Most of the town was empty. Along the stretch from the entrance to the government Office Building, fewer than two hundred ordinary people lived nearby, while around a dozen Players had come.
The crew cut really did take Xu Huo for a passerby and prepared a simple meal for him. "I'm terribly sorry. Food is scarce here, so this is all we could put together."
"Thank you." Xu Huo didn't mind. He took off his Protective Suit and started eating.
The environment in District 010 was no longer suitable for growing crops, and the Mutated Plants that could still survive weren't edible. Food was generally bought from other districts. Grain from elsewhere wasn't very expensive, but Players willing to stay in District 010 and support so many ordinary people clearly had more to spend their money on than food. Being frugal was only natural.
Xu Huo finished every last bite, then thanked the crew cut when he brought him a cup of water. "Compared to the other cities I've passed through, this place is doing pretty well."
"I heard people on the street talking about growing grain earlier."
Three Players had accompanied him into the cafeteria of the Office Building. Besides the crew cut, one stood by the door with his arms folded, while another sat on the windowsill, turning a Magic Cube. At his words, both turned to look at him.
The crew cut was watching Xu Huo, too.
"I don't mean anything by it," Xu Huo said with a smile. "I'm just curious what kind of grain can grow here."
The topic was clearly unwelcome. The crew cut fell silent for a moment before replying, "In District 010, even Mutated Plants can't always survive. Still, we hope we can develop seeds that are good enough."
The other man