Chapter 259 Fortuitous Function Card
William panted slightly, looking at Edna in front of him.
"You promised to let me study it. Even if you're the boss, you can't go back on your word," Edna demanded.
Edna, the mad scientist from his previous life, was indeed obsessed with research. When William hurried back, Edna had already started dissecting the corpse of a level-four Throat Seizer. She had even borrowed Michelle's Edge of the Moon.
Glancing at the relatively intact corpse, William finally felt relieved.
His excitement over obtaining the three-star Evolution Elixir had completely taken over his mood, causing him to overlook the Fortuitous Function Card he had gotten first. It wasn't until he had calmed down and even spun the level-two roulette that he opened the card. After a moment of shock, he rushed to Edna's place at top speed, startling the guard dog at the basement door, which thought another zombie horde was coming.
"You can have the Level 1, 2, and 3 ones, but I need this Level 4 one," William told Edna.
Edna was one of the few people in the base who wasn't intimidated by William. She argued, bargained, and negotiated with a tenacity that bordered on the absurd. But her sharp intellect was tempered by a surprising amount of emotional intelligence. She knew exactly where to draw the line, what William could be persuaded to part with and what was absolutely off-limits. But the allure of a level-four specimen was clearly testing her limits.
"Can't we work something out? A trade, perhaps?" Edna asked, staring at the Throat Seizer corpse she had just made a small incision in, her eyes full of reluctance.
"There will be plenty of opportunities in the future," William said firmly, picking up the Throat Seizer's corpse and walking out.
In the apocalypse, talents like Edna were top-tier researchers, and William had genuine respect for such people. Warriors upheld the backbone of humanity in the apocalypse, but researchers like Edna and David were the soul of humanity.
"Alright, then can you give me the improved formula for the two-star Evolution Elixir?" Edna asked, following closely behind William.
William nodded in agreement and said seriously, "Ms. Garcia, I can give you the improved formulas for the first three stages of the Evolution Elixir, but that's not all I want. I want to independently manufacture Evolution Elixirs—one-star, two-star, three-star, and even higher levels."
Edna was taken aback, then looked at William with a smile and said, "I'm confident about that. I've studied the one-star improved formula. Due to limited conditions, I haven't figured out many aspects, but one thing is certain: this thing couldn't have been developed in just two months. Moreover, you have the two-star and three-star improved formulas. Don't you think you've already earned the title of 'Apocalypse Creator'? By helping you, am I aiding in the destruction of humanity?"
William smiled and quickly left. Before his figure disappeared, he called back, "Ms. Garcia, if you ever find out who caused this apocalypse, be sure to tell me. I'll make sure to dissect them."
Edna chuckled, turned back to her operating table, dragged over a level-three zombie corpse, and muttered to herself, "Then you must be in the know."
William took the level-four Throat Seizer's corpse to the basement, continued to let the guard dog keep watch, and then took out the Fortuitous Function Card from his space.
"Level-four Talent Skill Extraction Card (applicable to intact level-four and below evolved creatures)."
William's excitement upon opening the card was even more intense than when he got the three-star Evolution Elixir. After all, given time, he could always accumulate enough level-three Magic Crystals to become a three-star Evolving person. But such a Fortuitous Function Card was a rare find. For example, the primary Exclusion Spell had significantly increased his chances of winning the roulette, saving countless Magic Crystals.
But the Talent Skill Extraction Card was evidently more valuable than an Evolution Elixir of the same level, at least in William's opinion.
Although it was a one-time-use card, unlike the permanent primary Exclusion Spell, once the talent skill was extracted and learned, it would be just like a permanent skill. Moreover, the extraction was selective; the cardholder could determine the range of skills to extract.
William's chosen target was naturally the talent skill that had left a deep impression on everyone at Cloud Peak Base: the Gilded Form.
William had a 50% chance of obtaining the Gilded Form.
Of course, he also considered the possibility of extracting the Throat Lock skill. If that happened, although he wouldn't get the Gilded Form, the skill would still be useful for Natalie to learn. He wouldn't be too disappointed.
