Chapter 10: The Choice of Awakening

"I hope this genetic serum won't let me down."

With those words, he tilted his head back and swallowed the pale green liquid in the vial. The liquid felt cool to the touch, but it became incredibly fiery the moment it hit his throat, as if a ball of fire were traveling down into his stomach.

"Ding! Special energy detected in the body. Convert to Blood Qi?"

Seeing the system notification pop up, Lin Xinghai was startled at first, then his face lit up with joy. Without a moment's hesitation, he selected "Confirm."

Instantly, the burning sensation vanished. Lin Xinghai immediately opened the system interface to check his stats. His Blood Qi had increased from 0 to 5 points. This made his smile even wider; he knew the system was powerful, but he hadn't expected it to be this effective. One vial of genetic serum converted directly into 5 points of Blood Qi—this was a perfect absorption!

According to the information he had gathered from Roger, the effectiveness of genetic serum varied based on one's genetic rating. An individual with an A-grade genetic rating would see a 5% improvement in their genetic optimization upon consuming a vial. B-grade would only see 4%, C-grade 3%, D-grade 2%, E-grade 1%, and F-grade a mere 0.5%. Of course, these gains were only applicable the first time one used the serum; as genetic optimization increased, the serum's effectiveness would continuously diminish.

Although Lin Xinghai’s own genetic rating was B-grade, with the system, he could achieve an efficiency equivalent to an A-grade user. But the most important factor wasn't just the efficiency—it was the speed. Even for an A-grade individual, it would take an entire day to absorb a single vial of genetic serum. But he was different.

Lin Xinghai tapped the system interface twice. Consuming 4 points of Blood Qi, he watched his genetic optimization climb from 26% to 28%.

"This is practically cheating," Lin Xinghai grinned. Without hesitation, he took out the remaining three vials of genetic serum and drank them one by one. Soon, all of them were converted into Blood Qi. Looking at the 16 points of Blood Qi on his interface, he licked his lips. "I wonder what it feels like to become a genetic optimizer."

He spent another 2 points of Blood Qi, bringing his genetic optimization to 29%. However, when he clicked the "+" sign again, the system didn't directly boost his strength. Instead, it popped up a dialog box with two options: "Direct Promotion" or "Awaken Ability Promotion."

Any fool would know what to choose. Without hesitation, he clicked "Awaken Ability Promotion," filled with anticipation about what kind of ability he might manifest.

However, to his disappointment, after making his selection, another prompt appeared with four new options:

Consume 30 points of Blood Qi to awaken an ability!
Consume 60 points of Blood Qi to awaken an ability!
Consume 90 points of Blood Qi to awaken an ability!
Consume 100 points of Blood Qi to awaken an ability!
Note: The more Blood Qi consumed, the stronger the awakened ability.

Although there were four options, in Lin Xinghai's eyes, there was only one. As a transmigrator with a system, if he couldn't carve out a path to invincibility, then his life in this world would be wasted. But thinking about 100 points of Blood Qi made his heart ache.

He checked his system panel:
Host: Lin Xinghai
Physique: 24
Strength: 20
Speed: 29
Blood Qi: 14
Genetic Optimization: 29%+

"It seems I'll have to wait until I execute the mercenary mission to find a way," Lin Xinghai sighed, looking at his remaining 14 points of Blood Qi.

With all four vials of genetic serum "digested," he couldn't stay here any longer and stepped outside. After all, as an "ancient man," he might not understand the principles of these advanced futuristic technologies, or even how to use them, but he should at least know what they were.

...

While Lin Xinghai was heading out, Wang Damao and his men were just emerging from the medical center.

"Brother Wang, this primary medical pod is really useless. I slept in it for an hour, and my chest is still throbbing with pain," a thug named Meng Qing said, grimacing.

Wang Damao shot him a glance and retorted irritably, "Do you think I didn't want to choose the intermediate medical pod? My teeth that were knocked out haven't even grown back yet! But it costs 100 credits per session. Are you going to pay for it?"

Meng Qing immediately fell silent. The costs for their medical treatment had been borrowed.

"So, Brother Wang, what do we do now?" After a moment of silence, Meng Qing asked again.

Wang Damao’s eyes narrowed, a ruthless glint flashing within them. "We can't just let this go. The other guy's genetic optimization is probably only around 25%. Such strength might be impressive in the Lower City, but our Axe Gang isn't without such experts."

The thugs' eyes lit up, but soon, they thought of something important.

"Brother Wang, besides being strong, he’s also a mercenary. Will our Gang Leader really be willing to trouble a mercenary for our sake?" Meng Qing asked.

"I just recalled carefully; the style of his mercenary badge was only that of a Grade 1 mercenary group, and our Axe Gang isn't without connections either."

"Of course, you're right; whether the Gang Leader is willing to stand up for us is a question. So, we need some 'leverage'," Wang Damao said sinisterly.

Beautiful women like Liu Miaomiao were the best leverage he had. The phrase "a beautiful woman is a curse" wasn't just a saying; if used well, it could lead someone to their doom. After realizing this, the thugs began to shower him with flattery, praising the plan. Although they couldn't touch the women themselves anymore, they would at least get their revenge.

"Let's go find Black Rat. We need to make some preparations first."

...

Half an hour later, in a seemingly dilapidated factory in the East District, people were coming and going. Without exception, everyone had an axe tattoo on their arm. Clearly, this was the lair of the Axe Gang.

Deep inside the factory, in a rather luxuriously decorated room, Wang Damao was reporting respectfully to a middle-aged man. This man was not tall, appearing somewhat frail, and his facial expression was quite calm, but his constantly squinting eyes gave off an eerie, sinister vibe. He was the current leader of the Axe Gang, Huai Feifu.

After Wang Damao finished his report, Huai Feifu asked calmly, "So, you went to collect protection money, but were beaten back by a 'white pig'?"

Although Huai Feifu’s tone was calm, beads of sweat formed on Wang Damao’s forehead. He knew this man well; not only did he have strength approaching that of a genetic optimizer, but more importantly, he had reached this position by plotting the deaths of the former leader and deputy leader. His ruthless methods were what people feared most.

"Reporting to the Gang Leader, the opponent has a mercenary badge; he really can't be considered a 'white pig' in the usual sense," Wang Damao replied nervously.

Huai Feifu stared at Wang Damao for a long time, until the man's legs began to tremble. Only then did he nod, changing the subject. "You were just now highly praising Room 301, claiming there are five beauties. What do they look like? Do you have any photos or footage?"

Hearing this, Wang Damao’s face lit up with joy. The real show was about to begin!