"Maybe we should look at other weapons?"
"This weapon is very suitable for Brother Gao. After buying it and enhancing it a bit, we can buy time while he charges. That single strike would deal exaggerated damage. Plus, doesn't the boss have the Rolling Hammer Strike skill? That completely ignores attack speed limitations."
"Jia Ke, you have a point, but the price for this plot character weapon is too steep. If we buy this hammer, we won't have any Survival Points left for other gear."
"Wait, didn't we get that Ripple Technique skill book in the world of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future? How about we use that for the trade?"
[Ripple Technique] [Type: Skill Book] [Attributes: Teaches the Special Passive Skill Ripple Technique (LV1). Ripple Technique: Energy produced in the blood through a special breathing method. Its name is Ripple!] [Learning Prerequisites: None] [Note: Thompson Ripple Overdrive! Da-da-da-da-da!] [Warning: This is a special passive skill and cannot be upgraded with Skill Points.]
The final note made this Ripple Technique book essentially useless to keep, yet a waste to discard.
"Maizi, the Ripple Technique requires a long time to train. The one thing survivors lack most is time. It is a waste; you can't even upgrade it with skill points. Veterans won't look at it, and newbies can't afford it."
"Then what do we do? Yingze, use that invincible brain of yours and think of something!" Jia Ke slapped the young man's shoulder.
"Get lost! What do you expect me to do!"
Song Yingze rolled his eyes at Jia Ke in annoyance.
"How about offering this skill book plus some Survival Points?"
"Whatever, let's just try. Maybe they'll agree."
"True."
With a might as well try attitude, Brother Gao walked to the stall and asked, "How about this skill book plus 8,000 Survival Points?"
Cyan looked at the skill book's information, feeling a stir in her heart.
Creating energy in the blood through a special breathing method...
Come to think of it, the name Ripple Technique sounds familiar. Have I seen something related to this before?
Why do I suddenly feel like striking a specific pose?
"Guess it is a no-go..."
After waiting a while without an answer from Cyan, the leader sighed and turned to leave. Although a plot weapon was valuable, the price exceeded what they could bear. Better to look elsewhere.
If only I hadn't learned Rolling Hammer Strike!
(Rolling Hammer Strike: A skill used by Xu Chu in the arcade game Warriors of Fate, requiring a long-handled hammer).
"Deal."
Hearing Cyan's voice, Brother Gao stopped in his tracks. He sent a trade request, and once it was finalized, he left feeling satisfied with Sankuro's Mighty Hammer in hand.
Cyan learned the Ripple Technique.
Survivor No. 11766 has learned the Special Passive Skill Ripple Technique.
Ripple Technique (Special Passive), LV1. Creates energy in the blood through a special breathing method. Warning: This is a special passive skill and cannot be upgraded with Skill Points.
Upon learning it, knowledge of how to adjust her breathing to generate energy flooded Cyan's mind.
That is it? A skill book valued at 12,000 points is just this?
Cyan looked at the description and felt she had taken a massive loss.
With 16,690 Survival Points in hand, Cyan decided to buy some gear for herself and Nishi.
After a lap around the trading zone, Cyan bought three items for herself.
[Platinum Ring] [Type: Accessory] [Attributes: Strength +1, Constitution +1.] [Requirements: None] [Note: Give me ten of these! What? I can only wear two? But I have ten fingers!]
[Magic Mithril Ring] [Type: Accessory] [Attributes: Intelligence +2, Spirit +1, MP +20.] [Requirements: None] [Note: The apprentice Sanor cherished this ring gifted by his mentor.]
[Jackal Hide Coat] [Type: Top] [Attributes: Reduces physical damage taken by 15; reduces ranged damage taken by 5%.] [Requirements: Strength 10, Constitution 10.] [Note: A leather coat made from monster jackal hide. It is fashionable yet provides decent defense. Don't you think the fur collar is stylish?]
She also bought four items suitable for Nishi. When she handed them over, Nishi's eyes welled up with tears. Loyalty +5.
[Silk Hairband] [Type: Head] [Attributes: Defense +5, Movement Speed +3%.] [Special: Reduces weak-point damage bonus by 50% when hit in the head.] [Requirements: None] [Note: The silkworm spins until it dies.]
[Charming Cheongsam] [Type: Special Top] [Attributes: Damage reduction 10%, Movement Speed +5%.] [Requirements: Charisma 8.] [Note: You were already beautiful!] [Warning: Cannot equip bottom-slot items while wearing this.]
[Flexible Safety Shorts] [Type: Underwear] [Attributes: Movement Speed +5%.] [Special: Reduces damage taken by 10% when the area is hit.] [Requirements: Female only.] [Note: Special safety shorts for She-Hulk. Say goodbye to wardrobe malfunctions!]
[Carefree Shoes] [Type: Shoes] [Attributes: Reduces fall damage by 30%, Movement Speed +10%.] [Requirements: Agility 10.] [Note: Shoes worn by an emperor? If I wear these, does that mean...]
