PFC Chapter 53 Fortress Network
Chapter 53 Fortress Network
Wrench sized up Huang Hong. Despite his mechanical face, it vividly conveyed confusion and suspicion. He hesitated and asked, "You... you've obtained D-level access?"
Huang Hong nodded slightly, not thinking there was anything wrong with it.
Although Huang Hong had many things he wanted to do, considering that manufacturing energy modules would also take a certain amount of time, he came directly to Wrench after completing the transaction in order not to waste any time.
As for the D-level access, Huang Hong didn't ask during the transaction, since he had refused the other party so many times and felt embarrassed.
It can only be said that Huang Hong is still too young and a bit too thin-skinned, but considering that he can get the answer from the wrench, it doesn't matter.
Upon hearing Huang Hong's question, Wrench shook his head helplessly and explained, "The D-level privileges you obtained are officially called 'Fortress Network D-level Privileges.' Our Arab Fortress is a member of the Fortress Network."
"Legend has it that the Fortress Network was originally established by a mechanical civilization that accidentally entered the Paradise World. Later, it gradually absorbed a large number of mechanical race members, and now the Fortress Network's footprint has spread to almost half of the Paradise World."
"The Fortress Network has a distinctive feature: mechanical fortresses. Each mechanical life form within the Fortress Network will seek a suitable location to build its own mechanical fortress. Based on their personalities and preferences, these fortresses also have their own characteristics, such as war and plunder, mining and farming, commerce and trade, mission exchange, etc."
"The only thing they have in common is that all the mechanical fortresses in the fortress network are open to other races, and everyone can enter them to rest, resupply, exchange, and trade."
"Although D-level privileges are the lowest level of privileges in the Fortress Network, they are also the formal qualification threshold. Before having D-level privileges, you are just an outsider wanderer in the eyes of the Fortress Network. But after having D-level privileges, you are an adventurer recognized by the Fortress Network and can enjoy formal treatment in all aspects."
"For example, we usually charge double for the network for wanderers, while adventurers pay the normal price."
Huang Hong was taken aback, then realized what he meant and said, "You mean... the cost of manufacturing the energy module?"
Wrench laughed, "You guessed it! Now you just need to give me 5000... oh no, if you give me a 5% discount, you only need to give me 4750 credits."
Huang Hong's lips twitched. He hadn't expected the fortress network to be so terrible, and so terribly so.
Wrench asked curiously, "While the threshold for D-level access isn't high, it still requires making sufficient contributions to the Mechanical Fortress to be granted it. What did you do to get access directly from the fortress?"
Huang Hong didn't hide anything and briefly explained the mission.
Wrench shouted, "Guest, I didn't expect you to have such abilities. You missed out on B-level access. Each mechanical fortress can only submit one slot every 1000 standard hours."
"Once you have B-level access, you've entered the privileged tier of the fortress network. Intelligence sharing, trade discounts, and priority trading rights are the bare minimum. When you encounter trouble, you can make a request to any nearby mechanical fortress, ask for shelter, or even ask them to provide some fire support. Of course, the latter is in the form of an employment agreement."
Huang Hong was somewhat surprised, not expecting that the value of this B-level access was so high. During his chat with Wrench, he also understood the meaning of the unit of measurement 'standard time'. 1000 standard times, converted into the time expression he was familiar with, was thirty years.
However, Huang Hong did not regret it. He understood the principle that you might earn money but not live to spend it. With his current small body, if he participated in the war between the mechanical legion and the giant beasts, he might accidentally be slapped to death.
Huang Hong asked, "At this price, how long will it take to complete the processing? Don't use standard time; it's too complicated to convert. Use a time unit I'm familiar with."
Wrench shrugged and said, "Okay, okay, it's just a small project. Leave the stuff with me, and it'll be finished in a day."
Huang Hong nodded slightly, handed the [Elemental Core (Earth)] to Wrench, and then transferred 4750 credits to it.
A series of data flashed in the wrench's electronic eyes, and a different electronic voice said, "Transaction complete, agreement established."
The wrench returned to normal, and he said with a grin, "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll get to work. After all, you're my esteemed first customer, so I'll definitely do my best to make sure you're satisfied."
Huang Hong nodded and said, "This is troublesome. I need to ask for some intelligence information. Where should I go?"
Wrench said, "There aren't any shops specializing in trading intelligence at Luber Fortress yet. If you want to get information, just go to the Mission Hall. They offer some basic shared intelligence for free there. Of course, you'll need to pay for valuable intelligence."
After thanking the wrench, Huang Hong returned to the mission hall, summoned the service robot, and briefly explained his intelligence needs.
The service robot immediately said, "Dear adventurer, as a D-level privilege holder, you are qualified to purchase service terminals from the fortress network."
As it spoke, the service robot took out two items: a watch and a smartphone: "These are both basic service terminals. Apart from their different shapes, they have the same functions."
"With the service terminal, you can query basic information released by the Mechanical Fortress, including nearby terrain, danger distribution, and important information updated in real time. You can also easily post and accept missions from it."
"In addition, each time you arrive at a new mechanical fortress, you will automatically connect to the fortress's network and obtain the above services."
Huang Hong picked up the watch and fiddled with it in his hand, asking, "How many credits does this cost? And you just said this is a basic service terminal, so there are higher levels, right? What's the difference?"
The service robot said, "The basic service terminal only requires 100 credits, but a service fee must be paid periodically. With your current permissions, you can only purchase the basic service terminal. The intermediate service terminal requires C-level permissions, and the advanced service terminal requires B-level permissions."
"Different service terminals carry different functions, as well as differences in basic information and tiers of connection distance. The maximum connection distance between a basic service terminal and a mechanical fortress is 10 kilometers, that of a mid-level service terminal is 50 kilometers, and that of an advanced service terminal is 100 kilometers."
Huang Hong pressed the button on his wristwatch, and the virtual projection in the air kept changing.
He then asked a few more questions, which helped him clarify the permissions he possessed.
After putting the watch on his wrist, Huang Hong said, "Okay, this is it, I'll buy it."
Data flashed in the service robot's electronic eyes: "Transaction completed, authorization activated, primary service terminal login successful, binding in progress... Please enter your code..."
Huang Hong thought for a moment and said, "Hong".
"Binding successful, authentication complete."
"Dear 'Hong', Fortress Network welcomes you to join us."