Chapter 178: 3 Genetic Potions, Stockpiling Begins

Chapter 178: Chapter 178: 3 Genetic Potions, Stockpiling Begins

Seraphina Sullivan craned her neck and looked around.

On the Wall, hardly a single person was still standing.

Whether they were the Native People’s Genetic Warriors or the Players, at this moment, they were all just like Seraphina Sullivan.

They were sprawled all over the ground, gasping for breath.

But their faces showed a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and a hint of dazed confusion after their victory.

Even Dustin Sullivan and Julian Shaw were just sitting with their backs against the crenellations.

They regulated their breathing with their eyes closed, having clearly reached their limits as well.

At that moment, Moe led its Petrifying Legion, quietly flapping its wings as it flew back to Seraphina Sullivan’s side. Countless pairs of gleaming green eyes stared at her.

Without hesitation, Seraphina Sullivan recalled them all to the Scavenger’s Farm with a single thought.

’This isn’t the time to have them out in the open, drawing attention.’

She could feel several furtive gazes on her.

Among them were looks of surprise, scrutiny, and even fleeting greed.

After all, the Ability to control a Petrifying Legion was something anyone would covet.

Of course, the existence of a personal Space that could hold these creatures was also highly alluring.

However, Seraphina Sullivan wasn’t worried. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Anyone who could survive a battle as hellish as the one they just had was no fool.

After assessing the strength Seraphina had displayed, along with the taciturn Sean Chandler by her side, no one would be reckless enough to try anything.

’And I’m not afraid either.’

Meanwhile, Drake Hayes dragged his exhausted body, walking step by step to the area where the Players were gathered.

His combat suit was severely damaged.

His whole body was covered in blood and dirt, but his eyes were unusually bright.

He was clearly happy to have survived this exceptionally dangerous night tide and protected the Shelter behind him.

He gave a deep bow to Seraphina Sullivan, Dustin Sullivan, and the others.

"This time... really... thank you so much!"

Drake Hayes’s voice was just as hoarse, yet it was filled with sincerity.

"If it weren’t for all of you, especially Miss Sullivan who turned the tide, and everyone’s desperate struggle, our Fireseed Shelter would have had absolutely no way to fend off those three Night Behemoths, and no way to survive this unprecedented tide!"

Hearing this, Nicholas Jensen struggled to sit up.

He managed to squeeze out what he thought was a suave smile and waved his hand. "Ah, Captain Hayes, you’re too kind. It’s just what we..."

Before he could finish, Sean Chandler, who was next to him, cut him off with a deadpan expression.

"It was nothing, just a matter of mutual benefit. Captain Hayes, you remember our prior agreement, don’t you? So long as we helped Fireseed Shelter survive the crisis of the night tide, the Shelter would provide us with the supplies we require in return."

Sean Chandler’s words were simple and direct.

They dragged the nascent, warm atmosphere right back down to the transactional reality of their situation.

But this was precisely the issue the Players were most concerned about.

The "bonus loot" beyond the official quest rewards.

Drake Hayes paused for a moment, then nodded.

"That’s right! Of course I remember! We at Fireseed Shelter will never go back on our word. The weapons, equipment, food in our storerooms... as long as you need it, and as long as we have it, you’ll get priority access to trade!"

Seraphina Sullivan didn’t stay immersed in her exhaustion for long. She quickly checked the system time.

There wasn’t much time left before the current instance ended and they returned to the real world.

She had to collect her due rewards and complete a final "sweep" within the limited time remaining.

Collecting the valuable monster corpses from the battlefield.

This would be Flora and Moe’s food for some time to come.

And, of course, potential research materials.

Therefore, Seraphina Sullivan didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. She looked directly at Drake Hayes and stated her request bluntly:

"Captain Hayes, I want Genetic Potions as my reward."

Hearing this request, Drake Hayes’s face didn’t show much surprise.

In the Dark Apocalypse, Power was the eternal pursuit.

He naturally assumed Seraphina Sullivan was asking for the Genetic Potions to use on her future companions or subordinates to strengthen her team.

He pondered for a moment, a conflicted expression on his face, but his tone remained sincere. "Miss Sullivan, your contribution was immense. By all rights, we should grant your request."

"But Genetic Potions are also an extremely scarce strategic resource for our Shelter. They’re very difficult to manufacture, and our inventory is limited..."

He paused, looked at Seraphina Sullivan’s calm, impassive eyes, and finally grit his teeth. "...Still, on account of your life-or-death struggle for the Shelter, I will personally guarantee it with my own authority and combat merits. I can specially approve three special Genetic Potions for you!"

"These are the best we can offer at the moment—top-tier Genetic Potions with the most stable Effects and the fewest side effects. Three is the absolute maximum we can spare. I hope you understand."

Seraphina Sullivan was already well aware of how valuable—and dangerous—the Genetic Potions were.

’She had no intention of using them herself. They’re purely for hoarding and research.’

’Getting three of the highest Quality is already far beyond my expectations.’

"Deal. I’ll take the three Genetic Potions," Seraphina Sullivan nodded crisply.

Seeing Seraphina Sullivan be so straightforward, Drake Hayes also breathed a sigh of relief. "Great! I’ll send someone to the warehouse to get them right away!"

Then, Drake Hayes turned his gaze to the resting Dustin Sullivan and Julian Shaw, asking what they needed.

Dustin Sullivan and Julian Shaw exchanged a glance. Although they were also tempted by the Power of the Genetic Potions, they were even more aware of their terrible side effects.

For people like them, who were pursuing their own systems of Power and long-term growth, such a stopgap solution—like drinking poison to quench a thirst—was not their first choice.

After a brief discussion, the two of them made a relatively pragmatic request.

Thinking of the scarcity of supplies in the real world, they directly stated what they wanted.

Large quantities of high-energy compressed food and purified water.

These were hard currency, invaluable in any apocalyptic environment.

Drake Hayes naturally agreed without hesitation. Although these supplies were also precious, they were much easier to procure than Genetic Potions.

Soon, a Genetic Warrior carefully handed a sealed, cryogenic metal box to Seraphina Sullivan.

When she opened it, three vials lay nestled in shock-proof grooves. They shimmered with a magnificent light, their contents swirling like miniature nebulae and pulsing with waves of Energy.

After a careful inspection confirmed there were no issues, Seraphina Sullivan immediately closed the case and stored it in her Space.

"Thanks."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Seraphina Sullivan didn’t even wait for Dustin Sullivan and the others to finish exchanging their supplies. She signaled Sean Chandler, and they immediately turned and headed down from the Wall.

’Time is short, and I have more important things to do.’

’I have to conduct my final, and favorite, activity on the now-quiet battlefield littered with monster carcasses: scavenging and hoarding.’

’Even if this time, I’m hoarding corpses.’

Without any delay, Seraphina Sullivan quickly threw herself into the "battlefield cleanup" work.

She went directly between the piles of monster corpses, like a Scavenger.

With a single thought, the corpses of Night Rats, Night Bats, Night Worms, and other monsters were rapidly taken into her Space, her priority being to secure a food supply for Flora and Moe.

She designated the corpses of the Night Demon Moth as a top priority for hoarding.

The scale powder that flaked from this monster’s wings was an exceptionally useful item, whether for sneak attacks or creating chaos. Naturally, the more she could get, the better.