43-44

 Chapter 43: A New Exchange  

On one side, Amanda was enduring relentless interrogation by the FBI,  
as they attempted to extract any clues about the mysterious, extraordinary world.  

 Meanwhile, in a small border town in Texas, inside the "John & Charlie" restaurant,  
Allen savored the establishment's signature smoked beef while reflecting on his recent script’s gains.  

 **[Plot Value]: 56,275**  

 As Allen’s gaze fell on the [Plot Value] column of the system's data panel, even the food seemed to taste better.  

 It appeared that the new script was yielding fruitful results.  

 Seated in the restaurant, Allen looked at the 56,000-plus points on the system panel with satisfaction.  

 "Did you see that, John?"  

 "It seems the famous director really enjoys our smoked beef."  

 "I’ve told you before, Charlie! This is my meticulously crafted smoked beef. Once someone tastes my beef, they’ll never forget its flavor."  

 John, a corpulent man, wore an expression of pride on his face.  

 To Charlie, the restaurant owner with his bushy red beard, this look of satisfaction was undoubtedly interpreted as confirmation of his culinary prowess.   

"Maybe we should invite him to take a photo with us and hang it on the wall. That could attract more customers to our restaurant," Charlie mused aloud, considering how celebrity appeal could boost business.  

 As for how they knew Allen was a Hollywood figure, they had the lodge’s bearded owner to thank.   

Of course, from a certain perspective, this was precisely the development Allen preferred.   

The best way to dispel suspicion wasn’t to hide—it was to let everyone see your every move.  

 "I wonder what kind of script 56,000 plot points could evolve into?"  

 Looking at the highest [Plot Value] he’d ever achieved, Allen felt an itch of anticipation.  

 However, he quickly suppressed his excitement, returning to a cautious mindset.  

 Creating consecutive scripts might be a quick way to earn [Plot Value], but the script for *Wolf Girl* had just concluded. Many of its effects still required time to settle.  

 Rushing to evolve a new script at this point would be shortsighted and potentially detrimental to subsequent script development.  

 "I need to wait a little longer."   

Allen silently reminded himself, restraining his emotions.  

 Instead, he shifted his attention to the system’s backend, openly browsing the latest exchange prices.  

 ---

 **[****System Backend—History Log—Exchange Options****]**  

 **[Script 3]:** *Wolf Girl*  
**[World Evolution Rate]: 0.08%**  

 - **[Plot Prop—Wolf’s Bane]** (1,000/Exchange)  
  - **Effect:** Infection  
  - **Description:** A dangerous toxin from werewolves, highly infectious.  
  - **Note:** Even the purest heart and most devout prayers can’t prevent transformation under the full moon’s light when wolf’s bane blooms.  

 - **[Plot Prop—Witcher Transformation Manual]** (1,500/Exchange)  
  - **Effect:** Training, Transformation  
  - **Description:** A strong physique is key to maintaining a witcher’s combat abilities. Through body modification, witchers achieve peak human strength.  
  - **Note:** Witchers aren’t born powerful. Instead, countless battles hone their strength.  

 - **[Character Card—Twisted Man (3/3)]** (1,000/Exchange)  
  - **Card Grade:** Black Iron  
  - **Description:** You can insert the character from the card into any script without additional [Plot Value] consumption.  
  - **Note:** A twisted man walked a twisted mile. He carried a twisted sixpence, climbed twisted stairs, and bought a crooked cat. The cat caught a crooked mouse, and together they lived in a crooked house.  

 ---

 The jump in the **[World Evolution Rate]** from 0.02% to 0.08% demonstrated the significant impact of *Wolf Girl* on the world.  

 However, among all the system’s displayed metrics, the so-called [World Evolution Rate] was the least significant—for now, Allen had no idea what purpose it served.  

 Skipping over this column, his gaze fell on the array of exchangeable items.  

 The appearance of **[Wolf’s Bane]** was unsurprising. After all, in the *Wolf Girl* script, Allen had detailed the dangers of **[Wolf’s Bane]**, making it one of young wolf girl Vivian’s abilities. For ordinary people, infection with **[Wolf’s Bane]** meant transformation was inevitable without an antidote.  

 This werewolf version of the T-virus, once unleashed, could plunge the U.S. into a zombie apocalypse at lightning speed, given its poor public health infrastructure.   

Hollywood-style heroic rescues? Those exist only in movies and some people’s fantasies.  

 For his safety, Allen decided to leave **[Wolf’s Bane]** quietly in the system’s backend.  

 "Surviving an apocalypse is not my goal," he muttered, cautiously shifting his gaze away.   

Instead, his attention landed on **[Witcher Transformation Manual]**.  

 Compared to the high-risk **[Wolf’s Bane]**, the transformation manual was the clear choice.  

 The U.S. champions freedom and democracy, but one must remain vigilant against its "enthusiastic" advocates.  

 Hollywood promotes the best of America globally, while leaving the worst behind.  

