Tap tap tap...
The sound of jogging footsteps rang out continuously.
Lin Ye's trio wasn't running particularly fast. Half an hour had passed, and they had only overtaken two groups that were moving relatively slowly. Members of these two groups without exception included team members with larger body types.
These members were too heavy and lacked daily exercise, making them unable to run continuously. Although there was still more than enough time before the end, falling behind too much in the early stages would seriously affect the follow-up. If they delayed until the later stages where even sprinting couldn't cover the distance, then it meant they would face the ending of failure.
"Quick, walk faster."
"We don't have any more rest time."
"A person's normal walking speed can reach one kilometer in ten minutes. So, as long as we maintain a normal walking speed, we can rush to the destination within the stipulated time."
...
The player with the heaviest tonnage also knew he was delaying his teammates and affecting the whole team's speed, so he could only accelerate and move faster.
...
And on Lin Ye's side,
Cold Frost and Erina Nakiri jogged in front, while Lin Ye followed behind pushing the pushcart.
He gazed at the backs of the two girls.
Cold Frost had standard black long straight hair, which had been coiled up early at the start of the event. Her figure was beautiful, and the fluttering windbreaker couldn't conceal her body curves.
Erina Nakiri had a tall and slender figure. Her long golden hair had been tied into a single ponytail. Accompanied by the rhythmic running of her two long legs, it swayed constantly, fully displaying a young girl's youthful vitality.
Lin Ye appreciated the view from behind, his mood very good. He felt that this Brisk Walking was more of an enjoyment.
"Miss Nakiri has good stamina."
Cold Frost looked at the golden-haired single-ponytail young girl who followed behind at a constant speed without falling behind or affecting the whole group's advancing speed. Her tone held a touch of admiration.
In her view, an Eldest Miss like Erina Nakiri should rarely exercise daily.
"I exercise every day. Besides needing precision, making cuisine also needs stamina support."
Generally speaking, when she made cuisine once, she didn't need to undertake a large quantity of cooking, but she still exercised her body. Moving the body could not only increase Stamina but also make one more familiar with their own body, keeping the body in its optimal state.
Now it could be considered to have come in handy.
At least in the initial stage of 'Brisk Walking' now, she wouldn't drag the team down.
She just didn't know to what degree the Constitution of these two Veteran players had reached. She remembered Cold Frost saying that players could obtain higher comprehensive physical quality by increasing attribute points.
"It seems our choice of Miss Nakiri as our companion was a correct choice."
"Being able to become teammates with you two is also my luck."
To be able to become teammates with two reliable Veteran players—was there anything luckier than this?
Thirty minutes passed.
One hour passed.
Midway,
Many people with insufficient Stamina had already decelerated and begun resting to recover Stamina. Lin Ye's trio overtook them. Because a team ahead had carried a pushcart, these resting players didn't make a fuss anymore; all they had was envy and regret.
Why hadn't they noticed the pushcart back then?
"Don't think about it. Our group of pure newcomer players fundamentally shouldn't think about obtaining a pushcart."
"Why?"
"Those Veteran players are powerful; they can rob directly."
"This... how can they rob?"
The girl who raised the question stared with shocked eyes.
"What's impossible about this? The organizer didn't stipulate one can't rob. To put it uglier, if powerful Veteran players use violence to deal with us and break our legs, what do you say we should do?"
At this moment, the backs of several people went cold.
This wasn't impossible. If they encountered chaotic evil players, they might really have their legs broken and be thrown on the road to fend for themselves.
That such things didn't appear could also mean the Veteran players participating this time were considered to have some principles and bottom lines, and didn't actively commit atrocious acts.
Too hard.
Newcomer players really had it too hard.
After sighing a couple of sentences, the few people began brisk walking forward again. They still had to continue advancing toward the destination.
...
"Zero, I'll take responsibility for pushing next!"
Cold Frost actively came to Lin Ye's side, preparing to accept the pushcart Lin Ye was pushing.
"No need, I have no problem."
More than an hour had passed now. The journey had been calm and tranquil without anomalies appearing, which made Lin Ye increasingly suspicious.
"Could it be this Brisk Walking is purely a contest of Stamina?"
"Impossible."
