Chapter 445 - 444: Radiance

Chapter 445: Chapter 444: Radiance

The worse news was that upgrading required 15 expansion essence.

Seraphina was certain this was a new material found only in the new Zone. But she hadn’t even started moving yet. How was she supposed to open new Supply Boxes and get new materials?

Besides, all those Expansion Crystals she’d gotten from Luna Jacobs had only been enough for two satisfying upgrades to her mobile cabin before she ran out.

From now on, this material would be pretty much useless to her.

Fortunately, Seraphina’s progress was fast, and plenty of players in the Zone needed Expansion Crystals for their own upgrades.

The item was in high demand and could fetch a good price.

As Seraphina was taking stock of her items, Luna Jacobs suddenly stood up. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Under Seraphina’s silent gaze, she lazily raised her arms, stretched with her eyes half-closed, and then walked over to Seraphina, cradling the blueprint she had been studying for days. With a hint of proud smugness, she said, "I’m pleased to report that the improvements were a success."

’Is she trying to be fancy with idioms now?’

Seraphina ignored her, took the blueprint, and used Insight.

[Black Fog Crystal Energy Storage Lamp Blueprint (D+ Level)]

[Learning Requirement: Intelligence ≥ 10]

[Materials Required: Black Fog Crystal x10, Metal Fragments x5, cloth x2, wood x3, glass x2]

[Effect: Placing it under the sun allows it to automatically collect sunshine! But take note, when the sun is obscured by the Black Fog, its absorption efficiency will be greatly reduced! (One point of sunshine equals one point for the Sunflower’s Hunger Level. Current maximum storage: 1,000 points of sunshine!)]

[Modified by an Engraving Master who wishes to remain anonymous, crafting it now requires more Black Fog Crystals. Of course! The amount of sunshine it can store and the quality of the sunshine it emits have also been improved!]

’The quality has also been improved!’

Those words were incredibly important to Seraphina. She felt like a person wandering through a desert who had finally found an oasis. Her breathing grew shallow and quick.

She was happy.

But along with the happiness came nervousness and apprehension.

’Will the quality of this upgraded sunshine be enough to reach Radiance?’

If it couldn’t, Seraphina would remain stuck.

Things were different now.

After entering the new Zone, many of the materials had been updated. Although Seraphina had a head start, if she remained stagnant for much longer, she would be overtaken.

Seraphina was unwilling to just wait and watch the hard-won advantage she had built slip away.

Her fingers tightened around the blueprint, her knuckles turning white.

"So? How is it?" Luna Jacobs leaned in, her voice tinged with anticipation, though she tried to sound nonchalant. "Is it usable?"

Seraphina didn’t answer. Her gaze fell on the line "the quality of the sunshine it emits have also been improved!" on the blueprint, and she read it over and over.

Only then did she look up at Luna Jacobs.

Luna was taken aback by her stare and subconsciously took half a step back. "Wh-what is it? Did it fail? That can’t be, I clearly—"

"It should be fine," Seraphina cut her off.

She had seen how hard Luna had worked. Such effort deserved to be rewarded.

Regardless of the sunshine’s quality, Seraphina knew she shouldn’t take it out on her.

Seraphina offered a reassuring smile. "Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll craft one and test it out."

"Okay." Luna nodded, her gaze lingering on Seraphina’s face for a moment.

She could tell Seraphina was still worried about something, but she didn’t press the issue.

Luna Jacobs knew where the line was.

The blueprint was modified. The remaining problem was Seraphina’s, not hers. She turned and walked back to the stone table, but instead of sitting, she leaned against its edge, crossing her arms as she watched.

Seraphina took a deep breath and rummaged through her pile of supplies for the materials.

She had all the required materials, with plenty to spare. Forget making just one; mass production wouldn’t be a problem.

A flash of light emanated from the workbench, and a simple, elegant lamp appeared before her.

It was palm-sized and translucent, with a lampshade that looked as if it were polished from a Black Fog Crystal. Intricate patterns were faintly visible within.

The upgraded Black Fog Lamp looked different from the previous ones. Its surface had an added faint golden sheen, making it look much more advanced. It was truly worthy of being upgraded by an Engraving Master.

Seraphina picked up the lamp, feeling its slight weight in her palm.

Without hesitation, she took the newly crafted lamp to the window.

The rain had just stopped, and the sun had come out.

Might as well go all the way. Seraphina simply crafted a few more Black Fog Lamps and placed them next to the first one, letting them all bathe in the sunlight together.

The three people in the room fell silent.

Luna Jacobs was no longer leaning against the table. She stood up straight, her eyes fixed on the lamp without blinking.

The Gloom Hatchling had woken up at some point. It poked its small head out of its nest, its round eyes following Seraphina’s movements.

The Sunflower was quiet too, its leaves perfectly still.

One lamp, three people, one dragon, and one sunflower—all of them were staring at the window.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

The lamp lit up.

It wasn’t the same kind of light emitted by the old Black Fog Lamps, but a glow tinged with a faint gold, as if it had captured a wisp of the halo surrounding the Sunflower.

Seraphina’s breath caught. She immediately opened her panel.

[Black Fog Crystal Energy Storage Lamp (Storing)]

[Current Sunshine Stored: 3/1000]

[Sunshine Quality: Radiance]

Radiance.

It was Radiance!

Seraphina stared at that single word for a long time, the corners of her mouth slowly curving into a smile.

Luna Jacobs immediately leaned in and—SMACK—slapped Seraphina on the shoulder. "Aren’t I amazing!"

The slap made Seraphina stumble, but instead of getting angry, she laughed.

’It worked.’

’It really worked.’

She turned her head and looked out at the Black Fog beyond the window.

’Finally, I can start moving again.’

She turned to look at the Sunflower. The plant seemed to sense something, staring at her with its big, unblinking eyes. Its inner voice, however, was honest: ’Do I get to eat yummy food again?’

’That’s right.’

Seraphina answered it in her mind. Though her expression didn’t change, her whole demeanor seemed to have brightened considerably.

Luna Jacobs clucked her tongue in amazement from the side.

She truly hadn’t expected Seraphina to be so reserved even when she was happy.

’But that’s normal.’

When Seraphina was unhappy, she didn’t cry or throw a fit. When she was happy, she didn’t shout or cheer. Her brow would just smooth out a little, the corners of her lips would lift a fraction, and she’d seem like a blanket that had been aired out in the sun—just a little bit fluffier.

’Is this what a top player is like?’

Luna Jacobs turned, picked up another blueprint from the stone table, and began to seriously contemplate how to improve it.

Before she could even get her bearings, she saw Seraphina sit down across from her, still holding the improved Black Fog Crystal Energy Storage Lamp blueprint.

"What is it?"

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "The description on this blueprint says, ’Modified by an Engraving Master who wishes to remain anonymous.’ Why didn’t you put your name on it?"