Survival Queen of the Frozen Wastes novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33 First Commission

That player. InvincibleWarrior, never missed a chance to stir the pot.

With him fueling the doubts, even those who’d been curious started backing off.

“Yeah… blueprints are way too valuable. Getting scammed would set you back for days.”

“Forget it. Not worth the risk. I’ll stick with my basic gear for now.”

Riley skimmed the sarcastic remarks flooding the screen. She didn’t get angry–just let out a quiet, dry chuckle.

“Believe what you want. Doesn’t matter to me.”

She’d given them a chance.

Anyone who really wanted it would take the leap.

Just as she was about to close the chat and figure out how to plant those seeds she’d picked up private message notification flashed in the corner of her interface.

Riley opened it, mildly surprised.

The profile was completely unfamiliar, but the ID stopped her cold–PineappleBeer.

earlier, a

The mystery player who hadn’t said a word in public chats since the game began, yet had been sitting firmly at top one on the global monster kill leaderboard.

The message contained only two images and one line of text–no fluff, no small talk.

“Image: Blueprint–Night Hunter Crossbow (Uncommon)

“Image: Blueprint–Wind Runner Leather Boots (Uncommon)

“Can you craft these? I have mats.”

No hello, no questions. Straight to the point.

Riley raised an eyebrow.

t

This was the first time she’d seen someone so direct. Most people at least asked for confirmation first. And… both blueprints were of fine grade.

“Night Hunter Crossbow: Uncommon–tier ranged weapon. High base damage, with a built–in noise suppression effect. Ideal for stealth engagements. (Single–use blueprint.)

“Wind Runner Leather Boots: Boosts movement speed and grants a Light Step passive–perfect for hit- and–run tactics or chasing down targets. (Single–use blueprint.)”

“I can make them,” Riley replied, matching the other’s tone. “You supply all materials, plus an additional

1/3

20:19 Mon, May 4 D

Chapter 33 First Commission

20% of the crafting cost as my fee.”

The response came almost instantly.

“PineappleBeer has sent you a trade request.”

Riley hit Accept.

In the trade window lay the two blueprints, neatly placed alongside all required components.

Six Refined Steels, six High Tensile Beast Sinew, six Treated Leather Sheets…

+35 Free Coins

These weren’t your everyday scrap materials–this was high–tier stuff. Serious currency in the current

economy.

“Pleasure doing business.”

Without wasting a second, Riley pulled the items into her inventory and stepped into her workshop.

Standing before the advanced precision crafting bench, she inserted the blueprints and activated the fabrication interface.

“Craft.”

A soft white glow pulsed from the table.

A low mechanical hum filled the small space as the bench went to work.

Several minutes later, the hum faded.

Lying on the table were a matte–black crossbow and a pair of finely–stitched, supple leather boots.

Riley checked their stats.

“Night Hunter Crossbow (Uncommon)

“Strength +4

“Special Effect: Silent Hunt, projectiles make barely any sound and raise critical hit rate by 10%.

“Affix: Armor Penetration, attacks bypass 5% of target defense.

“Wind Runner Leather Boots (Uncommon)

“Agility +3

“Special Effect: Swift Movement, increases movement speed by 10%.”

“Not bad at all.”

Riley was genuinely surprised. That Armor Penetration affix was a rare bonus roll–something that usually

OO

2/3

20:19 Mon, May 4

Chapter 33 First Commission

+35 Free Golds

didn’t show up on carly–game gear. Maybe her “Unlucky” title didn’t affect crafting, or maybe the high–tier workbench just gave better odds.

Both pieces turned out better than she’d expected. A shame the blueprints were single–use.

But ripping off a client wasn’t her style—especially not her first commissioned order. Reputation mattered. All she could hope for now was that future customers might bring reusable schematics.

She placed the finished gear back into the trade window and confirmed.

Trade complete.

Riley half–expected PineappleBeer to comment on the stellar stats, or at least ask how she managed it. Maybe even a simple “thanks“.

But the chat window stayed quiet.

Then, about two minutes later, a new message flashed across the Server Channel.

“PineappleBeer: Image: Night Hunter Crossbow (Uncommon), Image: Wind Runner Leather Boots (Uncommon). @SpicyBurger, smooth trade.”

Attached was a clean trade log, along with two eye–watering screenshots of the gear’s stat lines.

The channel erupted instantly.

“HOLY CRAP. Are those stats for real? Uncommon gear with affixes already?!”

“Armor penetration? Ignoring defense? How is that even possible this early? My rusty hatchet feels useless

now.”

“Strength increased by 4? My total Strength is only nine…”

“Wait, so SpicyBurger actually made these?!”

“Even PineappleBeer–the leaderboard top dog–just endorsed her. Went straight to SpicyBurger for gear.”

“Hey, @InvincibleWarrior, you still around? Care to comment? Looks like your take didn’t age too well.”

“Okay, I was wrong. I totally doubted her. I’m messaging her right now–I want a custom piece too!”

“Same here! I’ll pay extra!”

Riley watched her DM blow up in real time. Dozens of friend requests and pleading messages poured in from the same crowd that had been mocking her minutes before. She didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh.

4