Wasteland Year 399, December 11th. In a high school biology lab, a young man leaned rigidly against a chair.
His body was continuously twisting and convulsing, his once handsome face now contorted into a somewhat fierce expression.
[Brain: Consciousness carrier severely damaged. Unable to continue waiting for functions to restore and activate the Circular. Units, report current status.]
[Heart: Function restored to 2%.]
[Liver: Function restored to 5%.]
[Lungs: Function restored to 3%.]
[Spleen: Function restored to 3%.]
[Kidneys: Function restored to 4%.]
[Brain: Host deceased. Unknown consciousness detected. Activating Plan Two: Disk Fusion.]
[Brain: Plan Two initiated. All bodily functions operating in normal mode. Preparing for fusion.]
[All organs: Restored to normal mode. Ready for fusion.]
[Brain: Organ fusion commenced. Integrating unknown consciousness. This command will not repeat.]
[Brain: Thank you for twenty years of earnest collaboration. Farewell...]
「About twenty minutes later」
[Disk: All organ fusion complete. Extracting all Sequence particles. Activated Sequence S-02 - Devourer, Sequence S-04 - Fusioner, and Sequence S-11 - Observer for the host.]
[Disk: Ladies and gentlemen, we meet again...]
This time, none of the organs responded. After a pause, the Disk issued a command.
[Host's life is in critical danger. Releasing reserve energy. Repairing damaged body...]
[Final pre-hibernation directive: To ensure host's safety, Sequence S-02 - Devourer is to be used in an overloaded state.]
「...」
Three days later, in a biology exhibition hall in the East Ring district, within the Wasteland Alliance's fourth barrier wall—the Wall of Exploration—about a dozen students were lining up. They followed an exhibition guide upstairs to the second floor of the biology exhibition hall.
The biology exhibition hall was multi-leveled. This design choice wasn't solely due to high land prices; many other buildings in the area shared a similar architectural style to maximize space.
The students in the line were all scholarship recipients, excellent students who had been admitted to the Wasteland Alliance University's biology department.
This event was arranged by Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, the sponsor covering their tuition fees in full, stating it would allow the students to gain a deeper understanding of biology.
As they walked, the guide introduced the specimens hanging near the staircase entrance.
"This specimen is a type of crocodilian amphibian beast, which we also refer to as Gigantosaurus. According to Alliance biologists' estimates, ancient large crocodiles may have even possessed strength beyond that of First Tier animals—very terrifying. Unfortunately, this species is now extinct."
All the other students had gone upstairs, leaving only a somewhat tall and skinny student standing still, appearing rather out of place.
"Lu Luo, what are you looking at? That's a water-toothed carnivorous fish; the teacher already explained it, didn't she? Hurry up! If you don't come now, we might get separated."
The speaker was a girl with a very sweet face and long, straight black hair, named Qin Wanyu. She had a delicate, crimson oval face, soft shoulder-length hair, a fully developed, exquisite figure, and large eyes that rippled like water—a captivatingly delicate appearance. Her gaze towards Lu Luo was somewhat evasive and slightly shy. The one standing still at the end of the line was none other than this Lu Luo.
He had a clean, neat buzz cut, sword-like eyebrows, and star-like eyes—virtually flawless. His appearance was more than just good-looking; it was 'heroically handsome,' brimming with a heroic air and striking features. It was no wonder Qin Wanyu looked at him that way.
However, Lu Luo paid no attention to Qin Wanyu. He was staring intently at the showcase in front of him, as if he had seen something nostalgic.
The item in the showcase would be considered a rare creature in this world, but in his previous life, it could only be classified as a common animal.
It was a fish! A shark, not particularly large, nor especially small, but definitely capable of delivering a fatal bite.
In this world, there were hardly any fish. The limited lakes in the Wasteland were mostly occupied by aquatic Exotic Species. Fragile creatures like sharks simply could not survive there.
"There are actually sharks in this world! And it's alive, at that," Lu Luo mumbled to himself. "The name 'Water-Toothed Meat Fish' sounds as mundane as 'broiler chicken'."
He had been in this world for three days now, and most of this world's knowledge, systems, and background exceeded his understanding. Thankfully, his adaptability was quite good, and he had quickly come to terms with the reality of his transmigration.
