Shěn Gē didn't dwell on the topic of the haunted restroom or offer a detailed explanation for his peculiar behavior.
Even if Chéng Shènnán and Xiǎo Hé were to report his strange actions, it would be based on the premise of the "ghost wall." In other words, people would have to believe it.
In the 21st century, with Taoist priests selling fried rice, tales like "ghost walls" only circulate on the internet, becoming mere fodder for idle chatter.
Ghosts?
Just look at your savings account balance, and you won't be afraid. After all, even jobs at funeral parlors, which were once avoided at all costs, now have lines out the door for 500 yuan a day, requiring personal connections for recommendation. If the pay were 1000 yuan a day, forget being scared; you'd feel it's almost rude not to chat with clients late into the night for that salary. At 5000 yuan a day, you'd definitely be dancing with the clients during the peak Yin energy hours of midnight.
Shěn Gē understood from the moment he entered society that there was only one kind of ghost in this world—
the ghost of poverty.
If the system hadn't stopped him yesterday, he would have certainly visited Tom's Mall. Even if he didn't have close contact with a Tier 7 Anomaly, he would at least have harvested the benefits of "braving the Tier 7 Anomaly's lair."
Leaving the company, Shěn Gē went to the nearest convenience store and bought a case of instant noodles in various flavors, along with drinks like "Hong Niu" and "Lei Bi." After completing his daily tasks, he returned to his residential complex.
【Host is resourceful and courageous, venturing alone into East City District, where a Tier 7 Anomaly exists, and returning unscathed, successfully gathering seven days' worth of supplies! Reward: Double system points x100, random F-grade supply x1.】
【Do you wish to claim your rewards?】
"No."
Given the "flash of white light" special effect every time he drew prizes or claimed rewards, unless Shěn Gē planned to become a magician tomorrow, it would be difficult to explain.
Shěn Gē carried his items into the complex. He had intended to chat with Old Wang, but to his surprise, the security guard patrolling the complex today wasn't Old Wang, but the new guard, Zhāng Wěi.
Shěn Gē greeted Zhāng Wěi and casually asked, "Is it your turn to patrol today?"
"Eh, it was supposed to be Old Wang patrolling this week, but he took leave today."
"Took leave?"
"Surprised, aren't you? I heard when I first came here that Old Wang is the 'model worker' of the security department. He hasn't taken leave in five years, and today he actually did. The old team leader expressed surprise when he brought it up."
Upon hearing this, Shěn Gē frowned, wondering if Old Wang's leave was related to his identity as a "Tier 5 Anomaly" four years later. After all, the Tier 5 Anomaly "Immobility" that appeared at the company today was also supposed to be Tier 5 in four years, but it had already appeared in its Tier 1 Anomaly form. It wasn't surprising if Old Wang, who was Tier 5, were to encounter problems.
"Three heads and six arms... could he turn into Nezha?" Shěn Gē thought. Never mind three heads and six arms, even growing an extra head would get him invited for tea at the research department if discovered. If Old Wang were truly mutating, should he find time to check on him?
To be honest, Shěn Gē was somewhat conflicted. After all, Old Wang was a living person, not a wild cat or mouse that wouldn't attract attention if killed.
With the omnipresent surveillance and constantly updated investigation systems in this big city, killing someone would lead to being invited for tea at the police station within 24 hours. Of course, those with money and power were not part of this discussion.
As for directly letting the system devour the corpse... Shěn Gē raised his hand and patted his forehead, stopping himself from dwelling on the thought.
"Hoo."
Shěn Gē exhaled deeply, suddenly understanding the villains in movies and TV shows who resorted to any means for power. "Power" indeed possesses a dangerous allure!
Shěn Gē recalled a very popular online survey from a while ago—
"What would happen if you gained Superman's strength?"
The most liked comment was:
Day one, I am Superman, upholding world peace!
Day two, I am a patriot!
Day three, I don't eat beef!
... If one loses themselves in power, it would be a truly terrifying thing.
While chatting with Zhāng Wěi, Shěn Gē subtly tried to inquire about Old Wang's "sickness changes" in the past few days. However, from Zhāng Wěi's perspective, apart from taking leave today, there was nothing special about Old Wang.
After returning home with his purchases, Shěn Gē put things away. Seeing three boxes of instant noodles and several bottles of drinking water next to the cabinet, he just hoped the system wouldn't make him open a post-apocalyptic convenience store.
"System, claim rewards."
【Drawing rewards—】
【Drawing successful!】
【Obtained 'Internal Injury Healing Pill x3 (F-grade)'】
A flash of white light appeared, and a small medicine bottle, about two fingers wide, materialized on the coffee table. The bottle even had a "Yunnan Baiyao" label.
Shěn Gē picked it up, opened the cap, and poured the pills onto the cap. There were exactly three.
