Chapter Thirty-Eight: Destination, Orchid Island!

At two o’clock in the afternoon, Thomas announced the assembly. In truth, there was no need to wait so long just to register; all their supplies were already loaded in the vehicles, so preparations wouldn’t take much time. The real reason for the delay from morning to noon was that Thomas had gathered his comrades and, one by one, taken them to sign contracts with Guo Lang.

The inferior bloodline serum was extremely potent. Most of the soldiers passed out from the pain and only began regaining consciousness after one o’clock. It took them another hour to adapt to their transformed bodies.

In the early stages, the strengthening effect of the inferior serum was actually more pronounced than that of the pureblood serum. Though its potential was limited in the long run, the serum was blended with several genetic drugs, providing an excellent initial boost to the body.

Thomas clenched his fist, marveling at the magnitude of the change. He felt lighter, infinitely more agile, as if all the things he once couldn’t do were now within reach. His stamina and strength had increased noticeably. Known in the team for his muscular build, Thomas now felt that even if ten of his former selves stood before him, he could crush them with ease.

He threw a punch into the air. A sharp crack resounded, the sound of tendons snapping taut like a drawn bowstring, enough to make anyone’s heart race.

“Wow!” David was even more ecstatic as he tried running along the wall. He discovered he could take at least twenty steps at full speed, a feat he’d only seen in old Western action films. He shouted excitedly, “Did you see that? All of you! It’s lightness skill—Red Hawk’s lightness skill!”

“Tch!” The others scoffed, flipping him the finger, then eagerly continued testing their new bodies.

“How does it feel?” Guo Lang patted Thomas on the shoulder.

“It’s incredible!” Thomas praised without reservation, “Strength, coordination, control—all have increased exponentially, and my vision has broadened. Especially my coordination; before, I was sometimes clumsy because of my bulky muscles. Now I feel I can control every part of my body!”

Guo Lang smiled. That was only natural. The Nightshade were renowned for their agility, and the serums they produced enhanced agility above all else. Other attributes were also noticeably improved—even mental strength—but agility saw the greatest boost.

Bang! Thomas punched the air again; the explosive power was so intense that it made the very air crackle. Thomas was overjoyed. He’d heard that some legendary Red Hawk agents could do this—delivering a punch in a confined space, barely half an inch of movement, yet generating a shockwave that could send someone flying into a wall and leave them hanging like a painting. Those legendary old-timers were well-known in the CIA, dangerous enough to be blacklisted. Now, incredibly, Thomas himself had reached this level—and felt even stronger than those instructors’ tales suggested. He believed that, armed with just a knife, he could take on three or four zombies in hand-to-hand combat.

Guo Lang was pleased with the results. The Nightshade’s batch of serums was exceptionally effective, even better than the inferior human serums distributed by the Lord of Radiance in his previous life. The human attribute was too balanced; their serums enhanced all abilities equally, but sometimes balance meant mediocrity. Guo Lang had always believed that being a jack-of-all-trades meant being good at nothing.

In the early stages, the Nightshade’s attributes made them the strongest in direct combat—no other race could compare. Even the beastfolk, at the same level and before entering the professional ranks, would only have a thirty percent chance against a Nightshade in a one-on-one. That seventy percent win rate was one of the main reasons Guo Lang had chosen this race. To seize an early advantage, you needed a race with early-game superiority. Races like the Naturals or the Frostborne were powerful later on, but if you couldn’t make it that far, it was all for nothing. If it weren’t for some moral lines he wouldn’t cross, Guo Lang might have considered the Undead or the Void, those monstrous races.

Guo Lang checked his watch and nodded. “It’s about time. Ask David how many have signed up, and tell him to stop showing off his lightness skill. He should be at the registration booth outside!”

“Got it!” Thomas nodded, turning to wave at David. Sharp-eyed as ever, David noticed the summons instantly and scampered over, eager to show off. “Hey, boss, did you see—I just—”

“That’s enough!” Thomas laughed as he rapped David on the head. “Quit showing off your lightness skill. How many people registered this morning?”

David, being in charge of registration, was the last to receive the serum. When everyone came to, their attention was entirely on their new bodies; no one cared about the numbers. Had Thomas not asked, David might have forgotten about the registration altogether.

“Um, it was a lot, I think… I can’t really remember…” David scratched his head nervously, shrinking back under Thomas’s darkening gaze, and stammered, “I’ll go check right now. Seriously, boss, don’t be mad. I remember at least seventy percent signed up right away, and most of the rest probably will after talking it over. Except for those idiot cops—anyone with half a brain will join us!”

“Hmph!” Thomas was in a good mood and let David’s negligence slide with a snort. “So what are you waiting for?”

“Yes, yes, boss!” David dashed off, but after a moment he came running back, grinning at Guo Lang. “Uh, boss, when will you give the serum for my wife and sister?”

“Oh? You catch on quick, huh? Already calling me ‘boss’?” Guo Lang teased.

“Heh heh!” David rubbed the back of his head and grinned sheepishly.

For once, Thomas didn’t mock David’s lack of shame because he too was concerned for his wife and daughter. Even though Mary had betrayed him, the memories of their past together made Thomas want to secure something for her.

Guo Lang noticed the look on Thomas’s face and sighed inwardly. So foreigners were sentimental too? If it were him, he would’ve settled things with a knife long ago; fighting for benefits after a betrayal? Not a chance.

“Rest assured, I keep my promises. You saw how strong that serum is—it knocked out trained soldiers for hours. It’ll be even harder on women and children. We’re about to depart, and it’s inconvenient to deal with that now. We need to reach Southern State before nightfall, where we’ll rest for the night. Some comrades’ families are over there too, so we have to confirm their status. Once evening falls, your families can sign the contracts and take the serum.”

“Great! Great!” Thomas rubbed his hands together, then glared at David. “And what are you still doing here? Get to work!”

“Oh, right!” David hurried out again.

“Uh… boss!” At some point, that fat Mason sidled over, hands rubbing together and a fawning look on his face. “Boss, when will you arrange for my dose?”

Guo Lang shot him a look. Ever since Mason had become his lackey, he’d brazenly stuck with the group. The prison yard had been closed off at noon, but Mason had shamelessly sneaked in, telling everyone he was with Guo Lang—a model bootlicker.

“Yours will have to wait until we’re settled on Hainan Island.”

“Why so long?” Mason protested. “Their families will get theirs tonight! I’m your most loyal lackey; how can you do this to me?”

“First, you’re not my most loyal lackey—you’re just the newest recruit. Second, I have my reasons for every decision. Must I explain everything to you?”

Reading Guo Lang’s unfriendly gaze, Mason quickly backed off. “No, no—Boss, you’re wise and heroic. Every arrangement you make is meaningful. I’ll absolutely obey—yes, obey!”

Watching Mason’s outward submission but inward resentment, Guo Lang sighed deeply. Mason’s serum couldn’t be the inferior kind; that would be a waste of his talent. But Guo Lang had no intention of fronting the cost for another pureblood serum. He was already deep in debt; the energy points owed to the Lord of Fate were racking up interest daily, the numbers spinning so fast they made him sweat with anxiety. He swore he’d never buy on credit again—these so-called “intelligences” were all cutthroat.

He could only wait until the base was established on Hainan, and enough energy was harvested, before exchanging for a pureblood serum for Mason. Now, everything was ready—only the final step remained. The goal: Hainan Island!