If a player has a backpack, it will be completely destroyed and vanish upon their death. Qi Xu found this setting quite reasonable—without it, the highway survival scenario would likely devolve into a bloody free-for-all. Only in specific instances, such as certain dungeons, could a player's backpack be obtained by killing them.
Similarly, vehicles were bound to individual players and couldn't be claimed, used, recycled, or dismantled by others. However... Qi Xu had a job, and that might just offer a loophole. As a Scrap Recycler, he could directly sell scrap items.
Qi Xu pulled out his work ID, first scanning it against the holographic screen, then pointing it at the silver minivan in front of him. Sure enough, a prompt appeared:
"Hello, Scrap Recycler. The wear and tear on the silver minivan you wish to sell is at 55%, with no damaged parts and six scratches/dents. Appraised value: 89 Survival Coins. Confirm sale?"
Qi Xu replied, "Wait a moment."
He then emptied the minivan of all its supplies, collecting:
- 6 packs of compressed biscuits
- 7 small bread rolls
- 11 packs of sesame-flavored vegetarian tripe
- 3 bottles of honeysuckle grapefruit juice
- 7 bottles of 550ml mineral water
- 3 pieces of wood
- 6 iron blocks
- 6 pieces of plastic
- 3 stones
- 1 electric bike headlight
- 8 units of gasoline
- 1 Basic Vehicle Repair Card
- 6 rolls of waterproof duct tape
- 2 doses of fever-reducing medicine
- 2 Vehicle Upgrade Card Fragments
Qi Xu glanced at the spot where "Niu Bi PLUS" had disappeared, raising a fist in salute. "Thanks a lot!"
The Basic Vehicle Repair Card, fever medicine, and Vehicle Upgrade Card Fragments were all items Qi Xu desperately wanted. Even the half-pack of cigarettes he'd earlier pocketed could fetch a decent price.
If he'd known the guy didn’t have a backpack, Qi Xu would’ve thanked him properly before killing him. To score so many goodies without a single backpack drop—was that luck or misfortune?
After stashing everything, Qi Xu sold the beat-up minivan for 89 Survival Coins. These coins could be used at Monster Merchants (who appeared randomly) or Monster Stores (located at stations beyond traffic lights).
89 Survival Coins could buy a lot! Qi Xu recalled how, in the past, he’d only broken 100 coins after ranking in the top 100 of the regional leaderboard three times in a row. Now? What a god-tier start.
As Qi Xu hit the road again, he nearly hummed in satisfaction—until he noticed another vehicle closing in from behind. The delay from looting and killing must’ve cost him time.
Glancing back, he saw a bespectacled man on an electric bike, wearing a black baseball cap. The man waved enthusiastically when he noticed Qi Xu looking.
"Hey, wait up! My bike’s not fast."
Qi Xu spotted an oversized bag strapped to the bike’s rear—another backpack-less traveler. He slowed down, wondering if this guy was also here to "deliver kindness."
As the man drew closer, Qi Xu subtly checked the right side of his bike, then smiled.
"Hi, I’m Li Zhi! Finally met someone—three days alone had me thinking I was the last person on Earth! Seriously, I was getting depressed. Wow, your ride’s so pretty! That pink’s adorable. Must’ve taken effort, huh?"
Li Zhi chattered nonstop after introducing himself. Qi Xu nodded, said "Hello," and left it at that. Unfazed, Li Zhi kept rambling.
Bored, Qi Xu eventually cut in, "I need to go. Haven’t hit today’s 60-kilometer quota."
"Oh, right! Better hurry. A friend I met in the chat didn’t finish his distance, and his avatar went dark. Can’t risk that." Li Zhi lowered his voice like he was sharing a dire secret. Qi Xu played along, feigning shock and fear before waving goodbye.
He turned his back fully to Li Zhi, who smirked. Too easy. Just flash a smile, and naive kids think you’re harmless. Even simpler than the last one.
He missed how Qi Xu’s posture had tensed.
From the start, Qi Xu had noticed bloodstains on the bike’s side, sparking suspicion. Li Zhi’s overeager sharing of personal details only confirmed it. Some people were gullible, but this act was too forced.
Li Zhi whipped out a dagger, thrusting it toward Qi Xu’s back—only for Qi Xu to spin around like he had eyes behind him, seizing Li Zhi’s wrist and driving the blade into his own chest.
Qi Xu moved to finish the job (a shallow stab wasn’t fatal), but Li Zhi’s entire body suddenly turned purplish-blue. In three seconds, he was dead.
A scan with the holographic screen revealed:
"Poisoned Dagger: A single scratch ensures instant death. Handle with care—don’t stab yourself! Toxin expires in: 112 hours."
Qi Xu tsked. The description warned you. Should’ve been more careful, kid.
After tossing the body into the roadside black mist, a Silver Supply Crate materialized.
"Double Kill Bonus Unlocked! Two kills in half an hour during the newbie protection period? Damn, are you a spec-ops vet or a serial killer?"
Qi Xu ignored the snark. The silver crate was what mattered.
But monsters might spawn upon opening, so he first looted Li Zhi’s supplies. The massive woven bag on the bike’s rear was stuffed—likely holding two people’s worth. Li Zhi had probably killed someone earlier.
Inside were two brand-new women’s tracksuits (fresh from crates, tailored to the opener’s size/style), a Vehicle Upgrade Card, and basic supplies like food and water. Useful, but nothing extraordinary.
.........
