The Talking Bat (Please Vote)

Rein knew that after opening his eyes and spinning that lie, it was time to ask for the antidote to the Zombie Potion.

That had been his most important purpose in returning to the base.

Seeing that the old man was waiting for him to take the bait, he proactively asked, "Um, Teacher, about the antidote to the Zombie Potion, do you have it...?"

Sure enough, Piscis raised an eyebrow and deliberately revealed a troubled expression.

"There's a little problem with the antidote."

Before confirming whether the information about "88 Maple Street" was genuine, he naturally could not casually hand over the antidote.

Although he had already decided to silence Rein permanently, only control through poison could ensure this newcomer would not cause any trouble.

After a pause, he explained, "Preparing that antidote is quite troublesome, and it isn't easy to preserve. Besides, I'm currently short one key ingredient. It may take a few days before I can refine the finished product."

That time would also be enough to verify whether "88 Maple Street" truly concealed treasure.

And in a few days, the hypnotist sent by his superiors should arrive. Then this brat would have no choice but to stop talking nonsense!

Rein asked anxiously, "Huh? Which ingredient is missing?"

This was within his expectations. Even if he had truly handed over every secret, this inherently suspicious old man probably would not immediately give him the antidote.

Piscis casually said, "Powdered Skull of a Thousand-Year Mummy."

It was a relatively rare Dark Magic material.

There were plenty of mummies beneath the Ice Ridge Wasteland. Though thousand-year mummies were indeed difficult to find, Rein did not believe the old man truly lacked it.

It was merely an excuse.

Noticing that something was off with Rein's expression, Piscis reassured him, "But don't worry. At most, it'll take ten days to gather the antidote ingredients. When the time comes, I'll refine a dose for you. It's a small matter."

There was nothing wrong with those words. After all, in ten days, the Weasel Bandit Group would be wiped out, and naturally no survivors would be left behind.

"Oh, then once the materials are gathered, I'll have to trouble you, Teacher."

Rein did not hide his disappointed expression.

Piscis looked at Rein with a faintly mocking smile and said meaningfully, "Since the poison in your body hasn't been cleared, rest properly these next few days. If you remember anything, make sure to tell me."

"Mm."

Rein nodded, then his gaze shifted as he suddenly asked, "Then, Teacher, can I study with you over the next few days?"

"Mm, certainly."

Piscis also felt that, as his "teacher," he should not refuse such a request. He said, "For the next few days, you can stay by my side and help out. I'll first teach you some basic knowledge of surgery and potions."

Rein was secretly delighted. "Alright."

After Piscis left, Rein was once again "imprisoned" in the medical room.

However, the one piece of good news was that his permitted range of movement had expanded. Piscis's laboratory next to the medical room had also become accessible to him. It stored a large number of basic medical texts and experimental instruments.

This old man has probably been trying to stall over the antidote all along. Looks like he's dead set on silencing me.

Rein mulled over their conversation.

Though he had not expected Piscis to hand over the antidote readily, he still felt that something was not quite right.

Potion Masters have extensive connections. It wouldn't be impossible for Piscis to know a few Transcendent with mental abilities. This old man is deliberately buying time—he probably has some other malicious scheme.

Thinking this, Rein felt he had to stay vigilant.

Moreover, now that he knew the mastermind who had hired the killers would definitely not give up Baron Morin's Treasure, if he wanted to survive, he had to leave the Weasel Gang's bandit den as soon as possible.

He absolutely could not sit around waiting to die, hoping Piscis would have a change of heart and voluntarily give him the antidote.

He had to seize the initiative!

Others might have been helpless in such circumstances, but Rein, who possessed the Mind Core, had a plan no one would ever expect!

Since he could not obtain the finished antidote, he had set his sights on the laboratory.

Only by gaining the right to use the laboratory could he attempt another plan to actively obtain the antidote!

The antidote can be dealt with gradually. My top priority is becoming Transcendent and improving my ability to protect myself!

Rein had formed a rough plan, so he was not overly anxious.

That plan would take time to carry out.

Looking at the Ghost Walker Gene Potion Piscis had just left him, Rein still decided to try breaking through his first Gene Lock tonight and advance to an Awakened!

Now that he had two potions, even if the advancement failed, he would have two chances to try.

