Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 367 New Upgrade
For Li Wei, this was just a minor incident. He didn't care about the PhD's status in the biological community; based on the man's behavior, Li Wei didn't like him much. Besides, there are so many biologists; one more wouldn't make a difference, would it?
Levi himself did not participate in the research on the dragons; he only listened to Anne's report on the research.

According to Anne, the dragon's bones and muscles were far denser than imagined; even after it died, the muscles were difficult to cut, and the bones were completely indestructible. Current experiments suggest that only a large steel saw powered by a steam-powered mech could separate the muscles and bones.

Besides muscles and bones, dragon scales are also a focus of research. So far, dragon scales are fire-resistant and heat-resistant, not only exceptionally strong, but also very light—of course, this lightness is in comparison to the size of the dragon scale, since a single dragon scale is roughly the size of a person, but a small girl like Annie can easily lift it with both hands, which shows that it is very light, yet quite hard, and even ordinary bullets cannot penetrate it.

From this perspective, it can be said that this dragon is a treasure trove from head to toe, requiring a comprehensive and systematic investigation. Fortunately, perhaps due to its constitution, the dragon's decay rate is very slow, and the greenhouse has been modified to house numerous freezers for preservation.

Moreover, after that, not only biologists, but also chemists and physicists joined in and began to study this dragon.

They did indeed make many research discoveries and contributed to the further development of the empire.

Of course, that's a story for another time, so let's leave it at that.

After returning to the Foggy City and settling those troublesome matters, Li Wei finally dragged his exhausted body back home. After greeting the maids who were looking after the house, Li Wei collapsed onto the bed and opened the system interface.

[Quest "Mythical Reappearance" Completed]

[Time consumed: s]

Survey efficiency: S

[Impact/Effect: S]

Overall Rating: SSS

[Lifespan +1600, additional +800]

Wow.

Looking at the reward before him, Li Wei couldn't help but whistle. This was truly the most generous lifespan reward he had received since acquiring this system. It was even more than the disaster messenger in his dream. But thinking about it carefully, it made sense; the disaster messenger was, after all, just an illusion in a dream, while the dragon he had killed was a real entity in the real world.

They are naturally not comparable.

[Mystic Resistance +20%]

[Gain 100% resistance to mystical attacks]

[Optional additional abilities: Mystic Immunity/Mystic Absorption/Reality Anchoring]

Sure enough, there's an extra reward when you reach 100%.

Upon seeing this, Li Wei became excited and hurriedly brought up the three skills, reviewing them one by one.

There's no need to elaborate on 【Mystic Immunity】 and 【Mystic Absorption】. 【Mystic Immunity】 means complete immunity to the influence of various mystic forces, just as Li Wei thought.

[Mystic Absorption] is somewhat different. According to the description, this ability seems to be able to absorb the mysterious forces affecting Li Wei and then use them later. To use a game analogy, it's like someone expending 50 MP to throw a fireball at Li Wei, and the fireball is absorbed upon hitting Li Wei, giving him an extra 50 MP.

That's roughly the idea.

However, what Li Wei is most concerned about is the "anchoring to reality".

[Reality Anchoring: Can specify any object or area to erase all its mystical power; lifespan consumption is calculated based on the target's strength range (minimum 1 day/minute)]

From a purely consumption perspective, [Reality Anchoring] is the most resource-intensive skill Li Wei has ever seen, bar none. Previously, the lifespan consumption of Li Wei's skills was calculated in minutes; this one, however, is calculated in days.

In other words, Li Wei used up two months' worth of life for just one hour of this skill.

Moreover, there's a lifespan consumption factor that's calculated based on the opponent's strength. In other words, if it's a powerful, mysterious creature, Li Wei might lose a year's worth of life for every minute he spends!
But at the same time, this ability is just too powerful!

Eradicate all the target's mysterious power!
In Li Wei's opinion, this was practically a bug-level skill!
After all, the most terrifying thing about mysterious creatures is their mysterious power.

But if they lose their mysterious power, what will they have left?
Of course, this ability is also very dangerous, because it specifically states that the lifespan consumption is calculated based on the target's strength range. This means that if Li Wei were to face a gigantic monster like a disaster messenger in reality, even just erasing its mysterious power for a second, he might lose several or even more than a decade of his lifespan in an instant.

If the judgment is wrong, the lifespan will be reduced to zero, which is equivalent to voluntary suicide.

This is truly a double-edged sword.

Li Wei hesitated between [Mystic Absorption] and [Reality Anchoring], unsure which to choose. [Mystic Absorption] could be used in conjunction with the Staff of Nature, since Li Wei clearly had no MP, but those mystical creatures did. Li Wei could simply withstand their attacks, convert their power into his own MP, and then activate the Staff of Nature.

However, the allure of reality anchoring is too strong, and the side effects are too terrifying.

