Surviving at Sea by Clearing Levels with Bots

[Survival on an ocean raft + base building + hoarding supplies + content creator]

A program error draws hundreds of millions of people into the Ocean Survival Game.

When Shen Nian opens his eyes after dying from staying up all night editing a strategy video, he finds himself on an endless sea, with nothing but a raft beneath him. The game tells him that the only way to survive is to "scavenge trash."

The good news: he has a golden finger.

The bad news: it's the wrong golden finger!

What's the use of being stuck with a "content creator skill tree" in a survival game full of danger?!

Looking at the perilous sea and the brutal game where people keep dying, he decides the skill tree might still be salvageable.

Shen Nian discovers that his golden finger lets him connect to the System, scrape information from channels and the trading zone, and quickly compile useful tips.

An idea slowly takes shape.

He can use his content creator skill tree to collect and analyze data, build bots, gather followers, sell memberships, and earn supplies. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

So while other survivors struggle to hook trash and fight off sharks, Shen Nian is busy:

Posting "Shark Survival Tips: Budget Edition";

Posting "A Speedrun Guide for Casual Players";

Posting "Cold-Weather Survival Strategies and Handy Tips";

Posting "Today's New Arrivals in the Trading Zone";

Follow me, your AI-like data assistant~

The other survivors both love and hate Shen Nian.

They love him because his data is comprehensive, his statistics are fast, and his tips are incredibly useful.

They hate him because he puts out so many guides that even after they learn everything, someone else soon overtakes them! Damn it! The competition on the rankings is going through the roof!

While other servers are still scheming against each other and fighting among themselves, with shady traders flooding the trading zone and prices through the roof, Shen Nian's Server 618 is a different story:

"What? This guy's killed people before? Block him and steer clear. I'm not buying his stuff, no way."

"Seriously, this thing costs ten pounds of fresh water? Check Shen Nian's trading summary and value ranking. Someone else is selling it for three pounds! What a crook!"

"I don't know how to use this. Waiting for a guide."

"Someone posted one. Shen Nian compiled it! Go take a look!"

Everyone helps one another. It's all harmony and goodwill.

When the final rankings are revealed, Server 618 shines at the top.

"Most survivors; strongest combat power; greatest wealth; highest trading volume; most active players."

Players on every server are dumbfounded. How did they pull this off?

A chance to transfer servers comes around, and everyone scrambles to move to Server 618.

New players greet everyone in the public channel, and the old hands all tell them, "Kid, you came to the right place. Listen to me: go follow Shen Nian and buy his membership."

New player: "Who is Shen Nian?"

Old player, with a knowing air: "You know, the guy who's number one on the wealth, popularity, points, trading, and supplies rankings."

Shen Nian: Thanks for asking. I'm just the person behind a bot with no feelings. If things go well for you, they go well for me. If you're passing by, buy a membership [finger heart].

To complete his follower-count task, Lu Zhun casually posts a beginner tutorial video.

That evening, he discovers someone has tagged him.

[Day 1 Daily Report]

[Guides Section:

Precise Plastic Hook-Throwing Tutorial, from @Lu Zhun]

Posted by: Shen Nian.

Lu Zhun follows him on a whim.

The follow-back badge lights up the next moment, and the two become friends.

Lu Zhun's heart stirs faintly.

Later, the barriers between players come down, and the rafts can find one another.

When Lu Zhun looks up, he sees a raft drifting slowly toward him in the distance. A handsome young man sits at its edge and smiles at him.

In that moment, Lu Zhun knows he's fallen.

Reading notes:

1. Inspired by Raft, but many of the settings are original.

2. More focus on the plot.

3. Lighthearted wish-fulfillment fiction, written for my own enjoyment. The logic is all over the place, so don't overthink it. If it's not for you, let's part ways peacefully.

Theme: Learn more skills.