After buying these seven items, Cyan spent 2,000 Survival Points and 1 Skill Point to upgrade Holy Flame to LV2, leaving her with 930 Survival Points.
Holy Flame (Active), Skill Level: LV2. Consumes 25 Spirit. Summons purifying holy fire to coat a melee weapon. Damage vs. demons/ghosts +20%, other types +10%. 20% chance to inflict Burn for 5 seconds, dealing Intelligence + 8 fire damage per second (stacks up to 3 times). Consumes 5 Spirit per second after activation. Spirit below 15 cannot maintain the skill.
Cyan's Private Room
"Are you finished changing?"
Cyan stood facing the wall, watching the fish swim outside as she waited for Nishi to change into her new clothes.
"All done!"
Nishi had tied a light blue silk ribbon into a bow in her honey-colored hair. Her cream-colored cheongsam was embroidered with blue floral patterns. Her healthy, wheat-toned arms were exposed, and her long, toned legs were clad in black stockings.
The black safety shorts perfectly eliminated any risk of exposure.
"Master, what do you think? Am I pretty?"
Nishi looked at Cyan with a slight blush, a hint of expectation in her eyes, hoping to see admiration.
"It is good. The attributes suit you. Does that outfit get in the way?"
Cyan sized her up, thinking the hem of the cheongsam looked impractical, completely missing the look in Nishi's eyes.
Of course, it would be like this...
"No, it is not in the way."
Nishi hid her disappointment. She knew she shouldn't have expected anything from this wooden master.
Based on Cyan's past behavior, she was emotionally cold and seemingly devoid of such desires. Was this person really a man?
Could there be something wrong in that regard?
Nishi recalled Erni's whispers and felt a surge of doubt.
Training Ground
Cyan spent 50 Survival Points for one hour of training time and told Nishi to go explore the town on her own.
Clang!
The sound of a blade leaving its scabbard rang out as Cyan drew the demonic blade.
Holy Flame!
Pale gold fire flowed from Cyan's hand onto the blade, coating the edge in a burning radiance.
Mugen-ryu: Gale Slash!
Cyan gripped the sword with both hands in a cross-guard stance and charged the training dummy. Green sword qi and pale gold holy fire intertwined.
Smooth cuts appeared on the training dummy, vanishing instantly as it repaired itself.
Cyan unleashed a flurry of strikes before stopping to watch the pale gold fire lingering on the cuts.
After the flames died out, a light screen appeared over the dummy, displaying the exact damage of every strike, with the Holy Flame burn damage calculated separately.
With fifty minutes left, Cyan sat on the floor and adjusted her breathing according to the Ripple Technique's special method.
Changing her breathing pattern was uncomfortable, but manageable for her.
As the clock ticked down to the final minute, Cyan opened her eyes. She clenched her fists, and a faint golden light radiated from her pores. Golden electrical sparks appeared as the Ripple.
This is sunlight... this is the Ripple?
Long-term practice might strengthen the body, but the actual damage potential of the Ripple seemed limited.
12,000 Survival Points...
Cyan felt she had taken a massive loss. With that amount, she could have finished a full set of gear or tried enhancing her weapon. Even her Mugen-ryu could have been upgraded.
Time was up, and a frustrated Cyan was ushered out of the training grounds.
Nishi, who had been waiting, walked up to her.
"Master, what are you thinking about? Want some ice cream? It is cool and sweet!" Nishi grinned energetically, offering two cones like a prize.
Master? Is that some kind of roleplay?
A person passing by to enter the training grounds overheard Nishi and paused, glancing at them before heading inside.
"Mmh... so cold..."
Cyan took a bite of the cone Nishi handed her, frowning at the chill.
"You're supposed to lick it! Like this!" Nishi demonstrated, her small pink tongue darting out to lick the ice cream.
Cyan copied her. Just then, two men walked past, chatting.
"Poison Blade, that survival game was a breeze! I hope the next one is just as easy," a man in knight's armor said to his companion in leather gear.
"Not every round is that simple, Knight. You'd better prepare and buy more supplies for the team inventory."
"I know, I know! You're so naggy. Is it because you're a professor in the real world?"
"Shut up!"
"Sorry, sorry! It slipped out. Besides, even knowing you're a professor doesn't reveal much. There are millions of professors out there!"
Professor...
Cyan watched the man in leather armor. The hand holding her ice cream shook violently. Strange, familiar fragments of images flashed through her mind.
The ice cream fell to the ground. Cyan's body swayed. She clutched her head as a piercing pain flared, her face turning pale and sweat dripping down her cheeks.
"Master! What's wrong?"
Nishi dropped her own ice cream and rushed to support her.
"I'm fine... I'm giving you access to the private room... I have to... I have to go... before I return, keep training your abilities..."
Cyan spoke in broken gasps as she gently pushed Nishi away. She dissolved into white light and vanished.
"Master... who are you, really?"
Nishi returned to the private room, full of worry. On Cyan's bed, she found all of her gear laid out neatly—everything except Zankuro's Amulet and Kagaribi's Friendship.
Clearly, those items were not permitted to leave the Survival Space.