Yet another level of power.
Lucas carefully experienced the sensation of releasing the power of the Red Dragon. It felt very close to the strength of an 80th-level Ela.
However, in a fight, he definitely wouldn't be a match for an 80th-level Ela with perfectly integrated abilities. It's roughly equivalent to the strength of a 4-star hero.
After all, this was just the power of the Swenbernbary Snake; eating a piece of dragon meat couldn't truly turn him into a dragon.
Lucas felt the explosive energy within him.
This feeling... was amazing!
Trolls possessed strength and strong regenerative abilities, and Red Dragons had both strength and powerful regenerative abilities as well.
Plus, there was an added layer of dragon scale defense.
Combining strengths, Lucas felt that if he encountered danger, even if he couldn't defeat the opponent, as long as he wasn't instantly killed, he should be able to hold on until Ela could come to his aid.
At last, he no longer had to constantly worry about his own life.
Revoking the power of the Red Dragon, Lucas's body returned to its normal state, with the dragon-snake tattoo reappearing on the back of his right hand.
However, the color of the dragon-snake's right hind leg had faded significantly, a consequence of using the Red Dragon's power.
It only needed a small piece of dragon meat to recover. And dragon meat... there was plenty stored in Ela's space backpack.
Taking a fingernail-sized piece of dragon meat from Ela, he placed it on the back of his right hand.
The dragon-snake stretched its head and swallowed it in one gulp, then merged back into his skin to become a tattoo again, with its right hind leg fully restored.
Checking the time, dawn was approaching...
He could only test the changes brought by this secret technique later when he found time.
Lucas logged off Ela and walked back to the dormitory along the route he came.
After taking a refreshing bath, he comfortably welcomed a new day.
When he felt hungry, Karina arrived with breakfast.
After Karina finished tidying up the room, she looked at the inspector sitting at the table eating heartily and asked in confusion, "Inspector, I feel like there's been a big change in your body. Your strength seems to have increased a lot, and the tattoo on your right hand...
If I hadn't recorded your characteristics yesterday, I would've suspected you were someone else."
As a special function cyborg, Karina was very sensitive to external information and had a strong ability to discern.
She could sense that Lucas had undergone a significant change overnight, knowing that he was still a very ordinary person yesterday.
But the recorded information told her that this was indeed the Inspector Meteor of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau.
Therefore, Karina was very puzzled.
Lucas looked at the dragon-snake tattoo on the back of his hand and smiled at Karina, saying, "What you saw yesterday was my disguise. My power is recovering. Did anything special happen last night or this morning?"
At this moment, Karina was absolutely loyal to Lucas.
She answered his question, "Inspector, the curfew has ended, and the city is returning to normal. As for the situation with the Mad Axe Gang, Captain Black Mamba has already led people to confirm.
But according to the intelligence continuously sent over last night, it seems that they have held their ground."
"It seems the Mad Axe Gang has some capabilities. It's worth our full effort to support them." Lucas picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, then said to Karina, "Send word to our sponsors that I invite them to a meeting at the Secret Intelligence Bureau. First, I want to meet everyone since I'm newly appointed, to strengthen our relationships; second, to discuss our future paths; and third, to help the Mad Axe Gang through this difficult time."
"I'll immediately send someone to notify them. When exactly is the meeting?"
"Today... there's still a curfew tonight, so have them come at three in the afternoon."
"Yes, Inspector."
Lucas pushed his dishes forward. "After you've handled that, change into plain clothes. You're coming with me on a case."
Hearing this order, Karina asked in confusion, "Inspector, I... I'm just a clerk. Shouldn't you take Captain Black Mamba and Captain Zane for cases like this?"
"Do you think taking those two out is for handling a case?"
"Well..." Karina found herself unable to refute. As the confidential secretary of the Secret Intelligence Bureau, she was often the one cleaning up their messes.
"It's decided. You've had formal magic education since childhood; in terms of strength, you shouldn't be any weaker than Black Mamba, though you lack her combat experience and ruthlessness.
This case doesn't require killing anyone. Just use your magic to help me control the situation."
Since the Inspector had said so, Karina could only reply, "Yes, Inspector. I'll prepare immediately…"
Karina cleaned up the dishes, put them in the food box, and carried it out.
While waiting for Karina, Lucas analyzed his next steps.
Before obtaining the bloodline through the secret technique, Lucas had many paths to choose from.
But after acquiring the "Devourer" bloodline, he could only build his power system around this bloodline.
Fewer routes to choose from, but also clearer.
Currently, Lucas had only laid a foundation. To build a skyscraper, there was still a long way to go.
It meant requiring massive amounts of resources.
Ela was so strong because she stood on the shoulders of a giant called "Player."
Whatever materials were needed, they could be easily gathered in the game.
But Lucas, at this moment, didn't even have the equipment to refine dragon blood, let alone process its materials.
Some things couldn't even be bought if he wanted to.
In this world's current era, secret techniques were a very basic power system. Neither nations nor private research groups would spend too much money and resources on a power system that lacked theoretical foundation and relied entirely on experience and luck.
With that kind of money and talent, wouldn't it be better to invest in magic, steam technology, machinery, body modification, or professional training?
In the late stage of the epoch game, secret techniques surpassed other power systems because players "played" with their lives.
This also resulted in many mysterious tools and materials being unique to players.
Lucas's phone contained the methods for processing these mysterious tools and materials, but he lacked the equipment to make them.
Directly drinking dragon blood versus making it into a drink had vastly different effects.
The taste difference was significant too.
As a global port city, Storm City could provide the necessary equipment and materials through its port.
But that required money, a secret technique laboratory, secure channels, and protection...
Too many things were needed.
Lucas needed to make the most of his identity as the Inspector Meteor of the Seawall District Royal Secret Intelligence Bureau.
If he could dig his rabbit holes thoroughly enough, even if his identity was exposed one day, he could still thrive here.
While Lucas was planning for himself, Karina, now dressed, knocked and entered.
She wore a morning glory-colored dress and a pair of calfskin round-toed boots, with a lady's hat tilted on her head.
White lace gloves revealed a magic wand tucked inside her left sleeve.
"Inspector, are we ready to go?"
Lucas donned his hat and picked up his cane. "Let's go... through the back door, and keep a low profile."