Chapter 72: Treasure of the Extreme Cold Disaster — Permanent Polar Bear Cold Resistance Equipment

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Treasure of the Extreme Cold Disaster — Permanent Polar Bear Cold Resistance Equipment

Rowan Rhodes found dealing with the second wave of Snowstrider Bears much easier than the first. In no time at all, she dispatched several more of the beasts and broke out of their aggro range. The few bears attempting to give chase gradually shrank into tiny dots before vanishing entirely into the blizzard.

This was the first time Rowan hadn’t completely wiped out the attacking marine creatures. However, she was more than satisfied to survive this disaster with such a small price to pay. Given the massive size of the Snowstrider Bears, wiping them all out in one fell swoop was simply impossible.

At the very least, neither she nor her raft suffered any real damage this time. As for her Flaming Fire Bow and Arrow, trading a bit of wear and tear for Snowstrider Bear pelts was an absolute bargain. She hadn’t even needed to touch her stockpile of burning bottles. She had opted not to use them because their effect on the Snowstrider Bears wasn’t as strong as the Flaming Fire Bow and Arrow; throwing them would have just been a waste.

Because of this, Rowan was in an exceptionally good mood. She immediately began sorting through her latest haul.

[Loot: Snowstrider Bear Pelt x21, Linen x13, Raw Meat x21, Bear Head Decoration x3.]

After confirming the items in her inventory, Rowan turned her attention back to the world channel.

"Celia Lynch: The marine creature attacks this time are different from before. It seems to be zone-based. The first wave of Snowstrider Bears is quickly followed by a second. Don’t let your guard down, everyone. Recover your stamina as soon as you finish a fight!"

"What does that mean?"

"It means you need to leave the aggregation zones where the Snowstrider Bears spawn. Once you’re out, there won’t be any more bears."

"Wait, so if we stay where we are, will the Snowstrider Bears just keep coming endlessly?"

"Celia Lynch: It’s highly likely, though it still needs time to be verified. Those whose rafts are staying put can test it out! However, once the Extreme Cold Disaster ends, there won’t be any Snowstrider Bears even if you stay in place. Still, I hope anyone capable grits their teeth and gets out of there!"

"Right, exactly! I just sped away. Even though my raft was practically torn to shreds by the Snowstrider Bears, at least I survived."

"I killed a Snowstrider Bear with a Flaming Fire Bow and Arrow and got its pelt. The texture is amazing!"

"Faye Sinclair: Once a Snowstrider Bear pelt is manufactured into anti-cold equipment, its warming effect is permanent. One pelt can be crafted into four pieces of anti-cold equipment. I can help with the manufacturing; my fee is one of the resulting pieces of equipment. Anyone interested can find me in the Trading Hall."

"Holy shit, permanent??"

"Doesn’t that mean as long as we kill a Snowstrider Bear, we won’t have to worry about how far the temperature drops for the next day or so?"

"God! So this is the lifeline for this disaster."

"Looks like I absolutely have to kill a Snowstrider Bear now."

"..."

As more information about the Snowstrider Bears came to light, the players’ blood boiled with excitement. After all, when the rewards were lucrative enough, many were more than willing to risk their lives.

Rowan couldn’t help but be moved by the scene. She had checked the world channel primarily to see if any other players had managed to kill a Snowstrider Bear and obtain a pelt. If they had, it wouldn’t seem too suspicious when she started selling hers.

To her surprise, the players’ speed was much faster than she had anticipated. Faye Sinclair, for instance, stepping up to announce that the anti-cold equipment manufactured from Snowstrider Bear pelts was permanent meant she had discovered the pelts even earlier and had already begun crafting. This proved that she was actively seeking out various resources that could be manufactured into equipment. It reinforced the fact that players were becoming increasingly adapted to the Sea Survival Game.

Rowan flipped over to the Trading Hall and immediately spotted the newly listed trades.

[White Bear Anti-Cold Suit x1, White Bear Anti-Cold Gloves x1, Anti-Cold Hat x1, Trade: Snowstrider Bear Pelt x1]

[White Bear Anti-Cold Suit x1, White Bear Anti-Cold Gloves x1, Anti-Cold Shoes x1, Trade: Snowstrider Bear Pelt x1]

[...]

Whether listed by Faye Sinclair or other players, these trades had already deducted one piece of anti-cold equipment as a crafting fee. This meant that the players’ craftsmanship was becoming increasingly valuable.

Rowan didn’t hesitate to snap up two of the listings, acquiring a complete four-piece anti-cold set. The moment the trade was completed, she retreated into her room and equipped herself from head to toe with her new gear.

As soon as she put it on, Rowan couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. These permanent pieces of anti-cold equipment were truly on a different level compared to the temporary ones. She felt enveloped in a cozy warmth. The only downside was that she was now completely snow-white and fluffy, looking exactly like a bear herself.

Next, Rowan immediately listed her stockpile of thermal equipment in the Trading Hall: Insect Skin Warm-up Suits, wool hats, wool shoes, wool gloves, and so on. They were practically sold out the second they went up.

Rowan kept an eye on the Trading Hall and noticed quite a few listings selling off similar temporary thermal gear. This meant that many players had already obtained the White Bear Anti-Cold Suit and its accessories. After all, once someone had permanent equipment, the temporary items became obsolete. Keeping them was useless. Selling them during this Extreme Cold Disaster was a smart way to trade for more resources and maximize profits.

This phenomenon wasn’t restricted to the Trading Hall; it was also happening in the Sea Survival Shop. The items would sell out the instant they appeared, disappearing so fast it was as if they had never been listed at all. Only Rowan, as the operator of the Sea Survival Shop, could see the activity from the backend.

However, one detail caught her attention. Because of the first Extreme Heat Disaster, players across all districts should already know that a high survival rate within their own district would yield rewards. If someone had the means, they should ideally be selling their surplus items in the Trading Hall, not the Sea Survival Shop. In life-or-death situations, people would absolutely buy items in the Trading Hall regardless of the exorbitant prices.

Therefore, if the Resident Players chose to list their items in the Sea Survival Shop instead, it could only mean they refused to give their own district an advantage. In turn, this suggested a high probability that the social environment within those Resident Players’ districts was incredibly toxic. Noting this, Rowan began recording the names of these Resident Players and their respective districts.

While she was busy taking notes, several pieces of White Bear Anti-Cold equipment appeared in the Sea Survival Shop, all listed at astronomical prices. Rowan took a closer look and realized that one of the listings actually belonged to Faye Sinclair. Clearly, her goal wasn’t to make a sale, but to broadcast the utility of the Snowstrider Bear pelts to every player across all servers.

Rowan memorized the information of the players who listed this equipment as well. These were definitely Resident Players she could collaborate with more in the future.

Meanwhile, the District 122 world channel was buzzing with discussions about this very topic.

"These were all listed by Resident Players, right?"

"Is this a friendly heads-up?"

"Maybe the other districts found out ages ago and have just been keeping it a secret."

"@Faye Sinclair, did you list one?"

"Faye Sinclair: I did. It’s just a small effort anyway. If it alerts more players and helps more people survive, then it’s a good thing."

"Harold Thompson: @Faye Sinclair, you’re just being blindly generous. Who knows how many Resident Players there are? Maybe there’s one in every district, yet hardly anyone actually listed this equipment. The different districts are competing against each other!"

"Simon Quinn: @Faye Sinclair, exactly. If we don’t get first place in survival rate this time, it’ll be your fault."

"Faye Sinclair: I wasn’t the only one who listed it. Even if I hadn’t, the other districts would have found out eventually. Don’t try to pin the blame on me."

"Celia Lynch: @Harold Thompson @Simon Quinn, quit being so bitter, you two. You’ve both benefited from Faye Sinclair’s craftsmanship before. You’re acting like ungrateful bastards."

"I really don’t understand why the Sea Survival Game doesn’t make the Trading Hall’s user list public. We should just block Harold Thompson and Simon Quinn."

"Right, exactly! I fully support the Sea Survival Game adding that feature."

"..."

Watching the players of District 122 gang up on Harold Thompson and Simon Quinn, the corners of Rowan’s mouth curled up instinctively. As a matter of fact, that feature would be introduced later on. Let those two keep running their mouths! One day, they would pay the price for it.

At the same time, the news that the White Bear Anti-Cold equipment was permanent spread across the various districts with lightning speed, all thanks to the Sea Survival Shop. Countless players launched counter-offensives against the Snowstrider Bears. This was evident from the subsequent surge in White Bear Anti-Cold equipment appearing in the Sea Survival Shop.

By now, the majority of players should have realized the truth. The Extreme Cold Disaster was no longer a threat—as long as they could kill a Snowstrider Bear.

While the rest of the players were busy fighting off the Snowstrider Bears, Rowan had already set her sights on the third island of the Sea Survival Game.