Chapter 33: High Velocity

Lin Xinghai opened his eyes, though cold sweat still beaded on his back. According to his original plan, he intended to wait a few days after his breakthrough before informing Roger, so as not to attract too much attention. This would have made his alleged "special constitution" seem more plausible. He had not expected, however, that the act of becoming a Gene Optimizer would cause such a commotion. He had not been entirely oblivious during his breakthrough; he had heard the conversations of those around him. Fortunately, he had encountered a good commander.

"Must be more careful next time," Lin Xinghai reflected inwardly. He opened the car door, stepped out, and said apologetically, "I’ve caused you all some trouble."

"Haha, don't mention it. The important thing is that you succeeded. How does it feel to be a Gene Optimizer?" Fang Tianhe asked with a smile.

Lin Xinghai turned his attention to his own body. Becoming a Gene Optimizer did not provide an immediate, drastic physical enhancement; his three primary attributes had each only increased by one point. However, being a Gene Optimizer did significantly boost one's combat effectiveness. This was primarily due to a vast improvement in sensory perception. Beyond just sight and hearing, he gained a strange, heightened sense regarding danger. For instance, if someone were aiming a gun at him from the shadows, even if he did not know their exact location, he would instantly feel a sense of impending danger. This perception was omnidirectional, especially useful in combat when an opponent unleashed a lethal strike; sensing it in advance allowed him to react a step faster. Lin Xinghai estimated that this was the same instinct that allowed zombies to dodge gunfire. This sensory ability had many uses, such as gauging an enemy's approximate strength, allowing him to avoid harm.

"It's a marvelous feeling, as if the entire world has changed," Lin Xinghai said after carefully sensing his state.

The other mercenaries, seeing that he had succeeded, gathered around him. "Xiao Hai, did you awaken an ability?" Xu Haishui asked. The others pricked up their ears; this was the most crucial question. Fang Tianhe, Shen Han, and Roger also looked on with anticipation. Only they knew of Lin Xinghai's supposed special constitution, which made it almost certain he would awaken a high-grade ability.

Hearing the question, Lin Xinghai checked his system interface:

Host: Lin Xinghai
Constitution: 25
Strength: 21
Speed: 30
Blood Qi: 3
Gene Optimization: 30%+
Ability: Extreme Speed (Increase speed by 100% for 10 seconds) (Energy: 10/10)
Basic Marksmanship: Proficiency 70%+

"Yes, I have awakened an ability," Lin Xinghai nodded.

"What type of ability?" Roger asked.

"An ability that increases speed," Lin Xinghai replied. He noticed, however, that Roger’s brow furrowed slightly at his answer.

"Is something wrong?" Lin Xinghai asked.

"There’s no problem, per se, but speed-boosting abilities—like those for strength or defense—are considered basic abilities..." Roger trailed off, mindful that Lin Xinghai’s special constitution was still meant to be a secret.

Lin Xinghai frowned as well. He knew he didn't actually have a special constitution, but he did have a much more impressive system! He had even chosen to spend 100 points of Blood Qi during the awakening process. While he found the system a bit of a scam, it had always been reliable. How could such a high cost result in only a basic ability?

"How much speed does your ability provide?" asked a cold voice. It was Shen Han, always the most composed person in the group.

"It increases my speed by 100%," Lin Xinghai answered without hesitation.

"What! That much?"
"Speed doubled? That's an exaggerated increase!"
"If that's the case, can it really be called a basic ability?"

The group began to murmur.

"And the duration? How long does it last?" Shen Han asked again, her tone now tinged with expectation.

"Er, the duration is a bit short. It only lasts for 10 seconds," Lin Xinghai said.

As he said this, the crowd gasped. Roger breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "10 seconds is more than long enough. Other basic abilities that enhance attributes generally only last for 3 seconds. And the magnitude of their increase is only 30%—far less than yours. Don't be ungrateful." In Roger’s view, even if it were a basic ability, the magnitude of the boost was so extreme that it could rival a rare ability. This, at least, did justice to Lin Xinghai’s special constitution.

Hearing this, Lin Xinghai finally smiled. It wasn't a junk ability, and with the system, he could use Blood Qi to upgrade it in the future.

Fang Tianhe then asked Lin Xinghai to demonstrate his ability; hearing about it was one thing, but seeing it was another. Only by seeing it firsthand could he determine how useful Lin Xinghai would be in the future.

"Alright!" Lin Xinghai had no objections. He felt the special energy within him and, with a thought, surged it through his limbs. In an instant, he felt as light as a swallow, his legs filled with boundless power.

*Whoosh!*

He darted out, moving so fast that he left faint afterimages. He wove through the nearby buildings and the cluster of zombies. The zombies lunged at him, but they couldn't even touch the hem of his clothing.

"That’s definitely 60 points of speed," Fang Tianhe nodded. The other mercenaries sighed; in the entire mercenary group, probably only Fang Tianhe and Shen Han were faster than Lin Xinghai while he was using his ability. While it was hard to say how much use this would be in a full-scale battle, it was top-tier for escaping. Without it, a newly awakened Gene Optimizer weaving through a horde of zombies like that would be courting death.

The 10 seconds passed quickly, and Lin Xinghai ran back just in time. He sensed the energy within him and found it had decreased by about one-tenth, slowly recovering on its own now that the ability was inactive. He checked his system interface and noticed a change in the ability column.

Ability: Extreme Speed (Increase speed by 100% for 10 seconds) (Energy: 9/10+)

"Does this '+' sign mean I can use it to restore my energy?" Lin Xinghai wondered, tapping it.

"Ding! Would you like to spend 100 points of Blood Qi to restore 1 point of energy?"

Lin Xinghai: "..."

*I can't afford that! I definitely can't afford that!*