Scarface had been providing backup from the outside; he should have been cautious enough.
Yet, they were still captured.
What did this imply?
It meant the security of the Deep Blue Research Institute was far stronger than she had anticipated!
It also meant the institute possessed combat power capable of crushing a Level 3 Ability User!
Su Wan’s brow furrowed slightly.
The Deep Blue Research Institute was the lowest tier of the Dawn Federation Bio-Research Institute, and its technology was the most primitive.
The gene-modified organisms they researched had a gene chimerism rate of less than fifty percent—they were all defective products.
And yet, these defective products were actually able to overwhelm a Level 3 Mid Stage hunter?
Could it be that they had other tricks up their sleeves?
Su Wan’s thoughts raced through her mind.
A deeper question was: why would the research institute go to the City Defense Force to investigate the backgrounds of Lei Lie and Scarface?
They had only captured two “pariahs.” Was that really enough to alert the City Defense Force?
Unless—
They suspected that Lei Lie and Scarface were acting under someone’s orders.
They were looking for the person behind them!
Su Wan’s pupils constricted slightly.
It seemed the Deep Blue Research Institute had already taken notice of the Terminal Station.
She closed her eyes and contacted Iron Bone through her consciousness.
“Iron Bone, listen to me.”
“Yes, Master,” Iron Bone’s consciousness responded immediately.
“First, from this moment on, you and the Night Owl team are to go into hiding. Do not take any missions that might attract attention, and do not have any contact with anyone from the City Defense Force.”
“Second, watch the movements of the Deep Blue Research Institute. Do not take risks and do not go near the institute. Find out whatever you can through external channels.”
“Third, remain on standby. If I need you, I will notify you immediately.”
“Understood.” Iron Bone’s voice was steady and firm. “Rest assured, Master. I will see it done.”
The consciousness link disconnected.
Su Wan pulled up the system panel to check the progress of her Main Quest.
【Main Quest: Rise of the Shelter - Final Chapter】
【Objective: Successfully recruit and accept 10,000 Official Tenants (excluding existing tenants).】
【Current Progress: 1,460/10,000.】
【Time Remaining: 86 days, 11 hours.】
The total number of commoners in the Outer City far exceeded the number of vagrants in the Ruin Zone.
The effects of the Winter Summons Order were only just beginning to show. Over the next dozen or so hours, more commoners would arrive from the Outer City.
The Cold Wave was coming soon.
This extreme weather event that would sweep through the entire Ruin Zone was the best opportunity for the Terminal Station.
The population of the Terminal Station was bound to see an explosive growth.
With the Terminal Station’s development thriving, Su Wan would not allow anything to stand in its way.
She had long been mentally prepared for the possibility of Lei Lie and Scarface being captured.
Sending Lei Lie and Scarface into the Inner City had originally been an attempt to test the waters, using a Level 3 Ability User like Lei Lie to gauge the Deep Blue Research Institute’s strength.
Now she knew.
The Deep Blue Research Institute possessed combat power that could easily neutralize a Level 3 Ability User. It could be those gene-modified organisms, it could be a Level 4 Ability User, or it could be some other means.
But regardless of the situation, she now had the capability to face it.
With Domain Projection and the Emergency Travel Order, she held an invincible position.
As long as she lived, she would definitely take down Panshi City!
This time, she would see just how deep the waters of Panshi City truly were!
Su Wan pulled up the system panel and focused on the mall interface.
She needed weapons.
She needed personal weapons that could provide enough deterrence during negotiations.
She currently had more than enough self-defense capabilities, but her offensive methods were lacking. Mental Domination alone was far from sufficient.
If her abilities weren't enough, she would make up for it with weapons.
“System, search for portable weapons suitable for Level 4 Ability Users.”
“The requirements are: capable of dealing effective damage to Level 4 Ability Users and gene-modified organisms, and easy to carry.”
【Command confirmed. Searching weapon categories in the System Mall...】
【Searching...】
【Search complete.】
Su Wan’s gaze quickly scanned the list, finally landing on one option.
【Item Name: Dual-Mode Pulse Bracelet】
【Description: A small energy weapon worn on the wrist that utilizes dual-mode attack patterns. It can be charged using the Energy Core within a Level 4 or higher Ability User. No external power source is required; the wearer can maintain a full charge by injecting a small amount of energy daily.】
【Attack Mode 1: Energy Pulse (Effective against Level 4 Ability Users)】
Principle: Compresses and condenses the wearer's energy to fire a directional pulse with an effective range of 50 meters. Deals significant damage to Ability Users at Level 4 or below; effect diminishes against those above Level 4.
Charging Method: The wearer maintains energy reserves by injecting energy into the bracelet daily. At full charge, it can fire 10 Energy Pulses.
【Attack Mode 2: Gene Disruption Wave (Effective against gene-modified organisms)】
Principle: Emits energy waves at specific frequencies to interfere with non-human gene fragments within a gene-modified organism, causing its gene sequence to become disordered and temporarily stripping it of combat capability.
Effect: Highly effective against gene-modified organisms with a chimerism rate of 50% or higher, rendering them completely immobile for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Even more potent against defective products with a chimerism rate below 50%, potentially leading to total genetic collapse.
Charging Method: Same as the Energy Pulse mode, sharing the same energy reserve. Each Gene Disruption Wave consumes energy equivalent to 2 Energy Pulses.
【Additional Function: Energy Shield (Passive)】
Description: The bracelet features a built-in miniature energy shield generator that activates automatically when the wearer is attacked, forming a thin layer of energy shielding over the entire body.
Effect: Can withstand 3–5 full-power attacks from Ability Users at Level 3 or below and can offset a portion of damage from Level 4 Ability Users.
Charging Method: Shield consumption is independent of the attack modes; the bracelet's built-in backup energy pool slowly self-charges during daily wear.
【Price: 180,000 Points】
【Stock: 1】
Su Wan’s eyes lit up.
A dual-mode weapon.
One aimed at Ability Users, and one aimed at gene-modified organisms.
This was exactly what she needed.
“Exchange for the Dual-Mode Pulse Bracelet.”
【Exchange confirmed: Dual-Mode Pulse Bracelet ×1. Points consumed: 180,000.】
With a flash of light, a silver-gray bracelet appeared on the table in front of Su Wan.
The bracelet was a matte silver color throughout, about two centimeters wide and less than half a centimeter thick. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, without any buttons or ports.
It looked more like an exquisite piece of jewelry than a weapon.
Su Wan picked up the bracelet and weighed it in her hand; it was so light it felt almost weightless.
【Reminder: Please wear the bracelet on the wrist of your dominant hand. The bracelet will automatically sense the wearer’s Energy Core and establish an energy link. Once the link is established, the bracelet can be charged and used via the wearer’s energy.】
Su Wan snapped the bracelet onto her left wrist.
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