Chapter 23 Deliveryman (23)
The post was highlighted, featured, and pinned – it was practically overflowing with buffs.
It's hard for players to ignore.
Moreover, they were just bystanders in life, and their true nature remains unchanged even after death.
No one could resist their curiosity, and everyone clicked on the post to see its contents.
[Post #1 (Original Poster): You probably won't believe it, but I got a delivery driver job—a delivery order with a 2000 yuan reward. I was overjoyed! I cheered! I worked diligently and conscientiously, not daring to slack off at all. I was practically begging them for mercy...]
[2nd Floor (Original Poster): You bastard, you're utterly inhuman! I'm working so hard to earn money, and you swindled me out of 2000 yuan right in front of me, a whole 2000 yuan, not a single penny left!!!]
[Post #3 (Original Poster): I have evidence for this. I received a five-star review from the customer, and I saw that the transaction settlement was completed in the backend. This should have been my money, my cheat currency. It was swallowed up, all of it was swallowed up!]
[4th Floor (Original Poster): Not only did they steal my money, but they also faked my damage value—12 points of damage! I'm so pissed off! I didn't bleed a drop, and I got 12 points of damage?! ? ? ]
It went up four floors in a row, each floor filled with roars and howls.
Players who entered the same instance together recognized Bai Ye's identity based on relevant keywords.
[5th Floor (Survival is the Best): Bro, you've suffered, not a single penny. 12 damage points is terrifying; if I gave up halfway, I would only have lost 3 health points.]
[6th Floor (Sunflower): You're so unlucky! Why didn't you get any money after completing the task? 2000 points could be exchanged for 20 lives!]
[7th Floor (Dummy Doesn't Tell the Truth): I haven't received my money either. Everything was settled, so where's my money???]
[8th Floor (Unmoved by Mortal Heart): Hey everyone, stop talking about money and check the dungeon! Something terrible has happened!]
[9th Floor (Mom, Don't Cry): I can't get into the dungeon, damn it! All players have been forcibly logged out. Those who didn't complete the quest have all had their health deducted, and those who did complete the quest didn't get their rewards properly.]
A single sentence stirred up a huge wave of discussion.
Many players gathered in Nightmoon Town, checking their screens and discussing the out-of-control situation in the dungeon.
After venting his frustrations, Bai Ye kept checking for feedback on his complaint, but the complaint center remained quiet, seemingly unresponsive.
He reluctantly withdrew.
Upon exiting, I saw various comments and messages under my post.
"Is there a problem with the instance?"
Bai Ye tapped the screen, and the original "[Dungeon Cleared: 0]" had now changed to "[Dungeon Cleared: Dungeon 1 Imprisoned]".
The word "imprisonment" is quite subtle.
What exactly happened? How could something so bizarrely choose to imprison the instance?
"It's not a strange method."
Having read through all the forum content, the player who earned money to level up to level 2 said, "No player mentioned any mechanical sound when forcibly quitting; there was only a malfunction message on the mobile settlement screen. This indicates that the strange entity did not intervene; the problem only occurred within the instance."
He paused, then continued, "Based on my experience with dungeons, the cell phone notification sounds inside the dungeon represent actions within the dungeon, while the mechanical sounds indicate the presence of supernatural entities, suggesting that these entities can freely enter and exit the dungeon."
Bai Ye understood. "So, if it's a strange, actively confined instance, there should be a mechanical voice prompt when a player is forcibly kicked out?"
"Yes, that's the normal procedure. But now many players are being forced to quit or have their results invalidated, and even now there's been no strange response at all."
After making money to level up to level two, he checked the forum again and nodded, "That's right. So far, there have been no announcements or notifications from the Strange One. It seems to be in trouble."
Sunflower grew increasingly alarmed as she listened, and couldn't help but raise her hand, "You mean there's something in the dungeon that forcibly imprisoned the dungeon's small world? What exactly is that thing, and how can it possess such power? Is it the mastermind behind it all?"
Survival is the best: "That was terrifying. Luckily, I gave up halfway. If I had encountered that thing, I'm afraid I would no longer exist in this strange world."
Dissipation, complete death, is even more frightening and terrifying for someone who has died once.
Players cherish the "new life" they receive after death more than anyone else.
"By the way, whether it's day or night, you and the money-making level-up continue until the mission ends, right?"
Suddenly, the man who would never accept the order spoke, his gaze fixed on Bai Ye's direction, "During the entire process of completing the mission, did you encounter anything unreasonable?"
He shook his head as he said, "Everything is normal for me. I went through two single-line routes in between, but I didn't encounter any problems."
Bai Ye recalled the situation inside the incinerator and said uncertainly, "It seems so. That middle-aged man showed me a lot of malice. When I was alone, I felt a chill down my spine."
"Are you alright? Did they rip out your heart or your lungs?"
Sunflower asked with concern, and then sighed, "No wonder your damage value is as high as 12. That Fan Xiaoxi must be the big boss. You're still in the newbie protection period, and she can still hurt you."
Bai Ye shook his head, "No, I wasn't hurt by it."