Next to the showcase was an introduction to the shark.
[Water-Toothed Meat Fish: Suspected pre-catastrophe species, bottom of the food chain. Body relatively soft and smooth; low skeletal strength. Teeth are its only natural weapon. Due to its extreme weakness, it is categorized as a beast instead of an Exotic Species. Occasionally appears in wastewater regions; now on the brink of extinction.]
In Lu Luo's additional memories, a shark of this size would have been considered a top-tier or near top-tier predator in the ocean, perhaps only fearing killer whales. Yet in the Wasteland world, it had become a bottom-of-the-food-chain creature. How tragic.
Ah, the times have truly changed... Lu Luo felt somewhat wistful, not for the shark, but for himself in his previous life.
In his former life, he was also named Lu Luo, a self-proclaimed top-tier detective from Blue Star's China. Though his usual work involved investigating infidelity or searching for lost pets, Lu Luo always believed he was a top-tier detective, or at least had the potential to be one. Without a doubt, because top-tier detectives are very handsome—oh no, strikingly handsome!
Lu Luo, who harbored grand dreams and yearned to solve a major case to prove himself, had foolishly started investigating China's most terrifying criminal organization. Through skillful and sophisticated detective work, coupled with using his charm and good looks, Lu Luo successfully gained the trust of the organization leader's daughter and obtained their criminal records.
Just when Lu Luo thought he was on the brink of wealth and fame, he was caught in a web of betrayal. He wasn't the only mole. The mole on his side revealed Lu Luo's true identity to the crime lord. Soon after, Lu Luo was dumped into the Huangpu River, ending his life.
Fortunately, the criminal data had already been submitted. That criminal organization was eventually dismantled, serving as the last good deed Lu Luo performed in his past life. And so, the handsome man, filled with resentment, died and transmigrated.
「...」
Lu Luo's current identity was that of a university student sponsored by Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals. He had just been admitted to the biological sciences department of the Alliance's East Ring College but hadn't officially enrolled yet.
The previous occupant of this body was an orphan, a third-class citizen in the Wasteland Alliance, holding a somewhat low social status. However, he had an older brother, Lu Yang, hailed as a genius, who had already been promoted to a second-class citizen, and a very rebellious younger sister, Lu Yu. The three had grown up together in a Wasteland orphanage. Although not blood-related, they were all raised by Tutor Lu Kexin, and thus all three bore the surname Lu.
Due to their excellent academic performance, all three received full tuition sponsorship from Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Blue Sky Biotech. The catch was that, regardless of whether they graduated with a bachelor's or a doctorate, they were required to work for Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals for at least eight years—a fair trade, all things considered. His current situation wasn't bad, but it wasn't without regrets.
The main regret was his lack of aptitude for becoming a Transcendent of the Wasteland. Furthermore, he had never awakened any talent Sequence.
This world definitely had Transcendents! And the upper limit of a Transcendent's strength was very high. He didn't have a clear concept of how high, but he vividly remembered a scene where his brother, just to get a sticker, had lifted an entire bed with one hand.
Transcendents were generally people who could absorb the Dark Energy of the Wasteland. Although their energy all stemmed from this Dark Energy, these Transcendents always liked to categorize themselves with professional labels—for example, Warriors, Wizards, Mechanics, or Gunners.
These were just the basic Transcendent professions. Beyond that, all humans in the Wasteland had the potential to awaken talent Sequences. If these talent Sequences complemented a Transcendent's own power, their strength could increase exponentially. Professionals with talent Sequences could fight opponents ranks above them, even several ranks higher, without much issue.
As far as Lu Luo knew, his brother, the so-called genius, possessed a talent Sequence: B-13 - Camouflage Coating. This camouflage ability was even more incredible than a chameleon's. Lu Luo had personally witnessed Lu Yang demonstrate it; its effect was so potent it could render Lu Yang completely invisible. Undoubtedly, such a talent, if used for assassination, would be a nightmare for many.
But such a talent could only reach a Grade B Sequence. Above Grade B were the even stronger Grade A and Grade S Sequences. Lu Luo could only imagine how powerful those talent Sequences might be.
