Sold out
S-level Ability crystals are rare, and even the Tianlang Star's [Quest] organization may not encounter one in a year. The pollution zones near Tianlang Star reach a maximum of Level 3 pollution, and A-level Ability crystals are the highest-grade found there. Even if an S-level Ability crystal were to appear, it would likely have been collected by nearby mech bases.
It's uncommon for a mech pilot to bring a crystal for testing, especially one that is an unrecorded S-level dual-attribute Ability crystal, a presence that could fetch a sky-high price at an auction.
The researcher's gaze couldn't help but fall on Ying Chenlin, lingering on his mechanical arm for a moment. Despite appearing too young, the emotions on his face have been scarce since entering the lab.
Receiving many guests for testing is nothing new for them. Some are ecstatic with the results, while others regret the structure. Even personnel from mech bases occasionally show emotions during testing.
However, it's rare to encounter a customer who remains calm after obtaining an S-level Ability crystal.
The researcher, not underestimating Ying Chenlin due to his appearance, meticulously introduced him: "This type of Ability crystal is extremely rare in the Star Alliance. We also provide assistance to the testing party. If you need to sell this crystal, we can contact suitable organizations for auction. If..."
"No need," Ying Chenlin interrupted.
The researcher was slightly taken aback but didn't continue. He placed the data tablet in front of Ying Chenlin, zeroing out the data in front of him. "We are obligated to protect the privacy of our clients. We have sent you the test results, and this report is the only copy. All remaining test data has been destroyed. If you need further assistance, you can contact us."
Ying Chenlin thanked him and settled the fees before leaving.
The researcher sighed, wearing a somewhat tired expression.
After his colleague came in, he asked, "What happened? Was that guest troublesome?"
"Not really," the researcher thought about the two guests he received today. Recently, he received a guest who brought a bunch of A-level Ability crystals for testing but remained indifferent to the results. The other one was just now, showing no change in expression even when holding an S-level dual-attribute Ability crystal.
"I just feel that Tianlang Star is not as simple as it seems."
Outside [Quest], many mech pilots were coming and going.
Ying Chenlin passed by others, the storage device and mech key hidden in his collar jingling. Glancing at the time, he had delayed here for some time. It seemed there was something else to attend to at the base.
In KID's internal group chat, the discussion was lively.
A call came in, and Ying Chenlin called a floating car before answering the communication: "Boss."
The noisy communication line on the other end, accompanied by Ji Qingfeng and Lin Yao's excited voices.
Is Ying Chenlin back?
"We've sold out of all our parts!"
Ying Chenlin hesitated for a moment. So fast...?
---
Half a day ago.
The KID official blog, silent for a long time, finally surfaced.
Fans rushed to the blog, thinking that KID was finally going to reveal information about the new season of Artillery Mecha Pilots. However, upon entering KID's virtual page, they were redirected to a newly established virtual store.
The virtual store was right next to KID's virtual base image. On the left side was an announcement board with the long-standing KID recruitment notice for maintenance technicians. Now, the notice was gone, replaced by a grand opening notice for KID's Parts Shop.
[New store opening, all parts in the arena are discounted today. Buy 3 items and get a 10% discount, buy 10 items and get an 8% discount.]
Upon entering, they were directed to the Mecha Market Parts Street.
The store was simple, with basic decorations and a few glass display cabinets. It lacked unnecessary embellishments, looking like an ordinary three-nothing store. If it weren't for the redirection from KID's official blog, fans might have thought they were in the wrong place.
A cheap atmosphere hit them, making the fans who rushed to the store entrance stop in their tracks.
Entering the store to check the situation, many fans crowded around the display cabinets to see the information about the parts. KID wasn't selling expensive parts forged from high-quality materials. The parts included common models like A-GZ1456, A-GZ6666, which could be found in the market or on shopping websites. There were about ten different models, all A-grade parts, with prices ranging from 9 to 15 star coins.
These were old models that sold for 30,000 star coins in the market. Did KID go crazy, selling them at such high prices?
The store also displayed the detection rate of the parts, but not many believed it.
Nowadays, there were too many forged detection graphs on the virtual Star Network. More buyers preferred to believe the detection graphs from reputable organizations rather than those provided by the sellers themselves.
People familiar with mecha also had some understanding of parts, especially the model and market price of the parts. Knowing the performance and characteristics of the parts, they could tell what kind of performance the goods offered.
For example, claiming that A-GZ1456 could achieve a precision of 55 was like taking advantage of those who didn't know much about mecha. Moreover, mech pilots who required a precision of 55 would be better off adding a few more thousand star coins to buy top-quality parts from well-known sellers. These parts were compatible with A-level mecha, whereas A-GZ series parts were mostly outdated and less compatible.
