Chapter 200: Entering the Safe Zone, Wanna Trade?

Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Entering the Safe Zone, Wanna Trade?

Seraphina Sullivan and Sean Chandler got out of the vehicle and walked to the designated inspection area.

The security check was highly efficient.

Seraphina first passed through a device resembling a metal detector gate.

Then, a female staff member scanned her entire body with a handheld device. The process was quick, and the instrument didn’t sound any alarms, indicating she wasn’t carrying any dangerous items or showing any Energy reactions. She passed without a hitch.

All of Seraphina’s items were currently stored in the Scavenger’s Farm, so there was nothing to find.

"Next."

A soldier motioned for Sean Chandler to step forward.

Sean Chandler walked up to the scanning gate and also passed through smoothly.

However, when a soldier approached him with a scanner for a more detailed Energy inspection...

The device suddenly emitted a series of crisp beeps. "BEEP BEEP BEEP."

A green dot lit up on its screen.

Seraphina’s heart tightened slightly. ’Did something go wrong?’

Unexpectedly, after seeing the device’s reaction and the information on the screen, the two soldiers in charge of scanning didn’t show any alarm or hostility. Instead, they exchanged a look.

One of them looked up at Sean Chandler, his tone seeking confirmation.

"Player status confirmed. Are you Sean Chandler?"

Sean Chandler nodded.

The soldier immediately pulled a magnetic card, printed with an official emblem and intricate patterns, from a folder he was carrying and handed it to Sean Chandler.

He explained at the same time,

"Mr. Chandler, this is a formal invitation from the Vorlag City Safe Zone to all registered Players. If you are willing to join the Guard Power of Vorlag City’s Safe Zone Number One and undertake corresponding defense duties, the officials will provide stable food rations, necessary weapons and equipment, and other scarce resources as compensation based on your contributions. Of course, the decision is yours, but we hope you’ll consider it."

Watching from the side, Seraphina instantly understood.

’So the universal information registration the officials conducted earlier wasn’t just for a census,’ she thought. ’It was also for faster screening and identification now.’

This detection system could rapidly distinguish between registered ordinary people and Players, and it was directly linked to the database.

’This kind of management is truly efficient. It also allows them to quickly assemble available defensive forces.’

’It seems the officials have made a lot of preparations to maintain the stability of the safe zone.’

Sean Chandler took the magnetic card representing the invitation but didn’t give an immediate answer, simply putting it away.

Once the inspection was complete, the two of them were allowed to proceed.

They returned to their RV and, following the directions, slowly drove into the safe zone.

The safe zone, however, was also divided into several areas.

Because Seraphina had an RV, she entered a special parking area within the safe zone.

The underground level of the safe zone had been converted, with a section specifically cleared out for parking vehicles.

The area was brightly lit. Although the air was still cold, it was much better than outside.

Seraphina parked the RV in an empty spot toward the back.

Looking around, she saw that dozens of assorted vehicles were already parked there.

Among them were several RVs of a similar size to her own.

Apparently, some other people had also chosen this type of relatively independent mobile residence.

Seraphina had just parked the RV securely in its designated spot.

She was just about to tidy up her new temporary "home."

When a knocking sound echoed from the vehicle.

"BANG! BANG!"

Seraphina was inside organizing her personal belongings. Hearing the sound, she gestured for Sean Chandler to see what was happening.

Sean Chandler pulled open the heavy door, and a blast of cold air instantly rushed in.

At the same time, an extremely bundled-up figure came into view.

The visitor was wearing what looked like an expensive, brand-name down jacket with a conspicuous logo. With a scarf, hat, and snow goggles, it was impossible to tell their Gender or age at a glance.

The moment the person spoke, however, their slightly slick and probing tone immediately revealed their purpose.

"Hey, buddy! Just got to the safe zone, huh?"

His voice was a bit muffled by the scarf, but his enthusiasm felt somewhat forced.

"Got any good stuff on hand? Need anything? We can make a trade! How about getting your hands on some powerful weapons or special items straight from other Players? Of course, I’ve got plenty of info on Players, too. Not to brag, but my network is wide and my intel is solid! As long as... hehe, you give me a little of this..."

As Forrest Sterling spoke, he held out his hand and skillfully rubbed his thumb and index finger together, making the universal gesture for "a little tip."

The meaning was obvious: if you wanted information and connections, you had to first pay a "finder’s fee" or offer something of value.

Sean Chandler watched with a blank expression as the man rattled on with his sales pitch.

He waited until the other person had finished before giving a concise reply:

"No, thanks."

The words had barely left his lips, giving Forrest Sterling no chance to say anything else.

With a CLANG, he shut the door in his face, closing off the view of the man’s undoubtedly stunned expression.

Forrest Sterling, who had just been so bluntly rejected, stood outside the vehicle, momentarily stunned.

’Huh? That’s not how this is supposed to go...’

He scratched his hat-covered head.

’Shouldn’t most people get all excited when they hear about Player news or get a chance to acquire extraordinary weapons? Shouldn’t they be grabbing me and begging for details? Why was this guy so calm? And why did he slam the door so decisively?’

Forrest Sterling’s gaze fell once more on the RV before him, which looked a bit travel-worn and even had a few scrapes and scratches.

A thought popped into his head:

’Could it be... the person in this RV is a Player themselves? Is that why they’re not interested in my information at all?’

Before Forrest Sterling could think any further, a resigned yet somewhat stern voice called out from not far behind him:

"Forrest! Where did you run off to again? We just got to the safe zone! Settling in is what’s important, so stop running around and causing trouble for me! Get back here!"

When Forrest Sterling heard his older brother’s voice, he immediately shrank back.

He quickly called out, "Hey! Bro, I know, I’m coming back now!"

He shot one last glance at the closed RV door, muttering to himself, ’Looks like I’ll have to keep a close eye on this guy. But the information exchange must go on.’

Then he turned and jogged back toward his family’s vehicle.

Inside the RV, Seraphina had also heard the brief exchange and the sound of the door closing, but she paid it no mind.

People who proactively approached you to chat and seek deals in a new environment usually had ulterior motives.

She continued to focus on setting up her temporary mobile home.

First, she took the [Flavor Isolator] out of the [Scavenger’s Farm] Space.

Usually, when she wanted to enjoy a hot meal, she would choose to enter the completely safe farm itself.

But in the RV, daily meals would inevitably produce smells.

In a densely populated safe zone where resources were scarce, the slightest tempting aroma of food could easily become a source of disaster.

Desperately hungry people don’t listen to reason.

Activating the isolator, a faint, imperceptible wave of Energy enveloped the entire interior of the RV.

Next, she took out the [Fiery Sunflower], which had grown quite a bit and whose golden head was now much fuller. She carefully placed it on a fixed plant stand in a corner of the RV.