Chapter 20: 20: Absorbing a Nucleus!
Next, Val's attention was drawn to the windbreaker's pocket where he had securely stashed away a treasured find: a topaz-shaped crystal known as the Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus.
This nucleus radiated a power that was both alluring and dangerous as he pulled it out from his windbreaker's pocket. It seemed to be hypnotizing him into eating it, but he resisted it easily.
Zombie nuclei were notorious for their corruptive force. The very act of absorbing one was a venture fraught with pain and terror. Succumbing to these overwhelming sensations could trigger a horrific transformation, turning the absorber into a monster themselves.
Val, however, was born different than an ordinary man.
Shielded by his unfeeling trait, he was immune to both pain and fear.
Therefore, for him, absorbing a nucleus extracted directly from the brain of a zombie was not a daunting trial but rather a trivial task!
Nonchalantly, he tossed the Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus into his mouth.
With a swallow, it vanished down his throat
Immediately, the system notification popped up in his vision.
Just then, a system notification blinked into his vision.
[Ding! Congratulation, Host! You have been successful in absorbing 1× Strength and Resilience Essence Nucleus.]
[As a result, your strength has increased to 16 points, and you have developed the Minor Corruption Resistance Trait!]
"What exactly does this trait do?"
Val opened his character screen and focused his eyes on his newfound trait.
Instantly, an explanatory panel appeared before him.
[Minor Corruption Resistance Trait: This trait offers minor resistance against the corruptive influence of devils, their creations, and items created by using them as ingredients. You have gained immunity against corruptive substances like low-low potions such as witch's potions. You have also become immune to the virus of level 0 servants of the Corpse Devil!]
A sense of satisfaction washed over Val.
This new trait furnished him with a protective shield against zombies and low-grade potions!
It was really extraordinary!
Val's stamina was really low. So after increasing his strength, he laid down on the bed and fell asleep, but not before taking off his windbreaker. He didn't change as he felt too tired to even move.
When he woke up, almost 24 hours have passed!
'I must be really tired,' he thought.
Looking out the window, he saw the indigo curtain of the night retreating and a radiant blush spreading across the horizon.
The first fingers of dawn stretched across the firmament, gently pulling the day into existence.
A brilliant golden orb emerged, casting its incandescent rays over the awakening world.
The sky, clear as a polished sapphire, greeted the dawn with a tranquility that seemed untouched by the peril of Eldrich.
Val yawned as he bathed in the early morning light. This was one of those times when he looked genuinely peaceful.
The ShadowFall City was not a safe place to farm as there was a Ravengar there. Therefore, he decided to farm the Horned Rabbit of the EverNight Forest.
His first stop for the day, however, was at the rustic butcher's shop.
A weathered sign, hanging precariously from a single rusty nail, creaked in the morning breeze.
Cteak~
The shop's wooden door groaned as he pushed it open, stepping into the cool, slightly dank interior.
"Welcome, dear customer! What would you like today?"
As Val stepped into the butcher's shop, a hulking man, arms bulging like they had been chiseled from granite, welcomed him with a toothy grin, which was slightly obscured by a thick, grizzled beard.
"I need a pot of chicken's blood," Val said, his tone as icy as the morning chill. He slid a small bag across the counter, the metallic clink of coins echoing around the shop.
The butcher's eyes widened in surprise, his grin replaced by a look of curiosity. "That's a strange request. What do you need it for?"
Val's eyes met the butcher's gaze unflinchingly. "I would suggest you stick to your trade and avoid questions that do not concern you. Or I might take my coins elsewhere."
'What a rude bastard.'
Taken aback, the butcher raised a bushy eyebrow. He looked at the coins, then back at Val, silently questioning the audacity of this seemingly young customer, but recognizing the weight of the copper in his hand, he swallowed his curiosity, and his irritation.
"Fine," he grunted, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes. He then reached under the counter to retrieve a pot, and filled it with dark, viscous chicken's blood.
The iron-rich scent filled the shop, hanging heavy in the air.
Wordlessly, he pushed the pot across the counter to Val, tucking the bag of coins into his apron.
With a curt nod, Val accepted the pot and made his exit.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone