After the others left, the sky had grown even darker than before.
"Looks like it's going to rain. Let's find shelter."
It's about to rain. Better go get soaked quickly.
Lu Luo: "???"
It was common knowledge in the Wasteland that you shouldn't get caught in the rain. It wasn't that one absolutely couldn't get wet; the main issue was that Wasteland rainwater contained large amounts of free Dark Energy and mutated viruses.
If one was exposed to unpurified rainwater for an extended period, their body's tissues could easily become diseased or mutate. Minor exposure could lead to various ailments; severe exposure could lead to death, or even transformation into an Exotic Species. To survive in the Wasteland, it was crucial to take precautions against water and rain.
But now the Observer was telling him to hurry up and get soaked—was it trying to induce a mutation in him?
There's a small amount of fresh Dark Energy in the rainwater. Without the supply of Exotic Species corpses or other methods of extracting Dark Energy, absorbing the Dark Energy in the rainwater is one of the few ways to obtain energy.
As for the mutation issue, are you dumb? You've already eaten deformed species raw, so are you still afraid of a little rainwater?
"So that's how it is!"
Even though he now knew that he could obtain some energy through the Wasteland rainwater, the correct course of action was still to return under the eaves to avoid the rain. Showcasing his uniqueness in front of powerful Hunters like Ludie would only be asking for trouble.
...
They both squatted at the entrance of the exhibition hall. The sounds of collisions and explosions occasionally echoed from upstairs—unmistakably the doing of Hunter Team 33.
"Your colleagues sure are violent. If they're all like this, how do they get along with ordinary people?"
"You've never been beyond the Wall, so you wouldn't understand even if I explained it. The rules inside the Wall and outside it are different. Whether or not one can get along with ordinary people depends on their ability to adapt to the rules."
Ludie was a chain-smoker. Coupled with his vacant gaze and expression, Lu Luo always felt like he could drop dead at any moment.
At this moment, Lu Luo glanced again at the hair in Ludie's hand. This item was indeed very important to him.
You don't plan on trying to steal it, do you? With your current strength, the success rate of snatching the object is 0%, the death rate is 30%, the rate of dying without a complete corpse is 30%, and the rate of total annihilation is 40%.
Lu Luo internally cursed, Piss off!
Ludie noticed Lu Luo's gaze, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. So, Lu Luo wasn't entirely impervious after all.
Having needs was good. Needs led to opportunities, exchanges, and thus, better communication. He outright presented the hair in his hand to Lu Luo, speaking in a tone that was both formal and somewhat comical, "Kid, what are you looking at? My hair? Why would you be interested in an Exotic Species' hair? Could it be you have some peculiar fetish?
"I'm telling you, you'd better not harbor any improper thoughts. This is crucial evidence from the incident—hair belonging to a powerful Third Tier Humanoid Species, the Hair Witch. Such important evidence isn't something I'd let just anyone touch. You need to understand the stakes. Got it?"
Lu Luo instantly understood. Ludie's meaning was clear: if he had any improper thoughts, he'd have to make a significant move.
If Ludie were truly a dedicated Hunter, Lu Luo would have no opportunity. But it was obvious this man wasn't.
Lu Luo clearly understood Ludie; if he wanted the hair, he would have to offer something of equal value in exchange.
Where there's a need, there's an exchange of interests. That's fair. He pointed at the hair Qin Wanyu had left behind.
"I want three strands."
He liked this way of interacting; it was a win-win. Once a deal was struck, there would be opportunities for future contact. Establishing a connection with a master like Ludie, who was also a Hunter, wasn't a bad thing in the long run.
Just three strands? Ludie thought, slowly nodding. He had initially assumed Lu Luo and that Exotic Species were lovers and that Lu Luo wanted the hair to hide information about the Exotic Species. Such selfless devotion to a lover was admirable—a tragic romance between a human and a ghost, perhaps? But now, it seems that's not the case, Ludie mused internally. Does this kid really have that weird fetish? An Exotic Species collector? Ugh, just thinking about it is disgusting. But it's only three strands... how much should I charge?
Ludie was an old fox; this wasn't his first time doing something like this. When it came to fees, he still had to be cautious.
Although Lu Luo looked like a poor student and three strands of hair wouldn't compromise the clues, this relic from a Third Tier Exotic Species was a high-quality item. The price couldn't be too low.
