13 Meeting black cat...again (chapter 13)
In the middle of the night, the darkness of the skies swallowed most of the intricate details that made New York a breathtaking place. Yet, this obscurity also veiled the less appealing aspects. Oliver, visible amidst the night, pondered, "The fuck is that supposed to mean?" as he savored a sandwich, gazing out over the city. However, he wasn't idle. Far from it, he was actively scouting, armed with his to-do list book.
He maintained his watch on the opulent apartment complex across the street. Situated on the 42nd floor of a towering building, it was currently hosting a lavish party. "Rich people and their parties," he groaned, a touch of envy fleeting across his expression. With binoculars in hand, he meticulously observed and noted anything that might prove useful.
"It's quite beautiful, isn't it? I bet there are many valuable things in there, just collecting dust." Suddenly, a voice interrupted Oliver. He turned around to see a familiar figure – a striking woman with a curvaceous body, long white hair cascading down her back, a single black eye mask, and a form-fitting black leather dress that commanded attention. Oliver looked at her, somewhat nonchalant, as he resumed his scrutiny of the building.
"Oh, come on, don't be boring. I bet you're wondering the best way to get in and where the treasure is, ah?" she teased, settling down next to him, one leg dangling off the rooftop. Observing his lack of response, she continued, "Are you mute, or are you just stunned by my beauty? Why am I even asking? Anyway, it's best if you don't go. I'm warning you from the depths of my good-natured heart. They have a lot more security than they're showing." She gazed ahead, adding, "It's way out of your league, and you're probably going to lose your life, which would just leave a bad taste in my mouth."
Talking to herself, she got up, advising, "Anyways, kid, don't go anywhere near that building. It's dangerous." She then used a grappling hook on her wrist to swing away, leaving Oliver pondering, "What a weird woman. Doesn't she have someplace to break into?"
After concluding his observation, he descended from the rooftop before making his way back home, a journey that took about an hour. Wearing fingerless gloves, which had no cooldown, he pickpocketed a guy driving a Ferrari, presumably rented, accompanied by two bombshells. "They've got enough plastic on them to make the Red Sea inhabitable," he groaned to himself, strolling past the trio.
It took him a while to return home, completely forgetting that he had encountered Black Cat, one of the notorious thieves in the world. However, he believed that the more exaggerated his reactions were when meeting her, the more memorable he would become. Disliking the idea of being memorable, he pretended not to recognize her, acting weirded out, a strategy that seemed to have worked—at least that's what his train of thought led him to believe. Little did he know that his unique looks and distinctive attitude would set him apart from other males she had encountered.
Oliver created the perfect first impression, something that Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat, couldn't resist. For a thief, there's nothing more alluring than the prospect of acquiring the unattainable. However, he would soon discover that it wasn't just Black Cat who found him intriguing.
[Scene Change]
Back in his transformed home, Oliver surveyed the changes. The space was now brightly illuminated, courtesy of electric lamps, accompanied by the gentle hum of a small orange generator. The generator emanated a subtle energy aura, signaling its enhanced features—an invaluable asset for someone like Oliver, navigating an unpredictable income stream.
[Name: Portable Inverter Generator]
[Grade: Green]
[Description: The WEN 3600-Watt Portable Inverter Generator is a reliable companion for your outdoor adventures. RV-ready, quiet, and lightweight, this generator ensures you have power wherever you go, with the added convenience of fuel shut-off.]
[Option: Energy Conservation Aura - Reduces fuel consumption by 15% (Rank: F) (Passive)]
[Durability: 75%]
This generator powered essentials like the WiFi, his new budget laptop, and the eagerly anticipated smelter, which, too, possessed its own unique option.
[Name: VEVOR Electric Melting Furnace]
[Grade: White]
[Description: This advanced electric melting furnace, a pinnacle of VEVOR's engineering, features a state-of-the-art digital interface and an exceptionally robust construction. With a generous 3KG capacity, it effortlessly reaches temperatures up to 1150℃/2102 ℉, making it the ultimate tool for gold smelting.]
[Option: Arcane Forge (Rank: F) (Passive) - The furnace is imbued with magical properties that enhance the smelting process. It autonomously refines metals, boosting the quality of the output by +15%.]
[Durability: 95%]
The passive nature of this option was precisely what Oliver sought—it wasn't overly powerful, a perfect fit for a level 1 beginner. But these were not the only new optioned-out items; there was the sand caster, surprisingly potent for its intended purpose.
[Name: Sand Caster]
[Grade: Green]
[Description: Meticulously crafted, the Sand Caster has served as a reliable companion to skilled blacksmiths, aiding in the creation of molds for molten metal casting. Infused with the essence of countless creations, it bears witness to the artistry of its wielders.]
[Option: Arcane Replication (Rank: F) (Active) - Once a day, the Sand Caster can be activated to instantly cast a perfect replica of the item being molded. Every minute detail and crevice is flawlessly reproduced, capturing the essence of the original creation.]
[Durability: 75%]
Having tested it, Oliver confirmed its efficacy—combined with the smelter, he could now produce slightly enchanted items. "Finally on the track to producing my own items," he thought, excited about the journey ahead. This was just the beginning, he mused, smiling to himself as he ascended the platform and spotted a small red sprout in one of the pots.
"Finally, a magical plant!" Despite weeks of trial and error, he had a breakthrough. "Hell yeah!" The realization that his path to becoming an alchemist was within reach overwhelmed him. "Okay, okay, let's calm down. I need to think this through." Seating himself at his workbench, he brainstormed ideas. However, a dilemma surfaced: "I don't know what type of plant it is; there's no status window for it." After minutes of contemplation, a solution emerged: "An enclosed terrarium."
----------------------------------------------------
A/N Well, i am finally done with the time skip, and it seems that i might have made it too powerful, but guess that is what you guys are for right?
PS: the tier of the skill doesn't go up to 100 as some of you might think, it's only 10 tiers, so that is why I am taking my time in this tier, OTHERWISE ENJOY
PS: no Oliver cannot did not break through the fourth wall.
PS: well this is embrassing, i though i pulished couple of hours ago.
