Chapter 1: Essence of Milk Slimes

Chapter 1: Essence Of Milk Slimes

The echoing shrieks pierced the air within the damp cave, as a blade of silvery light cleaved through the jelly-like flesh of a milk slime. The severed half dissipated into a mist of white, and the victorious youth casually wiped the residue on his grubby hemp tunic before devouring it with a wooden expression.

"You successfully terminated a milk slime, yet the elusive spirit essence eludes you. [For consuming the flesh, you received no elementary gene fragments.]"

Su Ping: A mortal lifeform

Framework: Foundation, Lv. 10

Genes: Basic, 20

Spirit Essences: None

Su Ping pondered, "Have I consumed too much milk slime flesh?"

For three months, Su Ping had tirelessly slaughtered milk slimes, but they had become nothing more than mundane sustenance. The once bountiful gene fragments were now elusive, and his progress seemed stalled.

Milk slimes, akin to the slimes in ancient online games, possessed a soft core resembling white jade encased in jelly-like flesh. Su Ping had grown so familiar with their anatomy that he could dispatch them without much thought.

Surveying the cave filled with milk slimes, Su Ping sighed, 

"Three months since my reincarnation, and my foundation remains stagnant. Where can I find the rumored advanced-grade milk slime in this labyrinth?"

Disheartened, he inspected his worn blade. Thousands of daily swings had transformed it into little more than scrap metal. Nearing nighttime, Su Ping reluctantly returned to Dusksteel District, wary of the dangers in the three-dimensional world after dark.

A century ago, war and strife had forced humanity into hostile territories. Mysterious portals within ancient ruins transported humans to the dimensional world, where electronics ceased to function. Firearms and missiles were useless, and mankind, the lowest on the food chain, faced evolved lifeforms.

A lone hunter's discovery revealed that gene fragments prolonged lifespan. Thus began an era dominated by genetic enhancement. Dusksteel District, near Su Ping's hunting grounds, stood as a testament to human resilience.

Mocking laughter greeted Su Ping as he entered. "The king of the dumps is back!"

"He's been at the bottom since forever!"

"If I were him, I'd hide my face."

Su Ping, unfazed, ignored the taunts. His eyes focused on the gene leaderboard:

#1: Seraphina Yun, 12150 strength

#2: Adrian Chu, 11950 strength

#3: Donovan Qin, 11900 strength

Su Ping's low rank masked his advantage as a reincarnator. His genetic plan, perfectly optimized, awaited a fortuitous opportunity for advancement.

At the point-conversion counter, Su Ping exchanged Milk Slime cores for points and money, securing a C-grade steel blade. He then teleported back to Shadewood city's slums.

Su Ping walked out to see a girl of flawless beauty quietly reading in a wheelchair. She evoked grace and purity with every action, as though she were a flower carefully cultivated by the heavens themselves.Su Lingyue was Su Ping's sister. Ever since their parents had gone missing, she and Su Ping had had to survive on their own. 

Su Lingyue, his paralyzed sister, welcomed him home. 

Su Ping, usually cold and aloof, mirrored her smile.

 "How've you been?"

 "Well, of course."

He caressed his sister's pale cheeks, and she nuzzled back like a small kitten. Su Lingyue was Su Ping's sister. Ever since their parents had gone missing, she and Su Ping had had to survive on their own. 

Time flowed about ten times faster in the three-dimensional world.

"You've been gone for ten days brother, let me warm you a meal."

"There's no need—it'd be inconvenient for you. I've already eaten in the dimensional world."

Su Ping handed her living expenses, contemplating her upcoming 18th birthday. She would enter the dimensional world unless he gained enough authority to protect her.

 His sister would be turning 18 soon. By law, upon adulthood—upon reaching 18 years of age—she would have to enter the dimensional world. The dimensional world was filled with strife and death, and it wasn't something his pure, sheltered sister could get accustomed to, not to mention her inability to walk.

In his previous life, he hadn't managed to protect his sister and had been forced to watch her tragic death. In this life, he swore he wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.

 Of course, there were ways to bypass the laws. Certain special-class citizens had the authority to prevent one of their direct relatives from having to hunt in the dimensional world. When he grew into his power, when he had enough authority to shield his sister from any harm that could befall her, only then could he bear the thought of his sister entering that cruel world.

Suddenly, a few knocks sounded from outside. Su Ping opened the door and found, to his surprise, Grace Wang, a childhood friend, arrived. Frowning, he asked,

"Why are you here?"

In disgust, Grace Wang replied, 

"Do you think I would come to a ramshackle place like this of my own volition?"

His sister pushed her wheelchair to Su Ping's side.

"Long time, no see, Grace Wang." 

Grace Wang's gaze landed on Su Lingyue's paralyzed legs, making no effort to hide her disdain. Her lips twisted in a mocking smile.

 Su Ping narrowed his eyes. He didn't care what others thought of him, but he couldn't stand their contempt toward his sister. If not for their childhood friendship, Su Ping would already have made a move.

Grace Wang harrumphed coldly. She pushed Su Ping aside and strode into the house, announcing scornfully, 

"What sort of unkempt mess is this? It's almost as bad as a pigsty! But of course I couldn't have expected any better from you, Su Ping."

 Su Ping's features resolved into calm hostility. "If you're here only to mock our living conditions, then you're not welcome. Please leave immediately."

 "As I've said, would I drag myself here without any reason? I'm here to reclaim this property."

Su Ping and Su Lingyue both recoiled in shock.

 Grace Wang retrieved a sheaf of papers from her handbag. "I found a rental contract at home—and, guess what? It turns out that your rental period is almost up."

 Su Ping took the proffered contract and scanned it, a frown gradually marring his face.

 Grace Wang smirked. "According to the contract, this property was leased to your family for eighteen years. Now that the eighteen years are up, it's time for you to vacate these premises."