Chapter 7: Establishing a Base
Without hesitation, Lu Li bought the module immediately. He already had an idea of how to optimize his current skill, and it seemed like he could even create a new, incomplete minor skill.
After making the purchase, Lu Li planned to test it right away. However, assessing his surroundings and his condition, he realized his mental energy recovery was excruciatingly slow, leaving him feeling dizzy and fatigued. While his shadow magic was ample and recharged faster at night, he decided to postpone his experiment until after he had eaten.
Feeling his empty stomach, Lu Li abandoned the idea of immediate skill optimization. It was already dark, and his uncle's family typically didn't leave food for him. Thinking about the lack of food at home, he stretched his limbs and walked out of the small grove, heading towards the west side of the river.
"Ugh..." A swift punch landed, and a yellow-haired thug clutched his stomach in pain, collapsing. Nearby, several other thugs were also sprawled on the ground. Lu Li bent down, grabbed the yellow-haired thug's wallet, took the only two red bills inside, and threw the wallet back at him. He then turned towards a nearby internet café with its neon sign glowing, his shadow trailing long behind him.
"Bastard!" the yellow-haired thug cursed at Lu Li's back, seething with anger. This bastard had ambushed his group without saying a word and easily took down all seven of them. Glancing at his comrades, some unconscious and others groaning in pain, the thug stood up, clutching his stomach. He knew he needed to act to maintain his status as the leader.
Pulling a folding knife from his pocket, the thug shouted to psych himself up and chased after Lu Li. He ran faster and faster, feeling the wind against his ears and a surge of strength in his hand gripping the knife. He imagined some primal instinct awakening, battle skills flooding his mind, his eyes glazing over. This was... unlocking his gene potential! I'm the protagonist!
The thug's arm pulled back, ready to strike, his mind filled with excitement at the thought of Lu Li's impending pain and despair. Just as he was about to reach him, he thought, "You're going down… ah!"
Lu Li turned around and watched the thug faceplant onto the ground, stunned. Not far from his feet, a dark tendril receded into Lu Li's shadow. Glancing at the thug, who was still dazed, Lu Li shook his head and continued towards the internet café. The guy's rapid heartbeat, dilated pupils, and the faint scent of chemicals indicated he had taken some hallucinogens, causing delusions.
Entering the internet café, Lu Li's keen hearing caught the thug's distant shout: "Who tripped me? I was this close to unlocking my gene potential…"
After securing a computer and ordering takeout from the café's staff, Lu Li began researching and planning his skills, listing previously discovered flaws and possible improvements. He considered how to mitigate the unfixable issues in use, and how to rearrange the modules.
Taking notes from his research, Lu Li finished his meal, paid the bill, and left the café. The thugs had already disappeared. His shadow seemed to ripple as he walked, a subtle effect unnoticed by passersby who would think it was just a trick of the light. In reality, Lu Li constantly manipulated his shadow, practicing summoning tendrils from its normal plane.
As he walked through a dark alley, he reached the city's edge. This area was full of abandoned houses, with overgrown weeds lining the narrow paths. Many young people had left for the provincial capital, leaving only the elderly and those with no other options. This area, soon marked for demolition, had become desolate.
Spotting a house marked with a red "demolish" character, Lu Li estimated it wouldn't be long before this place bustled again, but it had nothing to do with him. Enjoying the comfort his shadow provided in the dark, he noted his shadow magic became more active. Post-enhancement, Lu Li could see in the dark, even without light.
A stray dog sensed Lu Li's approach, growling low. Instantly, a dark tendril rose and clamped its mouth shut, wrapping it tightly. Lu Li patted the dog's head, calming it, before walking away, releasing the tendrils. The dog, frightened, lay on the ground whimpering before running off.
Lu Li stood at the back door of an abandoned house. This whole area was uninhabited, overgrown with weeds. He tested his shadow, moving it under the door, then used a tendril to unlatch the lock from inside. Pushing the door open, dust billowed out. The small, single-story house was filled with remnants of moving, with moss growing in the corners and dilapidated furniture left behind.
Shadow tendrils closed the door and cleaned a chair. Though appearing separate, the shadows on the ground remained connected, allowing Lu Li's consciousness to control them without dispersing.
"This place is decent. It'll do for now," Lu Li decided. The shadow tendrils tidied the house. He needed a regular spot for skill testing and research, a place to hide. While conditions were poor, this abandoned house would suffice until he found something better.
(End of the chapter)