Infinite Cosmic Cafeteria Chapter 23: The Strategy Takes Shape

Translator: Stellar Novels Editor: Stellar Novels

Ma Lu was truly busy at this moment.

The notifications from the Traveler's Bracelet kept ringing non-stop, and in just three minutes, 54 blessings appeared at once. Some of them Ma Lu didn’t even have time to examine closely, as the 60-second countdown was almost over.

He could only glance through them as quickly as possible and rely on his instincts.

After three minutes, the character status panel displayed 17 new blessings. Combined with the 29 blessings acquired in three previous rounds, this swarm of Vampiric Long-Tailed Weasels contributed a total of 45 blessings to the team.

Among them, 15 were related to basic attributes, 19 were related to Psychic Ability, and 11 were either ambiguous in meaning or difficult to trigger.

Most of these blessings were blue, with three purple ones:

【Final Iron Wall: 33% chance for a team member’s shield to completely block an attack when damaged】

【Strike Charge: When a team member adopts a defensive stance during combat, each hit received increases strength by 10%. This effect can accumulate and resets when an attack is launched】

【Bleeding Out: 33% chance for the whole team’s attacks to inflict a bleeding status, doubling the target’s blood loss during the bleeding state】

【Final Iron Wall】 and 【Bleeding Out】 were superior replacements for the blue blessings 【Final Stand】 and 【Localized Bleeding】.

The effects increased from 15% to 33%, making them easier to trigger, significantly enhancing their practicality.

The appearance of the purple blessing 【Strike Charge】 addressed the team’s lack of firepower.

Centered around these three purple blessings, combined with other blue blessings, Bocchi's unique defensive counter-attack strategy was beginning to take shape.

Instead of rushing into further hunts, Ma Lu first collaborated with Bocchi to develop a combat strategy and test their newly acquired blessings.

“You’re sure about incorporating my Psychic Ability into combat?”

Bocchi, having just soloed a swarm of over forty Vampiric Long-Tailed Weasels, was still riding a wave of adrenaline, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

But the moment he heard Ma Lu mention developing his Psychic Ability, he calmed down.

He had considered this possibility before—no one wished more than he did to overcome his glaring weakness.

His teachers at school had encouraged him, saying that no ability was useless; it just hadn’t been applied in the right context yet. But reality was harsh.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t figure out what use his flimsy water shield could have.

It had no real defensive capability, and in the desert, water was precious, so he couldn’t afford to waste it.

Ma Lu, however, was still enthusiastic. “How much Psychic energy does it take for you to create a water shield?”

“Making the water shield isn’t too demanding. Although it’s called a shield, it’s really just a shield shape with no actual defensive power. You saw it last time at Little Bear Tavern; even a fork could pierce through it easily, so the consumption is minimal.”

Bocchi recalled, “I once created over a thousand water shields consecutively, and it only used up half of my Psychic energy.”

This stamina level exceeded Ma Lu’s expectations and gave him even more confidence in his upcoming plan.

“So how many water shields can you create at once?”

“That depends on the size of the shield,” Bocchi said. “I can make one large shield as tall as a person, but if it’s a small round shield worn on the arm, I can make three in one go.”

“What about thumb-sized mini shields?”

“About seven… The problem is that making them hover in a specific position requires focus, and any more would be too much for me to handle.”

The complete damage immunity effect from the purple blessing 【Final Iron Wall】 seemed strong, but the activation conditions were stringent.

It required a shield to be damaged, which is difficult in normal combat, and if this condition is met, it often means the situation is already dire. Even if the immunity effect triggers, losing the shield would make the ensuing fight even tougher.

It was more like a last-ditch life-saving card that relied on luck.

However, it unexpectedly fit perfectly with Bocchi’s Psychic Ability.

The biggest problem with Bocchi’s water shield was that it had no defensive power; once attacked, it would inevitably break. But precisely because of this, it easily satisfied the activation condition of 【Final Iron Wall】.

As for losing the water shield, it had almost no impact on Bocchi; he could immediately create another one—no, not just one.

Ma Lu felt that he had found the correct way to utilize 【Final Iron Wall】.

“In future battles, you should create as many water shields as possible.”

“Huh?”

“One water shield has only a 33% chance of blocking an incoming attack. But if you deploy two at once, the probability of immunity increases to 54%. With three shields, it’s 71%... with seven shields, the probability reaches 95%!

“This way, almost every defense will reliably trigger the immunity effect. And even if you’re unlucky enough to fall into that remaining 5%, with your now-enhanced reflexes, you can still dodge most attacks before they land.

“Additionally, when these water shields are struck, they can trigger another purple blessing, 【Strike Charge】. If each water shield gives you a 10% strength boost, then theoretically, one hit could increase your strength by up to 70%—it’s basically cheating.”

To validate this strategy’s feasibility and help Bocchi adapt to his new combat style, Ma Lu specifically designed a training regimen for him.

Though Bocchi initially had doubts about this strange battle method focused on taking hits, he was ultimately persuaded by one sentence from Ma Lu.

“I’ve already enhanced your water shields. If you want to keep moving forward and hunt rarer prey, you must utilize your Psychic Ability.”

As a hunter, there was an innate drive to challenge stronger creatures—not just for the lucrative rewards and fame, but because it was a part of every hunter’s nature.

Even with the danger, hunting groups large and small from The Giant Screen still pressed onward into the depths of the desert without hesitation.

Bocchi was no exception.

Especially since he had once vowed to follow in that person’s footsteps.

However, after some thought, Bocchi voiced his concern. “Even if I’m willing to use my Psychic Ability, there isn’t enough water here for me to expend.”

Bocchi had brought enough water for the two of them to drink for two days, but if used in battle, it would only last for one or two encounters.

“Don’t worry, I’ve considered that problem too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have focused so much on stacking bleeding effects among all the abnormal states.”

Ma Lu winked at him.

“Blood is composed of 85% water; it should be enough for you to create shields.”

The last of the three purple blessings, 【Bleeding Out】, was designed for exactly this purpose.

“Blood?” Bocchi was stunned, but he had to admit that Ma Lu’s plan was highly feasible.

With the final obstacle cleared, Bocchi agreed to join Ma Lu’s special training program.

This training session lasted for two full hours.

It allowed Ma Lu to understand many of the blessings’ usage methods and synergy effects, and it also helped Bocchi gradually adapt to and master the strategy.

This defense—charge—counterattack approach wasn’t complex, and for a diligent and studious individual like Bocchi, it was easy to grasp.

The more he practiced, the more Bocchi sensed the incredible potential within this method, making him realize the tremendous impact Psychic Abilities could have in battle.

It was something he hadn’t experienced in his seventeen years and solidified Bocchi’s determination.

“I think we can venture even further.”

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