"Right, this is a glove I found in the game, take a look." She took out a glove as thin as cicada wings and semi-translucent.
Xu Huo took it, and as soon as he put it in his prop bar, the glove immediately wrapped around his hand and turned white when it touched the table.
[Quality-Changing Gloves: Upon touching a fresh object, it automatically mimics the density, changes color, and adjusts hardness, making it a favorite piece of wardrobe equipment among female players. Note: It can only mimic fabrics, please don’t force it onto other materials.]
Xu Huo was searching for glove-type props to use in combination with "Omnipresent Strings," since the strings could only affect the same object once. Carrying disposable gloves or finding temporary tools was troublesome; it was not conducive to combat and easily allowed the opponent to see through the prop usage. Gloves that could change density were a fit for the strings’ method of use, whether they could be manipulated needed to be tested upon his return.
"This prop is very ordinary, but it’s the best I could get in the game," Zhou Ning said apologetically.
"It’s very useful to me," Xu Huo paused, "I’ll exchange props with you."
"No need!" Zhou Ning hurriedly waved her hand, "You helped me a lot before, and I’ve taken your potion. Consider this as my way of repaying you, I wouldn’t have the face to ask for more."
"Then did you get the Hair Growth Potion?" Xu Huo asked.
Zhou Ning shook her head, her expression laced with disappointment, "The props obtained in the game are somewhat related to one’s traits, but potions don’t seem to follow this rule. I only got an Evolution Potion and a Self-Healing Potion this time out of the instance."
"Cousin, are you looking for Hair Growth Potion?" Yu Qingqing peeked at the top of Xu Huo’s head, "I have some, and if you need a lot, I can help you buy it."
Xu Huo stared at her coldly, and Yu Qingqing pouted and continued eating.
Xu Huo took out the Level D Hair Growth Potion he had obtained, "I don’t need it, so it’s perfect for you."
"You’ll need it sooner or later," Yu Qingqing mumbled quietly by his side.
Zhou Ning’s face heated up, she swiftly glanced over Xu Huo’s stern brows and eyes, and whispered softly, "Really, I couldn’t..."
Hu Wenhao gently pushed her from behind, "Sister Ning, don’t be so modest. The Hair Growth Potion is very useful to you, and in the game, it just might save your life. Let’s consider that we owe Brother Xu one, and we’ll send him the good props and potions we find later on!"
He said, taking the potion into his arms.
Zhou Ning still felt embarrassed and mumbled, "Owing you another favor..."
However, Xu Huo responded with an easy smile, "We’re friends, no need to be so formal."
Inspired by his smile, Zhou Ning took a deep breath, "I’ve made some progress with my traits; I’d like to ask for your guidance."
"Guidance is a strong word, let’s spar a bit after we finish eating," Xu Huo said.
Before they finished eating, the restaurant owner himself came over, not only insisting on giving them the meal for free but also offered them a freshly charged membership card.
"Whenever you’re free, please visit us often. Any hotel under our brand offers free food and lodging to players, and long stays can also be arranged. Just let us know in advance, and we can prepare daily necessities according to your requirements." The round-faced owner was all smiles, giving a feeling of warm spring breeze.
"Who did you say is a player?" Zhou Ning’s face darkened.
The round-faced owner hastily said, "Don’t misunderstand, it’s all from the internet. They say players eat much more than ordinary people, and the country has also released some methods for identifying players. You all look quite extraordinary... Players are still our fellow citizens. We can’t help much else, but we can offer our goodwill."
"Please don’t feel burdened, I have no ulterior motives, players or not, let’s form a good relationship!"
Seeing sweat breaking out on his forehead, Xu Huo reached out to take the membership card, "Thank you very much."
The owner’s smile became even more sincere as he courteously saw them to the door.
Leaving the restaurant, Hu Wenhao couldn’t help saying, "If everyone treated players this way, it would be nice."
"Wishful thinking," Yuan Yao chimed in, "Right now, other places in Zone 014 are a mess. It’s only stable here because players made great sacrifices before, plus the country’s promotion. Except for the cannibalistic ones, ordinary people see players through rose-colored glasses. Just wait and see, it won’t take long for the disturbances caused by players to be dredged up for a reckoning."
"That can’t be," Hu Wenhao hesitated, "The country is still encouraging ordinary people to join the player ranks."
"What’s so strange about that? With so many people in the world, can you expect everyone’s thoughts to be the same?" Yu Qingqing said.
"But the survival environment for players has indeed improved," Zhou Ning said. "A month ago, no player dared to show their face openly. Now, some patrol teams in Ting City are staffed with players and have credentials from the Special Defense Department. If a player is willing to maintain order during their free time, the country provides potions and monetary aid."
"For now, these changes are positive," Xu Huo spoke up. "It’s better to have things out in the open rather than fermenting in the dark."
"Still, we must be cautious," Zhou Ning added, "Besides the identifier, living habits and blood can also reveal a player’s identity. That owner just now was simply gambling on getting involved with players. But as I know it, there have been cases of player disappearances in some places. Any scarce resource is a target for plunder."
"It’s just that players aren’t strong enough yet," Yuan Yao remarked. "Once player levels go up, the world is going to change again."
"I want to live to see that day," Hu Wenhao said.
"Don’t be so down, little Hu Zi," Yuan Yao patted his shoulder. "Look at how good things are now. There are instance strategies on the forums, and with a bit of luck, you can run into someone who’s gone ahead of you. With an instance strategy, clearing it is much simpler."
Hu Wenhao nodded repeatedly, "I submitted an instance report and got some potions and White Notes for it."
Seeing Zhou Ning frowning, Xu Huo asked, "Didn’t you exchange instance information for potions?"
Zhou Ning’s expression was severe, "I don’t trust those players. I don’t want to share the secrets to clearing instances with them. Every player that survives just to cause trouble means more victims."
"You’re overthinking it," Yu Qingqing said, "The government has measures in place. From the moment we disembarked the initial review train, if we don’t report in on time, people will be sent to apprehend us."
"But that will only screen out the cannibal players, what about the others?" Zhou Ning shook her head. "I don’t have any spirit of self-sacrifice; I won’t do it."
Yu Qingqing curled her lip and didn’t speak further. Indeed, there were also people who treated the game as a lawless land, as she had seen on the initial review train.
"You guys go back first," Xu Huo cut off the topic, nodding to Yuan Yao and the others, then turning to Zhou Ning and her party, "Let’s change locations."