Chapter 158: Scale Powder, Hallucinatory State

Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Scale Powder, Hallucinatory State

Dealing with the Night Worms was going smoothly, especially since Coco Sullivan’s Magic Flames were a perfect counter to them.

The scorching Fireballs made the disgusting worms let out sharp hisses, making it very difficult for them to get close to Seraphina Sullivan and the others.

Sean Chandler and Dustin Sullivan also coordinated to clear out the other small monsters that attacked.

However, when the Night Dust Moths appeared silently and flapped their wings fiercely, scattering a large cloud of faintly shimmering scale powder, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

Seraphina Sullivan, who could acquire information far faster than an ordinary person thanks to her [Eye of Resume], felt alarm bells go off in her head the moment she saw the "hallucinogenic dust" Skill.

Almost as a reflex, she took out the [Anti-Poison Mask] from her Space Equipment and quickly put it on.

She secured it firmly over her mouth and nose.

The others, however, weren’t so lucky.

The powder spread out, and everyone except Seraphina Sullivan inhaled at least some of the strange dust.

Within seconds, the effects became apparent.

Dustin Sullivan’s eyes grew vacant, and the hand holding his sword trembled slightly, as if he were fighting an invisible enemy.

Sean Chandler staggered, assuming a defensive stance against the empty air. Eli Bolton, Wanda Lynn, and the others had completely vacant gazes, their faces showing expressions of either terror or stupor.

But the most absurd reaction came from Nicholas Jensen.

After inhaling the dust, the guy stood stunned for a moment, then suddenly started dancing and waving his arms.

He loudly chanted a nonsensical spell: "Balala energy—shala shala—little fairy—total transformation!"

As he shouted, he spun around clumsily in place, trying to strike some kind of "transformation" pose, his face brimming with a baffling sense of confidence and ecstasy.

Seraphina Sullivan: ...

Watching this chaotic scene, especially Nicholas Jensen’s mortifying "performance," a vein throbbed on her temple.

Seraphina Sullivan fought the urge to kick Nicholas Jensen. While keeping an eye on the still-circling Night Dust Moth, she made a firm mental note about him:

’This won’t do. The moment we get somewhere safe, I have to use [Sweet Fragrance] to bring this embarrassing fool under Control! I’ll make him shut up and obediently craft weapons for me! It’ll save him from making a spectacle of himself out here!’

After witnessing the Night Dust Moth’s strange and potent hallucinogenic Ability—and seeing how even someone as strong as Dustin Sullivan had fallen victim to it so easily—a glint appeared in Seraphina Sullivan’s eyes. Her inner hoarder was starting to stir.

’This monster’s Skill is incredibly potent; even Dustin Sullivan got taken down.’

Seraphina Sullivan thought, ’I wonder if the scale powder on its body retains its hallucinogenic effect after the creature dies? If I could collect it and find a use for it...’

The moment the thought occurred to her, she decided it was worth a try.

Whether used to craft special weapons and traps, traded as a rare resource in the future, or simply collected to satisfy her hoarding instinct, it was an excellent choice.

’Okay, forget everything else for now. I have to take down these moths!’

Seraphina Sullivan made her decision in an instant.

There were still three or four Night Dust Moths circling in the air.

The [Eye of Resume] showed their Weaknesses as "Carnivorous plants," which made them prey tailor-made for Flora.

Looking at the people around her, who were still shadowboxing the air and counting non-existent "little people"—especially Nicholas Jensen, who was still trying to "transform"—Seraphina Sullivan couldn’t bear to watch. The thought of having them fight was unimaginable. With a mental command, she summoned her ace assistant.

"Flora!"

A flash of light, and Flora, with its strange form and faint fragrance, appeared beside her. It nuzzled her leg affectionately. "Master! Is there something tasty to eat?"

Seraphina Sullivan pointed at the moths flapping their wings in the air. "See those big moths? They’re your snack for today. But don’t eat them all. Remember to help me collect the scale powder from their wings and the blood from their bodies. Collect it first, then you can eat. I have a use for it."

Hearing this, Flora excitedly shook its leaves and vines. "Okay, Master! Watch me!"

As soon as it spoke, Flora switched to hunting mode.

A special Aura emanated from its body, as if it were the moths’ natural predator. The few Night Dust Moths were thrown into chaos, panicking and trying to flee, even forgetting to release their scale powder.

Or rather, even if they had released it, it would have been completely ineffective against Flora.

The scale powder was obviously useless against a plant like Flora.

Flora’s vines shot out nimbly, so fast they were just a green blur. The sharp vines, or perhaps pincer-like structures, snapped shut with precision.

In the blink of an eye, the remaining Night Dust Moths were all captured without even a chance to struggle.

Seraphina Sullivan watched Flora’s efficient work with satisfaction, then properly stored the moths’ corpses in her Space Equipment.

She then mentally instructed Flora and her other quiet assistant in the Space, "Moe," to carefully collect the scale powder and blood.

As for the dead Night Worms nearby, she didn’t let them go to waste either, collecting them as reserve food for Flora.

’With Flora around, this apocalyptic instance overrun with monsters is practically a mobile pantry.’

Seraphina Sullivan mused.

Her hoarding wasn’t limited to survival supplies and useful items. The monsters themselves were prime food for Flora, and not a single bit could go to waste.

Naturally, Seraphina Sullivan would never pass up any opportunity to enhance her own strength.

At the same time, she was once again reminded of the hidden quest to collect the blood of ten different monsters.

’This blood... it must hold a secret.’

Her thoughts turned to what Wanda Lynn had mentioned about "Genetic Modifiers" and "Genetic Potions."

A vague theory began to form in her mind.

’Could this monster’s blood be related to this world’s genetic technology? Is it an ingredient for the Genetic Potions? Or does the blood contain the source of the apocalypse in this instance?’

This discovery made Seraphina Sullivan look forward to reaching the Fireseed Shelter even more.

There, she might not only find shelter, but also clues to solve these mysteries.

Seraphina Sullivan glanced at her teammates, who were gradually recovering from their Illusions but still looked dazed, and she already had a plan for their next move.

The first to break free from the effects of the hallucinogenic dust were the strongest, Dustin Sullivan, and Sean Chandler, who had considerable Willpower.

Dustin Sullivan shook his head hard, as if trying to shake off the lingering dizziness.

He clutched his forehead, his brow deeply furrowed. His voice was a bit hoarse. "What happened to me? My head hurts so much... it feels like I was hit with something heavy."

Seraphina Sullivan crossed her arms and began to describe what happened after they were affected.

"You were attacked by a monster called a Night Dust Moth. You inhaled its hallucinogenic dust."

"Attacked by a monster?"

Dustin Sullivan’s gaze was still a bit unfocused. He tried hard to remember but could only recall a cloud of shimmering powder suddenly appearing before his eyes. After that, his memory was a blank.

"Really? How come I... don’t remember anything at all?"