Chapter 225: Information Peddler, Dancing Grass

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Information Peddler, Dancing Grass

The Growth Card was perfect for the Power Apple.

As for the Fiery Sunflower, they had Tubbs the Flame Chicken.

The flames from Tubbs provided a steady supply of Flame Energy for the Fiery Sunflower, so there was no rush to use the Growth Card on it.

When Dexter Luther heard there was a chance, he immediately said, "Yes! I have items to trade. I know how this works!"

He leaned in closer.

He explained, "The thing is, I have a few comrades in the official team I’d trust with my life."

"The last dungeon was incredibly dangerous. Our squad only managed to survive thanks to the boost in Power I got from that Power Apple. When they found out where I got my strength, they all got pretty jealous. They asked me to see if I could trade for a few more... and the price is negotiable!"

’A group buy,’ Seraphina Sullivan realized.

She nodded, her tone calm.

"It’s possible. As long as you can offer valuable items or special artifacts in return, my... my boyfriend here does have a few more Power Apples to trade."

Hearing Seraphina Sullivan’s affirmative answer, a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Dexter Luther’s face.

He nodded repeatedly. "That’s great! You’re a straight shooter, Sullivan! My friends happen to be resting in the safe zone right now. I’ll go tell them and bring their items over to trade in a little while!"

With that, he turned and hurried away, taking advantage of his official position to temporarily leave his post and contact his comrades.

Seraphina Sullivan and Sean Chandler then stepped into the exclusive player trading area, ready to see what treasures they could dig up.

However, to her wry amusement, in the short time she had been talking with Dexter Luther, the Sterling brothers, Forrest and River, had already found a conspicuous spot with astonishing efficiency and... set up a stall!

Forrest Sterling deftly pulled a faded, old blue cloth from his backpack and expertly spread it on the ground.

Then, like a magician, he produced a stack of printed A4 paper.

Each sheet had a bold headline written in thick marker, and they were arranged neatly on the cloth:

[High-Temp Apocalypse Dungeon: Various Quest Clues]

[The Insect Frenzy Dungeon: Info on Different Monsters]

[Subterranean Lair Dungeon: Analysis of Quest Boss Weaknesses]

[Parasite Apocalypse Dungeon: Tips to Avoid Infection]

[...And Other Dungeon Intel]

’The variety was impressive, covering many of the known apocalypse dungeon types.’

Seeing Seraphina Sullivan and Sean Chandler walk over to take a look, Forrest Sterling immediately flashed a professional, enthusiastic smile.

He addressed Sean Chandler, who looked more like the decision-maker. "Chandler, take a look! This is all intel on the apocalypse dungeons that I’ve collected and verified through various channels. Absolutely worth your while!"

"See anything here for dungeons you’ve already run or are about to enter?"

"If you’re interested in the details, we can talk. I’m willing to trade for intel on other dungeons you know about, or even for some practical supplies!"

Seraphina Sullivan watched from the side, silently impressed.

She couldn’t help but tease, "You can do this too? You’re planning on being an intel broker in the apocalypse dungeons, kid?"

Forrest Sterling grinned, a mix of confidence and cunning on his face.

"Heh, Sullivan, that’s where you’re wrong. An information gap is a resource! And my intel is known for being accurate and reliable. I don’t cheat anyone, young or old!"

River Sterling, standing to the side, didn’t say anything, but his silence was a clear endorsement of his brother’s claims.

’Clearly, the brothers had a well-defined partnership: one was the charismatic salesman, while the other held down the fort and verified the intel.’

Seraphina Sullivan’s gaze swept over the headlines, a flicker of disappointment in her heart.

Her next dungeon was a choice between two, and the only one she knew for sure was [Aberrant Radiation].

But there was no intel for that particular dungeon on Forrest Sterling’s "shelf."

She shook her head, signaling that they weren’t interested for now, and continued deeper into the trading area with Sean Chandler.

Inside the trading area, the items Players had laid out were a motley collection, mostly loot brought back from various dungeons.

Seraphina Sullivan habitually activated her [Item Identification] Skill.

Her gaze swept over one stall after another, hoping to discover a hidden gem.

However, anyone who had become a Player and survived this long was no fool.

Few people would be willing to trade away truly powerful or personally useful items and resources.

Most of what was on display were items with lackluster effects, unknown uses, or things that didn’t fit with their own Ability sets.

For example, at one stall, Seraphina Sullivan spotted a straight, seaweed-like plant carefully potted in a small container.

The identification info read:

[Dancing Grass]

Effect: If any creature stares at this grass for more than ten seconds, it will begin to dance randomly. There is a slight chance the viewer will be compelled to dance along.

Out of curiosity, Seraphina Sullivan stared at the plant for ten seconds.

Sure enough, the moment ten seconds were up, the previously rigid "Dancing Grass" seemed to come to life, beginning to sway and twist bewitchingly!

Its movements had an indescribable rhythm. It swayed left and right, its leaves unfurling, as if silently screaming, "Come on, live a little, we’ve got all the time in the world..."

Seraphina Sullivan’s mind involuntarily supplied a familiar background track, causing the corner of her mouth to twitch.

’This thing... Aside from staving off extreme boredom or maybe attracting attention in a very specific scenario, I can’t think of any practical combat use for it.’

The stall owner’s asking price was "trade for any edible food." Clearly, they were desperate to get rid of this space-wasting "entertainment device."

As she wandered through the trading area, Seraphina Sullivan didn’t just focus on the items; she also took care to observe the other Players.

She quickly noticed a clear trend: the vast majority of Players present were male, with female Players being few and far between.

’This might be because men generally had an advantage in physical fitness and adaptability to survival skills during the initial phase of the apocalypse, resulting in a higher proportion of male Players.’

She discreetly used her [Eye of Resume], subtly scanning some of the surrounding Players who had an impressive air about them or were well-equipped.

It never hurt to learn more about potential allies or individuals who needed to be watched.

These Players were mostly between Level 1 and Level 2. Their Talents were varied, but generally not of very high Quality, and their Weaknesses were often quite obvious.

And the only other female Player she had seen so far was the owner of that bizarre [Dancing Grass].

She was a young woman, likely in her early twenties, wearing a faded old down jacket. She sat alone on a small folding stool, watching over a simple stall laid out with a few miscellaneous items.

Her eyes held a weariness and resilience that belied her age. Her gaze would occasionally sweep over Seraphina Sullivan, carrying a hint of imperceptible scrutiny.