Game: Civilization Paradise

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: One Person’s Journey

One of the ruin locations was circled. If I wasn’t mistaken, that should be the one assigned to Luoxue’s team.

Long Ming looked at the map, stroking his chin in thought. His gaze darted back and forth across it.

’Mountain City Mountain’s regular army is no joke.’

’It’s only been a few days, and they’ve already explored such a large area and located all the major ruins.’

’The freelance explorers who came out here haven’t even gotten started, and all the good stuff has already been claimed. At best, they’ll just be picking up scraps.’

After studying the map, Long Ming raised his wristband for a scan and turned to leave.

But just as he took a step, he stopped.

Long Ming turned to look at the map again, his gaze falling on the rolling Bukeao Mountain Range in the upper-right corner.

He noticed that while all the other regions had base ruins, the Bukeao Mountain Range—the area with the most complex and hidden terrain—had none marked.

Long Ming’s intuition told him something was off. With that thought, he turned and left.

As he walked out of the tent, he ran right into Xiaoqi.

"Long Ming, what are you doing here?"

Xiaoqi asked, startled and confused.

"Nothing, just looking around. By the way, I have to go."

"Go? Where are you going?"

"Back to Mountain City Mountain."

"What’s the rush to go back for?"

"I left in a hurry and forgot my medicine, so I have to go back."

Long Ming made up an excuse.

"Okay, how are you getting back?"

"It’s simple. I’ll go to Ocardo Sanctuary City and hitch a ride."

"Alright. Be careful on the road."

Xiaoqi told him, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"Got it. Bye!"

Long Ming waved to Xiaoqi and strode away.

He was going to explore alone.

He knew the road ahead was dangerous, but Long Ming wasn’t afraid.

He was well aware that he had to find a perfect Genetic Potion before his condition deteriorated further. It was his only way to survive.

But something like a perfect Genetic Potion couldn’t be obtained by sticking with the main group. ’They’d never give it to me, after all. I can only rely on myself.’

’Of course, if I’m unlucky enough to die, there’s nothing to regret.’

’My life isn’t worth much, anyway. I don’t have long to live, and I have no one to leave behind.’

「A short time later.」

Long Ming left the military camp and entered Ocardo Sanctuary City.

The entire Sanctuary City was incredibly lively. Its streets were filled with people from Mountain City Mountain and other sanctuaries, all holding up signs and shouting.

"Black Panther Team! Looking for experts to explore with us!"

"Iron Mountain Guild is recruiting! Join us and become family!"

"Giant Bear Team! We take on all kinds of jobs—exploration, escort, you name it. Clients welcome!"

...

A faint smile touched Long Ming’s lips as he took in the scene. He found it all novel and amusing.

He had no intention of teaming up, however.

This wasn’t a game anymore. As the saying goes, you can’t know a person’s heart.

’There’s no way to know if the people you team up with are trustworthy!’

’In a game, getting backstabbed is no big deal. But out here, getting backstabbed means you’re dead.’

’And even if they don’t stab you in the back, there’s no guarantee they’re strong enough to keep up, that they won’t just drag you down.’

Long Ming didn’t want to get screwed over, and he didn’t want to carry anyone, either.

He continued onward, planning to buy some basic survival supplies and a vehicle.

Soon, he spotted a general store with a sign out front: "All kinds of tools, emergency food, and vehicles sold here..."

Just as Long Ming was about to enter, a large man approached him.

"Hey brother, need an escort? We’re from the Giant Hammer mercenary team. Super strong and cheap!"

"Not interested."

Long Ming waved him off and stepped into the general store.

He then heard the big man talking to a companion behind him.

"Boss Zhou Xiong, why is the escort business so tough? With how dangerous exploring is now, shouldn’t we be swamped with work?"

"Beats the hell out of me!"

...

Long Ming shook his head with a sigh.

Now that their world was connected to other civilizations, the danger level had risen dramatically.

The escort business should be booming under normal circumstances, but it all hinges on trust and reputation.

’A single black mark on your record and you’re done. After all, no one’s going to entrust their life to someone they can’t trust.’

"What can I get for you, sir?"

A woman who looked to be in her forties, still quite attractive with large, wavy hair and a cigarette dangling from her lips, asked Long Ming with a grin.

Long Ming was a little surprised; he hadn’t expected the owner of this general store to be a woman.

"You got everything here?"

"Everything. As long as you can name it, I can get it for you."

Sun Yan said, looking at Long Ming with a smile.

"I need some basic survival tools."

"No problem. I’ve got a value pack right here. Good stuff, great price, and I take Mountain Coins."

"Do you have any dirt bikes?"

"Of course! Dirt bikes, vans, mountain bikes, you name it, we’ve got it!"

"Where are they?"

"In the back!"

"Show me."

Long Ming said with a nod.

"Follow me."

Sun Yan led Long Ming out the back door and into a fairly large yard.

Used cars were parked on the left side of the yard, and an assortment of motorcycles was on the right.

"Take your pick!"

Sun Yan said with a grin, taking a drag from her cigarette and exhaling the smoke.

Long Ming walked over to the motorcycles, looked them over, and finally settled on a lightweight dirt bike.

"This one."

"Good eye. It’s second-hand, but it’s a classic model made by your own Mountain City Mountain’s Hama Company. The quality is top-notch."

"How much?"

"6,000 Mountain Coins."

Sun Yan stated the price without hesitation.

"Too expensive. A brand new one is only 5,000 Mountain Coins."

"Can’t be helped. You see how bustling Ocardo Sanctuary City is. Everyone’s buying supplies, hoping to strike it rich out there. Prices for everything have gone up. If you don’t buy it today, it won’t be this price tomorrow."

"Throw in two cans of gas."

"Alright. The tool kit you wanted, two cans of gas, and the bike... that’ll be 7,000 Mountain Coins!"

"Fine."

Long Ming thought for a few seconds before agreeing.

He knew the proprietress was ripping him off, but in this market, she’d have no trouble selling it. Besides, he didn’t have the energy to waste on haggling.

"I love doing business with you folks from Mountain City Mountain. You’re not stingy like the ones from other Sanctuary Cities. Come on, let’s get you paid up!"

Sun Yan led Long Ming back into the shop.

...

「A moment later.」

Long Ming was back on the street, now on his dirt bike.

He wore a tactical belt from which hung a Viper automatic pistol, a combat knife called Death’s Fang, and high-explosive grenades. A large tactical backpack was slung over his shoulders, a Black Shadow automatic rifle clipped to its left side. The two cans of gas were strapped to either side of the bike’s rear.

Long Ming twisted the throttle and rode toward the north gate.

Soon, he had driven out of Ocardo Sanctuary City. He sped across the wasteland, the sanctuary shrinking in the distance behind him.

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