NABC Chapter 48 Departure
Chapter 48 Departure
The next day, early in the morning.
The lobby on the second floor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.
Unlike the first floor, there were fewer people on the second floor. The entire building was silver-gray, with a soft, non-glaring light permeating every corner.
The hall contains several machines embedded in the walls, somewhat resembling bank ATMs.
On one of the machines, Xu Yang placed his ID card on a glass plate, and quickly, a ray that would be almost imperceptible to a normal person swept across his body.
On the machine screen, the words "Verification Successful" flashed by, followed by a menu interface with a black starry sky background. The balance of the identity card was displayed in the upper right corner—187240.
The nearly 190,000 contribution points are, in fact, just the revenue from a single task and its subsequent processing.
Less than a week had passed in between.
From this perspective, the external service members earn much more money than simple scavengers.
Of course, the prerequisite is that you have to be alive to collect the money...
Xu Yang's gaze was fixed on the menu, which contained several options, ranging from weapons and armor to plugin mutations, making it exceptionally comprehensive in terms of improving strength.
Out of curiosity, he first clicked into the weapons and armor interface to take a look.
Previously, equipment was purchased within the settlement, and the quality of the equipment provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was still unknown.
I glanced at it briefly.
The goods inside are mostly unsightly uniforms, and the weapons are limited to only a few basic types with few styles, and the prices are relatively high.
To be honest, it's not as good as the workshops outside.
Xu Yang pursed his lips, somewhat disappointed.
"Looks like we should go back to Settlement Three and see what happens."
He then opened the mutation menu, which was quite different from the weapons and clothing menu. It contained a wide variety of items and even had three sub-menus.
Implantable, pharmaceutical, and radiation-related.
Implants, also known as flesh and blood products, are mostly made from the flesh and blood of various organisms and are surgically implanted into the genetic memory.
Pharmaceutical products are for direct consumption or injection. Each product description includes the frequency of use and the time it takes for the medication to enter the genetic memory.
The last type of radiation involves wearing a device and using a corresponding mutagen, similar to the drug-based type, to enter the genetic memory at intervals.
However, the underlying principles should be different, and it can be used repeatedly.
Xu Yang glanced through them all, and seeing those staggering prices, compared to the 180,000 contribution points he had, he felt utterly broke.
In the list of implantable lures, none are priced below 100,000. Lures with slightly better characteristics are generally priced between 200,000 and 600,000.
And open the radiation-induced lures.
Contribution points can easily reach millions, and even some less desirable incentives can cost over 500,000.
But ultimately, you get what you pay for. Among the tempting items categorized as insufficient for his budget, Xu Yang immediately spotted one—or more precisely, one of its mutated characteristics—
【Umbrella Scales】
[Characteristics: The body surface develops purplish-black scales, one centimeter in diameter, in a flat, umbrella-like shape. These scales harden the body surface and significantly enhance various resistances, while also providing a strong shock-absorbing structure.]
[Compatible Mutagen: Type II Seal, Anti-Star...]
……
Xu Yang was tempted. He had no shortage of attack methods and his recovery ability was strong enough. His only weakness was his physical body. Once he made up for this shortcoming, his strength would take a huge leap.
But upon seeing the price of the lure—160 million contribution points—he could only sigh helplessly and exit the interface for radiation-related lures.
As for lures, the only ones he seems to be able to buy are drug-based lures.
On the bright side, even if the acquisition of the properties of drug-type lures fails, it can still bring some improvement.
However, the extent of this improvement is unknown and may depend on the degree to which the feature is acquired.
He exited the enticement interface and instead checked the biohazard plugin.
Unsurprisingly, the price was also high.
After all, there are no barriers to installing and using plugins, no need for genetic memory, no requirements for users, but high financial requirements.
Given that it is almost impossible to improve physical attributes, the price of abilities with the same mutation characteristics is surprisingly comparable.
Xu Yang shook his head. Before coming, he thought he was carrying a huge sum of money, but after arriving...
He opened the interface for the drug-type lure.
As the interface unfolds, rows of test tube-shaped lures appear, each carrying different characteristics, creating a dazzling array.
Night Vision, Berserk, Freeze, Poison Arrow, Split, Wither Ray, Rock...
Considering the current shortcomings, he selected three traits: [Rock Solid], [Anti-Armor], and [Black Defense].
They can all enhance the body's physical resistance; the first two respectively generate a stone armor on the body's surface and mutate into pointed, cone-shaped metal skin. Xu Yang looked at the last one—
【Black Royal】
[Characteristics Description: A black, thread-like fiber that forms a special network of veins under the skin, strengthening the body's muscles and skin while resisting most impacts.]
