Chapter Title: Weapon Recommendations
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'Then the Hero can track my location?'
I felt a dizzying chill at the thought, but it was too soon to jump to conclusions.
The gallery comments had only mentioned that the Hero was coming, nothing more.
'The idea that the Hero is looking for me is just speculation.'
The moment I thought that, Ice Queen replied.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) Don't worry too much. Unless you're fairly close, it won't be easy to find you. — Castaway(2ch) Distance? — Ice Queen*(3ch) For example, if you're as far apart as Seoul to Busan, even knowing the location makes it hard to get there.
"..."
Ice Queen seemed to be thinking based on her own world.
Her world was overrun with zombies everywhere, so yeah, reaching someone would be tough.
'But here, most people have entered the labyrinths.'
I shared that fact with Ice Queen too.
— Castaway(2ch) Most people here have entered the labyrinths to live. I'm in one too. — Ice Queen*(3ch) The labyrinth? — Castaway(2ch) I heard they lost to monsters from the sky and fled into the labyrinths.
Only then did Ice Queen seem to understand my situation.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) So everyone, including you, Castaway, is in the labyrinth? — Castaway(2ch) Yes. — Ice Queen*(3ch) Getting found is just a matter of time then.
I thought the same.
Of course, it might be unnecessary worry.
'I still don't know the Hero's goal.'
— Ice Queen*(3ch) If the Hero is looking for you, negotiation is likely. — Castaway(2ch) I'm already supplying food. — Ice Queen*(3ch) They'd negotiate for more items.
The mention of more items reminded me of the exchange's limitations.
With only three item slots available, it had to be related.
— Castaway(2ch) How? — Ice Queen*(3ch) The exchange limits you to three items at a time.
Ice Queen explained what I'd already figured out.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) But what if you hand items via 1:1 trades and let others distribute them? — Castaway(2ch) Distribute? — Ice Queen*(3ch) You could list 6, 9 items that way, bypassing the three-slot limit.
So, have me pass items to them for resale?
— Ice Queen*(3ch) You're selling bread and milk for 2 points now, right? Normally 1 point.
When I didn't reply, Ice Queen checked the 2ch exchange and brought up bread and milk.
— Castaway(2ch) Yes, that's right. — Ice Queen*(3ch) Pass 1,000 bread to someone for 1,800 or 1,900 points and have them sell it. — Castaway(2ch) Ah.
That method would free us somewhat from the three-slot limit.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) They'd profit 100-200 points after selling out too. Might negotiate like that.
Separately, Ice Queen seemed convinced the Hero was coming to meet me.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) Of course, that's if things go well.
If things go well?
— Castaway(2ch) And if things go badly? — Ice Queen*(3ch) You become a machine grinding points in other channels to supply 2ch for free. — Castaway(2ch) ...
I doubted it would come to that, but it wasn't impossible.
This was a world on the brink of destruction, with over 90% of the population dead.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) If the Hero shows up, use telekinesis to seize the initiative. — Castaway(2ch) Seize the initiative? — Ice Queen*(3ch) So they don't underestimate you. Underestimation turns negotiation into threats.
"..."
I got what she meant, but I worried if I could pull it off.
— Ice Queen*(3ch) Or arm yourself more substantially.
Arm myself...
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'In the end, I need the power to protect myself.'
Ice Queen said to negotiate from equal footing.
I wasn't sure if I could, but I couldn't just sit idly by.
'Buy the essentials first...'
I bought and set up the tent and air mattress I'd eyed before.
Now I had something resembling a decent shelter.
'Next, training.'
I trained my telekinesis while restocking the exchange intermittently.
Training just meant getting more comfortable with it, though.
'To strengthen telekinesis further, I need bloodstones.'
Training raised proficiency, but that was the limit.
[Points: 19,579]
'Seems this is the point cap for now.'
The bread, milk, and fried chicken on the exchange were selling slowly.
One every 10-20 minutes, so no more points today.
'Go to another channel?'
For reference, the ramen auctioned on 3ch had sold for 870 points—original cost 23, a huge markup.
'Listing again would drop the price a lot, probably.'
Likely got that much because it was first.
If listing more, switch to other items?
'Other items...'
Anyway, with points saved, time to find self-defense gear.
2ch magic items? No, since people I'd meet were from 2ch.
'Check 4ch.'
I switched to 4ch and browsed the exchange items one by one.
'Knives, guns. But what's good?'
