Chapter 45: The Reward for First Place
"Yes."
The System agreed readily this time.
"Twenty Energy Ores."
Listening to the System’s emotionless voice, Moira Lynch felt like it was making an exorbitant demand, but she had no proof.
Perhaps sensing Moira Lynch’s hesitation, the System explained in its emotionless voice, "Caelus has not yet officially integrated with the interstellar community. You players are considered illegal residents. Every illegal resident who suddenly appears is subject to inspection and even surveillance by The Interstellar Federation. If you are judged to be interstellar pirates, you will be sent to court for trial. Moreover, an Intelligent Brain must be genetically bound. Each interstellar citizen can only apply for one, and every application has to be approved by The Federation."
The subtext was clear: providing an Intelligent Brain meant solving her illegal status, which was a huge hassle.
After hearing the System’s explanation, Moira Lynch’s desire to haggle instantly vanished. She knew it was partly trying to intimidate her, but she couldn’t deny that she was genuinely scared.
’So, we’re basically illegal residents in the eyes of the interstellar community.’
"Alright then, twenty it is." It wasn’t as if she couldn’t afford it.
As she spoke, Moira Lynch took out thirty Energy Ores. "The ten Energy Ores from before, plus the twenty for this, they’re all here."
Meanwhile, seeing how readily Moira Lynch agreed, the System was jumping up and down in its System Space, the very picture of regret, repeatedly shouting, "I asked for too little! I asked for too little!"
But the deal was done. It had no choice but to hand the Intelligent Brain over to Moira Lynch.
A point of light floated out and merged directly into Moira Lynch’s eyes.
Moira Lynch, who had already done her research on Intelligent Brains, was prepared for this. However, she hadn’t expected the System to be so quick. She thought she would have to wait a few days, since her illegal status had to be resolved first. ’So the System was just trying to scare me before,’ she realized.
’Well, maybe not just to scare me, but it was definitely an exaggeration.’
’Still, for twenty Energy Ores, I got an Intelligent Brain and a legal interstellar identity. Totally worth it.’
After the Intelligent Brain finished installing, Moira Lynch returned to the prize wheel. To be honest, none of the items on it were particularly suitable for her.
She had awakened a spiritual power talent. While it would be incredibly powerful in the later stages, she was a complete weakling for now.
She could use her spiritual power to scout for danger ahead of time, but that was all. If someone actually tried to attack her, she was utterly defenseless.
Though she had her System Space as a fallback, Moira Lynch didn’t want to reveal its existence unless she was absolutely forced to.
Besides, she could hide for a time, but not forever.
’I can hide in the Space, but I’ll reappear right where I went in. If my enemy just camps my entry point, I’ll be caught sooner or later unless I can hide in there for the rest of my life.’
Just then, the prize wheel in front of her flashed. The word "Refresh" appeared on the central dot, requiring a payment of one Energy Ore.
Moira Lynch: ...
’She was certain now. This was definitely the game system messing with her.’
But what could she do, even knowing this? She couldn’t complain. After all, the choice was still hers to make; the system had merely provided another option.
Ultimately, Moira Lynch chose to spend one Energy Ore and refresh.
Looking at the newly refreshed items, a single thought echoed in Moira Lynch’s mind.
’Worth it!’
The wheel now displayed not only the interstellar spaceship she’d wanted before, but also Mechanical Battle Armor, various weapons, and even Genetic Medicine!
There was even a space with a mountain-high pile of Gold Coins.
Moira Lynch clutched her wildly beating heart and pressed the start button.
The wheel suddenly lit up, then began to rotate at an incredible speed.
It spun faster and faster, dazzling Moira Lynch and making her heart pound with anticipation.
Gradually, the wheel’s speed began to decrease, and Moira’s heart rose into her throat.
She was more excited now than she had been when she got the Intelligent Brain.
Her heart was pounding.
She watched the wheel slow, bit by bit, until it was crawling past the prizes, one by one. It was heading straight for the interstellar spaceship...
Moira Lynch took a deep breath and held it, digging her nails into her thighs, afraid that even the slightest sound from her might scare the wheel off.
’Oh, heavens.’
’Oh, Jade Emperor, oh, Supreme Buddha.’
’Finally...’
’Am I finally going to make it big?’
’This was it. This was my big break.’
However, Moira Lynch watched helplessly as the wheel rolled up to the interstellar spaceship... but it didn’t stop. It just kept going, past it, past it, past... gone...
And just like that, Moira Lynch’s excitement died completely.
’My interstellar spaceship... gone, just like that.’
’Who could possibly understand my pain right now?!’
Finally, the wheel came to a stop on a transparent shield.
Moira Lynch: ...
This transparent shield was probably the most inconspicuous item on the entire wheel.
’It’s rigged!’
’This is absolutely rigged!’
’Give me back my interstellar spaceship!’
Moira Lynch was so furious she was about to start cursing, but the System didn’t give her the chance. It simply teleported her home.
A sudden wave of heat washed over her, catching Moira Lynch completely off guard.
The temperature in Moira Lynch’s home was actually quite pleasant compared to outside, but after getting used to the climate in the Mocha Forest, this sudden return felt like torture.
She took a Water-cooling Stone from the System Space and placed it in the living room.
Instantly, Moira Lynch felt the ambient temperature drop by several degrees.
Only then did she have the presence of mind to examine what she had won.
The full name of the transparent shield was the Energy Conversion Defense Shield, the latest product of interstellar research.
To put it simply, this shield could convert any form of energy for its own use—solar energy, moonlight, starlight, wind, water, energy from incoming attacks, and even the user’s own body heat.
The more energy it absorbed, the stronger the shield became.
After reading the description, Moira Lynch’s indignation and dissatisfaction vanished instantly.
’This thing is practically a divine artifact!’
Moreover, it triggered automatically, like a passive skill; she wouldn’t have to worry about activating it at all.
Once her excitement faded, Moira Lynch quickly removed the bracer from her right wrist and put on the bracelet form of the shield.
The silver bracelet was inlaid with a ring of white stones, making it look both understated and luxurious.
"Host detected wearing Energy Conversion Defense Shield. Connect to Intelligent Brain?"
A childlike voice suddenly spoke, startling Moira Lynch. It took her a moment to realize it was the voice of her Intelligent Brain.
"Connect."
"Affirmative. Activating Energy Conversion Defense Shield... Activation successful. Stored energy is insufficient. Please recharge as soon as possible."
"Got it. I’ll take you two out to sunbathe tomorrow," Moira Lynch said.