According to the description of this skill, even if a god were to descend, Li Wei could potentially erase their power completely, turning them into a mortal.

The price is that it will cost you countless lives.

How am I supposed to choose...?

Li Wei stared at the skill selection before him, torn between two choices. It was like drawing two SSR cards; if he could, he'd want both, but the system only allowed him to choose one…

Li Wei thought about this for two hours.

In the end, he made his decision.

Li Wei chose ————— [Reality Anchoring]!
Li Wei finally understood. While [Mystic Absorption] was useful, it was primarily for one-on-one combat. But he wasn't a warrior; he was a detective, and behind him stood the entire military power of the empire. Why should he insist on fighting one-on-one? If he encountered a difficult opponent, he could simply neutralize their mystic power and leave the rest to the imperial military industry, right?

No matter how powerful your revolver is, it can't beat a cannonball!
Even if the opponent is powerful, as long as Li Wei can maintain the power to erase the mysterious force for half a minute or a minute when the giant ship's cannons launch an attack, wouldn't they be completely dead?

Li Wei refused to believe that without the mysterious power, these guys would be able to withstand modern weapons.

Hmm, it seems I need to pay more attention to the Empire's military industry from now on; I should produce as many artillery shells and bombs as possible...

Speaking of which, I think that heiress from the Great Salt Lake has opened an arms factory now. Maybe I should go talk to her…

Li Wei snapped out of his thoughts and continued looking at the next reward.

[Bonus physical attributes]

【Strength +10】

Strength increased to 65 (You are stronger than the average person)

[Physique +10]

[Your physical fitness level has been raised to 60 (you are far healthier than the average person)]

[Agility +10]

Agility increased to 85 (You are only one step away from becoming extraordinary)

At the same time, I also gained 10 points in Strength, Constitution, and Agility. Is the system being really that generous? Or is it because I was doused in dragon blood?
Li Wei thought it was most likely the latter, since only strength, constitution, and agility increased, which seemed like a pure physical attribute boost. It wouldn't be wrong to say it was a reward for slaying a dragon, though it was also possible that he had been doused in dragon blood…

Oh, speaking of dragon blood, Li Wei did hear Annie report an interesting thing. Perhaps the legends that bathing in dragon blood can make one invulnerable to swords and spears, and that consuming dragon blood can grant immortality, are too deeply ingrained in people's minds, so much so that during the research process, a few people even secretly drank dragon blood in hopes of gaining powerful strength.

The result? They were all sent to the morgue. Their corpses, however, made an outstanding contribution to the study of what changes occur when humans ingest dragon blood.

According to Annie's autopsy results, the muscle tissue in these idiots' bodies underwent strong mutations and rejection reactions. After the bodies were dissected, it was found that the internal organs were almost fused with the muscles, twisted and mutated into bizarre forms that were completely unimaginable.

Li Wei suggested that these idiots could be preserved in formalin for exhibition, allowing future generations to admire their heroic deeds and see who else is willing to continue contributing to this great cause.

He didn't mind, after all, it filled a gap in the world.

[Skill Points +2]

After some consideration, Li Wei decided to add the skill to [Puppeteer]. This class is about to reach LV10. Based on Li Wei's experience playing games, just like how adding [Mystic Resistance] to 100% will give you extra rewards, once [Puppeteer] reaches LV10, it will definitely have better SSR skills.

It's like [mystical absorption] or [reality anchoring].

[Puppeteer upgraded to LV9]

[Puppeteer LV9] gains the skill [Appearance Disguise].

[Appearance Disguise: When not in combat, the doll's appearance can transform into its real form]

Yo ho?

Upon seeing this, Li Wei paused for a moment, then became interested.

What does this mean? It means that I can now transform my doll-like appearance into a real, living being?
Thinking of this, Li Wei hurriedly sat up, took out a doll cat from his pocket, activated it, and soon a black cat appeared in front of Li Wei, meowed twice, and then curled up in Li Wei's arms.

It really does look like it's alive.

Li Wei stroked the black cat's body. Previously, the cat's internal structure was entirely made of steel, with only a layer of fur covering it, making it feel like a doll. But now, when Li Wei touched the black cat, the sensation was no different from touching a living cat.

Then Li Wei took out the puppet bird, and sure enough, it was the same. The wings that were originally disguised with silk had now turned into real feathers, and it was no different from the real thing.

Then Li Wei took out his cockroach doll—uh…

Seeing the cockroach wriggling its limbs, Li Wei almost threw it on the ground.

At least this thing used to be made of metal. No matter how similar it looks, it doesn't feel the same to the touch.

But now, they all feel the same to the touch...

Um? etc?

Thinking of this, Li Wei had a sudden inspiration.

If I make a maid doll, will I actually become a maid?

Then we could do it day and night... cough cough, anyway, let's do an experiment first?

　With the end of the month approaching, I'd like to ask for a few monthly votes.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)