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Lin Hao's dorm room felt like a pressure cooker, and not the kind he could use to whip up a monster-slaying stew. The *Crimson Fang Core* in his *Reinforced Apron*'s hidden pocket glowed like a rogue firecracker, its eerie pulses syncing with his racing heartbeat. Su Yan's voice echoed from the other side of his door: "Spatula Boy, open up! We've got a problem—someone saw you with that glowing core, and they're not friendly." Outside his window, a shadow flickered, and the air grew colder than a popsicle in a blizzard.
[Sassy, what now?!] Lin Hao thought, gripping his wok like it could fend off both Su Yan's wrath and whatever was creeping outside. His Level 8 stats were barely enough for a wraith swarm, let alone a mysterious stalker and a shady glowing orb.
[Chill, Spatula Boy,] Sassy, his snarky [System], replied. [That Crimson Fang Core's tied to the Hidden Quest: Uncover the Secret of New Shanghai's Monster Surge. Someone's onto you, and it's not just Su Yan. Your move: open the door or climb out the window. P.S. The principal's office is still your best bet for answers, but Fangfang's not gonna roll out the welcome mat.]
Lin Hao groaned. "Why is my life a bad action movie?" He cracked the door open, revealing Su Yan's fiery glare. Her *Blaze Sorceress* aura made the hallway feel like a sauna, and her arms were crossed so tightly he worried she'd ignite her own robe.
"Talk," she snapped. "Some cloaked creep was sniffing around the training grounds, asking about a 'glowing orb' you picked up. Care to explain why you're carrying monster contraband?"
Lin Hao's mind raced. "Uh, it's just loot! From the dungeon trial. You know, shiny stuff, makes good soup ingredients?" He forced a grin, hoping his #SpatulaHero charm would defuse her.
Su Yan's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb. That core's got Abyssal Energy. I felt it during the wraith swarm. Spill, or I'll roast you."
[She's not bluffing,] Sassy chimed in. [Su Yan's Level 7, and her fireballs hit like a truck. Tell her *something*, but keep the Hidden Quest vague. Nobody needs to know you're planning to snoop in Madame Zhao's office.]
Lin Hao swallowed, clutching his wok. "Okay, fine. The core's… weird. It glows, it hums, it's probably bad news. I'm trying to figure it out, but I don't know much yet. Can you not fireball me, please?"
Su Yan studied him, then sighed. "You're a walking disaster, Spatula Boy, but you're our disaster. Keep that core hidden, and don't do anything stupid. We've got training at dawn, and the Global College Combat Exams are in three months—mid-September 2045. No distractions." She paused, smirking. "Also, make more of that wraith stew. It was good."
She turned and left, her fiery aura fading down the hallway. Lin Hao shut the door, slumping against it. "Sassy, I'm not cut out for this spy stuff."
[Too bad, 007. That Hidden Quest isn't optional. The principal's office has answers about the monster surge, and that core's your key. Sneak in tonight—Madame Zhao's at a staff meeting till midnight.]
Lin Hao glanced at the clock: 10:37 PM, June 6, 2045. "Sneak into the principal's office? With Fangfang the wyrm? I'd rather fight another wraith swarm!"
[You might get both. Move it, or the cloaked creep'll beat you to the punch.]
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Under the cover of night, Lin Hao crept across New Shanghai High's campus, his *Reinforced Apron* flapping and his wok tucked under his arm like a thief's toolkit. The school was eerily quiet, its glowing runes casting long shadows. The principal's office loomed ahead, its door framed by faint purple light—probably Fangfang's doing.
[Sassy, any tips for not becoming wyrm food?] Lin Hao thought, crouching behind a bush.
[Use Thread of Fate (Level 2) to distract Fangfang. Weave something shiny—she's a sucker for sparkles. Also, your Seasoning Slash (Level 3) can mask your scent with spices. Good luck, sneaky chef.]
