Chapter 33: Ability Attributes and a Quirky Deal

“Really? You’re actually that impressive?” Qin Jinxuan propped an arm on the table, cradling her cheek in her hand, and deliberately narrowed her eyes, feigning an expression of ‘I don’t believe you at all.’

“Believe it or not.” Cheng Lan couldn’t be bothered to argue, lifting his cup once more to take a sip of coffee, only to find it already empty, with just a hint of brown residue clinging to the bottom.

“Give it to me.” Seeing this, Qin Jinxuan extended her hand. “Perfect timing, I was about to get some water myself, and I can pour you a cup while I’m at it.”

“Here.” Cheng Lan didn’t stand on ceremony, handing the cup directly to her. “Lukewarm water is fine, thanks.”

“Got it,” Qin Jinxuan replied, cradling the cup as she headed towards the kitchen.

Instead of immediately pouring water, she first turned on the faucet, and with the aid of the running stream, meticulously wiped the inside of the cup with her slender, fair fingers.

Only after ensuring the cup was spotless, both inside and out, and free of any coffee stains, did she pick up the nearby warm water kettle and slowly fill the cup.

Having finished this, she poured half a cup for herself before carrying both cups back to the dining room.

“Just give it to me directly.”

“Hold it steady; there’s quite a bit of water.” She carefully handed over the water glass.

Cheng Lan took the water glass, tilted his head back, and gulped down half its contents.

A few drops of water trickled from the corner of his mouth, which he casually wiped away with his arm.

Sitting opposite him, Qin Jinxuan presented a much more refined picture—her delicate hands cradled the cup, her pale pink, cherry lips drew close to the rim, and she parted her small mouth to sip the warm water in tiny, measured sips.

Cheng Lan stared at the mug in the young woman’s hands for a few seconds, realizing that there was no such style of cup in his house.

“Where did you get that cup?” He gestured towards the mug in Qin Jinxuan’s hand.

“I brought it from home, why do you ask?” Qin Jinxuan blinked.

“No, it’s nothing.” Cheng Lan shook his head slightly. “Shall I continue then?”

“Mhm, please do!”

“What I’m going to explain next is supplementary information regarding abilities.

Firstly, abilities are also categorized by attributes, totaling nine in all: Fire, Water, Ice, Earth, Electricity, Wind, Light, Dark, and Metal.”

“Wait!” Qin Jinxuan immediately began counting on her fingers, softly repeating, “Fire, Water, Ice… Metal… How many? Nine?”

“That’s right.”

“Why so many? With this many attributes, one could practically play Pokémon!” Qin Jinxuan couldn’t help but blurt out.

“How should I know?” Cheng Lan rolled his eyes, letting out a cold scoff.

“The author designed it this way, and I’m merely relaying their design.

To be honest, I’m quite curious myself about how they plan to write with so many attributes.”

“Uh… what were you just saying?” The young woman looked at Cheng Lan with a blank expression.

“Cough, cough, never mind.” Cheng Lan quickly smoothed things over, steering the conversation back on track.

“In short, your ability is Ice attribute, and mine is Dark attribute.”

“Question!” She raised a small hand.

“Go on.”

“There isn’t attribute countering, is there…?”

“Theoretically speaking, the concept of attribute countering does exist; after all, water naturally counters fire.

However, this isn’t absolute; it also depends on the combat environment and the power disparity between the two sides.

For instance, let’s say I’m a user of Water attribute abilities, and we get into a fight.

If my ability allows for long-range attacks, I could completely overpower you simply by leveraging my combat experience.

To give another example, if my ability is more effective at night than during the day, I would certainly choose to fight at night.

That’s how one exploits the environment to amplify their advantage.”

“I understand!” Qin Jinxuan nodded.

“Then…” She raised her eyes to Cheng Lan again. “There isn’t also ‘Elemental Reactions,’ is there…?”

“Erm…” Cheng Lan pondered for a moment before bracing himself to say, “If you have a teammate willing to cooperate with you, triggering an ‘Elemental Reaction’ isn’t impossible.

