Chapter 4: Wrath and Shame

Chapter 4: Wrath and Shame

After having condensed the spirit essence of the advanced-grade milk slime, Su Ping then began to consume its inner core. The consistency and taste were surprisingly decent, reminding Su Ping of a lychee-flavored gummy.

After consuming the last remnant of its core, the will of the world announced, [For consuming the flesh of an advanced-grade milk slime, you received ten advanced gene fragments].

Su Ping: a mortal lifeform

Framework: Foundation, Lv. MAX

Genes: Basic, 20; Mutated, 0; Advanced, 10

Spirit Essence: Milk Slime (advanced, weapon-type)

Because the milk slime was an advanced-grade lifeform, every part of its carcass was valuable. There were cellars and large freezers designated specifically for the meat and bones of such lifeforms in the Dusksteel District, so Su Ping stored what he could and headed back.

Of course, as soon as he entered the district, he was again greeted by a chorus of mocking laughter.

"Is the king of the dumps back already?"

"Is he doing it just because everyone else is? Surely that Milk Slime flesh isn't worth a hundred points every month. What's he even trying to do?"

"If he weren't addled in the head, he wouldn't be at the bottom of the leaderboard."

As usual, Su Ping ignored them. Even though it did cost a hundred points per month to use the district's cellar, all the Milk Slime cores that he'd stored up would be a veritable fortune once it was discovered that they could catalyze a hunter's foundational breakthrough. He was even considering whether or not to disseminate that particular piece of information himself.

After all, now that he had broken through, he had no intention of returning to the Milk Slime Cave to collect more cores. Selling this information and then making a huge profit off the cores that he'd stockpiled sounded like the best strategy.

However, given his current level of strength and connections, he certainly couldn't spread the word directly, or it would only invite unnecessary trouble for himself. He would have to consider his approach more carefully.

After storing the valuable cores in the cellar, Su Ping then rented the cheapest room he could possibly find in the district. Because it was so cheap, it barely had any amenities—it was essentially a prison cell with an attached bathroom.

Su Ping sat cross-legged on the bed. Given his recent breakthrough, he was now able to develop a genetic framework that would form the basis of his future development, and he had long since prepared a suitable framework for himself.

The framework had been described in a manual that Su Ping had found within some ruins in the third realm of the dimensional world, which he had only acquired at considerable expense, effort, and danger.

Despite all that, the ironic thing was that it was a framework that the past Su Ping simply could not use; its first stage was water-attuned. In the past, Su Ping's repertoire had been predominantly fire-attuned, and the water-attuned framework would be in direct elemental opposition to his favored techniques.

He had even seriously considered destroying his foundation and starting from scratch, and it was only when he found out that even that might be insufficient for him to learn the technique that he gave up trying.

Not having encountered this framework earlier had been a lifelong regret for Su Ping. By a stroke of fortune, however, he was now able to learn it after his reincarnation.

Despite the fact that it wasn't a high-ranking framework, it was invaluable because of its ability to evolve.

The first level of the framework was equivalent to a mortal-rank framework, which was so common in the dimensional world that just about any hunter could afford it. But upon reaching the second level, the framework would become low-rank; upon reaching the third level, medium-rank; and so on and so forth.

Upon reaching the ninth and final level of the framework, all nine levels could theoretically consolidate into a framework beyond even god-rank, representing a metamorphosis from the carp motif of the first level to the dragon motif of the ninth, hence its name: [Ninecarp Transformation].

Of course, the requirements for advancement in this framework would only grow more and more stringent.

Regardless, the value of an evolving framework was immeasurable, and Su Ping immediately began to study the framework, following the manual that had been ingrained in his memories after his past life's relentless study.

The main purpose of the original foundational framework was to accumulate genetic energy within one's body. After Su Ping's breakthrough, that energy became more refined and concentrated.

Presently, Su Ping was circulating that energy through his body following the pathways required by the new genetic framework, cleansing his body as the energy became imprinted on and attuned to it. After a few cycles, a sea-blue genetic core began condensing where his Spirit Reservoir was located.

This core was about the size of a rosary bead—so large that Su Ping couldn't help but smile. Most hunters started out with a genetic core the size of a green bean. Naturally, Su Ping's exceptionally large core was due to the breakthrough in his foundation. The initial size of hunters' cores greatly influenced their strength and resonance with genetic energy, so this was a clear benefit.

Learning a new technique required engraving it on one's genetic core. Because the first level of [Ninefold Carapace Evolution] corresponded to a framework of the lowest possible rank, mortal rank, it could only accommodate five techniques.

Luckily, its water attunement was extremely compatible with Su Ping's advanced-grade Milk Slime Spirit Reservoir and would be able to enhance its effects up to fivefold.

The first level of the [Ninefold Carapace Evolution]—the carp—conferred two fundamental abilities.

