Sandrine stayed tense the entire day but thankfully nothing more happened. It looked like the game wasn't cruel enough to put two double roads back to back on the first day.
At night, she set up camp as usual. Everyone was a bit tired, she wasn't the only one who had to stay vigilant all day, and the colorless gang didn't feel very energetic either. Sandrine fed everyone, heating up a can of veal blanquette for herself that she ate with rice, even mopping up the sauce on the plate with a piece of olive bread she had made yesterday, and finishing the open can of peach in syrup as a dessert.
When urgent fires were doused down, she could turn her attention to something else. While doing her daily exercises, she opened up the server chat and scrolled up to the beginning of the day, intending to check out the situation of the whole server. Usually she didn't read the usernames in the chat, it wasn't necessary to know who said what, but today she especially paid attention. She needed to know how the players were reacting to the double roads.
[Server chat (5,892/10,000)
PandiPanda : What does 'double road' mean ? Will we meet ?
IamSn00t : better get ready
PandiPanda : What do you mean ?
JusticeBoy56 : Isn't it obvious ? We're all starving here ! If you meet someone with food, take it from them !
PandiPanda : What??? That's bad ! You shouldn't do that ! Why can't we all get along ?
JusticeBoy56 : Read that, guys ? That bitch clearly got food !
IamSn00t : doesn't sound hungry enough to steal
AlphaWolf : Why are you all talking like that ? So hungry your brains became mush ? Don't hesitate to try and steal, I'll make you understand what 'law abbiding' means !]
Before the players actually met the double roads, it was mostly quiet. Sandrine guessed that most players should have wanted to wait and see. Only the cute AlphaWolf acted as brainless as usual. Truly a precious friend that she should protect, or his behavior will kill him someday !
Sandrine scrolled down until the first signs of meeting the double road appeared.
[XavierDu16 : help bandage please
PandiPanda : Someone really attacked me ! You're all crazy !!!!
Amstramgram987 : Can someone send me repair materials ? My vehicle is in shambles, I'll give you everything I have !
xXFarandoleXx : Finally I have food ! I'll survive !]
Between the chaotic messages, there were pictures and videos taken from game screens. Some boasted about their catch, filming themselves pillaging supplies and sometimes even killing the other player, while people dying used their last bit of strength to record their killer and their vehicle.
The number of players on the server decreased by almost a thousand in a day. And this was only for the first day, when people weren't very sure and a lot of them were still in a state of 'wait and see'. If there weren't any repercussions, things would get worse tomorrow.
And there wouldn't be any repercussions. After all, the game gave vague instructions on purpose, only saying that there would be double roads, players would meet, and there would be chests, but giving no rules at all about what to do when meeting the other players.
Sandrine saw a video of a dying man filming his last moments. The other player had completely run over his small electric tricycle, slashing the tires, and stabbing the player in the chest. Then the victim could only record as he was dying, watching as the perpetrator was searching through the vehicle and, finding no food, crouched next to his victim and cut a piece of flesh, tasting it with relish, and reaching for more.
Sandrine frowned and turned off the game screen. She had a general idea of the situation. None of the top big shots had died for now, and her two friends were also alive, that was reassuring. Neither MomImThirsty nor AlphaWolf had asked for help or sent her any message at all, which meant they had been safe during the day.
Concerning the situation, as she had guessed, hunger and the game's manipulations created a bloodbath. But right now it wasn't the worst of it. They would lose most players at the start of the new day. After all, if someone slashed your tires and pillaged your resources, how are you supposed to drive ? How are you supposed to cover the required distance ? A lot of players will get eliminated then.
It was also good to note that there were some players instigating trouble, like that JusticeBoy56 who voiced the idea of stealing before meeting the double roads, as if to remind everyone that they could target the other players.
She had to keep an eye on those individuals.
Anyway, with the checkout done and her exercises finished, Sandrine finally took out the metal chest she had collected from the road and opened it.
[Fruit platter, cheese platter, vehicle extension card, mongolian saddle]
There wasn't a lot but each item was incredible ! The platter and board didn't need any introduction, full of fresh and delicious food, the vehicle extension card was a game item allowing a player to expand their vehicle by 2 m² however they want, but Sandrine was focused on the mongolian saddle. This was a wooden saddle used by Mongolians, well known for their incredible riding gymnastics during wars, allowing them to really lean on the side of their horses to hide during an assault.