[Mutant: Gene Tactics No. 7, New Human Type IV...]
……
Without much hesitation, he only thought for a moment before choosing Black Royal.
There are two reasons. First, when this feature is activated, it does not appear as an external form like armor, so it does not sacrifice combat flexibility. You can also wear an outer layer of armor to achieve double protection.
This is especially important for someone who values their life.
On the other hand, there is the issue of time.
Compared to the previous two characteristics, which require four and eight weeks respectively for the preparation time to enter genetic memory, [Black Guard] only needs two weeks.
However, as a trade-off, the price is also higher, so it can be considered as trading money for time.
It costs 13,000 per dose, with a corresponding mutagen costing 4,000. Each entry into the genetic memory costs 30,000.
But it's still acceptable; Xu Yang's current financial resources allow him to do it six times.
With a swipe of his finger, he purchased a quantity of genetic memory.
Having never experienced drug-based gene memory before, it might be somewhat different from implant-based methods.
However, it still needs to be verified in practice.
As contribution points are deducted, select "Claim Now" in the pop-up selection box. Then, a small channel is recessed in the control panel in front of you, and a black briefcase is pushed out.
Xu Yang did not inspect it immediately, but carried the suitcase back to the first floor. He was glanced at by people around him.
He walked to the mission display and began looking for missions related to Zhenjiang.
Zhenjiang is a small river in the isolation zone of Heishan District. It does not flow through any dangerous areas and has no special products.
For the past few years, it has been a place that is dispensable.
But now, things have changed.
Two weeks ago, a series of strange phenomena began to appear downstream of Zhenjiang, making it both more dangerous and more valuable.
The first person to discover this value was a middle-aged man named Liu Hongsheng.
Of course, he is already dead.
However, he named a new plant after himself – the snake grass.
[Number: 8427]
[Type: Bounty]
[Description: A dark bluish-black herb has appeared downstream of Zhenjiang and has now been officially renamed Hongshe Grass. Various monsters infest the area where Hongshe Grass grows, severely hindering the harvesting progress. A hunting quest is now issued to clear the downstream area.]
[Amount: 1000 contribution points/head]
Time Limit: Unlimited (tentative)
Contact Persons: Liu Guan (Head of Hongsheng Pharmacy) / Yu Xiaoman (Head of Magic Cube Pharmacy)
……
Xu Yang accepted the task and walked straight out of the hall.
He was almost certain that the dark blue herbs and the suddenly appearing monster were related to the science lab. The description on the science lab's ID card at the time was—
[...Unlock the science laboratory located downstream of Zhenjiang]
Two identical addresses, two special events.
Is this just a coincidence?
Xu Yang felt it was necessary to take a look, since he was looking for a spare moment in the lab and could earn some extra money along the way.
He glanced at the bracelet.
Just after accepting the quest, a new document appeared in my bracelet. It contained some precautions regarding the monsters, which I suppose were compiled by the quest giver from information gathered from people who had previously fought the monsters.
That makes things much more convenient.
However, Xu Yang didn't have time to look closely at the moment. He was carrying a black box and standing in front of a white-painted metal "matchbox," with some cartoon-style drawings on the walls—
Several oddly shaped little figures are sleeping in a bed, with "Z"-shaped snoring icons above their heads.
They're quite cute.
A hotel, no, it should be called a motel.
Xu Yang shook his head and chuckled, then strode towards the hotel.
He planned to rest here for the next few days, since this was a building inside the settlement, much safer than the reconstruction zone, and it was also easier to store his belongings.
Inside the hotel, there were some dining tables in the lobby, and the receptionist was a girl with fluffy white rabbit ears.
He was smoking a cigarette, and on the table was what appeared to be a glass of soda, black, with tiny bubbles rising to the surface. Underneath his pink and white shirt, his breasts were piled up on the table.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up at the person approaching.
How much for one night?
The girl blinked, the cigarette between her fingers drifting towards her almond-shaped eyes, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
It seems I'm recalling some unpleasant experiences.
Xu Yang suddenly frowned and added, "The accommodation fee here."
"..."
"It depends on which package you choose."
The girl stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray, her soft voice escaping her lips. As she counted on her fingers, she explained, "Just resting earns fifty contribution points a day, plus breakfast, that's seventy. If I eat all three meals, it's one hundred and twenty a day."
"Then let's go with the second one, but—" Xu Yang scratched his head, "I might leave any day now, so is there any more flexible payment method?"
The girl stood up, and under the force of gravity, Xu Yang's vision also went "duangduang" twice.
