Since it was a comprehensive upgrade, Li Xiuman decided to inject a bit of innovation.
He wanted to add a tail to Number Zero's backside!
Number Zero held a shield in one hand and a greatsword in the other.
If he added a tail to launch surprise attacks from the shadows...
Wouldn't that be even better?
It could also coil around weapons or wands to launch auxiliary attacks, not to mention helping her keep her balance.
It had all of the benefits and none of the drawbacks.
Li Xiuman quickly pulled out some drafting paper and designed a few different tails.
First was a fluffy, pure white cat-tail type that matched her hair color. Its fur was made of the same steel wire as her hair, which boosted her defense while allowing it to stand on end to act as a weapon. Its core was constructed from articulated magic steel, possessing excellent magic conductivity that allowed for precise, mana-controlled movements.
The second was a mechanical-style tail with a silver-white steel body and faux neon light strips that could be turned on or off. Its core was made of lightning stone and magic steel. Its tip featured a highly cyber-esque port that could extend steel needles to pierce into enemies; when mana was injected into the lightning stone, it would discharge electrical currents from the needles.
The third was an insectoid-mimicking scorpion tail with jet-black alloy plates, a scorpion stinger at the tip, and articulated alloy joints. Equipping it would surely give off a sinister vibe, and it boasted the highest defense of all the designs due to its thick build and solid coverage of hard alloy plating.
“Which one is better...”
Li Xiuman felt a bit conflicted.
After some thought, he handed all of the drawings to Number Zero.
“Choose a tail for yourself.”
“Which one do you like?”
Number Zero took the sheets and stared at the three tails.
A remarkably human-like expression of hesitation crossed her face.
Li Xiuman, who had been watching her closely, captured this expression perfectly.
Number Zero scrutinized them all, then looked up at Li Xiuman.
Her expression screamed, “Do I really have to choose from these?” and “Can we not attach weird things to my body?”
“Be good. Trust your master—it'll look great once it's installed.”
Li Xiuman patted Number Zero's head and continued.
“Hurry up and pick one.”
How could he possibly abandon such a brilliant design that had nothing but benefits?
In the end, Number Zero made her choice with great caution.
She selected the cat tail.
Out of the three options, only the cat tail looked the most normal and inconspicuous.
The remaining two consisted of a massive, thick scorpion tail and one that emitted a bizarre light.
It wasn't so much a selection as it was a process of elimination.
After choosing her tail, Number Zero obediently turned around, and Li Xiuman set to work crafting it.
“Now, it's time to connect it.”
...The tail connection was complete.
Next were her hands. Li Xiuman upgraded her fingernails, fashioning retractable, sharp claws out of a hard silver alloy.
With her new body, Number Zero gradually acclimated to her physical form.
However, when it came time to put on clothes, Li Xiuman realized he had overlooked something.
The tail got in the way.
Ultimately, a hole had to be cut in her clothes for the tail to pass through.
With Number Zero's upgrade finished, Li Xiuman spent some more time crafting a fresh batch of Golems. The ones he had built before had all been hacked to pieces by that old swordsman.
After finishing all the Golems, Li Xiuman left the sewers with Number Zero. Next, they slipped into a caravan heading for White Crystal City and departed from Iron River City.
The journey took a week, but Li Xiuman successfully arrived at White Crystal City.
It was the most prosperous city in the region.
Massive, towering city walls loomed ahead, with an endless stream of travelers and caravans pouring through the gates from all directions.
Looking down from above, the entirety of White Crystal City resembled a giant ring.
The inner city formed a smaller circle, and the outer city formed a larger one, separated by a circular moat.
White Crystal City was easily five times larger than White Bear City.
Broad roads stretched in all directions; one end connected to the castle at the center of the inner city, while the other ran through the outer city and the circular walls, extending past the city gates into the endless distance. These roads were wide enough for eight carriages to drive abreast. There were four such routes in total, running north, south, east, and west, slicing through the inner city, outer city, and beyond the outer walls. These four main thoroughfares neatly partitioned the circular White Crystal City into four quadrants, like a sliced cake.
The moment they passed through the city gates and entered White Crystal City, Li Xiuman was thoroughly awed by the main road—straight, vast, and passing over arched bridges all the way to the heart of the city.
It was clean, bustling, and orderly. This was White Crystal City, the grandest metropolis of the entire region.
Li Xiuman began sightseeing and exploring the city.
The residential and commercial districts were clearly segregated.
The commercial district was packed with merchant associations of all sizes. In addition to minerals mined from the dungeons and monster materials, they also sold all kinds of rare commodities that could never be found in White Bear City.
The four great highways wide enough for eight carriages connected to unknown lands in the distance. This highly developed transportation network delivered a massive amount of supplies to the city and opened up prosperous trade routes, providing fertile ground for numerous merchant associations to thrive.
As he wandered, Li Xiuman came across a familiar shop.
“The White... Feather Merchant Association?”
“The White Feather Merchant Association!”
Li Xiuman was dumbfounded.
What was going on? Was he under an illusion?
How long had it even been since the White Feather Merchant Association opened in White Bear City? How had they already expanded to White Crystal City?
Just how rich were they?!
Moreover, looking at the state of it, the construction was almost finished. This meant that the White Feather Merchant Association had been building here for quite some time. In all likelihood, before the branch in White Bear City was even finished, they had already broken ground here. What incredible boldness the boss behind it had! If it failed and the capital chain broke, wouldn't they lose absolutely everything?
But as facts proved, the owner of the White Feather Merchant Association succeeded. They won the gamble. The grand opening in White Bear City had been a massive success, bringing in a huge influx of funds.
“What a grand move. I'm starting to admire the boss behind this operation.”
“Go ahead and make more money. That way, when the time comes, I can clean you out in one go.”
Li Xiuman took a few more glances before leaving the White Feather Merchant Association and heading toward other shops.
After exploring the area, Li Xiuman found an inn and pulled out three silver coins.
“Dear guest, our single rooms cost five silver coins per night.”
“...”
Sewers it is.
Besides, the sewers are cooler anyway.
Still, since he had already asked, for the sake of his pride... he gritted his teeth.
Damn it. If only I could go back to White Bear City to withdraw my money, would I have to live so miserably?
Early the next morning, Li Xiuman left the inn and made his way to the Grand Cathedral of the Goddess of Light in White Crystal City.
The magnificent cathedral was likely the only building in White Crystal City that could match the grandeur of the lord's castle at the center of the city.
Li Xiuman had been to the cathedral in White Bear City. Its aura had made him feel like he was stepping into a toilet—pure discomfort. The holy, bright aura was utterly repulsive to a skeleton like him.
In contrast, this cathedral in White Crystal City gave him the terrifying sensation of stepping onto an execution ground. Its holy, bright aura actually made him feel a tinge of fear.
Still, in order to rid himself of that evil god, he had no choice but to brace himself and forge ahead.
Rate on N.U.
