Vol. 2 Chapter 3: Enhancement

Chapter 3: Enhancement

Walking through the school campus, the evening light had dimmed, and although the temperature had dropped a bit, it was still unbearably hot. Controlling his pores, Lu Li released excess heat from his body. Carrying his nearly empty backpack, he crossed the bridge over the Wujiang River, which flowed through Leping City and divided it in half. Leping No. 2 High School was situated on the east side of the river, while he lived on the west side. Glancing down at the river, Lu Li recalled how excessive sand dredging had created numerous undercurrents and surface whirlpools, making it deadly for anyone who fell in. Few survived, but Lu Li was one of the exceptions.

Entering a residential area, Lu Li emotionlessly opened the door to what was called "home." Upon opening the door, he saw a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl lying on the sofa, her white, slender legs crossed attractively. She looked bored as she watched an animated show on TV, apparently called "Jackie Chan Adventures."

"You're back," the girl said upon seeing Lu Li enter. Lu Li changed his shoes, answered with a simple "yes," and headed straight to his room, ignoring the girl's continued focus on her show.

The girl, Ji Yue, was Lu Li's cousin, the daughter of his maternal uncle. Years ago, Lu Li's parents had died in an accident, and his uncle had taken him in, along with his parents' inheritance. Life as a dependent was tough, leading Lu Li to become quiet and withdrawn. If not for the near-drowning incident a year ago, he might have remained that way indefinitely. The relationship with his uncle's family was distant, so he either spent his time outside or confined to his small room.

Once in his room, Lu Li tossed his backpack aside and lay down on the bed, summoning the interface with his mind. The panel appeared before him, and he immediately opened the shop section. Rows of modules were listed, each priced at 100 game points. However, the stock was constantly changing, often leading to shortages. Players frequently had to turn to the forum to buy or trade modules, a process fraught with risks of scams.

After browsing for a while, Lu Li found the healing option in a corner of the shop. Upon selecting it, the panel emitted a wave that scanned his body, displaying the diagnosis:

**[Left hand lacking agility; seven to eight areas of minor spiritual damage. Full repair will cost 300 game points. Proceed? Yes/No.]**

Without hesitation, Lu Li selected "Yes." The panel emitted faint green particles that floated into his body, concentrating on his left hand. When the particles disappeared, Lu Li flexed his left hand, finding it fully restored.

His game points were now down to 550. Closing the shop, Lu Li returned to the main interface, where the basic enhancement awaited his decision. From the forum, he had learned that the three basic enhancements were the first and last given by the game; subsequent enhancements required self-assembled modules.

**Mutations**, **Implants**, and **Heart Demons**—each had its advantages. Of the three, Heart Demons had the highest potential, followed by Mutations, with Implants having the least long-term growth but offering the strongest initial boost. However, Heart Demons posed a risk of backlash, while Mutations provided the safest growth path.

"Let's rule out Implants first," Lu Li thought, having no interest in embedding foreign objects into his body, especially since the game supplied them, potentially offering something repulsive.

"Next is Mutations. I have such precise control over my body that any alteration would feel strange... Does this mean I have to choose Heart Demons?" Lu Li considered. Recalling the drowning incident, the sensation of suffocation, and the mysterious entity he had seen, he knew choosing Heart Demons would likely summon something related to that trauma.

"Not Heart Demons, definitely not Implants, so it's got to be Mutations. But what can I mutate if I control even my hair and nails?" Lu Li pondered. His body was entirely under his command, and altering any part seemed unnecessary unless it became unrecognizable.

"Mutations involve turning part of oneself into a controlled organ..." Standing up, Lu Li switched on his room light, casting a shadow on the floor. "What about shadows? Are they part of me?" he mused.

With a curious smile, he thought about shadows, usually considered a part of a person. Though physically, they were merely optical phenomena, folklore often ascribed spiritual significance to them, suggesting they housed one's soul.

"Let's find out," Lu Li decided, communicating with the game. "I choose Mutations and want to enhance my shadow!"

**[User YZ0135 has selected an enhancement. Confirm selection: Yes/No?]**

"Confirm!" As soon as he confirmed, Lu Li's vision blurred, and he found himself in an unknown dark space. A powerful light source appeared behind him, casting a long shadow. A torrent of information flooded his mind, overwhelming his senses until his vision failed, receiving too much input. Unheard whispers seemed to target his soul, making him nauseous. As his mind plunged into darkness, he lost consciousness...

End of the chapter.