12.annihilate

"You can just ask."

"For example... mind reading." Lynn casually came up with an idea.

"Ten thousand points."

"Ten thousand?!" Lynn was shocked. He only earned two hundred points for completing a task. At this rate, he would need to do fifty tasks to earn enough points to exchange for the ability of mind reading.

The curator suggested, "You can think of something simpler."

Lynn had an idea, starting from reading...Starting from mind reading, but lowering the requirements, Lynn asked, "How many points do I need for the ability to judge whether someone is lying?"

"Five thousand points."

This was the right approach.

The difference in strength between abilities with the same direction can also affect the number of points required.

"How many points for the ability to identify lies three times a day?"

"Three thousand points."

"And only once a day?"

"Fifteen hundred points."

"What about once every three days?"

"Five hundred points."

That was still too much. It seemed that if the ability was reduced to a level where it could be exchanged for two hundred points, its usefulness would become very limited.

"Can abilities be accumulated? For example, if I spend one thousand five hundred points to exchange for the ability to identify lies once a day, can I then spend another one thousand five hundred points to upgrade it to three times a day? And then, spend another seven thousand points to upgrade it to mind reading?" Given insufficient points, to develop supernatural powers, one must ensure that they are sustainable."It has to be something that can make me stronger, or else I'd rather save up the points or exchange them for something more cost-effective first."

"Yes, that's possible."

"Is the reward for each cleanup mission always two hundred points?" Lynn continued to gather information to make a clear plan.

The curator shook his head. "The number of points rewarded is related to the difficulty of the cleanup mission."

"What's the interval between each cleanup mission? Or is there no relationship between the appearance of cleanup missions and time, but mainly depends on location and personnel?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose that information."

"Understood." Lynn pondered over where he should use his two hundred points.

To avoid wasting the points, he had to think long-term.

If he decided to focus on developing his mind-reading ability, even though he couldn't afford it now, he could start by exchanging for a more basic ability in the same direction to lay a solid foundation.

Lynn thought a lot, but when he looked down at his numb legs, his previous thoughts vanished in an instant. "How many points do I need to restore my legs to their original state?"

"Four hundred points as well..." Lynn couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

The issue with his legs was urgent, making him inherently inferior to others.

He was already physically handicapped, and now he had to carry out cleaning tasks, which put considerable pressure on him.

Especially since the cost of failure in such tasks could very well be his life.

"How much money can I exchange for with two hundred points?" Lynn changed his tack, thinking that if he could exchange enough money, perhaps he could use it to cure his legs.

"Two hundred gold coins."

The currency of the Vayne Empire was quite straightforward, with one gold coin equivalent to ten silver coins and one hundred copper coins.

Two hundred gold coins would be equivalent to Matt's income for seven or eight years.

While it seemed like a substantial amount, it might not be enough to treat his legs at the best hospital in the capital. Most importantly, Lynn was uncertain about the medical capabilities of this world, and if his legs were beyond repair, exchanging his precious points for money would be a huge waste.

"Is it not possible for Awakened ones to gift points to each other?"

"No."

This further emphasized the importance of points.

They could only be obtained through missions.

Money was relatively easy for Lynn to earn, as his novel career was steadily progressing. However, every single point mattered greatly to him, determining whether he could grow stronger and survive in the relentless cleaning missions.

The exchange rate given by the curator was one point equal to one gold coin.

But in Lynn's eyes, the value of one point exceeded even one hundred gold coins, or was even priceless.

"Have you decided? What do you want to exchange for?" asked the curator.

"How many points do I need to restore my legs to a basic walking level?" Lynn compromised, hoping to regain his mobility as soon as possible.

No one knew what the next cleaning mission would be like, whether there would be extraordinary powers involved.

Lynn couldn't rely on Matt 24/7, nor could he count on other awakened beings to push his wheelchair for him. If he remained in this condition, the next mission would undoubtedly be perilous.

