Tasks and Clues

"Apocalypse OL" Version 1.1 Update Details

"This version update will require server downtime. The downtime will last from 10:00 to 18:00. Players may log in and play normally after 18:00."

"This update adds a currency system. Players can check their Iron Coin balance on their Smartwatch interface."

"Iron Coin: the universal currency of Calamity Base. Players can accept base missions to earn Iron Coin rewards, sell resources to base NPCs for Iron Coins, or trade supplies with other players through their Smartwatches. Currently, transactions are only valid within the Calamity Base area."

"Daily missions have been added. Players may claim them after logging in each day."

"Fixed a bug where the Base Lord would occasionally space out."

"Preview of the next update: shop content will be added. Players will be able to purchase needed items in the shop with Iron Coins. Finally, we hope all Closed Beta Players enjoy themselves. More closed beta slots will gradually become available. Thank you all for your reservations and anticipation."

An announcement appeared on the official website of "Apocalypse OL," and all five Closed Beta Players saw it one after another.

Thin Dog and the other two had expected it already.

"It's basically just as Lin Tang predicted. The currency system has been established, and the shop will be released in the next version. That means our mission for the next few days is to save up money!"

Soon, it was 6:00 p.m. Earth time.

It was as though a black-and-white gradient line divided the north and south, with night slowly descending from north to south.

The five people logged in almost simultaneously.

Thin Dog stepped out of the small cabin. Looking at the rising morning sun and breathing in the faint scent of sulfur in the air, he had the illusion that he was in the real world.

Having just spent an entire day on Earth, he now greeted another day in the game with renewed energy.

The feeling was strange, like his life had been extended.

The other four also emerged from their respective residences.

Among them, Ink Dye Sword Xiao's house was a square matchbox made of wood, larger than the combined area of Thin Dog and the other two's shacks. She was obviously an old Minecraft player.

But for someone like Lin Tang, who would eat shit in a game just to level up, a shack only needed to shield his body while he was offline. Were looks really something anyone besides girls cared about in a game house?

Outside, Cheng Shaofeng was already waiting for them.

"Soldiers, a new day has begun. There are more things our base needs you to do."

"Food, materials, electronic components, energy, and weapons are all supplies we urgently need."

Ding!

Everyone looked at their Smartwatches.

Daily Missions

1. Turn in any one prey animal. Reward: 50 Merit, 5 Iron Coins.

2. Turn in 500g of any metal material. Reward: 50 Merit, 5 Iron Coins.

3. Turn in 1 Electronic Component. Reward: 100 Merit, 10 Iron Coins.

4. Turn in any item containing energy. Usable energy will earn no less than 200 Merit. The higher its energy utilization, the greater the reward.

5. Craft a weapon of Fine quality or above. Reward: 100 Merit, 10 Iron Coins.

PS: In addition to the five missions above, turning in any valuable item to the Lord will earn corresponding Iron Coin rewards. Those who make major contributions will receive additional Merit and mysterious rewards.

Each player received five daily missions.

Lin Tang understood.

"After the currency system was added, the mission system was upgraded as well. Whether we want to save Merit or stockpile money, we need to complete as many daily missions as possible."

Demon Fox said, "Then today's routine needs to revolve around the missions. Prey is easy enough. While doing the other missions, we can hunt Mutated Creatures whenever we encounter them. The difficult ones are the last four. Other than crafting weapons, where we can ask Xiao Xiao for help, we haven't found fixed drop locations for the other three missions. We need to expand our search range today. We may have to leave the Four Mountains region."

Thin Dog said, "Maybe we can ask the Lord?"

Demon Fox immediately said, "I'll do it!"

Demon Fox walked toward Cheng Shaofeng, who was chopping wood, and gave a standard salute by striking his chest with his left fist.

"Honorable Lord, we have only just awakened and know very little about the changes in this world. Your vast knowledge and wisdom are beyond our reach. Could you guide us in finding metal materials, electronic components, and energy?"

Cheng Shaofeng had long expected that players would come asking.

"Soldier, in the distant past, Four Mountains was once a mining site. Countless mine shafts exist in all four mountains. Perhaps you can search the mines for uncollected minerals. Electronic components are precious items to wasteland Scavengers. Perhaps you can follow in the Scavengers' footsteps and search the ruins of cities. As for energy... unfortunately, it is an extremely rare resource in the wasteland. It is said that every Raider Camp possesses a piece of Radiation Energy capable of sustaining their evolution."

