Chapter 167 - 107: New Crystal Core, Kidnapping s
The effect of the Stealth Potion (Medium) can hide one from zombies. As long as you don’t get too close to the zombies, they won’t be able to detect you!
He had used the Stealth Potion to avoid several crises.
The effect of the Stealth Zombie Crystal Core doesn’t vary between large, medium, or small sizes; it’s described as not easily perceivable by other creatures, which should mean it’s capable of evading zombies.
In the post-apocalyptic world, combat ability is certainly important. But so is the ability to survive!
For the time being, this Stealth Ability is definitely one of the top abilities for survival!
Wang Tao was somewhat tempted. If he learned it, wouldn’t he be able to move freely through the streets just like when he used the Stealth Potion before? As long as he didn’t bump into a horde, he would be basically safe from danger!
However, this Stealth Ability, like his Precision Shooting and Toughness, was a sustained Ability, so he wasn’t clear on how much it would deplete his energy…
As for the side effects of Stealth, they were quite severe indeed. Moving consumed twice the physical strength, which meant this ability could not be used by combat personnel. After all, if throwing a punch felt as exerting as throwing two, that would be uncomfortable. It’s as if the endurance was cut in half.
Of course, for Wang Tao, if he could synthesize a Crystal Core without side effects, then the side effect would be irrelevant.
Wang Tao described the general functions and side effects of these three Zombie Cores.
After listening, the others had some strange expressions on their faces.
The Sprint Crystal Core was standard. Its ability wasn’t strong, but the side effects weren’t significant either, and since it was purple, it might be worth trying to fuse.
The Mud Swamp one was a bit hard to understand, whether it’s strong or not could only be determined by seeing it in action. Judging from the single Mud Swamp Zombie encountered by Hong Bin, it didn’t seem too strong—he got stuck in a small mud swamp, but he stabbed the zombie to death with a spear, coming out uninjured.
As for this Stealth Crystal Core, everyone’s eyes lit up a bit.
The Stealth Ability’s not bad!
Although the side effect is a handicap for combatants, it’s absolutely a super enhancement for scavengers. After all, there are still many who are timid; they don’t want to risk killing zombies, they just want to secretly scavenge for resources…
Of course, it’s also a life-saving skill in critical moments. For people like Ren Jie and Liu He, who lack combat power, having a Stealth Ability would greatly improve their self-preservation.
Wang Tao then explained the Screaming Crystal Core to everyone. Regarding this Ability, the others shook their heads, but Ren Jie was quite interested.
The side effect was that you couldn’t speak quietly; one would always speak loudly. This is indeed somewhat fatal in the post-apocalyptic world. But for him, who didn’t go out and stayed in the base all the time, having a louder voice wouldn’t be an issue and might even be more imposing!
If he really had to go out in the future, then he simply wouldn’t speak… As for the Screaming ability, he wouldn’t use it anyway.
“You want to fuse with this Crystal Core?”
Wei Zhenguo looked at Ren Jie with some surprise.
“Cough, I have some ideas. I also want to experience what it feels like to be an Ability User.”
Wei Zhenguo looked at Wang Tao, who handed the Crystal Core directly to him.
“It’s fine if you want to use it, but think it through; after using it, you won’t be able to speak quietly.”
“No problem, I don’t go out. Even if I did, I could just stay silent.”
Ren Jie chuckled.
What’s valuable about him is his self-awareness.
Back when he had the chance to compete for the position of county head and sensed danger, he decisively gave it up. In the end, none of those vying for the county head fared well—apart from him, all the others were replaced.
Now, in this post-apocalyptic world, someone his age, in their fifties or sixties, could still take down a ghost of a zombie.
He was very accurate in his self-assessment: he was to manage the base. If not necessary, he could spend the rest of his life there!
So he just genuinely wanted to experience what it was like to be an Ability User; everything else was secondary. After all, he could accept the side effects of the Screaming Crystal Core…
As for the remaining Self-Destruct Crystal Core, everyone eyed it with envy, but no one dared to use it.
After Wang Tao explained the function of the Self-Destruct Crystal Core, everyone wanted to fuse with one. But then they found out that Feng Ming’an could only fuse with one Crystal Core for now… which made everyone afraid to fuse with the Self-Destruct Crystal Core. If the fusion was successful, but they were unlucky and could only fuse one type of Crystal Core, then they would only qualify as suicide bombers…
“Don’t lose heart, everyone. We will focus on scavenging for resources and hunting Elite Zombies next. As long as we kill enough zombies, we’re sure to become Ability Users!”
Wei Zhenguo spoke up loudly.
“That’s right! Damn it, I don’t believe I can’t become an Ability User!”
Hong Bin hammered the table angrily.
Seeing that no one wanted his Crystal Core, Wang Tao took it back. He planned to hunt some Elite Zombies later on. He nearly reached the limit for the types of Crystal Cores he could fuse with, but the others had yet to become Ability Users; the progress was a bit slow…
Wang Tao didn’t concern himself with Ren Jie’s fusion with the Zombie Crystal Core since everyone had experience now; there was no need to worry.
Wang Tao was about to find Han Rui. He had mentioned yesterday he would give her a share of the spoils of war, and he intended to keep his word. He prepared some food and Inhibitors for her. The Zombie Cores weren’t suitable for Han Rui anyway.
However, just as he was descending the stairs, he saw someone rushing up in a hurry.
“Commissioner Wang!”
The person saw Wang Tao and immediately said with urgent concern:
“Commissioner Wang, there’s been an incident! Two of our Hunter teams that stayed out overnight were supposed to return this morning, but just now, we received a message from a stranger on their walkie-talkies, saying they’ve been kidnapped! They’re demanding Zombie Cores as ransom for our people!”