Infinite Cosmic Cafeteria Chapter 31: Old-New value

Translator: Stellar Novels Editor: Stellar Novels

"Old-New value?"

"Yes, the essence of repair is to restore something to its original state, so it requires the consumption of old values. Upgrading, on the other hand, adds something new to an object, which requires new values. Also, No. 6 needs to consume a certain amount of both Old-New value in its daily operations to maintain normal functioning."

Ma Lu thought about it, "I understand the concept of new and old, but how do you calculate it specifically? For example, if I make a slingshot out of an old rubber band, would the slingshot be considered new or old?"

"It's considered new," Old Wang replied crisply. "However, if the process of making the slingshot only involves combining the rubber band with a branch, the new value it provides would be minimal."

"So, the new value is related not only to the item itself but also to the complexity of the manufacturing process?"

"Exactly. The television it ate earlier provided 8 points of new value and 46 points of old value in total, while upgrading the 【Collection Bag】 consumed 100 points of new value.

"This recent upgrade nearly exhausted the new value it had accumulated over some time, which is why it looks so lethargic now. If you want to continue upgrading your equipment, you need to replenish its new value."

After Old Wang finished speaking, a metal round wire extended from under his jacket and once again plugged into Ma Lu’s bracelet.

A few seconds later, the Traveler's Bracelet activated a new function called equipment upgrade.

The four pieces of equipment Ma Lu owned were listed, with 【Collection Bag】 at lv2, 【Chef's Knife】 at lv1, and 【Traveler's Bracelet】 at lv1. Only 【Fate's Gift】 was marked as not upgradable.

As if knowing what Ma Lu was thinking, Old Wang added, "Not all high-dimensional artifacts can be upgraded. Some high-dimensional artifacts that are already extremely powerful from the start and those with no potential for further improvement cannot be upgraded."

"What about the Insect Egg?"

"The Insect Egg is not a high-dimensional artifact. It has existed since the birth of the universe. It can open new routes as long as enough mileage is accumulated."

Ma Lu then opened the 【Collection Bag】.

Level: lv2

Function: Stores ingredients, with built-in preservation and lightweight portability features. Current storage limit is 500 jin.

Upgrade Preview: Next upgrade requires 200 new value points and can increase storage limit by 100 jin.

Next was the 【Chef's Knife】.

Level: lv1

Function: Cuts through all ingredients, indestructible.

Upgrade Preview: Next upgrade requires 100 new value points, enhancing damage by 10% and ingredient processing efficiency by 20%.

Then came the 【Traveler's Bracelet】.

Level: lv1

Function: A versatile interdimensional travel assistant.

Upgrade Preview: Next upgrade requires 100 new value points, extending interdimensional stay time by 1 hour.

Finally, 【Fate's Gift】.

Level: Artifact

Function: Inserts a new rule into the current universe that the bearer can use.

Upgrade Preview: Cannot be upgraded.

After reviewing everything, Ma Lu couldn’t help but be tempted. Aside from the already unupgradable artifact 【Fate's Gift】, the upgrade effects of the other three pieces of equipment were quite appealing.

The 【Collection Bag】 could increase storage capacity, the 【Traveler's Bracelet】 could extend stay time, and the 【Chef's Knife】 offered two buffs that not only enhanced damage but also sped up ingredient processing.

Unfortunately, No. 6 now only had 5 points of new value left, just enough to function for 5 more days.

Ma Lu thought for a moment and went to the bedroom to fetch an old tablet that hadn’t been used for a long time, placing it in front of the weakened No. 6.

As soon as he let go, No. 6’s drainage pipe eagerly reached out and wrapped around the old tablet, but then it didn’t take any further action.

It wasn’t until Ma Lu said, “Eat,” that the old tablet disappeared.

This was the first time Ma Lu had witnessed No. 6 eating. The 10-inch tablet was sucked into the roughly 1-inch diameter drainage pipe, which then slid all the way into No. 6’s belly. Ma Lu saw the new value on the upper right corner of his bracelet increase from 5 to 7, while the old value increased by 12 points, confirming a suspicion in his mind.

After eating the old tablet, No. 6 recovered some energy, wiggled its body a couple of times, and even affectionately rubbed Ma Lu’s pant leg with its drainage pipe, but it still seemed somewhat lethargic.

So Ma Lu went and fetched an old piece of clothing he didn’t like and tossed it to No. 6.

The drainage pipe sniffed at it but then retracted, reluctant until Ma Lu urged it again. It reluctantly consumed the old clothing.

The bracelet showed that the old value had increased by 1 point, but the new value did not change.

At that moment, there was another knock at the door, and Ma Lu opened it to find that the freezer had finally arrived.

After unpacking it and checking the power, Ma Lu found no issues and quickly signed for it.

Once the delivery man left, Ma Lu decided to conduct an experiment.

He and Old Wang carried the freezer to the balcony. “This is for you too.”

No. 6 seemed unable to believe its luck and initially showed no reaction.

Only after Ma Lu repeated himself did it tentatively extend its drainage pipe.

Seeing no reprimand, No. 6 happily devoured the freezer. Its body then began to shake even more vigorously, clattering loudly on the ground, while its drainage pipe swayed from side to side, showing its excitement.

However, Ma Lu’s attention wasn’t on No. 6 at this moment. Staring at the 9 points of new value that had just appeared on his bracelet, he felt like he had grasped a pattern in the estimation of Old-New value.

It seemed roughly correlated with the product's price, but not absolutely. No. 6 clearly favored electronic products with higher technological content, providing more Old-New value in return.

Moreover, as a product is used, its new value decreases while the old value increases, but the total value remains unchanged.

With no more items on hand to feed it, the experiment had to end for now.

Once full and satisfied, No. 6’s drum began to turn again, though with less intensity than before.

“It says it wants to stay and live with us,” Old Wang said, “and it promises not to eat anything without your permission in the future.”

“Hm, live together?” Ma Lu scratched his backside. “I don’t mind, but if it doesn’t return for a long time, wouldn’t the Artisan care?”

Though keeping an old washing machine that likes to eat electronics was a bit odd, after living with Old Wang for some time, Ma Lu had grown somewhat desensitized to such peculiarities.

Moreover, he did need the upgrade function that No. 6 provided. If No. 6 was willing to stay, that meant the upgrade feature would always be available, making it easier for him to continue experimenting and find the most cost-effective “feed.”

“It says the Artisan created it to serve clients, and in this universe, the only clients of the Artisan are us. It’s difficult for it to gain Old-New value elsewhere, and there’s always the risk of being dismantled.”

“So, it’s not easy for it either.”

Ma Lu looked at No. 6 again, and No. 6 immediately waggled its drainage pipe.

“Alright then, if we go out to set up stalls in the future, at least we’ll have someone to watch the house.”

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