Chapter 16

Major!

The only person who could be referred to in such a way and have a connection with 'Vulture' would naturally be the mysterious trader of the rebels.

Qin Ran squinted his eyes, looking at the white screen of his phone, which kept ringing.

Subconsciously, Qin Ran was about to hang up the call.

Qin Ran did not want to get entangled with the rebels who were entrenched in this city.

Because Qin Ran was well aware that by killing 'Vulture,' he had naturally placed himself in opposition to them. Any entanglement would inevitably lead to a conflict.

Although he had easily eliminated 'Vulture,' this did not mean that Qin Ran had become overconfident.

He was very clear about how he had managed to kill 'Vulture.'

Apart from the powerful skills within the game, he had mainly taken advantage of the other party's contempt for him!

From the very beginning, 'Vulture' had never treated him as an equal opponent.

It was precisely because of this that he had been able to succeed time and again!

However, the military was different!

The military had its own discipline and would not make the same low-level mistakes as armed thugs!

Even if the other party was a rebel, it was no different!

Moreover, with their well-trained and more advanced and comprehensive equipment, and the sheer number of them, any battle would be utterly hopeless.

Qin Ran did not want the two of them to face an entire army!

His thumb lifted, ready to press the hang-up button.

But the moment his fingertip touched the hang-up button, Qin Ran paused.

He thought about why he had entered the underground game!

To gather enough money to treat his illness!

And he only had one year of real time!

This period was not long. With Qin Ran's gaming experience, this time would not be too long in game time either!

Therefore, he needed to seize every opportunity in the game to quickly become powerful!

Only in this way could he achieve his goal of entering the underground game: to earn money!

And right now, there was such an opportunity—

The rebel major!

Killing a gang leader and killing a rebel major were two entirely different concepts!

Even though this was Qin Ran's first time experiencing a game world, he was confident that if he killed this rebel major, his completion rating would at least increase by one level!

Qin Ran pursed his lips.

He thought and hesitated.

Qin Ran was very clear that the reward was so tempting because of the danger involved, which could be described as a one-in-a-million chance.

And in the underground game, once you died, you were really dead!

Rationality told Qin Ran to abandon it for caution!

But deep down, Qin Ran was somewhat unwilling. He asked himself, "If I give up because of the danger this time! Then... what about next time?"

The answer was obvious.

If there was a first time, there would inevitably be a second.

If he retreated once, there would naturally be a second.

Retreat after retreat!

How many times could he afford to retreat in a year?

"If I don't have enough money to treat myself, I'll die in a year anyway! I might as well take a chance now while I have the time!"

Qin Ran gritted his teeth.

In the next moment, his raised thumb pressed the answer button.

"'Vulture,' I hope your delay is because you have brought me good news!"

A deep, mechanical voice came through the earpiece, instantly conjuring up an image of a cold, stern soldier in Qin Ran's mind.

"If not, you will know what your fate will be!"

The other party continued without waiting for Qin Ran's response.

The tone was still mechanical, but the words were filled with a strong sense of aggression, like a lion intimidating a jackal.

Undoubtedly, this was how the other party usually spoke to 'Vulture.'

Clearly, 'Vulture' and the other party were not equal traders.

It was more like one was a vassal of the other.

Considering 'Vulture's' identity before the war, such a situation was not impossible.

Or rather, this was the only correct scenario!

One was a major in the rebel army, and the other was just a gang leader who had gathered a group of thugs. If they were truly equal traders, that would be absurd!

If one was truly a vassal of the other, was 'Vulture' really just about plundering women?

"Good news? It's definitely not a woman! It must be something else!"

Qin Ran looked at the woman tied to the bed, her mouth gagged. Clearly, the 'good news' the other party was referring to was not this woman!

Furrowing his brow, Qin Ran speculated about the other party's true intentions.

Then, a sudden realization struck him!

Qin Ran remembered the first sentence of the game's background introduction—

"The war suddenly swept through this city, and the people were completely unprepared!"

