From the Abyss of Stars

25. Tendon Splitting and Bone Breaking (Part 1)

 

The gravitational psychic power is stronger than other psychic powers in four ways. It demonstrated absolute accuracy and indirect lethality when fighting the guards before.

 

But what's easily overlooked is that gravity manifests as a "field." As long as one is within the gravitational field, it ignores all resistance and affects anyone.

 

Additionally, the most crucial point is that gravitational psychic power has no casting delay, no sound or light effects, and is completely silent when released.

 

This is one reason Li Aozi chose to start with gravitational power. It provides strong control ability and even the ability to kill above his level.

 

The only problem is his low development level, limited psychic power, and high consumption rate of 110%—meaning every second in the active state consumes 1.1 psychic power points.

 

The "Charisma" attribute directly correlates with the maximum psychic power, but initially, there are no fast recovery methods for psychic power, so he can only wait quietly for it to recover.

 

During this period, the "Mutant" has almost no combat power.

 

Li Aozi isn't worried about potential and development; he can invest a lot of resources into developing gravitational psychic power. An Omega-level psychic power never has low potential.

 

But in the early stages, this inevitably means sitting in jail. Li Aozi doesn't want to waste experience on other secondary professions and attributes.

 

This is an economic issue. Many "Mutant" players in the past couldn't continue because of this reason.

 

Payers can hire companions and power levelers to get through the tough times and enjoy the game after reaching level 60. Ordinary players have to grind specialties, hone skills, and keep their level low—because if their level is slightly higher, other main profession players can easily crush the "Mutants."

 

After all, the attribute difference is too great.

 

Li Aozi also had to admit, fortunately, his base "Charisma" was relatively high; otherwise, he would be sitting in jail now.

 

Real life is already exhausting; no one wants to continue being miserable in the virtual world.

 

"By the way, since you're so strong, why bring me along?" Nomi suddenly realized this problem, carrying her wrench as she asked.

 

Li Aozi didn't bother explaining and picked up a gun from the ground, shooting himself in the arm.

 

Bang!

 

[You received 24 points of damage, limb destruction—left forearm, disabled (unable to lift)]

 

"Damn!"

 

Nomi was startled. Li Aozi remained calm, skillfully removing the bullet and disinfecting the wound with the medical kit he scavenged from the guards.

 

"That's why; I'm weak and can't take two bullets."

 

"Then why didn't you just say so! Why shoot yourself? You scared me to death!"

 

"Habit."

 

Li Aozi threw away the gun. For an ordinary person, a 9mm handgun is just two bullets away from death.

 

The powerful kinetic energy and cavitation effect, even if not hitting vital points, would be enough to cause excruciating pain and loss of sanity just from the bullet tumbling through the flesh.

 

Being hit by a bullet feels like being punched with full force by a 200-pound strongman. Even with a bulletproof vest, the impact wouldn't break bones or pierce flesh but would still cause bruising and contusions.

 

But for those 15+ level bandits or humanitarian organization members, bullets are almost like peanuts.

 

The humanitarian organization's medical supplies were quite effective. After quickly stopping the bleeding, Li Aozi could use his arm normally, but instead, he used a knife to reopen the wound, letting blood flow to display a severe injury.

 

After finishing his "makeup," Li Aozi led Nomi around the floor's surveillance, heading to the shelter's west entrance, which had been sealed off and had some empty oil barrels lying around.

 

"Why are we here?"

 

Before Nomi's question was answered, Li Aozi used gravity to stack the oil barrels into a staircase leading to the high drainage pipe.

 

"——Oh?!"

 

Li Aozi didn't explain much. In fact, there were many shortcuts in the shelter, but he remembered this one had a hidden Easter egg.

 

Using his memory, he led Nomi up the pipes, crawling for a bit.

 

"Straight ahead for 45 meters, turn right at the red 'X' mark, then climb the ventilation duct, left to the end..."

 

Li Aozi's height made the cramped space difficult for him, so he sent Nomi in. A few seconds later, she crawled out covered in black grime.

 

"Ptooey, ptooey! It's all dirty stuff, disgusting!" Nomi wiped the grease on her clothes, not caring since they were hers.

 

"Where's my stuff?"

 

Li Aozi immediately asked for it. Nomi drooped her shoulders, tossing him a light blue medal. Li Aozi opened his palm, examining the medal with an exaggerated big-headed yellow dog and a ring of text:

 

"I'm Shih Tzu, the Doom Slayer!"

 

[Eureka! You've discovered a developer Easter egg: "Assemble! Doom Slayer Animal Crossing!"]

 

[You've triggered the achievement quest: "Player One"]

 

["During the development of 'Star Abyss,' we drew a lot of inspiration from past video games and traditional competitive events. To honor traditional games, all 343 developers set various Easter egg medals within the game. Players who collect these old-era game Easter egg medals will receive corresponding rewards based on the number of medals." —The 'Star Abyss' studio team]

 

[Enjoy collecting game Easter eggs!]

 

"Collecting four Easter eggs grants rewards."

 

Li Aozi remembered that there weren't many Easter eggs in Frost, making them easy to find. There was no rush.

 

Timing it right, the White Fang gang should be fighting the high-level humanitarian forces. Li Aozi led Nomi along the pipes, and within two minutes, they heard shouting and fighting. The twisted bodies on the ground were either broken bones or torn apart, extremely bloody—Li Aozi recognized the warrior's attack style at a glance.

 

Simple, brutal, direct, effective.

 

[Warriors] have terrifying killing power in the early stages, often performing crushing attacks on humanoid targets, leaving no complete bodies, frequently causing discomfort among players who have to enable 'Teen Mode' to cope.

 

"Damn... these people died horribly, it's creepy—must be that Nurse Nordley."

 

Nomi, despite her fearful words, was calm as she stepped on skulls. She tilted her head, realizing something:

 

"There's still fighting ahead—hey, you're not making me fight that female tyrannosaurus, are you? I don't want to die!"

 

"I'll go through the ventilation duct," Li Aozi instructed. "Wait, we’ll attack the White Fang gang, but you need to hit some humanitarian doctors first."

 

"Why make it so complicated! Let's just do it!" Nomi, impatient, said. "You can fight yourself; with me holding the fort, you can make them all kneel. Why not fight directly? My boss would kill them all!"

 

"Hold on," Li Aozi squinted. "If we kill them all, we won't get any benefits."

 

"Hey, what do you mean, chickening out?"

 

"It's better to break one finger than to injure ten—if you truly hurt and cripple someone, will they think about coming back for revenge?"

 

"Huh? What are you saying?"

 

Li Aozi smiled:

 

"My favorite book is called 'How to Raise Pigs for Profit Scientifically.'"