Floating Island - Triple S Talent

[ A foreign force is attempting to infiltrate. The system is hiding. ]

[ The foreign force is too strong. The system will be overtaken. ]

[ System deleted. ]
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"No!" Fang Chen's scream grew louder, shaking the air around them. Yet Lein remained unmoved. In his hand now appeared a small, exquisite cube glowing softly with a mysterious aura.

[ System: Node ]

???

"No information?" Lein murmured softly, raising an eyebrow slightly. He hadn't expected to find something so enigmatic. His gaze shifted back to Fang Chen, who now lay helpless on the floor, panting heavily, his body drained of all energy.

"Am I being too cruel?" Lein pondered briefly, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. He had gained no useful information from the system other than the mysterious cube, yet in return, he had inflicted torment on a possibly innocent young man.

"Oops, my bad," Lein muttered lightly to himself.

Lein lifted the cube and twirled it in his hand. He was about to return it to Fang Chen when a sudden idea crossed his mind.

Without hesitation, Lein opened his own status panel and selected the duplication option. Focusing intently, he began replicating the mysterious cube, hoping to uncover something more valuable in the process.

[ Duplicating (System: Node), quantity: 1.5m. ]

[ Duplication successful. Acquired 1.5m (System: Node). ]

Lein's previously tense expression now relaxed. Although his duplication ability had always yielded satisfying results—even during his near-death experience with Mharzan—he couldn't help but feel anxious upon seeing the mysterious cube in his hand. How could there be an item that even he, with all his mastery, couldn't identify?

After completing the duplication, Lein decided to return the cube to Fang Chen's body. Carefully, he reinserted it back to its original position. Lein raised an eyebrow slightly when he realized the cube's location was under Fang Chen's armpit.

"What a strange place," Lein thought with a look of mild disgust. Nonetheless, he completed the task without further comment.

Having returned the cube, Lein looked at Fang Chen, who was now slumped unconscious. He lightly patted the young man's shoulder to wake him.

"Argh!" Fang Chen suddenly screamed, his voice echoing in the room. He clutched his head tightly, his expression filled with agony. His body trembled, and sweat drenched his forehead. The system within his body began reinstalling itself, causing excruciating pain in every corner of his mind.

Lein stood calmly, merely observing. Not a trace of pity showed on his face. He studied Fang Chen's every reaction, ensuring the process unfolded as it should.

After a while, Fang Chen's screams subsided. His breathing was ragged, his body weak, but he was beginning to regain consciousness. His eyes slowly opened, staring at Lein with a mixture of fear and horror. He remained silent for a few seconds before collapsing to his knees in front of Lein.

"Forgive me, Sir! I don't know why this system is inside me. If you want it, take it. I don't want to die," he pleaded hoarsely, his voice filled with despair.

"Stand up," Lein commanded firmly. His gaze was cold, leaving no room for argument. "Tell me about the system inside your body."

"Y-yes, Sir..." Fang Chen stammered, his voice trembling. He quickly explained the system he possessed, striving to provide as much information as possible to appease Lein.

According to his explanation, the system offered a status interface displaying parameters such as strength, defense, intelligence, and other attributes. Additionally, the system provided various rare abilities, including special skills and high-level items—though what Fang Chen considered high-level might not mean much to Lein.

"Where does all this come from?" Lein asked, observing Fang Chen's reactions closely.

"It all comes from missions assigned by the system, Sir," Fang Chen replied nervously. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and added, "The system also imposes penalties for failed missions."

"For example?" Lein asked again, his curiosity evident in his expression.

"For example, when I broke through to Tier-1 Qi Formation, the system rewarded me with a dragon sword. Then there was a mission to enter a trial realm, which, if successful, would grant me a skill book," Fang Chen explained honestly, his voice trembling slightly. He dared not hide anything in front of Lein.

Lein fell silent, listening intently, his gaze distant as if pondering something profound. Fang Chen, noticing this reaction, began to feel uneasy. Deep inside, he wished to flee as far away from this man as possible. His fear continued to escalate until he thought, "This person is too ruthless. What if I don't make it out alive?"

But before he could move, a heavy pressure struck his mind. Lein's index finger suddenly pointed directly at his forehead.

"No! I don't want to die!" Fang Chen screamed, his voice filled with despair. His body trembled violently, his eyes wide with terror.

"Foolish," Lein said lightly, his voice low but sharp. He moved his finger and tapped Fang Chen's forehead gently.

The air around them, previously frozen like ice, began to shift. The atmosphere cracked like a shattered mirror, creating an eerie effect in the air. Fang Chen, who had been trembling, now stood upright, his gaze filled with confidence. The aura of fear had vanished as if it had never existed.

"Good... very good," Lein said with a faint smile. He turned to the elder of the store, who stood not far away. The elder immediately explained Fang Chen's background respectfully.

Lein listened calmly, then nodded. "Consider this a token of appreciation," he said, tossing several pouches filled with resources to the store staff.

One by one, they caught the pouches with trembling hands. Their faces lit up with joy upon realizing the value of the contents. In unison, they bowed deeply to Lein.

"Thank you, Sir!"

"Thank you, Sir!"

Their voices echoed in the room. Lein glanced at them briefly, then walked toward the entrance of the seed store. He paid no further attention, his steps steady yet firm.

Behind him, Laras, members of Lady Fatmawati's group, and the store staff followed obediently. No one dared to speak, their footsteps the only sound accompanying Lein in silence.