After the Enhancement was complete, Lu Luo casually moved his arm and jumped a few times. He clearly noticed a significant increase in his physical fitness, but the improvement in agility and speed was even more shocking to him.
"Grade S Sequence 02-Devourer... this kind of self-enhancement effect is really... I don't know how to describe it."
Lu Luo had always made it a habit to exercise in his past life, but after reaching adulthood, his daily workouts merely maintained his physical fitness at a non-declining level. Social engagements, staying up late, and drinking all had a clear impact on his body. This rapid elevation of his physical condition was somewhat mesmerizing to him.
[Successfully mastered Observer, Fusioner, Devourer. How does it feel? It's a pity I can't reward you with a newbie gift pack or something. Truly regrettable.]
Lu Luo automatically ignored this prompt and started to hesitate. He wasn't safe at the moment. Below was the black water monster, so he could only keep going upward.
Just as Lu Luo was about to continue climbing the stairs, a hand suddenly reached out from the left wall and pulled him into it.
「 」
The one who pulled Lu Luo was a classmate named Chu Qi. Behind her stood several other people: Zhou Kai, Gu Fangyi, Wang Zheng, Liu Ting, and others.
All these students were scholarship students traveling with Lu Luo. To have survived until now, they must all have some extraordinary aspects, such as having awakened a Sequence.
"Are you okay, Lu Luo?" Chu Qi asked. "The staircase is a Domain established by the Specter Species. If you get trapped inside, only someone not on the staircase can pull you out. Gu Fangyi spotted you, and that's how I found you."
"I'm alright, thank you."
Lu Luo appeared quite calm. He looked at the others; most of them were more or less stained with blood, wounds, and signs of battle, suggesting they had already encountered Exotic Species and engaged in combat.
"Lu Luo, I didn't expect you to survive. Lucky, aren't you, not to be eaten by an Exotic Species?" Zhou Kai looked at Lu Luo, slightly tilting his head in an expression most people wouldn't like. Lu Luo wasn't surprised.
"Watch your mouth, Zhou Kai," Chu Qi interrupted.
"The weak will only hinder us," Zhou Kai retorted.
[This kid is quite foolish, but he's the type that is strong on the outside but hollow on the inside. His fingers are trembling, and his heart is beating fast. To sum it up in four words, he's freaking out. Before you arrived, he must have been in that state all along. Now that you are here, he has to put you down quickly to muster some sense of presence.]
Lu Luo didn't smile, but there was already a hint of amusement on his face. Coupled with his generally aloof demeanor, this gave off an arrogant vibe.
"Lu Luo, did you come up alone? Where is Qin Wanyu? Wasn't she with you?" Zhou Kai's hostility towards Lu Luo was not without reason. A girl as pretty as Qin Wanyu was liked by many, including types like Zhou Kai.
"We got separated. She might be dead."
Upon hearing Lu Luo's words, everyone fell silent for a moment. The outcome was not unexpected.
"What about the others?" Although Lu Luo already had a hunch, he still wanted to ask.
"All dead. Exotic Species appeared in the exhibition hall, and there was more than one. Besides us, everyone is dead."
Not just Qin Wanyu. Out of a dozen or so people, only the six of them remained.
"Why would there be Exotic Species inside the walls?" Wang Zheng asked, voicing a question many had.
"You ask me, who am I supposed to ask?" Zhou Kai snapped. "Besides, shouldn't we be discussing Lu Luo's case right now? It's dangerous enough already, and now we've rescued a dead weight. Looking good is an advantage, even in times like this."
Zhou Kai's sarcasm was irritating. Gu Fangyi, the team's temporary leader, cut him off. "Enough. Instead of wasting time on idle talk, we'd better think of a way to get out."
Gu Fangyi held a steel knife and a revolver he had gotten from somewhere; it was clear that he was the main combatant of the group. He took out a hand-drawn sketch and started to analyze the present situation with the remaining people.
"We have found Lu Luo, making a total of six people. The current situation is that the stairwell has been turned into a Domain that resembles that of a Specter Species, and the outer area is sealed by some kind of force. Unless we can kill the Specter Species in the stairwell or break the seal on the external walls, there is no other way out. All the Exotic Species on this floor have been killed, so it's still a relatively safe area. I suggest we continue to wait for rescue here. For such a significant incident, the Wasteland Security Bureau won't just sit by and do nothing."
"Agreed."
"Seconded."
"Fine."
The others all concurred. Seeing that Lu Luo remained silent, Chu Qi asked, "Lu Luo? What are you thinking? If you have any objections or suggestions, you can speak up now. We're all classmates here; it's okay."
Chu Qi was very gentle in her approach, but Lu Luo's focus wasn't there at all. The most important thing I gleaned from Gu Fangyi's entire speech was the state of the Exotic Species. All the Exotic Species killed? Perfect, where are the bodies? I'll help them check if any slipped through the net. Of course, he couldn't say that out loud.
"Hmm, I'd like to see the bodies of the Exotic Species on this floor, to look for any findings and clues."
To Chu Qi, Lu Luo's request seemed somewhat strange, but she still pointed out where the Exotic Species bodies were piled up. "We've already checked all the Exotic Species bodies; they are piled over there. If you want to take a look, go ahead. It's too disgusting for me, so I won't join you."
"Listening to you, it sounds like you've seen other Exotic Species before, the kind even Dark Energy can't detect... an ordinary person like you," Zhou Kai chimed in from the side. He had wanted to say 'trash', but after a glance at Liu Ting, who also couldn't sense Dark Energy, he changed the word to 'ordinary person' instead.
Chu Qi looked at Lu Luo, expecting him to be upset. But Lu Luo acted as if he hadn't heard a thing and had already walked toward the bodies.
Lu Luo really couldn't be bothered to argue with him; everyone's thoughts were different, after all. Just like me, diligently searching for bodies, wholeheartedly seeking attributes. Such sincere young people are rare these days.
[A weakling seeking significance dares to mock the host of a noble Grade S Sequence Observer? Truly courting death. He hasn't yet understood that invisible posturing is the most lethal act.]
「 」
After Lu Luo left, Gu Fangyi suddenly spoke up. "Lu Luo has killed Exotic Species, more than one."
"What?" Chu Qi was surprised.
"How is that possible?" Zhou Kai couldn't believe it.
Gu Fangyi looked steadily at Zhou Kai with a calm expression until Zhou Kai lowered his head under his piercing gaze. Then Gu Fangyi continued, "I've awakened the Grade B Hawk Eye Sequence. My observational ability is much stronger than yours. I wouldn't be mistaken about this: Lu Luo has indeed killed Exotic Species. He has clear signs on his body from fighting them. There are wounds on his hands and body, and a distinct fishy smell on him. So, don't underestimate anyone. That's a truth you should have read in many books."
Gu Fangyi's explanation made Zhou Kai somewhat embarrassed. But after hearing it, Lu Luo's image instantly grew in the minds of the others.
As the Observer said, invisible posturing is most deadly. Someone was no longer here, but the legend of that someone remained.