Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

"Don't move yet, we still need to conduct some checks on you."

"Hmm…" Bai E blinked his eyes, gradually adjusting to the brightness before him.

The familiar laboratory looked somewhat different at that moment, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

"Beep~ beep~" A soft beep from the equipment resonated rhythmically, and soon after, exclamations from three scientists in white coats could be heard.

"It's risen by 3.2 degrees!"

"I've never seen it this high!"

"Could it be due to his high alien gene activation rate?"

"His alien gene activation rate was even suppressed after the injection!"

"Goodness!"

The three scientists, through their professional curiosity, began to theorize upon seeing the results.

Conservatively, most wouldn't inject Optimization Fluid into a subject with a high alien gene activation rate, but today's subject had become an exception due to the Marshal's insistence.

Everyone even thought that this dose of Optimization Fluid was going to be wasted, but the outcome was frighteningly successful.

In an instant, the three scientists looked at Bai E with burning enthusiasm.

If they could identify the reason behind these results, they could significantly increase the efficiency of every dose of Gene Optimization Solution!

"How do you feel?" asked a scientist eagerly as he leaned in closer, "Do you feel any discomfort?"

Bai E furrowed his brow and took a moment to assess his condition before speaking softly, "I'm a bit hungry…"

"Of course, you're hungry!" The three scientists gathered around Bai E's bed. One scientist on the left side of the bed cheerfully explained, "The process of gene optimization itself requires the absorption of a massive amount of energy.

Although we injected a highly concentrated nutrient solution into you, your degree of optimization was so high that the energy from the nutrient solution wasn't enough."

It seemed that one of those three differently colored injectable vials was merely nutrient solution… Bai E made a mental note of this piece of information.

The thought flashed through his mind, and a cautious curiosity appeared on Bai E's face, "I don't know… what is optimization rate?"

Normally, engineered soldiers without a panel wouldn't know this, so Bai E needed to use this topic to elicit more information about the Optimization Fluid.

3.3/100

By that calculation, would he need thirty-three doses to max out?

Would he become a deity after reaching the max level? Could he punch out the Bug Race Overlord with a single fist or snip a high-dimensional demon's head with scissor legs?

It was all unknown, requiring effort to uncover.

"It's quite complicated to explain... but for now, just know that most people's optimization rate only increases by 1 to 2 points after their first use of the Gene Optimization Solution. Yet, you've risen by 3.2 points, which is truly remarkable!"

Bai E frowned slightly, "The first time? Can I be injected again in the future?"

"Of course." The scientist on the right quickly answered, "It's with this substance that we humans can hope to surpass the mundane and have bodies that can rival constructs of steel. The highest record known to date is our empire's War God, Ares, who after twenty-three injections of Optimization Fluid, attained an optimization rate of 21.4 points.

Against the War God, those bugs and orcs you see during missions are nothing more than prey to be torn apart by hand!"

Bai E maintained a steady tone, though somewhat stiffly, as he inquired, "Are there any restrictions on injecting this substance?"

Fortunately, the three excited scientists, while stroking Bai E's body as if it were a piece of art, unconsciously replied, "There are restrictions, of course! Big restrictions..."

The optimization rate works in stages, every 10 points marking a new phase and each phase requiring a different concentration of Gene Optimization Solution, all of which needs to be strictly controlled. Otherwise, it's very easy for the body's genes to destabilize and turn into a heap of mush.

Moreover, not everyone can get endless injections.

As a high-profile figure, the empire's War God received almost infinite resources, but even he had to stop after twenty-three injections.

After each injection of Optimization Fluid, a sufficient 'natural cooldown period' is necessary, which is currently the only method found by humans to stabilize the genes.

The result of consecutive injections is always the same—gene collapse, followed by sudden death.

Of course, the length of the 'natural cooldown period' varies, as individual constitutions are different.

For some, it's a few months; for others, it could be decades... There's no certainty.

"So, will I have another chance in the future?"

"Maybe... That depends on whether you can earn it through significant deeds; it's an internal military matter."

No sooner had the scientist on the left finished speaking than the one standing above chimed in, "Yes! You must! If not you, then who else? Once your cooldown period is over, even if you haven't achieved anything significant, I'll find a way to get you another dose!"

Your journey continues at empire

"…"

"..."

Even his two companions looked at the man in the white lab coat with disbelief—What do you mean, buddy?

Xu Nuo's bold declaration didn't make the man in the white lab coat flinch as he raised his head to look at his companions, "What, you're not curious? He increased by 3.2 on his first injection, who knows how much he could improve in the future? He might be the next Empire War God! Even the War God only increased by 2.9 on his first injection!"

"..."

"...That seems to make sense."

"That's what I said, as long as you keep improving, I'll find a way to get you another dose as soon as the cooling period is over!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A good man indeed!

Bai E felt somewhat moved, "But could you stop pinching the root of my thigh... it's kinda ticklish."

"Oh, oh~"

The man in the white lab coat wiped his hands on his clothes, "Occupational habit… habit… Anyway, you are very special; it's just that we don't know how much you'll improve with your next injection. I hope you can maintain this trend."

"Does the increase vary with each injection?"

"Generally, it decreases over time. If an individual has had more than eight injections of Gene Optimization Solution at the same phase without advancing, they are generally deemed a 'failure.' Of course, that's for the noble offspring. In practice, commoners who don't improve by more than 6 points after three injections usually don't get another chance with the Optimization fluid.

You definitely won't be a 'failure'… presumably."

It seems there's still a long way to go.

I thought this Optimization fluid was a one-off deal; turns out it's a pay-to-win item!

Dammit!

Bai E nodded to show he understood, "Can I get up now?"

"Yes... yes... as long as you don't feel anything unusual, you are free to move around."

"Eager to leave? If you don't have any urgent missions, why not stay and chat with us for a while?"

"..." Facing the eager gaze of the other party, Bai E pressed his belly, "I'm about to faint from hunger."

Not lying.

Limb weakness, mind blank.

I really am about to pass out from hunger.

"Oh, oh~ Then you go ahead."

"If there's a next time, we can talk more..."

In the face of this "miracle" they had never seen before, the three men in white lab coats were terrifyingly enthusiastic.

Bai E burst out of the door and headed straight for the cafeteria.

Hungry hungry hungry hungry hungry!

...

The door opened.

The guard outside, who had not been given the "sound of a cup as a signal," saw Bai E and silently lowered his gun barrel.

The captain of the guard watching over the premises came up smiling at Bai E, who didn't show any abnormalities apart from a bit of unsteadiness in his walk.

Weslin, who had gone after Yueying, left him two contingency plans—

If Bai E had not mutated, notify him to get ready to receive a reward.

If Bai E had mutated, shoot him dead amidst the chaos.

It was clearly the first scenario...

"Marshal Weslin wants you to wait for him in the council hall."

"Can I eat something first..."

The captain of the guard assessed Bai E's condition and remembered the marshal's instructions—no mutation, everything is negotiable.

"Then go ahead, but be quick."