Chapter 2: Evolution

The rundown residential building was quickly surrounded by police cars, with the street below completely blocked off. However, all the residents on Xu Huo's floor kept their doors tightly shut."Don't know what kind of bad luck you've got - this is the third time this month," said veteran detective Zhao Biao as he accepted the cigarette Xu Huo offered, shaking his head sympathetically. He pointed to a black limousine trailing behind the police cars. "Some special investigators are here today. Just tell them what you know and you'll be fine."

Xu Huo looked over to see a sharply dressed young man step out of the vehicle, his leather shoes polished to a shine - the very image of an elite attending a formal event, completely out of place in this neighborhood.

The man's gaze landed on Xu Huo before he strode over. "You're Xu Huo? Let's talk in the car."

He glanced at Zhao Biao without bothering to ask for Xu Huo's consent.

"Sure, I'm done with my questions," Zhao Biao waved them off.

Xu Huo followed the young man into the vehicle where they sat facing each other, while a secretary-type aide activated a voice recorder on his phone.

"Different interviewer today?"

Xu Huo initiated the questioning, causing the secretary to instinctively look at his companion. The well-dressed young man took over: "I have some questions for you. Please answer truthfully."

Xu Huo nodded. This car had come twice before, but previously the secretary had accompanied a seasoned middle-aged investigator.

"Describe what happened."

Xu Huo gave a factual account. After listening, the young man began his interrogation:

"Why did you buy a refrigerator?"

"Old one broke."

"Any food preferences?"

"Not picky. I eat everything."

"Noticed any changes in appetite recently?"

"Too hot lately. Eating more vegetables."

"Any physiological changes when contacting the deceased? Hunger, thirst, increased strength?"

"None."

"Records show you graduated from a top domestic university with affluent family background. Why work as an extra in Ting City?"

"Family issues. Didn't want to rely on them."

"You've done two years as a stunt double and four as an extra in Ting City. Several directors offered you acting roles. Why refuse?"

"Personal preference."

The young man studied his face for two full seconds before continuing:

"Why do you think criminals targeted you three times?"

Xu Huo's monotone voice gained an edge. "Victim blaming theory?"

The secretary intervened, "Mr. Xu, we're just trying to determine the selection criteria—"

Xu Huo stared at the young man before answering after deliberate pause: "First two weren't clear. Today's woman said I smelled delicious. Probably thought I was handsome."

The young man smirked. "What was different about that woman?"

"Pretty psychotic. Flirted while breaking in. Unusually strong - maybe did stunt work before."

"What did she say?"

"Not much. Called herself an Evolver. Offered money to save her."

"Know the victim in the fridge?"

"Yeah. Local delivery guy."

The Q&A dragged on nearly two hours before Xu Huo was finally released. As he exited, the young man handed him a business card. "If you experience any changes, contact me. It would be the wisest choice."

"Nie Xuan, Ting City First Research Institute." Xu Huo toyed with the card. "Not planning to slice up Evolvers for study, are you?"

"Many rumors circulate online about Evolvers, but without proper management, you end up with situations like that woman who attacked you."

Nie Xuan said nothing more, stuffing a pack of cigarettes from the car into Xu Huo's shirt pocket with a light pat before leaving.

Watching the car disappear, Xu Huo pocketed the card and lit another cigarette before heading back. The police were still processing the scene. Zhao Biao offered to put him up at a nearby guesthouse, but Xu Huo declined, claiming he'd stay with friends. After packing minimal belongings, he checked into a nearby motel.

The moment the door closed, overwhelming hunger assaulted him. Hands trembling, Xu Huo took a desperate drag while shoving compressed biscuits from his bag into his mouth - but it barely dulled the craving. Covering his nose, he could still smell blood on his supposedly clean skin, the scent maddeningly enticing.

After several minutes, he roughly rubbed his pants legs and opened his tablet.

A month ago, strange phenomena erupted globally. Alongside these anomalies, many people developed ravenous appetites - initially targeting livestock and pets. Two weeks later, crimes exploded nationwide, predominantly assaults, disappearances and murders.

Amid the chaos, someone proposed the "Evolver Theory" - that these extreme appetites came paired with enhanced physical abilities and sensory evolution. Overnight, theories about "Earth's transformation" and "human survival of the fittest" dominated discourse. Radical forums even urged Evolvers to "follow their instincts!"

Authorities swiftly banned such platforms, but the real danger wasn't the rhetoric - it was Evolvers' uncontrollable hunger.

Xu Huo encountered his first Evolver two weeks ago, the second ten days back. Today's woman was number three.

The first had been a novice - all instinct, no strategy, practically feral.

The second had learned to mask his hunger, even spending a day on set pretending camaraderie before inventing an excuse to "crash" at Xu Huo's place.

Today's woman attempted disguise, but sloppily - not from inability, but likely arrogance that she needed no subtlety against a normal human.

In one month, Evolvers had adapted frighteningly well.

Stubbing out his cigarette, Xu Huo checked his pulse.

227 bpm - far beyond normal range, though not his record peak of nearly 300.

Normally such tachycardia would cause dizziness, fatigue, breathing difficulty or even unconsciousness. Yet since his heartbeat first went haywire a month ago, he'd adapted within ten days - handling peaks near 300 and lows below 40.

Beyond pulse fluctuations and hunger, his strength and smell had sharpened. His mild nearsightedness corrected itself.

But none matched today's female attacker.

Despite her petite frame - naturally weaker than adult males - her physical enhancements surpassed both Xu Huo and the previous two Evolvers.

"Because she passed Initial Screening?"

Perched on the bed's edge, Xu Huo flicked his lighter repeatedly, staring at the dancing flame:

"How do I get on that research vehicle?"

Suddenly his vision darkened, replaced by a translucent projection screen:

"Player attributes detected. Select from three career options:"

"A) Gambler; B) Adventurer; C) Extra."