Chapter 169: The Dark Night Tide Is Coming Early?

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: The Dark Night Tide Is Coming Early?

Seraphina Sullivan learned that the Genetic Potion was far from perfect. It came with an extremely heavy and terrible price.

First was a significantly shortened lifespan.

Forcibly altering one’s genetic sequence overdraws their life’s potential. The vast majority of Genetic Warriors rarely lived past the age of forty.

Second was the risk of monsterization.

The gene fusion was unstable. When agitated or injured, some warriors would exhibit partial or even widespread monster-like traits, losing their minds and attacking friend and foe alike.

Finally, there were various strange, indescribable side effects that varied from person to person. Collectively known as "gene-sickness," they tormented many Genetic Warriors, making their lives a living hell.

’Trading my future, my sanity, and my health for a moment of Power... The price is just too high.’

Seraphina Sullivan immediately dismissed the idea of using a Genetic Potion herself.

She had the [Worker] Talent and could awaken all sorts of Professions. Her potential was limitless; there was no need to take such a self-destructive shortcut.

However, even though she wouldn’t use it, the soul of her inner hoarder was burning with desire!

’Something this unique? If I don’t stock up on a few, I’d be betraying my identity as a Player! They might come in handy in other dungeons, or I could trade them to other Players who need Power!’

The dream was perfect, but reality was harsh.

She soon learned that Genetic Potions were a strictly controlled strategic resource within the Shelter. They were difficult to manufacture, and production was limited.

They were prioritized for officially trained Genetic Warriors and personnel who had performed great deeds. There was no way a newcomer like her could trade for one with ordinary supplies.

’Looks like I’ll have to find another way to get my hands on some Genetic Potions.’

Seraphina Sullivan’s eyes glinted as she looked at the information on Genetic Potions in her hand, her mind already scheming.

But then, Seraphina Sullivan remembered that Drake Hayes had personally promised her.

As long as they successfully helped the Shelter survive the Black Night Tide, all sorts of supplies, including weapons and potions, would be prioritized for them.

’He made a promise. He can’t go back on it now.’ A slight smile touched Seraphina Sullivan’s lips. She was determined to make this deal happen.

She was determined to get the Genetic Potions.

After organizing her things, Seraphina Sullivan began to plan her next move.

Besides preparing for the final battle, she had another important daily task.

To collect as many night-monster corpses as possible.

’This is all food for Flora and Moe. I can’t let any of it go to waste.’

That’s right. After several days of observation and research, Seraphina Sullivan discovered that these night monsters, mutated by meteoric substances, contained a special, otherworldly meteorite Energy in their blood and tissue.

To the Little Demon Prince, Moe, this Energy was an extremely nourishing "special food" that could promote his growth and recovery.

Thus, an efficient "waste-recycling" process was born.

A fresh monster corpse would first be drained of its meteorite Energy by Moe, who would "purify" and "recharge" himself.

Afterward, the Energy-depleted remains were handed over to the non-picky Flora, becoming nutrients for its vigorous growth.

’And back at the Scavenger’s Farm, there’s a whole group of The Silenti crying out for food every day.’

The thought of Flora waving its vines to demand food and Moe waiting with eager eyes to be fed made Seraphina Sullivan feel the pressure.

For the past few days, she had mostly been working with Sean Chandler. One was in charge of standing guard and carrying, while the other handled identification and storage. They worked together seamlessly.

"Sullivan! Something’s wrong!"

Just as Seraphina Sullivan was organizing her gear and preparing to set out again, Coco Sullivan’s anxious voice, laced with obvious panic, grew closer.

Seraphina Sullivan turned to see Coco Sullivan running over, out of breath, her face flushed red with urgency.

"What’s wrong? Slow down." Seeing Coco so frantic, Seraphina Sullivan felt a sense of foreboding.

Coco panted, speaking rapidly, "It’s an urgent message from the Fireseed Shelter! They said... they said they’ve detected an abnormal Energy gathering. The Black Night Tide... it might be early! It’ll be outside the Fireseed Shelter any minute now!"

"What?!"

Seraphina Sullivan’s pupils contracted.

"What happened? Based on the description of your item, didn’t we deduce we had at least one more day? Why would it suddenly be early?!"

"I don’t know either!" Coco shook her head vigorously, completely confident in her precognitive item. "My item gave no warning of this change. This is too abnormal!"

The sudden turn of events threw all their plans into disarray.

Seraphina Sullivan made a swift decision. All collection missions had to be stopped immediately. Survival and the quest were top priority.

"There’s no time to figure out why! We need to get to the Shelter’s defensive Wall now!"

Seraphina Sullivan grabbed Coco Sullivan’s hand.

"Right!" Coco nodded emphatically, and the two of them immediately sprinted toward the Shelter’s outer Wall.

The inside of the Shelter, which had been relatively orderly, was now thrown into a state of tense chaos by the sudden news.

Shrill alarm bells echoed in every corner as fully armed soldiers and Genetic Warriors ran toward their battle stations.

An oppressive atmosphere, like the calm before a storm, instantly enveloped the entire Fireseed Shelter.

Seraphina Sullivan quickly ascended the Shelter’s tall, thick Wall, and the sight before her made her eyes narrow.

During the time she had been busy preparing supplies and gathering information, Dustin Sullivan and Julian Shaw had clearly not been idle.

The follow-up to Main Quest 2, issued by the system, required them to protect the Fireseed Shelter. This was impossible to achieve with individual strength alone, making it imperative to unite with other Players.

Although the two had a history of old grudges, they temporarily set aside their differences in the face of a common quest objective.

They had split up, using their respective connections and identification skills to gather as many of the Players hidden throughout the Shelter as possible.

At this moment, two clearly distinct factions had formed atop the Wall.

On one side were the Fireseed Shelter’s native defense forces, centered around the Genetic Warriors led by Drake Hayes and Jason Young.

Their equipment was relatively uniform, their expressions solemn. Their eyes held the resolve to live or die with their home, showing they had a clear understanding of and were prepared for the coming battle.

On the other side was a temporary alliance of Players brought together by Dustin Sullivan and Julian Shaw.

These Players were dressed differently and possessed a wide variety of Abilities. Their faces showed a mixture of nervousness, excitement, and scrutiny. Although they were temporarily united, they still maintained a wary distance from one another.

However, they all shared a common goal.

Complete the quest and survive.

Seraphina Sullivan quickly moved through the crowd to Dustin Sullivan’s side, lowering her voice to ask urgently, "What exactly is going on? Why did the Black Night Tide arrive early all of a sudden?"

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the area beyond the Wall.