Lin Hao activated *Thread of Fate*, spinning golden threads into a glittering ball that looked like a disco ornament. He tossed it toward the office window, where it bounced and sparkled. A low growl rumbled, and Fangfang's massive head poked out, her purple eyes fixated on the shiny toy. She slithered after it, leaving the door unguarded.
[Distraction successful! Fangfang's occupied for 5 minutes. Move!]
Lin Hao slipped inside, his heart pounding. The office was a mix of high-tech and dragon den—holographic screens, a desk covered in monster loot, and a faint smell of charred coffee. A locked cabinet glowed with the same eerie light as the *Crimson Fang Core*. He pulled the core from his apron, and it hummed louder, syncing with the cabinet's glow.
"Sassy, this is it, right?" he whispered, fumbling with the lock.
[Abyssal Energy detected. That cabinet's got answers, but it's warded. Use Cook the World in a Pot (Level 2) to melt the ward with a spicy concoction.]
Lin Hao set his wok on the floor, activating *Cook the World in a Pot*. The 12-meter circle of light filled the office, and he tossed in a *Dragonfire Pepper*, a *Void Garlic*, and the *Glimmering Spice Jar*. The wok bubbled, producing *Abyssal Ward-Melting Broth*—a glowing red soup that smelled like a volcano's spice rack. He poured it onto the cabinet, and the ward sizzled, dissolving with a hiss.
[Ward deactivated! You're a culinary cat burglar now.]
Lin Hao opened the cabinet, revealing a stack of glowing documents and a small orb pulsing with Abyssal Energy, identical to his core. He grabbed the orb and a document labeled "Monster Surge Analysis." Before he could read it, a roar shook the room. Fangfang was back, her scales glowing with rage as she slithered through the door.
"Oh, crap!" Lin Hao yelped, diving behind the desk. Fangfang's tail lashed, knocking over a chair, and her eyes locked onto him.
[Fangfang's pissed! Use Seasoning Slash to distract her—she loves spicy stuff.]
Lin Hao activated *Seasoning Slash (Level 3)*, flinging a cloud of *Dragonfire Pepper* powder at Fangfang. The wyrm sneezed, her scales shimmering as the spice hit her nose. She paused, sniffing the air, then licked the floor where the powder landed, purring like a giant cat.
[Debuff applied: Fangfang distracted by Spicy Bliss for 20 seconds! Grab the loot and run!]
Lin Hao stuffed the orb and document into his apron's pocket, bolting for the door. Fangfang's tail grazed his leg, but he dove through the window, landing in a bush with a thud. The wyrm's roar echoed behind him as he sprinted back to his dorm, heart pounding.
[Hidden Quest Progress: 50% complete! Items acquired: Abyssal Orb, Monster Surge Document. Next step: Analyze the document. Warning: Fangfang's onto your scent, and that cloaked figure's still out there.]
Lin Hao collapsed on his dorm bed, panting. "Sassy, I just broke into the principal's office and survived a dragon. I deserve a medal."
[You deserve a nap, but dawn training's in four hours. Also, check the document—it's got some spicy secrets.]
Lin Hao pulled out the document, his hands shaking. It was a report on Abyssal Energy, linking it to monster surges across the seven nations. One line stood out: "Source traced to New Shanghai's underground. Possible traitor in the faculty." His blood ran cold. A traitor? At school?
Before he could process, his phone buzzed with a message from Su Yan: "Spatula Boy, weird energy readings near the dorms. Meet us at the training grounds NOW. Bring your wok."
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CLIFFHANGER
As Lin Hao grabbed his wok and headed out, the *Crimson Fang Core* and *Abyssal Orb* in his apron pulsed in sync, casting a glow that lit up his room. A shadow moved outside his window again, and a faint whisper carried on the wind: "The Weaver has the key…" [Sassy: Uh-oh. That's not a friendly voice. Emergency Quest: Investigate the Energy Readings with Squad Firestorm. Reward: 400 EXP, Rare Material. Penalty: Traitor's Attention.] Lin Hao gulped, gripping his wok. "Sassy, why do I feel like I'm about to cook my way into a conspiracy?"
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