45: Chapter 45 Gene Optimization, Metamorphosis

...

When he obtained this Black Watch, he had already embarked on a different path—one he couldn't refuse.

Soaring to the heights or descending into madness,

"Black Star, expend all plunder points..." Rubbing the dial of the Black Watch, Lin Fang suddenly felt a moment of hesitation. How should he conduct the transaction to achieve his goal?

Upon careful thought, the problem wasn't that complicated. He could reference those virus-based agents capable of significantly enhancing human abilities. In essence, they all acted on the human genome, and genes were the original informational code constituting human flesh and blood.

Human evolution?

Lin Fang recalled the joke his counselor had once told him, as well as an anime whose dialogue now sounded utterly cringe-worthy: "Agumon, evolve..."

Shaking off the cringe-inducing image in his mind, Lin Fang had no desire to become something non-human.

Inside the safe room, Lin Fang lightly tapped his fingers on the desk. After some contemplation, he finally spoke, "Black Star, expend all plunder points. Optimize my genes to the best of your ability."

【Please confirm the transaction. Requires 1000 plunder points.】

"Confirm!" Lin Fang made his decision, his eyes fixed on the Black Watch. He wanted to see how the Black Star would make this happen.

Hiss—

As soon as this thought arose, an excruciating, bone-deep pain shot through the wrist where Lin Fang wore the Black Watch. The intensity was comparable to the bite he'd suffered in the jungle, only the location had changed.

The muscles in his arm began to convulse uncontrollably. The pain rapidly spread through his blood vessels to his entire body, every nerve screaming in protest.

Lin Fang's face turned pale. He fought the urge to tear off the Black Watch. He hadn't expected the Black Star's method of genetic optimization to be like this. This was the first time it had reacted since he'd obtained it.

10 minutes later,

The young man who had been convulsing on the floor relaxed completely, the pain receding like a tide.

The little black on the screen asked with concern:

【Boss, are you sure we shouldn't call a doctor? You look like you're about to kick the bucket.】

Lin Fang suddenly sat up. Clenching his right fist, he felt as if his entire being had undergone a metamorphosis. Strength, stamina, and reaction speed had all noticeably improved.

And his eyes, which had been slightly nearsighted... Lin Fang focused his gaze. He could now clearly see the text in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Seeing this, a smile curled at the corner of Lin Fang's mouth.

"No need. I feel great."

——

"Thud!"

【260.8KG】

After showering and changing clothes, Lin Fang looked at the number displayed on the monitor and excitedly clenched his fist. His original straight punch force was just over 120, but now it had more than doubled, putting him on par with Zhou Hui.

And this was just a superficial manifestation of his enhanced physical functions. Beyond that, the improvements in sensory perception and mental agility were the real surprises!

This surging vitality was intoxicating.

"Boss, what made you think of training today?" Zhou Hui's figure appeared in the doorway, a big grin on his face.

A few minutes later, Zhou Hui wasn't smiling anymore. Holding his swollen cheek, his eyes were full of shock. He hadn't reacted in time to Lin Fang's first punch, and the force behind it...

"Boss, when did you mutate?"

"Continue," Lin Fang said, as if their roles had reversed, adopting a Jeet Kune Do starting stance towards Zhou Hui.

...

...

Meanwhile, at the Binhai City Talent Recruitment Market,

Even with the Spring Festival approaching, it remained one of the liveliest places in Binhai City, teeming with countless job seekers.

Xu Tian was among them. A pharmacology graduate from a second-tier university, he had been delivering takeout for several months.

The saying went, 'You can't hire a migrant worker for 3,000 a month, but you can hire a fresh university graduate.' Xu Tian had thought it was just an online joke, never expecting it to apply to himself. Delivering takeout still earned him over 6,000 monthly.

But this wasn't a long-term solution. He needed a stable job with prospects. Looking at the freshly printed resume in his hand, Xu Tian plunged headlong into the familiar job market.

The market's layout had its own logic. The outer areas were dominated by electronics factories and labor agencies, places where massive crowds were sent daily to work assembly lines, contributing to Binhai City's GDP.

The inner market was the destination for the "high-end" crowd with bachelor's degrees or higher. Passing through the crowd, Xu Tian—dressed respectably—straightened his spine, whether anyone was looking or not. A surge of vanity made him want to appear more professional and confident.

But their salaries are much higher than mine, Xu Tian thought bitterly.

Entering the inner area, the atmosphere was noticeably quieter. Many well-known companies had permanent booths here. Xu Tian moved from one to another, his heart filled with hope.

——

"Mr. Xu, I'm sorry. Your educational background and major don't meet the company's requirements. Please move on," the recruiter said, handing back the resume. Their expression wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either.

As a recruiter for a large company, they saw too many people like this trying their luck every day.

"Okay, thank you," Xu Tian's face flushed instantly. He awkwardly took back his resume and turned to leave.

He kept walking forward, only relaxing his tense expression after the company's booth was out of sight. A deep sense of defeat replaced it.

This was the fifth direct rejection today, without even a chance for an interview.

Maybe I should just...

Xu Tian shook his head. His parents hadn't paid for his education so he could deliver takeout. Keep looking!

...

"Gao Lide Pharmaceuticals is sincerely hiring Pharmaceutical Engineers, Genetic Engineering Researchers..."

Looking at the recruitment information for this company in the corner, Xu Tian's face lit up with pleasant surprise. Another pharmaceutical company!

Xu Tian understood that the positions listed above were beyond the reach of a graduate from a second-tier university. He looked directly at the listings further down.

"Drug Analyst: Requires familiarity with various drug analysis techniques such as HPLC, GC, etc. Must be proficient in operating related instruments to accurately detect and analyze drug components, purity, impurities..."

"Monthly salary: 10K~15K. Those with work experience preferred."

Even pre-tax, the base salary made Xu Tian's breath quicken. It was higher than the engineer positions he'd interviewed for at the first two companies.

"Educational Requirements: Graduates from 985 or 211 universities."

Seeing this line, Xu Tian's heart sank completely. But he still mustered his courage and handed over his resume. Ancestors, grandparents, aunts, sisters, Buddha, Laozi... please, I beg you, watch over me!

——

"Our team leader said since you're from there, we can give you a chance."

The person handling recruitment shook their phone and gave Xu Tian an address. "Come here for an interview tomorrow. Whether you make it or not depends on you."

"Okay, okay. Thank you so much."

The company's work location was actually Tiangang City.

Xu Tian was thrilled. He hadn't expected to hear the name of his hometown in the western province here, let alone receive a precious interview opportunity simply for being from there.

For others, working in the less developed western province might be a deal-breaker, but for him, it was perfect.

A monthly salary of ten thousand? The company will be my home!

Even if he had to get on his knees and beg the interviewer tomorrow, Xu Tian was determined to secure this heaven-sent job!