The prerequisite is that the two attributes involved can genuinely yield a positive ‘Elemental Reaction’.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Since we’ve touched upon ‘Elemental Reactions,’ it’s a good time to explain ‘Elements’ as well.” Cheng Lan felt his throat parched, and he took another sip of water.

“You’ve probably guessed it already, but ‘Elements’ are simply abilities of different attributes, just under a different name.

As for the elemental attacks unleashed by those strange beasts, they operate on the same principle as us using our abilities.”

“Finally, let’s discuss ability levels.” He set down his cup, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop.

“Ability levels differ from danger levels, with only five ranks: D, C, B, A, and S.”

“So, I’m currently considered a D-rank ability user, then?” Qin Jinxuan asked.

“Exactly.”

“What about you?”

“I’m D-rank as well.”

“Huh?” Qin Jinxuan froze, her voice brimming with surprise. “I thought you were so strong you’d already reached C-rank.”

“Let’s just say there are differences even among D-ranks.” Cheng Lan gave a slight shrug.

‘Damn it! This guy is mocking her for being weak again!’

Qin Jinxuan stealthily slipped off one of her slippers.

Her small foot, clad in white stockings, gently lifted, and hidden by the table, she swiftly kicked Cheng Lan’s calf.

Cheng Lan only felt something soft brush against his calf, and he leaned down in confusion to check.

Beneath the table, it was empty, save for Qin Jinxuan’s crossed calves, still wrapped in white stockings, appearing completely normal.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Jinxuan asked, feigning concern.

“Did you do that?” Cheng Lan sat up, casting a suspicious glance at the young woman.

“Do what?” She tilted her head, adopting an innocent expression that screamed ‘I know nothing,’ her voice even softening a touch.

Cheng Lan stared at her for two seconds.

Seeing that she wouldn’t admit it, he didn’t press further, merely letting out a helpless sigh. “Never mind, it’s nothing.”

“Cheng Lan, what’s the difference between ability levels and danger levels?” Qin Jinxuan quickly pulled the conversation back.

“Guess?”

Cheng Lan had originally intended to explain these matters later, all at once.

However, considering he had just been inexplicably kicked, he no longer felt like revealing anything.

“Oh, come on, just tell me~” Seeing his reaction, Qin Jinxuan immediately adopted a soft, pleading tone, pressing her hands together, batting her eyelashes, and deliberately drawing out her words.

“Stop! Don’t gross me out!” Cheng Lan abruptly raised a hand, waving it dismissively with a look of disgust.

“At most, I’ll reveal this much: every time an ability is upgraded, it undergoes a qualitative change. You can guess the rest at your leisure.”

“Qualitative change?” Qin Jinxuan repeated softly, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

Yet, receiving no further information, she still felt a touch of disappointment, and could only pout.

“Alright, that’s about all for the supplementary information on abilities.”

“Okay,” Qin Jinxuan obediently nodded.

“Oh, right.” Cheng Lan suddenly remembered something and looked at the young woman across the table. “Do you have your own car?”

“A car?” Qin Jinxuan paused, momentarily bewildered by his abrupt question.

“You know, a vehicle with four wheels that can drive on the road.”

“Yes, I do.”

“How much was it?”

“Let me think…” Qin Jinxuan gently tapped her pink lips, recalling earnestly for a few seconds. “The cheapest one probably cost about a million.”

‘Damn! That expensive! And that’s the cheapest one!’

“Never mind, it’s fine.” Cheng Lan quickly waved his hand.

“You want my car?” Qin Jinxuan’s eyes sparkled as she immediately caught on to his reaction, leaning forward with a beaming smile. “Actually, I could give it to you for free~”

At the words “give it to you for free,” Cheng Lan’s mind buzzed with a sudden clarity.

For some reason, he instantly recalled all the little demands Qin Jinxuan had made in his previous life whenever she offered to “pay in kind” .

“No need!” Without a second thought, he immediately refused.

“Oh, don’t be so quick to refuse, listen to my proposal first~” Qin Jinxuan’s smile deepened, as she propped her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands while gazing at him.

“As long as you agree to let me come to your house and cook regularly, I’ll give you my million-dollar car—for free~”

She deliberately enunciated the last four words slowly and heavily.

“What do you say? This is a complete loss-making deal for me, but a guaranteed profit for you~”