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"Stelle, what do you think about that trash bin outside? Should we take a closer look?" Bochang pointed to the street's garbage can with a serious expression.
Stelle slowly typed out a question mark.
[Reward being distributed - Congratulations! You have received Miyu's Trash Bin. Hiding inside effectively reduces your presence. Note: This item is stored in the System space and can be directly accessed for use.]
Bochang also cautiously typed out a question mark.
What kind of reward is a trash bin...?
However, considering its special effect, it might still be somewhat useful—certainly better than ultra-fashionable sanitary pads.
"If you want to see it, I don't mind."
Stelle followed Bochang's gaze towards the street.
Initially, she didn't think much of it, but after his reminder, the trash bin seemed increasingly appealing. It appeared to even sparkle slightly, evoking an urge to rummage through it.
"What strange thoughts am I having?" Stelle wondered.
Unconcerned, Bochang led the gray-haired girl straight towards the trash bin on the street.
The Silvermane Guards stationed at the entrance observed them leaving the Goethe Grand Hotel. Without saying a word, they silently reported this incident.
As they approached the trash bin,
Stelle asked, "Can I take a look inside?"
"I think that's not a good idea," Bochang shook his head. "Why do you want to search through the garbage?"
"Not sure... just feeling an inexplicable urge..."
Stelle rubbed her chin, golden eyes reflecting a wave of contemplation.
Bochang advised, "I believe you should resist this impulse."
While the two were conversing a few meters away from the trash bin...
A young child passed by and casually tossed a toy onto the ground... It seemed she intended to throw it into the bin but missed.
The child didn't bother further and turned to walk away.
[Dating Options activated.]
[Option 1: Pretend you didn't see and leave with Stelle — Completion Reward: Guaranteed car accident upon stepping out.]
[Option 2: Pick up the toy and properly dispose of it in the trash bin — Completion Reward: Ethical Praise. Access to Belobog Administrative District Central Plaza's fountain location, allowing one Ethical Praise to retrieve a treasure from the fountain once. Note: This type of item will...]
[Option 3: Pick up the toy, infuse it with the power of the Mouse Talisman, and say, "Little doll... let me grant you new life." - Completion Reward: 100% increase in mental energy.]
Among these three options, the first one can be directly excluded.
That leaves only the second and third choices.
Currently, in Bochang's System space... there is still one unused Ethical Praise remaining. There's no need to accumulate more, as its benefits aren't particularly significant anyway.
"However... do I really want to infuse this toy with the power of the Mouse Talisman? With Silver Wolf still watching me closely, won't further revealing my abilities raise their suspicions?"
Bochang hasn't forgotten that out of the previous three options, two involved being abducted by Stellaron Hunters.
If this continues...
Should all the options start involving abduction by the Stellaron Hunters... Bochang genuinely wouldn't know what to do.
"Well, I've already revealed enough of my abilities. If the Stellaron Hunters truly intend to target me, it doesn't matter much now, considering how much stronger I've become compared to before... There's no need to worry excessively."
"Option three."
Without hesitation... Bochang picked up the toy that had been discarded on the ground.
It resembled a Barbie doll, approximately twenty centimeters tall, with golden hair and red eyes. The toy looked brand new.
The texture of its hair felt remarkably good, almost as if it were real, likely implanted with human hair strands.
Its slender figure had a plastic-like feel upon touch.
As Bochang infused the power of the Mouse Talisman, he declared, "Little doll... let me grant you a new life."
Instantly, fueled by the Mouse Talisman's power, the toy came alive.
Her eyes flickered.
The "Thumbelina," held within his palm, displayed sheer terror on her face.
"You! Who are you people? Why are you so big? Where is my knight? My castle?"
Curious, Stelle leaned forward and asked, "Bochang, what strange ability is this?"
[Rewards being distributed—Congratulations! You have received a 100% increase in mental energy.]
Feeling the boost to his mental energy, Bochang couldn't help but let out a soft hum of satisfaction.
Thumbelina struggled and managed to crawl free from the black-haired youth's grasp.
She then stood atop his palm.
"Are you monsters who dared to kidnap this princess? I advise you to release me immediately, or else... my knights will come to punish you," declared Thumbelina confidently, referring to herself as a princess.
Bochang found it quite intriguing.
The toy, once merely plastic-like, had suddenly become soft and lifelike, even emitting a slight warmth.
"How realistic... It feels almost identical to a real person."
Bochang suddenly had some thoughts that he could never share with anyone else.
Ignoring Thumbelina for the moment, he addressed Stelle's curiosity.
Bochang promptly answered Stelle's unspoken question.
"Yes, this is one of my abilities. I can bring life to inanimate objects and grant them powers as described in legends. This doll here... although it seems she doesn't possess any extraordinary abilities."
After all...
If she did have special powers,
this Thumbelina would likely have already initiated an attack.
Stelle's eyes sparkled as she asked, "Can you revive the dead?"
"Ah... well... probably not." Bochang scratched his head.
However, considering he had obtained the power of the Mouse Talisman, not the talisman itself, unexpected changes were not entirely out of the question—much like the alternative usage of the Dragon Talisman's power.
When enveloped by that explosive force, Bochang experienced significant enhancements.
Not only was he completely immune to cold,
but his overall physical attributes seemed to have improved significantly. He simply named this effect as his First Apparent Power, while the Zeroth Apparent Power naturally referred to the original focused release of dragon explosion.
Moreover, his overall physical attributes seemed to have significantly improved. He simply referred to this newfound strength as First Appointed Power. As for Zero Appointed Power, it naturally remained the concentrated release of magic known as Dragon Blast.
Thumbelina was visibly upset by being ignored; she raised her middle finger and exclaimed, "Are you even listening to me?! You idiots!"
Taken aback by the outburst, Bochang muttered, "Oh? So we've got a foul-mouthed princess here. Is Belobog into that?"
Stelle calmly extended her hand and said, "Although the truth may be harsh, if you can understand this, you should realize...you're merely a toy. It's solely due to Bochang's power that you were brought back to life."
"Listen up, little one," Bochang feigned sternness, "I only revived you on a whim. If you wish to continue living, showcase your unique abilities. Here, I demand excellence, not mediocrity. If you prove useless, I'll reclaim the power within you, turning you back into a mere toy."