"Two hundred and fifty points," the curator finally gave a number close to the amount Lynn possessed.

"And what about just being able to walk with difficulty?"

"Two hundred points."

"I'll take that, let's exchange." Lynn made his decision on the item to redeem.

Being able to walk with difficulty was still better than being confined to a wheelchair, at least climbing stairs would no longer be an issue.

"It's done," the curator raised his hand.

"Is that all?" Lynn had just asked.

"Yes."

Lynn, who couldn't wait any longer, immediately tried to stand up.

He placed his hands on the armrests of the wheelchair and slowly rose to his feet.

Instantly, a moderate but noticeable pain surged through his legs, making Lynn tense up involuntarily.

This was something to be happy about.

Because earlier, his legs were completely numb, and even if he was punctured with a needle, there would be no reaction.

"Hmm..." Lynn adjusted to the pain while also struggling with the weakness in his legs.

After a dozen seconds, finally, he trembled and stood upright.Shaking, he stood up and tried to take a few steps.

He could walk, but just as he had expected, it was very difficult. A cane would have been a great help.

Lynn was thrilled, and he felt a few tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.

Just four days of being unable to walk was unbearable for him. He couldn't imagine what kind of darkness his original self had been living in for the past few years.

That darkness and despair must have been dozens of times greater than what he could imagine, what he was currently experiencing.At that moment, he realized that his previous impression and evaluation of his original self were far too arrogant.

"Is there anything else you want to ask? If not, you can leave now," the curator said after watching Lynn walk around for a bit.

"A few more questions," Lynn took a few deep breaths to calm down and sat back in the wheelchair. "...Can Awakened people kill each other?"

It wasn't that Lynn was afraid of conflicts with other Awakened people in the future.

He was simply wary of Arthur.Dean, a compulsive gambler, murderer, and a person with no moral boundaries, has a corruption value of [130].

Arthur's isn't much better, with a corruption value of [100].

He really can't judge whether Arthur will harm himself after the mission is over.

"It's not allowed in principle."

"In principle? That means it's still possible, but at a cost? What is the cost?" Lynn caught the loophole in the curator's words.

"The cost will be reflected in the cleanup tasks after you harm other Awakened people," the curator said.

"I see, so it means the difficulty of the cleanup tasks will increase, right?"

"I cannot disclose that information."

Lynn changed the angle and asked again, "What if I'm harmed by others and defend myself in retaliation?"

"There will be no impact."

"Alright." Lynn felt relieved. "One last question for you. Does all of this... have an end?"

There must be a reason behind the mysterious force that created the Awakened and the cleanup tasks.

Lynn could imagine himself gradually transforming and powerful, but I can't really imagine what the end of these things will look like.

"I cannot disclose that information."

Unfortunately, the curator did not answer this question.

Lynn had cleared up many doubts in his mind during this conversation, but some of them had extended even deeper as he delved further into the other side of this world.

"I have no further questions. Thank you."

"I look forward to our next meeting."

The curator put on his glasses and once again lowered his head to flip through the books on the desk.

Lynn's vision blurred for two or three seconds, just as it had when he arrived at the library, and when it cleared, he was back in the restaurant.

Dean in the restaurant looked remorseful, and Dana was sobbing quietly, just as they were when he entered the library, indicating that from the perspective of time in this world, he had barely left.

"Back already?" Arthur looked at Lynn.

"Yeah." Lynn nodded. "What should we do with them specifically?"

"I don't have the time to deal with them."Take them out of the tavern later, and let them figure it out on their own." Arthur had no intention of fulfilling his duties as a sheriff.

In fact, this was similar to other sheriffs in the slums; they would do as little as possible, knowing that doing more wouldn't bring them any benefits, and doing less wouldn't cause them any harm.

No one cared about the fairness of the law or what justice was.

Money, power, and sex, these were the unanimous pursuits of all in this degenerate era.