Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 271: Chapter 238: One Fish, Five Ways to Eat_1

”Oh! This dazzling golden light! And such smooth Resonance. It’s a perfect match for you.”

Little Cat tsked in admiration. ”This is one of only three Legion Contracts in the game, and it’s completely compatible with your attributes. You’ve even saved yourself the trouble of conversion and hiring someone to modify it... You’re really lucky. Congratulations, congratulations.”

Huai Shi responded vaguely but offered no further comment.

Huai Shi knew very little about the Legion Contract, having only heard fragments of information from Raven.

This strategic-level relic, which all the major organizations frantically collected and stockpiled, was definitely no ordinary item.

Although he didn’t know the details, he was certain: this item was definitely closely related to the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy. No, it seemed as if it were specifically created to match his path of sublimation...

Drawing from long and bitter lessons of being thoroughly screwed over by teammates, he skeptically eyed Little Cat, sensing a catch.

”Hmm? Is there a problem?”

Little Cat seemed oblivious, looking at him curiously. ”You look pretty pale. Do you want me to go to the kitchen and whip up a bowl of noodles for... Ah, I forgot you’re an apprentice Chef Demon. Never mind.”

”...”

Huai Shi carefully sensed the ring in his hand. It was indeed a very complex Border Relic, its internal structure layered and incomprehensible.

However, after it extracted some of his Source Substance, something seemed to be brewing in the darkness within, requiring a substantial amount of vitality to replenish.

Huai Shi would definitely not use his own life to feed it. He was just thinking of finding a forest after leaving to properly replenish it.

But something still feels off—this seems like...a half-finished product?

It was, however, undoubtedly the most suitable piece of equipment for him. There was no sense of awkwardness or resistance; it felt like an extension of his own body, resonating with his every breath.

Was I mistaken?

Soon, Huai Shi stopped dwelling on this and turned his attention to the final reward: an envelope.

He carefully picked up the envelope.

It felt ordinary, as if there was a Card inside. The Book of Fate sensed it and trembled slightly.

When Huai Shi cautiously opened the envelope, he found to his surprise that a... name badge fell out?

Yes, it looked like some sort of work ID.

It even had the Astronomical Society’s emblem on the back.

When Huai Shi picked up the Card to examine the front, a thread of his Source Substance was unexpectedly absorbed. Instantly, his photograph materialized on the previously blank surface.

[Utopia · Test Zone No. 14 · Authority Credentials]

Below the photo, Huai Shi’s name slowly emerged, indicating he had B-level clearance to access most areas.

Then, the Book of Fate trembled. As its pages turned, the letter ’B’ on the Card was erased, and the blue Card turned pitch black, transforming from plastic to incredibly heavy iron.

And on the Card, Huai Shi’s clearance abruptly upgraded from B-level to S-level. With the return of a wisp of Source Substance, a set of coordinates suddenly appeared in Huai Shi’s mind.

After a brief moment of recognition, his eyes widened in disbelief.

It’s in Antarctica!

”Unbelievable!” Huai Shi exclaimed, flipping the badge in his hand. ”How did I end up with another chain quest?”

”The prize is just this; there’s nothing I can do,” Little Cat scratched his face awkwardly. ”Do you want to exchange it? If you do, I can offer...”

”No need!”

Huai Shi decisively shoved the Card into his pocket and tossed it into the Book of Fate. ”I think this is quite good.”

This item held particular importance for the Book of Fate. If he missed this opportunity, he might deeply regret it later should a situation arise where it was needed.

Besides, he wasn’t in need of equipment right now.

The last thing he lacked was equipment.

No matter what Little Cat could offer, it probably wouldn’t be much of an improvement for him.

After grasping the essence of the Mountain Ghost, what Huai Shi lacked was the painstaking effort that required time. Insights from his Stigma indicated that, at this stage, he should focus on collecting life force from as many different plants as possible. The individual amounts from each plant didn’t matter as much as the overall quantity—the more, the better.

Especially various plants from Hell; the more, the merrier.

The urgent task now is to get more plants and flowers. What do I need equipment for? And even if I accept this quest, can they force me to go? Worst case, I can just stay put in Xinhai.

Mulling this over, Huai Shi sat still, observing Little Cat.

”Hmm?”

Little Cat looked at him, puzzled. ”Is there anything else you need?”

It’s like he’s asking why I’m still here now that the rewards are all handed out.

”Is that all?”

Huai Shi asked calmly, ”I completed the death quest you issued, risking life and limb. Don’t you think you should compensate me a little for your concealment?”

”Uh...”

Little Cat was momentarily stunned, like a heartless capitalist shocked by a worker demanding wages.

Is that even a thing?

Normally, in such situations, Little Cat would just flick his hand, and the demanding worker would be sent flying into the cat litter. But Huai Shi was now a Prince, an official member of Paradise. And though not meeting all the criteria, his authority was implicitly on par with Little Cat’s.

According to the rules, Little Cat was indeed supposed to treat him as an equal... not just brush him off.

Little Cat began to develop a headache.

After thinking for a moment, he tentatively asked, ”How about this: you can absorb any of the greenery in this Paradise as you please?”

”And that covers my meal?”

