Chapter 308: Escape from the Desert 12

"By the way, ma’am, do these blankets you’re weaving have some special purpose? I noticed quite a few people seem to be weaving them."

Perry Yates originally thought the blankets were for sale and had even considered buying a few, since they all looked quite beautiful.

But after looking around, she couldn’t find any place that sold them.

Hearing Perry Yates’s question, the shop owner explained, "These blankets aren’t for sale. We’re planning to string them up over the street to create an awning to block the sun.

"Even though this is an Oasis, it still gets extremely hot around noon. So we all decided to weave a large blanket together to block out the sunlight.

"It won’t make the weather any cooler, but at least we won’t be so exposed to the sun."

Hearing this, Perry Yates couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up in praise. "You’re all truly amazing, ma’am. That’s a huge undertaking."

With Perry Yates’s flattery, she quickly grew familiar with the shop owner and gradually managed to glean a lot of information from her.

Seeing the time was right, Perry Yates asked casually, "By the way, ma’am, do you know how to leave this desert?"

The moment she finished speaking, the smile vanished from the shop owner’s face. Even the weaving motions in her hands stopped as she asked with a serious expression, "Why do you want to leave? Isn’t it nice here?"

Hearing this, Perry Yates gave a bitter smile and said, "Ma’am, to be honest with you, I didn’t grow up in this desert. I got lost here. Back home, I have a seriously ill mother and a younger brother in school who need me to take care of them."

After hearing Perry Yates’s explanation, the expression on the shop owner’s face softened considerably. She asked, "If that’s the case, why did you enter the desert in the first place?"

Perry Yates’s lips twitched into a helpless expression. "What else could it be for? For money, of course."

"A little while ago, a mysterious person found me. They said if I could make it out of this desert, they would give me a huge cash prize—enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life.

"I actually refused such an offer, since I’ve never believed there’s such a thing as a free lunch. But then, that person said they would kill me on the spot if I didn’t agree. I had no other choice."

’Yep, that’s right. That mysterious person was the system.’

After listening to Perry Yates’s whole story, the shop owner’s expression grew sympathetic.

"How pitiful. Do you know who sent you into the desert? Perhaps I can help you find that mysterious person."

Perry Yates shook her head. "I don’t know either. After I agreed to the mysterious person’s demand, they just told me to wait. Then one day, I opened my eyes and I was already in the desert."

"I’ve been surviving in this desert for over ten days now. I finally managed to make it to this Oasis. So, ma’am, if you know a way to leave, could you please tell me?"

Perry Yates spoke with such heartfelt sincerity that, at the most moving part, a single, crystal-clear tear slid from the corner of her eye.

With that, the shop owner was completely convinced. She lowered her voice and said with a troubled look, "It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but the method is very dangerous."

"I’m not afraid of danger. All I want is to go home. I’ve been missing for so long, my family must be worried sick."

Hearing Perry Yates say this, the shop owner sighed. "Alright then, I’ll tell you. There’s only one way to leave this desert: you have to leave with the Oasis Guards.

"The Oasis Guards rotate their shifts periodically. The old guards leave, and new ones arrive. If you want to get out, leaving with them is your only option.

"But doing so is extremely dangerous. The Oasis Guards don’t just take people with them. You’ll need to offer them something valuable enough to persuade them. On top of that, you’ll also need to get a Pass Token."

Having gotten the information she wanted, Perry Yates sincerely thanked the shop owner.

In response, the shop owner just sighed. She didn’t think Perry Yates would be able to leave successfully.

’It would be better to live her whole life in this Oasis than to die on the road. At least with the Oasis Guards around, they were safe.’

"By the way, if you want to leave the desert with the Oasis Guards, you’d better be quick. The next guard rotation is in nine days."

’Nine days from now. That would be the twentieth day of the game.’

Perry Yates nodded, indicating she understood.

Afterward, Perry Yates returned to her room. According to the shop owner, to leave the desert legitimately, she needed to offer the Oasis Guards something valuable enough to persuade them. "Valuable" probably meant money, or more specifically, Gold.

Perry Yates had acquired a good amount of Gold in the first town. Although she had used some of it on the way, she still had a fair bit left.

’But this much Gold definitely won’t be enough.’

Besides Gold, she also needed something called a Pass Token.

She had some ideas for getting more Gold, but what exactly was a Pass Token? And where could she get one? That was the problem.

With only nine days left, Perry Yates planned to use the remaining time to thoroughly investigate anything related to the Pass Token.

Perry Yates sent out her Spiritual Body and her Clone, while she herself also went out to gather information.

’If it really comes down to it, I’ll just have to resort to special measures.’

With her abilities, it wouldn’t be difficult for Perry Yates to follow the Oasis Guards and leave undetected. However, she was afraid that if she didn’t follow the rules, she might trigger some sort of system rule.

’So, to be safe, I’d better find that Pass Token first.’

Perry Yates went to the edge of the Oasis. The Oasis Guards usually patrolled the perimeter to prevent Desert Robbers from sneaking in.

As soon as she neared the edge of the Oasis, Perry Yates saw two uniformed Oasis Guards on patrol.

Seeing Perry Yates appear suddenly, the two guards merely glanced at her before walking away without a word.

Perry Yates had wanted to approach them for a chat and to probe for information, but they completely ignored her.

Despite this, Perry Yates didn’t give up. ’Since they’re ignoring me, I’ll just follow them discreetly and look for an opportunity.’

However, at that very moment, the bushes nearby rustled. A figure then burst out from the foliage, charging straight at the two Oasis Guards.

The two Oasis Guards sidestepped slightly, dodging the figure’s attack. Then, one of them lifted a foot and kicked the person, sending them flying.

The person rolled a few times on the ground before lying still, motionless. Seeing this, the two Oasis Guards paid them no mind and simply walked away.