Cold Frost shook her head. "The Strange Game's instance project cannot be this simple. This Brisk Walking project definitely has changes; they just haven't arrived yet!" she said.
Just like the first project, Rice Bucket, huge danger was hidden within it too; one would go mad and die if not careful. And this project 'Brisk Walking' was even less likely to be simple.
"Mn, it should be related to the distance or time."
The path they had advanced was only one-sixth to one-fifth of the way; there was still a considerable distance to the destination.
The three,
At this time, were no longer jogging but walking forward.
Those not in the professional long-distance running field needed rest.
Erina Nakiri had held on for nearly an hour before, and now she needed to pant and rest to recover Stamina and adjust her state.
"A bit thirsty."
Up until now, they hadn't drunk water.
And on the two sides of the road, one side was dense forest, and the other side was an empty expanse. Running here, the three hadn't seen anything suspected to be water or things that could quench thirst.
"Eat a piece of chewing gum to hold out first!"
Dazzle Chewing Gum was used to quench thirst this time.
With nothing else available now, Lin Ye could only rely on it.
"Thanks."
Cold Frost took it and ate it.
Ice-cool, refreshing; her throat felt much more comfortable.
Erina Nakiri also expressed thanks.
"Did the organizer not consider providing water? Marathons have stations providing water! It's too unjustifiable for this 'Brisk Walking' to have no water."
Lin Ye gazed into the distance, concentrating his spirit to observe the surroundings, but still didn't have any discoveries.
"Persevere a while."
Ten or so minutes later,
Lin Ye's trio turned a corner and immediately saw many players gathered about twenty meters ahead.
"Is it a rest station?"
Lin Ye saw the organizer's staff members.
On a long table, black cups were placed one by one. A machine was emitting clack clack clack sounds.
After Lin Ye's trio walked closer, they discovered four or five players surrounding it, but they looked hesitant.
"Anyone explain?"
Lin Ye casually patted a person.
This person turned his head, anger rising, but when he saw it was Lin Ye, the angry look immediately changed.
"Brother Zero, it's like this."
Offend anyone but don't offend Lin Ye.
They still knew to establish a friendly relationship with Lin Ye, the player most likely to obtain first place. If they encountered difficulties later, Zero might even lend a hand to help!
"This is a rest point set up by the organizer. It provides water, but not for free. It requires Strange Coins."
Selling water?
Where would newcomers get Strange Coins?
This was likely targeting him again, right!
"How do they sell it?"
This player held up a finger. "Ten Strange Coins. So expensive, might as well rob."
These people clearly wanted to rob Strange Coins, yet still used a 'purchasing' method, and even gave you a cup of water.
The dozen or so players here also realized Lin Ye was here. They all knew Lin Ye was a local tyrant possessing 350 Strange Coins.
But no one opened their mouth to let Lin Ye buy and share water.
Someone did want to moral kidnap a bit, but was stopped by a knowledgeable teammate. If they dared to moral kidnap, Lin Ye would dare to abandon them.
So,
Rather than 'persuading' Lin Ye to spend Strange Coins to buy water, it was better to look forward to how Lin Ye would obtain water from the organizer.
"Make way, make way for Brother Zero."
The surrounding players actively scattered. Lin Ye walked to the table, facing the three organizer staff members directly.
They wore uniform sportswear, and masks concealed their appearances.
"Besides spending Strange Coins to buy, what other ways are there to obtain water?"
"None."
The staff member shook his head in denial.
"Sure there's none?"
"Yes, I am very sure."
"But why is it that when I came, I asked the Host, and he expressed that water is provided for free? How did it become fee-based?"
In this moment, the three staff members were stunned.
Even wearing masks, their stunned reactions couldn't be concealed.
"That is impossible."
"You heard wrong."
"Our water has always been fee-based. If you aren't buying, leave quickly. Don't affect our business."
...
The three urged Lin Ye to leave quickly. The coldness in their words was mixed with a touch of faint anxiety.
Lin Ye had the idea to rob violently, but he really didn't have the certainty to take out these three staff members.
Although he felt it was possible these three staff members were impostors, the problem lay in whether he could take them out, or at least make these three staff members faint and lose the ability to move.
But finally, Lin Ye thought about it and abandoned the violent method.
