Ryan sat on his mostly dry mound in the swamp, feeling like a successful fantasy shopkeeper who'd just had a really good sales day.
He had a nice little pile of Precursor Data Chips, a colorful assortment of weird herbs, and a few slimy Aquatic Adaptation Glands that smelled faintly of fish and adventure.
First things first: those Data Chips. He had five of them now, plus the one Scarlett had traded him earlier. Six chances for more map data!
He took them out one by one and used his "Ultimate Infinite Extraction System" on each.
"Alright, System," he murmured, focusing on the first chip. "Let's see if we can turn these little squares of mystery into a slightly less mysterious map."
Target: Cracked Precursor Data Chip [Tier F Artifact Fragment]
Initiating Extraction Protocol: Data Recovery.
Extraction Complete!
Acquired: Fragmented Navigation Data [Shrouded Swamp – Ancient Drainage Tunnel Network].
Another piece of the puzzle! He did the same for the remaining four chips. Each one yielded a different snippet of information:
Chip #2: Fragmented Topographical Data [Sunken Structure – Possible Entry Point].
Chip #3: Partial Schematics [Bio-Archive Sector 7 – Perimeter Defense Grid ].
Chip #4: Environmental Readings [High Energy Concentration – Deep Swamp Coordinate].
Chip #5: Text Log Fragment [Precursor Reseacher]
As he extracted the data from the last chip, his god Interface dinged, and he felt a familiar mental click, like tumblers falling into place in a very complex lock.
Multiple Precursor Data Fragment Analyzed and Integrated!
Complex Data Assimilation Complete!
Permanent Effect: +2 INTELLECT!
System Note: Your brain just got a little bit bigger from all that mental heavy lifting! You're practically a walking, talking supercomputer. Well, a slightly damp swamp-computer, anyway. Keep feeding it data!
"Plus two Intellect just for reading old computer chips!" Ryan grinned. His Intellect was now a whopping 46 [including the +10 from his God Purifier title].
The fragmented data from the chips stitched itself together on his Neural Symbiote Map.
He now had a much clearer, even though still incomplete, picture of the Shrouded Swamp.
It showed a network of ancient, probably flooded, drainage tunnels, a possible entry point to a sunken structure and highlighted a spot deep in the swamp with a high energy reading.
The ominous text log about "specimen containment failure" and "facility evacuated" made him a little nervous, but also more determined. That sunken structure was almost certainly his target.
With a much better idea of where he was going [and what scary things might have escaped from there], Ryan turned his attention back to the Barter System.
He'd sold out of roasted rations, but he still had his Reinforced Utility Knives. And now he had a new shopping list.
He updated his trade offer on the CommNet:
"Selling: Roasted Pioneer's Rations [Stamina Boost: Minor] – Fresh Batch Soon! Taking pre-orders!
Now Seeking [for rations]: 'Geode Lenses' or 'Resonating Crystals'. Have enough Data Chips for now, thanks! Swamp maps are looking good!
Also, still have a few Reinforced Utility Knives [Tier E] up for grabs! Will trade knives for 'Aquatic Adaptation Glands ' or other interesting stuff. Show me what you got, Outpost #7!"
The CommNet immediately buzzed.
BigTony77: Pre-orders for rations! Ryan, you're a business mogul! I found a rock that sparkles a bit! Is that a Geode Lens?
PrincessFluffybutt: Oh, I wish I had a Geode Lens! My cats would love shiny things. Maybe I can trade a promise of eternal gratitude? And a drawing of a cat?
ConfusedCarl: Geodes and Crystals! Sounds fancy! My elbows are tingling with anticipation for more of those tasty rations!
One user, ShadySteve_Trades, tried to post his own ad:
ShadySteve_Trades: Selling 'Slightly Singed Rations'! Barely burnt! Good as new-ish! Asking for Tier B Aptitude Shard or your firstborn child! Best deal in the swamp!
He was immediately condemned by about fifty other users.
Emma_Sage_Thorne: That's price gouging, ShadySteve! And your rations probably taste like regret and charcoal. Ryan Stone's trades are fair and the quality is proven.
Chris_Boulder_Magnus: Yeah, Steve! Don't be a jerk! Ryan's stuff is legit!
Ryan chuckled. It was nice to have good customer reviews.
He made another post:
"To clarify: No longer actively seeking Precursor Data Chips for rations at this time.
My current focus is Geode Lenses or Resonating Crystals.
However, I am still trading my Reinforced Utility Knives! For a knife, I'm looking for: 3x 'Glow-Moss Patches ' [need reliable light sources] or any confirmed 'Precursor Tool Fragment' [not just random bits of junk, please!]. Aquatic Adaptation Glands are also still good for knife trades!"
The need for reliable light sources was clearly a big one for many people trying to explore the darker corners of the Shifting Wilds. Glow-Moss Patches, while not as potent as his extracted Bioluminescent Spores, were better than fumbling in the dark.
A trade offer popped up almost immediately. It was from Ace Striker.
Trade Offer Received:
From: Ace_Striker_001
Offering: 1x Cracked Geode Lens [Tier F Artifact Fragment]
For: 1x Reinforced Utility Knife [Tier E]
Accept / Decline?
Ryan raised an eyebrow. Ace Striker, the guy who'd been badmouthing his rations, was now trading for one of his knives? Interesting. And a Geode Lens! That was on his wishlist.
He hit "Accept."
The cracked, cloudy Geode Lens appeared in his inventory. It was about the size of a coin and didn't look very impressive. Ryan immediately used his SSS-Tier system on it.
Target: Cracked Geode Lens [Tier F Artifact Fragment]
Initiating Extraction Protocol: Functional Matrix
Extraction Complete!
Acquired: Focusing Matrix.
System Note: This little bit of crystal, while cracked, contains the basic structure needed to focus light! You could potentially combine this with your Bioluminescent Spores to create a more directed, perhaps even adjustable, light source! Clever you! Ace Striker probably traded it because he poked it a few times, it didn't shoot lasers, and he got bored.
Ryan grinned. A Focusing Matrix! He could totally use that! Ace Striker had probably found the Geode Lens, couldn't figure out what it did [since it was cracked and didn't have an obvious "on" switch], and decided to trade it for something he could use, like a better knife. Ace's loss was Ryan's gain.
He listed his remaining Reinforced Knives on the Barter System, still asking for Glow-Moss, Precursor Tool Fragments, or more Aquatic Adaptation Glands.
The swamp was big, and if he was going to explore an underwater Precursor library, he was going to need all the help he could get breathing underwater. Or at least, not drowning immediately.
The Barter Boom continued, and Ryan, the swamp merchant, was open for business