At the top of the item list, there was a bottle emitting a radiant blue glow. It looked similar to the sparkle of a blue diamond, incredibly brilliant.
The item description read as follows:
[Human Genetic Enhancement Serum]
[Origin: Reincarnation Paradise, Marcus Human Gene Research Institute.]
[Quality: Blue.]
[Type: Potion.]
[Effect: After consumption, Stamina +4, Strength +2 (effects are permanent).]
[Stock: 1.]
[Exchange Requirement: 15,000 CCG contribution points, Rank: Associate Special-Class Investigator.]
[Description: This potion can only be consumed once per person. Repeated consumption is ineffective.]
...
[Crushing Spirit (Premium)]
[Origin: Tokyo Ghoul.]
Quality: Green.]
[Attack Power: 6~20 (includes overall destructive power, firearm potency, and weapon stats).]
[Category: Quinque (Large Handgun).]
[Ammo Capacity: 6 (Quinque firearms automatically reload; 2-minute cooldown).]
[Durability: 35/35.]
[Equipment Requirements: Strength 12, Agility 10.]
[Effect: Gaze Shot (Active) – Upon activation, aim at an enemy for 5 seconds. During this time, movement speed decreases by 50%. After 5 seconds, all six bullets will be fired at the enemy in rapid succession.]
[Note: The Gaze Shot ability locks onto the target, and the bullets are homing.]
[Mana Cost: 50 mana points for each Gaze Shot.]
[Cooldown: 24 hours.]
[Rating: 30 (Green equipment rating ranges from 1 to 30. A rating of 30 marks it as 'Premium' with added special effects).]
[Description: "My aim is terrible, but once I lock onto you, there's only one outcome: death—unless, of course, there are many obstacles in your way."]
[Price: 3,800 Paradise Coins.]
[Stock: 1.]
[Exchange Requirement: 13,000 CCG contribution points, Rank: Associate Special-Class Investigator.]
...
[C-Type Battlefield Injector]
[Origin: Tokyo Ghoul.]
[Quality: Green.]
[Type: Potion.]
[Effect: Injecting it will restore 30% health and rapidly heal injuries.]
[Stock: 1.]
[Exchange Requirement: 8,000 CCG contribution points, Rank: Associate Special-Class Investigator.]
[Description: A lifesaving potion, the result of CCG human trials.]
...
Below these three items were several more potions and Quinques, but none of them caught Su Xiao's eye. The prices seemed inflated, and the quality didn't match.
To Su Xiao, the most desirable item was undoubtedly the [Human Gene Enhancement Serum], with its promise of +4 stamina and +2 strength.
Moreover, this was the first time he had seen a blue-grade item. Blue-grade equipment and items were extremely rare and valuable. This serum wasn't from the Tokyo Ghoul world, but from Reincarnation Paradise.
This made him think that District 24 must be a special area; otherwise, such exchange functions wouldn't exist. He hadn't encountered anything like this in District 14 or 20.
Maybe it was because District 24 was so dangerous, or because of its unique location? Su Xiao wasn't sure.
For now, he only needed to focus on one thing: venturing deep into District 24, killing ghouls, and exploring its unknown depths. He could earn contribution points by delivering Ghoul kakuhou and uncovering new areas valuable to the CCG.
After redeeming the [Human Gene Enhancement Serum], if he had any contribution points left, he might consider acquiring the [Crushing Spirit] handgun.
As a lone operative, having some ranged ability was essential. If he encountered an enemy with a long-range advantage, without his own, he could be easily kited to death.
Building up effective ranged abilities wasn't simple and required a lot of resources, but the active ability of [Crushing Spirit] provided a way for Su Xiao to develop ranged combat capabilities quickly.
The ability allowed him to lock onto a target and fire six rounds in quick succession, and most importantly, the bullets were homing. This was perfect for someone like Su Xiao, whose aim wasn't exceptional.
Lastly, there was the [C-Type Battlefield Injector], a lifesaving item that could be the difference between life and death.
Su Xiao wanted all three items, but after looking at his current contribution points, he could only sigh.
[Senior Investigator: Contribution Points 2053/10000].
First, he needed to rise to the rank of Associate Special-Class Investigator to exchange for these items. Then, he'd need a massive number of CCG contribution points.
He had 12 days of unrestricted action left and needed to gather a total of 33,947 contribution points—a daunting task.
But District 24 was notoriously dangerous and teeming with ghouls, so there would be plenty of chances. Additionally, he could earn more points by turning in Ghoul Kakuhou and exploring new areas.
It seemed feasible, though challenging.
That afternoon, Su Xiao, Arima Kishou, and Yuna met up.
"Check your supplies. Every trip into District 24 lasts more than just a day or two," Arima Kishou said, carrying a large pack with Quinques in both hands and clad in the signature white trench coat of the Zero Squad.
Su Xiao was also wearing a white trench coat, which fit him well and allowed for easy movement in battle.
Yuna, dressed similarly, carried a backpack filled with food and water.
Su Xiao, on the other hand, had nothing in his hands. All his supplies were stored in his inventory space.
With two cubic meters of storage, it wasn't large, but it held plenty of essentials.
Most of the space was filled with food and water, enough to last him a long time. The rest held combat gear and recovery items.
"I'm ready to go at any time," Su Xiao said.
Yuna glanced at him curiously.
"What are you going to fight with?"
Su Xiao summoned Dragon Flash into his hand and raised the hilt.
"With this."
"Pfft!"
Yuna snickered, pointing at the blade.
"That's just a regular metal weapon, right? Can it even cut through a Ghoul's tough skin?"
It was clear Yuna doubted Su Xiao's strength.
"Zing!"
In an instant, several strands of Yuna's black hair fluttered to the ground, Dragon Flash already at her neck.
"Gulp."
Yuna's eyes widened in disbelief.
"So fast!"
Even Arima Kishou, standing nearby, turned to observe Su Xiao.
"Now, do you still think this blade can't cut through a Ghoul's skin?" Su Xiao asked.
Yuna gently touched the edge of Dragon Flash with her fingertip, drawing a drop of blood.
"With sharpness like this, it shouldn't be a problem."
Su Xiao sheathed his sword, satisfied with the result. He had grown quite comfortable with Dragon Flash, but unfortunately, its quality was still too low, only a white-grade weapon.
If it weren't for its rating of 10 points, it would have long since become obsolete for Su Xiao.
Even now, during his battle with the Queen, Dragon Flash had started to show signs of weakness.
He would need to replace it eventually, but he wanted a weapon that could grow with him.
Such a weapon was difficult to obtain, and with his current strength, acquiring one seemed like a distant dream.
"Let's move out. This will be our 108th exploration of District 24," Arima Kishou said, leading the way out of the temporary base, with Su Xiao and Yuna following closely behind.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the dark entrance to the underground. The mouth of the tunnel was wide, and eerie, wailing sounds echoed from within, as if some monster lurked in the depths.
(End of Chapter)
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Translator's Note :- I am Not that familiar with a lot of the fictional worlds mentioned in the story. So if I make a mistake naming something please correct me by writing a paragraph comment on the mistake. Thank you.