This might attract unnecessary trouble.
Since he couldn't rob directly, then he would just carry it away directly.
"Time Stop, activate."
Lin Ye immediately took action, putting a large barrel of water into the pushcart. He also used bags to press down and conceal the water. Besides the water, he also took away ten cups.
Time Stop ended.
Everything returned to normal flow.
"Alright, let's go."
Lin Ye looked toward the rest of the players and waved his hand. "Let's go, see who they sell their water to."
Numerous players stared blankly.
You're leaving just like that? Don't want water anymore?
We don't have Strange Coins, so we have no way, but you are wrapped in 350 Strange Coins yet can't bear to buy water?
This is too stingy!
"Time is limited. I suggest leaving directly, don't stay here."
Finished speaking, Lin Ye gave the players present a look with deep meaning, then immediately regrouped with Cold Frost.
"Let's go."
Cold Frost had doubts in her heart. "If it's Strange Coins, I have some too."
"No need to buy. No need to be this sucker."
Cold Frost saw Lin Ye say this and could only accept it. She could still endure, but Erina Nakiri's state wasn't very good.
She had already noticed Erina Nakiri's action of licking her lips several times.
The golden-haired young girl glanced into the distance, finally withdrawing her line of sight reluctantly and leaving following Lin Ye.
Cold Frost clearly felt that Lin Ye's speed in front was faster than usual.
There was a feeling of wanting to leave as soon as possible.
Why was this?
She frowned in thought, her line of sight turning to land on the pushcart. In an instant, she was stunned.
What is that?
"Zero."
Cold Frost revealed an astonished look.
"Leave here first."
"Okay."
Erina Nakiri clearly felt the two had an exchange she didn't understand.
However, compared to the desire to probe into the content of the two's exchange, she now wanted to drink water even more.
So thirsty.
Really want to drink water, even apples or snow pears would do.
Moisture, moisture, she, Erina Nakiri, needed moisture.
"Here is about enough."
Lin Ye stopped his steps.
Cold Frost immediately turned to look at Erina Nakiri who had fallen slightly behind. "Miss Nakiri, quicker, you can drink water now."
Upon hearing 'water', the listless Erina Nakiri opened her eyes instantly. "Water? Where? Where is there water?"
She subconsciously looked toward both sides of the surrounding street, but besides green colors, there were yellow gravels; simply no signs of water.
"Here..."
Cold Frost pointed. She reached out and moved the cloth bag away. A large barrel of water lying flat appeared in Erina Nakiri's field of vision.
"Where did it come from?"
Erina Nakiri completely couldn't imagine where this water came from.
"It was the rest station just now."
But how did Lin Ye do it?
Erina Nakiri looked at Lin Ye blankly.
"Drink water first."
Cold Frost had already poured water into three cups. She handed one to Lin Ye first, then handed one to Erina Nakiri.
Gulp, gulp...
The water moistened dry throats. The three's spirits recovered quite a bit.
Especially Erina Nakiri, whose state was the worst; her terrible situation obtained relief to a huge degree.
"I want another cup."
Erina Nakiri spoke up. Merely one cup of water couldn't satisfy her yet.
"Eldest Miss Nakiri also knows to ask for things proactively!"
Lin Ye teased with a smile.
Erina Nakiri looked at Lin Ye. If it were before, she would definitely let Lin Ye properly experience the high coolness of a Totsuki Elite Ten member. But now, that pride and conceit of hers were worthless here—at least in this moment, they had no value.
"Needed things naturally must be asked for. Surely I can't wait for you, Mr. Zero, to bring it up!"
"Isn't this water right now exactly what I brought?"
"Then it seems I need to express thanks to Mr. Zero. Many thanks for Mr. Zero's help."
Even if it was thanks, it revealed Erina Nakiri's peculiar arrogance.
This golden-haired young girl still persisted in her self.
But in Lin Ye's view, compared to the performance in the original work, Erina Nakiri was already much better, already very able to recognize and accept reality.
The three stopped only after drinking three cups consecutively.
"What to do with the rest?"
Cold Frost recalled now and had already heard the reminder Lin Ye gave to those rest station players before leaving.
"Those who can keep up, give water."
"Those who can't keep up, there's no need."
...