"ah?"
"So it's strange, I wasn't injured, but my damage value was 12. I was following the hearse that took the old man up the mountain, and I didn't even come into contact with the cemetery. I don't know how the mourning mission was completed."
Bai Ye gritted his teeth in anger as he said this, "I finished it, my phone even rang, but then there was a problem with the settlement. My 2000!"
"Did you earn enough to level up to level two?" "I'm the strongest at surviving" suddenly asked.
Bai Ye also looked up, glancing diagonally across.
The moment the other person nodded, my heart ached terribly.
One's own failure is certainly terrible, but a friend's success is even more heartbreaking!
Bai Ye: "So it turns out I'm the only one who got hurt."
Earning money to upgrade to level 2 should be comforting, but thinking about the 2000 I received after the settlement, I remained silent.
At this point, offering words of comfort sounds more like showing off.
Bai Ye and a few other players sat for a while, but couldn't find out the reason for the dungeon's confinement, so they got up and went to the second floor.
Damn, 12 points of damage! I still need to get healed.
...
[Healing activated. Player damage detected: 12. Estimated healing time: 288 hours. Healing cost: 456. Please pay in advance.]
[Player's funds are insufficient, do you wish to recharge immediately?]
Bai Ye was somewhat surprised. Last time, a single heal with 0.5 damage cost 38, but this time, a continuous heal with 12 damage also cost 38.
In other words, damage values of 1 or less (including 1) are all priced at 38.
It was lower than expected, and Bai Ye felt like she had made a profit.
Although he was quite aware of this misconception, he readily recharged 400 this time.
[Player selects to recharge; recharge of 400 has been successful, and a bonus of 40 has been credited to the account. Healing initiated; 456 has been deducted, and healing has begun.]
It was a long and beautiful dream.
In her dream, Bai Ye returned to her childhood, to the place where she used to run wild and have fun.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, the flowers, grass and trees are lush and green. An old cow walks slowly through the fields, and with a "moo," it pulls down the clouds on the horizon.
In the distance, wisps of smoke rise from chimneys, and someone is calling out.
Warm air currents seep into the body through the pores, pushing and shoving as they rush into the deepest part of the heart, where they hide and laugh.
Bai Ye reached out, wanting to grab those little things, but unexpectedly lost his footing and fell straight into the abyss.
He opened his eyes abruptly. The treatment pod was displaying a notification: [Treatment complete. Player's mood detected as positive. Initiate second treatment?]
Bai Ye glanced at the remaining recharge amount and decisively jumped out of the crystal coffin.
Back in the lobby, Bai Ye suddenly remembered something: he could not stay in the lobby for more than three days, otherwise he would lose 1 life point per day.
It's all over!
I only have 7.2 health points left, I'm about to die!
Bai Ye opened the screen to check, his expression shifting from horror to confusion.
Health Points: -1.8
What kind of operation is this?
Isn't it said that if your health is less than 0, you will be immediately killed?
"Take a look at the situation in the instance."
I, who am best at surviving, didn't do any dungeons and just strolled around the lobby. "Look, the previous dungeon ban has been lifted. The 'earn money to level up to level two' thing must have been interfered with by some strange force. They're lifting the errand deliveryman dungeon. So players who completed the quest but didn't get their rewards should be able to get compensation after the ban is lifted."
The player who was trying to survive was seeing negative health for the first time and was quite curious. "Dude, thanks to you, I've really seen something new. Among thousands of players, you're the only one who's ever seen this."
I can't help but give a thumbs up to those who survive!
After sorting out his thoughts, Bai Ye roughly understood that the original 2,000 ghost coins should have been included in his account.
Therefore, even if the life value temporarily becomes negative, the monster will allow it to survive.
In other words, his maximum negative health value can be increased by 20 points.
Then there's nothing to be afraid of; we can still give it a shot.
"I'm leaving." Bai Ye put away the screen and walked away.
"Survival is my greatest strength" grabbed the person, puzzled, "Where are you going? You just finished healing, aren't you going to rest for a while?"
"No, I have to go make money."
"What's the rush? Everyone's saying there will be benefits after the dungeon is unlocked. Why don't you wait? It's time-limited, and you'll miss out if you don't take advantage of it."
Bai Ye refused outright, saying that it would be better to spend that time making money directly in dungeons.
The fate of waiting is never in one's own hands.
Even if we take a step back and say that free benefits are something he has never had the chance to enjoy.
"The highest prize I can win with my scratch card is 20," Bai Ye said.
"Survival is the best" was completely bewildered. "What?"
You don't understand.
Bai Ye sighed and walked away without looking back.
In the pure white hall, Bai Ye accepted the mission with practiced ease. As he flipped the cards, he remembered the situation from last time and subconsciously chose the leftmost one.
"Don't be chosen to study, don't be chosen to study, don't be chosen..."
The prayer was successful.
This time, none of the three cards contained any learning content.
To Bai Ye's surprise, all three cards were exactly the same: "Fire you and plant my vegetables."
"What kind of dungeon quest is this?"