"Alright, I won't rip you off. Three strands of hair for one thousand bucks."
Lu Luo knew this guy was definitely trying to rip him off. He could see that Lu Luo really wanted this. One thousand for three strands of hair, when pork currently cost only five bucks a pound. He was still an orphan with no spending money; this man was truly going too far.
Lu Luo's expression soured. He wasn't surprised by Ludie's outrageous demand. This type of person was clearly a veteran of the system, always looking to make a profit. But even if you're out to make money, you have to have some basic decency, right? A thousand bucks might not sound like much, but it all depended on purchasing power.
"Look, that's not how you ask for money. Pork is only five bucks a pound. For a thousand bucks, you could buy five hundred liters of drinking water. You're asking me for one thousand for three hairs? Are you crazy? You should know the Alliance's current economic standards better than I do. Honestly, if you're that short on cash, robbing a bank might be quicker."
Salary levels in the Wasteland Alliance were generally low. An ordinary worker's monthly wage was around 300 to 400 Alliance Currency. In terms of prices, chicken was three bucks a pound, and pork was five bucks a pound, which wasn't considered very expensive.
Ordinary people could survive within the Wall, but it was mere survival. One could hardly call it 'living,' and there was certainly no talk of a 'future.'
This was because the biggest daily expense wasn't food, but water. Currently, the Wasteland Alliance classified common water sources into five tiers, each with strict standards.
Tier 1 was ordinary water, which commoners could use for washing themselves but not for drinking. The price was about one buck for five liters.
Tier 2 was clean water, usable for washing vegetables and personal hygiene. Although many poor people drank it directly, it cost one Alliance Currency for two liters.
Tier 3 was drinking water, with a very low hazard index, safe for direct consumption. Normal drinking water was quite expensive, at two bucks per liter.
Tier 4 was purified water, completely free of contaminants and safe to drink, priced at ten bucks per liter.
Tier 5 was Spiritual Energy water, rich in Spiritual Energy, usually consumed only by nobles or Transcendents. In reality, Spiritual Energy water was similar to Wasteland rainwater, except that Spiritual Energy water underwent multiple processing stages, while rainwater did not.
With only an ordinary worker's income, a person would have to spend at least one-third of their monthly wage on drinking water, plus another portion on water for washing. Therefore, in the Wasteland, ordinary people could only be said to be surviving.
Because the cost of drinking water was so high, many low-income Wasteland families chose to drink Tier 2 water, which saved a lot of money.
...
Ludie scratched his head as he listened to Lu Luo's tirade. Asking a poor student for a thousand bucks was indeed a bit much, but then again, he'd never accepted less, had he? He was the captain of Hunter Team 13, after all. He couldn't just shatter the industry's bottom line, could he?
"So, what do you suggest?"
"How about this: we try a different plan. You give me one thousand Alliance Currency, plus the three strands of hair, and I'll hand over the critical evidence from this Exhibition Hall incident."
Lu Luo had to get those three strands of hair; otherwise, he'd lose his chance. So, he was prepared to play the ace he had just obtained!
After listening, Ludie blinked, a curious smile playing on his lips.
"Interesting kid, daring to make demands of me. Do you have any idea who I am..."
Lu Luo cut him off before he could continue his boasting. He was very experienced in this kind of verbal sparring.
If I keep him from talking too much, I can maintain the upper hand in this conversation.
"I don't care who you are. I've stated my terms: one thousand bucks and three strands of hair, and you get the critical evidence for this case. Incidents involving Exotic Species within the Wall, especially with so many deaths, must be causing a huge uproar, right? Your superiors must be getting desperate. If you can provide a valuable lead, you should receive a handsome reward, one that surely exceeds a thousand bucks."
Lu Luo exuded great confidence, the kind that could influence others, even an opponent in a battle of words, like Ludie.
"What if you're lying to me?"
"You're powerful, and your status is far above mine. How could I possibly deceive you? Do I have a death wish?"
Countless human pioneers have proven that flattery is the most effective way to make someone feel good. But how do you manage to bottle up your annoyance and still dish out such compliments? Teach me!
This overt statement, which was actually subtle flattery, pleased Ludie somewhat. He also had to admit that the evidence Lu Luo mentioned was indeed very tempting.
Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Just moments ago, it was him asking Lu Luo for money, but now the tables had turned. It left him with an uncomfortable feeling, as if he had swallowed a fly.