In online games, loot distribution generally falls into two modes: the dice-need mode and the DKP mode.
The dice-need mode meant that whoever wanted the loot rolled the dice, and the player with the highest roll obtained it. This mode also had various derivative rules.
The DKP mode was a contribution-based loot competition. A commander or the system would assess each player's specific contribution and convert it into quantifiable points, after which the players would bid for the loot.
Thieves' Den used the DKP mode.
When everyone saw Yan Qing effortlessly claim Bingzi Jiaolin with Thief Points, they all noticed the flaw in this distribution system.
All one had to do was accumulate a large number of Thief Points during the mission—or kill a companion who had accumulated or obtained a large number of Thief Points—and the Legendary Relic would be theirs!
It was clear from this that Yan Qing had harbored extremely sinister intentions when designing this dungeon: its seemingly fair distribution system gave players the right to stab each other in the back. Even if they had no such intention themselves, they still had to guard against their teammates' treacherous attacks.
To make it easier for players to retain a certain amount of Thief Points, Yan Qing had also tampered with the auction rules.
The auction started at five Thief Points, with each bid increase being at least five points. This contained an obvious loophole.
Under a normal auction, Yan Qing would have to bid more than all the points Yaoshi Yuan possessed to win Bingzi Jiaolin. But because each increase had to be at least five points, Yan Qing only needed to bid 36 points. Anyone else who wanted to compete would have to raise the bid to 41 points, while Yaoshi Yuan, who had only 40 points, obviously could not do so.
In other words, Yan Qing had anticipated that if Yaoshi Yuan called out 40 points first, he would have to pay at least 45 points to win Bingzi Jiaolin.
Thirty-six points versus forty-five points—a difference of nine points between one bid and the other.
A single mission only awarded 30 points. By saving nine Thief Points, Yan Qing would have a tremendous advantage in the next mission.
However, this flawed auction rule would undoubtedly make the atmosphere between teammates even more tense. Whether one used fewer points to win an item or forced someone else to spend more points to win it, it all amounted to planting the seeds of conflict within the team.
Finally, Yan Qing had added the seasoning that "anyone who won an auctioned item would have priority to bid in the next round." This was practically an open encouragement for players to maliciously drive up prices, forcing those who had not yet bid to endure other people raising the price in the first round!
The rules allowed them to stab their teammates in the back, their interests demanded that they stab their teammates in the back, and emotionally, they wished they could stab their teammates in the back—Yan Qing thought he was truly a genius. This dungeon's design was simply perfect!
It would have been even better if Yaoshi Yuan, Ying Ru Shi, and Shang Xin Lei had not been glaring at him furiously.
In truth, Yan Qing did not particularly value Bingzi Jiaolin. To a designer like him, all these Legendary Relics were merely transitional toys. He knew that the real game would only begin after Foundation Establishment Fourth Turn.
But Yan Qing could never give up Bingzi Jiaolin. Showing weakness like that would practically be telling his teammates, "I'm weak, I'm timid, come bully me!" The strong were supposed to possess the best loot!
"The second item is the Storage Ring. Thieves, please place your bids."
The hall suddenly fell silent as everyone quietly observed the situation.
"I bid 26 points." Ying Ru Shi spoke first.
Twenty-six Thief Points meant that Shang Xin Lei could no longer participate in the auction. If Yaoshi Yuan wanted to snatch it, she would have to bid 31 points—and then she would obtain it immediately, since no one present could offer the high price of 36 points.
But Yaoshi Yuan said nothing.
"26 points once, 26 points twice, 26 points three times."
"White Fox has obtained the Storage Ring."
The Storage Ring floated before Ying Ru Shi. She reached out and put it on to test it, storing the Brave General Sword inside before taking it back out. Shang Xin Lei watched enviously. "Ah—if I'd known, I would've bid 29 points to snatch it. I don't have a Storage Ring yet."
