Chapter 577: The First Player Association
The Artificer was a special profession. Xu Huo had looked into it in District 011.
Practitioners were diverse. Some, like the Paper Servant Master, reached a high enough level and intuitively used their traits to create items. Others were special players who developed this talent and specialized in it after growing stronger.
The Game Government not only didn't interfere with people like the Paper Servant Master but actively cooperated with them. That was why certain game instance rewards included items they had crafted.
Players whose traits involved crafting items were usually absorbed by the Game Government. The government provided materials and technology, and after learning, they received high compensation while becoming Gray Players—exempt from regular instance participation while retaining their player panels.
There were also those who didn't cooperate with the government, opening their own shops or trading with district markets. These were fewer in number, and those who could keep their shops running were mostly highly experienced Artificers. After all, for simple buying and selling of items and potions, the exchanges and auction houses open in every district were clearly more suitable.
The above were the relatively well-off in this industry. Some Artificers couldn't produce proper items and failed to obtain the game-issued practice certificate. Most ended up privately employed or drifting through the black market. Such people needed good luck to stay stable.
An Artificer's business wasn't limited to making items. Crafting required a special ore, which was basically monopolized by the Game Government. In short, you needed money to make items. Otherwise, the scrap rate alone could bankrupt an Artificer with modest assets. So generally, Artificers also worked as repairmen.
For example, the "Umbrella of Justice." Before Xu Huo obtained it, the human skin covering it had been applied by an Artificer. After modification, the item's effects also differed.
He hadn't seen any Artificer shops in District 011. A simple thought told him that talent in this area was basically scooped up by the Game Government, so it wasn't strange not to see any.
From Sima Xiao'er's description, the toy shops appearing in bustling areas sounded somewhat like Artificer shops.
"Are we really going?" Even after getting into the car, Sima Xiao'er couldn't help asking. "Should I call a few helpers? In case something happens, they can assist."
Xu Huo lifted his chin toward the road ahead. "Drive recklessly, and your family will weep."
Sima Xiao'er almost rolled his eyes but couldn't sit still, fidgeting like his seat was on fire. He kept pressing, "Brother Xu, do you think they're like that group before, from other game districts? But coming here to buy houses and open shops... are housing prices in other game districts that high? Are players being forced into real estate speculation?"
Xu Huo glanced at him, then after a moment said, "You could buy low now."
Sima Xiao'er gave a dry laugh. "Brother Xu, don't tease me. I don't even have enough money for potions, let alone a house. Places far from the Special Defense Department are cheaper, but the commute is too long. I'd have to drive forever to work every day."
This time, Xu Huo genuinely smiled.
After driving for over an hour, a convoy of sports cars caught up from behind. The leader knew Sima Xiao'er and slowed down to greet him. "Hey, who's this crawling along the road like a turtle? Oh, it's you. Tsk tsk, you dare drive this piece of junk on the road?"
The sports car roared past and circled around to Xu Huo's side. The man continued, "We're old friends, after all. Seeing you sink lower and lower, why not come work for me? I guarantee you'll earn more than at the Special Defense Department."
"Don't get cocky, asshole! Believe me, I'll bring people to raid the First Association every damn day!" Sima Xiao'er flipped him off.
The sports car man laughed heartily. "Come on, then. I doubt you can even order the Special Defense Department around. Besides, does your Special Defense Department have the balls to go head-to-head with the First Association?"
With that, he deliberately pulled ahead to block them. Sima Xiao'er slammed the brakes in shock, but the sudden stop sent the passenger flying!
Sima Xiao'er's jaw dropped. He twisted his head and saw Xu Huo already sitting in the passenger seat of the lead sports car, patting the driver's shoulder. "Drive carefully."
The sports car man was also a player, but he hadn't even seen how Xu Huo got into his car. His mouth opened and closed, his anger slowly turning into stiffness and fear until his shoulder was tapped.
"Brother, I was just running my mouth. I'll leave right now, I swear I won't block your way!" The sports car man surrendered naturally.
"I think Sima Xiao'er's car is too slow. Yours is much better." Xu Huo stared at him.
The sports car man forced a smile. "Take it, by all means."
The car soon stopped. Sima Xiao'er smugly slid into the sports car and tossed his keys to the sports car man. "Drive my car back. I'll need it for work later."
The sports car man was furious but dared not speak. He even had to stop his companions in the cars behind from intervening, sending them off with a full-faced smile.
The convoy quickly vanished from the rearview mirror. Only then did Xu Huo ask, "Does the First Association have no control over its members?"
"Things are different now. As long as players don't kill or set fires, things like driving without plates, speeding, or drunk driving are all overlooked. There's hardly anyone on the roads anyway." Sima Xiao'er added bitterly, "But that bunch from the First Association is way too arrogant. Ever since they got government recognition, they've been picking fights with the Special Defense Department nonstop. Our people get harassed by them on patrol all the time. We can't fight back, and it's driving us crazy."
"If you ask me, the First Association should never have been established. Those bastards are insufferably cocky!"
This was expected. As player abilities grew, the rules that once constrained ordinary people no longer applied to them.
"But Brother Xu, you're the real deal." Sima Xiao'er gave a thumbs-up. "That punk didn't dare talk back to you. He even gave up his car. A sports car rides so much smoother. We'll get there fast."
He spoke too soon. While they were eating lunch at a service station, the sports car man caught up with another group.
The service station staff, sensing trouble, hid in the back. The sports car man followed a player wearing a knit cap inside and pointed at Xu Huo. "Brother Li, it's him."
The cap player, hand on his holstered gun, swaggered over and sat down across from Xu Huo, grinning. "Buddy, you're pretty cocky. Don't you know Wang Meng is a First Association player?"
"You're carrying a gun!" Sima Xiao'er slammed the table and tried to stand, but his body froze mid-motion, stuck in an awkward pose.
Xu Huo beside him was completely unaffected. He raised a hand to stop the cap player. "What's your name?"
The cap player chuckled. "Bao Jiali. What, you think you're getting out of this? Already planning for later?"
Xu Huo pulled out his phone and dialed a number right in front of him. "This is Xu Huo. I'm looking for Tan Yang."
(Chapter End)