This was a city that had suddenly erupted into war!

When a war breaks out suddenly, how many people can take all their wealth with them?

The answer is: none!

No one can take all their wealth with them when a war breaks out suddenly.

If someone can take a small part of their wealth, they are already God's favorite!

In fact, just surviving the war is a tremendous stroke of luck.

You can't expect more in a war!

But there are exceptions!

For example, the rebel major Qin Ran was talking to!

The other party's identity, the power they held, and 'Vulture' as their vassal, were enough for this major to do things that others dared not and could not do.

Qin Ran's mind raced, and a bold plan formed in his heart after understanding the key points.

Then, Qin Ran spoke.

"'Vulture'? Are you looking for that guy? Sorry, if you're looking for him, you'll be disappointed—now and in the future, everything here will be under my control!"

His voice was slightly excited, and his tone was filled with agitation.

Qin Ran completely portrayed the image of a thug who had just taken over and was overjoyed.

The other party was silent.

After a full three seconds, the other party spoke again.

"I don't care who you are! If you don't want to get into trouble, you'd better complete what 'Vulture' promised me!"

The other party's mechanical tone did not change at all due to the change in the caller.

"Are you threatening me?"

Qin Ran continued in the same tone.

"I'm just stating the facts! Don't forget where your food and water come from!"

The other party replied.

This time, Qin Ran did not respond immediately but remained silent.

He wanted to show the dignity of a new 'boss' eager to establish his authority, but also the reluctance to give up that dignity to ensure his position.

Because the other party held the 'initiative'!

Without the other party's supply of food and water, no one could make the thugs 'obey' and follow orders.

Qin Ran could not be sure if his performance was flawless.

But only by doing this could he麻痹 the other party.

To make the other party believe that everything was under their control.

Only in this way could he have a chance to seize a bit of initiative: to transfer the wealth 'Vulture' had not handed over to the other party and use it as an opportunity.

In short, to temporarily stabilize the other party.

Qin Ran did not want to be surrounded by rebels in the underground warehouse of the mall in just a few minutes.

Although the rebels had been showing a regular routine recently, Qin Ran believed that once they received a definite order, they would not hesitate to come out and act.

"Do you understand your position?"

Faced with Qin Ran's silence, the other party's mechanical tone added a hint of mockery.

Like a lion looking at a rabbit that didn't know its place, showing off in front of it.

"Alright! Alright! You're the boss, what 'Vulture' promised you, I promise too! It's just some women, there's one in 'Vulture's' room right now!"

Qin Ran's voice was reluctant but also had a hint of flattery.

It was very awkward.

"Women?"

The other party snorted disdainfully and then continued in the same mechanical tone, "I want jewels and priceless artworks... Since you're in 'Vulture's' room, you must have seen them! I'll send someone to pick them up tomorrow morning, and I'll bring you more supplies!"

With that, the other party hung up the phone.

"Indeed, as I thought!"

Qin Ran looked at the disconnected phone and thought to himself.

The other party had not cultivated 'Vulture' as a vassal for women!

Their disdain was enough to explain everything!

What the other party wanted was... the wealth of the entire city!

Qin Ran's gaze subconsciously turned to the two large wardrobes against the wall on one side of the bed, the only place in the room where items could be stored besides the bedside table in front of him.

As for the iron cage in the corner of the room?

With a clear view, Qin Ran understood its purpose even more.

Qin Ran turned his head and looked at the woman tied to the bed.

"Hello, I mean no harm! I will now remove the cloth from your mouth, but you need to promise me that you won't scream or do anything that will put us in danger—although I killed 'Vulture,' he still has over a dozen lively subordinates outside! If you understand, nod your head!"

As soon as Qin Ran finished speaking, the woman, whose limbs were tied and mouth gagged, immediately nodded.

"Very good!"

Seeing that the other party understood, Qin Ran pulled the cloth out of her mouth.