Chapter 11: Career Advancement

By this time, Bai Nian had already grabbed her backpack and quietly left the school.

As a boarding student, she had no luggage and no one to pick her up, so she stuffed all her belongings into a single schoolbag.

She didn’t need to show off in front of others.

With her Yellow-rank talent, she couldn’t even get into university, let alone that she never planned to.

On the way home, Bai Nian was in a good mood.

She toyed with a golden triangular crystal in her hand, its surface covered with the same patterns as those on the Disaster Gate.

If you looked closely, you could see the words ‘First Rank’ appearing faintly on it.

This thing was a Disaster Core.

It had many uses, similar to gold in the old days—possessing monetary value that surpassed any banknotes.

At the same time, it could be used to enhance weapons and improve one’s strength; it was a hot commodity.

Only those who successfully eliminated the Disaster Gate would obtain a Disaster Core, and the conquerors would be branded with a Mark.

Bai Nian glanced down at the golden pattern on the back of her hand—a faint line resembling a tattoo.

With a thought, she could make it disappear.

It seemed that this feature made it a symbol of power in this society.

As for any other uses, Bai Nian had no idea.

Pushing open the door to her rented room, she casually tossed her backpack aside and stretched out on the bed.

“Phew, it’s all over.”

“My Yellow-rank profession better just stick to honest work…”

Bai Nian mumbled, then suddenly froze, sitting up sharply.

“Wait, where’s my reward?!”

Dog system, speak!

[Congratulations, host, task completed. Reward is being issued…]

[Your Yellow-rank profession (Hypnosis Specialist) has advanced to Mysterious-rank profession (Dream Seer), gaining C-grade talent (Hypnosis).]

The system’s mechanical voice rang in Bai Nian’s mind, and she immediately felt some changes happening within her body.

It was as if she had entered the space from her awakening yesterday, except this time, she seemed able to sense everything around her, and her entire being was enveloped in an extremely comfortable state.

This feeling is so nice…

“Lazy system, first time meeting and I still have to beg for my reward myself.”

Bai Nian curled her lips and then checked her own changes.

How should she put it?

It still felt pretty lame…

A talent for curing insomnia paired with a skill for watching the show—there was absolutely no combat power.

“When can I start killing everyone?”

Bai Nian tried to communicate with the system to unlock today’s task, but it had crashed again.

Dis.

“Forget it.”

She sighed and pulled out her phone to order takeout, only to find over a dozen missed calls—all from Yu Zishan.

“Oh no, I forgot to tell that girl!”

Bai Nian hurriedly called her back.

The call was answered almost instantly, and a worried voice came through.

“Nian Nian, you entered the Disaster Gate?”

“Yeah.”

Bai Nian didn’t deny it. Before she could say more, a barrage of scolding hit her.

“Do you know how dangerous that is?! I heard it’s First Rank—that’s deadly! How could you be so reckless…”

“Stop, stop, stop. Isn’t there a chance I’m the one who cleared the gate?”

Bai Nian said calmly.

Yu Zishan on the other end was stunned.

“Huh?”

“You’re not…”

She hesitated, still not quite sure what profession Bai Nian had awakened, so she switched tone quickly.

“I knew my Nian Nian was the best, hehe~”

“But next time, don’t be so impulsive, okay?”

she added.

Bai Nian looked helpless.

“Don’t worry about me. What about you—when are you going to participate in the trial?”

Speaking of which, Yu Zishan’s face fell.

“My sister and I were both admitted to Heavenly Dynasty University. Time is tight; we leave for Di Du tomorrow. The trial school arranges everything, and we have to handle the paperwork…”

In this apocalypse, students no longer had summer breaks—their studies pressed forward relentlessly.

“That’s good news, it’s not like you disappeared. Besides, the internet is so developed—just keep in touch by phone.”

Bai Nian comforted her.

They were very close.

Since high school they had parted ways, but every weekend holiday they would get together.

Bai Nian’s rented room bore the mark of their friendship—the double set of tableware was proof.

They were each other’s only friend, extremely important.

“Nian Nian, do you have time tonight?”

Yu Zishan asked.

“Yes.”

Bai Nian nodded; she knew the other wanted to say a proper goodbye.

They finally agreed to have dinner together in the evening.

Tian Mu was far from Di Du—too far for a regular holiday trip.

So this time, they really would be apart for a long while, which was why Yu Zishan squeezed out the time despite her busy schedule.

“This is a bit tricky.”

Bai Nian flipped through her wardrobe.

Now that she had graduated, she definitely couldn’t wear her school uniform anymore; she needed to find something to wear.

Her life was always frugal.

She didn’t have many clothes, and most had been worn for a long time.

Just as Bai Nian pulled out a tracksuit, the dead system’s voice sounded in her mind.

How can you look so shabby in front of your bestie?

[Today’s random task: Wear black stockings and sailor uniform to meet Yu Zishan]

[Reward: Excellent makeup skills]

[Punishment: Running naked in the mall]

Bai Nian:

???

“You couldn’t come up with any other punishments, huh?!”

“And why does this system have to control what I wear?!”

Bai Nian grumbled fiercely, but all she got in response was silence.

Running naked in the mall?

She might as well kill her.

“The problem is, I don’t even have those clothes.”

Bai Nian rummaged through her closet and then checked her bank balance—less than four digits.

Broke and destitute…

“Shouldn’t you provide them for free?”

she tried tentatively.

The system, perhaps realizing she had a point, surprisingly responded.

[Relevant clothing items will be provided free of charge by the system.]

Immediately, a full outfit appeared on the bed.

A white shirt, black necktie, ultra-short blue-and-white plaid skirt, small leather shoes, and a pair of black stockings covered in letters…

Bai Nian: 6

At that moment, the takeout arrived.

It was still morning.

Bai Nian had eaten breakfast, showered, admired herself for a moment, then stepped out of the bathroom naked.

Looking at the clothes on the bed, she could already imagine the lecherous expression on Yu Zishan’s face…