The BOSS would still need time to complete its advancement.
Qin Feng had already accounted for this. At the current stage of the game, Shell Town simply lacked players capable of challenging such an existence. Even if someone were to stumble upon it by accident, the outcome would only be a futile sacrifice of lifespan. Without sufficient damage, resistance, or coordination, approaching it now was no different from courting death.
Since that was the case, there was no reason to rush.
Letting the BOSS mature further would not weaken him. On the contrary, it would only increase the rewards when the time finally came. As long as no variables interfered, the situation would remain firmly under his control.
For now, there were other matters that required attention.
Qin Feng lowered his head and checked his backpack.
He had just reached level three and was already approaching the midpoint to the next level. However, the backpack provided by the system only had ten slots, and every single one of them was filled. Equipment, materials, and skill books were stacked inside, most of which had nothing to do with his profession.
To Qin Feng, these items were excess baggage.
To the other players struggling in Shell Town, they were lifelines.
The most sensible choice was obvious—exchange everything for tradable lifespan.
Among the items, the mage skill book Ice Cone Technique stood out in particular. Once learned, the skill allowed the user to slow enemies on hit, with a chance to freeze them entirely. Against BOSS-level monsters, the control effect would be heavily resisted, making it unreliable. But when dealing with ordinary monsters or elite mobs, its value was undeniable.
For early-stage players who lacked damage and survivability, such a skill could significantly improve efficiency and safety. In the current environment, it was the kind of resource people would fight over.
As Qin Feng made his way back toward Shell Town, he passed through the outskirts of the forest. Along the way, he witnessed several groups of players being chased down by Crawlers. Panic-filled shouts echoed through the trees as figures stumbled and fell, only to be overwhelmed moments later.
Qin Feng didn't slow down.
There was no pity on his face, nor any sense of satisfaction. To him, this was simply the inevitable result of ignorance and poor stat allocation.
This kind of scene was common during the early stages of the game. Many players still clung to old habits from traditional games, blindly stacking strength or intelligence while neglecting mobility. Before long, they would realise that speed often determined survival.
With enough agility, Crawlers couldn't catch you.
With even more agility, you could chase them down instead.
That was precisely why Qin Feng had invested heavily in agility from the very beginning. In the early game, speed was more valuable than raw damage.
As the outline of Shell Town's safe zone came into view, Qin Feng finally canceled his invisibility. Almost simultaneously, he opened the system interface and enabled the Face Concealment function.
In the God Forsaken Game, players retained their real-world appearances. Facial features, body shape, and even minor details remained unchanged. Without concealment, anyone familiar could recognise you at a glance.
"I'm still an ordinary person in reality," Qin Feng reminded himself calmly. "Before extracting my abilities, exposure would only invite trouble."
This wasn't paranoia, it was experience.
In his previous life, he had seen too many powerful players fall because their identities were exposed too early. Fame attracted attention, and attention attracted danger. Being ranked first in Shell Town already placed him under the spotlight. Revealing his face now would only accelerate unwanted complications.
A black veil descended, obscuring his face completely. Only his eyes remained visible, cold, steady, and devoid of emotion.
He wore the standard black robe issued at the start of the game. On his legs were the Sprinting Leather Leggings, and on his feet were the Rotten Hide Boots. In his hand rested the Corrosion Dagger, its faint bronze glow impossible to hide.
The moment he entered Shell Town, the atmosphere shifted.
Most players were gathered inside the safe zone, their expressions tense and uncertain. Many had already attempted to venture out and failed miserably. Seeing someone return alive, calm, intact, and clearly well-equipped was enough to draw immediate attention.
"That dagger…"
"And those leggings."
"They're glowing. Bronze-grade?"
"Is that him?"
"The one at the top of the rankings?"
Whispers spread rapidly through the crowd.
Before long, players began gathering around him. Some eagerly asked for help leveling. Others tried to inquire about his methods. A few shouted prices, hoping to buy guidance or protection.
Qin Feng ignored all of them.
He walked straight toward the central plaza, stopped beside a broken flower bed, and sat down. Without hesitation, he opened the stall interface and placed all ten items from his backpack onto it.
Shop Name:[Equipment & Skill Sale — 10 Minutes Only — First Come, First Served]
The reaction was immediate.
"It's really him!"
"Shadow is selling equipment!"
"There are two Bronze items!"
"Did he actually kill a Bronze BOSS already?"
"I heard a Curser wiped out more than thirty people earlier. Could it be related?"
Players surged forward from every direction.
Amid the crowd, a woman in a grey magic robe approached with several teammates. Her gaze lingered on the items as she carefully examined the stall.
"How much for Ice Cone Technique?" she asked.
Like Qin Feng, she had enabled face concealment. However, he recognised her immediately.
Grey Rose.
Currently ranked eleventh in Shell Town.
Her equipment was unremarkable, likely scavenged from ordinary monsters, but it suited her cautious and pragmatic style. Compared to most players, she was clearly more composed.
"A hundred days of tradable lifespan," Qin Feng replied.
Grey Rose frowned slightly. "That's too expensive. I can't afford it. Can it be cheaper?"
Qin Feng shook his head, clearly uninterested in negotiating. The value of the skill in the early game far exceeded the price he had set.
After a brief pause, she asked, "Can I pay in cash?"
"If you have cash," Qin Feng replied calmly, "buy lifespan from other players first. If no one offers more, I'll hold the item."
Grey Rose hesitated, then nodded. She pulled her teammates aside and began discussing in the team channel.
Half a minute later, she returned.
"Alright. A hundred days."
The trade completed smoothly. Qin Feng's tradable lifespan increased from 268 days to 368.
Before the crowd could disperse, several people suddenly pushed forward with far less courtesy. Leading them was a young woman wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, her ponytail swaying as she stopped directly in front of Qin Feng.
Li Zi.
Codename: Ya Li.
She had torn the sleeves off her initial robe, giving her a sharper, more assertive appearance.
"You're Shadow?" she asked, looking down at him confidently. "Help me reach level three. Once we return to reality, I'll give you ten million RMB. My father is the chairman of Dajiang Industry."
The surrounding players erupted. Ten million, for levelling assistance. Many people's breathing grew heavy at the number alone.
Qin Feng raised his gaze slightly, meeting her eyes through the black veil. His expression remained calm, devoid of interest or temptation.
"I refuse."