Carnal Gene

The next day is undoubtedly the most fulfilling day for Romeo as he woke up with a smile on his face. Ever since learning about his Carnal Gene, Romeo had gone to bed with a peaceful heart seeing that two burdens has been lifted up his shoulders the previous day.

"I guess it's time to start the day." Romeo beams as he pulls the sheet he used to cover his body away. Moving towards the window, he parted the curtains and bask in the rays of the sun which seeped into the room for a certain period of time.

For this morning, even the usual stench of the slum seem pleasant to him as he takes a deep breath of the air around him while letting it out with a smile.

After basking in the sunlight for a moment, Romeo moves into the tiny bathroom in his apartment to begin his business. Sooner after, he was fully dressed and he went out of his house with his backpack strap tightly to his back.

"Hey Alfred. It is a good morning, isn't it?" Romeo asks as he walks into the store.

"Indeed Romeo. It is a good morning however I don't think it is just the goodness of the morning that's got you all smiling." Alfred pointed out which caused the smile on Romeo's face to widen.

"Take a lucky guess Alfred. If you are correct, you get this pouch." Romeo stated while wiggling a pouch full of coins in his hand.

Seeing this, Alfred let out a chuckle but his eyes were gleaming with greed as he stares at the pouch in Romeo's hand. No matter what, he would make sure to get that pouch from him and so Alfred begins to make wild guesses.

"Could it be that you have finally found your soulmate?" Alfred asks but Romeo simply shakes his head.

Soulmate? What he uncovered is much more significant than having some puny girl as his girlfriend or soulmate. The fact that he has been struggling in the slum and has been able to survive for this long is an indication that Romeo barely makes time for trivial issue such as girlfriends.

"Really Alfred, a girlfriend? Is that all you can think of?" Romeo questions with a raised brow as he looks at Alfred knowingly.

"Ah! You are right." Alfred chuckles as he scratch the back of his head. "I must have been muddled up. Forgive this old man, my advancement in years must have caused a decrease in my intelligence. However, tell me what has really gotten into you today."

"It won't be fun that way Alfred. Do you really not want to make good money today?" Romeo asks.

"Of course, I do. Could it be that you have finally be invited to work in one of those places called Cloud Nine?" Alfred asks with wide eye as a gasp escape his lips. "If truly, then don't forget this old man in this filthy place."

"No Alfred. I am not going to work in Cloud Nine." Romeo sighs in defeat. "Okay then, I guess I would tell you my self."

Drawing nearer to Alfred, "I have finally awakened my Carnal Gene Alfred." Romeo stated with his voice brimming with excitement that even threatens to burst out of his eyes.

"Wow! That is so much better than working in Cloud Nine. I am happy for you." Alfred declares as he gave Romeo a warm smile even when his heart is filled with regret that he is not able to get his hands on that pouch.

"Tell me Romeo, when did you discover this Gene. Don't leave me in suspense before you fill me on that juicy gist." Alfred said like a maid gossiping about her master.

Alfred is really shocked that his surprise overwhelmed his excitement greatly. In this era where only the strongest thrive as Elites, having a Carnal Gene is like been spared from a death sentence which means not having to live in the slums but having to live in one of those places called the Cloud Nine.

As it's name suggests, Cloud Nine is a place filled with euphoria in the form of luxury and aristocracy. Though it is not the only place that the Elites tend to live in, as there are others such as Elysia and Land Climax, Cloud Nine is known to be a stepping stone when ascending to a whole new level of luxury such that everyone and anyone in the slums just have one wish--- to live there and even if they can't be a citizen, at least they can work there.

"It happened yesternight."Romeo replies. "However it happened I didn't know but all I am sure of is that my Carnal Gene has been engaged." Romeo added.

"So what kind of Carnal Gene do you have? Tempest? Apex? Aurora? Emberwing? Pyropex? Tell me already, what kind of gene do you have?" Alfred asks.

"Well, about that...." Romeo scratch his head as he hesitated to disclose the kind of gene he has. First rule of the slum he learnt when he was surviving is never to trust anyone and though he considers Alfred as an acquaintance, Alfred is far from being a friend to him.

Besides, the kind of gene Romeo unlocked is something that he is still trying to figure out. Yesternight, after the machine has declared the type of gene he possesses, it immediately initiated it's self destruct sequence and as such, Romeo was unable to know the meaning to gene he uncovered since the machine blew up.

The kinds of Carnal Genes Alfred mentioned are some of the infinite number of Carnal Genes that exists in the world. As a sucker for this kind of stuff, Romeo is well aware about the names and abilities of all Carnal Genes in the world yet he doesn't know about the kind of Carnal Gene he himself unlocked. And even if he did, there is no way in hell he would tell anyone about it.

"So, what kind of gene did you awaken Romeo?" Alfred urge as he looks at Romeo with an expectant expression while anticipating an answer.

"The thing is... Uhm, I don't really remember the name of the Gene I unlocked. I must have forgotten to check in the heat of the moment." Romeo lied through his teeth while feigning a nervous chuckle.

"What?! Did you just say you forgot?" Alfred's eyes almost pops out of his socket had it not been that his eyes have muscles that are strong enough to hold them in place. "How could you be so stupid?" Alfred mutters under his breath as he hissed in displeasure.

Alfred's heart was down for a moment before he finally regains his composure. "Anyways, since you have unlocked this saviour gene of yours, what is your plan for the future?"

Now this is a question that Romeo never thought about ever since his quest for having a Carnal Gene. His whole mind has been focused on unlocking a gene that he barely thought about what he would do after unlocking it yet it seems that reality has hit him so hard in the face.

Although, having a Carnal Gene implies welcome into the world of the Elites, as a boy with no strong background or connections, Romeo doubts that he would be able to live in Cloud Nine or any other aristocratic place.

"Or are you also planning in joining the military like the rest of your peers?"

Hearing Alfred ask this question, Romeo felt that is a likable option. However, the stress of him undergoing such strict training in the heat of the day and the chill of the night is not something Romeo feels he could bear. Even with the saying that with great power cones great responsibility, Romeo felt like that doesn't apply to him.

As a guy who has lived eighteen years of his life without a care in the world apart from survival, responsibility doesn't exist in the journal of Romeo. Even hardwork is barely recognized by him who has lived through dubious means, provided that he survives.

"Nah. I think I would pass for now. Although the military is a good suggestion Alfred, I don't think I am ready for it yet." Romeo stated.

Besides responsibility, Romeo felt that there is no need to rush to become one of the Elites. The reason is simple, he is yet to know the extent of his abilities, hell he doesn't even know the meaning of the ability he has and because of this Romeo felt like he is some kind of ticking time bomb. One that isn't ready to explode in the world of the Elites.

Also, since THRIVE has a rather personal connection with the military and Romeo had vowed to stay under their radar and discover himself before coming for them, he knows best than to train for the military lest he also become a dog of THRIVE or worse, end up dead like his parents who trusted in THRIVE.

"Okay, since you don't want to enroll yourself in a military camp, I guess I would have to take you to a school instead. One where you can develop your potential." Alfred suggested which caused Romeo's eyes to brighten.

"A school? That is even better." Romeo said, "Thanks Alfred. Here you go, you deserve it." He said while throwing the pouch he was holding earlier to Alfred who easily caught it.

"So when are we going?" Romeo asks with anticipation etched in his tone.

"Wait for me a little longer. I shall take you there soon." Alfred replies as he counts the amount of coins in the pouch with gleaming eyes.