Apocalypse: I Can See the HP Bar, Killing Monsters Drops Loot

Chapter 823: Chapter 321: Meteorite Rules (Request for Guaranteed Monthly Tickets at the Beginning of the Month)_2

Wang Tao naturally respected their thoughts and didn’t say much more.

“Alright, as you wish. I’m taking Old Xiang to the institute, you can either stay at home or wander around nearby, I’ll transfer some money to you…”

Wang Tao transferred some Crystal Coins to everyone, and then left the villa area with Xiang Hongbin.

Wang Tao’s villa was equipped with a dedicated car for his use, bearing the City Hall’s license plate. After all, as a Level 4 ability user, the City Hall was very considerate in many aspects.

Nie Siyan drove Wang Tao and Xiang Hongbin away from the Autumn Water Pavilion.

The Hope Research Institute was located in the central area of Changhe Base, occupying a large piece of land. From appearances alone, it looked like ordinary factories, making it impossible to associate it with the most advanced research institute. However, the fully armed soldiers around seemed to tell people that this place was not so simple.

Wang Tao had already contacted Qu Shilin before coming. After verifying their identities, the car smoothly made its way to the underground—the main body of the Hope Research Institute was underground.

“Is this the Hope Research Institute? Although I don’t understand, it seems very impressive…”

After getting out of the car, Nie Siyan spoke curiously.

The underground and above ground were completely different environments—bright and spacious halls, various unnameable instruments, discarded Crystal Cores hanging on the walls like artwork, bizarrely shaped meteorites, half-finished powered armors… This place gave one a feeling of traveling into the future.

“Welcome everyone to the Hope Research Institute, please follow me!”

Qu Shilin, dressed in a white lab coat, came over smiling.

She took Wang Tao and two others onto an elevator going downward.

“My office is still further down.”

Qu Shilin briefly explained.

Moments later, the elevator stopped at the -6 level.

Upon exiting the elevator, they saw many people bustling about in lab coats.

Many were curious about the arrival of Wang Tao and his group, but when they saw Qu Shilin, they respectfully cleared a path.

Qu Shilin led Wang Tao and the others to her office.

“Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you.”

Wang Tao expressed his thanks and then looked around the surroundings.

Qu Shilin’s position in the institute must be high, at least she was a technical expert. This area’s people all respected her greatly, possibly her subordinates?

Her office was large, but devoid of outsiders. One could see the inside of the office was cluttered with discarded Crystal Cores, zombies and monster corpses preserved in glass, unfinished potions, powered armors, and so on.

Qu Shilin said to them:

“I’ll take Mr. Xiang first to measure his data, so we can customize the prosthetic limbs more effectively.”

“Okay.”

Wang Tao patted Xiang Hongbin’s shoulder, who then followed Qu Shilin as if he was bravely facing sacrifice.

However, it wasn’t long before Qu Shilin returned alone, explaining:

“The testing is handled by others; I just need to look at the results.”

“How long will these prosthetics take to be ready?”

Wang Tao asked.

“It will take at least a week at the quickest, the longest I can’t say. But rest assured, I will try to expedite it. However, it would be best if he stayed here in the meantime…”

Qu Shilin explained.

“Alright, then I’m in your care.”

Wang Tao nodded. As long as a combat-capable prosthetic could be made for Xiang Hongbin, he didn’t mind if it took a bit longer.

“It’s no trouble at all; besides, my team and I can also research—cough—” Qu Shilin felt she had said too much and quickly changed the subject, “The powered armor I promised you last time isn’t ready yet. We will deliver it to you once it is.”

“…That’s alright.”

Wang Tao had thought there was readymade powered armor here, but it turned out to be personally made by Qu Shilin’s team. Still, Wang Tao didn’t ask further.

“Then I’ll take my leave—”

“Wait a moment, come with me…”

Just as Wang Tao stood up to leave having finished his business, Qu Shilin suddenly grabbed his arm excitedly and pulled him towards a room marked “Restroom.”