"We offer a top-up service. Any overpayment will be refunded and any underpayment will be collected. The amount will be deducted from your balance daily, and the remaining balance will be returned to you after you check out."
As she spoke, she pulled a black room key from under her, winked, and asked, "Do you need me to check you in?"
"..."
"Let's go for over a thousand."
……
The hotel elevator stopped, and the cursor showed the basement level.
Xu Yang stepped into the wooden corridor, swiped his room card to enter the room, and gently placed his suitcase on the bed.
The ID card was affixed to the lock of the suitcase with a soft click.
The box was slowly lifted upwards.
A puff of cold white smoke rose up, and through the haze, three test tube-like vials of medicine lay in a black recess; they were all injectable syringes.
Xu Yang picked up one of the vials, and the pale gray liquid sloshed around inside the tubular glass.
【Star Source Drug Lure】
[Produced by the Federal Central City, originally a special supply to the military region. Extracted from the bodies of powerful warriors, the corresponding genes, when taken repeatedly in conjunction with the corresponding mutagen, may result in a probability of acquiring the following mutated traits: Black Defense, Three Hearts, and Divine Steal.]
[Note: One me? Ten thousand mes!]
……
Based on the probability mentioned in its description, it is obviously much more reliable than the extremely low probability of the Dragon Heart Medicine that I saw before.
As expected of a product from the Federation.
Without hesitation, Xu Yang injected himself into his arm. The piston in the syringe was instantly activated, and the liquid quickly entered his body under the pressure of the spring.
At the same moment, an unusual heat appeared on my arm, which gradually spread to the surface of my body and became quite hot, but it quickly disappeared completely.
The sudden change from hot to cold gave me goosebumps, and then I felt nothing else.
"Is that all?"
He opened the guide panel and looked at the stats and skills section.
The contents remain unchanged. It will likely take until next week, after which it will be taken again, in conjunction with a mutagen, to produce its true effect.
Shaking the empty syringe, Xu Yang clicked his tongue: "Thirteen thousand, that's it."
He closed his suitcase, went into the bathroom to take a shower, casually dried his hair without bothering to blow-dry it, and ate some dried meat as lunch.
I rushed to the hotel.
……
It was not yet noon, inside the parking lot.
An SUV started up, and Xu Yang went to a gas station first. He didn't know which model was the best, so he just asked the staff to fill it up with the most suitable one.
After that, they drove straight to the median strip.
Target – downstream of Zhenjiang.
It is not far from the gathering place. Although the route is hilly, all sections are paved with highways. If you drive at a slightly faster speed, over 100 miles per hour, you can arrive in less than two hours.
You can easily leave the hotel every morning and return late at night.
It's at least safer than staying in the quarantine zone the whole time.
On the highway, SUVs sped along, occasionally brushing past other vehicles.
Perhaps it's the same task.
Xu Yang held the steering wheel with one hand, half of his face facing out the window.
Since entering the median strip, in addition to the whooshing sound of the wind breaking through the air, we gradually heard the rushing water and the splashing sound of it hitting the rocks.
Zhenjiang is situated in a depression nestled among mountains, with the river flowing through it. The banks are covered in lush greenery, or rather, they should be covered in lush greenery, but at present...
Downstream region.
Xu Yang slowly parked his car by the roadside, and as soon as he opened the door, he noticed signs of human activity around him.
For example, various packaging bags that are carelessly thrown away...
However, this is not the most eye-catching point; the most obvious anomaly is—
He looked at some eerie black areas in the area.
The vegetation on the ground looked as if it had been infected by something; some parts had turned black, while others had turned into completely black models.
It even reflected light in the sunlight.
A leaf with black veins fell to the ground and was crushed to pieces by a boot.
Xu Yang bent down and picked a dark green weed. He found the texture very strange; it lacked the resilience of a plant and instead felt like the snapping of a pencil lead—very hard and brittle…
Like some kind of inferior hard-shell plastic.
The information unfolds before my eyes—
【Serpent Grass】
[This mutated wild herb is entirely black with a hint of green; its nature has been completely altered. By combining it with different ingredients, it can be used to make medicines.]
[Note: Grass, a type of plant?]
……
He looked around and saw that the black vegetation was sparse. According to the guide, it had all mutated, and the more it was distributed in one direction, the more abundant the black vegetation became.
Clearly, that location is the source of the anomaly.
Is the laboratory located in that direction?
Xu Yang touched his chin.
The sound of the river washing over the ground reached my ears. Stones were scattered along the bank, and the vegetation was not dense. From a distance, the black things looked like menacing figures, baring their fangs and claws.
The figure moved the next moment.