Chapter 13: The Dungeon Entrance

Yu Jiang gave him five compressed biscuits and a bottle of water.

Over on Sicily’s side, private messages were still flowing.

“Boss, you’re not going to take his offer, are you? We were negotiating first. How about four compressed biscuits and a friend slot? He even sent you leg pics.”

They were clearly trying to take her for a fool. What use were photos? Even eight-pack abs wouldn’t help here.

“Plus voice chats and singing companionship,” came a voice message.

Yu Jiang finally understood how people ended up getting scammed—it was kind of endearing. Imagine, in such a desolate, monster-infested apocalypse, surviving alone, feeling isolated and lost, suddenly hearing a comforting voice—that would be a balm indeed.

But she had also seen videos of burly men with stubble disguising their voices to sound like girls.

Pure-hearted cockroaches were definitely girls, always polite in their trades and never trying to cheat; this one, though, was uncertain.

Yu Jiang replied, “No, thanks.”

At that moment, her friends list pinged with a new message.

Thunder Lord sent a picture. “Boss, is this what you were looking for?”

“Send it over first. If you picked the wrong item, I’ll still give you a compressed biscuit as a hardship fee.”

Many collected items couldn’t be scanned by the screen until the player obtained the corresponding scroll and achievement to unlock them.

The picture looked right, but many resources in this game world were mutated; Yu Jiang needed to get them in hand to confirm if they were the medicine she required.

“Got it!” Thunder Lord quickly sent the items.

There were exactly two portions—just the missing ingredient needed to complete the Poison Rain skill!

Yu Jiang immediately sent back a healing potion and a compressed biscuit.

Thunder Lord said, “Thanks, boss! For future missions like this, be sure to come to me!”

“Okay.”

Yu Jiang opened her panel, heart pounding with excitement, and clicked ‘Refine.’

[Player has successfully unlocked skill: Poison Rain.

As one of the alchemist development paths, poison masters require high combat power, making upgrades difficult.

I believe you will become great and achieve new glory!]

[Player’s profession ‘Alchemist’ has reached level two! You’re the first level two alchemist on the server!

Reward: Beginner’s Herbal Materials Guidebook

Includes materials for basic healing and poisons. As a top alchemist, you should study this book thoroughly and memorize all herbs and formulas.

(Poison masters can handle materials in the beginner guidebook without being poisoned~)]

Yu Jiang scanned the lengthy descriptions of various medicinal properties on the display.

And she had to memorize it all...

She skimmed briefly and closed the screen; the dungeon was the priority now.

With an area damage skill activated, she could safely enter the Silent Town.

Before getting off, Yu Jiang put the ‘Irritable Blueberry’ into her backpack slot and casually used two Sunshine Cards.

[‘Irritable Blueberry’ mood +10. If my mood exceeds 60, it will bear many fruits.]

Her mood was currently 40; with three cards left, she should get a good harvest.

Calculating the cost, fruits were expensive compared to essential survival supplies.

But investing in this aggressive blueberry was worth it.

Along the way, Yu Jiang also picked a few mushrooms, some red stones, and dug up a konjac and two pinellia plants.

She suspected the stones were red cinnabar—the raw ore of arsenic, both medicine and poison.

Yu Jiang arrived at the dungeon at 1:35 PM.

The vehicle passed through a culvert, officially entering the dungeon.

Ahead lay a European-style rural town with a rudimentary, weed-choked square where vehicles were parked.

Seventeen players had already arrived.

Most drove level one vehicles.

There were various small mopeds, gasoline motorcycles, and tricycles, with only one gray box truck.

One player drove a bright red weed whacker vehicle—impressively flashy.

Another had a children’s go-kart, and four had battery-powered, four-wheeled rides resembling coin-operated kiddie cars.

As they arrived, one even played a song: “What’s the name of dad’s dad...”

Several players looked confused and awkward, some scratching their feet nervously.

The girl driving the upgraded rocking ride hid her face with her hands, blushing deeply.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen this many living people. I’m excited! What does everyone think about this dungeon? Feels really dangerous,” someone said.

“No kidding. I just picked up a bench leg, no decent weapon. I’m just hoping to get 100 points and be done.”

Though he said that, he thought otherwise.

After receiving the dungeon notice, he had practiced on zombies; his real weapon was a sharpened screwdriver.

He wasn’t aiming just to pass—he wanted the top three rewards!

Looking around, the survivors here didn’t seem impressive: the girl on the rocking ride and two older players likely to be eliminated quickly.

He thought his chances were good.

“Let me say something,” a man smelling of sweat stepped forward. “Nobody wants to fail this dungeon and miss out on supplies for three days.”

“True,” many nodded, including Yu Jiang.

The man named ‘Fate’ continued, “Although we can’t form teams here, we can help each other and share points. That way, it’s safer.”

“Makes sense.”

A few agreed; others stayed silent.

Share points? What if someone freeloaded? They’d be working for nothing.

“How would the points be shared?” someone asked, curious.

“I checked—there are already 26 people. We can organize teams by skill levels; the capable get points first, then help others.

Women and older players with lower combat stats would do support work.”

His words offended several players.

The girl on the rocking ride, titled ‘Golden Miner,’ sneered, “Dragon Baby, I can’t dig up a nerve like you. Support you? You wish.”

Fate glanced at her ride and laughed, “It’s good you want to earn points yourself, but this isn’t the place to be stubborn. You should recognize your limits.”

“I thought the tone sounded familiar—just like old Zhong Deng at the company,” Golden Miner rolled her eyes.

“We’ve all come this far on our own. The dungeon hasn’t started, rankings aren’t out; no need to argue about who’s better,” another player said.

“If you refuse to join, that’s your choice. Just don’t regret it when the dungeon starts,” Fate scoffed, walking off with a few willing players to discuss plans.

His departing glance suggested he already imagined Golden Miner getting slapped down and begging for help.

Golden Miner warned nearby female players, “Watch out for those few over there.”

Yu Jiang nodded.

They hadn’t agreed to join the team; those players might deliberately target them.

Still, in a solo ranking dungeon, team dynamics were fragile.

Everyone guarded themselves; even if they had plans, they wouldn’t say so openly.