Chapter 61: Strengthening Power

"I think Shi Chengjin is quite formidable. He single-handedly knocked that calamity beast down," Chang Yu managed to say after a brief silence.

Katerina was more philosophical about it, offering rare words of comfort to Chang Yu: "He is, after all, one of the last two S-class masters in our organization, a disciple personally trained by the Evil God. It's only natural his combat abilities surpass ours."

"Besides, when he arrived, that calamity beast had already been severely wounded by us. It couldn't exert its full strength, so he benefited from our efforts."

"Also, he's a close-combat specialist, adept at fighting calamities head-on. That narrow alley was perfect for him to shine."

"What about you?" Chang Yu asked. "Is that blue flame you used your innate ability?"

Ordinary bullets don't emit blue fire, unless that blue flame is a unique gift belonging to Katerina.

"That's right. The blue flame is my innate ability," Katerina replied calmly.

"Aside from the damage the bullet itself inflicts, my blue flame adds an extra layer of harm to the calamity."

"The flame can attach itself to the calamity, siphoning its power to grow stronger, and in turn, weaken the beast."

"In addition, my blue flame can adhere to any object. Cold weapons imbued with my flame can deal greater damage to calamities for a short time."

"That's a great ability," Chang Yu thought her powers were practical, reminiscent of a game character who could both attack and support.

Those were the teammates everyone scrambled to have in dungeon runs, a character who could buff themselves and others.

"By the way, your pistol is quite beautiful," Chang Yu couldn't help but be drawn to Katerina's pistol from the earlier battle.

"It's a compact model produced by Colt, specifically designed for women," Katerina revealed without reservation.

"It's half the size of a standard handgun, lightweight, with almost no recoil."

"The gunshot is barely audible, which makes it highly concealable. Even in the city, it won't alarm the crowd."

"I like it very much. Even someone as delicate as I am can handle it with ease."

"I can hide it on my person without anyone noticing, and fight in the city without causing panic."

"Did you bring it today? I'd like to see it," Chang Yu rubbed his hands eagerly, making his request.

Katerina hesitated, but eventually pulled the compact pistol from the waistband at the back of her trousers.

It was a bright silver pistol, exquisitely crafted, now resting quietly in Katerina's palm.

The moment Chang Yu saw it, his gaze was glued to it.

Like many men, Chang Yu had always been fascinated by firearms since childhood.

Until now, he had only ever watched videos online, never having the chance to handle one up close.

Now, the opportunity was right before him.

"Let me feel it," he said, reaching out to take the pistol.

"Hey!" Katerina quickly raised the pistol, dodging Chang Yu's grasp.

"This is a real killing weapon, not some fruit knife you can hand over casually."

"Tch, stingy!" Chang Yu grumbled, withdrawing his hand and turning his head away, like a child sulking.

"But... if it's unloaded, I suppose I could let you have a look."

Smiling slightly, Katerina deftly removed the magazine and tossed the empty pistol to Chang Yu. "It's for your own good. Someone who's never handled a gun could easily have an accidental discharge. Having it loaded would be too dangerous for you."

Chang Yu caught the pistol with delight, caressing every inch of its frame, overwhelmed with excitement.

Perhaps because Katerina had always kept it close, the pistol still retained a hint of her warmth.

A faint feminine fragrance drifted from the weapon, sneaking straight into Chang Yu's nose.

For a moment, though his hand held the pistol, his thoughts had already flown to Katerina herself.

"How powerful is it?" Chang Yu squinted at her.

Katerina answered honestly, "It's a small-caliber pistol, so its lethality is limited—that's inevitable."

"Fortunately, the blue flame I imbue in the bullets greatly enhances their destructive power."

"When confronting calamities, the two combined can achieve more than the sum of their parts, making up for its lack of force."

"I'm not skilled in close combat, but I've mastered firearms since childhood. Fighting at a distance suits me better."

"For me, this pistol is perfect—it's as if it was custom-made for me."

Toying with the pistol that was barely the size of his palm, Chang Yu suddenly had an idea.

"Can I have a sidearm too?" he looked at Katerina with hopeful eyes, like a child begging for a toy.

"Well..." Katerina looked troubled.

"Look, we're both members of the organization. If you can have a sidearm, I should be able to as well!" Chang Yu flashed a sincere, almost goofy smile.

"But you don't know how to use a gun. What's the point?" Katerina patiently reasoned.

"I don't now, but I can learn," Chang Yu finally revealed his true intentions.

"See, after the last battle, I realized I'm still not strong enough."

"If I had a pistol, I'd have a bit more ability to protect myself against calamities."

