Talent Market

Later on, the group headed to a weapons shop and finally laid eyes on the exoskeleton they had been pining for. However... Ye Shi exclaimed, "A KV-1 costs six hundred chips?! Holy shit, that's so expensive!" Kuang Feng asked, "How much did Lao Bai's old set cost again?" Lao Bai thought for a moment before answering. "Five hundred silver coins. The steel plating probably accounted for half of that, so just the KV-1 itself was around two or three hundred?" Granted, that had been the price several patches ago, and he had gotten it at an auction. Thinking back to that starting bid of two hundred silver coins, everyone felt a wave of emotion. The Administrator really was generous. Compared to Boss Xia at the weapons shop, he was practically a saint! ... With something so expensive, they certainly couldn't afford to buy one, so they could only feast their eyes on it. Of course, the group hadn't forgotten the purpose of their trip. After some negotiation, the LD-47 Scythe assault rifle entrusted to them by the Administrator was finally sold for seventy chips. That was already the best price they could manage after trying their hardest. The gun shop owner in this new map had a far nastier temper than Boss Xia and wasn't the least bit interested in their weapons. And that wasn't just true of one shop. Although Boulder City's ammunition also included seven-millimeter rounds, their length was completely different, and the structure of the primer caps wasn't the same either. Even with identical calibers, the ammo wasn't interchangeable. The Drone assault rifle sold for 150 chips in Boulder City, but its factory price might not even reach triple digits—at most, ninety chips. Coming here to sell weapons was a mistake. Whether in terms of cost or technology, Boulder City's military-industrial complex was far superior to theirs, which had only been developing for a single winter. Unless they found a novel angle, they would have to put their efforts elsewhere. Looking at the shop shelves, Ye Shi muttered under his breath. "Holy crap, they even sell mortars?" And they weren't expensive either. The kind just a bit longer than a rifle, sixty-millimeter caliber, with a range under three kilometers, actually cost only as much as a single KV-1 exoskeleton? Lao Bai glanced across the shelves. "There are no mortar shells here." Fang Chang said, "They do have shells, but you probably have to pick them up outside the city. If I recall, explosives over a certain number of grams are contraband... Let's go. There isn't a single thing here we can afford." Lao Bai sighed. "It's too tough, way too tough." He wondered if bricks could sell for money here. Their Niuma Brick Factory really only had that one specialty to offer. Ye Shi gave a sly grin. "How about we go tighten screws at a factory?" Lao Bai was a Strength-type! He'd definitely be a beast at tightening screws! Fang Chang rolled his eyes, too lazy to engage him. "A daily wage of two to three chips. Working for a whole month wouldn't even buy you a gun. I suggest you save your breath." Selling a Scythe rifle for seventy chips was actually not bad. The raw material cost was under fifteen silver coins anyway, and no matter how high the other expenses were, they shouldn't exceed that figure. In any case, even tiny mosquito legs were still meat. Although this money didn't belong to them and the chips earned were quest items, their final reward would be settled in silver coins and contribution points based on how many chips they brought in. Could they pocket it themselves? Of course they could. As everyone knew, the best paths to fortune were all written in the criminal code, and there were always clever fools who assumed everyone else was an idiot. They, however, were not. Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes's Big Bird Vodka was sold to a drunkard in front of a tavern for ten chips. All four felt they had gotten the short end of the stick, since that bottle was a full jin. Brewing that much liquor required at least three jin of potatoes, which translated to at least three silver coins, rising to five when prices were high. It was basically breaking even without making a profit! Clutching the chips, Ye Shi wanted to duck inside the tavern to take a peek; people inside seemed to be wearing very little. Before his front foot could even clear the threshold, however, Fang Chang yanked him back. Standing nearby, Kuang Feng said, "Don't get sidetracked from our real business." Ye Shi protested, "Damn it! Aren't you guys curious at all? Just let me look!" When exploring a new map, wasn't visiting places like this to investigate the very first thing you were supposed to do? Otherwise, how could you claim to understand the local customs and culture! As everyone knew, whether in an MMO or a single-player title, taverns in RPGs were always hubs for gathering intelligence. That was an established convention of common sense! Fang Chang cleared his throat. "I was here a while ago... For a tavern with dancing girls, the admission fee is at least two chips, which means you have to buy a drink just to get in." Ye Shi blurted out, "Damn! You thick-browed, big-eyed bastard, you've actually been in one! Why didn't you put that in your guide?!" Fang