Huai Shi retorted. Realizing his assumption was correct, he resolved to squeeze a bit more out of this bastard. ”I’m injured, you know, narrowly escaped death. Even if we don’t call it a work-related injury, you should at least give me some overtime pay, right?”

”Then... I’ll give you Golden Coins, and we’ll pretend this never happened?”

”Heh.” Huai Shi weighed his bulging wallet, his smile mocking. ”Do I look like I need that kind of money?”

”...”

This rich bastard’s attitude is infuriating.

Little Cat was smoking, a headache suddenly coming on.

Finally, he ground the cigarette butt into the small mountain of them in the ashtray and sighed helplessly.

”How about this?” He coughed and said cautiously, ”At a critical moment, Paradise will step in and help you once. How does that sound?”

Seeing Huai Shi still wasn’t satisfied, he continued, ”According to the agreement, we’re not supposed to interfere too much in your competition rules. But as you’re a part-time Prince of Paradise, it gives Paradise an excuse to intervene without it being a serious violation... But it’s best not to go too far, or we’ll end up on someone’s list in the future.”

”Help me once?”

Huai Shi frowned. ”How will you help?”

Little Cat rummaged through a cabinet and pulled out a flyer. ”This is for you.”

The flyer was so faded it was almost illegible; the words were mostly unclear.

Only a large chibi avatar of Little Cat still retained its former outline.

Holding the flyer, Little Cat’s movements were cautious and meticulous, as if handling a bomb. Very gingerly, he said, ”Paradise is greatly pleased with your performance on stage and has expressed its appreciation, hence granting you this authority... You must use it wisely.”

Huai Shi took the flyer and examined it carefully, completely bewildered.

”How do I use it?”

”Quite simple.”

Little Cat pointed to his chibi avatar on the flyer. ”As long as you are in this city, no matter when or where, if you draw this pattern on the ground according to the flyer, you can summon the Power slumbering in the depths of Paradise, the most terrifying monster here...”

At this point, Little Cat chuckled coldly. ”You need not doubt its specific Power. When it descends from the sky, anyone present who hasn’t paid the authorization fee will die!”

Huai Shi gasped, goosebumps rising all over his body.

This is a massive AOE. I don’t know its full effect, but if it involves the most terrifying monster in this Paradise... Recalling the dark aura he had sensed in the castle, Huai Shi couldn’t help but shiver.

How terrifying!

After extorting two sets of vouchers from Little Cat for lodging at other inns in the city, usable anytime, Huai Shi felt he had pushed it far enough.

After all, Little Cat has been relatively good to me, and I haven’t lost out, though I still feel he’s a bit suspicious... But I’m leaving tomorrow. Could he really chase me down and try to kill me?

Having considered it, Huai Shi packed his things, stood up, bid farewell, and returned to the dormitory arranged for him.

「 」

In the office, watching Huai Shi close the door and listening to the young man’s fading footsteps, Little Cat finally breathed a sigh of relief. He lay back in his chair, sighing softly.

He opened a drawer and gazed at the prize the Joyful Framework had originally designated for the top finisher.

”Aiya, that was close. Nearly let the cat out of the bag. Too close, too close.”

Casually, he tossed an extremely important Legion Contract into the trash can.

Afterward, he propped his feet up, contentedly lit a cigarette, picked up the desk phone, and dialed a number.

”Hello, Golden Dawn?”

Smoking with glee, he said, ”Yes, I’ve given the badge to the foreign Sublimator from the Abyss Genealogy. You watched the live stream, right? Yes, that one. Wasn’t it powerful, imposing, and dominant? Don’t you think I deserve more money?

Triple? Is our Prince of Paradise only worth triple? Ten times sounds about right, doesn’t it? Fine, let’s go with that. Deposit it into my Magic Gold Bank account later.”

Hanging up, Little Cat dialed another number, picked up the receiver, and waited for it to connect.

”Hello, Yesterday Express? Manager Lee, right?”

He said, ”Yes, I’ve given the ring to the successor Prince. Oh, you’re too kind. Money? What’s money between friends? The Chairman of Seven Seas and I go way back. You might need to put a little extra effort into the packaging service soon. Sure, come over as soon as you can.”

The phone was hung up once again.

Finally, he picked it up again and dialed yet another number.

This time, the busy signal was extraordinarily long; even its rhythm seemed stretched to the limit, making one think it would ring unanswered for an eternity.

Five minutes later, the call was finally answered.

”Hello, Helios Workshop?”

Little Cat extinguished his cigarette and nodded. ”Yes, that Border Relic you left here has found its master. That Lock Chain... an absolutely perfect match. You can trust my judgment; he’s practically the most perfect successor.

No need for money, but I might need your help with something in a few days. Will you be available? Then it’s settled. Alright, until then.”

The receiver was placed back on the cradle, disconnecting the call.

In the silence, he sank into deep thought.

After a long moment, he lifted his eyes toward the darkness in the corner of the office desk.

”Are you satisfied with this arrangement, ’guest’?”

”Satisfied is an understatement; it’s quite spectacular, I’d say,” a voice laden with admiration came from the darkness. ”Though it’s true that business is about making money, your ability to ’eat one fish five ways’ is truly formidable, isn’t it?”

Raven’s red eyes lifted, and he clicked his tongue in amazement.