How was this not a screening?
He could provide help, but it also depended on whether people could grasp it.
"Come, drink one more cup."
No one refused.
Rest Station.
Many newcomer players surrounded it. They had no money but didn't want to leave just like this.
The feeling of thirst was quite unpleasant.
And finally,
The several Veteran players who returned to the square to obtain pushcarts arrived.
"There's water."
"Quick quick quick, give us water."
"What? Want 10 Strange Coins? Isn't this robbery!"
...
The Veteran players were greatly shocked.
Now the pushcarts already had owners, but five people had usage rights; this was the agreement the five people reached in the end.
Fighting wasn't as good as cooperating.
And now, facing thirst and the water close before their eyes yet unable to be drunk, the five players exchanged glances.
One cup of water for Strange Coins—what difference was this from robbing?
Very quickly, they reached a consensus.
Rob.
They could rob too!
Anyway, there was no regulation that one couldn't make a move on staff members.
Besides buying, there were no normal transaction means. Then, they could only use the crudest method.
"Buy, we'll buy."
Two Veteran players squeezed through the crowd to the table, hands feeling the pockets on their bodies, while the other three players circled around cautiously to behind the three staff members.
"Here..."
Precisely at this time,
The three behind made a move.
Whoosh... The sound of breaking air hissed.
Boom...
"You..."
The two staff members turned around subconsciously. The Veteran players in front of the table also made a move, swinging fists for critical strikes.
Thud...
Boom boom...
"10 Strange Coins? Daddy won't give you a single Strange Coin."
"Robbery? Really think we Strange Players won't rob too!"
The five Veteran players exploded in cooperation, launching an offense against the three staff members.
In the effort of a few short seconds, the three staff members were beaten to the ground.
"Beat us, the working group won't let you off."
There was still one staff member struggling and threatening.
"Scram..."
A brawny Veteran player hit the staff member's forehead with a fist.
Crack...
The mask cracked and fell off. Very quickly, half a face was revealed.
The people who saw it were instantly stunned.
"Not human."
Furry appearance, looked like a dog.
"No wonder they had to wear masks."
But in a Strange instance, dog-headed humanoid creatures counted as nothing. Why wear masks? Was it merely not wanting to cause panic in newcomer players?
After all, Veteran players were already used to these.
Dog-headed human-bodied monsters, compared to certain Strange monsters, could already be considered cute and much better looking.
"Quick, get water."
"Water water water."
...
The rest of the newcomer players reacted and immediately ran wildly toward the water bucket, holding water cups wanting to pour water, but the rest of the players scrambled to be first, people squeezing people.
"Don't squeeze, don't squeeze."
"Come one by one!"
...
But the newcomer players crazy from thirst simply didn't care.
"Everyone stop for me."
A roar, an intense ripple shock, instantly made numerous hot-headed newcomer players calm down a bit.
"We five Veteran players fought desperately to beat these three. You want to pick the fruit? Asked our opinion yet?"
At this time,
The newcomer players realized these few Veteran players were also quite terrifying; this was also a symbol of strength and violence. Compared to Veteran players, these newcomer players of theirs had no strength and were even more a sheet of loose sand.
"Hmph."
Snorting once, a Veteran player walked to the water bucket and lifted the water bucket.
"Mn?"
He let out a sound of doubt. "Just this bit of water left?"
This height was just five centimeters; there was simply not much water, completely not enough to share. Even the five of them might not necessarily be able to drink to their hearts' content.
"Big Brother, there's still water. There's another bucket of water inside there, full. We saw it before."
"Oh!"
The brawny Veteran player walked over and lifted the curtain, but inside was empty; simply no bucketed water.
"Water? Where is there water? Are your eyes blind!"
"No, this is impossible. We saw it just now. Little Li, you also saw it, didn't you? Inside there was indeed another bucket of water, full."
The lad named Little Li also nodded vigorously. He indeed saw it.
The Veteran player wouldn't suspect that under this circumstance, there were still newcomers daring to lie and swindle.
Trust they didn't have this guts either.
Then, where did that bucket of water go?
"We drink first."
Another Veteran player spoke up.
Cups were poured with water, five full cups.
And the remaining water was already less than half. There were fifteen people on the scene, and a few figures on the road behind.
