The vast Lord God Space stood empty as the entire Central Continent team finally regrouped, taking time to study their newly acquired enhancements.
Yujin glanced at the illegal little loli standing beside Zheng Zha and couldn't help thinking — now that's a real crime.
Noticing Yujin's look, Zheng Zha hurried over.
"I've looked through them already! I want to strengthen this one! Yujin, what do you think? Is this okay?"
He pointed excitedly at the "Vampire Count Variant Bloodline."
Yujin didn't want to interfere with the original characters' enhancement paths. Even if he could come up with a better option, the butterfly effect might cause all kinds of unpredictable consequences later. It wasn't worth the risk.
"You decide for yourself."
"Alright!"
Getting Yujin's approval, Zheng Zha immediately began exchanging for the ability.
Zhao Yingkong, Zhan Lan, and Zhang Jie each had their own preferred enhancement paths, just like in the original story.
When it was Yujin's alien teammate Nova and Yehui's turn, he finally spoke up.
"Nova, exchange for this one."
[Primary Werewolf Variant Bloodline: Requires 1200 reward points and two D-rank side plots. During a full moon or a burst of potential, the individual gains the ability to transform into a werewolf. After transformation, strength and speed increase significantly, resistance to impact improves, claws and Yujins become deadly weapons, and the senses sharpen to detect even the slightest movement.]
"There's also an upgraded version. Skip the intermediate one and go straight for the advanced werewolf bloodline."
[Advanced Werewolf Variant Bloodline: Requires 2700 reward points, one B-rank side plot, and the primary werewolf bloodline rated at 88 points. The werewolf bloodline undergoes a deeper evolution. After transformation, strength, speed, and other key attributes are greatly enhanced. The individual gains access to the mid-level werewolf skill — Cyclone Claw Strike — spinning at high speed and tearing into enemies with rapid, lethal slashes.]
"Later, you should start saving for Dou Qi. You'll need it."
"Ah…" Nova's expression suddenly darkened. "I… I don't have enough side plots."
Hearing that, Yujin understood. Nova had only completed one group mission — the Freddy kill — earning 5000 reward points and one B-rank side plot.
"My task wasn't fully completed, so they deducted 3000 points. After the horror scenario ended, I got 1000 base points. That leaves me with 3800 reward points and one B-rank side plot. Should I split the B-rank and—"
"No need," Yujin interrupted with a wave of his hand. "I'll give you one C-rank plot. Split the B-rank and exchange for the Intermediate Werewolf Variant Bloodline."
When Yujin redeemed the stitching skill, Nova had generously helped him complete a C-level side quest. Now that Yujin had one more side quest in his possession, he decided to return it to Nova directly.
Nova hadn't expected Yujin to actually repay her. She pressed her lips together, a little surprised, then offered him a sincere word of thanks.
This was the world of Lord God Space—here, strength was the only truth.
Even if Yujin decided to rob the entire team, they would have no choice but to obey. After all, it was thanks to Yujin that they were still alive.
That much, the battle-hardened warrior Nova understood clearly in her heart.
Although this C-level side quest had originally been something Yujin owed her, to Nova, it felt more like a gift from him.
When it was Yehui's turn, Yujin made a suggestion.
"I feel like you don't have much desire to fight. Why not max out your Intelligence and role-play as a sage?"
To outsiders, that might have sounded like mockery.
But after surviving two horror movie worlds alongside Yujin, Yehui had already submitted to his leadership—in both combat and strategy.
Such was the nature of a trueborn citizen of Japan.
Yehui bowed respectfully. "I think I'm better suited as a support. When it comes to planning and decision-making, Captain Yujin is far superior to anyone else!"
"Do you have a direction in mind for your enhancement?" Yujin asked.
"Yes!"
Ever since entering the Lord God Space, Yehui had been researching possible enhancements.
Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, she hadn't slept for two days, carefully analyzing and selecting the most suitable path for herself.
[B-Robo No. 1: Kabutack: Requires 4,500 reward points and one B-level side quest. In normal state, Kabutack's speed, agility, and jumping ability are below average, but its strength is immense—capable of halting a fully loaded truck traveling at 180 km/h. Upon activating Super Mode, it compensates for its weaknesses in agility, speed, and mobility.]
"I don't want to fight, so I want to exchange for the Kabutack Robot. It has many compatible upgrade parts later on, like Rolling Wheels and Drill Kabutack. Eventually, it can even evolve into the Kabutack Giant, worth thirty thousand reward points and two A-level side story missions!"
"I've loved Kabutack since I was a kid. It can fulfill my dream and still contribute to the team. Is that okay, Captain Yujin?"
If Yujin were being honest, he probably would've slapped Yehui and told her to get lost.
In the Lord God Space, if you don't strengthen yourself, what's the point of wasting points on a clunky robot?
But truthfully, Yehui had no real talent for combat, and in terms of support, the team already had Zhan Lan as their psychic controller.
Spending four-thousand five-hundred points plus a B-level side story to get a Kabutack with the power of a first-stage Gene Lock wasn't a terrible investment. It still added a bit of paper strength to the team.
"Alright then," Yujin finally said. "I'm just giving advice, not controlling your exchanges. Kabutack it is."
Yehui nodded happily. After shouting a few commands to the Lord God, a goofy-looking robot materialized in the middle of the plaza.
Everyone was curious about Yehui's new Kabutack. They crowded around, poking and inspecting it from every angle.
Only Zhao Yingkong sat crouched to the side, lost in thought.
Yujin walked over. "What did you exchange for?"
"Flash Spirit," Zhao Yingkong replied without even lifting her head.
"Oh, oh!" Yujin nodded, instantly understanding.
It matched his memory—Zhao Yingkong, being an assassin, had prioritized speed-type enhancement.
Now that she had speed—
"Got a minute?" Yujin asked her.
"Yeah."
"Come on, to my room," Yujin said as he started walking away. After a few steps, he noticed Zhao Yingkong hadn't followed.
"What's wrong? Something up again?"
Zhao Yingkong frowned. She acknowledged Yujin's strength in her mind—but that didn't mean her body agreed with his DNA.
Because these were two completely different things.
Seeing Zhao Yingkong's darkened face, Yujin finally realized that she had misunderstood.
"My room can be used for combat practice," he said calmly. "At my current level, fighting artificial humans no longer helps me improve. You've unlocked your Gene Lock and strengthened your Flash Spirit—now you can at least put up a decent fight."
Yujin paused, tilting his head slightly. "Unless, of course, you're afraid."
No assassin could stand being provoked like that.
Zhao Yingkong rose to her feet, eyes sharp and filled with killing intent, as she strode toward him.
Yujin fell silent.
The two of them walked side by side into the room.
****
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