Rein truthfully told Piscis of his plan to advance to Transcendent, and Piscis was not surprised in the slightest.

After all, in the old man's view, anyone who obtained a high-quality potion like the Ghost Walker Gene Potion would probably be impatient to advance.

In fact, so that his "disciple" could advance with peace of mind, the old man even left the sealed chamber in the laboratory for Rein, ensuring he would not be disturbed by outsiders during the process.

After night fell, Rein swallowed the Corpse Stitcher Gene Potion with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Fortunately, because the potion was highly pure, its medicinal power smoothly fused into his body.

It was like downing a mouthful of strong liquor. Once the liquid entered his body, its effects gradually began to burn. It felt as though a warm current was charging wildly through his meridians, destroying everything that had been there before.

Rein felt as if his body were a dam. Once that force smashed open a tiny crack, raging floodwaters burst through the breached dam and poured into his stream-like meridians, widening them into rivers.

It was an incomparably painful process, yet one full of anticipation.

Only after enduring seven or eight agonizing hours did most of the medicinal power fuse into his body.

Rein stepped into the Transcendent realm. He had finally broken through one Gene Lock and become an Awakened!

At that moment, he felt every muscle in his body swelling with power.

The potion had nearly tripled his strength overnight, making him feel as though he could leap over walls and rooftops or tear tigers and leopards apart with his bare hands!

It was not just strength—the Corpse Stitcher had greatly enhanced all five of his senses.

His vision had sharpened, making his field of view far clearer; his hearing had improved, so even the sound of cockroaches crawling through the ventilation ducts could not escape his ears; his sense of smell had strengthened, allowing him to easily distinguish that the laboratory air was no longer one single scent, but a blend of odors emitted by various potion materials; his sense of touch had improved, giving him...

Muscles and skin tough as leather, instincts as sharp as a fox's.

The feeling was incredibly wondrous, as though it had revealed a brand-new world to him.

So this is what being Transcendent feels like...

At last, Rein understood the difference between Transcendent and ordinary people.

All beneath the mountain were ants; only by standing atop its peak could one see the scenery beyond the sea of clouds, where even wider skies still lay beyond reach!

Transcendent power was humanity's greatest reliance for surviving the harsh environment and savage beasts of this Misty World!

Late that night, as Rein advanced to Transcendent, a black bat silently landed by the bedroom window of Quinn, leader of the Weasel Bandit Group.

Hearing the movement, the sharp and vigilant Quinn immediately woke.

But when he saw the palm-sized bat, he trembled violently as if a mouse had seen a cat.

Then, the leader of the bandit group, a dignified Third Tier Demon Hunter, hurriedly rose from bed and actually bowed respectfully to the bat. With a nervous expression, he greeted it, "Lord William, you... why have you come?"

A bizarre scene unfolded.

The bat's eyes glowed with an eerie red, revealing a cold, bloodthirsty gleam. It actually spoke in a human voice, saying coldly, "Heh. You still dare ask why I came?"

At that glare, Quinn immediately lowered his head, cold sweat soaking his back.

Clearly, he knew why this lord had come. He hurriedly explained, "Lord William, I... I truly carried out the task you gave me according to plan. But... Morin's methods were far beyond those of an ordinary Second Tier Ascender, and even I nearly fell victim to that Poison Gas Bomb..."

"Oh?"

The red-eyed bat's tone grew colder and colder. "Are you saying that you failed to get the item because my intelligence was insufficiently detailed?"

Upon hearing this, Quinn felt as though a demon from the abyss had fixed its gaze upon him. One step forward, and he would plunge into an endless abyss.

He hurriedly swallowed. "I wouldn't dare! It was all my fault. I was too careless and let the target escape my sight, which is why I failed to find the 'item' he had."

"Hmph!"

The red-eyed bat did not seem inclined to pursue the matter further. With a cold snort, it said, "I have already confirmed that the item did not fall into the hands of Blazing Steel Fortress. I came this time on secret business and cannot reveal myself for now. Since the item is missing, someone must have secretly taken it. Keep watch over everyone who participated in the mission. Wait until I send someone over to search their souls."

Hearing this, Quinn wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, as though he had been granted a pardon. "Yes, Lord William!"