Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

```

"Fuck!" Kuang Xin's mouth dropped open in shock.

Blackwater coins were exchanged at a 5 to 1 ratio, so organizational funds must be something very precious.

So he originally thought that the so-called biocomponents priced at 1000 would be quite a distant future thing, but who could have anticipated getting nearly two of them all at once?

He was fired up!

His fighting spirit was ablaze!

He was going to earn contributions for the organization! He'd work like an ox, labor for the cause! The organization was his home, and he'd build that home!

Bai E saw the obvious change in his attitude and decided to add a bit more incentive.

"Due to different situations the organization faces at different times, the scarcity of various materials can vary quite a bit. So, at critical times, the valuation of 'specific' materials can fluctuate..."

This meant that pricing was ultimately at their own whim, right?

Plus, it could create a sense of urgency for them, with limited time increases in the purchase prices for specific materials. If you missed it, you missed it; if you have it, don't wait!

Perfect! Bai E was becoming more and more accustomed to exploiting player strength; if he ever could return to his own world one day, he'd definitely make a fine game designer...

But the other two players seemed unmoved; they were not impulsive.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Seeing that there seemed to be no further discussion about contributing materials to the organization, Bai E brought up the mission.

"Additionally, have you cleaned up the sewer rat infestation you were tasked with?"

"...No." Dai Lian couldn't quite meet Bai E's eyes, responding meekly.

Seriously, who would go grind without an actual quest?

Those little buggers were tough to kill. Without a quest, willingly going into the sewers after them at night was sheer torture, and not cost-effective.

Bai E chuckled, "No worries, I know you all certainly have more important things to do. Everyone must have worked hard these past few days. I regret I was out and couldn't offer my assistance... With me here, you can feel a bit more at ease."

Relying on the three of them to wipe out a small Black Street force must have been tough; it was a pity he hadn't been able to join the fight... Maybe there was a way to scavenge some benefits.

"..." Dai Lian suddenly looked up.

His eyes shone as he gazed at the superior figure slightly taller than him, his emotions a complex mix.

Sorry?

The superior said he was sorry?

It was their own failure to do the task he assigned because they had no quests, and yet the superior sincerely thought their own matters were more important and even felt guilty for not being able to help!

Even knowing it was a game, even though he knew the character before him was nothing but data, this genuine attitude was enough to melt even the hardest of hearts.

For the first time, Dai Lian felt a pang of guilt...

"Since I am back now, if you have any troubles you can tell me. I won't stand idly by if I can help you. But since those rat swarms are still there, I'll have to ask you to continue the cleanup."

Dai Lian looked down again and, gritting his teeth, responded, "Yes! Superior!"

"Mmm..." Bai E paused slightly in his speech, his gaze slowly sweeping over the three of them, "So, do you have anything else? I just got back last night and have many matters to attend to back at the camp."

[You've thought about it long enough, right? You should have made your decision about what to exchange your organizational contributions for.]

Kuang Xin and Gong Yan remained silent; they both planned to save up. But it was Dai Lian who spoke up, "Superior, I would like to continue learning the bow shooting skills."

There were still plenty of plague rats in the sewers, and archery skills still had much room for use. Besides, the young miss from the Heretical Arbitration House had proven a point to everyone — in this magical world, cold weapons have a great potential for development. When personal strength can rival machinery, the effectiveness of cold weaponry in combat isn't inferior to firearms.

```

"All right," Bai E nodded and promptly agreed.

Having one study is better than none. He couldn't directly control the players' decisions but could only guide them as much as possible.

The most important thing was that he currently lacked neither combat/general experience. After the recent covert operation, he had amassed a total of 7347 points of combat/general experience reserves.

Slowing down the harvesting pace to let them develop a bit seemed like a good idea...

Since he had paid 30 points of guild contribution for professional guidance, now to move up a level, he only needed to pay the difference of 20 points of guild contribution between a master and professional.

Continue your saga on empire

Bai E, although wanting to "harvest" the players' "leeks," also knew restraint.

...

["Teaching" ended, through the feedback of "Teaching," you have acquired a total of 220 combat experience points and 180 general experience points.]

It's done!

Bai E put away his bow and arrow and waved his hand without dawdling, "Pay attention on your own, and notify me promptly if anything arises."

Upon returning to the camp, Bai E didn't idle. Before departure, he had wanted to learn the "Steady Wind" skill that Yue Ying had taught previously. Whether or not the learning was crucial didn't matter; the mission line possibly leading to the "Elf Breathing Skill" that Yue Ying carried was what mattered.

He had to surprise her thoroughly to make her impart her treasured skills!

He hadn't seen her the afternoon of that day, but on this afternoon... Bai E spotted a cloaked figure quietly observing the soldiers' training not far from a combat squad in actual training.

This Elf Race lady seemed particularly interested in the training process of the human soldiers, though being alone in human territory, she probably didn't have much else to do...

"Miss Yueying..."

Standing beside her was an officer assigned by the military. Bai E kept a respectful distance and called out as he stopped.

The officer looked toward Bai E on cue, glancing over Bai E's shoulder and chest, noting the lack of stars or stripes, just a synthetic being... somewhat familiar looking, but not important.

His brow furrowed instantly, "Which unit's soldier are you? What are you doing here instead of training?"

"Reporting to the officer! I finished a mission yesterday, and I'm resting today," Bai E snapped to attention and replied stiffly and formally.

"Resting?" The officer's brows rose slightly, and he reprimanded with a cold voice, "If you're resting, then rest properly, don't loiter around the training ground."

"Mr. Dunpus..." The cold voice finally spoke up. Being in a human military camp, Yue Ying wasn't clear on the intricate rules among humans. It was only after realizing that not much was against the rules did she speak up, "He's here to see me."

"Yue Ying?" The officer was mildly surprised. In this military camp, he had never heard of any officer or soldier who received special treatment from this elf ally.

His gaze flitted briefly, as the officer scanned Bai E standing respectfully in front of him, wondering internally—

What's this kid's background?

"If Mr. Dunpus has other duties, please attend to them," Yue Ying said, involving private affairs. The element of authority in her cool tone, unequivocal, inspired awe.

Considering that all the seniors in the military district held this foreign ally in high esteem, Dunpus dared not object and simply nodded his departure, "If Miss Yueying is busy, I shall take my leave. If you need anything, feel free to seek me out. Officer Veslin has instructed— to accommodate all of your requests within the military camp."

The detached hood gave a slight nod, "Understood."

After waiting for the officer to walk away, Yue Ying turned towards Bai E. Her tone was noticeably lighter, hinting at reminiscence, "I heard you went on a mission the other day."

"Yes."

Yue Ying narrowed her eyes, feeling a bit excited, "So... is it that you feel you've honed sufficient skills during the operation?"

"Yes..."