Chapter 23: Awakening’s Gambit

Ding! Over-level kill of a Second-Stage Mutant Climber! Extra spiritual energy experience awarded!

Ding! Obtained Mutant Material (White): Crawling Foot.

Ding! Obtained Mutant Material (Blue): Swift Core.

Ding! Obtained Equipment: Wind-Rending Claw (Blue, Excellent).

..

Back in his room, Yenir looked at the claw-like gear in his hand with satisfaction.

The over-level kill sent his advancement experience bar soaring dramatically.

Aside from advancement tasks, upgrading from First to Second Stage requires slaying either nine-headed First-Stage mutants or two Second-Stage ones.

For him, that goal was already only halfway complete.

Though advancing might seem simple, for other Awakened it was as challenging as scaling the heavens.

Ordinary Awakened usually need to team up to defeat mutants, and teaming means sharing experience. Solo kills are nearly impossible.

And that’s even when facing mutants of the same stage.

“View Equipment.”

Suppressing his joy, Yenir checked the gear’s stats. A blue-grade piece was a rare treasure—even in his past life when the Capital nurtured him, such equipment was prized. Blue-level gear was the main weapon for Third-Stage Awakened.

“Wind-Rending Claw (Blue)”

“Attributes: Agility +4, Strength +2, Attack Speed +30%.”

“Effect: Attacks hit twice with each hit dealing 40% less damage, totaling 120% damage.”

“Equipment Skill: Pounce”

“Pounce: On activation, perform a short dash forward and, at its end, deal 180% slashing damage to the target.”

“Equipment Review: Equip it and tear your enemies to shreds!”

The deep blue claws felt icy cold, as if forged from a unique metal.

After reviewing the stats, Yenir nodded slightly.

It was one of the finest pieces from his past life. Its effect alone made every attack rival a low-level skill, and its active ability combined mobility with burst damage. Despite modest attribute bonuses, it was a small gem.

No wonder it once fetched a high price in credit points.

After toying with the beastly claw, Yenir hesitated briefly before stashing it in his backpack.

Though powerful, the Wind-Rending Claw’s attack style clearly wasn’t for him.

Whether due to his past-life preference for swords or his Sword God System, he could never abandon swordplay.

This gear… he intended to sell.

After being booted from the Fire Seed Plan, Yenir was acutely aware that before reaching Third Stage, he had to bear all resource costs himself.

With his current B-grade potential, the Military only granted him 120 credit points monthly. For most, that might fund a lavish life, but for his rapid power surge it was mere crumbs.

Whether buying the right equipment or mastering skills, he needed plenty of credit points.

Fortunately, pre-Third Stage resource consumption was light; the real drain began once he advanced.

Thanks to his extraordinary talent, Yenir was confident that racking up credit points would be easy. With SSS-level skills in hand, time was his only limit! Below Third Stage, give him a chance and he could theoretically one-shot anyone!

In short, he boasted Third-Stage attack power with the downside of critically low HP—a bug in the system!

But once he reached Third Stage, he was sure the Capital would recognize his true potential.

After all, only raw power could prove anything.

Then, backed by the might of a nation, he believed he could make up for past regrets personally.

He calmed his thoughts.

After listing the equipment on the trading channel, Yenir planned to return to the Safe Zone.

Both of his SSS-level skills had gone into cooldown; lingering any longer was pointless.

With anticipated credit points incoming, he couldn’t help but ponder which skills and gear to purchase next.

….

Outside Tianfeng City, at a Warning Station.

Inside a building resembling a satellite relay, staff responsible for tracking the movements of Tianfeng City mutants glanced at the recorder in puzzled disbelief.

As Sentinels, their daily duty was to monitor whether mutants were leaving the city or if abnormal energy patterns emerged, preventing monsters from ambushing the Safe Zone.

Tianfeng, a long-established Safe Zone, had been calm for ages. Yet just a minute ago, the device detecting spiritual energy fluctuations blared its highest alert!

“A Third-Stage Awakened has made a move in the suburbs!?”

Staring intently at the surging green line on the recorder, the monitor’s face showed shock. In four or five years on the job, he’d never seen such an exaggerated surge. Even two years ago, when Xiao Hai fought a Third-Stage mutant outside the Safe Zone, the burst was far milder.

“What’s happening! Why did the alarm suddenly trigger?”

Outside the monitoring room, several high-ranking officials from the Inspection Station, clad in blue uniforms, rushed over anxiously, shouting questions.

Accustomed to long-standing peace, the monitor’s alarm had clearly rattled them.

“Sir! A Third-Stage spiritual energy surge just appeared in the suburbs of Tianfeng!”

Swallowing nervously, the monitor pointed at the screen, urgently making room.

The others froze in surprise.

Those who had arrived quickly looked over; in the next moment, every face registered shock and disbelief.

On the device, the spiritual energy indicator had practically shattered all limits.

“Whoa, a Third-Stage actually made a move!?”

“Which high-ranking figure just passed through Tianfeng? There aren’t any Third-Stage mutants in the city!”

“That surge was intense! Whoever moved must be among the strongest even within the Third Stage!”

Voices erupted in a flurry of speculation as everyone discussed in bewilderment.

To them, a Third-Stage Awakened was as rare as a mythical creature. In the post-apocalyptic era, every Third-Stage was a top official and rarely acted, so they couldn’t fathom another appearing near Tianfeng.

“Could it be Commander Xiao Hai? The record shows it was just a minute ago!”

“I don’t think so. Wasn’t Commander Xiao Hai headed to Safe Zone 317 for support just yesterday? And the energy surge here seems even stronger than his!”

Amid uneasy discussion, the group quickly mulled it over.

Third-Stage figures were too significant; any intel about them was treated with utmost importance.

In the Huaxia Battle Zone, not all Third-Stage Awakened belonged to the official ranks—in fact, many major factions boasted their own powerful figures. Unlike government-run ones, these super-strong individuals often acted on their own whims.

To a Safe Zone, an unknown Third-Stage appearing nearby was as dangerous as a walking nuclear bomb.

After a moment, the station chief of the Monitoring Station spoke gravely:

“Let’s contact the Military Region first. Tell them that an unknown Third-Stage has been spotted near us. Let’s see which high-ranking figure made a move!”