Chapter 142: Middle Man

During their briefing earlier today, Alan had instructed the crafter team to make the most of the materials they had available to craft additional weapons and armor. Alan also advised everyone to collect their basic gear, including the [Steel Sword], [Wood Shield], and [Leather Vest].

Many were confused by Alan taking their weapons and armor, but Alan assured them that he would provide better ones later on.

Over fifty sets of these items were collected and transported to the bustling street for sale.

"Buy now!! Wolverine's set gear!! Half price, only 500 survival points per set!"

Bill's enthusiastic shout attracted the attention of passing players. The price he was offering was incredibly competitive, especially compared to the cost of similar common weapons and armor, which would exceed 1000 survival points in the official game item shops located behind them. The discounted prices instantly piqued the interest of potential buyers.

While Bill continued to announce the deals, other members of his crew began to spread rumors throughout the crowd. They claimed that bullets would be exceedingly scarce in the upcoming round and emphasized the importance of having reliable melee weapons and armor.

Although this information wasn't officially confirmed by the military, the Wolverines' reputation and the affordability of their weapons were sufficient to persuade some players to make purchases.

The street transformed into a bustling marketplace as players eagerly approached the makeshift stall. Some inspected the weapons, checking their weight and balance, while others tried on the leather vests for size. The excitement in the air was palpable, as both the Wolverines and the buyers recognized the significance of these transactions.

Bill's announcement wasn't limited to selling their finely crafted weapons and armor; it included another enticing offer that showcased his business acumen. With a confident smile, Bill relayed a message that intrigued the passing players even further.

"Wolverine shops accept to buy any of your common items at a higher 3%. the item shop would buy for you, buy any item from us with 3% cheaper price."

This was the moment when Bill's unique skill, came into play. He had invested all his hard-earned rank rewards into upgrading this skill, making him an adept merchant in the world of the game.

[Mercantile (Expert)],

[You are able to buy and sell items at the shop with 5% discounted rate]

The skill allowed him to buy and sell items at the shop with a 5% discount rate, turning him into a profitable middleman.

To kickstart this venture, Bill required solid capital, which Alan graciously provided by lending him 30,000 survival points. The businessman was prepared to take calculated risks to establish the Wolverines as trusted and reputable sellers within the game.

The agreement they had reached was clear: the profits generated from this endeavor would be divided amongst the key stakeholders. Bill and Alan would share the 1% gain. The remaining 1% was designated for the Wolverines' unity as a collective effort. Bill's ambitions didn't stop here; he longed to enhance his unique skill further, potentially reaching the master or grand master level if more tank rewards came their way.

This multifaceted approach aimed not only to bolster the Wolverines' coffers but also to solidify their name in the game, increasing their influence and credibility. With their gear on high demand and their reputation as honest traders growing, the Wolverines were carving a unique path to success within the deadly game they played.

As the shop began filling up with eager players, the Wolverines' business strategy bore fruit, making the [Item Shop] appear like a less appealing choice for most players. Alan had calculated that approximately 2,000 players would spend an average of 1,500 survival points each in the shop. With this estimate in mind, they anticipated a total expenditure of 3,000,000 survival points, which meant that the shop would gain a substantial 60,000 survival points in profit.

However, Alan had more tasks for the CEO besides their primary sales operations. One important responsibility was negotiating favorable deals for special uncommon items. At this stage of the game, these uncommon items were still unavailable for purchase in the regular shop, and players were unwilling to sell them due to the exorbitant 40% price penalty. It was here that Bill's business acumen became invaluable as he haggled with players to secure these unique items at a reasonable price, effectively treating them as valuable stock to be resold at a later point for a significant profit.

This additional facet of their strategy aimed to establish the Wolverines as both sellers and collectors of rare, uncommon items, strengthening their presence in the game's marketplace and creating a robust economic ecosystem within their group.

One more crucial task Alan had entrusted to Bill and his team was to maintain a steady stock of all common metal items, emphasizing items with the lowest price but heaviest weight. This included things like hammers, metal shields, and other such items. Under these specific conditions, Bill and his team were unlikely to leave the shop even for a moment, ensuring the Wolverines' presence and profitability in this thriving marketplace.

"Alright, good luck!"

Satisfied with how their shops were performing, Alan prepared to leave the bustling street. However, as he was about to depart, he noticed Marcus and his group of 200 Blood Patriots passing through the same street.

Tensions seemed to escalate for a brief moment as the Wolverines and Blood Patriots exchanged stares. Both groups were well aware of each other's capabilities and reputations, and their encounters were always filled with unspoken competition, as each aimed to prove the superiority of their approach to the deadly game they were trapped in.

Marcus their leader, however, didn't appear to be seeking trouble. Instead, he led his group to a shop situated at the corner of the street.

Vicky, brimming with curiosity, couldn't resist asking, "Where are they going?" Alan, fully aware of their destination, summoned his group to follow him to the same place - a new shop that had not been available in the port town: the [Bloodline Gene Shop].