Props

The class monitor was the first to decide on her compensation.

"My family definitely won't allow me to take unnecessary risks before I move on to higher education.

"I'll choose the first one. Anyway, this thing has no expiration date. If something ever goes wrong with my body, I can directly get a precision prosthetic replaced for free. That sounds pretty good."

"I'll choose the first one too."

Gao Yuxuan pointed at the first option as well.

His left arm was already a prosthetic, and a very ordinary model at that. If it was damaged or developed problems in the future, he could go directly to the Research Bureau for a higher-quality precision prosthetic.

At present, prosthetic enhancement was becoming popular among many people entering companies or government agencies. This technology required no risks and could also be effectively used against all kinds of Anomaly Events.

Most importantly, Gao Yuxuan knew very well that he was no "genius," nor could he afford to take extra risks at his current age.

It was Anna's turn to make her choice. She had no interest in prosthetics whatsoever.

After all, her family was an absolute carnivore community and had a tradition of revering the natural body.

In her view, flesh was not necessarily inferior to metal.

She did not particularly need the Research Bureau's staffing position or cash, either.

That left only the fourth option.

"Can I take your compatibility test first? If I'm not suitable, can I choose another form of compensation afterward?"

"Of course."

Finally, Luo Di remained. He crossed his hands beneath his chin. He knew very little about this type of prop, but after the accident during the practical exercise, he badly needed something—something special enough to ensure that he could handle a similar accident on his own next time.

"If I choose the fourth option, can I pick a prop for exorcising evil? Or something that can deal with anomalies without physical bodies?"

"We have such things."

"Then I'll choose the fourth one."

After Luo Di made his choice, Director Wang lightly rubbed the tip of his nose with his fingers.

"My apologies, we didn't make this clear in advance. We only have one 'entry-level' prop here.

"Since both of you have made your choices, we'll conduct a compatibility test right here.

"Whoever has the higher compatibility will obtain ownership of the prop."

"Alright!"

Anna did not particularly need it, but she was still delighted to have the chance to compete with Luo Di. She had even begun showing off her biceps.

After a brief wait, a staff member entered carrying a fully sealed metal box.

The class monitor and Gao Yuxuan instinctively pushed their chairs back. Even Anna leaned away slightly.

Director Wang explained, "Don't worry. Since this 'prop' can be brought here, we naturally dealt with it in advance. There won't be any radioactive effects."

The metal box opened.

Inside was another transparent glass container with a special structure. The so-called "prop" was sealed within it.

When the prop was revealed, everyone present froze for a moment.

They were not unfamiliar with this thing at all. They could even faintly smell that familiar stench, which carried their thoughts back to the hillside outside the city several days ago.

A head rested inside.

Rotting, sinister, stitched together, diseased.

It was the zombie head they had worked together to kill during the practical exercise. Luo Di had later cut it into four pieces, but now the Research Bureau had restored it to its original condition.

The glass container holding the head was not completely sealed. A funnel-like opening had been made at the top, connected through an internal tube directly to the zombie head's mouth.

"You're quite lucky. Although you damaged the head, its most crucial 'Pituitary Gland' remained intact.

"Normally, the research institute would fully restore this zombie and continue using it in future simulated practical exercises. But considering your outstanding performance and the factors I mentioned earlier, we decided to give you this thing's 'Pituitary Gland.'"

The class monitor took the initiative to ask, "Do you have information on this zombie's origin and age?"

"Of course."

Director Wang once again took out a document from the inner lining of his clothes. It even came with a black-and-white headshot resembling an ID photo.

----

Name: Li Xuantong

Age: 46

Overview Before Death: He once immigrated as a carpenter. He currently had no legitimate occupation and operated as a fortune teller throughout Jupiter City. At the age of forty-five, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Under the extreme blow and hopelessness he felt toward life, a Mind Corner appeared.

Mind Corner Duration: 0.4 years (disguise stage)

Phobia-concretization (Mutation): Zombie

Capture and Use:

Any patient diagnosed with a terminal illness would be placed on a watch list. Daily surveillance of such individuals would be intensified, with more frequent and precise psychological examinations conducted.