Chang's gaze drifted to the side. "I can't possibly write down every single detail." Lao Bai patted Ye Shi on the shoulder and comforted him, "Wait until we make some money. With the few chips in your pocket, I'm afraid it won't even buy you two drinks." That was true enough. Ye Shi settled down. Boss Yaya's mushrooms were finally bought by a general store. Aside from the few blue mushrooms she had risked her life stealing from the leech nest, the other varieties that looked undeniably delicious didn't fetch much coin at all. Looking at the pouch of chips in hand, the four players wore worried expressions. "Not enough." Deducting the seventy chips from the quest item, today's income came to 540 chips, most of which had been contributed by Boss Yaya. The amount at their free disposal was 270 chips. Then again, those Blue Parasol mushrooms were truly valuable—they were actually sold by the gram! And just four grams could be exchanged for one chip! It was just a pity that the stuff was too rare. Before winter came, Boss Yaya had already harvested all of them, though it seemed a few remained in the NPC warehouse. Nowadays, the leech nest only served as bait for the fishing enthusiasts; those few tufts of blue mycelium on the walls wouldn't be returning to their former lush state anytime soon. ... That night. The four made floor beds on the second floor of the liaison office and went to sleep. After logging off, they headed straight to the forum. Under the expectant gazes of countless players and lurkers, Fang Chang updated a thread with everything they had seen and heard throughout the day. This included Tengteng's artistic creations being placed on consignment. It also included Boss Yaya's mushrooms fetching a massive sum. How much everyone's items had sold for was also clearly and distinctly laid out. Scummy behavior like embezzling someone else's gear and in-game currency was beneath any player with even a shred of decency, and everyone trusted them. Only Lightning King Professor Yang spent ages speculating that it was impossible for the items to sell for so little and that there must be something fishy going on, but no one paid him any mind. All the players' attention was captivated by the rich freedom and explorable content of the new map. Now this was a virtual world! This was the real deal, wasn't it? The northern outskirts were pure wilderness survival! Even through the screen, Fang Chang could feel many people's eyes gleaming with envy. Tail: "Can I start a mercenary guild?!" Fang Chang: "Uh, that's an uncharted path. You can give it a try." WC Really Has Mosquitoes: "Wait! Where's my grenade? Did no one buy it!? (°Д°#)" Ye Shi: "Your charge exceeded regulations. Who the hell stuffs half a jin of explosives into a hand grenade? They confiscated it right at the gate!" WC Really Has Mosquitoes: "Damn it! My anti-split-claw crab mine!" Lao Bai: "...Personally, I think that would have been enough for anti-tank duty." Mole on the Run from the Canyon: "What about exoskeletons? Did you guys see exoskeletons? Damn it, Red River Town is way too poor!" Fang Chang: "It's written in the post. Read it carefully." Boulder City did have exoskeletons. And not just the basic KV-1 models; there were series 2 and 3, and even modified Type-A and Type-B variants, with prices ranging anywhere from a thousand to tens of thousands of chips. Much like sedans in the real world, different models and configurations came with vast differences in price. The cheapest base model was essentially just a power pack and a tiny motor. The expensive high-end versions, on the other hand, were not only equipped with armor inserts, but also included helmets featuring night vision and thermal imaging. Even when using the same solid-state hydrogen technology, batteries made from different materials and processes had worlds of difference in safety and operational endurance. However, those expensive models weren't placed out on open display; they usually required custom orders. After all, ordinary people couldn't afford that kind of money. In most cases, mercenaries settled for the KV-1, which was only slightly more expensive than a rifle. What Chu Guang hadn't anticipated was that the KV-1 exoskeleton was actually so cheap on the shelves in Boulder City—only six hundred chips? The actual production cost might very well be only half that figure. Looking at the posts the players were making on the forum, Chu Guang couldn't help recalling the distant past, when someone had bought two kilograms of blue mushrooms from him for just two hundred chips, only to turn around and sell him a KV-1 exoskeleton for eight hundred chips. That had been Yaya's hard-earned sweat and blood! Didn't that guy have any shame! Still, thinking of the equipment Liszt had spent hundreds of thousands of chips to buy from Boulder City, Chu Guang didn't bother dwelling on a matter of a few hundred chips. If he hadn't sold to him, he could only have sold to Old Leech. In most situations, his choices weren't about picking the better of two great options, but rather selecting the less awful one between two terrible alternatives. In any case, he had fulfilled his promise and thoroughly fleeced the guy once. No, calling it "fleecing" was too crude. It