Chapter 85: Slow

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Slow

[Dagger of Mist (E+ Level)]

[Description: A melee weapon enhanced with Fog Condensation Residue. It is sharper than before and now possesses a special effect! Each attack has a 10% chance to inflict the "Slow" status on the target.]

[Slow: Movement Speed reduced by 15%! Duration: 30 seconds!]

A Slow status? And it lasts for 30 seconds!

That’s a full half-minute.

The old Seraphina Sinclair might have thought that was too short, but the Seraphina of today had been tempered by the black fog.

A moment of carelessness when facing monsters could mean instant death. The importance of every second was self-evident, let alone the full thirty seconds granted by the Slow effect!

Seraphina Sinclair casually swung the dagger, the sound of it slicing through the air now much more distinct. She suddenly thrust it at the wooden wall, and the blade sank into the wood as if it were tofu.

’This is an all-around upgrade!’

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow slightly. She made a few more practice swings with the dagger, growing more and more satisfied.

Perhaps because her weapon was now enhanced, Seraphina Sinclair felt a sense of calm settle over her. She even found herself looking forward to encountering a monster, eager to test out her upgraded weapon immediately.

But she knew full well that despite her current thoughts, if she really ran into a tough monster, she would definitely curse her present self for such foolish daydreams.

Seraphina Sinclair stood up, stretched languidly, and took a stroll around her mobile cabin. Everything was truly starting to look up.

However, when she first got the flowerpots, she had planned to grow crops, harvest food, and become self-sufficient.

Now, though, they were all being used to plant Unknown Seeds.

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the pots for a while, still unwilling to give up on her dream of self-sufficiency. She decided to open the group chat and ask.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Has anyone gotten any seeds for normal plants?

"Normal plants? That’s an interesting way to put it. I did get a seed, but it was an Unknown Seed. And... it doesn’t seem to be sprouting. I planted it days ago, and I have no idea if it’s even taken root. I’m a little worried about digging it up to check."

"Is the Master trying to grow her own vegetables to cook? Haha, that’s a nice thought, but isn’t it a little too early to be thinking about that?"

’It’s not too early.’

’Not at all.’

’A person needs dreams to keep on living.’

"Speaking of seeds, what’s the deal with the Earth everyone has? It feels like besides planting, it’s useless."

"And we can’t even plant anything right now, so it’s basically completely useless."

"Mine’s just sitting there."

"Out of all the basic materials right now, wood is probably the most useful, right?"

[Frostleaf]: True, but... I have a little tip. You all should probably save up some Metal Fragments, too.

’Save up Metal Fragments?’

Seraphina Sinclair’s interest was immediately piqued.

Before she knew that blueprints were one-of-a-kind, she might have suspected that this person had also obtained a Furnace Blueprint.

But now that she knew it couldn’t be because of the Furnace Blueprint, why would Frostleaf say something like that?

The others in the group were also very interested.

"You’ve already started, so just spit it out, group owner."

"It’s not that you have to tell us, but if you’re not going to be clear, you shouldn’t have brought it up just to tease us, right? You got everyone’s curiosity up, and now you’re going quiet! It feels like a cat is scratching at our hearts—it’s so mean!"

"I second that!"

"Why don’t you name your price! How much for the full story?"

"Yeah, yeah! Name your price!"

[Frostleaf]: Since you all put it that way, I’ll follow Master Blacktiger’s example. Three basic materials! Any kind will do!

Seraphina Sinclair was curious, too. She thought for a moment, took out three units of Earth, and sent them over. She waited quietly for a while but didn’t receive a private message in reply.

After a long moment, Frostleaf suddenly started complaining in the group chat.

[Frostleaf]: Seriously? I said any kind, and you all gave me Earth?

"What? You’re the one who said ’any kind.’ Now you’re not happy with what you got?"

"Hurry up and tell us! Spill it, dear group owner! We’re getting anxious!"

"Yeah, yeah!"

[Frostleaf]: *Sigh*. All right. I got a blueprint from a chest today. It’s a bit hard to explain, so just take a look! This is the finished product: Simple Metal Processing Device.

Seraphina Sinclair clicked on the item details she posted.

[Simple Metal Processing Device]

[Description: A multi-functional device that can process Metal Bars into various metal products, including but not limited to basic components like wire, metal nails, and simple tools. It is merely the prototype for a more advanced device. The advanced device, after consuming fuel, can reshape metal into more refined forms as needed.]

Seraphina Sinclair understood wire and metal nails, but what did "more refined forms" mean?

Someone else in the group realized the implication.

"Wait a sec? This advanced device... does this mean you could craft a gun barrel?"

The moment that message appeared, the group chat fell silent.

The simple metal processing device was decent enough, but the advanced version was practically a Divine Artifact!

And... Seraphina Sinclair started pondering another question.

’Why does the description for this device mention another device?’

Seraphina Sinclair had never encountered a situation like this before.

’If it’s because this is a "simple" device, does that mean the devices she currently possesses are the final versions?’

’How is that possible?’

Seraphina Sinclair stood up and walked over to her composting device.

She remembered clearly that its blueprint was called [Simple Composting Device Blueprint]! It was a "simple" one, too!

The key must be the word "prototype."

Seraphina Sinclair made a bold guess. Could it be that creating the advanced device, or rather, obtaining the blueprint for the advanced device, required this simple blueprint?

Moreover... Seraphina Sinclair remembered a line in the description for the Copy Certificate.

"Including special markings, personal notes, and crucial improvements and upgrades."

’Improvements and upgrades...’

’Is it because blueprints have their own unique upgrade path?’

’And to upgrade, you need the most basic blueprint.’

After a moment of thought, Seraphina Sinclair opened a private chat window with Frostleaf.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Are you selling the blueprint?

The other party was clearly aware of the blueprint’s uniqueness and refused without hesitation.

Seraphina Sinclair wasn’t discouraged. She continued, "How about we trade for a copy of the blueprint? Using a Copy Certificate."

The other party thought for a long time.

By the time Seraphina Sinclair received another message, the black fog had already surged for a second time.

[Frostleaf]: Besides a Copy Certificate, what else are you offering?

’Looks like there’s a chance.’

Seraphina Sinclair tried offering a few items, all food: oatmeal, spicy strips, and the like.

But the other party wasn’t satisfied with any of them.

Seraphina Sinclair sensed something and asked directly, "What do you want?"

The reply came quickly, clearly thought out in advance.

[Frostleaf]: I happen to have a Copy Certificate as well. This blueprint is F-level. Since you want it, Master, let’s make a trade. An F-level blueprint for an F-level blueprint.