"Two mouthfuls per person."
It wasn't that they were generous, but they also knew that with many newcomer players clearing the level, there would be more cannon fodder to test rules in subsequent projects.
"Thanks, thanks."
"Ten thousand thanks."
"Five Big Brothers are indeed extraordinary."
"Completely different from Zero."
"Zero is clearly a Veteran player too. When here before, facing the staff members, he didn't even dare let out a fart and left directly."
"Performed so well last round, now he's just a proper coward."
...
...Zero is a coward?
How is that possible?
"Speak clearly to me, confess everything."
Some Veteran players still sensitively decided to question closely.
Thus, the newcomer who spoke narrated it once in full detail.
The Veteran players exchanged glances. They all thought of one point.
"That bucket of water is with Zero."
"It was all taken away by him."
Taken away unknowingly under everyone's eyelids.
And these newcomer players, one by one silly and confused, didn't hear Lin Ye's subtext and still lingered here hoping the organizer's staff members could bestow a mouthful of water.
Simply speechless.
"Go, let's catch up quickly."
One cup of water couldn't satisfy them.
The Veteran players understood that if they could still catch up, maybe Lin Ye could bestow a mouthful of water on them!
And at this time, the new players successively revealed stunned and astonished expressions.
"That bucket of water was taken away by Zero."
"This... how is that possible?"
"How did he do it!"
...
But the quick-reacting newcomers also started running.
These people were also very clear that catching up to Lin Ye earlier meant drinking water earlier.
In this moment, many people regretted endlessly.
Why didn't they listen to Zero? Why didn't they believe Zero once?
That was a Veteran player too!
How could a capable Veteran player leave easily? This leaving must be because the objective was achieved before leaving!
The rest station very quickly had only the three staff members lying on the ground unconscious remaining.
Players arriving subsequently searched briefly upon seeing this, and not discovering anything, they left hurriedly.
Finally,
The rest of the Gourmet Sports Meet staff members appeared.
About fifteen minutes later,
The Veteran players blasting all the way finally caught up to Lin Ye's trio.
"Zero, Brother Zero..."
"Wait."
"We, we are willing to use... Strange Coins to buy some water..."
The price of water at Lin Ye's place should always be sold cheaper than that at the rest station, right!
"Water can be given for free, but I have a condition."
Lin Ye said to the five panting people.
Veteran players had an advantage in body constitution. Besides attribute points, props, and Strange objects, Lin Ye also believed they definitely exercised specifically daily to increase Constitution.
Veteran players who could accept the Strange Game's invitation to become Strange Players were all prepared psychologically and had relatively high self-control to improve their own strength.
And those players who joined the Strange Game simply because it was fun—those players had no possibility of passing too many Strange missions either.
"What condition? Brother Zero, feel free to speak."
"Ingredients."
"Ingredients?"
What ingredients?
What ingredients did they have?
"The subsequent meet projects involve ingredients for cuisine. I need you to provide the ingredients you possess."
As the voice fell, the few Veteran players understood Lin Ye's meaning.
Gourmet Sports Meet.
One could totally predict that future projects would feature duels involving cuisine, and cuisine inevitably required ingredients. The organizer would extremely likely set thresholds on ingredients.
Lin Ye had already thought of this point early on and started preparations.
They were Veteran players too, but they really hadn't considered things that far ahead. It could only be said that for Lin Ye to survive in the Strange Game until now, it really wasn't luck.
"I have no problem. I can provide a part of the ingredients our group obtained."
The brawny player spoke up immediately.
"I can too."
The remaining few players also agreed.
It was just a portion of ingredients, not all ingredients; they could completely accept it.
"Good."
Lin Ye distributed water.
When the time came, he poured the water directly into the huge, nearly bottomless bucket brought by the Veteran players.
"That bucket at the rest station—did those three staff members give you water?"
"As if. Ten Strange Coins a cup of water, what difference is that from robbing? Since it was like that, we directly made a move to rob. Anyway, the rules didn't indicate one couldn't rob."
In Strange Game instances, generally behaviors without explicit stipulations could all be attempted, only one needed to bear the corresponding consequences.
And now, they hadn't welcomed any counterattack or retaliation up to now, which also indicated their behavior hadn't touched a taboo.
