Chapter 74: Lottery Draw
Grinding herbs was not only exhausting but also dull and monotonous. Zhou Ning couldn't help but deeply miss the now-absent Tool Guy B.
Unlike the cheap potions he'd made before, the materials for the Starlight Reagent this time were incredibly expensive. According to Zhou Ning's estimate, just one batch cost around 50 to 60 Vecktas. If he failed even once, he figured he might be up all night, unable to sleep.
After advancing to Expert-level Alchemy, Zhou Ning's every movement had become precise and aesthetically refined—deft and clean, like a process honed through countless trials.
Moonstone and Dragon Scale Grass were only part of the ingredients for the Starlight Reagent. As one of the pricier catalysts used in alchemical potions, its formula was extremely complex, and the crafting process was exceptionally intricate.
Steadying his emotions, Zhou Ning added auxiliary materials to stabilize the potion in the beaker, followed by distilled water. Powder dispersed throughout the liquid the moment it made contact.
Next, he took out moonstone powder and carefully added it to the beaker. Instantly, the liquid turned a starlit black.
Wasting no time, Zhou Ning followed up by adding Dragon Scale Grass.
Puff!
A wave of bubbles erupted in the beaker.
Holding his breath, Zhou Ning added a buffer agent and began gently heating the mixture.
A few minutes later, the liquid inside glowed with a starlike shimmer, on the verge of completion.
Just then, a loud announcement rang in his ears.
[Important Notice: The first non-wipe beta test of Apocalypse has officially concluded. For a full review, please check the forums. Thank you for participating. The next beta phase will begin in one month. Stay tuned to the official announcements.]
[Important Notice: Episode 4 of the Apocalypse miniseries is now live on the forums and various platforms. Automatically generated by the quantum brain, this episode explores the game's backstory. Interested players, feel free to watch.]
The alerts were so loud and sudden that Zhou Ning jumped. His hand shook—and immediately the scent of something burning wafted from the beaker.
[You've completed an alchemical concoction. Quality: 9. Result: Failure. You've gained 276 EXP and 9 proficiency points.]
Zhou Ning: "…"
Like a thunderbolt from the heavens. He genuinely wanted to smash that damn smart system to pieces.
No time for distractions. Whatever it was could wait.
Taking a deep breath, Zhou Ning began his second attempt. This time, he focused with laser precision—his movements clean and flawless. Several minutes later, a prompt appeared.
[You've completed an alchemical concoction. Quality: 95. You've gained 2025 EXP and 12 proficiency points.]
Success! Zhou Ning let out a long breath. The EXP reward was excellent—just one potion had earned him over 2,000 points.
In the beaker sat a tube of shimmering black liquid. Once it cooled completely, Zhou Ning poured it into a test tube.
When he focused on the test tube, the interface popped up with a prompt:
[Starlight Reagent (Excellent): One of the catalysts used in synthesizing Superpower Serum. When consumed alone, there's a slight chance of awakening a latent special ability.]
Zhou Ning didn't stop. He slotted the test tube containing the Starlight Reagent into the rack and began prepping herbs based on the method for creating artificial Devil Fruits.
This process required about fifteen types of herbs, and the order of mixing had to be exact. Zhou Ning spent some time adding them one by one into the crucible. After the final herb was added, he poured in the Starlight Reagent, sealed the crucible, and began heating it, waiting for the solidification reaction.
He flipped open his pocket watch and started the timer with a click. Five minutes later, Zhou Ning opened the crucible. Inside lay a spiraled red fruit, resting quietly.
[You've created: Artificial Devil Fruit (Beast-type). You've gained 3,000 EXP!]
What surprised him most was that there wasn't a single trace of leftover herb around the crucible.
"As expected of simulator-born skills. They're always so unscientific," Zhou Ning thought.
When he looked at the red fruit, a prompt immediately appeared:
[Artificial Devil Fruit (Beast-type): Unknown variety. Grants the consumer powerful abilities. Side effect: inability to swim. Can coexist with Superpower abilities.]
Including the failed attempt, this fruit had cost him nearly 230 Vecktas—a sky-high price!
But the practical value matched the cost. Even if the fruit's ability was subpar, the fact that it could stack with a superpower made it worth it. At the very least, it would greatly enhance physical performance.
Zhou Ning picked up the Devil Fruit and stored it in his inventory. Given the cost, he decided to stop at one for now and gauge the market before making more.
He then spent another ten-plus minutes crafting a batch of Fortune Elixir. Its cost was under 10 Vecktas—easy and familiar work for him.
[You've completed an alchemical concoction. Quality: 87. You've gained 1500 EXP and 11 proficiency points.]
[Fortune Elixir]
Quality: Excellent
Type: Consumable
Effect: Brings good fortune to the user for 2 minutes. Overuse may cause dizziness and nonsensical speech.
Note: Just drink it!
In the game's previous life, Fortune Elixir had topped the sales chart for alchemical potions. Many players swore it brought them luck, but Zhou Ning had always been skeptical—luck was a pretty nebulous thing.
Still, this was the perfect time to test it. Without hesitation, Zhou Ning drank the Fortune Elixir.
He opened the simulator—56 traversal coins left. Reserving about 10 for emergencies left enough for five 10-pulls. When he opened the prize pool for Mist-Lost London, he unexpectedly discovered that the Endless War pool had also been unlocked. However, both had the same price: 5 coins per draw.
"A total scam," Zhou Ning thought. He really wanted the Pricing Bureau to investigate.
After a brief hesitation, he decided to start with the first pool and draw until it was emptied.
…
As expected, the Fortune Elixir was completely useless. The first 10-pull yielded no surprises: six long guns, two short guns, and two pieces of useless junk.
Zhou Ning immediately did a second 10-pull.
Again, disappointment. This time he got just five guns—the rest were all worthless items.
The third 10-pull was just average too. Gritting his teeth, Zhou Ning went for a fourth.
[You obtained Rare Item: Springfield Rifle. Includes 7.62mm rounds.]
[You obtained Unique Item: Roosevelt's Double-Barreled Shotgun. Includes 7.62mm rounds.]
…
[You obtained Epic Item: Arrow.]
[Achievement Unlocked: Collector of Famous Guns. This unlocks a new quest.]
[Your Hall of Curiosities has received a new item. Click to view.]
"This counts as a jackpot, right? It has to count as a jackpot!"
Zhou Ning, who'd nearly given up hope, was stunned by the sudden reversal. He quickly opened the Hall of Curiosities, and sure enough, on the first shelf under Mist-Lost London was a new item—an arrow, with the words "Claimable" below it.
He clicked to claim it and got a refund of 6 traversal coins.
In the "Item Synergies" section, a new synergy name appeared:
[Cry of the Stand User: Arrow + ??? + ???]
This synergy involved three items, but since he didn't have them all yet, its effects were still locked.
Zhou Ning closed the Hall of Curiosities and opened the inventory to inspect the newly acquired arrow.
The prompt appeared:
[Arrow: A component of the ancient weapon 'bow and arrow.' When used alone to pierce a person, it may cause death. If the person survives, they awaken a Stand.]
Zhou Ning: "…"
Why does this feel more and more like a low-budget mobile game?
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