Locke: I rely on intelligence to dominate the world and ensure the survival of my nation.

The next morning, the sky over the territory began to lighten with the first light of dawn.

Lin Chen leaned against an old tree and opened the system interface. Midnight had passed, and the intelligence database had been refreshed. He glanced at the list, his gaze settling on a white intelligence entry.

"【White Intelligence - Hidden Mission in the Pet Park】: Deep within the Pet Park, near an abandoned wooden hut, lies an injured researcher. Trigger Condition: Carry at least 3 basic HP potions. Mission Reward: Rare Fire Skill Stone 【Flame Eruption】 (Power 80, Special, 10% chance to burn the target)."

Flames erupted.

Lin Chen's pupils contracted slightly. In "Roco Kingdom," Flame Eruption is the core damage-dealing skill for mid-game fire-type characters. Combined with the high magic attack stat of Flame, a single combo can instantly kill most pets of the same level.

He was determined to get that skill stone.

"Wang Hao, let's go." Lin Chen stood up.

"Where to?" Wang Hao asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"Pet Park, do a task."

The two crossed the edge of the Plata Grassland and entered the depths of the petting zoo. It was more desolate here than on the outskirts, with denser trees and sunlight blocked by layers of canopy, leaving only scattered patches of light on the ground.

There was a damp, musty smell in the air, mixed with the scent of dirt and decaying leaves.

Lin Chen slowed his pace. The intelligence report said the abandoned wooden house was deep inside, but it didn't specify its exact location; he would have to find it himself.

After walking for about ten minutes, we heard the sounds of fighting ahead.

It's not a battle between monsters—it's a battle between humans and monsters.

Lin Chen raised his hand to signal Wang Hao to stop, and quietly approached. Through the gaps in the bushes, he saw a figure.

It's a girl.

She was wearing a light gray windbreaker, her long hair tied in a low ponytail, and her profile was clean and sharp. In front of her was a light blue creature, confronting two Kaka insects.

Kaka Bug, a Bug-type, around level 12, is characterized by its high speed and high attack frequency. Many players have been taught a lesson by them in the early stages of the game.

The girl, Shui Lanlan, was clearly at her limit. Her body was covered in bite marks and scratches, her breath was weak, and she was swaying precariously. Meanwhile, the two Kaka bugs continued their relentless attack, showing no sign of stopping.

"Shui Lanlan, get out of the way!" the girl's voice was urgent.

But Shui Lanlan was too exhausted to dodge. A Kaka insect pounced on her, its open mouthparts aimed at Shui Lanlan's neck.

"Fireworks, sparks flying."

A crimson wave of fire swept in from the side, precisely striking the Kaka Bug that lunged at the azure blue creature. Bug-type attacks are twice as weak to Fire-type attacks; the Kaka Bug didn't even have time to scream before being engulfed by the flames and instantly incapacitated.

The other Kaka bug was startled by the sudden attack and turned to run away.

"Guardian dog, give chase!"

A golden figure flashed by like lightning. The guard dog bit the fleeing Kaka bug and flung it into a tree trunk. When it landed, it was already unable to move.

The battle is over.

The whole process took less than five seconds.

The girl was stunned. She turned around and saw Lin Chen walking out from behind the bushes.

Lin Chen didn't look at her, but instead glanced at Shui Lanlan's status—her health was almost gone, and she was still suffering from a poison debuff that was causing her to lose health continuously. He took out a basic HP potion from his backpack, squatted down, and skillfully fed it to Shui Lanlan.

The pale red liquid flowed down the corner of Shui Lanlan's mouth, and its wound began to heal slowly, while the purple tinge from the poison faded from its body.

"Your Water Blue has been poisoned. Those two Kaka bugs' skills were poisonous." Lin Chen stood up, put away the empty medicine bottle, and said, "If it's not treated in time, she'll die from the poison within ten minutes."

The girl stared at him blankly for a while before she came to her senses.

"Th...thank you." Her voice was a little hoarse. "My name is Su Muxue. If it weren't for you just now, Shui Lanlan would have—"

"Lin Chen".

Su Muxue picked up Shui Lanlan, who had recovered somewhat, and gently stroked its head. Her fingers were long and slender, and her movements were very light and gentle, as if she were comforting a frightened child.

"Your two pets were working together really well just now." Su Muxue looked up at him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Fireworks has evolved, and your guardian dog is a rare pet. You must be one of the highest-level people in the territory right now, right?"

Lin Chen neither denied nor admitted it.

"You came all the way to the depths of the pet park alone?" he asked.

Su Muxue shook her head: "I was originally with some friends, but we got separated last night. I wanted to explore deeper, but I unexpectedly encountered two Kaka Bugs." She smiled wryly, "My Water Blue Blue isn't high enough level to defeat them."

Lin Chen glanced at her. Su Muxue's equipment and skills didn't seem like those of a complete novice. Although Shui Lanlan's level wasn't high, she was well-developed and had no obvious weaknesses.

"Have you played Roco Kingdom before?"

Su Muxue nodded: "I've played for a few years. I'm not an expert, but I understand the basics."

"Then you must be very familiar with elemental advantages and disadvantages?"

"My master's thesis was on game numerical balance." Su Muxue's tone was very calm, as if she were talking about something very ordinary. "Attribute advantages, base stat distribution, skill power coefficients, I know these things better than a phone number."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly.

A master's degree from an agricultural and forestry university, specializing in numerical balance. In a world where pet battles are a matter of national survival, this professional background is even more valuable than a pet with maxed-out talents.

"I'm preparing to do a hidden quest," Lin Chen said. "After I get the skill stone, I need someone to help me re-plan the skill combinations for my fireworks."

Su Muxue understood the meaning behind his words. She looked down at Shui Lanlan in her arms, then at Lin Chen, and a slight smile curved her lips.

"Is this how you repay a life-saving debt?"

"It counts as a team."

Su Muxue smiled. Her smile wasn't stunning, but it was pure and clean, like a ray of light suddenly shining into this shady forest.

"it is good."

Wang Hao peeked out from behind, looked at Lin Chen, then at Su Muxue, and grinned: "Brother Chen, our team finally has a female member!"

Su Muxue glanced at him, nodded in greeting, then turned to Lin Chen: "Where is this hidden quest you mentioned? What do you need me to do?"

"Abandoned cabin, find an injured researcher," Lin Chen said as they walked. "I brought some potions, and the trigger conditions have been met. Follow behind me and watch out for any other monsters around."

The three continued deeper into the area.

Ten minutes later, a dilapidated wooden hut came into view. Half of the roof had collapsed, and the walls were covered with vines, indicating that it had been abandoned for a long time.

At the entrance of the wooden cabin, a middle-aged man in a white coat sat on the ground leaning against the doorframe. His left leg was trapped in a wooden board, wrapped with blood-stained strips of cloth. Seeing someone approaching, he struggled to lift his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

"Do you...do you have any potions?" The researcher's voice was hoarse, as if he had sand in his mouth. "My leg was bitten by a Kaka bug, and I need an HP potion to clean the wound...I have something I can give you as payment."