Chapter 788 Choosing Prey

Within a room inside a hotel, everyone was sitting in a circle…

Every time an instance dungeon began, the Meteor Rock Guild would – since Chen Xiaolian left – hold a pre-battle meeting. Every member would join the discussion to determine which quest route to choose.

Additionally, they would also search the secret website for the Awakened ones non-stop for information regarding advance notices for instance dungeons. Then, they would enter the instance dungeon area in advance to participate in the instance dungeon on their own.

Chen Xiaolian had left without leaving any way for them to communicate. It had been six months since then. During the past six months, the Meteor Rock Guild had participated in a total of 35 instance dungeons.

In the beginning, Meteor Rock Guild had to cooperate with Starfall Guild’s China branch, taking a ride on this big guild. Quickly, though, they became capable of completing the quests they chose – on their own – within the instance dungeons.

At any rate, the cheat that Qiao Qiao brought them was too Heaven-defying. It was the ability to check all the optional questlines of the ongoing instance dungeons through her personal system, choose the option with the biggest reward and least risk. Apart from the beginning, where they needed to rely on other guilds, it was only natural for them to want to monopolize this juicy meat.

During this time where many members from the resident guilds of Zero City had been killed and the rest had disappeared, Meteor Rock Guild entered the threshold of becoming a first-rate Awakened guild.

This Los Angeles instance dungeon was their 36th.

“Roddy, since you want to take Hidden Quest 3 so much, tell us what you think.” Lun Tai looked at Roddy.

“Alright. I’ll tell you guys what I think first.” Roddy cleared his throat and said, “I’ve been analysing it again and again on our way back.

“Firstly, the two routes in the first phase do not affect the choices in the second phase. Given the current level of strength of our Meteor Rock Guild, the strength of the American military can no longer threaten us. Choosing the second route of snatching the meteorite as it is being transported to the Arizona base is completely within our capabilities. That way, we can obtain 3,000 points.

“For the second phase, I think we should first rule out the option of destroying the meteorite. The biggest benefit of choosing this route is that it is safe. We will be able to immediately complete the quest and exit this instance dungeon without any risk. At the same time, however, the reward is too little. Only 1,000 points for the entire team? That’s not enough to fill the gap between our teeth. What do you think?”

Having reached that point, Roddy paused for a while before looking to the others for their opinion.

“Agreed.”

“Yes.”

“No objections.”

After receiving everyone’s approval, Roddy snickered and continued, “The next to be ruled out is the regular route in the second phase. Compared with Hidden Quest 2, protecting the relatively weaker alien ecosphere in the early stages will be harder, but in the later stages, we will be able to rely on their combat power more. It will become easier. Moreover, the final reward is greater.”

Seeing everyone nod, Roddy grew even more excited.

“Next comes the comparison between Hidden Quest 2 and 3. The reward can be used to strengthen a basic attribute up to [B+] class and can be used three times. In other words, three basic attributes can be strengthened up to [B+] class. It sounds good, but this is more cost-effective for weak newbies.

“As for us… all of our basic attributes have already been strengthened to a considerable level. More, we have long since decided on our development paths. Thus, the effect of using the serum becomes very low. Take me for example. At present, my weakest basic attribute is my Energy Points. But even if it is upgraded to [B+] class, it would be of no help for me in controlling mechs for combat. Another example… Qimu Xi, what is your weakest basic attribute right now?”

“Although I am going the route of a speed-type assassin, my weakest basic attributes, Physique and Endurance are already at [B] class. This is for the sake of having an effective melee combat ability.” Qimu Xi shook her head. “An increase of only one class is not too worthwhile for me.”

“That’s right.” Roddy shrugged. “It’s the same for the rest. Moreover, there’s also Xia Xiaolei, who is equipped with the Bug Armour. If this strengthening serum modifies his genes, a reduction in his degree of adaptation might be the best-case scenario. In the event that it utterly cancels it, giving him only regenerative abilities like what happened the first time he equipped it, the gains would not be worth the losses.”

“Makes sense.” Lun Tai slowly nodded.

“And so, we can only choose Hidden Quest 3. Although there are no points as reward, the status of Species Lord can be brought out of this instance dungeon. I believe that this will be a very advantageous thing in large-scale team battles. We no longer need to be afraid of human wave tactics.” Roddy clapped his hands.

“Discussion is over. Let’s get to work!”

“Wait.” Qiao Qiao raised her palm. Frowning, she said, “There are still a few issues. Don’t decide on it so quickly.”

“Speak up.” Roddy cast a serious look at Qiao Qiao.

“Firstly, taking the Hidden Quest 3 means we need someone to devour the alien embryo inside the meteorite. This… who will do it?”

“Since I am the one who suggested it, it is only natural that I will do it!” Roddy patted his chest.

“Then, did you consider what exactly does ‘taking the place of the embryo inside the meteorite and becoming the Species Lord’ that the instance dungeon mentioned means? I cannot be sure if it wouldn’t change the abilities of the one who takes it. Rather, it might even affect… sanity.” Qiao Qiao’s face turned solemn. “Naturally, the chances of the latter happening is small. However, even if it’s a change in your ability, it would still greatly impact the development of our guild. Can you accept the possibility that you will no longer be able to pilot a mech in the future?”

