Holy Healing Elixir · Oral (Quality: A Tier): Two vials of potent restorative potion. When consumed, it heals all physical injuries in seconds, restores stamina, neutralizes most toxins, and boosts all stats by 15% for about an hour. Price: 3,000 System Coins.

Annihilation Flash · Ring (Quality: S Tier): A ring blessed by the God of Destruction. When worn, it instantly heals part of the damage taken and stores 30% of that damage as energy for skill use. Energy capacity equals 100% of the wearer's max energy. Price: 18,000 System Coins.

Bountiful Rice Seeds (Quality: A Tier): Fast-growing, highly adaptable seeds yielding delicious white rice upon harvest. Price: 2,000 System Coins.

After breakfast, Bai Ling and Duan Heng naturally checked today's Premium Shop. Just as Duan Heng expected, the refreshed items were all high-tier—two were even A Tier.

But adding it up, these three discounted items cost 600 + 3,600 + 400, totaling 4,600 System Coins. That was nearly double yesterday's spending.

The price made Bai Ling gasp in shock:

"My god, this is insane! Even discounted, it's 4,600? We won't have money left for tomorrow's S Tier Artifact!"

"True. I didn't expect it to be this pricey either," Duan Heng admitted, his expression turning grave. He'd anticipated higher prices but not this extreme.

"If only we'd killed more Zombies last night."

"So what now? Should we still buy these two A Tier items?" Bai Ling hesitated, staring at the prices in her mind. Saving money today might be best to afford tomorrow's S Tier gear.

But Duan Heng answered firmly:

"Buy them! Absolutely!"

"Every item above A Tier is rare. We can't waste this discount. We have two days left—we'll hunt Zombies nonstop. But first, let's secure these."

His tone was dead serious, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Bai Ling didn't mind. She always trusted Duan Heng. Right after he spoke, she quickly bought the items via the system.

'In the Apocalypse, every resource is precious—especially these futuristic artifacts no one else can get.'

'We need at least 3,000 System Coins today. Otherwise, we might miss tomorrow's S Tier item.'

Duan Heng's thoughts hardened his resolve. He clenched his fists tightly.

Meanwhile, the three items materialized from glitching spheres: two finger-sized red vials, a ring, and a plain seed packet.

The vials and seeds were unremarkable—just elegantly packaged and currently useless.

But the ring... one glance told Duan Heng and Bai Ling it was extraordinary. Its milky-white band was flawless, carved like vines creeping up the surface. The vines darkened toward the center, where a bright crimson gem glowed like a sealed dragon's heart.

Closer inspection revealed swirling starry patterns inside the gem—as vast as the cosmos itself. Was it mere decoration, or a compressed universe? Even unclaimed, its oppressive aura chilled Duan Heng.

"Wow! This is so gorgeous~"

Naturally, Bai Ling was captivated. At first sight, she covered her mouth with a finger, eyes wide with desire. That shimmering glow made her ache to wear it on her slender fingers—it would look perfect...

But common sense kicked in. The item's description clearly didn't suit her; she had no energy-based skills yet.

After a brief pause, she reluctantly handed it to Duan Heng, pouting:

"Here. It boosts the wearer's energy capacity. Useless for me. You take it."

"Thanks, wife."

Duan Heng smiled, slipped on the ring, and ruffled Bai Ling's hair.

Bai Ling huffed and turned away, flustered—but then froze. A question mark popped in her mind as her eyes widened:

'Wait... what did he just call me?'

'Darn it! Why am I getting used to that already?! I didn't even react!'

Realizing Duan Heng had tricked her again, resentment flickered across her face.

But Duan Heng had closed his eyes, focusing on the ring's power. Bai Ling bit her lip silently, dark lines forming on her forehead.

'This ring's energy is overwhelming!'

The moment he wore it, Duan Heng marveled internally. Energy surged from his ring finger like a torrent, flooding his body. Each pulse felt like unblocking his meridians, evolving him endlessly. He felt unnaturally light—as if he could conquer the world single-handedly.

His level was only 30+, yet his energy capacity now matched a 40+ or even 50+ Esper!

'No wonder S Tier Artifacts are so rare. With this in my past life, I wouldn't have met that end.'

'Oh no... I might actually become invincible now!'

His eyes hardened with fury as memories surfaced—those traitors, those "allies" who smiled to his face but sabotaged him behind his back. They were hailed as saviors by survivors, yet sacrificed his ten-thousand-strong base for their greed.

That hatred would never fade.

But Duan Heng quickly calmed himself. He turned to Bai Ling:

"No time to waste. We must hunt Zombies today. Split the Holy Healing Elixirs—one each. Wear yours as a necklace."

He pulled a plain pendant from his system space, threaded the vial's hook through it, and handed it to her.

Bai Ling took it dazedly. Only when the vial touched her palm did she snap awake, stammering:

"Huh...? Y-yes!"

Duan Heng didn't notice her reaction. He hadn't seen how his vengeful glare during his flashback—icy, ancient, amplified by the ring's aura—had made him look like a demon king.

But Bai Ling wasn't scared. Her daze came from a faint blush. Lips pressed tight, she moistened them with her tongue. After fastening the necklace, she lowered her head shyly, heart racing:

'So... so cool. Why is this happening?!'

'Ugh, I need new underwear...'

'Ahhh, Duan Heng, you really are the worst!'