Chapter 12: Mutation Cards

Lin Ye entered the tunnel once again.

This time he didn't need to go far, reaching his destination in just half an hour.

Lin Ye advanced through the tunnel with fanatical fervor, the zeal spreading through his body like a virus, raising his overall body temperature by 2°C.

The fever burned away his remaining rationality, leaving only madness that consumed his thoughts. If not for the unfinished mission, he would have sliced off his own head just to experience the sensation.

Finally, Lin Ye stepped into the darkness. Instead of leaving, he raised the Abyssal Egg above his head.

Simultaneously, in another patch of darkness, another Lin Ye also lifted a fragmented Abyssal Egg overhead.

In two other cycles, the fragmented Abyssal Eggs grew within the darkness, gradually taking shape.

The ritual began as the abyss connected with the tunnel, dragging the entire passageway into its depths.

Lin Ye longed to plunge into that void for an endless descent, but the anomaly had vanished. The mission was complete, and some force violently yanked him back to solid ground.

Lin Ye woke up in bed, still groggy as if emerging from a long dream, momentarily disoriented about his surroundings.

A red cat leaped onto his lap, rubbing its head against his stomach.

'I'm... in the shelter. The mission's over.'

Another thirty seconds passed before Lin Ye fully regained his bearings. Recalling the simulation memories, he shuddered involuntarily.

That complete loss of control had been terrifying. Were the shelter not absolutely secure, he might still be trapped in that state.

"Forget it. No use dwelling. Let's see what we gained."

Lin Ye glanced at the new pitch-black door on the wall, pretending it didn't exist.

Luck had favored him this time—dying in the tunnel proved difficult. The eight remaining simulations yielded eight items now arranged on the floor:

A loaded pistol, a basic food ration pack, a simple medical kit, four eerily familiar mutation organs, and a quail egg-sized black ovular object.

Lin Ye opened the system interface, submitting the four self-generated mutation organs for the Shelter Upgrade Mission. Progress updated to (5/10).

The other items were sorted and stored in room corners alongside previous acquisitions.

The Abyssal Egg was placed outside the sliding door—though harmless now, he refused to share living space with it.

Three system notifications remained: the Time Fragment, Abyssal Gate, and his new title.

Lin Ye examined each:

"Yes."

Checking his profile, Lin Ye discovered his ability had transformed:

"Holy... shit!"

Lin Ye felt overwhelmed by sudden fortune. The Time Fragment's bonus surpassed his original ability. Though single-use, it sufficed perfectly—an insurance policy allowing survival through simulation even in near-fatal scenarios.

Moreover, acquiring additional Time Fragments might increase its usage count.

Next, the new title:

Lin Ye: "………"

Lin Ye eyed the black door, deciding against interaction for now.

While the shelter was absolutely secure, what if these "abyssal denizens" overstayed? Absolute safety lasted only seven days—afterwards, Lin Ye would suffer.

Checking the time, the simulation had consumed mere hours—still before noon.

The window showed only foggy obscurity. Occasional noises beyond the door revealed nothing through the peephole.

Retrieving an energy bar and water bottle, Lin Ye opened the communications interface while eating lunch.

The screen flooded with image-laden messages. Initially mistaking them for pornography, closer inspection revealed mutation photos:

"Check out my Kirin Arm! Could punch through blood-corpses now. (Arm pic)"

"King Kong Legs dominate—kicked two zombies to death. (Leg pic)"

"Anyone got spare Mutation Cards? Trading for food!"

"Seeking arm cards! Trading leg cards!"

"Who's got red liquid? Paying premium!"

"Where's Goose Leg Guy? You mutated yet? Any guides?"

"Mutated my intestines—what's the use? (Belly pic)"

"Damn! Rare card! (No clue what it does though)"

"Try cutting it open to check."

"Fellow survivors, I'm a student—begging for any Mutation Card, preferably limb mutations."

"Did upstairs guy mutate his brain instead?"

"Why's it not dark yet? My King Kong Legs are itching for action."

The group buzzed with Mutation Card discussions. Scrolling up, Lin Ye found the catalyst:

A survivor had accidentally used a dark red card, mutating his right arm. His panicked group plea backfired, sparking a mutation frenzy.

Mutation Card usage proved simple—press against skin until absorption completes within minutes.

Different patterns dictated mutation locations. Currently, arm and leg cards were most coveted, coincidentally also the most abundant.

However, mutations consumed massive energy/resources. That initial survivor exhausted all edible supplies before completing the transformation by drinking red liquid.