When Ethan returned to Darunhua, the shopping guide immediately noticed him.
This man, who had failed his own job transfer years ago, now worked as a floor-level assistant. Though he'd never admit it, he still looked down on newcomers, especially those who seemed clueless.
Seeing Ethan back again so soon, the guide smirked inwardly.
He must not have gotten the summoned beast earlier. Probably came back to apply for a job transfer loan.
Trying to sound helpful, he asked, "Have you decided which summoned beast to buy?"
Ethan didn't even glance at the man. "I'm not here for summoned beasts. I want to see materials."
The shopping guide raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Materials?
That term included everything from monster cores to leather, claws, shells, fangs—items used for forging, enchanting, tailoring, and more. It was unusual for a new beastmaster to request materials instead of companions.
But instead of asking questions, the guide grinned smugly. He thought Ethan had no money—maybe now he'd push the job transfer loan. The commission for that was much higher.
Darunhua's material selection was vast, far too extensive to display physically. So the guide led Ethan into a separate lounge, handed him a tablet, and said, "All available materials are listed here. Just tell me what you want, and I'll bring it over."
Ethan scrolled through the listings.
He quickly noted that materials were much cheaper than even the lowest-tier bronze summoned beasts. For the price of one egg, he could buy dozens of material samples.
"Do you have any bronze-tier materials?" he asked.
The shopping guide's eyes gleamed. Now we're talking. Bronze-tier materials were more expensive, and the higher the sale, the more impressive the loan offer would look.
"Absolutely," he said, flipping the page on the tablet for Ethan.
Ethan reviewed the categories.
His current summoned beast, the Poisonous Fire Ant, had a passive toxin skill. But based on the nature of ants—carrying 400 times their body weight, pulling up to 1200 times—he knew their strength came from their physique, not poison.
Enhancing toxins would be pointless.
> "I should focus on Earth or Wood element materials—something that improves structure, weight, or durability."
He selected ten bronze-level Earth-based materials.
The total cost?
Almost the same as a bronze beast egg.
The shopping guide's fake smile turned into a real one. "Great picks! Give me a minute. I'll fetch them."
He even thought of bringing Ethan a bottle of water… but that thought died quickly when Ethan added, "Also, bring me these three silver-tier materials."
The shopping guide's jaw dropped slightly. Silver-tier? Already?
Without another word, he set the water bottle aside and dashed off, returning minutes later with a pot of tea.
"Apologies for the earlier treatment. Please enjoy this while you wait," he said with a bow.
Some might think this was overkill for a silver-material buyer.
But the guide wasn't stupid.
Ethan had already identified himself as a new job-changer. If someone freshly awakened was already using silver materials, then he was either rich, powerful, or connected—maybe all three.
No one asked questions about what he was doing with the materials. That wasn't the guide's job.
"Here's my membership number. You can deduct the payment," Ethan said casually.
The total cost? Over 40,000 credits.
The shopping guide stared at the successful transaction, then at Ethan.
> "Thank god I didn't push the loan deal. If I pissed him off and lost this job…"
From that moment on, he decided: whenever Ethan returned, he'd be treated like royalty.
Before Ethan could leave, he turned around and added, "Oh, and one more thing. Give me a Decomposition skill book."
This was a cheap, basic skill. The shopping guide simply handed one over for free.
Ethan clapped the booklet between his palms. It shimmered with soft light and dissolved into his body, instantly learning the skill.
"Come again soon!" the guide called, bowing as Ethan left.
---
Back home, three dishes and one hot soup sat steaming on the table. The principal of No. 3 Middle School was nowhere to be seen.
A quick call revealed he'd been called away for an emergency.
Good. Less explaining to do.
How do I tell him I tamed two ants? Ethan thought with a smirk.
He cleaned up quickly and headed straight to his room.
This was the moment.
He pulled up his skill panel and activated his SSS-level ability: Infinite Alienation.
Two boxes appeared on-screen.
He tapped the left.
> "Please select a summoned beast to alienate."
He selected the Poisonous Fire Ant.
Then the right.
> "Please insert materials."
Ethan skimmed his bronze-level material pile and selected Bronze: Coyote Hide.
The system pulsed:
> "Proceed with Infinite Alienation?"
> [Yes]
A new prompt appeared:
> "Choose Alienation Focus:"
a. Strengthen feet
b. Strengthen chest/abdomen
c. Enhance overall defense
Ethan knew ants' vulnerabilities: their legs, underbellies, and core armor. Choosing to strengthen everything made the most sense.
> [Choice: c. Enhance overall defense]
> "Alienation successful: Constitution +20, Strength +6"
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
> "Strength increased too?"
That wasn't supposed to happen. The upgrade was defensive in focus.
He looked again.
The ant's once-sleek shell was now bulkier, with a faint shimmer like armored plating etched in natural ridges.
> "Interesting. So the material properties do affect the outcome…"
Time for another trial.
He selected Bronze: Giant Earth Turtle Shell and repeated the process.
> [Alienation Focus: Enhance overall defense]
> "Alienation successful: Constitution +40, Strength +8"
The stat gain had doubled.
Higher-quality materials = better results.
But he wasn't aiming for a tank.
The Poisonous Fire Ant wasn't meant to absorb damage—it was meant to deliver it.
So next, he tried Bronze: Coyote Fang.
> [Alienation Focus: Strengthen mouthparts]
> "Alienation successful: Strength +20, Penetration +5"
Penetration.
Now that was new.
It meant armor-piercing, the ability to punch through enemy defenses.
Ethan looked at the ant again.
Its jaws were noticeably larger, sharper, and more intimidating than before.
So Infinite Alienation didn't just alter stats—it also generated new traits.
The possibilities were endless.
Without hesitation, he dumped all remaining bronze materials into the alienation panel.
The screen lit up again.
> "Multiple material types detected. Please choose evolution focus…"
Ethan leaned in.
It was time to build something monstrous.
---
End of Chapter 10