"Ranking board?" Rover frowned when he heard Selina say that, but he didn't interrupt, staying silent and listening.
Selina continued, "Rover, I've participated in many game shows, so I know these kinds of things pretty well. If this game needs a lot of participants, then there's definitely going to be a ranking board."
"In the past, even when the game shows I joined didn't say it outright, they would wait until the very last moment to reveal the rankings after the game ended. That creates surprise, and regret, for the participants."
"This game is the same. I don't believe this is just an ordinary survival game. If there are already mechanics like item trading, then it's even more likely there will be a mechanic like a 'Ranking Board.'"
"And I think… since this place only has zombies, the System will definitely base the ranking on zombie-kill performance."
After hearing that, Rover felt it was extremely reasonable. He used to watch shows like game shows too, so he understood exactly what Selina meant.
Selina added one more line, "This is only my guess. It might not be accurate."
"No. What you said makes a lot of sense," Rover said. "Even if it's just speculation, I trust your judgment. I don't believe there won't be competition among Survivors."
Rover took out his pistol and checked it again. There were eight bullets left.
He wondered what he should do to kill more zombies.
Rover said, "Even if there's no ranking board, we still have to kill zombies to gather more supplies."
Nanoe and Selina both nodded, understanding what Rover was getting at. After a zombie dies, it can drop supplies or the currency of this game. So even without a ranking board, they would still have to face zombies.
Nanoe added, "I think Selina is right. If the game only wanted us to defend, it wouldn't give players combat skills for fighting zombies. But right now, most players already have special powers. That only reinforces Selina's speculation, and makes it even more logical."
Rover nodded, his gaze shifting to the gun stored inside his storage backpack.
[Pistol]
[Type: Weapon]
[Ammo: 08/25]
[Level: 1]
[Upgrade Requirement: 300 Omni Points]
[Description: An upgraded pistol that increases damage, reduces recoil, and improves accuracy.]
Rover thought for a long time, then made his decision. In his mind, he said, 'Upgrade the pistol.'
[Successfully paid 300 Omni Points. Your remaining Omni Points: 88.]
In the next instant, the pistol's appearance changed. It became heavier, and the barrel grew larger and slightly longer. At the same time, a new information panel appeared before him.
[Heavy Pistol]
[Type: Weapon]
[Ammo: 35/35]
[Level: 2]
[Upgrade Requirement: 1,500 Omni Points]
[Description: An upgraded pistol with terrifying damage. Its bullets can explode, dealing damage in a small area.]
[Bullet Price: 7 points per round | 30 silver per round.]
'The bullets can explode?' Rover thought. 'I hope the destructive power is high enough. Otherwise, the 300 points I spent will be completely meaningless.'
'Wait… bullets can be bought with silver. Then doesn't that mean…'
Rover's eyes widened, excitement surging in his heart. He still had three gold coins, equivalent to 3,000 silver. That meant even if he had no Omni Points, he could still buy 100 more bullets.
The 35 bullets he currently had, plus another 100 bullets, would be enough for him to easily defend the entire corridor.
Rover felt at ease. He said softly to Nanoe and Selina, "Don't worry. We'll be safe. Thanks to Selina joining us, my gun got upgraded today."
He took the pistol out and placed it on the table. When Nanoe and Selina saw the upgraded gun, their eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief.
They could also see the gun's information, but they couldn't see the [Upgrade] option.
"Rover, can you really buy bullets with silver?" Nanoe asked in shock.
"Yes. It's just… I don't know how strong it is yet," Rover said softly. His gaze shifted to Nanoe, and something suddenly occurred to him. He frowned. "Wait! Nanoe, have you used a gun before?"
Hearing that, Nanoe and Selina looked at each other, then burst into laughter.
Rover looked at them in confusion, but before he could ask, Nanoe spoke first. "Rover, I forgot to tell you… Selina and I met at a shooting range. We both have seven years of experience using firearms."
"What?!" Rover was genuinely shocked. He stared at Nanoe and Selina, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Who would've thought these two beauties had seven years of gun experience?
Nanoe smiled. "I specialize in firearms. Selina is different, she also knows how to use guns, but she likes swords more. She trained in foil fencing and even achieved very high results."
Selina tilted her head toward him, her face blooming with a radiant smile, as if saying: 'Praise me, Master!'
After the surprise passed, Rover felt an intense surge of happiness.
How could he not?
Nanoe could not only help him manage trading, she could also use a gun. From the steady, decisive way she handled herself, Rover was certain she could kill zombies too, as long as she had a gun in her hands.
As for Selina, she was smart. Not only had she suggested the possibility of a "Ranking Board," she also knew how to use both guns and swords, especially the foil.
Even if she couldn't fully leverage that strength right now, Rover believed that in the near future, she would definitely become an important combat asset.
That meant he wouldn't even need to fight. He could just stand behind them and use [Psionics].
"Wait." Rover suddenly remembered something and frowned. "Why did you two learn to shoot in the first place?"
Nanoe and Selina looked a little embarrassed. In the end, Nanoe spoke, breaking the awkward silence.
"Th-that… I… I learned to shoot because… I wanted to kill my husband and his mistress."
Rover: "…"
He looked at Selina. She also said awkwardly, "I… I'm not like her."
Rover let out a long breath of relief.
"I wanted to kill my husband and the bastards who dared to toy with me."
Rover: "…"
He looked at the two beauties in front of him, a chill creeping into his heart. Luckily, [Tenants] couldn't betray the [Room Owner]. Otherwise, these two gorgeous women might have killed him long ago.
Sensing his suspicious gaze, Nanoe and Selina quickly moved their chairs closer, their hands hurriedly rubbing his chest.
"Rover, don't worry. I… I truly have no intention of harming you."
"That's right. Master, even without the System's restraints, I wouldn't harm you. You gave me a safe place to live, a warm place to lean on. How could I betray you?"
"Rover! Rest assured, Selina and I will definitely do our best to help you kill as many zombies as possible."
They kept speaking into his ear one after another. Rover naturally understood how anxious they were, he had only wanted to tease them a little.
"Alright. Then…" Rover placed the gun into Nanoe's hands and smiled. "Nanoe, you'll be in charge of killing zombies."
Nanoe beamed, kissed his cheek, then lightly bit his earlobe, saying happily, "Thank you, Rover."
"Master…" Selina hugged his arm and shook it coquettishly. "What about me?"
"Ah." Rover sighed, then said, "Right now there isn't a weapon for you. For the time being, stay in the room. But you still have a mission, be the backup backpack."
"Heh?!"