should be called a win-win! ... While Brother Fang Chang was busy replying to posts, Shuyu finally finished taking care of everything, and Shelter 404's liaison office in Boulder City officially opened its doors. The property occupied a total footprint of 120 square meters, excluding common areas and the entrance, across three floors, with a monthly rent of eight hundred chips. The first floor served as the lobby, while the second and third floors served as an inn for players to rest. Later, depending on how things went, Chu Guang would consider whether to establish a save point here by sending over a few hibernation pods so players could log out conveniently. The areas of Boulder City adjacent to the industrial zone were hooked up to a power grid, where one chip bought ten kilowatt-hours of electricity. Some people also bought wood-fired generators to produce their own power or strapped solar panels onto their roofs. Others used a mix of both. However, purchasing a generator easily cost three or four digits, which wasn't suitable for their current stage. With a budget of only ten thousand chips, Shuyu didn't dare be wasteful. After paying three months of rent and a one-month deposit, half of the remaining 6,800 chips still had to be spent on renovations and furnishing. This was the Administrator's instruction. Even with a tight budget, the interior had to be decorated according to the reference images he had provided, capturing the "vibe of an adventurers' guild." Shouldn't it be a chamber of commerce? Shuyu didn't quite understand, but he didn't dwell on it either, chalking it up to the Administrator's personal eccentricities. After securing the lease, he set up a communications base station right away, mounting the antenna on the roof and disguising it with inconspicuous objects. With this in place, the players' VMs could finally receive messages from the shelter normally! Perhaps because the city walls were so high, however, the signal here remained extremely weak. Late at night. Having finally wrapped up his work, Shuyu put on his headset and established contact with the Administrator back at the shelter. "Administrator, as per your orders, I have contracted a local renovation crew to begin construction. The lobby renovations are expected to finish within a week! The work on the second and third floors will also wrap up within two weeks!" "Very good. You've done well." A voice of approval came through the receiver, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Now that the premises are settled, hiring staff must be addressed promptly as well. I need you to recruit some local employees who understand the area—at least ten people, half for field work and half for internal operations." Field staff would be responsible for coordinating with players and interacting with the locals. This was something Chu Guang had promised in a patch: providing players with a more convenient channel to hire NPCs with higher trading proficiency to help sell their goods. When they had free time, they could also conduct market research, gather local rumors, and compile them into intelligence reports to send back to the shelter. Soon, the entire city of Qingquan would get lively. By then, they should be able to hear plenty of interesting things from that vantage point. As for internal staff, plainly speaking, they were civil servants. This included counter clerks who received players, handled transactions, and posted quests, as well as personnel who negotiated other business with locals. If they discovered unemployed engineers, or even Bluecoats from other shelters, they could introduce them to a new destination. Assuming they were willing, that was. "...For employee training, simply follow the manual I sent you. In terms of wages, you can offer slightly above the local market rate. We cannot count on their loyalty, but we can tie them to our chariot with mutual interest." "Exercise your own judgment on this. I trust your abilities." Holding the headset with both hands, Shuyu nodded earnestly. "Understood, Administrator. However, there is an issue right now... We only have 3,400 chips left in our account. Even by local minimum standards, we must pay an employee a daily wage of three chips. Factoring in room and board that we need to provide, the actual cost might reach four to five chips, bringing the monthly employment cost per person up to 150 chips. If we hire ten people at once, our current funds will last two months at most." It wasn't just a lack of funds in the account. More crucially, it was the source of funding! An establishment providing services for hundreds or even thousands of people couldn't perpetually rely on shelter subsidies, especially when the shelter didn't have large reserves of chips either. Picking up on his concerns, Chu Guang spoke in a reassuring tone. "No need to worry. The funding issue will be resolved soon, and I hope you won't have to fret over chips in the future. Once the trade route opens up, the bulk import and export business between the shelter and Boulder City will be entrusted to you. Ten percent of the transaction volume will serve as your operating budget." "Remember, however: you are not a profit-driven organization, but a public institution