Lin Ye: I've also obtained some bread and bottled water. Limited quantities available. Those interested, PM me. Trading for maze products - highest bidder wins (since we don't know their exact value yet, decide for yourself whether to trade).

"Holy shit, I'm starving here while this boss already has surplus food to trade."

"Shouldn't you share extra food with those in need instead? Anyone who can trade with you clearly isn't starving!"

Seeing such comments, Lin Ye immediately blocked them. After blocking, neither party could see the other's messages or trades - better for both sides.

Lin Ye wouldn't have to read such eyesore comments, and they wouldn't have to envy him.

After all, Lin Ye had no intention of trading with such people - out of sight, out of mind.

Lin Ye wasn't posting information out of some savior complex. While he genuinely wanted to guide other survivors toward survival, he had his own motives.

Fame and profit were inseparable. Once his reputation was established, everything he did afterward would become significantly easier.

He didn't need to do much - just consistently release accurate information in advance, and others would naturally call him "Goose Leg Brother" with respect.

Lying on his bed checking private messages, Lin Ye filtered through spam, searching for valuable trades.

The goose lay beside Lin Ye, its head nuzzling his arm while its wings draped over him like a blanket.

Lin Ye quickly completed several transactions. Those cards and liquids from treasure chests would undoubtedly become more valuable than bread. He even suspected these items only dropped from enhanced chests, while bread and water were standard loot from red wooden chests.

"Hmm? Blueprint?"

A survivor named Zhang Liang sent him a blueprint in private chat.

[No-Rank Mutation Weapon Blueprint]

[Use this blueprint to craft a no-rank mutation weapon. Required materials: 1-5 mutation organs]

[Note: Pay attention to material combinations - more materials don't necessarily mean stronger weapons]

Anyone with common sense wouldn't trade weapon blueprints for a few pieces of bread. Lin Ye sensed ulterior motives.

Lin Ye: What do you want in exchange?

Zhang Liang: Boss, contacting you is so difficult.

Lin Ye: I don't like wasting time.

Zhang Liang: Boss, we've established an organization called the Mutual Aid Society, full of highly talented individuals. Our leader hopes you'll join us.

Lin Ye: I'll pass. Good luck.

Zhang Liang: Don't rush to decline, boss. With your abilities, joining would guarantee you at least one blueprint like this daily.

Lin Ye: What would I need to contribute?

Zhang Liang: Nothing much. Just share information like you did today. Unlike those ungrateful people, the Society will reward you accordingly.

Lin Ye: So you profit from my intel and give me a cut?

Zhang Liang: ...You could put it that way.

Lin Ye: Have you considered how many might die because of you?

Zhang Liang: It's just fair exchange. Those who don't contribute don't deserve information - that's normal.

Lin Ye: You're right.

Zhang Liang: But you won't accept?

Lin Ye: You're right.

Lin Ye closed the chat with Zhang Liang and continued trading with others.

Lin Ye could easily create a similar organization, but he didn't need to.

The Mutual Aid Society had substance, but their vision was too small. If they truly wanted mutual aid, they should aim to save all humanity - that would be interesting.

Temporary gains meant little. What Lin Ye needed, the Society couldn't provide.

......

Zhang Liang: Leader, he refused.

Wu Ming: Pity. His talent must be some powerful early-game ability. With him, we could help more people.

Zhang Liang: Should I get people to slander him? Say his information is faulty - most haven't even entered the maze.

Wu Ming: Unnecessary. We still need his intel. Less profit is still better than what independents get.

Besides, no need to antagonize him now. If trouble starts right after your invitation, anyone would suspect us.

Zhang Liang: Wise words.

Wu Ming: Have the scouts returned?

Zhang Liang: Most died immediately. The lucky ones lasted minutes longer. Should we send more?

Wu Ming: Forget it. Seems we can only gather materials from the Red Maze for now.

Zhang Liang: Understood.

......

[Please Draw Today's Card]

A dreamless night passed. Upon waking, Lin Ye saw this prompt.

"My turn! Draw!"

Though just awake, Lin Ye energetically stood up from bed for his daily draw.

This time, the card depicted a cat.

As the card dissipated, an elegantly poised crimson-furred cat materialized at the shelter's center.

The cat nimbly leaped onto Lin Ye's bed, leaning against his lap.

Petting the cat's smooth fur, Lin Ye thought keeping such a pet wouldn't be bad - no maintenance, just daily petting.

Plus, he could change breeds daily.

"What can you give me? Not cat leg rice, I hope? Never eaten cat meat."

"Meow~"

A system prompt suddenly appeared:

[Gained Card Assistance: Draw one item before each action. Item disappears after action concludes]

"Oh? Your doing?"

"Meow~"

"But what counts as an 'action'?"

The cat only purred lazily at Lin Ye's question, showing no intention to explain.

Like the goose, it could only interact simply.

Lin Ye didn't press further. After some petting and breakfast, he activated today's simulation ability.

......

[Simulated D-Class Personnel: Larry]

[Drawing item...]

[Obtained item: Abyssal Egg]

[Remaining simulations: 10]

Vroom...

Sitting expressionless in the prison transport, Lin Ye reflected how he'd ridden these daily since arriving - ironic, given how rarely he'd visited police stations back on Earth, and only for ID paperwork.

Larry was a bronzed, muscular man around 50. His physique made Lin Ye feel he could punch his original skinny self to death.

The Abyssal Egg, quail egg-sized and resembling a shelled hard-boiled egg, appeared in Lin Ye's right pocket.

Squeezing it revealed surprising elasticity - no risk of crushing in his pocket.

Anything "Abyss"-related left bad impressions. Lin Ye had no clue how to use this thing.

This time, only two fellow D-Class personnel accompanied him, though four guards remained.

The other two prisoners looked as tough as Larry - clearly the same breed.

Soon, the transport stopped near a tunnel entrance.