“Err…” A look of hesitation appeared on Roddy’s face.

“Additionally… there is the possibility that the change will not be limited to that.” Qiao Qiao blinked. “No one knows what this alien gene would do to a person’s outer appearance. What if, after you obtain the gene, your appearance becomes that of a monster? What then? Don’t you love that little angel called Nicole? What if you get the chance to meet her again? But because of the genetic mutation, you end up looking like an octopus or a lizard…”

“Damn it!” Roddy’s eyes popped out. “Big Miss Qiao, don’t scare me!”

“I’m just reminding you.” Qiao Qiao grinned.

“How about it? Do you still want to be the villain now? Remember, there are indeed handsome villains, but those are far and few. Most villains only look so-so.”

“Son of a bitch! Forget it! In that case… let’s go with Hidden Quest 2, then.” In just an instant, tens of his own disgusting appearance, altered by genetic mutation, had appeared in Roddy’s mind. He quickly shook his head to drive them out. “A reward of 15,000 points… it’s not much, but still passable. The early stages will be a little hard, but according to the quest description, as long as the alien creatures grow up to a certain level, they will be of great help in battle.”

“I’m in favour of that as well.” Qiao Qiao nodded before turning to the others. “Are there any other opinions?”

Xia Xiaolei and Qimu Xi shook their heads. As for Soo Soo, she would usually stay silent during their pre-battle meetings.

Lun Tai stayed silent for a moment before slowly speaking up, “You guys… did none of you ever thought about going with Hidden Quest 3.1?”

“Huh?”

Roddy’s eyes instantly widened and he looked at Lun Tai in bewilderment. “You… did you lose your mind?”

Back when Roddy was telling them about his analysis, he had not even considered Hidden Quest 3.1.

Going with Hidden Quest 3 would give them a big advantage. Only, due to the many uncertainties involved, they had to give up on it.

However… to give this advantage to others? Wait for another team to devour the meteorite’s embryo and defeat them? Wasn’t that a crazy move?

“Although the reward for that route is a whopping 50,000 points, the risk is too great.” Qiao Qiao frowned, airing the same concern as Roddy. “As for the 10 alien embryo duplicates, they are the equivalent of a single-use War Beast each. After using them, we are incapable of bringing them out of the instance dungeon. When compared to the Alien Genetic Enhancement Serum, the value of the alien embryo duplicates – for us – might be slightly higher. Even so, I do not think that they are worth such a big risk. Taking the embryo inside the meteorite and becoming the Species Lord. This option is enough to make a team confront all the other teams in this instance dungeon. The bonus is too strong! They have up to 100 hours of development time. Who knows how powerful of a mutant army the other team can create?”

“Truthfully, we are wholly capable of not taking any risk.” Lun Tai shook his head. “You guys have entered a wrong line of thought.”

“Wrong line of thought?” Roddy blinked.

On the other hand, Qiao Qiao’s eyes lit up. “Lun Tai, I think I understand what you mean!”

“Wot? You got it so fast?” Roddy gave Qiao Qiao a puzzled look. Then, after pondering it for a moment, he slapped his thigh.

“I get it! Find a weak little team, grab one of them and bring them with us as we find the embryo. Then, shove it down their throat and immediately kill them! Lun Tai, this is your plan, right?”

“That’s it.” Lun Tai nodded and continued solemnly, “Finish them off on the spot. There is no need to wait for the 100 hours to be over and face the mutant army that they create. At any rate, the quest never said that there is any correlation between the reward and the alien gene’s degree of propagation.”

“You son of a bitch, I’m in! Why didn’t I think of this foul method just now?” Roddy was the first to give praise. “Damn, Lun Tai! Even though you’re bad at discerning the relationship between men and women, you are really smart in other aspects. Your muscles really don’t match you.”

“Xiaolian appointed Lun Tai to be the Acting Guild Leader. How could he be mistaken?” Qiao Qiao smiled. “Then, we’ll follow Lun Tai’s plan. Lun Tai, tell us about the specifics of the plan.”

“The amount of information given by the prompt this time around is too little. Looks like they want us to search for the information related to the fall of the meteorite and its transportation on our own. Either that or wait for the coordinates given by the prompt after 10 hours. However, since we already know more about this instance dungeon… it’ll be easier and faster for us to find the coordinates for the meteorite.”

Lun Tai thought for a moment before continuing, “At present, there are no abnormalities in Los Angeles. Looks like the crash site is not inside the city. Still, according to the description from the instance dungeon, the military has mobilized a high number of soldiers to suppress it. If so, there is no way they can completely cover up all information about it. Roddy, use your Mechanical Heart skill and search the internet for all related information. See if you can find the meteorite’s crash site. Then… we’ll rush over. We’ll lie in wait for the opportune moment, choose a weak nearby team and make them our prey!”

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