【Internal Injury Healing Pill (F-grade): After consumption, rapidly heals non-fatal internal injuries. Effective against most moderate internal injuries. (Heals in 10 seconds)】
"Combined with the bandage, it's perfect for internal and external use."
However, Shěn Gē still regretted not drawing a recovery item like a "Spirit Apple," which could restore mental energy. Currently, with two traits, "Immobility" consumed more mental energy. Without the boost of a Spirit Apple, he would be a man measured in seconds.
After a moment of thought, Shěn Gē directly allocated all 3% of his "free attribute points" to Spirit. Having an extra three seconds of the trait was currently more cost-effective than Strength, Agility, or Physique.
"System, attribute points lottery."
After completing his daily tasks, his system points exceeded 100 again. After facing the "Immobility" Anomaly today, Shěn Gē became even more convinced of humanity's weakness against Anomalies. If he didn't become stronger quickly while the Anomalies were still in their infancy, he would only be able to wait for death when they grew up!
Training is a long-term endeavor. To become stronger immediately, he could only rely on the system's lottery.
【Do you wish to spend 100 system points to draw?】
Although he only had one chance this time, the ritual was essential. Shěn Gē opened his computer and found the "God of Gamblers Entrance Music" to play.
"Draw!"
【Drawing prize!】
【Ding!】
【Congratulations to the host for drawing Free Attribute Points (3%).】
... Although it wasn't the guaranteed 1% for attribute points, there wasn't much surprise either. It seemed the "God of Gamblers Entrance Music" wasn't as reliable as "Good Luck Has Arrived."
Shěn Gē casually added these 3% free attribute points to Spirit and opened his attribute panel to check his stats.
【Shěn Gē】
Rating: None
【Base Attributes:】
Strength: 90%
Agility: 81%
Physique: 73%
Spirit: 165%
【Traits:】
Soundless (Tier 4 Trait): Upon use, can enter a soundless state, consuming 0.5% Spirit per second. Can be activated simultaneously with other traits.
Immobility (Tier 5): When the user is in a state of "absolute stillness," they can control shadows to bind targets who are also in a state of "absolute stillness." The mental energy consumed per second varies based on the target's rating, quantity, and distance (maximum distance not exceeding 10 meters) (10%-100%).
【Skills:】 None
【System Points:】 11
【Free Attribute Points:】 0
——————————————————————
"Sigh."
Shěn Gē looked at the Pig Slaughtering Knife, bandage, and medicine bottle on the coffee table. The latter two were fine; he could just put them in his pocket. As for the Pig Slaughtering Knife.
"Doesn't even have a portable space? System, you're really low-end." Shěn Gē couldn't help but complain about this issue again.
【Please strive to improve your rating, Host. The system will unlock more functions.】
"Rating is still Tier 0?"
Shěn Gē saw the rating on his attribute panel and immediately frowned. With two traits, it seemed unreasonable for his rating not to increase.
"System, conduct a new rating."
【Evaluating Host's current status—】
【Rating result: Tier 0】
"I have a Tier 4 trait and a Tier 5 trait, and my rating is still 0?"
【Rating result is correct.】
"Traits are not included in the rating standard?"
【Factors influencing the Host's combat power will be included in the rating, including but not limited to base attributes, traits, equipment, and portable items.】
"Then my two traits still can't raise my rating?"
【Rating result is correct.】
"System, sing a Jay Chou song," Shěn Gē said angrily.
He didn't understand; if traits were included in combat power ratings, Tier 4 and Tier 5 should be considered very strong traits, so why wasn't he even rated Tier 1?
Unfortunately, the system lacked consciousness and couldn't provide the precise answer Shěn Gē desired.
"Could it be that my base attributes haven't reached the standard average yet?" Shěn Gē picked up his phone and checked the time. It wasn't even eight o'clock yet. In that case, he would train! He would strive to increase his attribute values to the average as soon as possible!
With this thought, Shěn Gē went downstairs, ate a bowl of noodles, and then ran laps around the complex. After just two laps, he suddenly remembered that Old Wang's home seemed to be nearby, not too far away.
Shěn Gē was still concerned about Old Wang's condition, so he ran all the way to Old Wang's residence and knocked on the door. The person who opened the door was Old Wang's wife, Auntie Lǐ. She had previously walked with Old Wang in Shěn Gē's residential complex, and Shěn Gē had met her a few times.
"Oh, you're... Little Shěn?" Auntie Lǐ looked surprised to see Shěn Gē standing outside the door.
Shěn Gē handed Auntie Lǐ the apples he had just bought, saying, "Auntie Lǐ, I heard Uncle Wang is on sick leave, so I came to check on him."
Auntie Lǐ looked at Shěn Gē strangely and said doubtfully, "Sick leave? Didn't Old Wang say he was going on a company trip for a few days?"
"Huh?"
"A trip?"