Transforming Succubus: Almost Doomsday

A familiar sense of dizziness passed through him; even though he had already acclimated to it once, Zhou Baiyu felt that the drunken sensation was so intense, far surpassing the previous time.

"Another interesting trait, permanently—'God of Difference and Chaos's Demeanor'."

Simply put, in the challenges you will face in the future... you will have a unique aura that will make you more attractive to corrupted beings and native monsters.

Of course, our god always has two sides; the other effect of this demeanor is that human forces and non-corrupted beings will be more likely to hostility towards you. However, this only applies to strangers. Once someone develops a fondness for you, the effect of this demeanor will be weakened, or even completely blocked."

Zhou Baiyu maintained a calm expression but comforted himself inwardly with the usual methods—

The good news is, I'm more likely to be liked by monsters.

The bad news is, probably only monsters will like me.

Also, the better the relationship, the less this demeanor affects it; the worse the relationship, the more it will be influenced.

Lin clearly wasn't unfamiliar with the effects of this drink:

"You should be married by now, right? Don't worry, being married doesn't matter, your wife won't hate you more because of this."

Zhou Baiyu had a face full of dark lines.

Lin chuckled mischievously:

"Oh no, don't tell me you're still single, then you really need to be careful. Your special aura will provoke hostility from some people for no reason, hehe."

In some way, in a future where humanity is waning, being closer to monsters and somewhat distant from humans is actually a win.

But Zhou Baiyu just felt... unhappy.

"Anyway, congratulations on becoming a 'different walker.' Your physical abilities, senses, reaction speed, and immunity have all improved."

"This enhancement naturally can't compare with those combat professions, but the transformation... probably isn't as bad as it used to be."

"Also, your time at the transit station has increased by one hour. Don't underestimate one hour, it can allow you to enquire about a lot of information."

Lin's word choice was extremely cautious. Zhou Baiyu inwardly chuckled.

It was only then that Lin noticed something:

"That watch on your wrist is nice."

Zhou Baiyu was startled. Suddenly, he remembered that when he left the Gu Tower, the information that had emerged in his mind indicated he had received an artifact.

He had been wondering what the artifact was, and now he knew.

Gazing at the watch, Zhou Baiyu saw the information appear before his eyes:

"Item name: White Night Gear."

"Specialty: Turning day into night, and vice versa."

"Description: It certainly can't twist time, at least not for now, but with prolonged use, maybe one day it really can change time.

Beware, I said maybe—I can't guarantee its natural evolutionary direction.

But what is certain is that turning the hands of this watch can forcibly bring about night or day (just a light and shadow effect, time does not actually change).

Perhaps you find this ability somewhat useless, but it can be surprisingly effective in certain scenarios."

Worth mentioning is that this is a product of corruption; no matter how you mutate, the function of switching between day and night will remain as a basic ability."

"Status: Can be mutated, deviation rate of 88%, mutate now?"

Although the ability seemed pointless at a glance, Zhou Baiyu was not disappointed. Who knew if it might prove to be of great use in the future?

He gradually accepted the fact that he was a 'different walker,' standing with one foot in humanity and the other among monsters.

"I just hope I don't crash and burn."

Zhou Baiyu didn't ponder this question for long. Whether a 'different walker' or a pioneer, one needed pioneering points to purchase items to strengthen oneself, to buy abilities to arm oneself.

Right now, he planned to make a big profit:

"Hey, I'm back here, which should be beyond the expectations of many. Those watchers are probably very curious about how I managed to clear the levels."

"This walkthrough is definitely going to sell like hotcakes!"

Before being drafted into Blood Hunting Mode, Zhou Baiyu had not used pioneering points to gain any advantages for himself.

He wanted to experience the thrill of going all-in, to play big.

He even spared no expense of his pioneer points to block the peepers' prying eyes.

He wanted the process of clearing the game to be an exclusive experience for himself.

With the first-hand information from the Gu Tower's Horror Night strategy, he could undoubtedly attract countless people to purchase the guide.

That was indeed what Zhou Baiyu thought.

But Lin's smile made him a tad uneasy:

"I'm afraid I have to tell you some unfortunate news."

Zhou Baiyu narrowed his eyes:

"What do you mean?"

"Indeed, if you were to sell your strategy, many would be willing to see how you counterkill the Blood Hunters, how you defeat the demon king-level monsters... But you can't publish the strategy."

Zhou Baiyu didn't yet know why he couldn't publish it, and his anger flared up:

"Lin? As one of the few sources of your amusement, you wouldn't want my pioneer points to be wasted too soon and then see me dead, would you? If the strategy can't be sold, why didn't you tell me at the beginning?"

Lin said helplessly:

"Little brother, you're really wronging your sister here. To be honest, there are no strategies that can't be sold. I also hope you can earn a bit more, so that I can make some money off you, right?"

"But your situation is really quite special."

Zhou Baiyu sensed something was off:

"What situation?"

Lin said in an amused tone:

"An SSS rating, and you even triggered a hidden mission... Do you know what that means?"

Zhou Baiyu did not speak, but he faintly guessed something.

"Before we get to that, let me ask you a question. Today you became Bai Ling's father, and then someone from the future went back to the initial 1.44 version and did the same thing, becoming Bai Ling's father... Tell me, if you met Bai Ling one day in the future, who would be the father in Bai Ling's memory?"

This question immediately made Zhou Baiyu think of the key point.

Yes, I was able to enter this piece of the future and change a more distant future.

So could others enter this piece of the future and change an even more distant future...

Then wouldn't those who enter the version later be able to overwrite my previous efforts?

Lin smiled and gave the answer:

"That's why we have clearing ratings. Those with a lower clearing rating cannot change the future influenced by those with a higher clearing rating. And once a clearing rating reaches SSS..."

"This area is considered completely finished. In the future, no one else will be able to access this area. Do you understand now?"

"This is why the strategy can't be sold... because no one else will enter that area."

Zhou Baiyu understood, it was indeed reasonable.

In this way, if no one could achieve an SSS rating in the Hanging Corpse Hospital, no matter how much they tried to please Midel, in the higher version's memory... the most favored attendant would always be himself.

That also solved a major puzzle in Zhou Baiyu's heart.

"In short, everyone has the opportunity to change the future, but the one who can truly alter the future is the one who performs the best in every version."

"Additionally... the base requirement for changing the future is an S rating. So even if you clear an area, if you haven't achieved an S rating, then the causality associated with that area after clearing won't actually change."

"Historically, there have been few pioneers who have changed the future. But the opportunity is there for everyone."

Zhou Baiyu suddenly felt a bit frustrated.

The good news is—no need to worry about someone stealing his precious daughter anymore.

The bad news is—I've been swindled by Lin, the scheming merchant, again.

"Oh dear, little brother, don't be so angry~ Hehe. A little bit of pioneer points doesn't matter."

Lin pointed to the second wine cabinet, the Voice of the Pioneers:

"With your current fame, you are in high demand. Once a person has a reputation, are you still worried you can't make money?"

Lin was right, at this moment, Zhou Baiyu was all the rage on the forums.