Many fans rushed in to see the excitement, but some were there to do charity work, attracted by KID's reputation.
Manager Liu had been monitoring this store for a long time. Every time he messaged the store, there was no response. Today, as soon as he logged in, he received the store opening reminder and hurried to the store with his subordinates. Upon entering the store, he saw a swarm of people.
This almost drove him crazy. His superior, Boss Zhou, specifically instructed him to grab all other types of parts. Seeing so many people, he was worried. Who knew that most of these people came to watch, and there weren't many buyers.
He squeezed through to the front of the cabinet, but thankfully, the items were still there!
"Boss, how much should we buy?" his subordinate asked.
Manager Liu: "Nonsense, Boss Zhou told me, buy them all."
The store had only been open for a short two minutes, and several parts had already been sold.
The prices were high, but people were still willing to spend money.
The store continued to be lively for a while, but suddenly, several cabinets in the store darkened!
[All goods sold out in the store, welcome to come back next time!]
Netizens: ???!
KID's new store displayed about a dozen types of parts, with a total inventory of around three hundred items. In just a short five minutes, all these expensive mech parts were sold out!
At this moment, some people squeezed into the store.
"F*ck, isn't this a new store? Why are there so many people today!?"
"Does our forum have such a large flow of people? This area has been full several times with virtual space passengers!"
"Why are all the items sold out???!"
"Who the hell bought them all?!!!"
Seeing more people coming in, someone said, "Isn't it a new store? Why are there so many people today!?"
"Does our forum have such a large flow of people? This area has been full several times with virtual space passengers!"
"Why are all the items sold out???!"
"liu84567, who is this? Why did they buy everything?!!!"
People were more and more crowded, and those who came to see the excitement were confused. In a hurry, they stopped a person in front of them and asked, "Are you stupid? Why not buy from another store? The one outside sells for only 30,000, and this one is 100,000!"
The intercepted person said, "Exactly! 100,000 for a 55 precision A-grade part? Where's the profit? The store next door sells the same 55 precision for 120,000, and the durability is not as high as this one! Moreover, 55 is an A+ competition-level part. This one is just an A-grade part! A-grade 55 precision parts are being sold for up to 150,000 now!"
People were still skeptical. "How can there be such cheap A-grade 55 precision parts!? Nowadays, there are too many fake products on the virtual Star Network, and their detection graphs haven't been tested by regular departments..."
The person who was intercepted didn't bother to explain and directly showed a forum video. Then, he squeezed to the front desk to ask the intelligent shopkeeper when the goods would be replenished.
The people who came to watch the excitement finally reacted. KID indeed opened a store to sell parts, but he didn't set a limit on purchases. When the stock was sold out and the store showed no intention to restock, it was a missed opportunity with no chance for redemption.
"F*ck! Who bought them all?!!!"
"This store actually didn't set a limit on purchases. Does the shopkeeper know how to do business? If it were an auction, he could earn more!"
"I misunderstood them. They might be poor, but at least they won't cheat us out of our money."
"Can anyone who bought too much sell me one?! I happen to need this part."
This incident quickly spread to the square of the Star Network, and many people came for a look. However, they did not see the parts that KID was selling, and only vaguely heard about the magic of those parts from other people's perspectives. Many people couldn't afford S-level mecha, and the upper limit of A-grade mecha was restricted. If there were parts that could improve precision and conversion rate, maybe they could modify their mecha for better performance.
"How can I find information about the KID parts designer?"
"I've checked. The model number is from the Tianlang Star factory, but I see that the Tianlang Star factory doesn't sell high-precision parts."
"Damn, does KID's base actually have a parts designer? Has anyone found information about yuan?"
"No!"
...
Tianlang Star Parts Market, several developers are walking out.
During the off-season, it's the best time for the parts market. Major mech bases need a large number of parts and materials. For developers like them, signing contracts with the teams means big profits.
"Boss Xu, didn't you sign a contract with KID from Tianlang Star?"
Boss Xu heard this and became annoyed. Last time, he thought KID would compromise. As a result, several days had passed, and there was no call from Shen Xingtang. He couldn't lower his face to find Shen Xingtang. Now, this business is still hanging in the air. "Let's talk about it. The price hasn't been negotiated."
"This is a big deal. Can your factory's parts still be sold?"
The others had already separated from other developers, and Boss Xu soon had someone arrange a meeting with Zhou Lao's secretary. Soon after, the other party actually agreed to discuss with him in detail.
"Boss, what about KID's side..." The little brother asked.
When it came to KID, Boss Xu's tone suddenly became worse: "I don't have time to waste with Shen Xingtang."
The little brother hesitated and said, "But KID opened a shop on the Star Network... It seems like they exploded..."
Boss Xu: "???"