Firefly picked up the treasure chest Akesi had dropped, its radiant blue glow shimmering like starlight.
In Star Trail, the quality of a treasure chest could be judged by its glow: a dim light indicated low quality, a soft glow meant normal grade, and a brilliant, dazzling light—like the one in Liuying's hand—signified an Exquisite Grade chest.
With a mix of apprehension and excitement, she slowly opened it. Instantly, her face was bathed in blue light.
Fortunately, Xiya couldn't see the chest directly—otherwise, she might've been blinded by the brilliance.
Ding! You opened the treasure chest (Exquisite Grade) dropped by Akesi, the Hellfire Cult Elite Leader:
Mechanical Power Arm blueprint (Exquisite Grade) 305 Gold Coins, 52 Silver Coins Gun Mastery (Common Grade) Quest Dungeon Key: Dawn Battlefield (Excellent Grade)
Firefly's eyes widened.
It actually dropped the most precious blueprint… and a green-grade quest world dungeon key!
She forced herself to calm down and began reviewing the item descriptions.
Mechanical Power Arm (Blueprint):
Materials Required: Titanium Alloy ×5, Fusion Battery ×2, Sensor ×1 Effect: +10 Strength; covered area gains 300 Armor
The 305 Gold Coins and 52 Silver Coins were a considerable sum in the early game. For reference, 10 Gold Coins could comfortably support a family of three for a month.
Gun Mastery (Common Grade):
Effect: Increases firearm power by 10%
A relatively easy-to-obtain passive skill—not particularly rare, but still useful.
Quest Dungeon Key: Dawn Battlefield (Excellent Grade):
Description:This is a battlefield. This is hell. This is… the apocalypse.Recommended Level: 20+
Quest dungeons were one of Star Trail's biggest draws. Each world was unique, often bizarre, and offered generous rewards. Even a White Grade dungeon key could fetch a high price among players.
And this chest had dropped a Green Grade key...
Judging by the description, though, it was clearly a dangerous world—one that required serious preparation.
For now, Firefly stored the items in her system inventory.
As for the Gun Mastery skill book, she chose to use it immediately—partly to confirm a theory.
Ding! You used Gun Mastery (Common Grade).
Ding! Under your exclusive skill Mechanical Affinity, Gun Mastery (Common Grade) has been upgraded to Gun Mastery (Exquisite Grade)!
Gun Mastery (Exquisite Grade):
Effect: Increases firearm power by 50%
She was right.
Her Mechanical Affinity skill truly lived up to its Legendary Grade—anything related to machines, even skill books, could be enhanced.
If Legendary and Sacred Grade skills were already this outrageous… what about her unknown Taboo-Annihilation Grade skill?
Firefly glanced at it again:
???? (Taboo-Annihilation Grade):
Status: Unknown skill; insufficient activation conditions
Insufficient activation conditions…? What kind of trigger does it need?
Before she could ponder further, she noticed Xiya had fallen asleep in her arms—curled up peacefully, perhaps feeling safe only when close to her.
Firefly added more firewood to the bonfire and closed her eyes to rest. She remained vigilant, never falling into a deep sleep. The firelight could deter wild beasts—but not everything.
Fortunately, the night passed without incident.
By morning, Firefly—still holding Xiya's hand—had arrived at Libiya City, a sizable town within the Spirit Machine Empire.
On Moco Star, the world of Star Trail, three empires divided the land:
Spirit Machine Empire: Technology and machinery Iron Blood Empire: Martial arts and physical combat Fatua Empire: Spiritual abilities, supernatural powers, and magic
In her previous life as Lin Xin, she had spent her novice period in the Spirit Machine Empire. She remembered many details fondly—especially the ones players had posted on forums to show off rare item finds.
Moreover, the materials needed to craft the Mechanical Power Arm could only be purchased here.
Firefly led Xiya through the crowd at the city gate.
As they passed, a humanoid machine scanned them with glowing red eyes. After a green safety symbol appeared on the monitor, the gate opened.
This was a pre-entry scan, designed to detect cultists or disguised beasts. Every cultist carried a trace of evil power. If detected, the alarm system would summon city guards to execute them on the spot.
Each empire had its own detection method:
Spirit Machine Empire: Detection robots Iron Blood Empire: Aura perception by martial artists Fatua Empire: Mental probes
After entering, Firefly inserted two silver coins into a nearby machine—the standard entry fee. Inside the city, one enjoyed protection and safety, but also had to follow its laws.
As they walked, Xiya's eyes sparkled with wonder at the shops, the strange outfits, and the occasional passing cars.
Beastmen weren't enemies of humans, but humans were often exclusionary. Only wealthy or high-status beastmen could live comfortably in cities.
Firefly was used to this.
She led Xiya to an inn, where the front desk clerk was lazily watching an hourglass. Upon seeing the beautiful silver-haired girl walk in, he perked up.
"Beautiful lady, how may I help you~"
He flashed what he thought was a charming smile—revealing a yellowish-brown decayed tooth.
"I need a comfortable and clean room. One month to start."
Firefly then placed five gold coins on the counter.
The clerk didn't dare delay. He led them to the top floor—the fourth—where only two rooms existed. He handed her the room card and explained how to use the in-room phone for service.
Inside, the room was cozy and well-equipped.
Compared to the weedy cage they'd been trapped in before, it was paradise.
A soft sofa, a full kitchen, a television, and a large bed.
Xiya immediately pounced onto the bed, rolling around.
"So soft~ So big~ Sister Firefly~"
Meanwhile, Firefly lay on the sofa, staring at her 60 unallocated attribute points.
How should I distribute them…?