Chapter 25: The Bug of Dual Sequences!

Morning!

Zorn enjoyed a rare sleep-in, relishing the service of being awakened by his maid.

Last night, he had wandered deep within the black fog for a long time, silently absorbing the "Black Fog Primordial Essence." It wasn't until around three in the morning, when the blood moon vanished, that he returned. Establishing a connection with the black fog as early as possible was crucial—a fact that, clearly, no other possessor of the Evil God’s remains was aware of.

Breakfast was as hearty as ever. After finishing his bread soup, Zorn found he could no longer manage the remaining few strips of bacon and a blood-velvet sausage.

"A bit of a waste."

The ingrained frugality of a "Player" made him dislike wasting food. Whether it was the SS-rank "Star-Mark Fighter" or the great boss "Evil Spirit Warlock," both were potent sequences. They could derive nourishment from food to facilitate their slow growth. The "Life Resilience" of an Evil Spirit Warlock—what one might call the "health bar limit"—was something that increased through daily life and participation in "Events" as food was digested.

Just by completing the inheritance of the "Evil Spirit Warlock" sequence yesterday, Zorn could feel the difference. His health, as a boss-template character, had surged at least seven or eight-fold, and this was only the beginning. Although the "Evil Spirit Warlock" was a spellcasting sequence, it still possessed an impressive "health bar"—one that could continuously grow. For instance, as he digested his food now, his "health bar limit" was slowly rising; it was a slow process, but it was constant and enduring.

Yesterday, after completing the inheritance of the "Evil Spirit Warlock" sequence, the presence of dual sequences made him feel as if he had two "engines." Whether it was the digestion of food or the digestion of gains from participating in "Events," his efficiency had been greatly accelerated.

More importantly, the "Evil Energy" of the original "Evil Spirit Warlock" sequence tended to leave traces, allowing other transcendents to sniff out the presence of evil power. However, Zorn, possessing dual sequences, was not merely an "Evil Spirit Warlock." He was a "Fighter" + "Evil Spirit Warlock." This significantly muffled the traces of "Evil Energy," and even if any remained, they would not be potent. He appeared more like a weak, run-of-the-mill "evil warlock." This made him less likely to be investigated or targeted. He could utilize the "Fighter" sequence to mask the "Evil Spirit Warlock" sequence.

This opened up a vast space for maneuvering. Zorn had speculated much about having dual sequences, and the current result was even better than he had imagined.

In the side hall, he picked up the day's *Ogran Steam Daily* and secretly opened his system interface.

...
[Star-Mark Fighter] (30th Anniversary Exclusive Commemorative Edition) (Untradeable)
Level: 1 (5%)
[Evil Spirit Warlock] (World-Class Boss) (Special Template)
Level: 1 (5%)
...

Originally, his Fighter level had been at 15% experience. After acquiring the "Evil Spirit Warlock" sequence, it had been leveled out. The two sequences had fused to a certain degree. Observing the identical level and experience, Zorn caught a whiff of something extraordinary.

"Level growth is the growth of the sequence."

"And different sequences require different 'Elements' and the writing of different 'Poetic Chapters'."

"The growth of the 'Fighter' sequence requires hearty combat and fighting on the edge of life and death; it belongs to the 'Combat Sequence'."

"The 'Evil Spirit Warlock,' on the other hand, requires exploitation, enslavement, imprisonment, the creation of chaos and disaster, and the harvesting of the spiritual souls of others; this is a 'Destruction Sequence'."

One could discern the inherent evil of the "Evil Spirit Warlock" just from its path of growth.

"But I, possessing two sequences, am a bit different."

Zorn rubbed his brow, letting his imagination run wild.

"The experience I gain using the 'Fighter' sequence can also be used to fill the 'Evil Spirit Warlock' sequence. At the same time... the 'combat' involved in using the abilities of an 'Evil Spirit Warlock' can also yield gains through the 'Fighter' sequence."

With this thought, a strange light surged deep within Zorn’s pupils.

