Chapter 73

Zhang Wei looked at Qin Ran with a sharp light in his eyes. …≦

The challenge mixed with the fighting spirit became increasingly obvious as time passed.

This was one of the main reasons why Qin Ran resisted joining a multi-player dungeon.

Once a conflict of interest arose, no matter how harmonious the atmosphere had been, it would become extremely tense.

Qin Ran was certain that if it weren't for the constraints of the Advanced Team Contract, the other party would have already made a move.

Of course, he was the same.

After all, only the powerful had the right to speak.

Survival of the fittest!

The law of the jungle!

Qin Ran had gradually come to understand such rules.

Zhang Wei, Wu Fa Wu Tian, and Stanbeck fully accepted these rules.

Or rather, all veteran players of the underground game accepted these rules.

They eliminated players who could not abide by such rules.

However, as long as there were rules, there were patterns to follow, even if they were unspoken rules.

Facing the competition from Zhang Wei, a fellow team member, Qin Ran turned his head and looked at the team leader, Wu Fa Wu Tian.

Wu Fa Wu Tian, not only the team leader but also the strongest among the six, naturally had the final say.

When Qin Ran looked at Wu Fa Wu Tian, Zhang Wei's gaze also turned to Wu Fa Wu Tian, waiting for his decision.

Even though Qin Ran had shown a special relationship with Wu Fa Wu Tian, Zhang Wei still trusted Wu Fa Wu Tian's decision—due to Wu Fa Wu Tian's good reputation among many veteran players!

"Players who encounter such problems and are not in a team can directly engage in a life-or-death battle!"

"Formal team players vote among team members!"

"Temporary team players compare skill levels!"

"Now it's the third type. Do you want to compare?"

Wu Fa Wu Tian said directly, facing the gazes of Qin Ran and Zhang Wei.

This was not a temporary ruling by Wu Fa Wu Tian but a rule that had long existed among players.

Although it seemed to address three different situations, in essence, it was still the law of the jungle, where the strong win.

Qin Ran understood the essence of Wu Fa Wu Tian's words.

He was not surprised by this.

So when Wu Fa Wu Tian asked, Qin Ran immediately replied.

"Agreed!"

"Of course, agreed!"

Compared to Qin Ran's soft response, Zhang Wei's voice was loud and confident, with a look of certainty on his face.

In fact, Zhang Wei already believed he had won!

Although Qin Ran was introduced by the 'Broker' and must be strong, this was only Qin Ran's second dungeon!

Even if Qin Ran had previously shown the ability to deal with both tangible and intangible monsters, the fact that this was his second dungeon remained unchanged.

As for Zhang Wei?

This was his fourth dungeon!

The experience from the beginner dungeon and three formal dungeons far exceeded what Qin Ran had from one beginner dungeon and one formal dungeon!

Moreover, in one of those three formal dungeons, Zhang Wei had received an S-level evaluation.

It was precisely this S-level evaluation that had significantly boosted his strength, leading to his selection by the 'Broker' for this multi-player dungeon.

So, even if Qin Ran was also favored by the 'Broker' and might have received an A-level evaluation in the beginner and first formal dungeons, Zhang Wei had absolute confidence in winning Qin Ran!

As for Qin Ran having a higher evaluation?

Zhang Wei had never even considered it.

Having received an S-level evaluation once, Zhang Wei knew how difficult it was to achieve such an evaluation.

Strength, courage, and luck were all essential!

Zhang Wei did not believe Qin Ran could possess all three!

"Compare skill levels. Skills of the same tier can be the same or different, but only the skill level matters!"

"Skills that exceed the tier are considered two levels higher than lower-tier skills!"

"Then, let's begin!"

Wu Fa Wu Tian stated the rules and announced the start.

He looked at the confident Zhang Wei and the calm Qin Ran, understanding what Zhang Wei was thinking. If he hadn't closely interacted with Qin Ran, he would have thought the same.

Because this was the correct perception within the normal range.

However, as a frequent trading partner and observer of Qin Ran's transactions, Wu Fa Wu Tian knew Qin Ran's strength well.

So, a hint of pity appeared in Wu Fa Wu Tian's eyes as he looked at Zhang Wei.

Unfortunately, Zhang Wei did not notice the unusual look in Wu Fa Wu Tian's eyes.

With a strong desire to win, Zhang Wei eagerly revealed his first skill after Wu Fa Wu Tian announced the start.

"Unarmed Combat (Expert)!"

Zhang Wei opened his skill list and set this skill to visible.

Then, he smiled and looked at Qin Ran.

He was preparing to wait for Qin Ran to admit defeat.

"Unarmed Combat (Expert)!"

Qin Ran saw Zhang Wei's smile, opened his skill list, and set the "Unarmed Combat" skill to visible.

Immediately, Zhang Wei's smile froze.

The Expert-level skill had cost him a significant portion of his earnings from the previous S-level evaluation.

Zhang Wei thought he could seal the deal with this.

But he didn't expect Qin Ran to also reveal an Expert-level skill!

Moreover, it was the same "Unarmed Combat" skill, at the same Expert level!

How was this possible?

Shouldn't he have focused on firearms?

Zhang Wei looked at the obvious firearms in Qin Ran's backpack and questioned in his heart, but the system never made mistakes.

Qin Ran, who carried firearms, indeed had an Expert-level "Unarmed Combat" skill, just like him!

Zhang Wei glanced at the calm Qin Ran, took a deep breath, and immediately opened his second skill.

