meters, cutting stamina by 40.

One pack cuts stamina by 40, so five packs would cut it by 200. To prevent the target from having cleared the dungeon and gained extra attribute bonuses, the young man deliberately wore down the opponent's health before bringing out the explosives.

High-Energy Explosives are also a limited-sale item. However, unlike the Desert Eagle, only 50 packs are provided each time. Moreover, this thing doesn't distinguish between friend and foe; it will explode along with the owner.

The young man had stockpiled a few packs, thinking, "If someone kills me, I'll take them down with me," never expecting it to actually come in handy.

"Lunatic!" Wei Zhong shouted, bolting out without warning his companion.

The young man's smile grew more triumphant. He whispered, "How could I give you a chance to escape? It's already too late."

Before he could finish speaking, the high-energy explosives went off with a bang!

The bookshelves exploded, the study burst into flames, and the four people inside turned into white light, vanishing into thin air.

**

Trouble comes when you least expect it.

Su Han was sitting quietly in her room, sipping milk, when suddenly, the ceiling caved in! Flames and a blast of heat surged toward her, making her skin sting.

Without a second glance, she flung open the door, dashed out of the room, and fled the danger zone.

Once she reached the deck and confirmed she was safe, she noticed that despite wearing a protective vest, her stamina had dropped by 54, and she'd been hit with the 'Burning' debuff.

Su Han was at a loss for words. What the hell was going on?