Chapter 31 (1/2)

“I don’t feel any changes.” Hao Ren doubted as he pinched his upper arm.It did not become brawnier or resistant to pain. He could not summon the magic thunder ball too; he felt he was still a mortal. What about the ability of enhanced regeneration? As much as he wanted that, he could never build up the courage to slash himself…

“What more do you want?” Raven 12345 flipped through the operating manual for instructions to recalibrate the Bioenhancement and Reconfiguration Chamber. At the same time, she asked, “How about the magical ability to conjure up three fire balls?”

“I thought you meant combat strength?” Hao Ren felt he was being shortchanged. “You assigned a bunch of monsters to me. Don’t you think it’s absolutely necessary to give me some equivalent ability to match? What have you done to me exactly?”

“I administered some hormonal treatment to remove the scars on your elbow while I treated your white hair,” said Raven 12345 with a straight face. “At least, for now.”

Hao Ren was speechless.

“You look hilarious!” Raven 12345 could not hold her laughter anymore seeing Hao Ren mugging. “Don’t think too much, dude! I know what you’re thinking. I have had more recruits than I can remember. They unequivocally had the same thing on their mind—instant, superhuman gratification. Guess what would happen if you were given the ability to perform 20-meter vertical jumps overnight?”

Hoa Ren was unsure. “No more freaking out when the elevator breaks down? Become Spiderman’s double?”

Raven 12345 stared at him, unblinking. “You remind me of someone. By the way, your answers are a little far-fetched. If you suddenly acquired such an ability, you would instantly crash into walls or shoot through the roof as a result. Bioenhancement is a step-by-step process.” she patted him on his shoulder as she continued, “You’ve got what it takes. The ability is only being capped by a ‘mind lock’. The ‘mind lock’ is there to ensure that you never go too fast. For the time being, get your feet wet first and over time you’ll adapt to your new found ability.”

Hao Ren then realized that he was not exactly shortchanged. The deal just worked in installments. Raven 12345 was right; the safety lock is an absolute necessity considering his mortal body was only configured for the earth’s gravitational environment. He could get himself killed if he was unable to control his new found ability.

He was pretty self-aware though; he was calm and cool for the majority. However, curiosity would overcome him sometimes. It was too tempting not to try out his superhuman ability just to see what it was like.

“What kind of bioenhancement am I getting?” Hao Ren asked expectantly. “I suppose asking a question isn’t against the rules. At least I get to know what I’m getting into.”

Raven 12345 sounded serious, “Swift muscle reflex, super strength, regeneration, reactive evolution and resistance to radiation, toxins, extreme temperatures, caustic substances as well as any other nasty stuff you can think of. But, all these are basically still in the process of being built upon your mortal body. Other aspects of bioenhancement will follow suit once you pass the test, which is extremely stringent. You’re not allowed to abuse your abilities and you need to show that you’re in control of yourself.”