In addition to the skill book, the Bronze-level Nurturer dropped two more pieces of equipment.

  Lin Ze ignored them for now.

  "I had 1 Evolution Point left. Killing the Nurturer gave me 2 more. That’s 3 points total—just enough to evolve the new skill twice."

  He focused on the skill:

  [Greedy Hand (Bronze): Assassin Skill. 20% chance to extract an additional loot drop from monster corpses.]

  "This skill was incredibly rare in my previous life. Anyone who had it became a key figure in their guild. Imagine the envy when a boss dropped double rewards because of one extra skill cast!"

  He initiated the first evolution:

  [Consumed 1 Evolution Point. Remaining: 2.]

  [Greedy Hand evolved to Silver: 40% chance for extra loot.]

  Then, the second:

  [Consumed 2 Evolution Points. Remaining: 0.]

  [Greedy Hand evolved to Gold: 70% chance for extra loot.]

  "At this rate, if I evolve it once more... 100%? That would be game-breaking."

  Lin Ze activated the skill on the Nurturer’s corpse.

  A golden spectral hand reached out and grasped the remains.

  [Greedy Hand activated successfully.] [You gained 2 Evolution Points.] [You gained 46 days of tradeable lifespan.]

  Three new items dropped at the corpse’s feet.

  "It worked! Even Evolution Points count as loot!"

  He scanned the new gear. One caught his eye immediately:

  [Corrosive Dagger (Bronze): Attack +35, Agility +4. Requirement: Level 1]

  Without hesitation, Lin Ze equipped it. Combined with his level-up bonuses, his attack now reached 50 points—double his previous stat.

  Next to him, twelve smaller spiders still lingered, unaware.

  He emerged from stealth briefly, sshing through one in an instant. Before the others reacted, he disappeared once again.

  With infinite stealth and superior speed, Lin Ze had nothing to fear.

  Meanwhile, on Blue Star—in the real world...

  At Jianghai Normal University, Qin Xiaoyou sat in css beside her best friend Chu Yan.

  Suddenly, a commotion broke out. A boy who had fallen asleep was now semi-transparent, as if becoming ethereal.

  "Wei? Wei, what’s happening to you?!" his panicked roommate shouted.

  Their teacher paused mid-lecture, stunned. Students rushed forward, murmuring in confusion.

  Attempts to touch the sleeping boy failed. Their hands passed through him like mist.

  Gasps filled the cssroom.

  Chu Yan tugged on Qin Xiaoyou’s sleeve. "Look, Xiaoyou—what’s going on with Zhang Wei?"

  Qin Xiaoyou, elegant in a white dress, stood on tiptoe to peer ahead. The strange sight left her frowning.

  She pulled out her phone, quickly searching online. News was already spreading: images and rumors of people becoming ghost-like in their sleep were circuting in group chats.

  No one had awakened yet. No one knew where they had gone...