"As long as the 'Fighter' sequence 'deploys an ability,' it counts as combat; the difference lies only in the intensity, which can be high or low."

"One must know that the 'Evil Spirit Warlock's' exploitation and draining of factory workers is a state of constant 'ability' usage."

"From the perspective of the 'Fighter' sequence, using an ability on others—provided there is an active subject—constitutes 'combat.' Although the intensity is low, it is nonetheless combat against dozens or hundreds of people."

"If this can trigger the growth of the 'Fighter' sequence, that would mean twenty-four hours of uninterrupted combat. I can take on a hundred people, and fight for twenty-four hours straight—this... this is a total bug."

As he pondered, Zorn felt a slight tremor in his heart. As a "Player," he had other ways to foster the growth of the "Evil Spirit Warlock." But this involved the growth of two sequences simultaneously, not to mention the "experience-trap" that was the great boss "Evil Spirit Warlock." If he could exploit a bug in the dual sequences to gain excess rewards, Zorn certainly wouldn't miss such an excellent opportunity.

The previous "Zorn Corrick" had relied on the help of secret sects, combined with insane slaughter, blood sacrifices, and the massacre of cities, to grow rapidly. But the current Zorn, as a lone "Evil Spirit Warlock," had no faction to rely on. His fellow boss opponents, for the most part, all had backers. To grow quickly, special means were naturally required.

"To test if this bug is viable, I need to establish the Steam Potion Factory as soon as possible."

"However... a Steam Potion Factory is clearly not something that can be built overnight."

"Perhaps..." Zorn rubbed his brow slightly. "I can test it through other means."

As he thought, Zorn’s eyes lit up. "This method is perfect!"

"It will allow those greedy fellows to experience the terror and horror of an Evil Spirit Warlock! While solving some troubles, it will also serve as a perfect test."

After smoothing out his thoughts, Zorn digested his food, slowly converting it into "Qi" and "Evil Energy" while absorbing information from the newspaper.

Just as in many of the trajectories Zorn had encountered before, the blood moon of midsummer 1645 occupied only a tiny space in the paper. It was merely a topic of conversation after meals or in taverns, failing to attract much attention. People were caught in the tides without realizing it; only much later, when they looked back, would they glimpse the terrifying marks left by those monstrous waves in history.

The front-page headline today was about pollution from steam factories and the treatment of workers within them. The workers were demanding higher wages and better conditions, while the capitalists of the steam factories were frantically squeezing the labor of the lower classes. The City Hall was mediating, hoping to find a balance.

After browsing the news about the Bay Area, Zorn’s gaze fell on the inconspicuous small advertisements in the corner on the back of the newspaper. Some unknown, hidden information emerged, making Zorn’s heart skip a beat. After carefully scanning and repeatedly verifying the information, Zorn found exactly what he was looking for.

Both the Church and the Republic of Othanston tried their best to hide the secrets of transcendents. But with more and more mysterious powers awakening, the number of transcendents was gradually increasing. Consequently, a small, private circle of transcendents in Ogran City had begun to form.

These transcendents included nobles, ordinary people who had accidentally gained mysterious powers, and those like Zorn who had been "chosen." Naturally, members of secret sects were inevitably involved. Even some official members would enter this circle under hidden, private identities.

The small advertisements in the middle of the newspaper contained the dates and locations for the gatherings of Ogran's secret circle of transcendents. Whenever these gatherings occurred, many materials, potions, transcendent items, and even forbidden seals—things impossible to see elsewhere—would circulate within the small group.

If Zorn hadn't calculated wrong, the next gathering would likely feature something he needed. And that gathering was fast approaching.

Having finished the newspaper, Zorn went to his study, pulled out some stationery, and picked up his fountain pen to write a letter. It was a letter to City Hall regarding the mutated gray rats in the sewers. Although it might not have much of an effect, it was a promise he had made to Isaac.

After writing to "Ogran City Hall," Zorn wrote an identical letter to the "Municipal Police Department." If the police department could investigate the sewers, perhaps the situation would be different.