"System, how many modification points do I need to leave this damn world?" Lin Ze asked in his mind.
"Ding, Host, this transmigration is your first trial. You can leave this world by spending 100 modification points."
"So that means I just need to chat with Xiao Monü about thirty more times?" Lin Ze didn't think it was that difficult, and the official start of the plot should still be several years away.
"Ding, you can only gain modification points by affecting the plot or by changing the life of the Child of Destiny!"
"Huh? I didn't change anything?" Lin Ze thought about his recent conversation with Xiao Monü.
"The Host has successfully attracted the attention of the Child of Destiny and gained some favor, which will lead to a certain The Butterfly Effect."
"Oh! I don't understand!" Lin Ze didn't know how the system calculated it, but it seemed that as long as he interacted with the protagonist, whether good or bad, any influence would earn him these modification points.
"System, you just said that spending these modification points would allow me to leave here. If I have a lot of modification points, are there other uses for them?" Lin Ze carefully studied every word from the system.
"Ding, the number of modification points the Host obtains determines how many local specialties the Host can take from this world!"
"Local specialties?"
"Ding, each world has its own unique items and rules."
"Oh, I understand. So, it's not like other systems where you can exchange points for abilities from other worlds, right? Then how will I transmigrate to the next world if I don't have enough points? Will I have to start all over again?" Lin Ze asked.
"Ding, when the Host leaves this world, you can choose between soul transmigration or body transmigration: Soul transmigration only allows you to take memories and experience. Body transmigration allows you to take your cultivation. After soul transmigration, the new body's cultivation can be restored by spending modification points. As for items, when the Host undergoes body transmigration, you can freely take items that do not exceed your own strength. For items exceeding that, you will need to spend modification points to assist in transmigration."
"System, for example, how many points would I need to exchange for an M11 submachine gun?" Lin Ze asked.
"Ding, taking an M11 submachine gun requires 10 points, and 100 rounds of ammunition cost 1 point."
"Damn, that's not cheap either."
Lin Ze had a basic understanding of the system's functions and the uses of points.
"System, I understand these 'modification points,' but the name sounds awkward. Can we call them 'points' from now on? Also, stop with the constant 'ding, ding, ding,' it's annoying!" Lin Ze grumbled, starting to find fault.
"Ding! Whatever you want."
"Huh? System, are you a program or some kind of life form?"
"..."
"System?"
"..."
The system once again ignored Lin Ze's calls.
"Damn it!"
Judging from that tsundere tone, this system had intelligence. From its attitude towards Lin Ze, it didn't seem like a dedicated service-type system.
"Could it be an intelligent being similar to backend customer service?" Lin Ze realized his brain was really getting better and better...
Time here seemed to pass very slowly, every day felt like hell, yet sometimes it also felt very fast, because he was getting stronger every day.
It had been a full year since Lin Ze completed the entire genetic modification. During this period, new children were continuously sent into the base; some were sent to the incinerator, while a small number, like Lin Ze, survived.
"Your modification has come to an end. You are all my most perfect creations, my most beloved children! The next step is to develop your potential. You must train hard and strive to achieve an excellent grade!" Dr. Bai's scorpion-like fingers caressed Lin Ze's cheek.
Lin Ze got goosebumps. If he hadn't been strapped to the experimental bed, he really would have wanted to slap her twice.
This was Lin Ze's last modification. From now on, apart from occasional blood draws or data measurements with various instruments, there would be no more of those living-hell-like experiments.
According to the plot, this batch of modified humans was not as perfect as Dr. Bai claimed. As these children grew older, they would experience symptoms like headaches and nosebleeds, and their lifespan would only be around ten years. If they used their abilities in combat without restraint, their lifespan would be even shorter. Continuously injecting new gene agents to extend their lives became the means of controlling this generation of gene warriors.
"This body is already Wasted . If I can't find a perfect solution, I'll have to choose soul transmigration again when I leave this world. I remember the movie saying that if you want to perfectly solve the genetic side effects, you need a bone marrow transplant from a close relative..."
Lin Ze didn't know what identity the system had arranged for him in this world, nor if he had any so-called parents or relatives. So, continued transmigration became his only hope for survival...
In a conference room, Dr. Bai organized the reports in her hand, about twenty of them in total. These were the last surviving test subjects in the base.
"Alright, the experiment will enter its final stage. Through training, we will observe and record the potential of each child. We have two years, for them, and for us. If this evaluation fails..."
Dr. Bai coldly scanned the surroundings, not stating the outcome. But everyone knew that these staff members would merely lose their jobs, while the experimental children would be completely destroyed, and the base permanently shut down...
Training, day after day of training, Lin Ze felt as if he was trapped in an endless cycle. The intensity and pressure of this training were countless times harder than his studies in his previous life.
Every morning, he had to undergo a series of intellectual training exercises to develop his brain's potential. These exercises included puzzles, logical reasoning, memory training, and so on, making his thinking more agile and flexible.
Immediately after, came physical training. Lin Ze had to perform various high-intensity physical exercises, such as long-distance running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc., to strengthen his physique and endurance. In addition, he also had to learn combat techniques, mastering various offensive and defensive methods to be able to react quickly when facing enemies.
Besides physical and combat skills, Lin Ze also needed to learn how to use firearms and other weapons. He had to understand the characteristics and operating methods of various weapons, master shooting techniques, and ensure that he could accurately hit targets at critical moments.
