"Sunset bro, that's clearly an Ice-element weapon. You're a Pyro class—why'd you even want that thing?"
One of the players, clearly envious, couldn't help but speak up.
"There's no 'Ice Elementalist Only' tag in the item's requirements,"
replied [Sunset Wargod], thinking it through.
"It's just a weapon that deals Cryo damage. I'm a Fire Enchant Warrior—I can use it just fine.
I already know exactly how I'll play this.
First, I'll use the cryogun to inflict a Freeze debuff!
That'll slow them down and apply Cryo.
Then I'll switch to my greatsword, trigger Fire enchantment, and Melt!
Boom—double damage!"
"Hm? Does this player already know about elemental reactions?"
Liang Chuan raised his brows in mild surprise, giving [Sunset Wargod] an approving look.
Things like Vaporize and Melt were common knowledge in other worlds—
but here in Teyvat, those reactions could actually amplify damage!
Clearly, [Sunset Wargod] had already experimented with elemental combos while fighting monsters.
"I know some of you want this weapon too," Sunset continued,
"So let's not waste time.
If I take it, I'll pay everyone a thousand credits each."
He lifted his chin slightly toward his teammates.
"If anyone offers more than me, I'll back out.
Like you said, it's not essential for my class anyway.
I just want it for fun."
His words left the others silent.
That cryogun was currently the only three-star weapon they'd found.
Even those not playing Cryo-related classes wanted it.
But once they heard Sunset's offer—
buying it for the equivalent of 9,000 credits—
they fell quiet.
Even if they could afford it,
None of the "free-to-play" players were willing to spend that much on a non-core weapon.
Once he confirmed that no one was going to contest him,
[Sunset Wargod] immediately made the transfer—
sending each teammate 1,000 credits on the spot.
Even a few players who'd barely lifted a finger couldn't hide their grins.
They'd just stood around watching, and suddenly—
1,000 credits, deposited directly into their account!
Easiest money ever.
"Sunset bro! Add me as a friend! Next time you need people for an event, call me first!"
"Sunset bro! Need a sidekick? I'm online 24/7!"
"Sunset bro, I—uh…"
A few players quickly realized the perks of sticking close to a big spender,
immediately putting on their best sycophantic smiles.
Sunset added them back, though only for convenience—
good for sourcing materials or spare equipment, sure.
But as for future dungeon parties?
No way he was taking these freeloaders along.
"Didn't I tell those guys to apply for game accounts?
Why haven't they logged in yet?
Don't tell me they're waiting for the third base to open—
version 1.2 or whatever?"
Images of several old comrades flashed through Sunset's mind—
the real veterans.
Guys he'd played with in other MMOs—
A few were even retired pro players.
As a top-tier spender, Sunset naturally had his own squad.
If this were any other MMO,
they'd have already formed a guild and prepared to dominate the server before launch.
But "Genshin: Online" had dropped out of nowhere.
They hadn't had time to organize.
Still, with his gear and spending power, he'd carve a place for himself soon enough.
He slung the cryogun across his back and tried firing it.
But since the fuel tank had been pierced by a rocket earlier,
all that came out was a weak mist—cooling, but completely harmless.
Not that Sunset cared.
He wasn't spending to win—he was spending for fun.
Dropping 9,000 credits on a cryogun was, to him,
no different from a casual player buying a $10 toy car.
"I'll take it back to the Workbench later, see if I can repair it.
If not, I'll just keep it as a cooling gadget.
In this 30-degree weather, a portable air conditioner isn't half bad."
He stored the weapon in his inventory,
then turned to [Huoyanyan] and asked:
"Any more hostile NPCs around?
If not, I'm heading out."
With new players flooding into the game,
most couldn't handle monsters yet and were busy chopping wood or mining ore.
Perfect time to stockpile crafting materials for main quests.
He might be a whale, but he wasn't stupid.
Buy low, profit later—that's how you play the economy.
"Only that fat guy with the cryogun so far," said [Huoyanyan],
"but it's obvious he's got people behind him.
Shouldn't we wait? Maybe his buddies have the same kind of gear!"
"You guys are waiting for his reinforcements?" Sunset blinked, exasperated.
"Man, I've got full endgame gear and I'm not that brave…
One fat guy with a cryogun nearly wiped me out.
If even one more NPC of that caliber shows up,
our ten-man squad's getting deleted right here."
As he spoke, he was already leaving the party, preparing to bail.
No way was he dying here.
He was level 10 now—reviving would cost him 100 Bio-Energy points!
Credits weren't the issue—he could buy them.
But supply was short.
Even after 24 hours of posting buy requests,
he'd only managed to collect 50 Bio-Energy.
If he died now, who knew how long it would take to gather enough to respawn?
"The game's still too new. Not enough players out farming monsters.
If you want to play reckless and not care about dying,
you'll have to wait a while longer."
Muttering to himself, Sunset started walking away.
Then—
Da-da-da. Footsteps echoed from not far off.
Sunset looked up—and his face instantly darkened.
The Ice Fatui they'd just robbed had returned!
And this time, he'd brought backup.
Several players saw the strange, heavily armed figures approaching
and immediately started joking around.
"Yo, the fat guy actually brought people for payback!
That one with the hood—what's that look supposed to be? Ninja cosplay?"
"Check out that red-eyed dude with the gun. Looks way stronger than the cryogun.
Think we should… steal that too?"
"Forget the loot—I'm more interested in that chick in purple!
She's got a killer body!
Though, uh, what's with the bugs flying around her? That's kinda nasty."
"Dude, really? If you try 'seducing' an NPC in public,
the system auto-bans you for ten minutes…
Don't ask how I know."
Listening to their chatter, [Sunset Wargod] exhaled deeply.
These idiots… they had no idea the disaster they were about to walk into.
No—he had to log out. Fast.
[You are currently in combat and cannot exit the game.]
[You are currently in combat and cannot exit the game.]
[You are currently in…]
Sunset froze. He tried again—but the system wouldn't let him log out.
He looked up—
and saw the fat Fatui Skirmisher - Cryogunner Legionnaire pointing straight at him.
"It's them!" the man bellowed.
"They're the ones who stole my cryogun!"
[Sunset Wargod]: "…"
—He suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
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