Chapter 21: The Maiden

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The question mark on the random skill book slowly dissolved. The five characters "Power Multiplication Technique" emerged. This was a skill whose effect was obvious without reading the description. Multiplying strength? But he wasn’t lacking in physical enhancement at the moment. What he wanted was mastery in technique—specialization in firearms, martial arts, agility, and various skills. Otherwise, even with doubled strength, at the same specialization level, he would still be overwhelmed by those more skilled. Of course, he was still pleased, especially since the skill level was close to the maximum extractable tier.

[Prompt: Learn “Power Multiplication Technique” immediately?]

“Yes.”

The skill book disintegrated into points of light, circling a few times before entering Lu Ming’s brow.

[Successfully learned B-rank skill “Power Multiplication Technique”]

[Power Multiplication Technique] (B-rank)
Type: Active Enhancement Skill
Effect: Doubles strength for 10 minutes upon use, followed by a 5-minute weakness period during which all attributes are halved. Cooldown: 15 minutes.

A ten-minute burst skill—quite decent. The five-minute weakness afterward was a reasonable trade-off. He then checked the ultimate enhancement options and their costs.

“Ultimate enhancement.”

[Prompt: Please select enhancement rank]

“Rank two.”

[Prompt: Confirm consuming 2,000 “Specialization Crystals” to enhance B-rank skill “Power Multiplication Technique” to S-rank skill “Strength Bestowal”?]

[Confirm]
[Cancel]

Hmm, 2,000 crystals to upgrade to S-rank? Was the skill trash, or was this the cost gap between ranks?

[Strength Bestowal] (S-rank)
Type: Active Enhancement Skill
Effect: Grants triple strength for thirty minutes. Cooldown: one hour.
Special: This enhancement can be applied to multiple targets simultaneously; the number depends on specialization level.

... Lu Ming exclaimed in surprise. After evolution, both the multiplier and duration tripled. The weakness effect was completely removed. The cooldown seemed long but was actually sufficient, as if a battle lasted over thirty minutes without resolution, it was time to retreat.

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This skill was worth investing in—and quickly at that. It could come in handy at critical moments. Canceling the enhancement, he stored away three bottles of sports drink, and the supply box disintegrated. Just as he was about to leave the room, Lu Ming noticed there was an indoor bathroom installed.

Quickly check if the equipment worked!

Full of anticipation, Lu Ming strode inside. He fiddled with the controls, but the water heater gave no response at all.

Broken.

Moreover, he suddenly remembered that even if the heater worked, the daily water supply contained mutated toxins. This meant the situation was likely the same in all residential buildings.

His mood sank. Was he going to give up? Was he going to carry this stench until it naturally dissipated? Though post-apocalyptic people were like wild monkeys, this level of stench was too much.

Staring at the water heater, his eyes flickered. Since the ordinary heater couldn’t be used, would upgrading it two ranks produce a surprise?

“Ultimate enhancement!”

[Please select enhancement rank]

“Rank two.”

[Prompt: Enhancing “Slightly Faulty Water Heater” requires 3 Specialization Crystals. Please choose enhancement direction!]

“Specialized All-Purpose Water Heater” or “Diamond Radiance Water Heater.”

?

Water heaters had upgrade directions?

He checked the details.

[Specialized All-Purpose Water Heater] (Advanced)
Type: Appliance
Description: A practical water heater integrating self-power generation, self-operation, automation, and self-maintenance. Even during power outages and water shortages, water can be added and energy replenished to continue use.

This was good. Refilling water might be a bit troublesome, but he had plenty of purified water. After scavenging five or six grocery and convenience stores, he hadn’t found much else, but he had five cases of “Farmer’s Three Punch,” each case containing 24 bottles. So right now, he had 120 bottles of purified water, plus sports drinks and other sodas—more than enough.

Even if he used them all, with his strength, he could easily go out and quickly replenish supplies without fear.

Thinking this through, Lu Ming turned to the other water heater.

[Diamond Radiance Water Heater] (Advanced)
Type: Luxury Item
Description: Embedded with hundreds of diamonds, shimmering in opulent gold, a must-have decoration for the successful. Functionally similar to the ordinary all-purpose water heater, but the upside is its luxury, and the downside is it cannot be used autonomously.

“...”

Water heaters embedded with diamonds? As expected from the Jialan star system—eye-opening.

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“Choose the All-Purpose Water Heater.”

Whoosh!

The faulty water heater disassembled and reassembled into a sleek, high-tech multifunctional water heater. What moved Lu Ming to tears was that the heater even came with built-in shower gel and shampoo—both affordable and thoughtful!

He pressed the power button, and the screen lit up.

“All-Purpose Assistant at your service. Please choose usage mode by voice.”

The electronic voice prompted, and two options appeared on the screen: Automated and Self-Service.

“Self-Service.”

“Starting Self-Service mode. Please add 10 liters of water at the outlet and set temperature.”

Ten liters? That was twenty bottles—manageable. Without hesitation, Lu Ming filled it, set the temperature, then grabbed a few sets of barely fitting tank tops and pants from his wardrobe and started washing—completely forgetting the high school girl waiting behind the back door.

Ten minutes later, refreshed, Lu Ming stepped out of the bathroom dressed in clothes that fit but did not suit his image.

Looking at his reflection, Lu Ming was displeased. The white tank top paired with faded gray jeans was truly indescribable.

Then, glancing at the ultimate enhancement option on his information panel, a new idea quietly emerged.

Two minutes later, Lu Ming stepped out confidently with a brand-new look:

A black, tight-fitting vest reaching up to his neck.
Jet-black tactical pants.
A pure black military belt.
Tactical boots.

He could boldly say he looked fierce and imposing!

Who would have thought that enhancing clothing to rank two not only added durability, stain resistance, and waterproofing but also allowed customization of the garment’s style?

After some thought, given his physique and the environment, this attire was the most comfortable.

Satisfied, Lu Ming clenched his fist and walked out slowly.

Opening the wardrobe door, through the crack, the figure hugging their knees caught his attention again.

Completely unmoved, even after he had been gone for over twenty minutes.

He wanted to see what reason could cause a young girl at the prime of her life to be so distraught.

“Analyze!”

The Eye of Truth activated, locking onto the silhouette enveloped in shadow. A dense information panel popped up.

At a glance, Lu Ming’s expression changed drastically. Even before reading carefully, several painful words caught his eye in the personal information:

Orphan, adopted, adoptive father’s forceful embrace...