by Chen Ran
A string of data flashed past the monitor, causing Old Jack's face to darken continuously. Especially when he saw the numbers for the last two items, he gave a stuffy groan and slammed the door as he walked out.
Hearing his grandfather's voice, Lea softly sighed. When Zero came out of the instrument, he sat up on the platform and looked thoughtfully at the door. "Was he disappointed?"
Lea smiled bitterly and said: "Don't blame Grandfather, it hasn't been easy for him these past few years. He had worked hard all his life for the masters of the Parkland's valve, but now the top executives of the corporate world were grooming young executives to replace his grandfather. Without this job, my grandfather and I would be in a difficult situation. So my grandfather always hoped that a famous Adept would take charge of us, so that we could increase our influence in the corporate world. "
"Do Adepts really have that much of a use?" Zero asked.
Lea nodded strongly, saying, "You probably don't know this, but after the Cataclysm Day, the ground was shrouded by an intense radiation, causing 90% of the world's population to die one after another. Only 10% of the world's people survived. In order to survive, the genes of all living things, be they humans or animals, evolved or mutated in the short span of fifty years after the upheaval of the Cataclysm. And Adepts are the result of genetic evolution. "
From Lea's mouth, she completed one round of knowledge regarding the new world.
Adepts were the product of genetic evolution.
Whether it was through the battle with the mutated organism, or experiencing the cruel trials in a vile environment, there were all sorts of reasons. In this turbulent year, mankind's genes were changing and evolving at a terrifying speed. In the process, they created evolution points.
Evolutionary point is a new member in the gene chain. It breaks the original gene composition of human being and develops various abilities from the surface.
New humans with evolved points and abilities were known as Adepts.
As for the classification and generalization of Adept abilities, after half a century of quarrelling and debate, they were finally formed. All the abilities that are now present and known are divided into five major areas.
They are: Meta-Su Domain, Fighting Domain, Perception Domain, Mutation Domain and Rule Domain.
And the different domains have different abilities, divided into 12 levels. But in theory, there was also the concept of Thirteenth step. Legend has it that when one's abilities maximized and broke through the bottleneck of the twelfth stage, they would enter the Thirteenth step. Absolute Domain was a material similar to the energy field. Within the scope of the energy field, the maximum amount of ability would be produced and it would even reach the height of a god.
It's just that at present, there aren't any Divine Level experts in the entire world, so it's always been considered a realm of legends.
However, the five domains were naturally different.
The Meta-Su Domain was the general term for the ability to manipulate the energy of the various elemental Su s in the natural world. The known energy element Su consisted of the earth, fire, water, wind, thunder, light and dark elements. Those who had the ability to enter the Meteor Region were also known as magicians, representing the reverence the world had for them.
Those who specialized in fighting were all elite soldiers. The abilities of this field included the specialization of various weapons, as well as the enhancement of strength, defense, agility and other related abilities.
Then there is the field of perception, where most of the abilities of the competent are expressed in the power of the mind. They were the best of the best in terms of spiritual power, spirit imaging, spirit eyes, Soul Chains, spirit insinuations, spirit teleportation, and other sorts of inconceivable abilities.
If one were to say that there were three areas of ability, then the person with the ability would at least look like an ordinary person. Then, the experts of the mutation domain would undoubtedly be like monsters. Those in this field were able to recombine their genes in a short period of time, turning them into another type of creature to fight. Among the known powers of mutation are animal avatars, insect avatars, ancient species avatars, and the most fearsome demon avatars.
Finally, there was the rule field.
The so-called Edicts referred to major powers who had mastered a certain set of Edicts. Although there are some scholars to summarize for it the time control, space control, energy control, material control and other rules of ability. However, for now, there was no one in the world with the ability to control the domain, even if there was only one.
Thus, the realm of rules and legends had the same level of Thirteenth step, becoming a theoretical realm.
However, there were prophecies saying that whoever grasped the ability of the Rules Domain would become the living god of this world!
Chapter 4 - Mandates
After spending the night in the utility room, he was accompanied only by his mini automatic machine gun and the cold ground.
He was identified as an incompetent person, and for the Z7 base, there was no room for an ordinary person like him. Zero had no objection to this arrangement, but it was hard to sleep comfortably on the rough ground where no water had been used.
He looked as cold as a lone wolf. But in his heart, he was deeply shocked by Lea's words.
Obviously, the world after he woke up was completely different from what he remembered. The national system of the old era had completely collapsed. What was left for the humans were the endless wilderness, as well as the various monsters roaming about in the wilderness. The conditions for survival were very harsh. That was why it was important for Adepts to compete with surface monsters for resources.
In fact, Z7 also had an Adept in it. That person was Old Jack's granddaughter, Lea. It was just that Lea's ability was a Level 1 Memory Specialist and a Level 2 Alchemist Specialist. Compared to the five great domains, which were more inclined to fight, Lea's abilities belonged to the support category. As for support type ability users, they were basically categorized within the range of normal people.