 Imagine a country where convenience stores stock firearms to counter robberies, shops close at sunset to avoid being targeted, and fast food outlets like KFC install bulletproof glass at registers.  

 America achieved all of that.   

In a land where random racial attacks are a daily risk, a strong body is essential for survival.  

 Armed with over 50,000 [Plot Value] points, Allen no longer hesitated like before.  

 His gaze settled on **[Witcher Transformation Manual]** (1,500/Exchange).  

 As 1,500 points were deducted, knowledge about the transformation manual surged into Allen’s mind.  

 ---

 (End of Chapter)

*Chapter 44: The Potion *

“It seems like the Witcher Transformation Method isn’t an instant tool that works immediately,” muttered Allen as he rubbed his temples, trying to alleviate the aching caused by the flood of knowledge from the transformation method.

Recalling the details of the Witcher Transformation Method, Allen couldn't help but whisper to himself.

Unlike what he had imagined, the Witcher Transformation Method he redeemed from the system wasn't something that directly enhanced his body. On the contrary, it didn’t provide the slightest improvement to his physical condition.

If he wanted to reach the level described in the system's introduction, Allen would have to train and modify his body himself.

On the bright side, the strength gained through personal effort would truly belong to him.

However, just thinking about the various combat training methods and alchemical potions recorded in the Witcher Transformation Method gave Allen a headache. Using Geralt, the Witcher from The Wolf Girl, as an example, it would take years of training to achieve such a level.

"I’d rather the system just give me the Witcher’s powers outright," Allen quipped in frustration.

The system's shattered interface, however, remained lifeless, offering no intelligent response. Shaking his head, Allen abandoned the thought of arguing with a system incapable of even basic functionality. He reminded himself that anything he could redeem from such a broken system was already a bonus.

Pulling his gaze away from the broken system panel, Allen refocused on the alchemical potion recipe documented in the Witcher Transformation Method.

---

"To become a qualified Witcher, one must undergo rigorous selection as a child. Through grueling physical training and genetic mutations induced by alchemy and magic, their bodies are permanently altered and strengthened.

"This trial, known as the Trial of Grasses, is exceedingly painful, with 70% of apprentices failing to survive."

This description from the Witcher Transformation Method played in Allen’s mind.

If the criteria were strictly followed, Allen would have been eliminated in the initial selection stage. Fortunately, the system’s rendition of the Witcher Transformation Method wasn’t just for show.

Not only did it detail the recipe for the Trial of Grasses potion, but it also provided notes on improving its success rate.

Even with these enhancements, however, Allen’s current physical condition was still far from capable of withstanding the potion's side effects. Thus, he needed to strengthen himself first.

The Witcher Transformation Method also included specialized training techniques, such as those of the Wolf School—likely inspired by Geralt, the Witcher from The Wolf Girl.

---

At a small-town diner, Allen sat digesting the knowledge from the Witcher Transformation Method. At the counter, Charlie hesitated, holding a receipt, unsure whether to approach Allen for his autograph.

Clang—

The diner’s door swung open, and a Asian man in a suit stepped in. His gaze swept the room before locking onto Allen by the window.

“Excuse me—”

Charlie instinctively stepped forward to inquire, but the man cut him off, flipping out a badge.

“FBI,” he stated curtly, flashing the emblem. Charlie froze mid-sentence, stunned by the sight.

Declaring his identity, the FBI agent strode directly to Allen’s table. Taking a seat, he addressed Allen in a low voice.

“Mr. Allen Walker, I have a few questions for you. I hope you can cooperate with my investigation.”

So they’ve come, Allen thought to himself.

Unlike before, when he faced Amanda with ease, the absence of the system’s visual interface left him unable to view the unfolding scenario. However, he had anticipated the federal government’s interest in extraordinary events, given the timing of his arrival in the town.

This coincidence wouldn’t escape a vigilant investigator, let alone the FBI.

Despite his internal preparation, Allen feigned a panicked expression.

“Who are you? Why are you investigating me?”

“I’m Special Agent Zhou. You can call me Agent Zhou.”

“Don’t be too nervous, Mr. Allen. I just want to ask you some simple questions to clarify the situation,” Zhou said, his tone calm but firm. “First, can you tell me your reason for coming to this town?”

“For scriptwriting inspiration,” Allen replied, pretending to be unsettled. Then, as if curiosity got the better of him, he added, “Why is the FBI here? Is it because of...?”

His gaze shifted meaningfully before he guessed, “The death in Devil’s River Forest?!”

“Sometimes, being overly curious isn’t a good thing, Mr. Allen,” Agent Zhou warned in a low voice.

“I was just asking! The deaths in Devil’s River Forest have nothing to do with me! The bearded innkeeper can vouch for me!” Allen hastily defended himself, acting flustered.

“We’ll verify that,” Zhou replied impassively, jotting a note in his notebook before continuing his questioning. “Now, I need you to recount every detail of your activities in this town. Leave nothing out.”

---

End of Chapter.