Weapons and Summary

The Supply Office was located in a separate room beneath the base.

After walking down a passageway, a massive metal door with a sign hanging on it came into view.

Supply Exchange.

Lu Yuan walked through the doors.

A dazzling array of equipment was displayed here.

Everything was available, from ordinary firearms to rune-engraved cold weapons.

The moment Lu Yuan entered, a girl crouching beneath the counter sprang out.

"Hello! Huh? A new face? What are you looking to buy?"

The girl looked at Lu Yuan eagerly.

Lu Yuan had already considered what he lacked before coming here. His weaknesses were obvious: his means of attack were too limited, and he lacked explosive power.

When facing the Eerie, he could not say he was completely powerless—but at most, all he could do was run.

"I need a weapon that can harm the Eerie." Lu Yuan added, "Preferably something powerful and easy to carry."

The girl thought for a moment upon hearing that. Then, as though something had occurred to her, she led Lu Yuan to a counter.

Several large-caliber firearms gleaming with a cold light were displayed inside.

The guns were silver-white overall, their bodies carved with countless intricate patterns. Their black, engraved grips complemented them perfectly, making them mesmerizing to look at.

Lu Yuan swept his gaze over them, then pointed to a Revolver with Dark Red patterns carved into its barrel.

"Could you tell me about this one?"

The girl immediately opened the counter at his words, cheerfully took out the handgun, and explained:

"Enchanted Standard Revolver, called Flame. Its property is a weak fire-element enchantment. When the bullet hits a target, it produces a small-area explosive effect."

"And this was shipped over from Headquarters! Handmade by a master! It absolutely can't be compared to those cheap knockoffs!"

"And it's cheap too! Just eight points!"

Seeing the delight flash through the girl's eyes after she mentioned points, Lu Yuan immediately understood. This girl definitely worked on commission.

"I'll take this one, but throw in two boxes of Silver-Plated Bullets." Lu Yuan began to haggle.

The girl's brows drew together, and she said pitifully:

"No way! Who just asks for two boxes of bullets for free? This stuff is expensive!"

"Then I'll look at another gun?"

The girl's expression grew even more miserable. "Don't switch! This gun is so powerful, it's definitely a perfect fit for you, and just think about it—"

"Let's look at another gun."

"Hey, no! Fine, I'll give them to you. Since you're a newcomer, I'll throw in two boxes of Silver-Plated Bullets! This time only!"

The girl agreed decisively, looking as though she was terrified Lu Yuan would regret it.

Did I ask for too little?

After thinking for a moment, Lu Yuan asked again:

"Do you have any Ink Blocks here?"

"Ink Blocks? What do you want those for?" The girl tilted her head and thought. "If I remember correctly, there are a few boxes in the Collection Area."

As she spoke, the girl went farther inside. After some time, she came back out carrying a Small Red Brocade Box.

"This. Ink Blocks from the East—they're very precious! One point!"

The girl took out the box and placed it before Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan looked at the Ink Blocks piled inside the box and nodded.

"I'll take it."

The girl froze. "No refunds! Pay up!"

Lu Yuan left the Supply Exchange with his things.

He weighed the small red box in his hand, unable to stop himself from sighing inwardly.

I hope Mo Shui likes eating this stuff, or I'll have taken a huge loss.

Exchanging for this was not only to thank Mo Shui for helping him back then, but also to build a good relationship with the little thing.

After all, it had unlocked higher-level Library permissions.

With Mo Shui's reminders, finding what he needed would always be a little easier.

Returning to the clinic with his new equipment, Lu Yuan felt much more at ease.

Sitting before his desk, on this rare peaceful night, he made a summary of his current condition:

[Forbidden Studies - Seeker: 3.3/50]

[Sanity II: 27/47 (Experience)]

[Pharmacology: 3/50]

[Basic Medical: 2.3/20]

[Basic Herbology: 12/20]

[Grim Port Current Situation: 27/50]

[Imperial Language - Reading: 89/1000]

His fastest improvement so far had been in Imperial Language, which had grown considerably without him even noticing. Next came Forbidden Studies and Sanity.

At this pace, Sanity would reach III before long. He just did not know how much his total Sanity would increase during the next upgrade.

Otherwise, he would not be able to endure Strange Dream for much longer.

Then there was Grim Port's current situation. It had increased by another two points without him noticing, but he still had not figured out what this thing was for.

Pharmacology had gained a few more points while he was learning to make the Silverlight Grass Mixture.

After some thought, Lu Yuan decided that his highest priorities for the coming period would be Sanity and Basic Herbology. These past few days with the Night Watcher, he had gained almost no experience in either.

Moreover, his [Forbidden Studies - Deep Study] skill also required a vast body of knowledge as a foundation.

Fortunately, his strength was indeed rising steadily.

And in a corner unknown to the protagonist.

Rumors about "that reliable new Doctor" were fermenting within the Night Watcher.

Everyone knew that Hans had brought back a powerful outside aid, someone suspected to be half a step into the extraordinary.

As undercurrents surged, a piece of Intelligence was quietly passed along. Beside Lu Yuan's name, a red question mark was drawn.

Over the next two days, Lu Yuan barely left his room.

He plunged headfirst into the study of Pharmacognosy, using the medicinal ingredients available from the Night Watcher along with his previous stockpile to grind experience like mad.

[Basic Herbology: +0.5...]

[Basic Herbology: +0.5...]

Finally, on the evening of the third day.

[Basic Herbology: 20/20]

[Your knowledge of Pharmacognosy has gradually crossed the threshold. You have gained another direction from which to understand this world. Pharmacognosy: 0/30]

[Pharmacognosy: Quantitative change gives rise to qualitative change. The once obscure knowledge of plants has fused together and become clear at this moment. Your understanding of matter is no longer confined to appearances, but has touched deeper levels.]

Lu Yuan felt the sudden clarity in his mind. He was now confident he could perfectly recreate the Silverlight Grass Mixture.

Just as Lu Yuan was preparing to try.

Urgent knocking suddenly came from outside the door.

Bang bang bang!

The sound was heavy and panicked.

Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed. He tucked the newly acquired Enchanted Revolver behind his waist and went over to open the door.

Lausen stood outside.

But the sight of him made Lu Yuan's heart lurch.

Lausen was drenched from head to toe. Briny seawater continually dripped from the hems of his clothes, pooling across the floor.

His face was as white as paper. On his exposed neck and the backs of his hands, patches of white, hard, fish-scale-like calluses had grown.

"Doctor Lu... save... save me..."

Lausen's voice was hoarse, as though his throat were full of grit. "The medicine... your medicine isn't working anymore!"

"Get inside!"

Lu Yuan dragged him into the room, made a gesture toward the people peering in from outside to signal that something was wrong here, then quickly shut the door.

After entering, Lausen collapsed into a chair. His face was deathly pale and his expression utterly dejected; none of the arrogance from several days ago remained.

As though something had deeply shaken him, he said word by word:

"The dream changed... it all changed!"