Lu Luo had always possessed a restless heart. In his previous life, he had been unwilling to settle for mediocrity, always pursuing miracles and believing that there was a guiding light in the world. How could he not be excited in a world teeming with Transcendents? Therefore, learning that he had no qualifications to become a Transcendent was a huge disappointment for Lu Luo.
Moreover, the cause of this body's original owner's death was related to this. His predecessor, craving Transcendent power, had secretly concocted various genetic potions and consumed them. After brewing a potion brimming with Life Energy, his predecessor had drunk it without hesitation and promptly croaked. It was truly a sad tale.
「...」
Forget it. Being a Pharmacist or a genetic engineer wouldn't be so bad. At least it's a stable income, and I don't need to go beyond the walls, which is very safe.
Humans in the Wasteland lived within four great circular high walls: the Wall of Desolation, the Wall of Sighs, the Wall of Vigilance, and the Wall of Exploration. These high walls protected the entirety of the human world, forming a barrier between humans and the Exotic Species that roamed outside. What the world beyond the walls was truly like, Lu Luo didn't know, but one consistent point from books and his memories was that the outside was exceedingly dangerous.
Being reborn was already a great satisfaction for Lu Luo. Besides, his current situation wasn't bad: he had a brother and a sister, excelled in his studies, had sponsorship, and possessed good prospects. Unlike other transmigrators who faced immense crises immediately upon arrival, having to rely solely on themselves for everything, often with a powerful nemesis, essentially starting the game on Hell mode.
After comforting himself, Lu Luo called out to Qin Wanyu, "Here I am! Sorry, I was just spacing out."
Qin Wanyu's name was also quite unique, Lu Luo thought. 'Wan Yu'—a bowl of fish. In a world almost devoid of fish, he had no idea who could have given her such a name.
Just before leaving, he stopped again. This time, it wasn't reminiscence that held him, but the shark in front of him.
The shark was looking at him, and its gaze was somewhat strange! It felt a bit like an emoticon from some chat app.
"Can sharks make such human-like expressions?" Lu Luo mumbled to himself. An animal staring at a human wasn't unusual, but looking at someone with an expression like an emoticon was decidedly odd.
At the staircase entrance, Qin Wanyu was still waiting for him. Lu Luo naturally put his hand on Qin Wanyu's shoulder, offering her a smile as warm as spring.
"Let's go!"
Qin Wanyu's face instantly reddened. Although she didn't know why the previously indifferent Lu Luo had suddenly become so casual these past few days, she was happy about the change.
Qin Wanyu wanted to confess her feelings to Lu Luo. They were about to start university, and men in the Wasteland were far fewer than women. If she didn't confess now, she might lose her chance. The ravenous female upperclassmen at the university wouldn't let a prime catch like Lu Luo slip through their fingers.
Qin Wanyu was gathering the courage to speak when they were both jostled by someone in a hat rushing down from the floor above. From the silhouette, it seemed to be a man. The man was strong; when he bumped into Lu Luo, Lu Luo had to grab the railing to barely keep himself from falling.
"Have you no civic sense? In a rush to be reincarnated?"
The man in the hat paid Lu Luo no mind and walked straight towards the main entrance of the biology exhibition hall.
Just then, text that seemed like a projection suddenly flashed in Lu Luo's vision.
[Danger detected. Sequence S-11 - Observer activating ahead of schedule.]
Host: Lu Luo
Occupation: None
Strength: 1.1
Agility: 1.1
Constitution: 1.1
Energy: 144
Talents:
Sequence S-02 - Devourer: LV1
Effect: Inactive.
...
Sequence S-04 - Fusioner: LV1
Effect: Inactive.
...
Sequence S-11 - Observer: LV1
Effect 1 - Information: Information prompt.
[Overall Evaluation 1: Your healthy lifestyle over the years has made your body a bit stronger than the average person, but only just a bit. Compared to Exotic Species, you're still a weakling.
Overall Evaluation 2: You have no cultivation aptitude to become a Transcendent; essentially useless in that regard.
Overall Evaluation 3: Your talent Sequences seem very powerful, but currently, they're pretty much useless. Only the Observer Sequence seems somewhat reliable.]
[The above evaluations are from the noble Grade S Sequence: Observer's impartial analysis.]
Lu Luo: "??? This evaluation... so impartial, huh!"