Survival in the Core: I'm writing a guide for the entire server.

"..."

Lin You looked at the message sent by the seller and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

It seems that the name "Lin You" has already gained some recognition in the newbie zone 25535.

This was an unexpected surprise.

[Lin You: I wouldn't dare call myself a big shot, I've just written a few valuable posts.]

There was a moment of silence on the other end, as if they were considering their words.

[Seller (anonymous): ...To be honest, I initially thought you were a scammer.]

[Lin You: And now?]

[Seller (anonymous): You dare to disclose your precious formula for free, what's the point of scamming me out of this ring?]

Lin You looked at the message and smiled noncommittally.

This seller is a sensible person.

[Seller (anonymous): My name is Qi Chuan, hey bro, wanna be friends?]

[System notification: Player "Qi Chuan" has requested to add you as a friend.]

Lin You clicked "agree".

A new name has appeared in my friends list.

Qi Chuan's profile picture is of a young man with a buzz cut, around twenty years old, who looks quite energetic.

Soon, Qi Chuan sent a message through the private chat function of his friend.

After players add each other as friends, they can communicate one-on-one.

In addition, you can also send items to each other, but there is a time delay.

[Qi Chuan: Lin You, to be honest, I'm really short on food right now. My minecart's fuel is almost gone, and I've run out of wood. If I can't find anything to eat soon, I'm afraid I won't make it through tomorrow.]

Qi Chuan: I got that golden ring from a giant mushroom monster. I almost got hit and killed by that thing... Luckily, the minecart was sturdy enough.

[Lin You: But you can't use it now, your level isn't high enough]

Qi Chuan: Right! The game system says I have to change jobs before I can level up, so I can only watch...

Lin You looked at the series of messages Qi Chuan sent and could sense the other party's anxiety.

He thought for a moment, then typed a line.

[Lin You: How much fuel do you have left in your mining cart?]

Qi Chuan: ...10 o'clock

[Lin You: Don't worry, I can give you some charcoal and food to help you get through the next couple of days.]

[Qi Chuan: Really?! Boss, you're not kidding me, are you?]

[Lin You: What good would it do me to lie to you?]

Qi Chuan: ...That's true, then this ring...

[Lin You: I really want the ring. How about I pay in installments?]

[Lin You: Give me the ring first, and I'll provide you with food and supplies in batches. How about that?]

Qi Chuan remained silent for a long time.

Lin You wasn't in a hurry. He leaned against the cold iron wall of the mine cart and waited patiently.

He knew the suggestion was somewhat risky.

After all, in this treacherous underground world, no one dares to easily trust strangers.

Moreover, valuable items must be handed over first.

Quite some time later, news of Qi Chuan reappeared.

[Qi Chuan: Boss Lin You, to be honest, I hesitated for a long time.]

Qi Chuan: But I want to take a gamble.

[Qi Chuan: I've been reading your posts ever since your first guide was published. You're not like those people who hide their secrets, nor are you like those liars who spout nonsense.]

[Qi Chuan: Every single one of your guides is packed with practical, useful information; they could be lifesavers!]

Qi Chuan: I think someone who's willing to help a million people for free wouldn't lie to me.

Qi Chuan: So, deal!

Lin You looked at the words on the screen and felt a warm current welling up in her heart.

To be honest, his original intention in writing the guide was simply to earn points and take advantage of the system's features.

But at this moment, he truly felt it.

These strategies might be like a ray of light in the dark underground world for other players.

Qi Chuan: I've delivered the ring. Please check it.

[System notification: Player "Qi Chuan" has gifted you a "Gold Miner's Ring" x1. Do you wish to accept?]

Lin You took a deep breath and clicked "Accept".

An antique metal ring appeared in his palm.

The ring is entirely golden yellow, with a rough miner's pickaxe pattern engraved on its surface, and it gleams brightly under the light of the mine cart lantern.

"Great stuff, really great stuff..."

Lin You browsed through the ring's attributes again, quite captivated by it.

Unfortunately, I can't wear it yet.

He needs to level up to level 2 as soon as possible.

[Lin You: The ring has arrived. This is the first batch of supplies; please take it.]

Lin You took out two portions of roasted mushrooms and ten portions of charcoal from her backpack and sent them to Qi Chuan via the gifting function.

This is roughly half of the supplies he has.

[System notification: You have gifted player "Qi Chuan" 2 "Roasted Mushrooms" and 10 "Charcoal"]

Qi Chuan: !!! You've really struck it rich, boss!

[Qi Chuan: Two servings of grilled mushrooms! And charcoal! We're saved!]

[Qi Chuan: Thank you so much, boss! I'm really so grateful!]

[Qi Chuan: Don't worry about the rest of the food, take your time, I believe in you!]

Lin You looked at the message from Qi Chuan, who was so excited he was incoherent, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

[Lin You: I have something to do, I have to go now, take care.]