"Last time I was lucky—the reinforcements arrived. But what if I'm unlucky next time? I'd die at the hands of a calamity."

"So think about it this way: you're not giving me a gun, you're giving me my life!"

"If you don't give me a sidearm, you're practically sentencing me to death!"

"But you've only just joined. It's a bit early to have your own weapon," Katerina protested weakly.

"Even if I just joined, I've already contributed to the organization, shed blood for the country!" Chang Yu declared with conviction.

"This isn't up to me. I'll have to ask the higher-ups," she finally relented, unable to argue further.

"Don't forget to remind them—the Bureau still owes me a life!" Chang Yu's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"I'm not picky—no need for the leaders to pay with their lives. Just a gun will do."

Katerina took a deep breath, gaining a new understanding of Chang Yu's shamelessness. "I'll do my best for you."

"As for whether the higher-ups will grant your request, I can't promise anything."

Night soon fell, and visitors at the hospital gradually departed.

Katerina left as well—after all, she had to go home and sleep.

Their relationship was not yet close enough to spend the night in the same hospital room.

Even if Chang Yu was more than willing, Katerina certainly was not.

Clutching his romantic dreams, Chang Yu lay on the Simmons hospital bed and drifted into sleep.

.........

The scene shifted, and Chang Yu found himself in a scenic, tranquil paradise.

Flocks of celestial birds soared overhead, their graceful forms glimpsed through swirling clouds.

"I finally made it to Fuling Valley."

Chang Yu was moved to tears, wishing he could kneel and kiss the land he loved so dearly.

To return here again, Chang Yu had spared no effort in recent days.

Yet, despite watching countless horror movies, he hadn't had a single dream—how could he not be anxious?

Unexpectedly, tonight, without any preparation, he found himself here.

Truly, fate works in mysterious ways.

"My good disciple, you miss your master that much? Your eyes are red—you’re about to cry," Master Hao Er, dressed in white, approached from afar, his robes swaying as he walked, exuding the aura of an immortal hermit.

At the sight of Master Hao Er, Chang Yu trembled with excitement, rushing toward him and crying out:

"Master! Your disciple missed you so much!"

Then, under Master Hao Er’s stunned gaze, Chang Yu hugged his leg tightly.

"Master! You have no idea how much your disciple has suffered out there!"

Chang Yu, tears and snot streaming, poured out his grievances to Master Hao Er like a child bullied in the outside world who returns home seeking justice.

"Hey, hey, hey! Let's agree beforehand—cry if you must, but don't wipe your snot on me!"

Master Hao Er, a bit of a clean freak, immediately sensed Chang Yu’s intentions.

"I don’t care! If you don’t stand up for me, I’ll do just about anything," Chang Yu replied cheekily, grabbing at Master Hao Er’s robe as if to wipe his nose.

"Stop, stop! Don’t dirty your master’s clothes." Alarmed, Master Hao Er quickly pulled his robe away.

Then he shoved Chang Yu aside and sighed, "If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t always cry—it's undignified."

Chang Yu was delighted by these words, scrambling to his feet and quickly wiping his tears before beginning his complaint:

"These past few days, your disciple encountered a formidable enemy... blah blah... blah blah..."

"In short, if it weren’t for my luck, I wouldn’t be alive to see you again."

"I believed your advice, Master, thought the Qi Condensation stage was powerful—that I’d roam the world with a sword, carefree!"

"But after this battle, I realized Qi Condensation... isn’t all that. I can’t win against anyone."

"Hey now!" Master Hao Er was displeased. "I helped you reach Qi Condensation out of kindness, and now you’re complaining?"

"Other disciples beg their masters for such enlightenment, and their masters don’t always grant it. Yet here you are, blessed but ungrateful, complaining about your master!"

"Please don’t be angry, Master. I wasn’t complaining," Chang Yu said obsequiously, as if ready to massage Master Hao Er’s back.

"I just suddenly realized—even at Qi Condensation, I’m far from invincible."

"In comparison to the vast world, the boundless universe, I’m like a speck of dust—insignificant."

"There are many stronger than me; I still have a long way to go before becoming a true expert."

"Good, that’s what I like to hear." Master Hao Er stroked his white beard, genuinely approving. "It’s important to know your place. The most dangerous thing is to lose sight of that!"

"You’re only at Qi Condensation. There are plenty stronger than you. Don’t get cocky when you go out."

"Otherwise, you might run into someone who’ll teach you a lesson and rub your face in the dirt."

"So, remember—when you’re out in the world, keep a low profile. Humility is always a virtue."