Chapter 136: Solar Flame Powder Acquired

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Solar Flame Powder Acquired

It really was Expansion Crystals. Three of them in total.

It wasn’t many, but this was the first time Seraphina Sinclair had ever gotten Expansion Crystals from a Supply Box herself!

A truly historic moment!

She rubbed the three Expansion Crystals together for a moment before dutifully stowing them away. Then, she picked up her rune pen and began to create a rune.

’A moment of admiration was enough. If I waste any more time, I might actually lose my life, and that would be the end of it.’

She focused her mind and set pen to paper.

The tip of the rune pen traced a winding, mystical path with barely a pause. A brand-new Purifying Flame Rune rapidly took shape under her hand. Finally, the light it emitted receded inward, leaving the rune stable and clear upon the rune paper.

In twenty minutes, Seraphina Sinclair had created two runes.

This was considerably slower than when she made Fire Drawing Runes, but it was still quite fast.

The black fog surged in once more. Holding two Purifying Flame Runes in her hand, Seraphina’s sense of security soared.

She reached up to adjust her lenses before observing the activity within the black fog.

’It seems...’

’...there are no monsters?’

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow. The fact that the fog’s intensity had suddenly increased made the absence of monsters even stranger.

’It couldn’t be those transparent ones again, could it?’

You couldn’t blame Seraphina for being paranoid. She only had one life, so she had to be careful.

She waited patiently. Only after the fog rolled in an F-level Supply Box and her attempt to use Insight on it failed did Seraphina finally relax.

’At least it really is a Supply Box.’

After the black fog receded, Seraphina casually opened the Supply Box. She couldn’t resist taking a peek at the regional channel.

Those who had already started moving couldn’t stop, and they were complaining endlessly about the powerful monsters they faced. As for those who hadn’t moved yet? Hearing this, why would any of them want to start?

’Sunshine doesn’t expire, after all. As long as the dead things don’t catch up to them today, what’s the harm in stopping for a day?’

That was sound logic.

For most people, if the dead things weren’t on their heels, they would never risk their necks for a few meager supplies.

Seraphina had entertained the same thought, but in a place like this, that kind of thinking was fatal.

’The more you try to just scrape by, the less likely you are to survive at all.’

He who aims for the top may reach the middle, but he who aims for the middle will land at the bottom.

’It’s the same principle.’

Seraphina glanced at the compass, then infused the door card with another 100 sunshine. Once the cabin’s movement stabilized, she went to the bathroom and changed into the set of loungewear.

The outfit consisted of two pieces: a pair of long pants and a shirt-like top.

All in all... it was still easy to move in.

Back in the main room of the mobile cabin, Seraphina picked up her long blade and made a few practiced swings before doing a couple of rolls on the floor.

After realizing the clothes were too loose and hindered her agility, she immediately gave up on the idea of wearing them in a fight.

She had originally been drawn to its "effectively mitigates impact" feature. But trading mobility for that one perk by wearing such a cumbersome outfit felt like putting the cart before the horse.

Seraphina changed back into her old clothes. While they had no special properties, they didn’t have any negative effects either, which was good enough.

Seraphina was a little disappointed. She stared at the loungewear in thought for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

’If I can’t wear it for daily activities, I’ll just use it as pajamas.’

’The material feels like it might bring a few good dreams.’

After the black fog had surged in and receded twice, Seraphina suddenly received two private messages.

[RookSolosGruel]: Master Blacktiger, is this the sun-related powder you said you were looking for? Solar Flame Powder.

[RookSolosGruel]: Everything seems to match your description. This should be what you want.

It was exactly what she needed!

Seraphina’s eyes lit up instantly.

’The E+ Talisman corresponding to this powder had to be a Fire Drawing Rune!’

The Purifying Flame Rune was already so powerful; it was hard for Seraphina not to get her hopes up for this new talisman.

’But...’

’The other party was clearly aware of what she needed.’

’My impression of him has always been positive. He wouldn’t take this opportunity to rip me off, right?’

[Blacktiger Ford]: That’s it. What do you want for it?

The reply came quickly. He had clearly been waiting.

[RookSolosGruel]: Looks like I’m in luck. I was just thinking that if it wasn’t what you needed, I’d have to use other resources to trade for your runes!

[RookSolosGruel]: Master, that last rune was incredibly useful. It must be a pain for you to make them, right? You gave me a rune for that mirror I had, and I didn’t even know what it was for. So, for this powder that you definitely need... asking for two runes isn’t too much, is it?

’Of course it wasn’t too much.’

Conveniently, the last two incursions of the black fog hadn’t brought any monsters, so Seraphina still had two runes on hand. She initiated the trade immediately.

The other party didn’t hesitate. He was clearly satisfied upon receiving the runes and, in his delight, even asked, "Master, if I find more stuff like this in the future, can I still trade with you?"

Seraphina had already been planning to ask where it came from, so his question only piqued her interest further.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Of course. Where did you find this powder? From a Supply Box or a monster drop?

Along with her message, Seraphina also sent over a Fire Drawing Rune as a little bonus.

To her, the rune was nothing much, but to others, it was a lifesaver.

Regardless of how the master viewed it, RookSolosGruel was absolutely ecstatic.

He had planned to tell the truth anyway, but after receiving the gift, he was even more eager to share everything he knew.

[RookSolosGruel]: It dropped from a monster that spawned in the black fog just now! The creature was covered in fire, scorching hot. It almost singed my hair off. After I finally managed to kill it, the body vanished, leaving just a small pinch of orange powder. I saw the Description said it contained the power of sunshine and thought of you immediately.

[RookSolosGruel]: The monster was called Scorching... something. Scorching Strider, I think. As you know, Master, Insight doesn’t show weaknesses anymore, so I only gave it a quick glance. I don’t remember the details very well.

His explanation was fairly detailed, and it left Seraphina deep in thought.

She had encountered monsters dropping materials like this before. The Fog Condensation Residue she used to strengthen her dagger was a perfect example.

’It seems these special materials are linked to specific monsters.’

This meant the method of acquisition was clearer, but it also meant the materials were harder to get.

After all, monsters appeared randomly; a survivor couldn’t just pick and choose which one they wanted to hunt.

Knowing the item’s source didn’t exactly lift Seraphina’s spirits.

She had a feeling that, for the time being, she had no other way to get these three materials besides posting a long-term buy order on the regional channel.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Understood. If you find any similar materials in the future, feel free to contact me. We can negotiate the price—runes or other supplies, either is fine.

[RookSolosGruel]: You got it! You’re a straightforward person, Master! I have no worries about working with you! I’ll let you get back to it. I need to keep an eye on things while I move. The monsters in this godforsaken place are getting tougher, and who knows what crap the system is going to pull next.