The first, aquatic assimilation, would allow for underwater breathing and enhanced aquatic mobility. Most water-attuned frameworks would provide such a benefit, but some to a greater extent than others. The second, flame retardant, granted partial immunity against—and eventually absorption of—fire-based attacks.

As a reincarnator, Su Ping was extremely familiar with the process of engraving a framework and its associated techniques on his genetic core, and it was only a matter of moments before a pale pink carp appeared within it.

With the first level of the [Ninefold Carapace Evolution] handled, the next step would be to assimilate compatible techniques into his framework. A water-attuned framework naturally required water-attuned techniques.

Because Su Ping had used fire-attuned techniques in the past, his techniques would be incompatible with his current framework—but that didn't mean that they would go to waste.

An electronic trading post had been set up within the district by which hunters could exchange techniques for points or for other techniques. In general, the first option was disfavored; most people would only accept an equitable exchange of techniques.

And even the cheap room that he had rented had an Internet connection.

In the past, Su Ping's techniques consisted of [Blazing Pyres], [Soulfire Blade], [Incendiary Fist], [Flameburst Step], and the two high-grade techniques that he had obtained within the third realm, [Forgeheart Armor] and [Infernal Immolation].

All in all, they represented a full suite of techniques for attack, defense, evasion, and movement. He had no qualms about trading the first four away, but the last two would require more thought. [Forgeheart Armor] was the signature technique of a famous dojo, and it would cause unnecessary trouble for him if he were to put it up for trade now.

On the other hand, [infernal immolation] was the technique that Su Ping most favored, as well as his most valuable. Because the last few levels of the [Ninefold Carapace Evolution] would likely be fire-attuned, Su Ping didn't want to trade this technique away unless he had no other choice.

As he browsed the trading post, Su Ping paid particular attention to those requests for a fire-attuned technique in exchange for a water-attuned one.

[Calm Waters] was one such technique, a defensive-type technique that its owner wanted to swap for a fire-type sword technique. Su Ping quickly uploaded a copy of his [Soulfire Blade], which was scanned and verified by the system and subsequently accepted in trade.

Though he continued looking for suitable techniques, his search was fruitless. Instead, Su Ping left a request on the trading post with his three fire-attuned techniques enclosed.

All he needed to do now was wait. Even though the room he had rented wasn't particularly large, there was sufficient space for him to assimilate his newly acquired [Calm Waters].

It was a rather difficult technique to practice and required incorporating the flexible and supple nature of water into one's movements. Given his past experience, however, Su Ping was able to familiarize himself with the technique in just half a day or so.

With his new framework and techniques, Su Ping intended to leave the district and hunt down some lifeforms to quickly bring his gene fragments to their maximum capacity. However, the moment he left the district, he encountered a nuisance.

"Su Ping! I've been waiting out here for you!" The person whom Su Ping encountered by the gates was none other than his childhood friend Grace Wang, jumping up and down in impatience.

"Are you in such a hurry that you can't wait until the end of the month?"

Grace Wang glared evilly at Su Ping. "The house is one matter, but your slapping me is another entirely. Don't think I'll forgive you so easily—unless you kneel down here and beg for my forgiveness, I won't let you leave!"

The commotion was already gathering a crowd of hunters eager to watch the altercation.

Su Ping shouted back, "Scram! I don't have time to play games with you."

"Do you think you scare me? You're at the bottom of the gene leaderboard! I have twenty mutated gene fragments now, and I'll be able to beat you with just my little finger!"

Su Ping rolled his eyes, unable to deal with Grace Wang's nonsense any longer. He slapped her face again, leaving her to stagger aside in mute surprise as he turned to leave.

So what if she had twenty mutated gene fragments? Su Ping had ten superior gene fragments—even if no one in the crowd knew it.

His actions shocked the hunters who had gathered around to watch the show.

"Gods above, he really dared to fight back, huh?"

"Grace Wang's going to kill him!"

When Grace Wang recovered from the shock, she snarled and pounced on him like a vicious bulldog. "Su Ping! How dare you hit me again?! I'll rip your face to pieces!"

Su Ping's lips quirked into a smile. How convenient that Grace Wang is coming at him now! He hadn't had a chance to test out [Calm Waters] on an actual foe yet.

As Grace Wang approached, his hands bore the brunt of the impact, absorbing, redirecting, and multiplying the force of her approach.

Thud! Su Ping flipped Grace Wang's body over his head, and she landed head over heels on the ground. He wiped his hands off, turned to look at Grace Wang's fallen form, and then walked off, whistling a jaunty tune.

This time, it took Grace Wang far longer to come to her senses. Somewhat woodenly, she dragged herself up from the ground. Her mouth filled with mud; she simply couldn't believe that the useless hunter that she had been mocking day in and day out actually possessed a strength that eclipsed her own.