Less comfortable than the classical leather saddle, but with freedom of movement, and definitely better than not having any saddle at all. It was also quite sturdy, she wouldn't break the stirrups straps even if she moved around a lot.
Sandrine happily rounded up her gains.
"The metal chests are definitely of better quality than the wooden ones, but they seem to have only one item tailored to the player, contrary to the golden chests which are full of stuff the player needs. Overall, not bad !"
Sandrine stretched and prepared the saddle for tomorrow. With this, it would be easier on her, she would suffer less and wouldn't be thrown around when Paquerette trots or gallops.
But thinking about tomorrow… She worried a bit about her friends. She was quite confident in herself, mostly because she had done everything she could and her safety was now up to fate, but AlphaWolf was hot headed and MomImThisty seemed so timid and nerdy, she was afraid they would stumble upon bad people. While she searched through her inventory for a way to help them, she sent them messages.
[84jojo84 : Everything okay for tomorrow ? Need help ? I got a lot of upgrade materials and other stuff]
The first to answer was AlphaWolf.
[AlphaWolf : I'm just annoyed I spend too much time on the road and not enough taking care of the meat]
[AlphaWolf : Oh, you're talking about the double road ? My truck is still level 1 because it takes way too much materials to upgrade it and I'm scared it'll need more fuel afterwards. I'm already short on it, even with everything you send me]
[84jojo84 : I got more, I'll send more. Upgrade. A crazy guy could try to stab through the metal shell or light a fire in your gas tank. Some are really losing their minds in the server chat]
[AlphaWolf : Yeah, I saw that, what is the police even doing ? Well, I guess they aren't here anymore…]
[AlphaWolf : Got it bro, I'll upgrade. But now I owe you too much, so I officially offer myself to be your underling ! Whatever the big shot needs, I'll bring it ! Just say the word and I'll follow !]
Sandrine chuckled and opened the screenshot AlphaWolf had sent with all the required materials to upgrade his truck. He didn't lie, there was a lot ! But Sandrine had stockpiled so much while trading for the bread she didn't need, it was only a fraction of what she had. It was one of the advantages of not having a vehicle to upgrade.
After sending the materials, she saw a notification on MomImThristy's conversation.
[MomImThristy : Thank you for your proposition, however I have already prepared defensive measures and I do not wish to borrow your help]
[84jojo84 : Got it. Still, I got this vehicle extension card that I won't use. Want it ?]
[MomImThristy : Are you really not going to use it ?]
[84jojo84 : Wooden cross, iron cross, if I lie I go to Hell !]
[MomImThristy : Then I reluctantly accept your help and will repay you at a later date]
[84jojo84 : Ok]
Sandrine sent him the extension card and, while she was at it, also sent the chest detector she had gotten on the last day of the offroad event to AlphaWolf. The guy said he was sad that he didn't have enough time to take care of the meat. With a detector informing him when he approaches a chest, he doesn't have to go slow and look outside himself, it would help him greatly in doing his mileage earlier and have time for the meat.
As for weapons ? Sandrine herself had never found anything other than the tamer's pitchfork, what was she supposed to give them ?
With all these emotions, Sandrine had completely forgotten about the welfare rankings that had been unlocked in the morning ! She had to put off checking them because she was focusing on the double road, but a message from MomImThirsty congratulating her made Sandrine remember.
A congratulation surely meant a high ranking, right ? She already had a target on her back, so whatever, it didn't matter…
Opening the tab, Sandrine immediately froze after seeing her rank.
First.
No, this wasn't a joke.
She didn't pay too much attention to the rest because most were known faces, the usual high rankers, and this ranking was temporary anyway, it would be rounded up at the end of the newbie protection period, but Sandrine couldn't wrap her head around the fact that she was first amongst everyone.
Doesn't welfare mean how well you live ? She didn't even have a roof above her head, no defensive capability, she was slower than other players and thus could pick up less chests during the day… Why was she first ? And by a huge margin at that ! The second was AnaïsDu33, a well known name, but Sandrine still had more than double their points !
