Mutants

Today was the fourth day since the calamity began. Several people in Xiao Zhe's team had already started showing signs of mutation. They began feeling their bodies change, their strength growing, vision, hearing, and sense of smell altering. Certain parts of their bodies also changed compared to normal people.

Xiao Zhe was the same. Last night he already felt something was off. After dinner today, he again felt an electric current generate inside his body. He was a bit frightened, secretly hiding in the camp waiting for the current to disappear.

The current lasted over 10 minutes before fading away. Then he suddenly realized his fingers had become thick and sharp, his skin dark, somewhat like wolf claws.

"What's going on?"

Xiao Zhe casually picked up a broken brick from the ground and squeezed hard. With a "crack," the brick instantly shattered into pieces.

"Mutated?"

Xiao Zhe also discovered he could control the mutation of his fingers with his consciousness. After some attempts, he could basically skillfully control the finger mutation, transforming them into powerful wolf claws anytime.

Xiao Zhe sucked in a breath of cold air, while also feeling somewhat excited inside.

According to Gu Bo, not only would other creatures mutate, but humans would as well. The results and speed of mutation varied individually.

If humans wanted to battle mutated creatures in the future, their only reliance would be the mutations and genetic evolution within the human race itself.

"Yang Xiao suddenly became extremely brave. Naturally, he also underwent a mutation. Hmph, do you think only you can mutate? Now I've mutated too. Who's weaker and stronger is still uncertain."

After his initial excitement over the sudden mutation, Xiao Zhe calmed down and became rational.

To increase his odds against Yang Xiao, Xiao Zhe decided to cancel tonight's attack. He wanted to wait until his own mutation was completed to see what form he would ultimately take, and what combat power he would have. Only then would he have the confidence to face Yang Xiao.

Today Yang Xiao had still arrogantly threatened he could take Xiao Zhe's life anytime. Wasn't he just relying on his mutated abilities?

He didn't want to be killed by Yang Xiao right after his own mutation. Wouldn't that be too unjust?

Xiao Zhe gathered the team's core members and announced canceling tonight's attack.

Thus, someone stood out in opposition.

Xu Hua, a third-year student at the School of Computer Science, was also a vice president of the student council same as Xiao Zhe. He had joined Xiao Zhe's team later with a few brothers.

Xu Hua stood up and sneered, "Xiao Zhe, are you scared by that Yang Xiao? You should know he's just one person, but we have over 150 people, with over 100 boys. Yet you've let that brat Yang Xiao kill 3 of our brothers. Now you don't even have any countermeasures. Isn't that making us a laughingstock?"

"Yeah, if we don't deal with Yang Xiao, I'm afraid our team will be looked down on by others. Right now everyone lacks food, only we've hoarded the most. Many have been eyeing us for a while but didn't dare make a move. Now seeing us so weak, I'm afraid they'll have no more apprehension."

Another boy echoed him.

Xiao Zhe glanced at Xu Hua and said mildly, "Xu Hua, what do you mean? Doubting my decision, or do you think you're qualified to be boss now?"

With his mutated body now, Xiao Zhe's confidence had greatly grown, so he naturally spoke with full assurance. Previously he had been more patient with Xu Hua and the others, but now he didn't care at all.

Upon hearing this, Xu Hua was also taken aback. He wondered why Xiao Zhe was suddenly speaking so firmly. However, Xu Hua had started to mutate the day before and had noticed that in his mutated state, his skin had turned bronze, and his strength had increased by at least twice as much as before.

Both of them had their own strengths to rely on, and naturally, they held some level of disdain for each other deep inside.

Xu Hua sneered, "Xiao Zhe, a boss can't be as weak and cowardly as you. You can't even handle Yang Xiao yet still have the cheek to be our boss? In the past, we could only endure it, but today I've decided not to endure anymore. Just give up the boss position yourself. I won't make things hard for you. You can stay in the team, but will have to follow my orders from now on."

Xu Hua believed with his post-mutation ability, defeating Xiao Zhe shouldn't be a problem.

But unexpectedly Xiao Zhe just sneered, "You think you're worthy?"

"Heh, Xiao Zhe, now it's the apocalypse. Worthiness is determined by our own capabilities."

After speaking, Xu Hua's body shook, his skin instantly turning bronze. He was even a bit surprised himself, as the color had deepened compared to when he mutated yesterday.

Xu Hua held a steel pipe over two meters long with both hands, looking at Xiao Zhe arrogantly.

Around them dozens of companions watched, quite astonished. They didn't know what was wrong with Xu Hua, feeling somewhat frightened and unconsciously backing up several steps.

"You mutated?" Xiao Zhe was surprised, clearly not expecting Xu Hua to have mutated already. But he was now a mutant himself, so he didn't panic much, just chuckling. "Heh, Xu Hua, I didn't expect you've mutated already. No wonder you dared challenge me. Oh right, what's the deal with your mutation? Any special abilities?"

Xu Hua laughed. "Xiao Zhe, let me show you, so you'll willingly step down as boss."

After speaking, Xu Hua glanced around. Not finding any props for a demonstration, his gaze turned to the steel pipe in his hand. He held it with both hands horizontally at chest level. Suddenly shouting loudly, he exerted strength with both hands. The steel pipe slowly bent into a U-shape in his grip.

Ah!

The onlookers were shocked.

This was the steel pipe used for the school's water supply, and its strength was exceptionally high. Under normal circumstances, it should not be possible to bend it.

Yet now Xu Hua could directly bend it with his hands. His power could be imagined.

Xu Hua tossed the bent pipe to the ground, and then arrogantly looked at Xiao Zhe. Next, he said to a lackey holding a wooden stick, "Come, let me show you all. Hit me on the head."

The boy was stunned. "Bro Xu, this, I don't dare!"

"Stop blabbing nonsense! I said hit me, come on!"

The boy held a stick as thick as his arm, hesitating. "Bro Xu, this isn't a game."

"F*ck, stop yammering and hurry up!"

Xu Hua was eager to showcase his post-mutation abilities, to shock everyone. This was also capital for him as boss.

"Okay Bro Xu, I'll be gentle."

As the boy spoke, he raised the stick and swung at Xu Hua's head, but used barely any strength, just lightly grazing his head.

Xu Hua got anxious and scolded, "Coward!"

He grabbed the wooden rod and fiercely swung at his own head.

"Crack!"

With a crisp snap, the arm-thick wooden stick directly broke in two, but Xu Hua's head didn't have a single injury.

Xu Hua laughed loudly. "Xiao Zhe, what do you think? Convinced yet? No need to wait until nightfall. Later I'll slaughter that Yang Xiao. Let's see who still dares look down on our team then!"