serving the collective good of the shelter." "I want you to keep this firmly in mind!" Put simply, departmental KPI evaluations wouldn't be based on surplus funds. They weren't to be wasteful, but there was no need to pinch pennies excessively either, and certainly no squabbling with other departments over budget. Future promotions and career advancements wouldn't hinge on this. If anyone jacked up import prices just to hoard a little extra operating funds, there would be hell to pay. Still, what Chu Guang considered straightforward might prove a bit difficult for people of this world, so he had simply rephrased it in terms Shuyu could digest. Shuyu naturally understood, and a trace of admiration welled up within him. Not operating for profit, prioritizing the collective interest. As expected of the Administrator! No wonder he could rule over such a vast expanse of territory and unite those undisciplined wastelanders. Such far-reaching vision and ideological depth were truly beyond what ordinary wastelanders could ever match... ... The next day. Early in the morning, shortly after the four players got out of bed, they were summoned by the NPC named Shuyu. Donning his gear, Ye Shi said with abundant enthusiasm, "What are we doing today?" In halting Shelter Language, Shuyu replied, "We plan to recruit employees for the office. Would you like to come along?" Recruiting new NPCs?! Was this a job players could participate in?! Upon hearing those words, the eyes of the four players lit up instantly. Ye Shi in particular grew thrilled from head to toe. "Will our opinions be taken into account?" Shuyu blinked, glanced at his VM, and nodded at the subtitles appearing on the screen. "Yes." That was only natural. After all, this liaison office was set up to serve them. If anything, their input was very important. "Hahaha, nice!" Ye Shi pumped his fist in excitement, his face flushed with glee. Shuyu wondered, "...?" Nai si? What did that mean? The VM translated it, but even after staring at it for a while, he couldn't figure out what the translated result was supposed to mean. Kuang Feng looked helplessly at Fang Chang, only to discover that this guy wasn't serious either; he was currently rubbing his chin and muttering under his breath. "This really does require careful consideration... After all, they'll be companions we spend day and night with." Who could say no to a fair-skinned, gorgeous older sister whispering softly in their ear, "Take care out there," "Stay safe," or "I'll wait for you to come back"? Even in the worst case, an energetic "Keep it up!" was enough to fill anyone with drive! Fang Chang swore this was definitely not his personal fetish; he was mainly thinking of everyone else. Kuang Feng sighed. "Analyzing this rationally..." Fang Chang immediately guessed what he was about to say and interrupted his monologue on the spot. "Well said. Now shut up." Ye Shi said, "Piss off, I don't want rationality!" Lao Bai said, "Yeah. Rather than realism, I actually value gameplay." "..." Kuang Feng decided it was best to keep his mouth shut. The one leading the way was an escort from Liszt's caravan—the man named Kaia with bandages wrapped around his arm. The group made several turns and arrived at a bustling bazaar. Unlike other markets, however... The goods sold at the stalls here weren't an assortment of varied merchandise, but human beings. Some were selling others, while some were selling themselves. "This is the largest 'talent market' in Boulder City! Whether free folk or slaves, you can find them all here!" "...Occasionally, you can even spot androids brought in by outside caravans, or even fine items phased out from the estates of noble lords in the inner city." "There is no larger talent market in all of Qingquan City. If no one here catches your eye, your only option is to try your luck in the slums outside. But the quality out there is far worse... I imagine you wouldn't be interested." Giving a brief introduction, Kaia smiled faintly and turned toward Shuyu and the others standing nearby. "Take your time browsing. Just be careful around those with conspicuous tattoos. Those folks might be gang members, or even marauders. Unless you have absolute confidence in your judgment, it's best to be cautious." Shuyu looked at him in surprise. "There are marauders here too?" "Of course there are. The gates of Boulder City are open to anyone, and marauders don't write their past deeds on their foreheads. But telling them apart is actually quite simple; sensing their aura is a required course for any seasoned warrior." A confident smile played across Kaia's face. "Anyway, I have nothing to do until sundown. If you can't make up your mind, I'd be glad to lend a hand!" He was only a temporary worker for the caravan. Though he had worked for a year, he was nowhere near a core employee. If business was bad, he might get laid off next year and have to eke out a living back on the wasteland. Building good relations with these people couldn't possibly be a mistake. He knew very well that without his connection to Liszt, these folks wouldn't spare him a second glance if they passed him on the street. Since even his boss had to butter them up, he naturally wouldn't pass up an opportunity to