Chapter 55
Skill Fusion
Shi Mo stood in the center of his new bedroom, looking around.
This bedroom is located inside the seventh-sequence base, which is undoubtedly much more convenient than the previous villa that required a short commute.
This was clearly arranged by Bai Xu on purpose.
Whether it's the space, the lighting, or the interior furnishings, it far exceeds the standards of other members in the base, even carrying a deliberate, almost ingratiating, sense of comfort and refinement.
Soft silver-gray carpet, ergonomic recliner, an entire wall of built-in bookshelves, and even a separate small bar counter displaying some expensive-looking drinks that Shi Mo couldn't name.
Shi Mo tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over every corner of the room.
He walked to the window, where the perimeter lights of the base flashed rhythmically in the night, like tireless eyes.
In this tranquility, a thought, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippled through his mind.
He recalled the twisted monsters he had crushed with absolute power in the [Abandoned Hospital] instance.
Shi Mo paused slightly, then asked in his mind in a calm yet imposing tone, "System."
[Yes! Host, I'm here!] The system's electronic voice responded immediately, carrying a hint of barely perceptible flattery.
"Those monsters I killed in the dungeon before," Shi Mo's voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to freeze the core code of the system, "You didn't seem to prompt me to perform skill plunder."
【…】
The system froze instantly. After a brief silence, a sudden, shrill electronic voice, filled with sobs and extreme panic, rang out:
[Host! I...I...I was...when you suddenly unleashed the Divine Contract 'Yama,' that power was too...too terrifying! The primal pressure of the Abyss Corridor directly impacted my operating logic. I...I was so focused on stabilizing my own modules and recording the aftershocks of that power that I almost crashed...and...I forgot! I'm so sorry, Host! I really didn't mean to! Please don't erase me! Waaaaah...]
The system's explanation was rambling and incoherent, so much so that it almost caused the program to malfunction.
Shi Mo listened quietly to the system's lament, his face expressionless, and he simply took a slow, deep breath.
"That—" he uttered only one word.
[I'll do the statistics right now! Immediately! Right now!] The system screamed, its survival instinct kicking in.
[Data backtracking... analyzing killed units... filtering lootable skill modules... please wait a moment! It will be ready soon!]
Almost the instant the words fell, the system notification sounded again, this time clearer and more organized, though still tinged with a lingering tremor of relief:
[Statistics complete! The host has killed 10 units with lootable skills in the B-level dungeon [Abandoned Hospital]. The list of lootable skills is as follows:]
[D-rank skill 'X-ray vision (weak)' x3]
[Rank C skill 'Perception Enhancement' x1]
[D-rank skill 'Perception Weakness' x6]
[Note: Similar low-level skills can be fused and upgraded. Three D-level 'Vision (Weak)' skills can be fused into one C-level 'Vision' skill. One C-level 'Perception Enhancement' skill and six D-level 'Perception Weakness' skills, due to their opposing effects and complementary energy, can be fused into one B-level 'Wide-Area Perception' skill after system optimization.]
[Host, would you like to proceed with the plunder and fusion?]
The system's efficiency is astonishing at this moment.
"Plunder." Shi Mo gave the order without any hesitation.
[Command confirmed! Plundering begins... Skill stripping in progress... Energy channeling... Fusion initiation...]
A faint but clear flow of heat appeared out of nowhere in Shi Mo's body, flowing along a complex path before finally merging into the depths of his consciousness, connecting and solidifying with his existing skill system. The process was brief and smooth, causing almost no discomfort.
[Fusion complete! Congratulations, host, you have obtained:]
[Rank C Skill 'X-ray Vision': Allows you to penetrate non-energy-shielded physical barriers of a certain thickness (increases with mental attribute) to observe the situation behind you. Consumes a small amount of mental energy continuously.]
[Rank B Skill 'Wide-Area Perception': Creates a circular perception area centered on the user. Within this area, the user can vaguely perceive the location and strength of living beings, and receive early warnings of potential threats and energy fluctuations. The perception range and accuracy are affected by mental attributes. Current mental attribute: 77; basic perception radius: approximately 77 meters.]
Detailed information about the two new skills flowed into Shi Mo's mind. He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the wall. The material of the wall seemed to become slightly transparent in his eyes, and he could vaguely see the general outline of the pipes behind it.
Then, with another thought, an invisible perceptual ripple spread out from him. Instantly, the steady life force of the guards patrolling the corridor outside the bedroom door, and the energy fluctuations of other team members in the room further away, whether active or dormant, were all vaguely reflected in his perception like ripples on the surface of water.
"Not bad," he commented casually, showing little joy at the improvement in such a low-level skill.
For him, this was more like filling the gap left by the system, a trophy that should have belonged to him all along.
He turned and left the comfortable new bedroom, silently traversing the brightly lit yet quiet corridors of the base. His steps were light, his destination clear—the monitoring and command center located in the core area of the base.