Everyone's hearts stirred. She didn't have one yet... Did that mean that as long as Shang Xin Lei wanted one, she had a way to obtain it?
"The third item is the Random Advanced Skill Beginner's Manual. Thieves, please place your bids."
As soon as Thieves' Den's voice faded, Yaoshi Yuan immediately said, "I bid 14 points."
Ying Ru Shi said nothing, which amounted to giving up her priority to bid. Yaoshi Yuan's bid was therefore valid.
Yan Qing thought that this was truly a brilliant bid.
If Shang Xin Lei did not follow and let Yaoshi Yuan obtain the manual for 14 points, then Yaoshi Yuan would have 26 points remaining and might be able to snatch the Comprehension Pill in the next round. Shang Xin Lei had only 30 points, so someone would need to bid just 26 points to disqualify her from the auction.
If Shang Xin Lei raised the bid to 19 points, then she would have only 11 points left and would be unable to raise the price in the next round. If anyone did raise it, it would be Yan Qing, since he still had 14 points.
Shang Xin Lei considered it for a moment, then sighed. "Fine, I bid 19 points."
"19 points once, 19 points twice, 19 points three times."
"Red Snake has obtained the Random Advanced Skill Beginner's Manual."
"The fourth item is the Comprehension Pill. Thieves, please place your bids."
"I bid 10 points!"
The speaker was none other than Shang Xin Lei. She smiled sweetly at Yaoshi Yuan. "Big Sister, I helped you this time. You'd better remember my kindness!"
Why had Shang Xin Lei claimed that she was helping Yaoshi Yuan when she was the one bidding?
Because her bid happened to prevent Yan Qing, who had 14 points remaining, from raising the price.
But the problem was that if neither Yan Qing nor Shang Xin Lei had bid first, Yaoshi Yuan could have safely obtained the Comprehension Pill for just 10 points. Shang Xin Lei's so-called help was based on the premise that Yan Qing would rush to raise the price.
Therefore, Yaoshi Yuan gave no response to Shang Xin Lei's words and simply offered 15 points in a calm voice.
With all the items distributed, everyone's current Thief Points were as follows:
Yan Qing: 14 points; Ying Ru Shi: 7 points; Shang Xin Lei: 11 points; Yaoshi Yuan: 25 points.
Yaoshi Yuan stood far above everyone else with an almost overwhelming advantage. As long as the next mission was completed normally, she would have a very high chance of winning a Legendary Relic. But that was only natural. After all, she had essentially given up on this round of loot distribution and taken only the Comprehension Pill, a reward nobody else wanted.
But now that the thieves knew the rules, would they really watch Yaoshi Yuan snatch the Legendary Relic?
Obtaining a reward should obviously have been a happy occasion, yet the hall was unusually gloomy, without the slightest festive atmosphere. The thieves' eyes flickered as they wondered what kind of schemes they were plotting.
Just as everyone was growing restless, Thieves' Den's narration still had not ended:
"Because the completion rate of this mission was insufficient, you were unable to conceal your criminal actions. Your deeds will be widely publicized. Divine Marquis Manor has taken notice of you and issued a notice placing you under wanted status for thirty days."
"The next mission will be issued at noon ten days from now. At that time, you will be forcibly teleported to Thieves' Den. Please take note."
After a brief pause, a grand voice rang out beside everyone's ears:
"Divine Marquis Manor Notice: Four unknown petty thieves recently arrived at Thieves' Den. They successfully stole the Legendary Relic Bingzi Jiaolin from Anguo Temple in Chang'an. They are hereby wanted."
The notice rang out three times in total. Once it stopped, Yan Qing discovered that they could leave their seats as well.
However, no one left first. After a brief silence, Shang Xin Lei asked in confusion:
"Why did that passage have to be said three times? And what kind of people are Divine Marquis Manor? Can they really issue a wanted notice for us?"
That remains to be seen, Yan Qing thought.
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