Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Kal'tsit must be wondering, if she were bait, who would throw someone as precious as her out to fish?

And they're using such a crude method.

Even sending Rhodes Island a video about curing Oripathy could lure Kal'tsit into a trap, because she couldn't let go of the possibility of curing Oripathy.

Instead of so crudely throwing himself onto Rhodes Island, breaching three decks and nearly causing a conflict.

This method is far too crude for fishing.

But if there wasn't some ulterior motive, how could Rhodes Island's long-cherished hope of curing Oripathy have come knocking on its door like this?

No wonder Rhodes Island is so wary; it's all too coincidental.

She was able to stay on Rhodes Island entirely because Kal'tsit was really worried about Amiya's condition.

But they didn't believe him at all; Warfarin's probing just now proved everything.

The scalpel was almost cutting her face. As a blood demon who had lived for an unknown amount of time, would Warfarin really be so reckless?

Knowing full well how powerful they were, they still did those things...

Xia Yu knew that they were testing her bottom line and her strength.

If I had counterattacked at that time, even if I hadn't hurt Warfarin, as long as my strength exceeded a certain limit, even Kal'tsit wouldn't have been able to keep me alive.

No matter how much she couldn't let go of Amiya's condition.

Xia Yu knew that such tests would happen again in the future, but he wasn't worried at all.

Because he's really weak right now...

The feeling of emptiness inside his body constantly reminded him of this. Although the lack of magic did not prevent him from using his physical attributes, which were powered by divine weapons, to wreak havoc, it was still something he was not used to.

After leaving the house, another hand-drawn map floated in front of Xia Yu's eyes.

He took it and looked at it; it was a map to the dormitory.

"Thank you," he said as usual, and began to walk slowly along the map.

Everywhere he went, he attracted a lot of attention.

When they reached a certain place, Xia Yu could no longer move her feet.

canteen.

Looking at the two large characters on the door, he swallowed hard and tried to move his legs.

But they still honestly stayed where they were.

The school cafeteria, the legendary ninth major cuisine, is where Xia Yu still doesn't eat eggplant because she almost threw up from eating it so much when she was in elementary school...

But now, these two words seemed to possess an extraordinary magic, freezing Xia Yu in place.

How long has it been since I had a proper meal?

Xia Yu can no longer remember.

In Absolute Demonic Front, his food consisted of a simple pot of meat broth.

Boil the collected salt and wild animal meat until they are very tender, put them into an earthenware pot that has been expanded by the magic of the Holy Grail, and then add another layer of insulation with the Holy Grail. The food for one or two months is ready.

It was both very simple and extremely luxurious.

The ingredients were simple, just animal meat and salt; Xia Yu didn't recognize any other cooking methods from that era.

Luxury is the magic of the Holy Grail; if magicians were to see how it is used, they would be heartbroken and unable to breathe.

Taking a sip from the earthenware pot during her free time was Xia Yu's greatest joy during that period.

How long has it been since I last ate food from the civilized world?

Xia Yu can no longer remember.

When he first arrived at the Absolute Monster Front, he would carve a mark on the stone wall every day. Then one day he didn't have time to do it, and after one time he did it twice, and three times he got too lazy to carve anymore.

He didn't know how long he spent there, but it must have been a long time.

So long that he almost forgot what the civilized world was like.

For example, the faint aroma wafting from the cafeteria—ah, what an enticing scent…

Xia Yu wanted to walk away and see where his dormitory was. He had a lot of things to take care of and couldn't stay here.

But alas, my legs wouldn't obey me...

If he could, he wouldn't force himself to leave like this; instead, he would invite the manticore, which he didn't know was somewhere but was definitely nearby, to come in and have a feast.

However, this is just wishful thinking.

Because he has no money.

What a practical reason: I just don't know if the cafeteria allows credit.

6. Field duties

A penny can make a hero fall.

Xia Yu is now the one who's stumped.

As we all know, food costs money.

But he didn't have a single penny on him.

Whether it's LMD, Crimson Gold, or any other general equivalent circulating on Terra.

Nothing at all.

Being penniless is a terrible feeling, and Xia Yu is now experiencing it firsthand.

The cafeteria was right in front of him, but he couldn't bring himself to take a step.

"Sigh," Xia Yu sighed deeply, forcing herself to turn and leave.

As soon as I turned my head, I saw a cold and aloof figure standing behind me.

Kelsey.

The situation was a bit awkward; he had been standing there for several minutes, and she must have seen everything.

"Um, that..." Xia Yu paused, hiding the awkwardness on her face, and was about to start a conversation.

“Do you mind if I take up a little of your time?” Kal’tsit interrupted him. “There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

"what's up?"

“Let’s go inside and eat while we talk,” Kal’tsit said, walking past Xia Yu toward the dining hall. “It’s on me.”

They gave the latter no chance to refuse.

Of course, Xia Yu wouldn't refuse.

He also wondered what he could do on Rhodes Island to make money.

I just wanted to ask, it's not about food, yeah, that's all.

……

In front of the dining table.

After a hearty meal, Kal'tsit and Xia Yu sat facing each other.

“I’m sorry, it was my oversight,” Kal’tsit said. “I didn’t realize you didn’t have any money on you.”

She certainly didn't run into Xia Yu by chance at the restaurant entrance; it was Lion Scorpion who notified her to come over.

The introverted girl noticed his predicament and informed Kal'tsit.

"It's nothing, I should thank you for treating me to this meal," Xia Yu shook her head, smiled and said, "It really doesn't feel good to be penniless."

"After all, I can't exchange that thing for money, can I?"

The implication is that, according to our agreement, I won't reveal my ability to cure Oripathy, but you have to tell me a way to make money.

After all, I can't even afford to eat anymore.

Kal'tsit naturally understood the hint in Xia's language.

"If it's about making money, I happen to have a field assignment," she said nonchalantly. "I'm going to Lungmen soon to discuss a collaboration, but as for pharmaceutical companies, there will always be competition."

Xia Yu, understanding the subtle meaning behind the music, naturally knew what she wanted to say.

"Coincidentally, my Originium Arts are about protection," he smiled confidently. "Isn't that a coincidence?"

"The mission reward is 100,000 LMD, which can be paid in advance, but only for this one time," Kal'tsit began to seriously explain the mission requirements to Xia Yu.

"You just need to ensure my safety before going to Lungmen and on the way back. This time we are making a deal with the people in power in Lungmen. The Lungmen Guard Bureau will protect me, so there is no need to worry about my safety during the meeting."

Xia Yu didn't notice her later request; she only heard the first part: 100,000 Lungmen Dollars.

Although the game's consumption of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars made LMD seem similar to the Japanese yen in her previous life, Xia Yu dismissed the idea after ordering a few dishes.

Kal'tsit ordered the boiled fish, which cost 21 yuan.

The soup dumplings were also ordered by Kal'tsit, costing 25 yuan.

Two servings of pickled mustard greens and pork noodle soup, 30 yuan.