===Chapter 18: The Boulevard of Prosperity===

Lying in bed in a "T" shape, Chen Yu let out a satisfied breath.

Closing his eyes, he began to envision his bright future...

After an afternoon and an entire night of exploration and experimentation, he had roughly figured out how to use his "titles."

It was quite simple.

Three sentences.

That is, continuously seek out people with the same "title" as himself, change their "title," and thereby replicate their abilities.

These replicable "abilities" include but are not limited to physical fitness, memory, thinking, cultural knowledge, and so on.

Presumably, those mysterious "superpowers" are likely included as well.

So it was obvious that a path leading to the pinnacle, an easy road to prosperity, lay right before him...

"To replicate superpowers and become the most awesome superhuman!"

With this thought, Chen Yu suddenly sat up, unable to contain his excitement, rubbing his hands together.

"What a pity."

"If only I had known the secret of my 'title' earlier, then..."

Regardless of being labeled as the "World's Top Serial Killer," "Extremist," or "Evildoer," anyone possessing such a level of "title" was undoubtedly a "big shot."

So if he had known back then that he had a "golden finger," he would have definitely tried to find those individuals.

If he had successfully replicated their abilities, it would have been a tremendous windfall!

"Oh right, I was arrested by the police at that time. Well, it doesn't matter now."

Realizing this, Chen Yu relaxed and lay back down.

He continued to envision his unlimited growth and success in the days to come.

According to his "title" rules, every month was destined to be better than the previous one.

Titles like "Academician of the Academy of Sciences," "Global Superstar," or even "Master of Superpowers" would sooner or later be attached to his name.

    Those "powerful individuals" clearly have much more impressive abilities that can be replicated compared to small-time criminals like the "Evildoer."

"As long as I find a way to make contact with them."

Lying in bed, after roughly planning his future life, Chen Yu remembered his main task. He took out his phone and initiated a video call with his elder sister.

"Ring—"

The ringing lasted only half a second before the call was answered on the other end.

"You're contacting me this late, little brother?" A face, relatively beautiful, appeared on the phone screen.

It was Chen Yu's older sister in this world.

"I have good news to tell you." Chen Yu sat up, using the phone's camera to survey the room. "I'm home."

"You're out!" Chen Yu's sister exclaimed, unable to hide her joy despite the fatigue on her face. "You no longer have the title?!"

"No, I don't." Chen Yu lifted the camera to reveal his new title above his head: "Useless Otaku."

"It's not 'Dead Body' anymore. That's great." Chen Yu's sister let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the government, thank the country."

During the six months he spent in prison and the Security Bureau, the government never informed his family about his "titles" being changed to "criminal" and the like.

As a result, his family had always believed that he was being protected by the country because of his title as a "Dead Body."

"That's really great. You don't have to suffer in jail anymore. Huh? Why did your title change to 'Useless Otaku'? It sounds so unpleasant."

"Ah... being locked up in the room every day, doesn't that make me an 'otaku'?" Chen Yu casually changed the subject. "How's Dad doing? Is he recovering well after the surgery?"

"He's doing well, he can walk now." Chen Yu's sister moved the phone to capture their father who was sound asleep on the hospital bed. "He had a day of rehabilitation exercises today and he's tired. Sleeping soundly."

"...That's good." Looking at his father, who appeared tired on the bed through the screen, Chen Yu, with the fusion of physical and memory, couldn't help but show a complicated smile. "Is there enough money? If you need more, I'll send some over."

"We have enough, definitely." Chen Yu's sister quickly replied, "You still have to cooperate with the national research institute, right? Keep the remaining money for yourself, eat better, and supplement your nutrition."

"Okay... sure." Chen Yu nodded with his nose pinched.

The money he had now was "deceived" from the "big shots" in prison.

It amounted to less than two million.

Most of it was used for the surgery at home.

Because of this, Chen Yu lied to his family, saying that the money was compensation given by the government for researching his "pre-emptive titles."

His family believed him.

    Not believing it won't change anything; if they don't perform the surgery, his father will die.

Relying on the meager income his sister earns from working tirelessly day and night, along with the online freelance work his "predecessor" took, it would take twenty years or more to save up for the surgery.

Moreover, it was said that the capital group involved was waiting for his father to die. They would only provide a death benefit, saving costs...

"Little brother, when are you coming back? Didn't the school grant you a long leave? You can come home and visit." Chen Yu's sister asked through the phone screen.

"These next couple of days won't work. Something urgent came up." Chen Yu waved his hand in front of the camera. "I'll come back once I'm done. Within two weeks at most. I'll hang up now, take care of Dad, sis."

"Okay. Take care of your nutrition, and don't participate in any dangerous human experiments." Chen Yu's sister advised. "We're not short of money at home now."

"Got it."

Ending the call, Chen Yu threw his phone aside and lay down expressionlessly, resting his head on his arms, staring at the ceiling.

He didn't know what he was thinking.

Nor did he know how much time had passed before he fell asleep.

...

"Beep beep beep beep!"

"Beep beep beep beep!"

In the early morning, a piercing noise woke Chen Yu up.

He opened his eyes in a daze, stared blankly for a while, and irritably turned off the alarm on his phone before closing his eyes again.

"Beep beep beep beep—"

It was only when the alarm sounded for the second time that Chen Yu dragged his slanted body out of bed, staggering into the bathroom.

Turning on the tap, a splash of cold water hit his face, bringing him some clarity.

"Ah—"

Yawning widely, Chen Yu washed his face, put on a random jacket, and then opened the room door, heading towards his chubby neighbor's house.

Upon arrival, he noticed that the neighbor's security door was partially open.

The sweaty-faced chubby neighbor was huffing and puffing as he moved boxes.

Some boxes contained daily necessities.

Some boxes held electronic hardware.

And there were even some figurines.

"Bro." Chen Yu leaned against the door frame, curiously asking, "What are you doing?"

"Ah!" The chubby neighbor jumped in fright, almost dropping the box containing a computer and a handheld game console. "You... why are you here?"

"Shua."

Chen Yu drew a cleaver from behind his waist and scraped his chin with it. "I'm asking you, what are you doing?"

"Ah... I... I'm throwing away the trash." The chubby neighbor's face turned pale, hastily explaining.

"Throwing away the trash?" Chen Yu looked surprised. "These good things, you don't want them?"

"Ah... ah... yes."

"That's such a waste." Chen Yu took a step back, making way. "Since throwing them outside is the same as throwing them away, if you give them to me, it's still throwing them away. Bro, just move them to my place."

    "Ah? I..." The chubby neighbor's face visibly showed the pain of parting with his belongings.

"I gave you fifty thousand yuan yesterday," Chen Yu frowned. "And today, you're not even willing to give me the trash you're about to throw away?"

"It's not that, it's just..."

"Could it be that you're planning to move?" Chen Yu played with the cleaver in his hand. "We didn't agree on that last night, did we?"

"Who's moving? I'm not! I really am just throwing away the trash!" The chubby neighbor panicked and forgot about everything else. "If you want it, I'll give it to you right now."

"Oh, it seems like I misunderstood," Chen Yu scratched his head innocently. "Alright then. Bro, go ahead and move."

Neighbor: "..."

Standing in place, remaining silent for a while, the chubby neighbor reluctantly moved his beloved possessions bit by bit toward the "enemy's" house, wearing a mournful expression.

"Oh, by the way." Chen Yu suddenly asked, "Bro, you haven't relapsed and reported me again, have you?"

In his words, the neighbor's face changed drastically.

...