Watching gruesome killing videos, witnessing children slaughtering each other in bloody scenes, this was merely one of the methods. And the purpose of all this was to stimulate the violent factors injected into those test subjects!
Imagine, children who should have been innocent, full of vitality, but in this extreme environment, they were forced to face cruelty and violence, their humanity twisted, their innocence stripped away. What a terrifying scene!
However, that wasn't all. To unleash their potential, the children actually had to engage in life-and-death struggles with wild beasts. In fierce confrontations with beasts, he not only had to use the skills he had learned but also constantly challenge his limits to survive on the brink of death. Time and again, tests of life and death, breakthroughs again and again, the shackles of the genes were finally broken.
Although this training life was arduous, Lin Ze deeply knew that only by constantly striving and challenging himself to improve his strength could he survive. An ordinary office worker in the real world, where could he encounter such things? If transmigrators had to have benefits, then this professional training was Lin Ze's beginner's gift package.
During training, Lin Ze occasionally communicated with other children, attempting to build bonds and recruit a few subordinates. But the results were not satisfactory, and he didn't even collect many points.
Because these children rarely communicated with others, Lin Ze gradually gave up on this plan to avoid trouble.
Lin Ze then felt relieved. Should he treat them as NPCs? The children in the movie, growing up in this environment, were all somewhat twisted, even Xiao Monü. Violence and bloodlust had been etched into her bones.
These children seemed to have had their souls sucked out, their eyes hollow, their faces expressionless, appearing indifferent to everything around them; the newcomers, on the other hand, were full of terror, their bodies trembling. Even more, a deep-seated, bloodthirsty desire for destruction seemed to hide within them, erupting hysterically at the slightest displeasure.
Since he couldn't get points from these minor characters, nor could he recruit them as subordinates, then he would stay far away from them. If he spent that time on ineffective socializing, he might as well train more. He was an adult and, of course, knew the importance of knowledge and strength. Since this world was arranged as his starting point, and he had the ability to never forget what he saw, then intense training and learning were what he needed to do most.
Lin Ze was not that saintly; he wouldn't risk saving these children. He had no ability, nor did he want to! There were no compatriots of his here. The more torment these children suffered now, the stronger their resentment towards this place would be. When these little deviants went mad, they might cause some destruction here, and even if they blew up this country later, it would be none of Lin Ze's business.
Among this group of children, only Lin Ze stood out. No matter what he faced, he always maintained a calm demeanor. His eyes were clear and serene, without the slightest ripple, like a bottomless lake. His expression also remained consistent, neither overly excited nor excessively indifferent, as if nothing in the world could disturb his inner peace.
Lin Ze's uniqueness was well-known at the base. Keiko Kitagawa, the experimental assistant, often came to see him and frequently brought him small gifts from outside. Actually, Lin Ze wanted her to bring him a few packs of cigarettes, but he decided against it.
Lin Ze even wondered if escaping from here one day would be saving this girl's life.
Lin Ze's special nature naturally further attracted two other women: Xiao Monü and Dr. Bai.
Thus, Lin Ze gained his only little follower—Xiao Monü.
And also received the benefit of doubled training—Dr. Bai's attention.
Lin Ze didn't resist the super-intensive training. He always desperately completed every training session, striving to turn those skills into his instincts, and also preparing for his next transmigration.
Thus, the base produced the only two S-rank gene warriors, Xiao Monü and Lin Ze. The abilities and obedience they displayed also earned them quite a few benefits. For example, occasionally visiting each other's rooms, being allowed to have some small toys...
"Knock, knock, knock!"
A gentle knock on the door interrupted Lin Ze's thoughts.
A small head poked through the door crack. Who else could it be but Xiao Monü?
Three years had quickly passed, and on the surface, the two maintained the relationship of neighbors or classmates who could greet each other. In private, however, they had become close friends who talked about everything.
"Lin Ziyun! Is today's training over?" Lin Ze glanced at the monitor.
Lin Ze knew in his heart that every time he interacted with Xiao Monü, the small red light on the camera above would flash, indicating that someone was monitoring them.
This was the price and risk of interacting with the first-generation Monü; who made her the most outstanding one? Xiao Monü had been watched by Dr. Bai since she was in her mother's womb; Dr. Bai was extremely fond of her.
The name Lin Ziyun was given to Xiao Monü by Lin Ze. Wasn't it said that changing things could earn points? Then why couldn't her future name be changed? Thus, 5 points were Lin Ze's reward. Currently, he only had 38 points, and he had to collect enough points to leave this world before this body's genes collapsed.
"Oppaa! I've completed all my training for today! It turns out Oppa finished training even earlier than me. I didn't disturb your rest, did I?" Xiao Monü asked.
Through such a long period of effort, Xiao Monü had finally recognized Lin Ze. Lin Ze was very gratified.
"Mm! Go back and rest early!" Lin Ze patted Xiao Monü's head. Looking at the dirty and blood-stained Xiao Monü, Lin Ze couldn't help but feel pity.
Xiao Monü narrowed her eyes, like a small cat, greatly enjoying Lin Ze's caress.
After three years of growth, Lin Ze was now about ten years old, standing at about one meter fifty-six, looking like a teenager, while Xiao Monü was still thin and small.
"Okay, Oppa!"
Xiao Monü pulled her head back and closed the door for Lin Ze.