"How was their strength?"
"So-so. We five attacked from front and back, beating them to falling flowers and flowing water; they were completely not opponents."
The brawny Veteran player suddenly remembered something and spoke, "However, under the masks they aren't humans, but dog-headed people."
Not humans?
Lin Ye recorded it in his heart.
Tap tap tap...
Some newcomer players also arrived. Lin Ye distributed a tiny bit. "If there are newcomer players arriving behind, you guys distribute some water to them too."
Lin Ye finally only retained a sufficient amount of water for his own trio and set off to advance once again.
While the Veteran players and the arrived new players all needed a short rest.
"Brother Zero, good person!"
The newcomer players were moved.
They didn't believe Lin Ye at the time and didn't choose to respond to Lin Ye's hint to leave the rest station. There were even people behind his back discussing and mocking his small guts. But Lin Ye didn't have the slightest resentment, treating them with a calm heart and bestowing water.
Tasting this tasteless water, several newcomer players only felt their hearts were warm, and the water also became much sweeter.
"Remember, this water isn't drunk for free. If there are ingredients in subsequent projects, you need to separate a portion of ingredients for us and Brother Zero."
The Veteran player raised his volume and said to these few people.
They took the opportunity to increase the price.
The newcomer players nodded straight away. Now where did they have the reason to refuse? Having just drunk the water given by the Veteran players—although not much, and it wasn't obtained by these few Veteran players either—the distribution right was in their hands, so they could only endure and accept.
The short period of fast running made the group rest in place.
A few minutes later, the Veteran players recovered some and started walking slowly along the props forward.
Newcomer players also successively got up and started advancing.
Thirty kilometers.
They feared they hadn't even covered eight kilometers now.
The distance to the destination was still very far; they needed to continue adding oil.
And the five Veteran players chased until now but didn't see their own groups, and couldn't help but roast,
"Those newcomers in our group walk really fast too."
"We delayed quite a lot of time going back and forth. Them walking fast now is instead a good thing for us."
They wasted at least twenty minutes returning to the square to obtain two pushcarts.
"Let's walk as fast as possible. This Brisk Walking isn't that simple. We need to leave more margin time."
...
...
There were definitely more difficult problems and checkpoints following.
Two hours later,
Lin Ye's trio had already caught up to more and more teams.
A few teams were precisely the teams of those few Veteran players encountered before.
"Zero, Brother Zero, have you seen Big Brother Ed?"
A somewhat sweet-looking golden-haired young girl, under the push of two other teammates, actively stepped forward to inquire of Lin Ye.
Although Lin Ye didn't display an evil side, he still made quite a few newcomers dare not contact him proactively. Females generally speaking, especially pretty females, often had a greater probability of harvesting a good attitude.
"Who is Ed?"
"It's that brown-haired man with a height of one meter nine, European appearance, very muscular."
...
Initially, because of the pushcart relationship, the Veteran players returned to fetch pushcarts while the rest of the team hurried on. But up to now, they hadn't seen the Veteran players return. One-third of the time had already passed. If they still didn't return, their hearts would become increasingly uneasy.
Thinking whether the Veteran players had an accident.
"Oh, them! Encountered them an hour ago. The distance shouldn't be very far."
"Thank, thank you..."
The golden-haired young girl immediately expressed thanks.
She looked at Erina Nakiri sitting on the pushcart resting, her eyes flashing a trace of envy.
Walking until now, her feet were sore and exhausted, as if the entire sole of the foot had been split open. But she could only grit her teeth and persist in walking forward step by step.
If she couldn't reach the destination at the stipulated time, what ending would she welcome? Unimaginable.
And that young girl could actually sit on a pushcart and be pushed forward; that was really comfortable and relaxing!
Like her, there were quite a few other players who were envious.
There were several females with considerable looks and figures who felt they weren't inferior to Erina Nakiri, but why didn't they have this treatment!
Sigh.
Who let them not successfully become a group with Lin Ye!
Facing others' lines of sight, Erina Nakiri would be shy and embarrassed the first time, but now, she was already accustomed to it.
Sitting on this pushcart was nothing to be embarrassed about.
This simple and crude pushcart, here, was a luxury car!
...
...
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