Chapter 13

"Ah!"

After a sharp, anguished cry, the armed thug was stabbed through the heart by Qin Ran's dagger. His lips trembled slightly, but he did not utter a word.

Qin Ran watched this coldly.

From the beginning, Qin Ran had never intended to spare him.

Especially after learning that 'Vulture' had used women to trade with the rebel major, he felt even more strongly about it.

'None of the people who are with 'Vulture' are good!'

Qin Ran once again deeply understood the meaning of these words spoken by Coleen.

To Qin Ran, he did not consider himself a good person. His early experiences in survival had already shown him some of the darkness, so he could not simply confirm justice and light! But at the same time, Qin Ran did not consider himself a bad person either, because he could still hold to his principles and did not harm innocent people even in the final moments.

This was naturally due to the well-established laws of the Federation!

Enough to instill awe in people's hearts!

More importantly, it was Qin Ran's inherent kindness.

You can be unkind, but please be kind and do not harm others' happiness!

This was the principle Qin Ran endorsed.

Therefore, he always adhered to it.

Qin Ran did not know if he would change one day, but he would not change now.

Phew!

Qin Ran exhaled a breath of turbid air and quickly pulled his thoughts back.

He knew this was not the time to think about these things; he should focus on the current situation.

[Slash: Inflicts 10 points of damage to the opponent, cripples the opponent...]

[Slash: Inflicts 10 points of damage to the opponent, cripples the opponent...]

[Slash: Inflicts 10 points of damage to the opponent, cripples the opponent...]

Qin Ran flipped through the system records.

Three consecutive entries of effective attacks with the kitchen knife, but no prompt for skill comprehension appeared.

Not only that, but Qin Ran's multiple threats and other verbal actions, which were also effective, did not trigger any skill comprehension prompts either.

"Skill comprehension also has its limits! At least, skills like [Intimidate] and [Negotiate] did not appear, or perhaps my methods were incorrect! The kitchen knife should belong to the blade category, so it should have triggered the corresponding skill! Unless... the game has restrictions!"

Qin Ran frowned sharply.

He thought of a possibility!

Because it was a 'Newbie Instance,' the underground game provided some benefits to players to help them survive better, but these benefits were not endless and had limits!

In the Newbie Instance, as long as the skill was effectively triggered three times, the corresponding skill could be obtained, right?

But it should only be the first skill of the same type!

For example, if [Cold Weapon (Dagger)] was triggered, then other skills with the 'Cold Weapon' prefix would not be triggered or comprehended!

To comprehend them, one would have to follow the rules of the underground game, not the benefits of the Newbie Instance.

"If that's the case..."

Qin Ran frowned.

This clearly exceeded his expectations.

Originally, he had captured the armed thug to learn more about 'Vulture' and to gain skills to quickly become stronger.

But the designers of the underground game had already set rules to prevent this.

They would give you the ability to protect yourself, but they would not let you become powerful for no reason.

After all, cheating would ruin a game.

Although for the sake of his life, Qin Ran did not mind cheating, but now, he could only follow the game rules.

"I wonder if the first skill I have comprehended will follow the benefits of the Newbie Instance or the official rules when leveling up?"

Qin Ran speculated.

If it was the former, that would be good!

But if it was the latter, it would make things even harder for Qin Ran!

However, the lack of basic information made it impossible for Qin Ran to make an accurate prediction.

Finally, Qin Ran shook his head forcefully, pushing all these thoughts out of his mind. He stood up and waved to Coleen, who was on guard.

Although his plan to quickly become stronger had failed, the rest of the plan was completed.

And it was even over-achieved!

The armed thug not only fully informed Qin Ran of everything he wanted to know but also revealed 'Vulture's' biggest secret—his collusion with the rebels.

"Damn, how can he do this!"

After simply telling Coleen everything he knew, the woman growled angrily.

As a woman, Coleen naturally understood what those women would soon suffer.

"This bitch, she will definitely go to hell even after death!"

The angry Coleen cursed softly.

"So, we need to send him to hell!"

Qin Ran said.

"Okay!"

Coleen nodded.

