F-class thief? Sorry, I can steal anything.

Chapter 109 The Commendation Conference is Approaching

Back at the villa in Tianjing Yunting.

Chen Yifan walked straight into the monitoring room without turning on the lights.

He placed the heavy alloy box on the table and opened it again.

A scent mixed with talisman paper, dried grass, and some kind of strange energy permeated the air.

He didn't rush to count the runes.

Instead, he picked up the three B-grade [Substitute Scarecrows] first.

The feeling upon first use was quite peculiar.

It looks like it's woven from some kind of tough plant fiber.

Yet it also has a warm, fleshy feel to it.

The scarecrow's face was painted with a strange smiley face in red dye, which looked rather eerie.

[Item: Substitute Scarecrow]

[Rank: B]

[Type: Consumable/Oddity]

[Effect: Once bound, it can automatically absorb the damage in place of the user when attacked fatally, and will be randomly teleported to a location within 100 meters of the bound location. Each scarecrow can only be active once, and will be destroyed immediately after activation.]

[Note: This is an ancient voodoo artifact. It will take all your pain for you, but only this once.]

Three scarecrows represent three lives.

Chen Yifan took a deep breath.

Without hesitation, I cut my fingertip.

Drip three drops of blood onto the foreheads of the three scarecrows.

The blood was quickly absorbed, and a faint red light appeared on all three scarecrows at the same time, before disappearing again.

A faint connection was established between him and the three little creatures.

After doing all this, he turned his gaze to the A-grade [Absolute Defense Scroll (Fake)].

This is the most important part of his deal.

This was also his greatest advantage in daring to venture into dangerous places.

It is strong enough to withstand a full-force attack from a level 75 expert.

Although it would severely injure him, it was the highest-level item he could currently buy with money.

He held the A-roll in his hand and examined it over and over again several times.

The scroll was made from some kind of unidentified animal hide.

The surface is decorated with intricate gold patterns.

Even in dim lighting, it exudes a soft yet firm light.

[Item: Absolute Defense Scroll (Fake)]

[Level: A]

[Type: Consumable/Roll]

[Effect: Tearing open the scroll creates a 'Pseudo-Absolute Domain' that lasts for 10 seconds. Within the domain, the user is immune to all physical and energy attacks below Lv.75 (Master level).]

[Special Note: This scroll is a replica. Its energy structure is unstable and there is a chance it will prematurely collapse when subjected to attacks exceeding its threshold. Please use with caution.]

Ten seconds of invincibility.

Although it is possible that it will collapse earlier.

But on the ever-changing battlefield, ten seconds...

Even a few seconds is enough for him to do so many things.

Escape, fight back, even...

steal!

Chen Yifan carefully tucked the scroll into his pocket and placed it close to his body.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the hundred runes.

Fifty [Explosive Runes].

Fifty [Shining Runes].

These C-grade consumables, taken individually, pose little threat to high-level professionals.

But quantity can lead to qualitative change.

Chen Yifan carefully packed these runes into various pockets on his body.

Make sure you can pull it out and use it as quickly as possible in any position.

As for why it's not put in the beginner's backpack...

This is, of course, because he is unsure.

It's unclear what trump cards the authorities will use in this operation to capture Bai Xiang, a level 90 professional.

In case the newbie can't open their backpack.

Wouldn't that mean the game is over?

Chen Yifan closed his eyes and began frantically conducting a sand table simulation.

The city center square the day after tomorrow.

It must be an inescapable trap.

On the surface, there are layers of security measures set up by the authorities to "protect" him.

In the shadows, all sorts of wolves and tigers are drawn by the "heritage".

The most deadly threat was the legendary assassin, Bai Xiang, who was as elusive as a ghost.

This is a sure-fire, doomed situation.

He was like a sacrifice, bound hand and foot, thrown into the center of the arena, surrounded by hungry beasts.

The only difference was that the sacrifice was clutching several powerful bombs in its hand.

How do I use it?

When to use it?

For whom?

Each of these problems is a matter of life and death.

"We can't just passively wait for an attack and then run away."

Chen Yifan said to himself.

"I have to deliberately create chaos, stir up the waters, and make it impossible for everyone to see each other clearly."

His plan gradually became clear in his mind.

First, use the [Explosive Rune] when the commendation ceremony is at its climax and everyone's attention is focused on him.

To create an event that is neither too big nor too small.

But an explosion that could cause panic.

The explosion site must be far away from crowds.

It cannot cause civilian casualties, but it must be conspicuous enough for everyone to know...

The attack began.

Then, taking advantage of the chaos caused by the explosion and the moment when security forces were mobilized, use the [Flash Rune] to create blindness and disturbance over a wider area.

He created the perfect opportunity for himself, and for the "hungry wolves" lurking in the shadows, to either strike or escape.

He wanted to force those people to expose themselves prematurely.

As for what comes next.

The [Substitute Scarecrow] and the [Absolute Defense Scroll] are his guarantees for escaping.

but.

Simply running away is not enough.

After all, this was a grand... ceremony.

This fully illustrates the point.

The officials, or rather Wang Jianguo and his group, had long anticipated that something would go wrong at the commendation ceremony.

They even enjoy seeing this chaos.

Because they also have their own goals, and the kinds of fish they want to catch.

"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."

Chen Yifan's expression gradually turned into one of madness.

"Who is the mantis, who is the cicada, and who is the oriole? Who can tell the difference..."

He cannot be satisfied with merely escaping death.

He wanted to see clearly amidst this chaos who was orchestrating the scheme, who was disrupting it, and who was reaping the benefits.

and!

With so many "hunters," how many abilities could they possibly steal?

This is absolutely a fantastic opportunity.

After all, those who come to arrest him, or rather, those who become prey in the eyes of the authorities...

Its value will definitely not be low.

If one or two more talents like [Swiftness] were obtained...

That will have a far greater impact on his future development than simply one plus one equals two.

but……

Similarly, he will face even more dangers.

……

The following day, Chen Yifan continued his preparations.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the entire Jiangcheng city became increasingly eerie.

On the one hand, major media outlets gave extensive coverage to the commendation ceremony for "Young Hero Chen Yifan".

His slightly immature face is everywhere – on television, online.

He was portrayed as a perfect idol who rose from humble beginnings, defied tyranny, and rid the people of evil.

In particular, this idol is also a "thief".

The stark contrast made every report about Chen Yifan go viral.

Countless teenagers regard him as a role model, and countless parents use his story to educate their children.

The entire city of Jiangcheng was immersed in a frenzied atmosphere of an impending hero's birth.

On the other hand, there is an underground world that ordinary people cannot see.

A surging undercurrent is rapidly gathering.

"Shadow Fiend's Legacy".

"The Key to the King of Assassins"

And how could an F-rank thief possibly kill the infamous Shadow Fiend?

There must be a secret hidden within this.

Suddenly, the airport, train station, and docks of Jiangcheng were filled with many unfamiliar faces with a tough demeanor and sharp eyes.

Some of these people are lone bounty hunters.

Some are well-organized mercenary groups.

Others are intelligence brokers with mysterious backgrounds.

Without exception, they were all international criminals and wanted fugitives.

Everyone comes here for the same goal.

However, it was just before the commendation ceremony was about to begin.

A single encrypted message from Mu Wanqing shook the very foundation of Chen Yifan's newly established plan.

The message was short, yet it carried a chilling undercurrent.

"Be careful, those guys who came for you vanished the moment they entered Jiangcheng."