"Running fast is one thing, but damn it's freezing!"
Trudging through increasingly thick snow, Lin Yu could feel his body temperature steadily dropping.
He had already checked three outposts near the initial abandoned base but found no traces of anyone having been there.
According to Lin Yu's reasoning, other players should have started the game under similar circumstances.
Therefore, they would likely prioritize finding shelter to make fire first.
Searching for people in this vast snowy mountain was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but judging from the current situation...
Systematically checking each outpost might actually improve efficiency!
Although there were nearly a hundred outposts, this approach was still better than scouring the entire mountain range.
Yet after three consecutive failures, Lin Yu began developing an unfavorable suspicion.
Lin Yu pulled out the map again.
Though already quite familiar with it, he couldn't help but double-check.
If he treated his starting point "B6" as the center of a fan-shaped area and divided the entire map equally...
Lin Yu quickly noticed something peculiar.
Exactly twelve "outposts" could form an approximate perfect circle.
These twelve outposts evenly divided the circle into twelve 30-degree sectors, each located precisely at the sector's midpoint!
Including the center point, that made exactly thirteen locations!
These twelve sectors perfectly distributed all remaining outposts.
Each sector contained exactly eight outposts - no more, no less.
Ninety-six outposts total, plus the center point made ninety-seven.
If assuming each player started at an "abandoned" outpost, the remaining seven would correspond exactly to the "seven days" option!
Lin Yu exhaled sharply.
The game providing a "map" as initial hint was likely intentional design to lead players to this discovery.
Lin Yu felt he was gradually piecing together something significant.
"Let's check the nearest sector first."
Having been ascending continuously, Lin Yu had reached the edge of the next sector.
Quickening his pace, he approached the central outpost of this area.
Before reaching it, however, Lin Yu spotted a figure vigorously sweeping snow with their feet searching for firewood at the outpost nearest to this "central" location.
Approaching closer, he saw it was a slightly plump middle-aged woman wearing a colorful padded jacket and permed hair.
Lin Yu walked up and greeted her.
Startled by his voice, the woman turned to look at him.
"Oh heavens! You scared me half to death! Why you creeping up so quiet-like?"
Then realization dawned on her.
"Yes, I'm a player. My forum ID is 'A-Long', class is 'Soldier'. And you are...?"
The auntie sized Lin Yu up skeptically.
"Soldier? You look too clean-cut for that! Don't seem the type!"
"Born this way. Plus I was in clerical work in the army, but the game still classified me as 'Soldier'."
His warm, friendly smile and tone made his lie instantly believable to the rosy-cheeked woman.
"Ohhh, so you really are military! Such handsome eyes... must be from the cultural troupe, eh?"
The auntie studied Lin Yu with growing interest.
"You got a girlfriend? My daughter's about your age, quite pretty too, just graduated from our local polytechnic..."
Lin Yu hurriedly interrupted:
"Whoa there, auntie, let's pump the brakes! We're in the 'Death Game' here... save the matchmaking for later!"
He couldn't help feeling exasperated.
Ever since enrolling at Jiangcheng Media University, Lin Yu's good looks had made him prime target for neighborhood matchmaking aunties.
Though he always declined with "I'm just a sophomore, not thinking about that", their persistent "just try dating first" enthusiasm never waned.
Who'd have thought even the Death Game couldn't spare him this script.
And this auntie was more enthusiastic than all previous ones combined - probably due to his fake "military" identity!
At Lin Yu's reminder, the auntie finally snapped back to reality.
She smacked her forehead regretfully.
"Oh dear, you're just too handsome young man, got me all flustered forgetting where we are!"
"Being in the Death Game does make you rather unsuitable for my daughter!"
Lin Yu facepalmed internally.
"Auntie, that's not what I meant... I was suggesting we focus on the game first."
Finally refocusing, the woman replied:
"Ah yes, my apologies young man..."
"My forum ID is 'Flourishing Flowers', cleared five dungeons already. Folks in my organization call me 'Sister Hua' - you can too."
"My class is 'Vendor'."
Lin Yu quickly recalled the Vendor class abilities.
Another common 'Information Type' class.
'Vendors' could obtain intel about 3-5 'non-exclusive items' existing within each dungeon.
Most Vendors made excellent support players since finding several dungeon items right from the start provided significant advantages.
Most obtainable items directly aided dungeon clearance - like Lin Yu's [One-Statement Lie Detector].
Naturally, Lin Yu asked:
"Sister Hua, mind sharing what items you've discovered?"
Hearing this, Sister Hua grew cautious.
"Oh now, A-Long... that's rather forward of you!"
Lin Yu maintained his pleasant smile:
"This dungeon clearly seems 'Survival' type - no player versus player elements..."
"Can't be sure," Sister Hua shook her head.
"Some NPC just told me it's better not to team up this run!"
"So those items probably can't be shared... we may not be enemies, but that doesn't mean we're allies either."
"Sister Hua, you're misunderstanding!"
"You're taking that NPC's words too literally!"