"However, before that, we need to deal with our loot. Only by properly handling them can we fight 'Vulture' properly!"

Qin Ran pointed to the firearms and bulletproof vests.

Qin Ran would not abandon these spoils, just as every player would always fill their inventory and backpack with items in the game.

Even if some items were of low value.

Qin Ran was the same.

Moreover, he did not think his spoils were of low value.

"Leave it to me!"

Coleen said confidently.

"Are you going to take them back to our previous hiding place? Although it was very hidden, it's not safe anymore!"

Qin Ran asked.

Coleen's hiding place was very hidden and safe before last night.

But after the general direction was exposed, its safety was greatly reduced.

'Vulture's' people could search based on the general direction, and so could others.

Qin Ran did not want to find his spoils stolen after a fierce battle with 'Vulture.'

Especially when facing failure, these spoils were crucial for Qin Ran to make a comeback and could not be lost.

Facing the rapidly increasing number of 'Vulture's' people, even with the power of skills, Qin Ran did not have full confidence.

Naturally, he had to consider what to do in case of failure.

"Am I that stupid? My hiding place is not just one—take the items, follow me!"

Coleen said and started moving.

She first returned to the previous hiding place, took all the useful items, and then led Qin Ran out of the garden villa area.

Nine handguns, except for one each for Qin Ran and Coleen, were placed in Qin Ran's backpack, making it bulge with canned food and other supplies.

The bulletproof vests were also distributed, but Coleen tied them with ropes and hung them on herself along with other items from the hiding place.

Instantly, Coleen's movements became a bit clumsy.

Although Qin Ran was not at ease either, he thought he could carry more, so he subconsciously wanted to help Coleen.

However, Coleen refused.

"If you want to complete your plan, you need to have enough energy. We don't have much food, water, or time—If we don't reach my other hiding place on Sixth Avenue within an hour, you won't be able to complete your plan before dawn!"

Coleen's refusal left no room for argument.

The battle with 'Vulture's' men and the interrogation had already taken more than three hours, and it was already past one in the morning.

Around six, the sky would brighten, and the rebel patrol would appear on the streets.

Therefore, Qin Ran had less than five hours left.

If the journey was included, he had less than four hours.

This was not good news for Qin Ran.

Although he had obtained enough information from the captive, on-site reconnaissance was still necessary, which would also take time.

"We need to speed up!"

Qin Ran said.

"Of course!"

Coleen said, and her pace quickened by more than ten percent. Qin Ran followed closely behind.

...

Forty-five minutes later, the panting Coleen led Qin Ran into a partially collapsed building.

By Qin Ran's estimation, this was originally a two-story clothing store, as evidenced by the fallen and broken mannequins.

Following Coleen, Qin Ran crawled through a corridor formed by the collapsed and supporting walls, and in the corner of the back part of the building, they found a door to an underground warehouse.

"Before the war, I worked here, so I knew the owner had an underground warehouse here—it's very safe, and I use it as my final hiding place!"

Coleen said as she opened the warehouse door.

Qin Ran nodded and entered.

The warehouse was larger than their previous hiding place, and even with Qin Ran and Coleen bringing a pile of loot, it still seemed spacious.

Sitting in the warehouse, Qin Ran handed the remaining water to Coleen.

"You need it more than I do!"

Coleen refused again, even though her throat was dry and sore.

"Just a sip!"

Qin Ran insisted.

"Okay!"

Coleen nodded, took the bottled water, and took a small sip to moisten her dry throat. Then, she handed the water back to Qin Ran, and even when Qin Ran gestured for her to drink more, she did not waver.

After that, Qin Ran drank most of the remaining water.

Coleen's throat was dry, and Qin Ran's was even more so.

After all, Qin Ran had expended a lot of energy in the previous battle.

Even with a data-driven body that could quickly recover, some hidden conditions like [Dehydration] and [Hunger] still existed.

Seeing Qin Ran drink, Coleen understood that he was also very thirsty.

But despite his own thirst, Qin Ran still thought of her, which touched a soft spot in Coleen's heart.

For the first time since the war, she felt a touch of warmth.