After agreeing to join the Split Sky Mercenary Group, Lin Xinghai chatted briefly with Roger before returning to the transport's trunk.
The exchange was short, but enough for him to grasp the group's structure. The Split Sky Mercenary Group had thirty-five members total: a leader, deputy leader, and three captains—Roger being one of them. With only two people ranked above him, Roger's words carried weight.
It was no wonder he dared to promise Lin Xinghai protection when they first met. He had the authority to back it up. For Lin Xinghai, this was a relief. With Roger's support, he wouldn't have to worry about petty harassment from veteran members.
Back in his seat, he noticed the others in the vehicle eyeing him strangely. It was understandable. After "Lesson One," they all had a clearer sense of the apocalypse's cruelty. Fear, doubt, and unease lingered in their expressions.
Lin Xinghai, however, had just secured ties with a mercenary group—an outcome that seemed unimaginable to the rest. Their reactions, especially from some of the women who threw him furtive glances, were inevitable.
He ignored them all, shut his eyes, and appeared to rest. In reality, he opened his system panel.
Comparing his stats to Roger's, he realized everyone had attribute leanings. His tilted toward speed, while Roger's emphasized strength. Which was better, he couldn't yet say. What mattered was raising his degree of genetic optimization; everything else would grow in the process.
He tapped the [+] symbol beside his optimization.
Blood energy drained by one point. A surge of power spread through his body, filling his bones and muscles with warmth, leaving him feeling renewed.
When the sensation faded, he pressed again.
"Ding! Spend 2 points of blood energy to increase genetic optimization?"
Lin Xinghai frowned. "Why did the cost rise?" His plan to push straight to genetic optimizer rank instantly collapsed. Worse, would the consumption keep doubling as his optimization advanced?
He sighed inwardly. "So even with a system, strength won't come that easy."
Any ordinary person would have killed to trade problems with him. A D- or E-grade candidate usually needed at least a year of struggle before even hoping to become a genetic optimizer.
Still, he spent the remaining twelve points of blood energy. His genetic optimization rose to 26%.
Host: Lin XinghaiPhysique: 21Strength: 18Speed: 26Blood Energy: 0Genetic Optimization: 26%
"My strength is the lowest… does that mean my attacks will be weak?" he muttered, staring at the panel. There was no quick fix. Closing the system, he finally allowed himself a real rest.
The convoy pushed onward for hours. Lin Xinghai had expected a shorter trip, but five hours passed before they neared their destination. Along the way, dozens of zombie waves blocked the road. Each time the mercenaries cut them down, the vehicles pressed forward without pause.
Lin Xinghai couldn't help but feel regret. So much potential blood energy—wasted.
At last, the convoy reached a barren mountain. Passing through its fortified approach, they entered a tunnel reinforced with alloy walls and dotted with bunkers every fifty meters. The passage stretched less than two hundred meters, ending in a meter-thick alloy gate.
Beyond lay a massive rectangular hall lined with dozens of elevators. Even the smallest could carry thirty people; the largest was the size of a steel house, wide enough to swallow three personnel carriers at once. The sight left Lin Xinghai quietly impressed.
Their elevator descended three hundred meters, opening into the true Star Shield Refuge. Alloy floors, walls, and ceilings gave the underground fortress an unshakable solidity.
"No wonder humanity can survive in this world," he murmured.
Roger handed him a small bag. "Take these first. I'll handle your group registration and find you later."
Inside were four bottles of faint green liquid and a metal badge.
"This is…?" Lin Xinghai asked, though he had his suspicions.
"Genetic medicine. Four bottles in advance. The badge marks you as one of us—show it, and no one in the lower district will dare trouble you."
Lin Xinghai nodded. Roger clapped his shoulder. "Don't waste time. Become a genetic optimizer and move up to the middle zone as soon as possible." With that, he left.
Warmth stirred in Lin Xinghai's chest. Normally, he'd have had to complete registration, pass a test, and wait days before receiving his first dose. Roger had saved him precious time.
"According to him, with my B-grade evaluation and heavy training, I can absorb a bottle every two days. That means before my first mission, I should already reach optimizer level." A smile tugged at his lips.
Absorption time varied per person. Higher evaluations meant faster absorption and greater efficiency, especially with proper training.
Tucking the bag away, Lin Xinghai followed the crowd deeper into the refuge.