curry favor. With his mind solely on work, Shuyu had no such internal drama. After nodding his thanks, he walked forward alongside the players. Calling this place a talent market was a stretch; it was more like a refugee camp. It was undeniably huge, but the quality left much to be desired. Emaciated figures were everywhere, most with sickly complexions, clearly surviving on "wholly un-nutritious nutrient paste." A rare few wore sharp, tailored suits, holding wooden boards covered in writing that listed their skills and job requirements. Others had simply set up stalls, charging fees to write boards for people. [Zhao Duo, electrical engineer, desired daily wage: twenty chips, accepts twelve-hour workdays, skilled in carpentry, can assemble pipe rifles.] [Bilieqi, blacksmith, formerly employed at a steel mill, skilled with both small and large machinery. Desired daily wage: six chips, does not accept work outside the city.] [Li Mu, proficient with firearms and daggers, jack of all trades.] [...] Looking at the scene before them, Fang Chang and Ye Shi felt crushed. "I'm completely disillusioned with the future era." "What happened to everyone having genetically modified traits?" Glancing across the crowd... Barely anyone looked remotely presentable. "You two are veteran players, so why are you acting like first-timers..." Lao Bai coughed dryly. "Given the nutritional conditions on the wasteland, good-looking people are the minority, aren't they?" "Yeah, the poor folk here are too skinny. But there are some pretty girls among the mercenaries..." Kuang Feng's gaze had been fixed on a beautiful woman dressed in leather, though when she looked back, he reflexively averted his eyes. Ye Shi argued, offering a counterexample: "What about Xiaoyu?!" Fang Chang rolled his eyes at him. "Her nutrition isn't lacking, all right? Has the Administrator ever let her skip a meal?" Kuang Feng nodded and offered an objective evaluation. "True. Compared to when we first entered the game, that little girl seems to have grown a tiny bit taller." It wasn't just Xiaoyu. Most of the slightly younger NPCs at the outpost base looked fairly decent, especially those still growing. For instance, the youth named Xu Shun nearby, as well as Lü Bei, who had gone to Red River Town with Brother Mole. Those were individuals whose names they could recall. Then there were the tribals next door, who also had an exotic charm. A spark of realization suddenly flashed in Ye Shi's eyes. "I get it. The meta strategy is nurturing!" Lao Bai: "..." Fang Chang: "Top-tier galaxy-brain take." Kuang Feng held his forehead. "I beg of you, just act like a decent human being." ... While Shuyu and the players were selecting employees, on the other side of town at the Gray Squirrel Clothing Store, Sier was still sitting behind his wooden table dozing off. The two garments in the display window were gone. Not because they had been sold or lost, but because they had been rented out to someone in need. After all, those Bluecoats were staying here for several days; if the clothes didn't sell in the end, wouldn't they have taken up his prime display spot for nothing? What if they got lost or damaged? Even better. They would just compensate him according to the price on the tag. Doing business with acquaintances was dependable, after all. The door swung open with a bang, startling Sier so badly in his nap that he nearly fell out of his chair. Seeing that it was his old friend Robo who ran a bar, he cursed irritably on the spot. "What are you doing? Don't you know how to come in quietly!" Robo paid him no heed. Approaching with gleaming eyes, he slapped both hands onto the wooden table in front of Sier, spitting as he spoke. "Do you have any more of those clothes?!" Sier replied, "I do..." Without missing a beat, Robo pressed on, "I want as many as you have! And those stockings—the really long ones!" Sier blinked in surprise. "All of them?" Snapping to attention, Sier shook off his grogginess and turned completely alert, looking at him with a serious expression. "No problem, but that's devil silk, and shelter technology to boot... They might be a bit tricky to procure." "However—" Sier drew out his syllables, pivoting his tone. "For the sake of our friendship, I can help you figure something out." Robo, whose face had just fallen in disappointment, instantly seized his hand upon hearing the latter half, exclaiming excitedly. "Thanks, brother!" Sier cleared his throat. "Ahem. The chips..." "Haha, look at my memory! I almost forgot the main point!" Robo chuckled, let go of his hand, reached into his pocket, and slapped a bag of high-denomination chips onto the table. "Counting the deposit I paid you, all six hundred chips are right here! The remaining amount can serve as a down payment!" Surprised by how decisive the man was, Sier swiftly scooped up the chips while looking at him quizzically. "What do you need so many clothes for?" "You know I run a bar!" "Of course I know..." "Then you certainly don't know what happened yesterday! I'm not bragging, you really should have come to my place for a couple of drinks yesterday," Robo said with animated excitement. "The moment my dancer stepped onto the stage wearing that outfit, the entire bar went wild!"