Chapter 20: The Qilin Organization

The only drawback of this talent was the long and arduous process required to level up. Moreover, the success rate was low. It couldn’t be improved with ordinary experience points; it could only be enhanced through experience gained from successful thefts. Even Song Yu’s scavenger bonuses, which doubled or tripled experience gains, had no effect on it.

In a way, the players who first acquired this talent were quite unlucky—there were essentially no bonuses. Song Yu had no intention of using this talent herself; she planned to give it to Xiao Hei instead. Xiao Hei was faster than her, and the stealing process was completed in an instant. Even if it failed, it could run away quickly. Compared to humans, animals aroused less suspicion. Humans could think and scheme, but animals were simpler. Many people might harbor ill intentions toward animals, but rarely did they set defenses against them.

As for the street thug talent, of course, Song Yu would use that herself. No matter how extraordinary Xiao Hei was, innate conditions were what they were, and there was no changing that. Song Yu tidied up her inventory and backpack, then waited by the window for Xiao Hei to return.

Two hours passed before she finally saw Xiao Hei’s figure—dusty, limping slightly. Without hesitation, she rushed downstairs and applied the last roll of bandages to Xiao Hei. Then, together, they set off for Doctor Zhong’s area.

At times like this, a vehicle would have been ideal. Song Yu thought of a four-wheeled car or even a motorized two-wheeler—not that rickety human-powered bicycle. That bike was less mobile than her own two legs.

Xiao Hei, just returned, saw that Song Yu was heading out and followed obediently without complaint. The night in Willow City was fraught with danger. Gunfire and footsteps echoed from all directions. Xiao Hei always managed to lead her along routes with fewer zombies.

Still, they encountered many zombies, and Song Yu even ran into a level 4 zombie! Despite its frail appearance, the creature’s attack power and speed were high. Fortunately, its health was only 237 points—someone had already taken off half its life.

Xiao Hei drew the zombie’s attention while Song Yu attacked from the side. It took considerable effort from both to finally defeat the creature, nearly costing them their lives. Luckily, they survived and managed to loot six vials of mutated blood. Originally, there had only been two, but Song Yu’s talent triggered a triple bonus, granting her six vials at once. It was a pleasant surprise.

By then, they had covered a quarter of the journey. Suddenly, Song Yu heard the sound of a vehicle and intense gunfire nearby. Clearly, it wasn’t far. After a moment’s thought, she instructed Xiao Hei to lead her toward the source of the noise.

At times like this, only NPCs could afford to drive vehicles and wield firearms. In this area, there was Shuyuan, who didn’t use guns; then Jing Ming, the Watchers organization, and three NPCs Song Yu had yet to meet. With a 40% chance of encountering someone she knew, Song Yu decided to take the gamble. If it was on the way, all the better.

She had cigarettes and vodka in her backpack, perfect for payment. In the apocalypse, tobacco and alcohol were definitely hot commodities.

Song Yu and Xiao Hei darted swiftly through the alleys, hordes of zombies trailing behind. Soon, they spotted several military-green trucks—vehicles belonging to another city faction, the Qilin organization.

The Watchers had marked them for her: one faction was civilian, the other semi-official. Qilin was the semi-official group. Song Yu didn’t understand the world’s workings, but the Watchers said so.

Jiang Zhou had told her that if she encountered Qilin, she could ask for help boldly. However, this faction was elusive and rare to meet.

Recalling Jiang Zhou’s advice, Song Yu scanned the incoming zombies and decisively shouted for help.

The people in the vehicles froze momentarily upon hearing her cries, then quickly began searching. They soon spotted Song Yu and Xiao Hei—the dog’s yellow fur stood out among the gray-black-greenish zombies. Clearly, it was no zombie dog.

“Get in quickly, here!” someone shouted anxiously as the vehicles slowed down.

“Xiao Hei, get on first!” Song Yu threw a rope with determination.

Since Xiao Hei wasn’t human, these people might ignore it, and no matter how fast Song Yu was, she couldn’t match the dog. Understanding, Xiao Hei bit one end of the rope and leapt onto the truck.

The people on the vehicle, impressed by Xiao Hei’s intelligence, grabbed the rope in its mouth and pulled Song Yu aboard with a strong tug. Her shoe soles were nearly worn through, but compared to life, what was a pair of shoes?

“Are you alright?” a girl gently patted Song Yu’s back and asked.

Song Yu shook her head and thanked her.

“Thank you for saving me and Xiao Hei. Are you heading to…?” Song Yu noticed many wounded people on the vehicle and formed a guess.

“We’re going to Doctor Zhong,” the girl confirmed.

From the buffs and these people’s attitudes, Doctor Zhong seemed to be a good person.

“That’s great!” A hint of joy appeared on Song Yu’s face. She didn’t idle away the time; while talking with the girl, she took out her crossbow to help fend off zombies chasing the convoy.

One must be perceptive and not take things for granted.

“Are you injured? We have some alcohol here to help with the wounds,” the girl asked, concern in her eyes. The others on the vehicle showed no objection—their attitude could be described as saintly.

Song Yu meant it as a compliment.

“No need. I was hurt by rust. If you’re short on alcohol, I have two bottles of vodka; that should do,” Song Yu offered kindly.

Several wounded people’s expressions shifted noticeably upon hearing this.

“It’s okay, our medical supplies should last until we reach Doctor Zhong,” the girl said with a smile, shaking her head but still thanking Song Yu for her kindness.

With a few grenades tossed, the zombies trailing the convoy finally vanished.

Along the way, Song Yu and the girl hit it off well, and she generously shared cigarettes, alcohol, and canned beef.

Thanks to the charms of tobacco and vodka, the other fighters’ goodwill toward Song Yu rose rapidly. They hadn’t encountered such luxury in a long time.

When they learned Song Yu had a handgun, one fighter secretly slipped her a large handful of bullets—over twenty rounds!

Song Yu reciprocated by giving him the last box of cigarettes, which delighted him immensely.

She understood well the importance of raising NPCs’ favor—it often brought unexpected rewards, just like now.

The vehicle swayed and rattled, speeding toward Doctor Zhong’s clinic. Even in the dead of night, the clinic’s signboard glowed brightly, unmistakably prominent.