This individual was found abnormal during his thirteenth examination and was killed while attempting to escape.

The body was transported back to the Jupiter City Research Bureau and modified for simulated practical exercises. Its corresponding Event Difficulty ranged from three stars to five stars.

----

The class monitor quickly scanned the Anomaly File and gave her conclusion:

"A Pseudo-Human with less than half a year of existence is among the most basic anomalies. A Pseudo-Human like this wouldn't be much stronger than an ordinary person. He was exposed after disguising himself for just over four months. This guy really wasn't much.

"The corresponding 'entry-level' prop is also more suitable for newcomers and minimizes the risk.

"However, he had a brain tumor when his Mind Corner emerged. Could that have had some kind of linked effect? Would that increase the risk?"

Director Wang nodded. "You're right. His illness had some influence on the Pituitary Gland where the Mind Corner appeared, making his 'Phobia-concretization' more complete than that of an ordinary Pseudo-Human, but also easier to expose.

"Being able to concretize the form of a zombie in only four months is extremely rare. It also possessed very impressive physical strength. Ordinary 9mm bullets were unable to kill it.

"As for the danger, we have already tested it. Although the 'Pituitary Gland' also possesses certain cancerous properties, those properties are not contagious. Instead, they help form externally used props.

"You two, prepare to begin the compatibility test."

A sterilized scalpel was handed to Luo Di and Anna by a staff member.

"The testing method is simple. Drip one drop of blood from your fingertip into the zombie head's mouth. Only one drop. The device will display the zombie head's activity index. The higher the index, the greater the compatibility."

"I'll go first~"

Anna went first, decisively slicing open her finger and dripping blood into the funnel opening at the top of the container.

As the blood flowed through the internal tube into the zombie's mouth,

the expected scene of "revival" did not occur. Instead, less than an inch of flesh grew from the corners of its split mouth, along with two additional strands of hair.

At the same time, a number appeared on the surface of the container.

63.2

The number was yellow, indicating that it had barely passed and could be adapted.

"Not bad."

After Director Wang reset the container, Luo Di cut open his own finger and let his blood drip down.

There was no reaction when the blood flowed into the head, yet the relevant number failed to appear for a long time. Director Wang raised a hand, signaling everyone to wait patiently.

About a minute passed.

Crack—hah!

The zombie's jaw suddenly loosened. The entire head actually drew in a deep breath, as though it were about to come back to life.

But because there had only been one drop of blood, the sign of revival quickly faded, and the number finally appeared.

91.2

It was displayed in green, representing excellence.

"Congratulations!" Anna saw the score higher than her own and instead let out a sigh of relief.

Director Wang pinched the bridge of his nose. "As expected. Throughout the practical exercise, you spent the most time fighting the zombie and had the most contact with it. You also completed the kill, and you yourself were infected by corpse poison. The Mind Corner in this zombie's brain had been quietly observing you as well.

"A compatibility score above ninety means it will be easy for you to accept it, and you'll be able to bring out the prop's capabilities more easily."

"What do we do next?"

Luo Di asked somewhat eagerly, a rare interest visible in his eyes.

Director Wang raised a hand to signal the staff member beside him to bring out something that had long been prepared—a prop tightly wrapped in special cloth.

Once it was opened,

it was the very Machete Luo Di had used to kill the zombie during the practical exercise.

"Like goes with like... If you want to combine the zombie's Pituitary Gland with another prop, that's possible too. It's just that the integration efficiency won't compare to this blade.

"Also, the chainsaw you used before was too badly damaged. If you want it repaired, you'll need to wait a few days. The choice is yours.

"If you choose this blade, we can begin right now."

"This one, then."

Luo Di stared at the Machete that had accompanied him through the practical exercise, the same model used by the movie character. His mind had already begun imagining what the final fused blade would look like.

Since the content of two chapters was connected, I posted them together for everyone's reading experience.