Fingerprint unlock, push the door open.
Back in his own home, Luo Shu took a deep breath and walked to the sofa. Ignoring the shattered glass window and the clothes strewn on the floor from earlier, he silently took out two items from his pocket.
The deep blue gift box containing the Demon Heart, and the crimson Lucky Wallet.
He placed these two Abyss Artefacts on the glass coffee table, pushed aside the instant noodle container from two days ago, and sat on the sofa, staring at them in deep contemplation, as if pondering how to proceed.
"Abyss Artefacts with 'living' properties..."
Luo Shu glanced at the two artefacts on the table, paused, then said:
"System."
[I'm here.]
Luo Shu asked calmly: "How do I communicate with these two Abyss Artefacts?"
[The target Abyss Artefacts only possess 'living' characteristics, with limited instincts but no discernible intelligence. They cannot fulfil 'dialogue' requirements.]
Hearing this, Luo Shu was momentarily stunned, then sighed in relief.
Since these two Abyss Artefacts lacked discernible intelligence, the Lucky Wallet's two accidental drops and the Demon Heart's prompting of Mira-san's approach could be explained as mere 'instinct'.
If it were just instinct, then there likely wasn't any 'mastermind' scheming against him.
Of course, this premise relies on the system's 'servant' explanation not being a fabrication.
Luo Shu never thought highly of himself; in his previous life, he was just an ordinary person and certainly did not reach a level that would warrant such elaborate schemes from the system.
If there truly were powerful beings so bored, Luo Shu would accept it.
With this in mind, Luo Shu immediately commanded, "System, investigate the Abyss Artefacts in more detail."
The system's appraisal of the Abyss Artefacts was free, seemingly as it claimed, sparing no effort in assisting Luo Shu to grow better.
[Appraisal results are as follows:]
[Item: Demon Heart (Elite Rank).]
[This special item was created from the heart left behind after the accidental death of an Elite Rank Succubus, combined with alchemical techniques.]
[Main function: Hypnotises females below 'Elite Rank', producing 1 drop of Succubus Blood (Excellent Rank) per natural year.]
[Side effects: 1. Cannot be actively used by females. 2. If the holder dies, the hypnosis becomes ineffective. 3. Repeated use on the same individual will cause excessive desire towards the holder and enhance the individual's basic abilities, transforming them into a Succubus.]
[Item: Lucky Wallet (Hero Rank)]
[This wallet was made by a Grand Alchemist from the scale of a Demigod Rank Serpent of Fate.]
[Main function: When the wallet contains the user's photo and money, if the wallet is accidentally lost and then recovered, the host will receive a one-time demigod-level luck boost.]
[Side effects: 1. The wallet will actively seek out stronger, luckier individuals to attach to. 2. If no identification is stored in the wallet, the wallet will abandon the owner. 3. If lost more than three times but recovered, the wallet will still abandon its owner.]
Looking at the introductions of the two Abyss Artefacts before him, Luo Shu furrowed his brows and stared for a moment before tentatively asking, "System, can you recycle these two Abyss Artefacts?"
As soon as Luo Shu's words fell, the ring and wallet in the gift box began to tremble in unison.
It seemed both understood Luo Shu's thoughts, and instinctively, they started to collide on the small table, as if believing that pushing the other item away would allow one to remain with Luo Shu.
[Answer: The system does not have a recycling function for items, and holding artefacts will increase the host's influence and monthly points income. Please be informed, host.]
"No recycling function, huh..." Luo Shu felt somewhat regretful upon receiving the answer. If he could recycle them, the wallet was worth 80,000 points, and the ring 60,000 points; he could become wealthy overnight.
But now, although he was affluent, it was merely in terms of assets, not in holding a large amount of cash, which was rather awkward.
"So, these two can only be kept for use, then?"
As soon as Luo Shu finished this sentence, the ring and wallet immediately stopped colliding and fell onto the table with a thud.
If it weren't for the ring-shaped indentation on the wallet and the ring also falling from the gift box onto the table, Luo Shu might have doubted whether what had just happened was real.
"Speaking of which, after obtaining these two items, it seems I haven't gained any points. Is it because I'm not yet the owner?"
[Answer: Yes.]
[To confirm, using the 'Demon Heart' requires wearing it on the ring finger.]
[Confirmation of wallet possession requires storing identification documents inside, along with at least 150,000 yen in cash, with risk of loss.]
Hearing the system's response, Luo Shu fell silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on the 'risk of loss' before asking the two artefacts in a solemn tone:
"What benefits would keeping you two around bring me?"
Sitting on the sofa late at night, asking a ring and a wallet what advantages there are to keeping them.
The scene seemed rather absurd, yet both the ring and wallet responded to Luo Shu.
The ruby ring with its vertical pupil appeared to shed two crimson tears, causing the gemstone to dim slightly.
Meanwhile, the wallet voluntarily spat out Kirika Tachibana's driver's licence before ejecting 10,000 yen notes one by one. After producing 30 notes, it ceased moving.
Observing this, Luo Shu glanced at the 'Demon Heart':
"So the payment is 2 drops of Succubus Blood? What's the use of that?"
[Answer: 2 drops of Succubus Blood can upgrade the Common ability 'Mind Reading' to the Excellent ability 'Hypnosis'. Familia member Utaha Kasumigaoka can use it to advance her ability tier.]
"...While I'd love to ask if the next step is making Utaha Kasumigaoka evolve into a Succubus, I'll let this pass for now."
Luo Shu couldn't help but mutter before imagining Utaha Kasumigaoka transforming into a Succubus. He quickly stopped the thought before any physiological reactions could occur, reaching out to slip the ring onto his ring finger. He then picked up the wallet and opened it.
Seeing the empty transparent-laminated compartment inside, Luo Shu immediately understood it was meant for identification documents.
Peering inside, he spotted a single 100-yen coin.
With a strange expression, Luo Shu remarked:
"So, while others need at least 150,000 yen to activate its ability, 100 yen is enough for me?"
The coin in the wallet flipped over to heads, as if confirming this.
"Well then."
Luo Shu proceeded to stash both the money on the table and his own funds into the inner pocket of his suit. After folding his student ID into the wallet, he tucked it away and joked:
"Seems living artefacts aren't without their perks."
"Just wonder if these side effects can be waived?"
As if the two Abyss Artefacts' submission had sparked internal competition, the system promptly displayed:
[Unless the system's limits are exceeded, side effects from Abyss Artefacts cannot affect the host.]
"So you're pledging loyalty too now?"
Luo Shu chuckled wryly, shaking his head before relaxing into the sofa:
"System, tally up my acquired points."
With a [Ding!], the system's notification sound immediately rang out.