Chapter 241: 480 Black Fog Coins

Chapter 241: Chapter 241: 480 Black Fog Coins

But just like with her crafting services, the ability to craft on demand proved she had the blueprints, and that was bound to make people envious.

But so what?

Even if they couldn’t stand her, they could only stomach it. Not a single person dared to challenge her openly.

This wasn’t Seraphina Sinclair being arrogant or getting a big head; it was the most accurate conclusion she could draw after reading everyone’s evaluations.

She had every reason to be confident, fully aware of her standing in this Zone.

That was why Seraphina Sinclair could sell runes and offer her crafting services without any hesitation.

She paid no more mind to what they were saying and posted a message she had prepared earlier—the exact same one she’d used for her previous crafting service announcement.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Taking crafting orders. Provide the materials and a 15 Black Fog Coin fee, and I’ll craft a Simple Water Filter for you. Today only, first come, first served. PM me: ten Metal Fragments + five cloth + three activated charcoal! Material shortages can be covered with Black Fog Coins at market value. The filter’s specs are attached, so you can see if you need one. Also, a Blacktiger product is a quality product.

First, the water filters, then the other blueprints. Either way, Seraphina Sinclair was determined to make this money.

The last time she did this, the Zone was shocked that Master Blacktiger would even bother with such business. But now, the population of survivors had turned over, and the topics of discussion in the Zone channel had naturally changed as well.

"A water filter? Master Blacktiger has a blueprint for that?"

"What a good person. The top player in our old Zone did crafting services too, but is 15 Black Fog Coins really enough to cover the effort?"

"Even if you don’t have any blueprints yourself, you’ve probably seen one, right? The crafting process isn’t a walk in the park. You have to gather all the materials before you can even make the item, and then there’s the hassle of the trade contract. It’s not easy money."

"Huh? Are you seriously sympathizing with a top player? How hard could it possibly be? Even if she only does four orders an hour, that’s 60 Black Fog Coins! An eight-hour workday would net her four hundred and eighty Black Fog Coins! You think four hundred and eighty Black Fog Coins is a small amount?"

The math seemed to check out, but the very next message was from Rex Shaw.

[Rex Shaw]: Of course it’s not a lot. Four hundred and eighty Black Fog Coins for eight hours of work? What can you even buy with that? A few Potions from a Traveling Merchant? Let’s be honest, everyone still alive at this point is an elite. Prove it in the arena. You’d earn more just by killing some random person, wouldn’t you?

Upon killing a survivor, you could claim all of their supplies.

There was some truth to his words, but they were incredibly harsh.

It was as if he didn’t see other survivors as human beings. With a statement like that, it wasn’t just the people who already hated Rex Shaw; even the supporters in his own Zone, who usually hailed him as "Rex," couldn’t hold back anymore.

Rex Shaw’s blatant comment made the Zone channel explode.

"Rex Shaw, what the hell do you mean?! You talk about killing people like it’s as easy as eating and drinking? What do you take us for? Your personal walking piggy banks?"

"That’s horrifying... I know it’s survival of the fittest in this world, but to say it so openly... It’s like you have no regard for human life at all!"

"@Rex Shaw, you’re so tough, so impressive! But we’re not just lambs to the slaughter! Even a cornered rabbit will bite back!"

"Heh, your true colors are showing. I used to think you were a decent guy, even with your bad temper. Now I see you’re just a butcher who treats human lives like they’re worthless."

"I support Master Blacktiger! At least they make an honest living with their skills! Way better than certain people who only know how to kill!"

"Exactly! Master Blacktiger’s crafting service helps those of us who weren’t lucky enough to get blueprints. What’s wrong with charging a small fee for the trouble? What can you do besides rob people, Rex Shaw?"

"@Rex Shaw, you say you earn more by killing? Then go on and kill someone! What are you trying to prove, posturing in front of us? If you’ve got the guts, why don’t you go challenge Master Blacktiger one-on-one? Let’s see what’s tougher—your fists or the Master’s runes!"

The Zone channel was in an uproar. Even previously neutral survivors, disturbed by Rex Shaw’s comments, began to speak out against him.

In Rex Shaw’s own Zone, some of the voices that usually agreed with him went silent. A few even quietly left his group of supporters.

After all, who would want to follow someone who might turn on them at any moment just to "earn a little extra cash"?

[Rex Shaw]: Heh, a bunch of cowards! That got you all worked up? I’m just telling it like it is! In this hellhole, might makes right! Don’t like it? Come find me in the arena! I’ll be waiting!

His words only added fuel to the fire, and the waves of condemnation in the Zone channel grew even stronger.

Seraphina Sinclair watched the farce unfold and shook her head.

’Rex Shaw has the strength, no doubt, but his way of speaking and acting makes it far too easy for him to make enemies.’

’Still, his self-destructive rant had the unintended effect of making me look more "moderate" and "righteous" by comparison.’

’Sure enough, the contrast made my crafting service seem all the more valuable.’

[Blacktiger Ford]: Water filter crafting service is still open. PM me if you’re interested.

Her message was met with immediate and overwhelming support from the survivors.

"We support Master Blacktiger!"

"Master, just focus on your business and ignore the crazies!"

"Just PM’d you the materials! Please prioritize my order, Master! Thank you, Master!"

Seraphina Sinclair closed the Zone channel and started sorting through the blizzard of private messages.

After gathering all the materials at once, she activated her fully-automatic workbench. As the items were produced, she stacked them inside her mobile cabin.

Seraphina Sinclair waited patiently for a bit. Once a decent number of items had been crafted, she called out Auric Young to start making deliveries.

The moment she started delivering, the people in the Zone channel began to catch on.

"Got the water filter! Thanks, Master Blacktiger!"

"Fifteen Black Fog Coins for a crafting fee is such a great deal! Got mine, too!"

"I got mine! I got mine!"

"Wait a minute... Am I imagining things, or did several people get theirs at the exact same time?"

"Didn’t someone say she could only make four an hour?"

"I remember Artemis saying she didn’t offer crafting services for a reason, right? Something about the crafting time being too long—by the time the item is done, the customer might already be dead."

"Hahaha, you people from the other Zones, are you finally realizing Master Blacktiger isn’t on the same level as the ’masters’ you’re used to? He’s SSS-level! Those other big shots are S-Class at best. How can you even compare?"

"Tsk, tsk. Praising one by putting down others. Normally, I’d argue with you, but now... I think I’m starting to get why you guys who were in the same Zone as Master Blacktiger act like this."

"Stop speaking in riddles. What’s so different? If you ask me, none of these top players are any good! Blacktiger Ford only offers a crafting service because there’s money to be made, and Rex Shaw treats human life like dirt! If you want a top player who’s actually on our side, there’s only one: Artemis!"