Qi Chuan: Understood! Boss, you need to be careful too!

After closing the chat interface, Lin You leaned against the wall of the minecart and let out a long sigh of relief.

To be honest, I wasn't sure if he was sure when he suggested "installment payments".

After all, trust is the most luxurious thing these days.

As Lin You sighed, she carefully put the golden ring into the innermost part of her backpack.

Once it reaches level 2, this ring will come in very handy.

"upgrade......"

Lin You opened the system panel and looked at her experience points.

Experience points: 30/100

I need 70 more experience points to reach level 2.

Based on the previous rewards for killing slimes, a level 1 monster gives 10 experience points.

In other words, he still needs to kill at least 7 more monsters.

"Hopefully, the next excavation will uncover some unsuspecting creatures."

Lin You turned off the control panel and sat back down at the console.

The minecart's fuel has been filled to 100.

There are 5 portions of charcoal and 40 portions of wood remaining.

The copper ingots have been smelted, totaling 10 pieces.

He took out five copper ingots and ten stones and made a cooking pot on the workbench.

[Crafting complete! You have obtained a "Cooking Pot" x1.]

A dark iron pot appeared on the worktable.

The pot is not large; it can hold about three servings of food.

At the bottom is a small stove that needs to be filled with fuel to operate.

Lin You tidied up the minecart and placed the cooking pot in a corner.

"Before we knew it, the car was completely full."

The basic workbench, two wooden treasure chests, a furnace, and a cooking pot filled Lin You's minecart to the brim.

After all, there isn't much space in the carriage to begin with.

"Keep digging."

He restarted the mining truck.

Buzz... Buzz...

The drill bit embedded itself in the hard rock again, and the mine cart moved slowly forward.

The rate of fuel consumption has increased significantly.

Since it's a rocky area, fuel consumption is doubled, with each dig requiring 20 units of fuel.

Lin You stared at the fuel gauge, silently calculating in her mind.

100 fuel, can only be used a maximum of 5 times.

We need to be careful with our money.

About three minutes later, the minecart finally passed through the first rock stratum.

[This excavation has ended; 80 units of fuel remain.]

You have obtained 30 "Stones" and 6 "Copper Ore".

"Yes, there is copper ore."

Lin You nodded and started the mine cart again.

……

Please select the digging direction.

[①: Dig forward, fuel -20]

(Additional information: This excavation will encounter some underground root systems, from which you can obtain 15~25 "wood")

【②: Dig backwards, fuel -20】

(Additional information: You will be returning to your previous location)

【③: Dig to the left, fuel -20】

(Additional information: This mining operation will yield 8~12 copper ore and 20~30 stones.)

【④: Dig to the right, fuel -20】

(Additional information: This excavation will yield 10~15 "Coal")

……

"coal?!"

Lin You's eyes lit up instantly.

coal.

He knew all too well what those two words meant in the inner Earth.

fuel!

And it could very well be a more efficient fuel than charcoal!

He made a decision immediately.

"To the right!"

Buzz... Buzz...!

The mine cart roared as it turned, the drill bit embedding itself deeply into the rock strata on the right.

This excavation took longer than the previous one.

About five minutes later, the mine cart slowly came to a stop.

[This excavation has ended; 60 units of fuel remain.]

You have obtained 12 "Coal"!

A basket of shiny black ore appeared near the mine cart.

Lin You got out of the car and collected the scattered coal into a box.

He then picked up a piece of coal and examined it closely.

……

【coal】

Grade: 2 (White)

[Note: A common fossil fuel with a combustion efficiency far exceeding that of wood; it can be used as fuel for furnaces or mining carts]

[Additional Information: Each unit of coal can replenish 10 units of fuel and smelt 3 metal ingots]

……

"Replenish with 10 units of fuel directly?!"

Lin You gasped.

Each unit of charcoal only provides 5 units of fuel.

Coal prices have more than doubled!

Moreover, as fuel for furnaces, one piece of coal can burn three metal ingots, increasing efficiency by 200%!

"It's out! It's out!"

Lin You held the coal in his hands, his mouth stretching to his ears in a wide grin.

He currently has 12 pieces of coal, which, if used entirely to replenish fuel, can provide 120 units of fuel!

Lin You took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"Don't get excited, keep digging."

He put the coal into the treasure chest and restarted the minecart.

Although this rocky area is very fuel-intensive, the harvest is also very plentiful!

Just as Lin You was engrossed in digging, the survival game suddenly released a new announcement.

A scrolling text appeared in front of all the players simultaneously.

[Announcement: A public auction will be held tomorrow at 12:00 PM]

[The highest bid at the auction can be for a gold-quality item!]

Players interested in participating in the auction should prepare sufficient funds to avoid leaving empty-handed.

……