Chapter Sixty-One: Despair Within the Reactor

“Reminder to the host: With your current abilities, there's indeed no other way—unless you instantly and consecutively unlock the Ecological Gene Chain. Reaching a higher level would naturally grant you more practical powers.”

“Reminder to the host: If you yourself become infected, I can only forcibly slow the rate of your mutation through the Ecological Gene Chain. I cannot completely remove or eradicate the virus, as I do not possess that function at my current level.”

Hearing the Ecological Gene Chain’s words, my spirits lifted. I asked, “So, does that mean if I unlock enough levels, you’ll be able to clear out these viruses at will, even those in others?”

“That’s not quite accurate—the actual process is up to you, since you are the real user. I am merely a tool. Moreover, I cannot predict what abilities you will gain in the future.”

I was astonished. This Ecological Gene Chain seemed to know everything, yet at the same time, knew nothing at all. It was truly baffling.

“So, what you mean is, the powers I gain in the future are not entirely under your control, and everything is unknown?”

“Correct. That’s a fair way to put it. Only the abilities listed at the current level can I grant you; all others depend on various opportunities, and completing tasks is part of seizing those chances.”

Suddenly, I recalled the corpse creatures I had killed earlier. After their deaths, their brain cells seemed to reorganize themselves.

Could this be an important clue?

My gaze snapped to the innermost part of the factory—the place where something had struck me down, inflicting severe injuries.

There must be a secret hidden there, a reason why the corpse creatures in the chemical plant mutated.

Whatever it was, it allowed these creatures to be more intelligent than those outside, and even gave them cellular regeneration.

Perhaps this was the key to saving Huo Bing.

No matter what, I had to give it a try!

“One more thing—do I have any hope of regaining my hearing?”

“Reminder to the host: At your current level, there is nothing I can do. You can only rely on the resources of this world to recover.”

Alright, I could only blame myself for unlocking the Gene Chain at such a low level; up to now, I was still stuck at the first stage.

Suddenly, a sense of anticipation welled up in me—what new abilities would I gain as I unlocked the next stages?

“Huo Bing, how are you? Can you still move?”

I pressed my palm to Huo Bing’s forehead; she was already faintly feverish.

Her eyes remained bright as ever, and she nodded gently.

I could see her effort, but there really was no other way. I had to take her with me into the depths of the chemical plant.

That was our only chance.

Even with the moon rising and the corpse creatures growing stronger, I had no reason to retreat!

“Fourth Master, I can’t hear anything now. If anything happens later, don’t warn me with your voice—use a more direct method.” I stroked Fourth Master’s fur. The dog licked me and opened its mouth, tongue lolling.

To lighten my load, I left my backpack here for now.

Just in case, I clipped the four grenades I’d brought to my belt.

As for incendiary rounds, I left those behind—they were far too cumbersome to carry.

Supporting Huo Bing, I quietly led her out the door. We had barely stepped out of the stairwell when I spotted several corpse creatures roaming the dormitory.

Before they could lunge, I charged with my composite titanium blade, dispatching them swiftly and silently.

All fell beneath my blade.

As expected, there was no notification sound in my mind.

It seemed I had to destroy their heads completely to kill them for good.

Still, for now, they were physically dead. It was only because the Ecological Gene Chain hadn’t registered the loss of their “life formula” that they didn’t count as fully dead.

Huo Bing freed herself from my grip and looked at me, speaking.

It took me a great deal of effort, but by reading her lips, I managed to understand.

“We agreed I wouldn’t be a burden to you. I can manage on my own. If you keep supporting me, it’ll slow you down. I’ll do my best to keep up.”

I gazed at her deeply, saying nothing, and without a trace of mercy, hoisted her onto my back.

Was she really talking about being a burden at a time like this?

Earlier, I’d been unconscious—wasn’t that even more of a hindrance than she was now?

Though I, Old Cao, might seem cold-hearted, I know the difference between gratitude and resentment. I’m not careless with my feelings; I can tell right from wrong.

“Don’t speak. Just stay quietly on my back—I’ll get you out of here. Listen to me: There may be something deep in the chemical plant that can stop your mutation, whether it’s a drug or a gas. Whatever it is, you must hang on!”

I tried to make my tone as firm as possible. If I spoke gently, she’d just fall asleep more easily and not take my words seriously.

Suddenly, I felt a tremor in my ear.

That girl! She'd actually taken my ear in her mouth—what on earth was she thinking at a moment like this?

But I was already dashing out of the dormitory with Fourth Master, so there was no time to worry about anything else. I hugged the wall, sprinting toward the factory district.

This was no time for caution—I stretched my legs and ran with all my might, determined to reach my destination as fast as possible.

It was my first time unleashing my advanced speed at full throttle.

I covered a kilometer in less than a minute—far surpassing any normal human.

Even the scattered corpse creatures, empowered by the moonlight, were left hundreds of meters behind.

Luckily, their numbers were few. Had they surrounded me, I’d have been exhausted before breaking through.

My speed was impressive, but my lungs were about to explode; my breath caught in my chest.

I sensed that if I pushed much further, I might just run myself to death.

Next time, I’d have to focus on boosting my endurance to achieve a balanced set of abilities.

The Ecological Gene Chain had told me before—endurance was a broad attribute.

It wasn’t just about lung capacity, but about the body’s overall resilience: kidneys, heart, blood, immunity, and more.

Of course, what amazed me most was Fourth Master; the dog had kept up with me the whole way, never falling behind.

I set Huo Bing down and approached the large iron gate alone.

I was determined to see what lay beyond that door!

Whatever it was, it had brought me to this wretched state.

Since I couldn’t see clearly, nor hear, the only way forward was force.

I slid my fingers along the composite titanium blade, activating its pale blue glow once more.

The blade’s vibration was nearly invisible to the naked eye—only a faint afterimage could be seen.

Swish, swish, swish!

As expected, there was no sound of metal striking metal.

The composite titanium blade sliced through the door as if it were mere vegetables, carving a neat square just large enough for a person to pass through.

My heart was icy cold. At this moment, I was staking everything on survival. After a quick glance around, I led Huo Bing and Fourth Master inside.