Me wielding a knife? Ridiculous. Only kitchen knife for cutting green onions.
'Guns... Shooting that would kill, right?'
Even if not fatal, I couldn't treat gunshot wounds.
'Could I even kill someone?'
The thought brought strong revulsion.
Might change in real danger, but not now.
"..."
Unable to decide, I sighed softly and checked the gallery.
4ch folks likely had expert knowledge. Better to ask.
'Different channel anyway, no issue.'
Others couldn't read posts outside their channel.
So I posted on 4ch.
📰 Breaking News [Title: Anyone Need Cigarettes?] I need a weapon for self-defense. I'll give 10 packs of cigarettes to whoever recommends a good one. 💬 Comments — MyLifeIsRuined Self-defense weapon? Use the ultra-vibration blade. Just touch and it slices. — ScrapCollector Ultra-vibration blade my ass lol. Black Eagle's BK20 pistol is way better. No recoil, great accuracy. — Anonymous You need self-defense. Nano suit's the best. — FormerSpy ↳ Reply Nano suit lololol Not even for sale. — OldEraBegin ↳ Reply Has anyone even owned a nano suit to begin with?
I watched the comments roll in and replied with what I wanted.
— Castaway (Me) Never used knives, guns scare me. Anything else? — FixerKnives What? This retard can't fight? — Anonymous ↳ Reply Lmao this is bait. — Castaway (Me) No, for real. I'll give them.
My direct reply sparked more comments.
— FixerKnives So you're saying I'm a retard who can't fight? — Anonymous Wow, amazing. How's this guy surviving? — FormerSpy Huh? This guy's marked as 2ch now? — MachineEmpireRebel 2ch? How's a 2ch guy posting? — Anonymous ↳ Reply You can post, just can't read. — MachineEmpireRebel Then what am I reading right now?
They even started arguing, but I didn't know how to intervene.
Luckily, someone soon recommended something plausible.
⭐ Top Comment — Quick Fix Doctor☆ Recommend Shield Corp's guard dog SD-5. Built-in AI protects its owner automatically. Perfect for 2ch, no bug worries. — Anonymous Oh, Galju's here.
SD-5?
No, more importantly.
'☆ mark. 4ch admin?'
Anyway, I replied to them.
— Castaway (Me) ↳ Reply What does "protects automatically" mean? ⭐ Top Comment — Quick Fix Doctor☆ ↳ Reply Alerts on owner's tension. Actively eliminates threats if owner in danger. Understands most commands.
'A guard dog that protects me.'
4ch world with AI talk? Guessing robot dog.
Tempted by the auto-protection, I replied quickly.
— Castaway (Me) ↳ Reply Is it on the exchange now? ⭐ Top Comment — Quick Fix Doctor☆ ↳ Reply Listing new one for you. 10,000 points.
Expensive.
Pricey, but affordable.
— Castaway (Me) ↳ Reply Yes. Please list it. ⭐ Top Comment — Quick Fix Doctor☆ ↳ Reply Hold on a sec.
Said hold on, but minutes passed with no update.
Pulling from storage? Then another comment.
— MyLifeIsRuined SD-5? OP wanted that? — Anonymous Total coward confirmed. — BugSlayer 2ch's fine though? No bugs, no parasitism risk. — GiveMeMyLifeBack ↳ Reply Bugs? What about repairs or charging? — BugSlayer Same for any weapon then. — EyesFlashing ↳ Reply I was gonna recommend Lightning's [Thunder Bolt]. — Anonymous Thunder Bolt's not bad. Set to level 1 for just stunning.
Thunder Bolt?
Curious, I searched the exchange: a mace-like weapon with a large head.
3,000 points—pricey, but intrigued, I asked in comments.
— Castaway (Me) ↳ Reply What's Thunder Bolt? — Anonymous ↳ Reply High-voltage current in the head. Level 1 stuns, level 5 crisps 'em outside and in.
Crisps outside and in? Meant crispy outside, chewy inside?
— FixerKnives Thunder Bolt's solid too. Just swing it close. — ThisIsADream ↳ Reply Mace shape, easy to flail around. — Anonymous Lightning products are reliable. Pricey though.
'Maybe get Thunder Bolt too.'
Reason? Telekinesis.
With telekinesis hands, I could wield two Thunder Bolts.
'Not bad.'
Then the guard dog recommender posted.
⭐ Top Comment — Quick Fix Doctor☆ Listed.
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