CHAPTER 81 - Essence Store

A new system function?!

Li Lin couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. As expected, the personal information panel displayed blue and orange essences, indicating their usefulness.

With a quick thought, he promptly opened the personal panel to check the information:

[Name:Li Lin]

[Occupation: Mechanic]

[Level: 11]

[Health: 1169/1169]

[Mana: 295/295]

[Combat Power: 16]

[Skill Points: 9]

[Wealth: 0 Blue Essences, 0 Orange Essences

[Mastered Skills: Advanced Manufacturing, Data Mind, Firearms Mastery, Basic Combat, Novice Mechanic lv2, Mechanic Affinity lv2, Mechanic Enhancement lv2, Neural Network Connection]

[Additional Features: Skill Panel, Essence Store]

[Insufficient Level, Function Locked...]

After crafting numerous high-tech inventions, his original "Proficient Manufacturing" skill had advanced to "Advanced Manufacturing." Due to level restrictions, his occupational skills could only reach level 2, so skill points remained largely untouched.

Now, with a level surpassing 10, there must be new skills unlocked in the "Skill Panel." However, Li Lin restrained his excitement. Skills could wait; the allure of the system store was much greater.

Li Lin quickly opened the "Essence Store." A background panel in shades of black and gray, with a simple and ancient appearance, appeared in his mind. If he had to describe it, it was somewhat similar to the in-game Summoner's Rift store...

This was his first impression of the store's new appearance.

Li Lin roughly browsed through the store and was surprised to find many familiar items.

"Huh, isn't this just like the in-game store? Health potions, mana potions, crystal vials, Sunfire, Black Cleaver..."

Apart from the absence of recommended equipment and build suggestions, the categorized pages for equipment purchases were missing, leaving almost everything else identical to the in-game store.

All items were neatly listed in ascending order of price, requiring blue essences for purchase, with no items using orange essences. Additionally, the store featured various miscellaneous items. Some items categorized as "Mythical" in the game were surprisingly affordable here, with effects that were underwhelming.

For example, the "Kraken Slayer" was priced at only 50 blue essences, causing lethal damage to giant sea creatures without being shaken off, usable only on a ship.

Most warrior equipment was inexpensive, completely overshadowed by mage items with exorbitant prices and absurdly powerful attributes.

"Oh, this..."

Li Lin was stunned for a moment, with an indescribable feeling. Not exactly joy, but not disappointment either.

Most items in the store weren't helpful for his "Mechanic" occupation, even though their attributes were enticing. The only helpful items were the technologically advanced ones, with prices surprisingly high, such as a washing machine priced at 500 blue essences, even more expensive than an unconscious Primordial Crystal shard.

Moreover, to his surprise, Li Lin found the "Project Genesis: Infinite" power armor priced at 200 blue essences and the "Crimson Steel Laser Sniper Rifle" specially crafted for Caitlyn at 100 blue essences.

Combining these findings with some items he had previously invented, which were much cheaper than similar technological devices, he speculated:

Items with unlocked blueprints would be much cheaper in the store, while things he hadn't researched would be extremely expensive. If he couldn't independently research certain technologies, he could potentially purchase items to dismantle and study, reverse-engineering blueprints.

However, the technologies he cared about the most, such as artificial satellites, large mechs, and nuclear fusion energy, were not available in the current store.

He still didn't know how to obtain essences...

Helplessly, Li Lin closed the store, ready to open the "Skill Panel" to take a look. However, at that moment, a distant shout from Huck made him abandon that thought.

"Mr. Li Lin, are you alright?"

After the intense firefight, the area outside the construction site's fence had returned to safety.

Huck and a few enforcers jogged over to Li Lin. There was a tinge of concern in Huck's voice. "Mr. Li Lin, heh... Due to being a bit weak, that short run left me catching my breath for a while."

Due to his weakened body, Huck struggled to catch his breath after this short run.

"I'm fine," Li Lin replied as he turned around. "How about all of you?"

"They haven't been here for long. We're all good," one of them chuckled.

Huck rubbed his hands, wearing a somewhat melancholic expression. "But these folks are actually under the command of Chem-Baron Saito Takeda..."

The thugs behind him started discussing the matter with fear evident in their words.

However, their profession as mercenaries, living on the edge and enhanced by Chemtech modifications, made their minds less ordinary than the average person.

As long as the pay was sufficient, they would take on life-threatening tasks without hesitation and wouldn't abandon the mission midway.

Li Lin lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then gestured for the thugs to quiet down.

"Huck, go tell the workers they don't need to come for the next few days."

He paused briefly, then added, "You too. Once I've dealt with this matter, I'll find you."

"Um, sir... You're planning to confront Takeda?" Huck guessed Li Lin's thoughts, his expression changing.

"Well, um, that's not advisable!" he said urgently. "Takeda's current influence is among the top three in the Chem-Barons!"

"Don't worry too much. I've already planned it out," Li Lin shook his head and shifted his gaze to the thugs.

"As for you all, just patrol around here. Keep the scavengers and guttersnipes away. If Takeda's men cause trouble, just run. Don't risk your lives."

He had already dealt with the troublemakers who came looking for a fight.

Moreover, this location was somewhat secluded, and the recent battle wasn't witnessed by outsiders. News wouldn't spread too quickly.

However, if Muneyama Keita exceeded a day without returning, Takeda would likely suspect something was amiss and send people to find him.

To catch Takeda off guard, action had to be taken today.

After sending off Huck and the thugs, Li Lin swiftly took the lift back up to the city.

Even though he had confidence in penetrating Takeda's stronghold with his Infinite Powered Armor, doing so would let many slip through the cracks, causing potential issues later.

Li Lin intended to talk to Lady Cassandra and see if she could dispatch some enforcers to assist him.

He didn't need them to engage in combat with Takeda's people but to apprehend any escapees on the outskirts.

Just as Li Lin returned to the iron gate of Kiramman Manor, he saw Caitlyn coming from the other side, carrying a briefcase labeled "Crimson Steel."

"Hey? Weren't you overseeing the construction of the Tide Power Station in the Undercity recently? Why are you back so early today?"

Seeing Li Lin, Caitlyn's face lit up at first, then she felt a bit surprised.

"Ran into a bit of trouble. Need to talk to your mother about it."

Li Lin lifted his face mask and walked alongside Caitlyn into the courtyard.

"What about you? I saw you go out early today, carrying 'Crimson Steel'?"

"I've recently opened a detective agency, and as you said, I need to be armed for self-defense. Weapons like firearms need to be registered with Piltover's Enforcers, so it took me some trouble to get it done," she said somewhat bitterly. "Luckily, Sheriff Grayson helped me out, or I'd have to make several trips to the police station... But forget about that. What's going on with you?"

Caitlyn blinked her gem-like eyes, looking at Li Lin. "You've encountered some trouble. Maybe I can help? My detective agency has just started, and I need a big case to make a name for myself."

"Well..." Li Lin didn't know how to convey his thoughts to her.

If he told Caitlyn, with her strong aversion to evil, she would definitely take a strong stance and insist on going to the Undercity.

However, battling against the forces of the Chem-Barons was too perilous. Not only would Lady Cassandra disagree, but he also didn't want Caitlyn to get involved...

Noticing Li Lin's slightly hesitant expression, Caitlyn took two steps forward, blocked his path, and wrinkled her nose, humming softly:

"I smell the scent of a big case... You're not allowed to hide it from me!"

(End of the Chapter)

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