Black Rat quietly pulled open his door and tiptoed out, crouching down beside Viper.
Suppressing his disgust, he checked Viper's injuries.
The rot showed no signs of spreading further for the moment, and while his breathing was weak, it was stable. It was clear the Landlord had used some method to keep him alive, though she clearly had no intention of fully healing him.
“I need to get some Star Coins first...”
Black Rat had overheard everything Su Wan told Ah-Lan, and he wanted to try the wonders of the Star Coin Exchange Machine himself.
To save Viper—or at least to wake him up long enough to talk—he would likely need supplies from the medical station.
He had already handed over his valuable Energy Crystal Cores for rent, leaving him with only scraps.
He walked quickly to the Star Coin Exchange Machine.
When he saw the butler robot, Black Rat jumped in surprise, wondering where this thing had come from now!
The more he thought about it, the more his heart pounded with fear, and his reverence for Su Wan deepened.
Not daring to act out, Black Rat followed the procedure and pulled out all the miscellaneous items he had on him.
A few irregular metal fragments that looked like old-era electronic components, a rusted but still sharp knife, several dull-colored and low-energy shards of inferior crystal,
A small packet of dried leaves from an unknown plant wrapped in oil paper, and a fist-sized, rough “stone” that still had traces of dirt on it.
Black Rat had dug this stone out of a collapsed crevice a long time ago while fleeing from Rot-Walkers.
At the time, he had simply felt an indescribable warmth when holding it, so he had shoved it into his bag and practically forgotten about it.
It was only now, while clearing out his belongings, that he had found it again.
He didn't think much of it. His subconscious told him it might be special, but he couldn't say what it was, so he decided to throw it into the exchange machine and see.
He dumped everything into the exchange machine’s deposit slot.
The dark glass screen lit up as scanning beams swept over the items one by one.
【Items Detected: Scrap alloy components x 3, estimated value: 1 Star Coin/piece】
【Rusted iron knife x 1, estimated value: 5 Star Coins】
【Inferior energy crystal shards x 5, estimated value: 2 Star Coins/shard】
【Unknown dried plant x 1 packet, estimated value: 2 Star Coins】
【Unknown mineral (???) x 1, abnormal energy reaction, structural analysis in progress...】
Black Rat was a bit confused by the last entry, but he didn't mind and simply waited patiently.
Meanwhile, in Room 102, a sharp and urgent system alarm suddenly blared in Su Wan's mind!
【Warning: Extremely high-potential source energy carrier detected!】
【Item Preliminary Identification: Pure “Ability Source Crystal (Fragment).”】
【Inferred Origin: Formed under special conditions with a very low probability after the death of at least a Level 3 Augmentation-type Ability User.】
【Effect: Can be safely absorbed by Non-Ability Users, with a small probability of gaining an enhanced physique or a special talent.】
【Exchange Options: 1. Direct reclaim by the system for 50,000 Points. 2. Host pays 30,000 Points to exchange for the physical item.】
【Warning: Once this item is unintentionally absorbed or destroyed by a non-host unit, it will result in irreversible energy loss!】
【Recommendation: Reclaim immediately by the Host! This item will decisively improve the Host's lack of self-defense capabilities in her original plane!】
Su Wan bolted upright in bed, her eyes flashing with unbelievable surprise!
An ability? Becoming an Ability User?
In the ordinary world of Blue Star, if she possessed power beyond that of normal humans...
Those debt-collecting thugs?
The persecution from Gu Huaiyu and Bai Ruochu?
The difficult path ahead to seek justice for her family...
All of it suddenly seemed to have entirely different possibilities!
Su Wan pulled up the system panel. Her Points column showed: 【Current Points: 5,960】.
Exchanging for the “Ability Source Crystal (Fragment)” required 30,000 Points.
The massive gap made her heart sink.
It was too much.
Su Wan immediately asked urgently in her mind, “System, I don't have enough Points. Is there any other way to get this? Can I get an advance or a loan on Points?”
After a brief pause, the system's cold prompt sounded, bringing a turn of events:
【Core growth resource detected; fits the criteria for emergency assistance.】
【The Host may apply for a “Potential Loan” to receive an advance on Points for critical items.】
【Terms: Advance limit is 50,000 Points. Must be repaid within 30 calendar days. A late fee of 10% of the unpaid portion will be charged daily after the deadline, and may lead to the freezing of certain system functions.】
【Do you confirm the application for an advance of 24,040 Points to exchange for the “Ability Source Crystal (Fragment)”?】
A 10% daily late fee was exorbitant, and the freezing of functions was dangerous.
But Su Wan didn't hesitate for a second.
Compared to the massive benefit of gaining an ability and changing her vulnerable position on Blue Star, these risks were entirely acceptable.
She believed that with the advantage of traveling between two worlds, it wouldn't be impossible to earn those Points back within 30 days.
“Confirm application! Exchange immediately!”
【“Potential Loan” application approved. Advance: 24,040 Points.】
【Points deducted: -24,040 (Advance status). Current Points display: -24,040.】
【Warning: Point debt status active. 30-day countdown has begun. Please complete missions actively to repay the debt.】
【“Ability Source Crystal (Fragment)” exchange successful. Item has been stored in the Host’s Portable Storage Space.】
Almost the exact moment the deduction succeeded, Su Wan felt an object appear in her storage space.
At the same time, the feedback to Black Rat was completed on the exchange machine’s screen:
【Unknown mineral (Acquired through special system channel), exchange value: 5,000 Star Coins (Special system acquisition price).】
【Other items total exchange: 3 + 5 + 2.5 + 2 = 12.5 Star Coins】
【Total: 5,012.5 Star Coins. Handling fee of 501.25 Star Coins deducted. Actual amount credited: 4,511.25 Star Coins.】
【Amount credited to account: Black Rat (Tenant-003). Current Balance: 4,511.25 Star Coins.】
“Five thousand Star Coins?!” Black Rat stared at the screen, his breathing turning heavy.
He rubbed his eyes hard to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
That unremarkable stone was actually worth that much!
Although the “acquired” prompt left him a bit puzzled, the Star Coins in his account were real!
Wild joy instantly flooded him, and his earlier fear of Su Wan was somewhat diluted by this windfall.
“I’m rich... haha!” He gave a low, sinister grin, immediately thinking of his plan.
With these Star Coins, he could buy medicine from the medical station, wake up that useless Viper, and pry the secrets of his hidden treasure out of him!
Rate on N.U.
