Chapter 30: Random Superpowers

The copy has ended, and now the mechanical voice answers every question without reservation.

"In the Dark Forest instance, as long as the light pollution rate is below 100% and the player completes the three tasks in different areas according to the rules, the level will be cleared. A pollution rate between 90% and 99% is a D-grade clearance. Between 70% and 90% is a C-grade clearance. Between 50% and 70% is a B-grade clearance. Below 50% is an A-grade clearance. Achieving 0% pollution, or completing a designated hidden mission, grants an S-grade rating. Within the instance, being exposed to light, dancing with frogs, or lingering too long in bright areas will all increase the light pollution rate."

The mechanical voice gave a brief explanation.

Ye Luo listened and nodded.

From the looks of it, Lin An is also likely to clear the instance. She just doesn’t know what his rating will be.

The thought flashed through her mind; Ye Luo had no intention of dwelling on it.

It was only a chance encounter, and perhaps they would never meet again.

In the end, Lin An was just a slightly more agreeable stranger.

"I remember before entering the instance, there was an announcement: clearing the instance grants a cold-resistant physique and a random special ability?" Ye Luo said, a hint of expectation shining in her eyes.

Cold resistance might be the key to surviving the crisis brought by the rules in April.

A random special ability could truly make her stronger!

Ye Luo still remembered what the giant frog had said.

The higher the instance rating, the greater the chance of acquiring a powerful ability!

She had fought tooth and nail to earn an S-grade, all for the possibility of drawing a formidable ability right from the start!

Before the arrival of the anomaly, the voice had said this was a test for an E-grade civilization.

Ye Luo didn’t know what exactly the test entailed or how long it would last.

She only knew this:

Only by growing stronger could she seize the opportunity to control her own fate!

And now, that opportunity was right before her.

"Would the player like to draw a special ability now?" the mechanical voice prompted.

Anticipation flickered in Ye Luo’s eyes. She said solemnly, "Draw!"

The next moment, a panel appeared before her.

On it was her current information.

"Ye Luo:
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Overall physical fitness: 15 points. (Note: Ordinary people max out at 10 points. This woman scores 15, so she’s exceptionally robust. If you meet her on the street, kneel and call her ‘dad’ immediately.)"

Ye Luo’s lips twitched.

What kind of remark was that?

She seriously doubted whether this panel was a proper one!

Suppressing the urge to complain, Ye Luo continued reading.

"Player abilities: Random ability (Not yet drawn. No abilities, yet physical fitness is already exceptional—imagine after drawing one!)"

Beside the random ability was a tiny die.

Ye Luo guessed that tapping the die would begin the ability draw.

She tentatively touched it with her mind.

The next moment, the die spun rapidly.

Ye Luo saw countless phantom words flash through the air.

"S-grade ability: Eye of Truth (See through all rules and their authenticity.)"
"S-grade ability: Hand of God (Upgrade the level of all items.)"
"A-grade ability: Super Enhancement (Become Superman—right now!)"

And so on, mostly abilities rated A-grade or above. Ye Luo’s anticipation grew.

She hoped this ability would not disappoint her hard-won S-grade rating.

After a dozen seconds, the die stopped spinning.

Ye Luo eagerly looked at the ability row.

Then a question mark slowly appeared on her forehead.

What... was this?

The field remained unchanged.

Still those four words: "Random ability."

Ye Luo couldn’t help but ask, "What’s going on? Did the ability not draw successfully?"

The mechanical voice was silent for a moment, then replied, "Please check the notes yourself, player."

Notes?

Ye Luo looked carefully.

She found the remarks had changed.

"Ability: Random ability (Note: Player may re-draw an ability once every seven days. The ability’s grade is entirely random. This ability is very exciting and perfectly suits Ms. Ye Luo’s mercurial nature. Its grade is unknown—you could draw S-grade talent, or D-grade talent. In the hands of a lucky player, it’s a god-level talent. But as a born unlucky one, Ms. Ye Luo might not be very pleased.)"

Ye Luo’s lips twitched again.

If only this panel were tangible, she would smash it right now!

Random ability? She could accept it.

But what was with the “born unlucky” assessment?

Did it really have to stab her right in the heart?!

"So, can I draw an ability now?" Ye Luo asked, resigned.

"You may," the mechanical voice replied.

Ye Luo tapped the die again.

It spun for a while.

Finally, it stopped.

"Ability: I Know Who You Are (D-grade ability. If the player provides precise and unique information, she can discover anyone’s true name and birth details. How to describe this? If you set up a fortune-telling stall, you could probably make a small profit.)"

Ye Luo’s lips twitched once more.

A D-grade ability!

Her luck was truly something.

Ye Luo almost wanted to screech like a marmot.

What did she need other people’s names for?

Could it be eaten or drunk?

With a bitter face, Ye Luo thought: never mind, she’d wait seven days and try again.

She refused to believe she’d always be unlucky.

After the ability draw, the mechanical voice said, "Ability draw complete. Now distributing other rewards."

With that, Ye Luo felt a strange power envelop her.

It faded shortly thereafter.

She didn’t feel any immediate changes in her body.

Most likely, she had acquired a cold-resistant physique. She could test it once she left.

"Cold-resistance transformation complete. Next, distributing item rewards. S-grade clearance grants two items. Please check details yourself."

The next moment, two items appeared in Ye Luo’s hands.

Curious, she examined them.

She focused on one, and its description appeared directly in her mind.

First item: Iron Will, Steel Meal (C-grade item. Usable once every three days. Each use provides a sumptuous feast. With it, you needn’t worry about starving.)

Second item: Summon Specter (B-grade item. Usable once every seven days. Upon use, a vengeful ghost will revive in the designated area for a limited time. The ghost’s rationality is questionable—most likely, it will try to eat you right away. Use with caution.)

With such a bizarre ability, Ye Luo found herself unshocked by these items.

Not bad.

At least they had some use.

Better to have them than not.

Each cleared player had ten inventory slots; with a thought, Ye Luo stored the items.

With another, she could summon them to her hand.

This benefit was quite good—at least she needn’t worry about storage.

After studying the items, Ye Luo glanced around the pure white space and silently thought: "Leave."

The next moment, she found herself back on her own bed.