Inside The Black Mist

Opening the other kit, there was a repaired Assault Rifle inside, along with a bill. The repair and part replacement cost a total of 85 contribution points.

Due to the personal grudge in that battle, Tianyang had to pay the expenses himself, which were not reimbursable.

The cost would be deducted from his monthly salary.

Besides the rifle, there were three-star element gas magazines. Additionally, four test tubes were arranged in the lower left corner, containing some blue liquid.

These liquids occasionally emit a faint light, looking quite fascinating. The adjacent instructions label them as "Star Essence Supplement Fluid Type 1." It could be orally consumed to replenish consumed Star Essence, but Type 1 could only supplement ten percent of the total Star Essence.

Below the label were precautions.

”The supplement fluid shouldn’t be consumed excessively, with a maximum of two bottles per day, or serious damage to internal organs may occur.”

Also, it was fruit-flavored.

The last item on the list could be ignored.

On the other side of the supplement fluid were two red grenades with a flame symbol on them.

A High Heat Burst Grenade contained heat-conductive crystalline material. Upon exploding, it created a high-temperature force field with an effective range of about 15 square meters. The peak temperature within the force field could reach 800 degrees.

”As it\'s a disposable item, use it carefully, don\'t waste it! — Gu Min”

Again...

Tianyang closed the kit and noticed the communicator placed next to it, receiving a text message.

[You\'ve received a mission reward notification.]

[Reward task: Star Core Pillar Recovery Task.

Reward content: Contribution points reward, physical rewards.

Contribution points: Basic reward 200 points; solo killing of Mad Dog Mutant Species 500 points; participating in the Ghost Car Expedition and destroying the cage 2500 points; miscellaneous 78 points; totaling 3278 contribution points.

Physical rewards: Crimson Moon Warblade and two High Heat Burst Grenades.

All rewards have been issued; please check carefully.]

Knock, knock, knock—

The sound of knocking echoed. Tianyang put away the communicator and opened the door; it was Lao Xu.

He was not sure if it was an illusion, but Lao Xu, who already had a few hairs, seemed to have even fewer today.

At this rate, baldness was just a matter of time... The thoughts of youth were a bit divergent.

Lao Xu was holding a potted plant, smiling. "I see your place is quite spacious, so I bought a potted plant for you. This is Sea Green Vine, easy to cultivate in water or soil; just water it every three to five days."

He placed the potted plant by the window, shaking his head. "Tianyang, you don\'t even have a table here. Look, there\'s no place to put this potted plant. Take some time to arrange your room."

Tianyang nodded and said, "Later, I\'ll go buy some furniture. I was planning to get a bookshelf too."

"What\'s the point of buying?" Lao Xu chuckled. "Later, I\'ll take you to the warehouse; there\'s plenty of unused furniture there. Tables, chairs, bookshelves, there should be plenty. Just pick whatever you want, and then fill out a form. Each team dormitory has a free quota for office items; our Captain has been lazy, so we still have a lot left."

He looked around and whispered, "If you need it, you can even take it home. The Captain won\'t mind these small things."

Is that even allowed?

Tianyang\'s mouth twitched slightly.

"Oh, by the way, have you moved into your new apartment?"

"I moved in yesterday."

"Great! Whenever you\'re free, come visit my place." Lao Xu took out his communicator, opened a private file, and showed a photo inside.

It was a family portrait; Lao Xu was holding an adorable five or six-year-old girl, with an elegant and gentle-looking woman cuddling next to them.

Proudly, Lao Xu said, "See, this is my daughter and wife. Isn\'t my daughter cute? And let me tell you, my sister-in-law cooks amazing dishes. Whenever you have time, you must come and taste her cooking."

Tianyang smiled and agreed, "Certainly, certainly."

Lao Xu pressed the communicator\'s screen against his face and said blissfully, "A man should have a family. Look how happy I am. Unlike the Captain, who\'s not young anymore but has no plans to get married, just fooling around. Carefree, without any worries or responsibilities."

"Those who live without attachments don\'t live long..."

Speaking of this, Lao Xu paused, then tightened his grip on Tianyang\'s hand. "Thank you, Tianyang. If it weren\'t for you taking down the Ghost Car in the Metropolis last time, I might not have made it back."

"I\'m not young anymore, and I probably won\'t have the chance to be promoted to Level 4 in my career. I\'ll just go with the flow. In another year or two, I can apply for retirement and transfer to other positions. Maybe a training camp instructor or I\'ll work in logistics. The income may be less, but it\'s safer."

He picked up the communicator with the photo and rubbed it against his face. "I just want to watch my daughter grow up, see her get married, and then live a peaceful life with my wife. As for those ambitious things, I’ll let you young folks handle them."

Tianyang suddenly felt a bit envious of him, although without grand aspirations, living like this seemed pretty good.

"My daughter is adorable!"

Unexpectedly, Lao Xu waved the communicator\'s photo in front of Tianyang\'s eyes again. The young man was somewhat speechless; this guy really loved showing off.

After seeing Lao Xu off, Tianyang received a text message on the communicator.

[Tomorrow morning at eight, gather at the transfer platform; a mission awaits. Details are on the way. Whoever dares to be late, be careful; I\'ll break their legs. — Han Shu]

Seeing this message, Tianyang perked up; finally, there was a mission.

After having lunch at the building\'s restaurant, Tianyang returned to the apartment. Tomorrow\'s mission had strengthened his determination.

To use that Sublimation Node!

In the Inverse Universe, every bit of strength would add to the chance of survival.

When it came to the probability of survival, no one complained about having too much, and Tianyang was no exception.

Putting the Sublimation Node into the physical domain... The command echoed in the young man\'s mind, but he didn’t know if it would work again.

After a moment, seemingly nothing happened. Tianyang stood up, thinking of contacting Luo Shan.

Suddenly, his entire body shook, and he collapsed to the floor.

A muffled groan escaped Tianyang\'s nostrils; just now, a sudden, intense pain radiated through his body. The young man curled up, his body temperature rapidly rising, and a faint red flush appeared on the surface of his skin.

The intense pain continued to emanate from within; it felt like every muscle on his body was being torn apart!

Tianyang\'s teeth chattered, and he couldn\'t help but let out a suppressed, deep cry.

The cry got louder, but the well-insulated apartment prevented the neighbors from being disturbed.

Tianyang\'s body trembled incessantly, and every nerve felt like it was being set on fire. He desperately clawed at the floor to counteract the agony.

Now he knew Luo Shan didn\'t lie.

The first enhancement was indeed extremely painful!