Upon entering the restroom, Wang Tao immediately felt a chillingly cold atmosphere.

The restroom was large and chaotic. On closer inspection, Wang Tao exclaimed in surprise, as the room was filled with parts from monsters, and there was even a ferocious skull facing the front door.

Wang Tao felt a bit uncomfortable, but Qu Shilin acted as if nothing was wrong, pulling Wang Tao to the side of a clean, tidy large bed.

And at the head of this bed, there were several rows of dark, ominous hearts!

All of them were [Night Demon Type I], a total of thirty.

Wang Tao was somewhat surprised. Hadn’t she said there were only a dozen or so before?

Seeing the confusion on Wang Tao’s face, Qu Shilin explained somewhat proudly,

“I bought all the Night Demon hearts from the other researchers!”

“…”

The usefulness of the Night Demon heart must not have spread yet; not many people knew, which obviously made it a steal.

Qu Shilin handed Wang Tao a heart and a bag of crystal cores.

“Can you help me activate one to see?”

“You haven’t activated one before?”

Wang Tao was a bit puzzled.

“No. I’m scared of dying! Aren’t you the professional here? Professional tasks should be handled by professionals!”

Qu Shilin stated matter-of-factly.

“…”

Looking at the eerie corpses of monsters around him, and hearing Qu Shilin admit her fear of death, Wang Tao was somewhat speechless.

Moreover, Qu Shilin truly had endurance, having so many Night Demon hearts and still resisting the urge to activate them.

Shaking his head, Wang Tao took the Night Demon heart that Qu Shilin handed him, fed it a crystal core, and then began to activate it.

The research institute was underground. Although some places borrowed sunlight, Qu Shilin’s room used electric light, there was no strong ultraviolet radiation, so there was no need to worry about the Night Demon being burned by the ultraviolet light.

After a moment, the Night Demon heart in Wang Tao’s hand started to squirm and, in the blink of an eye, transformed into a burly Black Night Demon.

“Wow!”

Seeing this [Night Demon Type I], Qu Shilin instinctively hid behind Wang Tao, fright and curiosity mingling on her face.

Although she was a Level 3 ability user, her level had been raised with the help of others. She might have decent physical fitness, but she had virtually no combat experience. After all, a person’s energy is limited, and she had devoted hers to scientific research without time to practice battling.

However, she had a clear understanding of her own strength, knowing she was weak, so when faced with danger, she’d just hide.

Seeing that the [Night Demon Type I] indeed did not attack her but stood obediently in front of Wang Tao, Qu Shilin then courageously stepped out from behind him.

“It really is a Night Demon! But it’s different from any I’ve seen…”

Normal Night Demons were red, or wore deep blue bone armor, unlike this one clad in black bone armor.

Qu Shilin walked over and poked the [Night Demon Type I]’s body; it didn’t move an inch.

“This is the first time I’ve touched a living Night Demon!”

Qu Shilin’s face showed excitement.

Just as Wang Tao was about to speak, he heard Qu Shilin say,

“Wang Tao, if I take it apart, will it attack me?”

“…It probably won’t, but are you sure you want to dismantle it?”

Wang Tao was somewhat speechless. Why was Qu Shilin acting like a Husky?

“Of course! A living Night Demon! This is a rare research opportunity!”

Qu Shilin’s eyes shone.

“Alright then. I’ll teach you how to control it…”

Wang Tao brought over another Night Demon heart, and soon, Qu Shilin learned the method to control it.

Watching the [Night Demon Type I] make various goofy movements under her command, Qu Shilin instantly became as happy as a child.

After playing for a while, she turned around and earnestly thanked Wang Tao.

“Thank you!”

“It was no trouble at all, don’t mention it.” Wang Tao waved his hand, then added, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now. Old Xiang is your responsibility now.”

“Wait just a moment! Ahem, I also need a little more help with something…”