Filled with curiosity, Bai Ye pushed open the door.
"Bang!"
"Clang!"
"Aa ...
"That damn Zhou Bapi, I work overtime every day, every day until midnight, and just because I was three seconds late today, he deducted my perfect attendance bonus."
"If I hadn't worked overtime until 2 a.m. last night, would I have gotten home so late? If I had gone to bed earlier, would I have missed the bus this morning? I ran as fast as I could, and it was just a few seconds, just a few seconds!"
"Why did you deduct my perfect attendance bonus? I worked overtime until 2 AM without pay, 2 AM!"
After the roar, there was a deathly silence.
After a while, a crisp sound of the door opening rang out.
Then came a nonchalant voice: "You're working overtime because you didn't finish your work; that's an efficiency issue. As for being late, that's a fact, and the company doesn't tolerate faking it."
"I'm not late! The company time was moved forward by one minute, I know that."
The voice carried a hint of provocation.
However, another voice was even more indifferent, "So what? The clock-in time is based on the company's time."
"I'm not convinced. You're deliberately exploiting me."
"You're not happy? Then quit! If you're so tough, keep yelling. If you're not tough, get out of here. All you do is talk the talk, I'm sick and tired of it—"
"Zhou Bapi, I quit! I'm telling you now, I'm... not... doing... this anymore!"
Bai Ye's vision blurred, and the next second, a real feeling of falling came over him.
The stuffy environment, the damp seats, the noise, the unpleasant smell...
When Bai Ye opened his eyes, he found himself sitting in a train carriage. It was an old-fashioned green train that was moving very slowly, with a constant clanging sound.
He was squeezed into the innermost seat of the three-seater, holding a black backpack and with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
Beneath my feet was an old leather suitcase, with one of my feet resting on it.
Two-dimensional memories are coming in droves.
This time, he entered the instance for role-playing.
This person is named Li Bufan, 27 years old. He graduated from an ordinary undergraduate university at the age of 22 and stayed in the provincial capital to work hard after graduation.
For five years, I worked diligently and meticulously at a small private company.
But with salary, full attendance bonus, and overtime pay, the maximum monthly income is seven thousand.
Seven thousand is not a small salary.
But in the provincial capital, rent is 2,000 yuan a month, food and drink can be 1,500 yuan a month if you are frugal, transportation and communication costs are at least 300 yuan a month, and there are also interpersonal interactions and social obligations that arise from time to time.
Therefore, even after five years of hard work and saving in the big city, Li Bufan could only save 100,000 yuan.
After working overtime for twenty consecutive days, Li Bufan finally snapped when he was penalized for being three seconds late (actually, the company had sped up the clock).
An adult's breakdown can happen in an instant.
In that moment of outburst, he remembered nothing. He didn't remember his youthful dreams, he didn't remember vowing to settle down and buy a house in a big city after graduation, he didn't remember working hard to earn money to build a new house back home, he didn't remember...
"well!"
Bai Ye took out his phone and checked his bank card balance: 100203.
Of the 90,000 yuan, 30,000 yuan was deposited three times as a three-year fixed deposit.
The current account balance is 10203.
There's only one bank card with savings; there are no other investments or financial management options that allow me to see the money.
"So poor!"
Bai Ye sighed, but the thought that this person was now her made her feel sad.
[The instance is now open. Quest requests are being accepted. Players are now in character. Quests are being issued.]
[The task has been issued. Players are requested to complete the planting operation within the specified time and obtain a five-star review from the customer. Failure to complete the task will result in a deduction of 3000.]
3000!
Bai Ye's eyes immediately lit up.
The deduction is half of the earning value; that's the rule. In other words, if you bring your character into this instance and complete the task, you can earn 6000 in one go.
God, how could you be so kind to me? With 6,000 tasks, just two or three more, and I can successfully obtain the Resurrection Ticket.
This time, no tasks were issued via mobile phone, and there were no related notification sounds.
However, the dungeons with characters are easier to operate, as all content is displayed on the screen.
Bai Ye opened the screen and quickly learned that his main reason for resigning and returning home this time was to go back to farming.
They didn't plant rice or wheat, but rather vegetables that are very easy to grow.
Do you grow vegetables in greenhouses?
Bai Ye thought of the contracted farmland he had seen in his hometown, where plastic greenhouses had sprung up out of thin air, and the inside was lush and green.
He once opened the plastic sheet and peeked inside; the lush green vegetables were growing wildly, full of vitality.
"Quitting my job is great. Going home to farm is so much fun, and it's not hard work."
"No boss nagging about work progress, no endless PowerPoint presentations, no endless overtime or meetings, and no WeChat messages that wake you up in the middle of the night to reply to."
"I love farming; farming makes me happy."
"Nature is calling me. I'm quitting today and going home to farm."
After a six-hour drive, Bai Ye's buttocks were numb, but her heart was burning with excitement.
Upon hearing the announcement that the station had arrived, he pulled his suitcase, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and happily stepped out of the train station.
"Li Family Village, I, Li Bufan, have returned."
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