(Two chapters combined, both updated together)
...
Su Mo fell to the ground in agony. The heat flow brought by the fusion of alien genes became increasingly fierce, as if there was magma boiling and churning within, determined to consume him entirely.
Sweat continuously seeped from his entire body, soaking his shirt rapidly. Under the effect of the potion, the sweat gained some corrosiveness, leaving a burning sensation where it flowed, turning the damaged skin bright red.
The heat flow surged to his heart, the black cocoon seemingly sensing a threat, constantly contracting, releasing a large amount of alien substances into the heart zone. They were like needles piercing into his body, bringing a tearing pain.
Miscalculation...
Su Mo's heart was filled with just these three words.
Miscalculation...
The effects of the alien gene fusion elixir were undeniable; it certainly worked.
The problem was—what was he worth?
In the game "Dawn", the character controlled by the player is the "protagonist".
What's a protagonist?
Someone who wouldn't have any rejection reaction with the full implant of "Apocalypse Level 1" prosthetics.
Someone who could elevate their blood code to "High Tier Black King" in just a few years.
Someone who could use a modified Spiritual Brain to wield "Emperor Level Wild Stage" beasts like pets.
The protagonist is the chosen one, uniquely gifted and endowed, born to stand atop the Dawn Realm.
And me?
Dr. Chen, what am I worth?
A beginner's experience dummy, ranked first among "Dawn's Most Humiliating Bosses" as a pathetic small-time antagonist.
In the original storyline, the protagonist injected the alien gene fusion elixir, squatted down to catch his breath, and it was over.
It's not that there were no side effects from the potion; it's that those side effects didn't matter compared to the protagonist's domineering constitution.
The same side effects on me, however, aren't just about squatting down to take a few breaths; they involve bone-carving pain, threatening my life.
The intense pain quickly led to symptoms of neurogenic shock, Su Mo's heart rate was dropping, his physical functions deteriorating to the extreme, even breathing required all his strength.
His senses began to falter; just moments ago, his whole body felt scorching, as if magma was flowing through his veins, but now, it seemed cold as ice, leaving him trembling uncontrollably.
He curled up in the corner, desperately wrapping himself in his clothes to prevent hypothermia, though his body temperature continued to drop, large patches of skin turning a corpse-like purple-blue.
He could feel an unseen war raging within him, with the Ancestral Blood Code battling against the alien gene fusion elixir.
The alien substances released by the black cocoon viciously devoured his flesh, attempting to consume the entire body before being fully integrated by the potion.
If his body couldn't withstand this backlash, and he was first consumed by the Ancestral Blood Code before the alien gene fusion elixir took full effect, then everything would be meaningless.
"Thump... thump... thump..." The heartbeat resonated like funeral bells in his mind, occupying all of Su Mo's hearing.
Time passed like this.
Who knows how long it had been.
It seemed like mere seconds, yet also incredibly long.
"Tap tap tap..."
In a blur, Su Mo heard the sound of hurried footsteps drawing nearer.
A soft little hand placed itself on his face.
He opened his eyes with difficulty, his blurred vision focusing several times before he saw Nuobai's solemn eyes behind the mask.
His gaze shifted lower and saw Nuobai's hand drawn to her heart, clutching a vial filled with white liquid.
The symbol on the vial was all too familiar to him.
So it really exists here after all...
Su Mo twitched his lips, forcing a painfully difficult smile: "Gene-coded protein... you got it... congratulations... your illness can be cured now..."
Nuobai looked up and down at Su Mo, quickly typing on her phone:
[What's wrong with you?]
Su Mo struggled to breathe, his hand tightly placed on the black cocoon at his heart: "I also... found what I was looking for... but it has very strong side effects..."
"Nuobai... this thing is devouring my flesh... I can't hold on... can you... can you... feed me some blood..."
Nuobai looked at the suffering Su Mo, her eyes filled with complex emotions that constantly shifted.
She had already secured what she needed and could leave anytime.
Home, healed, and afterward open a new chapter in life.
She was already saved!
Finally crawled out of that deadly swamp, bound by nothing anymore!
Beautiful years awaited her in the future!
As for the dying Dr. Chen, whom she had known for only a few days...
Gradually, Nuobai's gaze became profound, deep enough that Su Mo couldn't fathom.
Under Su Mo's blank stare, Nuobai stood up, gripping the key to her new life, and left without looking back.
When Nuobai's silhouette disappeared around the corner, a tinge of melancholy spread in Su Mo's heart like poison, his mouth twitching as he forced a self-deprecating laugh: "Hah..."
He felt like a clown.
After plotting meticulously, tricking her into this place.
Talking about Nuobai's fate is up to luck, only his survival mattered the most.
And now?
All those efforts led to this sorry state...
Resentful?
No resentment.
When you gamble, you have to be willing to lose.
It's okay for him to plot against others, but not okay for someone to betray him?
That's not how double standards work...
When he deceived Nuobai, he should've been ready for malicious backlash.
"Haha... hahahah..." Su Mo lay on the ground, laughing self-mockingly. He laughed and coughed, coughed and gasped, every laugh triggering intense pain in his organs.
In the end, he couldn't struggle any longer, lying flat on the ground, darkness gradually consuming his vision.