Cloud hurriedly opened the update log.
[System Version 2.0 Update Notes:]
[1. Plunder Enhancement:]
[Deep Analysis]: When the Host plunders skills or bloodlines, it will no longer be simple copying. Instead, you will obtain the "underlying logic" and "fundamental principles" of that ability. (Note: Congratulations, Host! You've upgraded from a copy-paste code monkey to a senior developer who can actually read the source code.)
[Skill Fusion]: The Host may consume Source Points to fuse plundered skills of the same type, extracting the essence and discarding the dross, creating entirely new skills unique to yourself.
[2. Resource Recycling Function Online:]
[One-Click Disassembly]: Unwanted "junk" obtained from draws or plundering (such as "Thanks for Playing," "Expired Concert Tickets," etc.) can now be broken down into small amounts of Source Points. (Note: Mom never has to worry about my inventory being full again! Going green, starting with me!)
[3. Affection System Optimization:]
[Bond Effects]: When the Host's affection with a Bond target reaches certain thresholds, special "Bond Effects" will be unlocked, such as "Dual Training Efficiency Boost," "Combo Technique Comprehension Rate Increase," and more.
After reading the update notes, Cloud's jaw dropped so wide you could've stuffed an egg in there.
This... this was an epic-tier buff!
Especially that [Skill Fusion] and [Deep Analysis]—didn't this mean his cobbled-together, brute-force "Thug Boxing" could finally evolve into a real, systematic martial art?
He wouldn't be "that dirty fighter from the back alleys" anymore. He would become... a cultured gentleman who used his brain in a fight!
And what excited him even more were those Bond Effects. "Dual Training Efficiency Boost"—didn't that basically mean... dual cultivation?
Just thinking about it was thrilling!
"System, I love you!" Cloud was so moved he nearly kissed the air.
"Bring it on! Let the storm rage harder! Ten-pull, activate!"
[Source Points -1000. Deluxe Ten-Pull commencing!]
Golden light flashed. The wheel spun. This time, Cloud's mindset was completely at peace.
Because he knew—even if he pulled garbage, he could recycle it for cash! This was a guaranteed profit!
A string of notification chimes rang out.
[Congratulations, Host! You received "Thanks for Playing" ×4.]
[Congratulations, Host! You received "Gamer Fuel Soda (Party Size)" ×10 cases.]
[Congratulations, Host! You received "Billy Kane's Spare Bandana (Unwashed)" ×1.]
[Congratulations, Host! You received "Chang Koehan's Iron Ball Maintenance Manual" ×1.]
[Congratulations, Host! You received Skill: "Haggling (Beginner)."]
[Congratulations, Host! You received Item: "Lucky Coin" ×1 (Upon use, slightly increases Luck for one hour).]
[Finally—Congratulations, Host! You received Special Skill Book—[Mind's Eye (Fragment)]!]
"Well damn, more weird crap." Cloud grumbled while deftly opening the [One-Click Disassembly] function.
["Thanks for Playing" ×4 disassembled. Received Source Points ×40.]
["Billy's Bandana" disassembled. Received Source Points ×50.]
["Chang's Iron Ball Manual" disassembled. Received Source Points ×30.]
...
After all was said and done, he'd managed to recover over two hundred points from his thousand-point investment.
"Not bad, not bad. Round it up and that's basically a 20% discount." Cloud nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on the star of the show—that skill book.
[Skill Book: Mind's Eye (Fragment)]
[Quality: Special (Purple)]
[Description: A perception ability that transcends ordinary sight. By sensing the flow of qi, muscle contractions, and air vibrations, the user can predict an opponent's next move. This is a fragment—it can only be passively triggered during states of extreme mental focus.]
[Learning Requirement: Spirit attribute 10 or higher.]
"Mind's Eye?!" Cloud's eyes lit up instantly.
This was a godlike skill! Even as a fragment, having this was basically like having a budget version of Observation Haki!
In the split-second chaos of combat, being able to predict your opponent's movements—even by just a fraction of a second—could mean the difference between life and death!
"Learn!"
Without a moment's hesitation, the skill book transformed into a stream of light and merged into his mind.
A profound, almost mystical sensation washed over him. He felt like he could "see" the air currents flowing through the room, could "hear" the rhythm of his own heartbeat.
Cloud felt power coursing through his entire body.
He immediately opened the [Skill Fusion] interface, ready to give his "Thug Boxing" a complete overhaul.
On the interface, all his plundered combat skills appeared as cards laid out before him:
"Street Fighting," "Basic Combat Proficiency," "Shiranui-Style Body Techniques (Beginner)," "Billy's Staff Techniques (Fragment)," "Three-Section Staff Mastery (Advanced)"...
[Please select skills to fuse.]
"Fuse them all!"
[Detected: Skill types are too varied. System conflicts detected. Recommendation: Select one core style as the foundation, with other skills serving as supplementary branches.]
"Core style..." Cloud pondered for a moment, his gaze landing on "Shiranui-Style Body Techniques."
The Shiranui style was agile and flashy, specializing in aerial combat and flame attacks.
But more importantly—this was his chance to get closer to Mai Shiranui.
Put simply: gotta get the girl!
"Use 'Shiranui Style' as the skeleton, then fuse in the footwork and techniques from 'Basic Combat Proficiency,' 'Billy's Staff Techniques (Fragment),' and 'Three-Section Staff Mastery (Advanced)'!" Cloud made his decision.
[Fusion parameters confirmed. Estimated cost: 2,000 Source Points. Confirm?](Note: Higher skill levels require more Source Points for fusion.)
"Confirm!"
[Skill Fusion in progress... Deep analyzing Shiranui Style's flexibility and balance techniques... Removing redundant movements... Optimizing force distribution...]
In Cloud's mind, it was as if a martial arts grandmaster was deconstructing, reassembling, and practicing countless techniques.
How Mai Shiranui maintained her balance during "Dance of the Flying Squirrel," the secrets of the Shiranui School—all of it became crystal clear under the [Deep Analysis] function.
After what felt like an eternity, the system notification chimed again.
[Ding! Skill Fusion complete! Congratulations, Host—you have created a new skill: [Shiranui Battle God Style: Fundamentals]!]
[Skill: Shiranui Battle God Style: Fundamentals]
[Quality: Blue (Growable)]
[Description: A unique style created by the Host through fusing multiple combat techniques. Combines the agility of Shiranui Style with the raw power of American street fighting. Has significant growth potential.]
[Currently Mastered Techniques: Battle God Fist: Rush, Battle God Kick: Blaze, Battle God Step: Storm.]