A second after Liu Yun asked, the System replied, [Player, you can place the skill in a quick slot or activate it directly with your mind. Regardless of the method used, the Mental Point cost remains the same.]
Receiving the answer, Liu Yun muttered, "Using a quick slot is convenient, but it requires relying on the System."
Clenching her fist, she thought, ’Instead of putting my life on other’s hand, it’s better to rely on myself. Only when I can control the power will it truly belong to me.’
Only by mastering the skill without assistance could she truly place her survival in her own hands. Having made up her mind, Liu Yun decided to activate the skill manually.
She walked toward the crystal core and stopped one meter away from it. Staring at the crystal core, she silently thought, ’Come.’
Several seconds passed, but nothing happened.
The crystal core remained motionless on the ground.
"..." Liu Yun stared at the crystal core speechlessly.
Unwilling to give up, Liu Yun repeated the process again and again. Just when her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets from staring so intensely, the crystal core finally moved.
Seeing this, Liu Yun was overjoyed. However, she didn’t dare lose focus.
Carefully maintaining her concentration, she gently guided the crystal core toward herself using the mental energy inside her mind.
Almost a minute later, the crystal core finally landed in her palm. Liu Yun stared at the dirty crystal core while sweat dripped from her face onto its surface.
Ding
[Telekinesis proficiency +1]
After a brief silence, Liu Yun suddenly cheered, "Succeeded! I finally succeeded!"
This success wasn’t simply the successful use of a skill. It was also Liu Yun’s first true step toward becoming stronger and adapting to life in this Apocalypse World.
Clenching the crystal core tightly, determination shone in her clear eyes.
Seeing that there were still twelve hours remaining before the Beginner Protection Shield expired, Liu Yun quickly stored the crystal core in her inventory before chasing after another group of zombies.
With the combined effects of the Beginner Protection Shield and Energy Water, Liu Yun spent the remainder of the night running around the outskirts of Ji City.
When her Mental Points dropped under 5 and she began to have a throbbing headache, Liu Yun hurriedly purchased 3 bottles of Refreshing Lemon Tea to replenish her Mental Points.
She drank one bottle, then continued her training while grinding for experiences and collecting the zombie’s crystal cores.
By the time the giant red moon disappeared beyond the western horizon, and the first rays of sunlight broke across the gloomy eastern sky, Liu Yun had already reached Level 12 and collected another 118 crystal cores.
However, after purchasing another ten additional bottles of Energy Water, she had only 30 System Points remaining.
Opening her status panel, Liu Yun checked the remaining duration of the Beginner Protection Shield.
When she saw that only 3 hours and 10 minutes remained before the shield expired, she decided to leave Ji City before it disappeared.
Opening her inventory, she took out another bottle of Energy Water, leaving only one bottle behind.
After replenishing her stamina, Liu Yun turned around and ran toward the outskirts of Ji City.
Last night, she was too excited while chasing zombies that she had accidentally wandered into the city center. Compared to the outskirts of the city, the number of zombies in the city center was more than a hundred times greater.
If she failed to leave while the Beginner Protection Shield was still active, she was certain she would die before she could even scream.
While Liu Yun was evacuating from the city center, not far away, a group of survivors was in the middle of a heated argument.
Inside a half-collapsed office building, a group of men and women in their early twenties surrounded an unconscious man who was leaning against a wall.
He had his head down, his hair obscuring half his face, making it impossible to see his features clearly. However, judging from his profile, he must be a very handsome man.
Standing a few steps away from the unconscious man, a long-haired woman in a white dress looked at the others with tears hanging from her lashes. She blinked, and a tear rolled down her smooth cheek.
Holding back her sadness, she looked at the group and said pitifully, "Everyone, Young Master Ye has been suffering from a high fever for days, and his wounds have already turned black. He is beyond saving. Instead of letting him become one of those monsters outside, we should free him from his suffering."
When her words fell, a young man stepped forward. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist before looking at her tenderly.
"Ruyan, you are still as kind as ever. Since it pains you to see that bastard suffering from the virus, I will help him."
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan blinked her eyes twice. Leaning lightly against his chest, she sweetly said, "Elder Brother Jin, you are so kind and generous."
Looking at Liu Ruyan’s sweet smile and obedient demeanor, Ye Jin’s sense of vanity was greatly satisfied. Pulling her closer, he looked at the unconscious man and sneered proudly.
"Pack up. We will leave at dawn. As for that bastard..." he paused for a second, then added, "Whether he lives or not will be up to his fate."
Ye Jin’s voice was cold as he gave the order before leading Liu Ruyan into the only intact office room.
Liu Ruyan nestled in his arms, her eyes lowered. Long eyelashes obscured her eyes, and a cold glint flashed in her tear-filled pupils.
Behind them, the captain of his bodyguard team replied, "Yes, Young Master."
After the office door closed behind Ye Jin and Liu Ruyan, the bodyguard captain turned toward his subordinates and the other survivors.
"You all heard the Young Master’s order. Pack your things. We’re leaving in half an hour," he ordered coldly.
When the survivors heard this, they had no choice but to obey. Leaving the unconscious man alone, they dispersed to pack their belongings.
Among them, three men exchanged glances before silently packing their belongings. However, their eyes never left the unconscious man.
At the same time, Liu Yun was heading toward the outskirts of Ji City.