"This is all the information I know. Perhaps you can obtain the corresponding materials through other channels as well."

After Cheng Shaofeng finished speaking, he continued chopping wood. It looked like he intended to build something.

Demon Fox said, "Thank you for your guidance. Praise the Lord! Praise Calamity Base!"

He bowed deeply and retreated like a gentleman.

The other four: (⊙o⊙)!!

Xiao Xiao said, "What does your team's Demon Fox do in real life?"

Forgiveness Hat said, "Isn't he just a bootlicker? I see plenty of them when I'm doing errands!"

"What kind of nonsense is that? What kind of nonsense!" Demon Fox walked over, heard Forgiveness Hat's words, and turned red with anger as he shouted.

"Who's a bootlicker?! Don't you understand strategic flattery? Don't you understand favorability? Tell me, did I get useful information or not?!"

Thin Dog grimaced.

In his impression, Demon Fox had always been the sort of man whose expression never changed even when mountains collapsed before him, who would only smile and say "Interesting" when insulted by everyone.

He had never expected to discover this side of him just from playing a virtual reality game.

"Ahem! Don't worry about those details. Hu Da did bring us information. The mines, city ruins, and Raider Camps are the three places where we can obtain the items needed for our missions."

"How about this? We're all among the first batch of Closed Beta Players, all opening up this new frontier together. Helping each other will let us get familiar with the game faster and get things rolling. I propose that the five of us form a temporary team and find a way to complete the missions together. Sound good?"

Xiao Xiao said, "Uh, I'm fine with it, but I don't dare go out to fight monsters. I can't stand the sight of blood. I'm scared. I can craft equipment in the base, though. Don't all five of us have the weapon-crafting mission? I'll handle it!"

Forgiveness Hat said, "I prefer going solo, but... helping each other with missions can cut down on travel time. When I was exploring the mountains yesterday, I actually found a mine containing Iron Ore. Leave the material-gathering to me. I can also look for electronic components and find a way to bring back all the materials everyone needs."

Demon Fox said, "Good! Then the hunting and energy missions will be handled by the three of us. The three of us happen to be better at fighting. If we run into anyone selling electronic components in the wasteland, we'll trade all our resources for them. After all, that mission has the highest reward. Stockpiling more electronic components will also make it easier for our Clones to revive. Oh, speaking of which, Xiao Xiao, can you make ranged weapons? Bows, crossbows, that sort of thing?"

Xiao Xiao said, "A bow shouldn't be much of a problem. I saw that huge Mutated Rabbit you brought back yesterday. Its hide is very tough. If we can extract a tendon from it, we can make a short bowstring. Then we can use the bamboo here for the bow limbs, and the short bow will be complete."

"The main issue is arrows. If we want to maintain penetrating power, we need metal arrowheads. We don't have the materials right now. Leaves can substitute for fletching, but sturdy feathers would be best. Bring me those materials, and I'll start crafting."

Thin Dog said, "Fine. Leave the metal to Forgiveness Hat. We'll go hunt some feathered creatures."

The five divided up their tasks. Other than Xiao Xiao, they each headed down the mountain.

Four Mountains was especially green today, as green as that Pleasant Goat Forgiveness Hat had delivered that morning.

But it was not because the leaves had grown more lush. It was because groups of green Big Muscle Men were roaming Four Mountains.

They were searching for their lost 'Sacred Relic.'

Their target: every known human settlement!

Yesterday, the Raiders' chieftain had used the Raiders' wisest brain to analyze the situation. The humans of Four Mountains were all in those settlements anyway. If they charged right to their doors and searched, where could they run?

After listening all night to the heart-wrenching cries coming from the Town Chief's house, the residents of Salt Well Town woke up to find a group of green-skinned Big Muscle Men outside. Leading them was a huge Raider standing two and a half meters tall, his skin already as hard as stone.

"Hand over the Sacred Relic! Or we slaughter the town!"

Salt Well Town's Town Chief guard force and hunters raised their guns and aimed them outside.

Making up for the update I owed at midnight. There will still be two regular updates later tonight.