Chapter 35: Successive Catches from the Future Kingdom! So It Was "A Certain Scientific Railgun"

"Awoo—"

Hearing the howl of a wolf echoing for miles, Cui Ze gave a start, nearly letting out a howl of his own in an instinctive reflex. Only then did he realize it was just an ice-snow wolf in the distance.

"This won't do. Standing still to [Fish] is just too foolish! I still have one ability I haven't utilized yet!"

With a thought, Cui Ze’s form suddenly shifted, transforming into a sinister and terrifying specter of smoke. He drifted up to the dense branches high in the deep forest but did not continue flying forward, choosing instead to remain in place. The [Smoke Form], capable of granting immunity to general physical attacks below D-rank, was more than enough to ensure his safety in this wintry island’s snowy forest!

With his worries set aside, Cui Ze took the remaining 14 top-tier E-grade baits and fused them together, two by two. In the end, they became one top-tier D-grade bait, one intermediate D-grade bait, and one low-tier D-grade bait.

"Three full chances to fish!" Cui Ze’s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Judging by the 'Health Bracelet' that fits my [Beast Breathing] so perfectly, my fishing luck today is fantastic! In that case, I won't worry about the Goddess of Luck's mood—let's start fishing!"

[Fishing in progress...]
[Type of catch: Item]
[D-grade Item: Clockwork Bandage]
[Source: "A Certain Magical Index" series]
[Description: Military-grade adhesive patches equipped inside the body, featuring supersonic elasticity; a product derived from isolating the power components of a Powered Suit.]
[Effect: By wrapping the Clockwork Bandages around the legs, the user gains supersonic speed (D++) capable of outrunning a train, as well as immense leg strength (D++) capable of snapping steel.]
[Evaluation: Top-notch! I am the Iron Leg!]

Cui Ze, still in [Smoke Form], watched as a roll of tough, thick white bandages appeared in his "claws" out of thin air. Before he could get a firm grip, the Clockwork Bandages passed straight through the gray-black fog, plummeted downward, and snagged onto a tree branch. Seeing this, Cui Ze dissipated his [Smoke Form], dropped onto the branch, and picked up the bandages.

"I haven't encountered this situation before. It’s quite a strange effect... Even though all items on my person enter the smoke state with me when I activate [Smoke Form], I can't seem to hold onto other objects afterward..."

Cui Ze scratched his head. This was a limitation of the [Smoke Form] he had acquired from Smoker that he hadn't known about until now. Fortunately, discovering this weakness during a leisurely fishing session was no big deal. He made a mental note of it and quickly turned his attention to the newly acquired Clockwork Bandages. After reviewing the item's effects, a smile spread across his face.

"Is this the power of a top-tier D-grade bait? I love it! It fished up an item with peak attributes reaching D++!"

Cui Ze’s current Strength and Agility attributes were both D-rank. According to the light screen's upgrade rules, "D++" meant a doubling and doubling again of the D-rank base! This meant that with the Clockwork Bandages, his limit speed and leg strength would be four times what they were before!

"Powerful!"

Cui Ze wrapped the Clockwork Bandages around his legs, and a sense of immense power—enough to kick down mountains and dry up rivers—instantly surged through him. He knew, however, that this was merely an illusory sensation caused by the sudden boost in power, and he quickly adapted.

"[Health Bracelet], [Clockwork Bandages]! My fishing luck today is off the charts!"

Excitedly, Cui Ze rubbed his palms together and took the remaining two D-grade baits—one intermediate and one low-tier—and cast them into the Dimensional Sea simultaneously.

"Could it be that my luck is finally turning? Goddess of Luck, grant me a double catch!"

[Fishing in progress...]
[Type of catch: Item]
[D-grade Item: Bust-Boosting Index Card]
[Source: "A Certain Magical Index" series]
[Description: An S-grade Indian Poker card (a superpower card created to simulate a learning device).]
[Effect: Increases the user's bust size; effect is exactly as described.]

[Fishing in progress...]
[Type of catch: Item]
[D-grade Item: White Den Den Mushi]
[Description: A communication animal shaped like a snail.]
[Effect: A very rare white Den Den Mushi that can attach to communication snails to emit interference waves, preventing eavesdropping on conversations.]
[Evaluation: Why are you shouting so loudly?!]

Cui Ze’s hands manifested the two items. In his right hand was a mysterious card with a simple design, the cover featuring a "breathtaking" curve; in his left was a pale, chubby snail with a pair of lazy, stalked eyes.

"What even are these!"

Cui Ze stuffed the White Den Den Mushi into his pocket and gripped the edge of the Indian Poker card tightly. If the White Den Den Mushi, which could prevent eavesdropping, might prove useful, then... this [Fishing] ability was truly adept at messing with his head!

Once upon a time, Cui Ze had fantasized that when he ventured out onto the sea alone, he would don the persona of "Twisted Fate." He never expected... never mind a "Cyber Dragon," "Necroface," or "Tribute Soldier"... even a "Dark Magician Girl" would have been fine! At the very least, a "Kuriboh" is a protagonist staple!

Indignant, Cui Ze shoved the small card into the inner pocket of his thermal suit and patted it several times, showing his extreme dissatisfaction.

With the four fishing attempts concluded and his bait exhausted, Cui Ze leapt from the branch like a nimble, giant bird, landing on the snow and sending up a spray of white crystals.

"In this cold, silver-clad island, only the... ahem! Only the [Clockwork Bandages] can bring me a touch of human warmth."

Cui Ze quickly oriented himself, stretched his legs, and dashed into the deep forest like a gale. With the wind and snow howling past his ears, he moved like a streak of silver lightning through the woods, his speed unmatched!

Suddenly, a snow wolf blocked his path. Its hind legs had been mechanically modified, and its left eye glowed with an unnatural, crimson light impossible for a biological animal.

"Awoo—"

Just as the snow wolf felt excited at the discovery of prey, Cui Ze kicked out. The leg wrapped in the Clockwork Bandages traced a blurry, phantom-like arc through the air, striking the semi-mechanical wolf's soft belly with thunderous force. It snapped the beast's bones instantly, killing it on the spot!

[You have defeated a semi-mechanized snow wolf with a comprehensive rating of E!]
[You have gained an E-grade "Victory Bait"!]

Cui Ze didn't care much for these "mosquito legs" and used it for fishing immediately.

[Type of catch: Ability Entry]
[E-grade Ability Entry: 45-Degree Angle Mechanical Repair Method]
[Source: "A Certain Magical Index" series]
[Description: A small trick for repairing faulty machinery.]
[Effect: 1. A 45-degree angle kick to a soda machine with aging springs can yield a random free drink; 2. Ability to open soda cans with one hand; 3. When encountering faulty machinery, using this ability has a very small chance of helping the machine return to normal operation.]
[Evaluation: The wretched safety pants (crossed out).]