"Dodge (Expert)"

As an unarmed combat player, "Dodge" was a skill Zhang Wei prioritized for improvement.

After accumulating enough points and skill points, this was the second skill he upgraded to Expert level.

It was also one of the only two skills he had at the Expert level.

Then, Zhang Wei looked at Qin Ran with a slightly tense expression, hoping that Qin Ran had already revealed his highest-level skill.

However, the next moment, Zhang Wei's hope was shattered.

"Dodge (Expert)"

Qin Ran also opened his second skill.

It was the same "Dodge" skill, at the Expert level.

Without waiting for Zhang Wei to react, Qin Ran, who wanted to firmly establish his position in this temporary team and avoid any further trouble, revealed his third skill.

"Firearm Weapons. Light Firearms (Expert)"

Seeing Qin Ran's third Expert-level skill, Zhang Wei was completely stunned.

He couldn't imagine how a player on his second dungeon could have so many points and skill points to improve skills.

Unless Qin Ran had received an S-level or even higher evaluation every time!

Immediately, Zhang Wei's gaze toward Qin Ran changed.

He abandoned the idea of revealing his final trump card.

Because he was unsure if Qin Ran also had a trump card.

If he revealed his trump card and still lost, it would be a loss.

Moreover, this was just the beginning of the dungeon, and the chances of side quests appearing were low, making it not worth the risk.

"I concede!"

The thought in his mind made Zhang Wei choose to back down.

As for Qin Ran's victory, no one present was surprised. Wu Fa Wu Tian knew Qin Ran well, and as the employer, Stanbeck had already learned Qin Ran's approximate strength through the 'Broker,' which was why he had doubled the original hiring price.

In a sense, only Zhang Wei was in the dark.

Fortunately, Zhang Wei was so shocked by Qin Ran's strength that he was lost in various speculations and did not notice the expressions of Wu Fa Wu Tian and Stanbeck. Otherwise, he would have been furious.

As Zhang Wei conceded, Qin Ran pushed open the cabin door and walked out.

He had already delayed long enough.

If he delayed any longer, they might reach their destination.

As for Zhang Wei?

Qin Ran acknowledged his strength but had no further thoughts.

After all, they were bound by the Advanced Team Contract.

And Zhang Wei was just a temporary team member. After this dungeon, they would never interact again.

...

"Sir, is there something you need?"

"I am the captain of this ferry, Raul!"

After Qin Ran left the captain's cabin, Raul, who had been paying attention, immediately approached and introduced himself.

"Qin Ran!"

"Hello, Captain Raul!"

Qin Ran introduced himself and greeted the other.

"Sir Qin Ran, just call me Raul!"

Raul said respectfully.

Qin Ran easily noticed the respect in Raul's words and demeanor.

The only reason for this was the identity assigned in this dungeon.

Unlike the refugee in the beginner dungeon and the detective in the first formal dungeon, this time he was an expert in handling 'special matters.'

Qin Ran briefly scanned the background of the dungeon and smiled slightly.

The identities assigned in the last two dungeons were unreliable, and this one was no different.

However, compared to the previous two, this time he had more advantages.

Although he did not receive simple memories like in the first formal dungeon, this did not hinder Qin Ran from effectively utilizing this identity.

"Raul, can you introduce me to Alcatraz Prison?"

"From your perspective!"

"I've heard enough of the official, grandiose rhetoric!"

Qin Ran said.

"Of course!"

Captain Raul did not hesitate to agree. He did not want to offend a person who could handle 'special matters' over such trivial, well-known information.

After organizing his thoughts, Raul began to speak—

"Alcatraz is a massive tomb in our eyes!"

"Although it is now an island prison for convicts, any local will remember the legends of that island—hundreds of years ago, it was the fief of a baron, thriving with various fish and pearls, and the people on the island lived in peace and prosperity!"

"But good times did not last. When the baron married his bride, a famine broke out! People on the mainland believed there would be more food on the island! So, they gathered and sailed to the island! The baron, being benevolent, was willing to help these people! Unfortunately, his benevolence was seen as weakness... the baron and all the islanders were killed!"

"Especially the baron's bride, who was brutally tortured by the mob—right in front of the baron's corpse!"

"Then, the baron was resurrected!"

"With an incredibly brutal demeanor, he killed all the mob and slaughtered anyone who dared to set foot on the island!"

"This situation continued for a hundred years! Then, silently, the resurrected baron disappeared, leaving countless skeletons on the island!"

"Subsequently, a distant relative of the baron, after many generations, inherited the island. The inheritor brought hundreds of people to the island, hoping to restore Alcatraz's prosperity. However, everyone fell ill as soon as they arrived! Fortunately, a bishop in the group saved everyone!"

"The bishop explained to the inheritor that the baron's resentment had dissipated, and his soul was liberated! But the once-prosperous Alcatraz had been desecrated by the resentment, turning into a barren land! Even ordinary people who stepped on it would be affected! To allow people to live safely on Alcatraz, the bishop taught the locals how to protect themselves—by weaving amulets!"

"This is one of the first amulets woven by the locals, as taught by the bishop!"

As he spoke, Raul opened his shirt and revealed a small, irregularly shaped amulet made from an unknown plant, about the size of a thumbnail.

"Can I see this amulet?"

Qin Ran asked.

"Of course!"

Raul generously handed the amulet to Qin Ran.

Upon receiving the amulet, Qin Ran's eyes lit up.