Activating the card on the Throat Seizer's body, William watched the glowing light and finally let go of his last bit of worry. He had been afraid that the damage to the corpse might exceed the card's requirements, but it seemed there was no problem.
The silver light enveloping the body gradually turned golden, and then an unknown force slowly emanated from the corpse, merging into the golden light. As the light gradually dimmed, a brand-new card floated in front of William.
Reaching out to grab it, William looked at it and smiled happily.
"Skill Card, Basic The Gilded Form!" he murmured cheerfully.
Tonight seemed to be making up for his previous bad luck. Whether it was spinning the roulette or using the Talent Skill Extraction Card, everything went exactly as he wished.
However, his excitement slightly subsided, and he was in a happy dilemma.
Who should use this skill?
William himself definitely wouldn't use it. Although the Gilded Form had strong defensive capabilities, it also caused a comprehensive reduction in speed and agility. For William, who had high agility and attack power with the Bloodstride Boots and Edge of the Moon, this skill would undoubtedly be a disadvantage.
He went through the core members in his mind but found no suitable candidate.
Cecil's role in the team was originally suited for this card, but his Shield Bearer profession had led him down a path of improving defense through equipment, making the Gilded Form somewhat useless for him.
Candice? Michelle? Jack? Excluding Natalie and Lucy, who definitely wouldn't learn this skill due to their professions, only these three were left. But no matter how he thought about it, none of them would want to learn a skill that only made them tougher without enhancing their offensive capabilities.
Edna and David? Should he give it to them to boost their defense and avoid any mishaps? William dismissed this idea as well. If it ever reached a point where these two were threatened, he and the others would likely be dead already, making The Gilded Form pointless.
And the other people were completely unqualified. After some thought, William decided to put the skill card away for now. After all, even if he used it for trading, its value was extremely high, much better than skills like the Stone Skin Spell.
Early the next morning, the survivors of Cloud Peak Manor, who had recovered after a night's rest, gathered in front of the main building. This was the main battlefield yesterday. Although the corpses had been cleared overnight, there were still visible bloodstains on the ground.
"First, I want to thank the friends from Sasha's warband and Hungry Tiger Knights warband. You paid a heavy price for us. On behalf of everyone here, I want to express our gratitude and offer compensation for your sacrifices," William spoke in front of everyone, his voice not loud but enough for all to hear.
"Three-star Evolving person is indeed different. Mr. Wright looks even more handsome," Jack remarked, squinting his red eyes. After learning about the Gilded Form skill last night, Michelle and Candice had directly refused it. Only Jack was quite tempted and had stayed up all night, finally deciding not to take it at dawn, though he couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
"Brown-noser!" The other core members all sneered, despising the shameless Jack.
"Here are thirty bottles of one-star Evolution Elixir and ten gray-grade weapons. I hope this can somewhat make up for your losses," William announced.
Many people below took a light breath.
Thirty bottles of one-star Evolution Elixir for one squad, sixty bottles for two squads, plus twenty gray-grade weapons—this was a huge fortune.
The members of Sasha's warband and Hungry Tiger Knights warband were quite moved. They had chosen to stay yesterday. If William had given them ten bottles of Evolution Elixir according to the rules, it would have been understandable, though somewhat impersonal. But now, they were receiving an additional twenty bottles, which was a generous offering! Moreover, they would get ten gray-grade weapons, which they had long envied.
William handed the Evolution Elixir and weapons to Sasha and Darryl. After exchanging a knowing glance with Darryl, William came to the front of the survivors.
Everyone instinctively straightened their backs.
Yesterday's battle had firmly established William as their absolute leader. Their feelings towards him had evolved from initial fear to current trust and admiration.
"All of you performed excellently!" William shouted briefly.
Looking at these survivors who had become qualified warriors through the ordeal, he knew these people would form the foundational team for his growing power.
"So, those who are not yet Evolving persons will each receive a one-star Evolution Elixir. Those who are already Evolving persons will each receive an Edge of the Moon!" William announced.
