Chapter 303: Vehicle, Ace's Striker · Modified
Crazy Potter's afro was over half a meter in diameter, visible from a great distance away.
When Kaito Shirogane arrived at his stall, he found a dark-skinned, muscular man already standing there. The man had short black hair and carried a massive greatsword on his back.
"Potter, I can offer you a premium for this vehicle. I just need you to change the drive system to run on magical energy."
Crazy Potter waved his hand, impatiently shooing the man away.
"It's not a question of the premium."
"Did you sign a contract?" the man pressed.
Potter shook his head, denying the guess, his face full of seriousness. "No contract was signed, but this matter concerns my professional ethics. Ethics! Do you understand?!"
The man's expression turned cold. It was common knowledge that Reincarnators were never a profession known for their ethics. If a Reincarnator used 'ethics' as an excuse to reject you, there was a high probability they simply didn't want to work with you at all.
"Crazy Potter, I'm afraid the [Crimson Lotus] doesn't have much energy to look after external teams lately. I advise you to carefully consider my offer."
Unable to negotiate, the man switched to threats.
But Crazy Potter still couldn't be bothered to pay him any attention.
Kaito arrived at the booth at just this moment. His tall stature and bright pink robe were distinct enough that both Crazy Potter and the man recognized him instantly.
"Take a look. Are you satisfied with this thing?"
On his stall lay a narrow metal boat, over two meters long but less than half a meter wide. The original bright yellow paint job had been modified by Crazy Potter into a blue and white scheme.
[Ace's Striker · Modified]
[Quality: Rare (Silver Plot Equipment - Modified)]
[Description: The personal vehicle of Portgas D. Ace from the Pirate World and its derivatives. It has been modified by the Alchemist Crazy Potter using Cloud Dials and high-tech equipment.]
[Usage Requirement: Possess Lightning-type energy, and Energy Stat must be no lower than 15.]
[Effect 1: Depending on the output of lightning power, it can move at high speeds of 100 to 500 knots on the water's surface.]
[Effect 2: By releasing the Cloud Dials, it can move through the air. Air mobility is faster, but energy consumption increases by 75%.]
This thing wasn't exactly delicate. In terms of pure size and efficiency, it wasn't as easy to use as high-tech vehicles like the [Green Goblin Glider].
Nor was it as convenient as magic-side items like the [Flying Broomstick].
However, the price for those two items was astronomical, and they were usually out of stock. Without the convenient exchange shop found in the original infinite flow stories, finding a [Green Goblin Glider] that could be taken out of a mission world was incredibly difficult in the current Nexus.
Furthermore, as a Taijutsu-side Reincarnator who used [Qi] energy, aside from high-tech vehicles, Kaito didn't have many choices.
Until he found an ability like [Sky Dance Technique], Kaito still needed this kind of vehicle for long-distance travel.
"Not bad. Give me a price."
This thing utilized lightning to navigate rapidly across the sea and sky. Moreover, because of the Cloud Dials, it could, to a certain extent, create its own footholds in mid-air. Combined with Kaito's [Moon Walk], his mobility would be significantly boosted.
"Mercenary Tao. So you're the guy who had the reservation with Crazy Potter?"
The man's avatar was nearly 1.9 meters tall. He sized Kaito up, though his tone didn't hold much malice.
He didn't do what Kaito expected—threaten him immediately and force a conflict.
A person's name is like the shadow of a tree; having survived that disastrous team battle in the Pirate World and personally killing the rising star of the East District, [Balrog], was no small feat.
Mercenary Tao had made enough of an impression among the Title-level Reincarnators to be considered one of their own by these elites.
This man carrying the giant sword, looking as if he were cosplaying Guts, surprisingly chose to back down, contrary to Crazy Potter's expectations.
"Since it's a guy like you, our [Black Beast] won't fight for it. But tell me, Mercenary Tao, are you interested in joining us?"
"I know you don't have a fixed team yet. Although the [Crimson Lotus] looks like they have the numbers, they're just a mob chasing after Luo Xi's skirt. That kind of gathering... heh, it has no future."
This rough-looking man was actually explaining things slowly and methodically, trying to persuade Kaito to join his team.
Kaito raised an eyebrow. The team name seemed to imply certain things.
The man continued his lobbying.
"Besides, you know, Luo Xi is a woman after all. There are many things where she just won't understand your needs..."
The man's explicit insinuation made Crazy Potter frown. Potter was the type who relieved stress by diving into his creations, so he couldn't understand the people from [Black Beast], who were obsessed with looting plot characters and sexual violence.
However, the establishment of [The Final Empire] had indeed caused quite a stir among the Reincarnators, affecting both the [Crimson Lotus] and [Luo Xi].
At a time like this, Crazy Potter didn't want to start a dispute with [Black Beast], so he remained silent and quietly initiated the trade.
[GA99954770 (Crazy Potter) has initiated a trade with you. Do you accept?]
Kaito chose to accept. At the same time, facing the man's invitation, he merely smiled playfully.
"Oh? Female slaves... I happen to have one myself. I wonder if the female slaves your team captures are of a stronger breed..."
The man frowned. Stronger?
He couldn't understand Kaito's fetish.
Kaito took a step forward. The black pendant on his ear swayed slightly. The tiny black figure was currently gulping down the killing intent endlessly generated from within Kaito's body.
Derek's pupils contracted. He felt the evil radiating from Mercenary Tao. This guy was exactly as the rumors said—an absolute lunatic.
That momentary flash of killing intent—Satsui—was enough to startle even him.
Realizing that Mercenary Tao was not someone easy to get along with, his desire to recruit him faded significantly.
"Haha, looks like you're a man of unique tastes as well. If you get the chance, come visit our team base and experience it for yourself..."
After saying that, Derek turned and left Crazy Potter's stall, walking into the distance. Over there, many plot characters were displayed in front of stalls—mere shells of flesh with their thoughts and personalities wiped away. Kaito had zero interest in them.
[Trade B-Grade Singularity x1 + 12,000 Dimensional Points for Modified Item: Ace's Striker · Modified?]
High-efficiency vehicles always carried a significant premium in the Space. Previously, when Kaito killed and obtained the [Nimbus 2000], he traded it to [Liren]. Not only did he get the [Garuda Blade] in return, but the other party even added the ultra-high-value item [Heritage of the Wild Sheathed Light: Orochi] for just a single extra B-Grade Singularity.
This was because, for many Reincarnators, a high-efficiency vehicle essentially equated to greater survivability.
Kaito allocated the Singularity and Dimensional Points from Li Qingzi's resources to pay the other party.
[You have obtained the item: Ace's Striker · Modified]
Kaito stepped onto it. With a thought, his body crackled with electricity. The electric power stored in his heart immediately flowed into the Striker. In the next moment, accompanied by the eruption of the white Cloud Dials, the board lifted into the air.
The flight mechanics were similar to a skateboard, but it utilized the Cloud Dials to slide at high speeds through the air. It was quite convenient to control. Kaito tested it briefly before storing it away.
[QO60833805 (Moon Fiend) sent a message: A very troublesome guy wants to see you. I think he is likely the most mysterious of the Four Demons—the Heart Demon.]
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