Qi Xu wasn’t the type to stir up trouble, but if someone pushed her to the edge, she wouldn’t just take it lying down—what kind of spineless coward would do that? She’d end up suffocating from frustration under her blankets at night.
She equipped her new title: [I Have X-Ray Vision].
Glancing at the newly acquired supply crates, she noted that the golden one contained 10 Crimson-Eared Venomous Insects—extremely toxic creatures. A single bite would be fatal within 10 minutes without an antidote pill.
Qi Xu vaguely remembered she might need two or three more antidote pills, but the exact number escaped her.
The silver crate, on the other hand, held an old "friend"—the Blackthread Snake.
Both crates were packed with danger.
To avoid accusing the wrong person, Qi Xu decided to test Sweet Donut’s involvement by enlisting someone she wasn’t too close with.
The small group chat members often echoed her words in the main chat, making their allegiance too obvious.
Scrolling through her friends list, she finally settled on "Watch Me Cut You Down" and sent a private message:
"Invincible Black Tornado: One plate of fried rice, one bottle of cola—in exchange for you asking someone a question for me."
"Watch Me Cut You Down: Deal!"
Without much curiosity, Watch Me Cut You Down accepted the task and immediately messaged Sweet Donut:
"I heard you have a Supercharged Misfortune Card for supply crates. I’m willing to trade 10 vehicle upgrade fragments, 3 weapon upgrade cards, and 50 survival coins for it!"
Even she felt a pang of guilt after sending it—who would believe such a lavish offer for a useless card? Only an idiot.
Sweet Donut replied, "Why do you want that Supercharged Misfortune Card?"
"Watch Me Cut You Down: None of your business. Someone crossed me."
Sweet Donut slapped her thigh in regret—if only she hadn’t used it on Invincible Black Tornado! Holding onto it for just one more day could’ve netted her a huge profit.
"Sweet Donut: Too late. It’s gone. Next time I get one, I’ll save it for you."
With the confirmation she needed, Watch Me Cut You Down screenshot the chat and sent it to Invincible Black Tornado, who promptly delivered the fried rice and cola.
Watch Me Cut You Down was thrilled. Ever since meeting Invincible Black Tornado, she hadn’t gone hungry a single day. This person was truly reliable.
Qi Xu had no idea what Watch Me Cut You Down was thinking—she was only more certain now that Sweet Donut was the one who had used the Supercharged Misfortune Card on her.
Pulling up the two crates again, Qi Xu scrolled through the main chat’s member list until she found "Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly." She sent a private message:
"Invincible Black Tornado: Free to help me out? I’ll pay you."
"Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly: Aaaaah, Tornado Boss! Of course! What is it?"
"Invincible Black Tornado: I’ll give you a golden and a silver supply crate. Sell them in the main chat—but only to Sweet Donut. Don’t make it obvious. If she asks, drive a hard bargain. If she doesn’t, don’t sell to anyone else."
"Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly: Can I ask why?"
"Invincible Black Tornado: Because the crates contain monsters. She hit me with a Supercharged Misfortune Card—I’m returning the favor."
Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly didn’t reply immediately. Her first instinct mirrored Qi Xu’s—she checked the trade logs to verify the Supercharged Misfortune Card’s purchase history.
Confirming Sweet Donut had indeed bought it, she agreed.
Sweet Donut’s reputation was already in the gutter—notorious for stirring drama and scamming others. Early in the game, Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly had fallen victim to her tricks.
They’d agreed to trade three iron blocks and two wood pieces for a bottle of water, but to avoid the hassle, they exchanged gifts directly in private chat.
Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly received… an empty water bottle.
Compared to Sweet Donut’s vile nature, Tornado Boss was different.
She often sold essential supplies at fair prices, giving ordinary players a fighting chance. She even encouraged others with words and uplifting images, reigniting their will to survive.
The choice was easy.
"Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly: No problem. Consider it a favor—no payment needed. I’ve got a score to settle with her too."
"‘Her?’ Wait, ‘him?’"
"Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly: Yeah, 100%. We met in a dungeon."
"Invincible Black Tornado: Got it. If Sweet Donut buys, negotiate the deal yourself—whatever you get is yours. But the trade must go through the official system. I need to see the confirmation."
"Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly: You got it!"
Qi Xu sent both crates to Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly, who acted swiftly.
In the main chat, she announced:
"Selling two supply crates—one gold, one silver. Too scared to open them myself. My luck’s terrible today, and I’m terrified of monsters… (ಥ⌣ಥ)"
"Old White Dragon in the Waves: Name your price! I’ll take them!"
"The Most Handsome Player: Me! I’ll trade vehicle upgrade fragments—name your terms! Let’s discuss in private!"
"Player 0409: Check your DMs! Sell to me—price negotiable!"
Most players feared monsters, but since they were in this survival game, they were willing to gamble. A golden crate was rare—maybe one every ten days.
The sudden offer sent the chat into a frenzy.
"Blessed by Luck: Little Butterfly, this isn’t the way. You’ll have to open crates eventually. Better to practice now while the monsters are weak. Just buy a decent weapon instead."
"Cursed by Misfortune: My lucky bro’s right. The trade hall has good weapons. Upgrade one—it’s smarter than selling crates."
"Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly: I just spent everything on a crafting table. Now I can’t even afford food… figured I’d take the risk."
She felt a pang of warmth.
In this cutthroat game, deceit was common, but kindness still existed.
DMs flooded in, but Breaking Cocoon into Butterfly stayed cautious, replying to most while waiting for Sweet Donut.
Just as she thought the plan had failed, Sweet Donut finally messaged.
Playing it cool, she delayed her response until Sweet Donut asked twice more, then replied with a detached, "Highest bidder wins."
Sweet Donut gritted her teeth. Her luck had always been good, and she rarely encountered monsters she couldn’t handle—especially now that she had a pistol. What couldn’t she kill?
She made her offer:
"10 vehicle upgrade fragments… plus a longsword. I’ll send you the stats."
.........
