Chapter 107: The Spoils of War

The Morning Star emerged from Chen Qi’s hand, tracing a curved path as it flew out of the cave.

He stepped out of the cavern, his gaze sweeping across the study.

Typically, a player must consider their carrying capacity; one must be mindful when picking up equipment.

In the New Dawn game, players generally lack a bag of holding capable of storing countless items.

When a character carries too much, it raises suspicion among NPCs and can lead to exceeding their load limit.

One of the top new player tips on the forum warns against carrying all items on one’s person—it makes one vulnerable to theft, and some greedy scourges might launch attacks. It’s simply not safe.

Chen Qi remembered how, at the start of his journey, a traveling merchant with a cloth doll’s head had robbed him.

That’s why the guides recommend new players find a suitable profession, secure a safe home in the New Dawn world, and establish a secure insurance warehouse back on Earth.

For players crafting weapons, potions, or spell cards, stockpiling materials is essential, making a large warehouse all the more important.

Previously, Chen Qi relied on the merchant’s donkey to resolve his weight problems.

Now, with the Traveler’s Box of spatial dimension, he no longer had to worry about carrying capacity!

He had a mobile warehouse at his disposal!

He could simply toss everything into the Traveler’s Box without hesitation.

Filling the Traveler’s Box to capacity, however, was no easy feat.

Chen Qi looked over the books again. They all exuded an air of antiquity, like rare tomes over twenty years old.

Many of the books in this study belonged to the New Dawn world, not printed on Earth.

Since the public beta began about a week ago, basic tomes like the Flame Spell have already become hot sellers in regular bookstores.

In short, there was a wide gap in price between original New Dawn books and printed copies.

After all, printed books couldn’t be sold for money within New Dawn.

Chen Qi scanned the collection once more.

The core members of the Food Kin organization were all of Cup alignment. Aside from some general spellbooks, most of the volumes were exclusive to Cup, along with some guides on breeding.

Fortunately, even if the books were useless to him, he could sell them.

With a thought, a black cubic box appeared in his hand, rotating steadily.

“Don’t worry about the content now; just throw everything in blindly…”

The white dove emblazoned on the Traveler’s Box parted its beak.

Chen Qi warmed up, then, with rapid movements, began tossing books one after another into the box.

Thanks to his swift pace, the Traveler’s Box in his mind was soon piled high with a small mountain of books!

Although none were particularly rare, even this volume alone could fetch over ten White Day Coins.

After a flurry of activity, he finished.

Chen Qi looked at the pile inside the Traveler’s Box with satisfaction.

The books were still scattered, but he would organize them later.

Next, he moved on to other areas.

Increasing his pace, Chen Qi followed the Morning Star’s guidance.

As expected, other players had begun searching for loot as well. He had to be as fast as possible.

…

The Food Kin Base.

Chen Qi rubbed his hands together, guided by the Morning Star to a new location.

“This terrain is getting more and more complicated.”

The base lacked any industrial aesthetic, resembling a hastily excavated site.

This was the main level of the Food Kin Base, with clear signs of human construction nearby.

Before him was a massive cave entrance.

Chen Qi entered cautiously, surveying the area.

It resembled an underground tunnel, like those trains pass through.

On the cold rocky floor were scattered snack wrappers, cigarette butts, and bags.

No sign of ordinary people.

According to current group messages, unlike other Holy Scourge Association factions, this Food Kin Base had no common folk.

In fact, compared to other scourge groups, Food Kin had hidden themselves quite well.

At the top of the base lay a bustling commercial district, home to a famous gourmet street, crowded during holidays.

Before the beta started, no information about “Scourge Association players” had surfaced in this area.

In such a busy district, an ordinary player would easily attract attention.

Yet the Food Kin refrained from causing chaos in the crowds using their special abilities, instead striving to stay hidden.

If not for a scourge diviner tracking them through blood samples from some Food Kin members, no one would suspect such an organization beneath this lively district.

Though well hidden on Earth, the Food Kin left traces in the game.

With the public beta underway, their urge to expand their influence led to their exposure.

Some players feigned newcomers, luring the Food Kin out, eventually discovering their base and launching a raid.

Now, though the Red Ant Moss Tree had fallen, and the white-robed leader’s resolve was shattered, the Food Kin organization no longer existed.

Chen Qi found the tunnel’s light switch and turned it on.

Some tunnel lamps flickered to life.

Instantly, the passageway brightened considerably.

He observed the long tunnel.

It could be divided into two levels, with numerous rooms on each.

It was like walking along a street, except this street was built inside an underground cavern.

A unique sight!

Chen Qi scanned the surroundings.

This was a distinctly underground residential area.

Judging by the scale, it was no surprise this was where Food Kin members lived.

Within these rooms, there should be plenty of goods.

He would take the best items first.

Confirming no danger, Chen Qi, aided by his Black Rain Boots, took a step onto the second floor, heading toward the Morning Star’s pointed location.

Before him stood a locked steel door.

With a heavy kick, Chen Qi forced it open.

Inside was a simple, modest room containing some fitness equipment, a bed, and several books.

On the table lay a photograph.

It was a boxing club photo: a muscular man laughing heartily while holding a trophy.

Though much smaller in build, the face was unmistakably the Prisoner!

Was this the Prisoner player’s room?

Following the Morning Star’s guidance, Chen Qi opened a chest.

Inside were some materials and a few glowing red fruits.

[You have obtained 4 Body Growth Fruits.]

[Body Growth Fruit:

Alignment: Cup, Flower

Description: Stronger muscles, a more perfect physique!

Effect: Upon consumption, increases one point of constitution. Requires one hour of exercise to digest. A maximum of one can be taken daily, up to five times. After consuming three, grants one point of passive health regeneration (restores once every ten minutes).]

Four fruits would give a total of four constitution points, which meant eight health points and some life regeneration.

Constitution was indeed his current weakness and didn’t conflict with other items, making these quite valuable.

Chen Qi accepted them and looked at the next items.

[You have obtained 4 Strength Pills.]

[Strength Pill:

Alignment: Cup

Description: Great strength brings miracles.

Effect: Upon consumption, increases strength by 20% for twenty minutes.]

An increase in strength—this should boost his chopping damage. It would suffice for now.

Chen Qi continued reviewing the items.

[You have obtained 5 Electrum Ingots.]

Electrum was a common rare material for weapon forging, superior to ordinary materials.

[You have obtained Toxic Finger Claw.]

[You have obtained 2 Healing Potions.]

…

Aside from the Body Growth Fruits and Strength Pills, most items were ordinary crafting materials.

After confirming the chest was empty, Chen Qi spent 2 Spirit points to use the Morning Star’s search again.

Unexpectedly, the Morning Star did not move to another room but remained in this one, its pulsations wildly intense.

The Morning Star flew from the chest to rest on a book on the table.

It was a basic boxing manual from New Capital.

A basic boxing book? Could the Morning Star really be guiding him to this?

Was the cover fake, or was there something hidden inside the pages?

Chen Qi sensed that the item the Morning Star now pointed to might be valuable.

He approached and began flipping through the book.

(End of chapter)