Chapter 57: Genius

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Genius

"Wait, what?! So you’re telling me if I’d just waited and not chosen a path today, I would’ve avoided the negative effects for the next seven days? Fuck! Wouldn’t that have put me a step ahead of everyone else? But I already picked! I was too rash, way too rash. I’m not going to be in such a hurry next time."

"Exactly! This godforsaken place doesn’t have a daily distance requirement. As long as the dead things behind us don’t catch up, we’re good. We could just stop here for a day, collect the sunshine, and start walking again tomorrow, right? That would’ve been the perfect way to game today’s Node Choice!"

"Holy shit! Genius!"

"Really? Haha... I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that nothing good would come from not choosing today."

"Same here. I feel like the system must have a way to deal with players trying to exploit such an obvious loophole."

"What’s it gonna do? Kill those of us who don’t pick? Bring it on! I’m not afraid!"

"If you’re not afraid, stop shouting. If you’re so brave, then don’t pick. Let’s see what happens tomorrow."

"Yeah, if you’re still alive tomorrow, remember to post and share your experience with the rest of us."

"Go for it, hero! I’m following you now. Eagerly awaiting your report."

Seraphina Sinclair propped her chin on her hand, memorizing the man’s ID. It was Julian Lowell.

’If he really doesn’t choose just because of what everyone else is saying, hasn’t he just been goaded into a corner?’

’He can’t possibly be everyone else’s guinea pig without even realizing it, can he? Talk about getting played, like someone who’s been sold and is now helping the buyer count the money.’

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow. ’There can’t be someone *that* stupid... right?’

’Someone earlier made a good point. For such an obvious loophole, how could the system not have a countermeasure?’

’It’s unlikely to just execute a survivor outright, but there will definitely be unpleasant consequences...’

’Even if you wanted to try a trick like this, you shouldn’t do it the very first time the mechanic appears. We don’t know anything yet. Playing by the book is the safest bet.’

She kept reading.

[Julian Lowell]: Fine! Remember my ID! I’m really not choosing today. I’ll tell you all the results at midnight sharp!

"Dude’s got balls!"

"So much integrity, big bro~ I admire you sooo much~"

"Dude, all jokes aside, don’t actually mess with your own life."

"Don’t listen to him, man. That jackass who posted above is just jealous! We all know your ID now. Just you watch. Who the hell knows who he is? He’s just green with envy!"

"Yeah, exactly! That’s pure jealousy talking! I’m with you, man. Waiting for your update at midnight!"

’Ah...’

’These people are truly awful.’

’They keep calling him "man" and "bro," acting like they have his best interests at heart, but they’re really just pushing him to be their guinea pig!’

But Seraphina Sinclair didn’t say anything. After all, she stood to benefit from their actions as well.

In a place like this, stupidity was a cardinal sin. If you weren’t sharp, even if Seraphina Sinclair had spoken up to help him today, he’d just end up dead tomorrow over something else.

Or, even more likely, he’d twist her good intentions into malice and end up resenting the one person who had genuinely tried to help.

Seraphina Sinclair was about to close the Zone channel when she suddenly saw another message from Julian Lowell.

She paused and decided to read it.

[Julian Lowell]: You bet! Just you wait! @RandomMess78, don’t be so jealous, pal. There’s no need.

RandomMess78 was the one who had tried to talk him out of it.

’This Julian Lowell is a lost cause.’

’We’ll see if the system is aware of this loophole...’

Seraphina Sinclair stood up. She had woken up late and hadn’t gotten a chance to exercise, but it wasn’t too late to do it now.

She had just started warming up when a thought struck her. She opened her personal panel and took a look.

[Name]: Seraphina Sinclair

[Zone]: Drakonia, Third Major District, Zone 888

[Intelligence]: 14

[Strength]: 9

[Constitution]: 12

[Speed]: 11

[Evaluation]: The standard panel for a newcomer who has just adapted to The Black Mist World. However... your progress seems a bit faster than most. (Baseline human Attributes are 10.)

’My Constitution... it went up again?’

’Huh?’

’I’ve eaten the fish... and I haven’t stopped my workouts...’

’I still can’t tell which one is responsible, or if maybe both are contributing.’

Seraphina Sinclair frowned in thought for a moment before opening a private chat with Miller’s Hardware.

He had eaten the fish, too. She could try to feel him out.

Seraphina Sinclair’s fingertips tapped on the panel. After a moment’s thought, she sent a seemingly casual message:

[Blacktiger Ford]: Miller, how have you been holding up? I woke up this morning feeling a bit more refreshed than yesterday. Not sure if it’s because I’ve been eating well.

She paused, then added another line:

[Blacktiger Ford]: Then again, it might just be my imagination. It’s hard to get a decent night’s sleep in this shithole, after all.

This way, she wouldn’t directly reveal her attribute increase, but might guide him into revealing any changes of his own.

If Miller’s Constitution had also increased, he would likely go along with the topic.

If there were no changes, he would probably just complain a little and not grow suspicious.

’Perfect.’

Seraphina Sinclair waited quietly, and his reply came quickly.

[Miller’s Hardware]: You’re too polite, Boss. I guess my ID is a little awkward. For a second there, I thought a big shot like you was calling me ’bro’. I’m honored.

Seraphina Sinclair was speechless. "..."

’Is that really the important part here?’

Fortunately, he didn’t get stuck on the honorific and sent another message answering Seraphina Sinclair’s question.

[Miller’s Hardware]: Your meals must be top-notch, Boss! I felt a bit better after eating the fish last time, too, but my attribute points didn’t change at all. If you have any extra fish meat, would you be willing to trade some?

Seraphina Sinclair read the message, her finger tapping on the panel as she composed a watertight reply:

[Blacktiger Ford]: I already divided up all the fish. Don’t have a stockpile. Resources are scarce in this place; I have to ration what I have for myself.

She paused, then added another line with a subtle hint:

[Blacktiger Ford]: But if you find a reliable way to raise Attributes, let’s keep each other in the loop. We have to look out for one another to get through these shitty days.

[Miller’s Hardware]: Ugh, don’t get me started. I’ve been in rough shape the last couple of days!

[Miller’s Hardware]: Eating the fish was just a nice treat. The next day it was back to gnawing on bread, and my attribute points haven’t budged. Oh, by the way, Boss, if you find anything good, keep me in mind! I won’t ask for a handout; we can negotiate. I’ll trade you for it!

Seraphina Sinclair’s brow smoothed out. It seemed Miller’s Attributes really hadn’t increased.

That meant the fish meat probably wasn’t the key factor—or he just hadn’t eaten enough of it.

Yes, Seraphina Sinclair was more inclined to believe the latter.

In her view, increasing attribute points might work like an experience bar, with exercise being the most fundamental and effective method to fill it.