Just like all other players who had received a pending task, Player No.0’s initial reaction was to find the "dinosaur grass". However, Yijie was not enthusiastic about this task of finding dinosaur grass; since pending tasks did not affect military merit, he let No.0 handle it.
Yijie never expected that No.0’s efforts would indeed uncover the "dinosaur grass."
After leaving Babylon City and entering the suburban area, No.0 compared as many species as possible with the records in the Investigation Manual.
With information on over 3000 species, after 75 million years, substantial changes had also occurred in the lineages of species. No.0 used tiny clues to match virtually all the species encountered on the road with corresponding prehistoric ones.
No dinosaur grass. After turning over several hills and identifying hundreds of plants, No.0 confirmed this fact.
Just when she was about to give up like all other players, she noticed the tree near where the bandit leader had collapsed.
This tree, if seen 75 million years ago, wouldn’t have surprised No.0 and NPC Maggie. Seventy-five million years ago, this type of plant called Sago, a type of woody fern, was everywhere. Including the first time No.0 encountered a grazing Thunder Dragon, the plant in its mouth was Sago. It was a plant that lived in the same era as dinosaurs.
But, when No.0 saw this Sago Tree in the suburbs of Ancient Babylon City, her feelings were entirely different.
Sago had almost gone extinct on Earth. It was only after humans entered the technological era that large-scale cultivation began, and Sago, known as the "plant dinosaur," once again thrived in the biological family.
If dinosaur grass were just a colloquial name, not a botanical term, then Sago undoubtedly fits the characteristics of "dinosaur grass" described in the pending task.
No.0’s analysis was quite reasonable; she even brought out her black Investigation Manual to explain to Yijie.
"What is this exactly?" Yijie pointed at No.0’s Investigation Manual. This device, more compact than a military computer and small in size, did not seem like a product of "Military Road." Could it also be an item traded at the Dark Night Market?
"Don’t get any ideas about it, it’s already bound to me, it won’t drop even if I die," No.0’s face tightened, warily observing Yijie.
"Sigh, really... Remember the first time we met? Forget I asked," Yijie rubbed the back of his head, his eyes shifting to No.0’s military pack, remembering how he had ransacked her pack the first time, his face flushed.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Yijie coughed softly, picking up the Sago Tree that was neither too large nor too small.
When the two returned to the city, No.0 was already yawning continuously. Checking the time, she realized she needed to find a place to sleep for a while, otherwise after logging out from "Military Road", she wouldn’t be able to function at work. Last time Mo Xixi picked her up, he mentioned that starting tomorrow, she would officially be a member of the National Security Department.
After rushing back to the military station, Yijie first explained their situation of having their task snatched away by others. The person in charge at the military station regretfully cancelled their task, half-masked women took notice of the Sago Tree while cancelling the task.
"The task to eliminate bandits wasn’t completed, but we completed the pending task," No.0 placed the Sago Tree on the counter, its soil scattering on the surface. The half-masked woman widened her eyes, staring at the sapling for a long time before saying, "Whether this task is completed or not is not up to me. I will send the tree to the person who commissioned the task."
From her expression, No.0 could tell that the woman didn’t believe her explanation about the so-called "dinosaur grass."
"That’s fine, we can come back in a few days to inquire about ’the decision.’ Also, about this bandit elimination task?" No.0 pretended to be upset.
The half-masked woman also felt it was unfortunate for them, observing their weary appearance, which must have been from traveling all night. The tall monk next to her seemed fine, looking red and healthy, but this delicate-looking female soldier with dark circles under her eyes looked quite pitiful.
"I’m very sorry," the half-masked woman had to be strict; she must handle matters officially.
"It’s okay, I’m not asking for anything extra. We just want to know who was so capable to get ahead of us. If that person is as strong as those on the Shell Honor Wall, we can be more cautious next time we accept a task," No.0’s dark circles were turning red.