【To a Level 4 Ability User, what is truly valuable is—】
【1. High-Purity Energy Crystals: Rare crystals containing pure energy that can be directly absorbed, showing significant effects on energy accumulation for Level 4 Ability Users. Ordinary Energy Crystal Cores have little effect on Level 4, but the absorption efficiency of high-purity crystals is dozens of times that of ordinary ones.】
【2. Advancement Potions: Advancement potions specifically designed for Level 4 and above. The formulas for such potions are scarce, and the refining difficulty is extremely high.】
【3. High-Level Aberrant Core: The energy core within a Level 4 or higher Aberrant, containing part of that Aberrant's ability characteristics. It can be used to refine potions, strengthen equipment, or be directly absorbed (with a certain degree of risk).】
【4. Rare Equipment/Weapons: Equipment suitable for Level 4 Ability Users, usually crafted from high-level materials or excavated from ruins of the Old Era. Such equipment is rare, and every piece is priceless.】
【5. Ability Source Crystal: Rare crystals that can be used to awaken new abilities or strengthen existing ones. Their value is extremely high, and they are rare and hard to come by.】
Su Wan looked at the long list provided by the system, her brow furrowing slightly.
She didn't have a single one of these things right now.
“System, is there anything I can take out right now that would tempt a Level 4 Ability User?”
The system remained silent for a moment before a line of prompts popped up.
【Searching for exchangeable items in the System Mall...】
【Searching...】
【Search complete.】
【The following items have been detected to have high appeal to Level 4 Ability Users—】
Su Wan’s gaze quickly scanned the list.
【Item 1: Mental Condensation Potion (Level 4 Stability Version)】
【Description: A stability-type potion specifically designed for Mental-type Ability Users who have just entered Level 4. It can effectively consolidate a Level 4 foundation, organize turbulent energy, and reduce the risk of energy backlash. It is highly effective for Ability Users who have just promoted to Level 4 and whose realm is not yet stable.】
【Price: 180,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
【Appeal Evaluation to Level 4 Ability Users: High (especially for those who have just promoted and are unstable)】
【Item 2: Shadow Crystal (Medium Purity)】
【Description: A crystal containing pure shadow energy, produced from high-level Shadow-type Aberrants. It can be directly absorbed, showing significant effects on energy accumulation and ability strengthening for Shadow-type Ability Users. Its effectiveness is significantly reduced for non-Shadow-type Ability Users.】
【Price: 220,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
【Appeal Evaluation to Level 4 Ability Users: Extremely High (for Shadow-type Ability Users)】
【Item 3: Shadow Cloak (Imitation)】
【Description: An imitation of Shadow-type equipment excavated from Old Era ruins. It can hide one's presence in the dark and enhance the power of shadow abilities. Although it is an imitation, it still provides a good boost for Level 4 Shadow-type Ability Users.】
【Price: 250,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
【Appeal Evaluation to Level 4 Ability Users: High (for Shadow-type Ability Users)】
Su Wan’s gaze lingered on the second item for a long time.
A Shadow Crystal.
Medium Purity.
A crystal containing pure shadow energy.
Its appeal to Shadow-type Ability Users was... extremely high.
Butcher happened to be Shadow-type.
He was at the Level 4 Early Stage, having recently promoted, so his realm was likely still unstable.
If he knew the Terminal Station had something like this—
He would definitely be unable to wait to rush in.
Because for a Shadow-type Ability User like him, this was an irresistible temptation.
A faint smile curled Su Wan’s lips.
“System, exchange for the Shadow Crystal.”
【Exchange confirmed: Shadow Crystal (Medium Purity) ×1. Consumed Points: 220,000.】
【Current Points balance: 38,200.】
The Shadow Crystal appeared in the system space. It was an irregular crystal about the size of a fist, its entire body a deep violet-black.
Inside the crystal, some kind of liquid substance seemed to flow slowly, emitting a dark and alluring glow.
Su Wan’s consciousness reached out to Cold Wind once more.
“Cold Wind.”
“Master,” Cold Wind’s consciousness responded immediately, his voice kept very low.
“Where is Butcher now?”
“About two hundred meters behind us. He told us to lead the way while he follows from the rear.”
“He has been maintaining this distance; he won’t lose us, but he won't get too close to us either.”
Su Wan nodded.
As expected of a killer trained by the Dark Department.
Cautious, suspicious, and trusting no one.
Even with Cold Wind and Iron Bone, the two guides he had “requisitioned,” he wouldn't let them get near him.
“Cold Wind, listen carefully to what I want you to do next.”
“Yes, Master.”
Su Wan paused, her voice calm and certain:
“Find an opportunity to casually reveal a piece of information to Butcher.”
Cold Wind didn't speak, silently waiting in his consciousness for Su Wan’s next command.
“When you encountered the Blood-Scythe Ant swarm in the Non-Safe Zone, did you notice anything unusual near the ant nest?”
Cold Wind thought back carefully and responded through his consciousness, “Master, things were chaotic then; I didn't notice anything.”
“Then make something up,” Su Wan’s voice was calm and steady. “Indirectly let Butcher know that you found the remains of a Shadow Lizard near the ant nest.”
“A Shadow Lizard?” Cold Wind’s breath hitched slightly.
“Correct.” Su Wan paused before continuing, “There is a chance for a Shadow Lizard to produce a Shadow Crystal, which is a massive temptation for Shadow-type Ability Users.”
“Butcher is a Shadow-type...”
“Furthermore, he has just promoted to Level 4, and his realm is not yet stable. His desire for a Shadow Crystal will make it impossible for him to resist this temptation.”
Cold Wind understood, and his reverence for Su Wan grew even deeper.
He couldn't fathom how his Master knew things that even he, a Level 3 Ability User within the City Defense Force, was unaware of.
“I understand,” Cold Wind’s consciousness responded. “I will find an opportunity to casually reveal this news to him.”
“Mind your tone,” Su Wan warned. “Don't be too deliberate; don't let him get suspicious.”
“Yes.”
The consciousness link was severed.
Cold Wind opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the gray ruins ahead.
Iron Bone walked beside him, silent. The two of them moved at a moderate, steady pace.
About two hundred meters behind them, Butcher’s figure was hidden in the shadows of the ruins, like a dormant venomous snake.
“Iron Bone,” Cold Wind suddenly spoke, his voice low enough that only the two of them could hear.
Iron Bone turned his head to look at him. “Yeah?”
“Do you remember that day in the Non-Safe Zone, when we ran out from the Blood-Scythe Ant swarm?”
Iron Bone was slightly startled, not knowing why Cold Wind suddenly brought this up.
But he didn't ask questions and followed the lead. “I remember... I’ll never forget that place for as long as I live.”
Cold Wind nodded, his gaze fixed on the ruins ahead as if he were reminiscing about something.
Rate on N.U.
