Chapter 31: Psi-Blast Charges

Chapter 31: Psi-Blast Charges

Returning to his workshop, Qin Ye began testing the Psi-Blast Charges’ power. The crystal was placed on the workbench as four mechanical arms at the table’s corner activated, following pre-programmed sequences to orbit the crystal rapidly. A holographic display in the top-right corner flickered to life, showing fluctuating energy readings.

The data revealed the charge’s output at only 10.92—far below the Verdant Sprites Merchant’s claims. But preliminary tests meant little. He grabbed the device and headed to Sector D’s hazardous materials destruction chamber.

After scanning his credentials, the sealed room accepted the device at its center. Qin Ye retreated to an observation booth, pressing his palm to the transparent glass. When he activated the green rune in his hand, energy shields flared inside the chamber, followed by a blinding white light.

Boom!

The floor trembled briefly before silence returned. The glass displayed energy wave data: 1,228. The power had multiplied over a hundredfold.

Qin Ye’s excitement surged. The Verdant Sprites had claimed these charges were simple to produce—requiring only Energy Crystals and the right technique to craft in minutes during combat. With hostile alien factions increasing, this technology could be vital.

He returned to the merchant’s stall, where the Verdant Sprites Merchant was still peddling wares.

“Ten thousand Terra Credits,” they said, raising one finger. Their translation collar emitted a shrill tone.

“Why not just rob me?” Qin Ye snapped.

“Friends get a seventy percent discount on the charges, but the tech is special. Ten thousand’s reasonable—I know you can approve purchases under a million credits. This is nothing for you.”

Qin Ye’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know my budget?”

The merchant clammed up, then muttered, “We bought the info legally. Now, deal or no deal?”

After haggling, Qin Ye secured the tech for seventy thousand credits. Back in his workshop, he eagerly examined the green Data Orb containing the schematics.

The process was straightforward: reshape the crystal’s internal structure using Consciousness Etching and leave a final mental trigger for detonation. But during testing, he hit a wall. Halfway through, dizziness overwhelmed him.

“Damn it!” He realized the flaw—Verdant Sprites could handle this, but humans’ weaker mental energy couldn’t. This tech was only viable in industrial production lines, not portable for soldiers.

Still, the credits were spent—no refunds. He faced two choices: swallow the loss or report his mistake to superiors. He chose the former. Money problems never bothered him—his family ensured that.

Slumping in his chair, he sighed. The tech was useless to him.

Checking the time, he noted his Respawn Cooldown had ended. Rising, he paused. A thought struck him—Darklands, the Lunar Eclipse Clan’s game, simulated reality perfectly. In-game, his Mental Energy could surge through monster forms like Bonefire or Hawk-Headed Demon. Could the tech work there?

Minutes later, he logged into Dizhong Village’s respawn point. With 232 Sacrificial Power remaining—200 bought with credits—he searched the marketplace for energy stones.

Five Level 1 Energy Stones cost 150 Sacrificial Power. Taking one, he found a secluded spot.

Switching to Hawk-Headed Demon form, his mental energy surged. His consciousness extended, the crystal’s particle structure sharpened into clarity. He began reconfiguring the energy lattice per the schematics.

Boom!

The unstable charge detonated, flashing his screen black.

【Challenger Notification: You’ve entered Respawn Cooldown!】

【Challenger Notification: 13 Sacrificial Power deducted for damaging Dizhong Village’s environment.】

Qin Ye groaned. He’d been offline within five minutes.

“Damn Lunar Eclipse Clan! Piece of crap game!”

Yet, he grinned. The explosion proved the tech worked in-game. His failure was mere clumsiness—the concept was sound.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end