Now, Zero could understand why Old Jack was so disappointed when he identified himself as a powerless person.
However, they did not know that zero did not have any special ability. The golden right eye s that could freely adjust vision and act like high power telescopes were not possessed by ordinary people. However, Zero did not want to expose this ability to outsiders for the time being. Otherwise, based on the crazy ability requirement of this era, they might just send the zeros onto the operating table and take that special right eye down to study.
Maybe I need a pair of sunglasses. As he was thinking this, he fell asleep with the machine gun in his hand. In less than three seconds, his breathing could already be heard. The energy consumed from the day's worth of activity was slowly being restored.
When the base clock pointed in the direction of six o'clock, Zero opened his eyes.
He stood up and moved his body, feeling that he had recovered. He had only eaten one meal yesterday, but he still didn't feel hungry, as if the moldy bread and the bitter water were still in effect. Zero frowned, knowing that it was impossible. That small amount of food should normally be converted into the body's heat and consumed. Now, if not for the high calorie content of the food, then there is something in the zero body that stores the heat absorbed and distributes it with such precision that no energy is wasted, thereby maximizing the effect of the food.
The former was impossible, no matter how one looked at it. As for the latter, Zero couldn't even imagine it.
This was not a function that a normal human organ could possess. If there really was such an energy-saving system, then it could only mean that Zero had been secretly modified to some extent. This reminded him of his own golden right eye. Was it some kind of product after surgery?
However, this kind of information did not exist in his brain's memory banks. It did not even mention what
kind of person he was before he had entered the hibernation chamber and what he had experienced so many times that he could not recall anything.
The truth was always hidden in the mists.
Zero couldn't remember who had said that to him, but it would be perfect to describe his current situation.
That hibernation chamber, if there was a chance, he would have to carefully examine it again. Zero thought.
At this moment, a deafening bell rang outside the junk room. Then old Gershom's voice came on the radio: "Get up, you bastards. It's time to work. If you're still lying in bed, be careful that I kick your eggs. I'll give you all five minutes to eat, then scram to the Operating area to report this! "
The radio continued to ring three times before it stopped tormenting people's ears. Zero pressed his ears. He felt that the broadcast was too loud, causing his eardrums to hurt greatly.
Knocking sounds suddenly came from the door. After three consecutive knocks, the door was pushed open, revealing Lea's young and tender face.
She seemed to have something on her mind. Looking at the hesitant expression on Zero, she finally said, "Come with me. Grandfather has something to talk to you about."
Zero followed her out of the room.
After passing through the long passageway, the two of them walked through the residential district. After making a left and right turn, they arrived at the house that Zero stayed in yesterday, Old Jack's house.
Lea brought Zero to another room in the room. It was arranged like a study room. But in the shabby room, there were only two or three books in the old bookcase that was about to rot. Old Jack was sitting on a black leather chair with several holes in it. He was puffing on his pipe and his military boot wearing legs were leaning on the desk. In front of the desk stood four soldiers in military uniforms, including the black Holt.
However, these uniforms were rather worn out. Not only were they patched up, they were also stained with large amounts of oil.
All the soldiers carried the rifles of the old era on their back. The black hard wood rifle butts were painted all over, and the dark green barrel was also riddled with white marks. It was obvious that these guns had been here for quite some time. It was doubtful just how powerful they were.
With a quick glance, he knew that these were all rifles. The heavy, old-fashioned rifle was a single-shot weapon. The rifled barrel allowed the bullets to spin, so there was still room for accuracy and a range of about 400 meters. But the slow firing speed meant that the weapon could not be used in mass warfare.
However, for a base that was half alive and half industrial, the allocation of such firearms by the soldiers was also suitable for its status.
Seeing Ling Tian coming in, Old Jack waved his hand, signaling the others to go out first. As a result, Holt and the four soldiers passed by Zero one by one. When they passed by each other, saw the look of schadenfreude in their eyes.
After the door closed, only Old Jack and Zero were left in the study.
Old Jack blew out a smoke ring and said, "Our base doesn't support idle people. If you want to stay here, then you must work for me."
"Fair enough." Zero said. He then asked, "Then what kind of job do you have for me?"
"Our base is a small place, there are only two jobs that suit you." Old Jack said slowly, "One is mining, which is to work together with those miners in the underground mining area. The daily salary is 10 cents."
Zero raised his eyebrows and asked, "What about the second type?"
"I also know that you won't be willing to be a miner. Although you are a powerless person, you should be a pretty good warrior, so the second option would be more suitable for you." Old Jack put down his pipe, the fire inside gradually dimmed. He knocked off the ashes and said, "Come on, be a mercenary. Your job is to maintain order in the base. When they left the mission, they would also receive a corresponding reward. If you do well, I can apply for a professional license for you from Parkland's valve. "
"That sounds good. I think mercenaries are more suitable for me than miners." Zero asked calmly, "Then Boss, you have a task for me right now, right?"
