CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: SYSTEM UPGRADE! A BRAND-NEW VERSION YOU’VE NEVER PLAYED BEFORE

[The update log for Apocalypse Wasteland Simulator 2.0 is as follows:]

[1. New Feature Added: Simulation Direction Selection. You can now choose the behavioral path for your simulated character in reality. Note: The chosen path will most likely be determined by the simulated character’s personality.]

[2. The level cap for Talent extraction has been raised to Yellow.]

[3. Patches: Added detailed descriptions for Talent information to help the host better utilize them and save the world sooner.]

[4. Added scene descriptions and character portrayals (already loaded in the last simulation).]

Reading the system update, Chen Pingchuan was stunned. Is this the legendary upgrade from a pellet gun to a cannon?

A Yellow talent, even without drawing one, was obviously a new type of talent far more powerful than a Blue one.

Based on feedback from previous simulations, Chen Pingchuan had found that the Green talent, Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence, was increasingly failing to keep up with his progress. Ever since he had inherited the strongest physical attributes and proficiency with eighteen types of weaponry, it seemed to have lost its purpose, becoming completely useless. This clearly contradicted the talent’s description.

In contrast, the Power Doubled talent had repeatedly produced extraordinary results. As for the dark-type Purple talent, it was powerful, but its drawback was also obvious: it required significant time and resources to fully develop.

"Huh?"

Chen Pingchuan’s gaze swept over the attribute panel on the simulator again, and he finally noticed the small golden exclamation marks next to the talents. Such prompts only appeared next to Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence and Parasitism, making his eyes light up.

He first selected the Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence talent and clicked on it. Immediately, a striking note appeared.

Note: Diligence can help you grow toward your peak, but your talent itself is the key factor that determines the upper limit of that peak.

So it’s true, I can’t rely on it for constant enhancement. This means the physical bottleneck still exists. Based on this information, Chen Pingchuan confirmed his suspicions.

Next, he clicked the golden exclamation mark beside the Parasitism talent.

Note: The attribute points required by the Purple Parasitic Seed can be replenished through study and training.

"Woot! Time to take off!"

Chen Pingchuan, who had been feeling rather unenthusiastic about the upgrade, was suddenly energized.

My previous assumption was wrong! Without this tip, I might have never tried to hatch the Purple Parasitic Seed.

Armed with this crucial information, Chen Pingchuan mentally ran through the possibilities, finally arriving at a nearly perfect conclusion.

If I hatch a Purple Parasitic Seed before each simulation, I can regain the lost attributes through training during the simulation. This way, I can benefit perfectly at no cost. Of course, there are always pros and cons. While I can avoid the period of weakness in reality, my simulated self will also experience a temporary loss of power, forcing me to alter my decisions on certain matters. But all in all, the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages.

That was his final summary. He briefly reviewed the last simulation, though there wasn’t much to analyze, as the experience had been truly unique.

After noting down the information on the new characters he had encountered, Chen Pingchuan decided against starting another simulation. He gave Black Demon No. 1 a heads-up and prepared to head out.

He tidied himself up and, with a smug look on his face, opened the door.

The moment he stepped out, Chen Pingchuan saw his landlady, Huang Yujia, standing at her doorway, staring right at him. His neck tensed, and he was about to retreat back inside when he realized something was off.

Huang Yujia’s identity was exposed in the simulation. She’s the one who should be scared now, not me. Why the hell should I hide?

Realizing the tables had turned, Chen Pingchuan broke into an arrogant grin. Instead of retreating, he advanced, stepping right up to Huang Yujia. He stared secretively at her pretty face and whispered, "Stop pretending. I already know who you are."

Hearing his words, Huang Yujia froze. Her teasing expression stiffened as she wondered what he meant. ’I already know who you are?’ What exactly does he know? Has my identity been exposed? No, that’s impossible. How could he know? I’ve tested him several times before. He’s just an ordinary laborer from the Outer District; there’s no way he could know my identity. Besides, he shows no signs of genetic enhancement. I confirmed that just a week ago. I must be overthinking things. The boy is just bluffing.

Her thoughts raced, and she quickly collected herself. She first rolled her beautiful eyes at Chen Pingchuan, then raised a delicate finger and gently tapped his forehead. "Mischievous," she said coquettishly. "Didn’t you get a harsh reminder of your circumstances three years ago? If it weren’t for me, who knows what filthy gutter you’d be in right now, keeping company with rats."

Chen Pingchuan was left speechless and exasperated. An eighteen-year-old girl is one thing, but a flirty older woman? Who could handle that? Feeling the lingering warmth on his forehead, he lost his earlier domineering attitude.

His tone was full of helplessness as he tried to explain again, "Sister Yu Jia, I’m being serious. Why don’t you believe me?"

"I do believe you. Who said I don’t? I might not believe anyone else, but how could I not believe you? After all, you’re my little..."

Huang Yujia didn’t say the word "lover," but Chen Pingchuan could read her lips perfectly. After mouthing the word, she even gave him a suggestive wink.

Muttering to himself that he really couldn’t take it anymore, Chen Pingchuan decided to just lay his cards on the table.

"Sister Yu Jia, I’m saying that I know you’re connected to an official government agency."

Chen Pingchuan wasn’t sure of her exact position, but he was certain she was a government agent, so he kept his statement vague.

For Huang Yujia, however, his words were a bolt from the blue. It’s true that I’m with the government, but I don’t belong to a formal organization. My real identity is an undercover agent for the City of No Night, responsible for monitoring the Outer District and occasionally handling fieldwork, like apprehending wanted criminals. But none of that is important. What’s important is that, in theory, no one besides my handler should know my identity. Not even the director of the Outer District’s administrative office has the authority to access our files. But now, this boy in front of me knows. What should I do? Do I need to silence him?

The concept of killing intent, though ethereal, is very real. It’s just that ordinary people lack the keen intuition to perceive it. But Chen Pingchuan, whose attributes had reached the peak for a human at this stage, was not among them. He clearly sensed the shift in Huang Yujia’s aura.

Even so, he didn’t react rashly, only quietly gathering power within his body. He was now regretting his earlier impulsiveness. A confrontation like this should only happen when you have an absolute advantage. I’ve gotten cocky from the simulations. How could I start confusing them with reality? I can’t just kill my landlady here and go on the run, can I? Besides, our relationship makes it impossible for me to do it.

At this moment, Chen Pingchuan wasn’t the only one in a bind. Huang Yujia, standing opposite him, was even more conflicted. She didn’t know how the young man had discovered her identity—whether it was a guess or a deduction didn’t matter. She was now faced with two difficult choices.

One was to silence the person living across the hall.