The number of welfare points was public, but the breakdown was private. After clicking on her name, Sandrine could read the full explanation.
Basically, it was because of her pets. Two players together are not simply as strong as 1+1. Their independent strength might vary, but together they can create strategies, encircle an enemy, use a bait tactic, and other creative ways to multiply their strength.
In the same way, Sandrine wasn't alone technically. She had two other pals ! Yes, they might be a bit less clever than a human, but they are very strong ! Paquerette alone against a human ? That's a death sentence for the guy ! They are level 4 after all. Individually they have a lot of strength, but together they cleared almost an entire day of the offroad event ! And that was without Sandrine. With her added, they were an entire team.
Of course having an entire team in a solo game would earn you more points.
The good thing was that she was almost guaranteed to be forever at the top of the welfare rankings. This at least made up for the fact that she would never be on the mileage rankings.
The other good thing was that now nobody could guess that she was 84jojo84, nobody would imagine that a girl on a horse without a vehicle would be at the top of the welfare rankings.
The bad thing was that now that 84jojo84 was a top ranker, he became an extremely public figure, and Sandrine was forced to speak more in the chat and interact with people, because otherwise it would be more suspicious. She couldn't keep it low key.
Well, not exactly. Now that she thought about it, she had never posted a single message in the chat. Speaking now to appear less suspicious would make her even more suspicious instead !
This was complicated, her brain hurt.
She decided to let it go and do as usual.
Finishing her night routine, Sandrine put on her pajamas, ones she had found in an outfit set in her rewards, a comfy onesie in the shape of a frog, and she attached her evolved splinters, then jumped into bed and fell asleep instantly.
The next morning, Sandrine stood next to Paquerette, tightening the saddle strap under the mare's armpits. So as to not hurt her with the friction, Sandrine had used an animal pelt as a saddle pad underneath.
"Is it okay ? Not too tight ?"
Paquerette rolled her eyes and snorted, ignoring her. Taking it as a permission, Sandrine tried to contain her excitement as she put her foot in the stirrup, and pushed up. It took less than a second and no effort at all, but suddenly Sandrine was on Paquerette's back, snuggly fitted between the two elevated wooden pieces on the front and back on the saddle.
It felt very cold compared to before, she wasn't touching Paquerette anymore, so it was a bit strange. Also, she could push on her feet to stand up on the saddle, much like a professional cyclist. This was a hundred times more comfortable than being tossed around during a trot !
The buzzing sound filled Sandrine's head, and she scooted Gribouille closer, putting him in her kangaroo pouch.
[Players who didn't reach the required mileage will disappear]
[5,543 players enter the 10th day]
[Congratulations on entering the 10th day]
[Required mileage for today : 90km]
[Time left for the newbie protection period : 5 days]
[Today is an event day !]
[Event : Double roads]
[Randomly, two players' roads will meet]
[Everytime two roads meet, there will be a chest on each side]
[This event will last 2 days. After the event is over, the double roads will stay as a random possibility for the rest of the game.
[There is 1 day left for this event. Enjoy !]
"Let's go, another day of survival is ahead !"
Sandrine ceremoniously pointed forward. Paquerette shook her head in response, looking like she was forced to put up with an annoying toddler.
Gribouille was happily poking his little head out, excited to realize that he wasn't shaken when Paquerette was moving anymore !
The little family moved forward as usual. Except for their nerves which were still quite sensitive, and their vigilant eyes darting around.
The day started quite normally, nothing different, until around 2pm when Paquerette was moving in a comfortable gallop, and Sandrine noticed that the black mist on her left was getting thinner.
"Double road !"
She cried in alarm and every pet tensed up immediately. Since the other road was on the left, Paquerette scooted towards the right, ready to replicate yesterday's actions and take the chest then running away.
However they wouldn't get this chance today. Because contrary to yesterday, the other vehicle arrived first on the double road. It was a black jeep, but even the color couldn't hide the dark red stains on the windows and the bumper. More than that, Sandrine immediately recognized the vehicle and the blonde guy with the creepy smile inside. The one who had been filmed eating his victim.
A cannibal.
A mad one at that, and one who had already turned his vehicle around and, instead of driving forward towards the chest, was actually going back to rush towards Sandrine's group.