"Smart guy." He took out a map and threw it in front of Zero.
The map was not big, and it simply indicated the location of Z7 base. Three hundred kilometers to the east of the base was a town with the words "Silver Tree City" written on it. As for the areas near the base, they were mostly mountains and wilderness. All of them, without exception, had the words' danger 'written in red ink.
Old Jack pointed at the position of the Silver Tree City and said, "We are almost out of medicines. If we don't get some to replenish, it will be difficult for us to make it through this year. Mining was a dangerous activity, even though the radiation from the underground mining was less intense than on the surface. However, there would occasionally be infected mutated beasts or minerals. These days, there are at least eight hundred viruses that can kill us if they don't have a thousand. If they don't get timely treatment, no matter how strong they are, they will die very quickly. "
"Your company doesn't provide drug assistance?" Zero frowned and asked.
Old Jack laughed and sneered, "Do you think the company is a charity, young man? In the eyes of those noblemen, we are nothing more than tools for life. In this era, medicine was as precious as gold. Do you think they would waste it on tools to make money? Of course, it's not impossible to buy medicine from the company. However, with the profits from our small mining site, it's very difficult to pay for it. "
In this new world, only people like Adepts or people with power would be respected. The other ordinary people, including the old man in front of him, were nothing more than substitutes.
"There's only one way apart from buying medicine from the company." Old Jack reemphasized the town on the map. "This was once a small town with over a thousand people. Of course, it has now been reduced to ruins and has become a paradise for monsters. But in this small town, there is a hospital, and there is also the anti-Su hospital and the penicillin hospital that we need the most. If you are willing to go to the city with Holt and the others to gather sufficient medicinal herbs for the base, I can pay you one hundred dollars for this mission. "
One hundred dollars didn't sound like much, but it was equivalent to almost three years of working as a miner, so it could be said to be a small fortune.
Naturally, Zero knew that this small amount of money was also not easy to obtain. Profit was always with risk.
"I'll take on this mission, but I'll need a sunglasses, a dagger, and ammunition." Zero made his own request.
Old Jack readily promised, "No problem, you can ask Holt for these things. As for the expenses, I can give you first. If you are alive to get the money, then deduct it from the account. "
Zero nodded and Old Jack said, "Then you should prepare. We will leave in the afternoon." As for the details, you can ask Holt. If there are no problems, you can go out. "
For the time being, he had no other questions, so he turned to leave. However, when he pushed open the door, he stopped and asked Old Jack, "What do you think of those miners?"
"You have a lot of questions, boy." Old Jack snappily said, "Worker, no matter if it's you or those dogs, they're all just workers hired by me, Old Jack!"
A worker? At least, it was a hundred times happier than being used as a tool. With that thought in mind, Zero quietly left the room.
After he left, Old Jack sighed. He added new tobacco to his pipe and smoked again. The flame of the pipe shone in a framed photograph on the desk.
In the frame was an old yellowed photograph of the young Jack grinning with a hammer over his shoulder.
Once upon a time, he was also a worker!
Chapter 5 - No Land
Large clouds of steam sprayed into the air, and the rusted gears made a sound that made one's teeth ache. God knows how many days it had been since the entrance to the base was opened. The alloy door that was half a meter thick first shrunk in, and then it opened
to reveal a jagged crack in the door. The bottom wheel scraped against the rusty tracks on the ground, and the intense friction shook the rock dust on the door, causing it to fall like a gray rain.
An old-fashioned off-road tank came out. The modified vehicle had a powerful heavy machine gun installed in the backseat. Its range could reach up to a thousand meters and its firing rate could reach up to 300 rounds per minute. Its excellent suppressive ability and destructive capabilities made this tank the most powerful weapon in the Z7 base.
But now, the chariot had to travel 300 kilometers to Silver Tree City to bring back sufficient medicine for the base to survive.
The sky was clear.
On the contrary, there were no clouds blocking the way, and the sun, with its intense ultraviolet rays, was scorching the earth. Although the amount of radiation on the ground was no longer as high as that in Cataclysm Day, no one was willing to be exposed in broad daylight. Although the cross-country chariot's firepower was fierce, it did not have a good radiation-proof system. Compared to this kind of chariot from the old era, the fully armored chariot that was sought after by the big companies and corporate powers, due to the newly developed radiation prevention armor plate, was much more suitable for moving in daylight compared to this kind of chariot.
Naturally, the Z7 base could not afford armoured vehicles, not even the oldest models.
For those who were on missions, night was the best time to act. However, the wandering dead in the Silver Tree City dispelled their thoughts.