Aspirant, Wannabe

"Catalyst for Superhumans, Clinical Trial Report for 'Scrap Killer'," and "Thirty-Two Factors Affecting the Proliferation of Limitless Cells."

Jiang Xinyue typed furiously on her keyboard.

She was multitasking, expanding and padding these two papers while complaining, "Senior, you're already a mature researcher. You should learn to pad your own papers."

"The two achievements this time can probably be expanded into sixteen papers."

"Huh? Come to think of it, this batch is much better than before. The content actually has a little padding this time."

"Unlike the first one about Fuxi Cells, which was all solid material, so honest it made one feel ashamed of their own inadequacy..."

"Hehe, Senior, you've been corrupted by me!"

Jiang Xinyue was in a genuinely good mood.

The tube of fresh blood she had obtained from Shang Yin happened to contain Limitless Cells.

During this period, she had found willing test subjects and was currently researching the effects of xenotransplantation of superpower cells, with some promising initial results.

In the secret base, many people had become aware of the concepts of [Latent Qualified], [Silver-Eyed], and [Golden-Eyed]. Everyone hoped to become individuals with extraordinary personal strength.

It had to be admitted that America's cultural output in recent years had been quite effective. Many researchers felt they had a chance to become real-world Iron Man, Hulk, Spider-Man, or Ant-Man.

Their knowledge base allowed them to clearly recognize the potential risks of the experiments, yet they chose to ignore them.

Even if they couldn't become superhumans like Kira Wolma who could withstand bullets with their bare bodies, becoming formidable individuals like Yu Hongyi, Ma Ran, or Choi Sang-hwan, who could dodge bullets at close range, would be great!

Recently, the golden-eyed individuals from various countries had been displaying incredibly enviable superhuman abilities.

Just today, hadn't there been explosive news from Japan?

A girl named Uesugi Zangetsu had reached the point of slicing bullets with her sword!

And not just plastic BBs, but full-fuel, standard-caliber copper bullets!

Becoming stronger was an instinct deeply ingrained in the genes of terror-stricken upright apes.

The sixteen papers Jiang Xinyue helped pad, combined with previous accumulated achievements, after being converted through the point formula, had reached the standard for a Level 2 Researcher.

All departments gave the green light.

Qian Wusuan from the Internal Investigation Department, the soft-hearted but outwardly stern Academician Li Yanhuang, and Academician Zhao Hongyun, who had always mentored Yan Anqing...

Though their thoughts varied, they all silently exerted their influence to help Yan Anqing advance his title.

From Level 4 Researcher to Level 2...

Timing, achievements, and policy – none could be lacking.

As a Level 2 Researcher, he was not far behind the rising stars in the scientific research field like Shang Yin, Xie Zhe, Qu Li, and Luo Jiashi.

In fact, Yan Anqing's promotion speed was many times faster than these geniuses.

"Riding a rocket" could no longer describe his title advancement speed; "speed of light" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Among his colleagues, however, there weren't many who showed jealousy.

After all, Yan Anqing had produced tangible research results.

Moreover, these experimental papers might allow them to benefit from them in the future.

One day, Yan Anqing was eating in the canteen when a gust of fragrant breeze wafted over.

His eyes fell upon two long legs, clad in delicate white stockings, with soft, stunningly beautiful curves.

The person who arrived was Dongfang Zhi, who had initially introduced him to work at the secret base.

"Long time no see, Yan~ God~"

Dongfang Zhi smiled playfully, enunciating the nickname fans on the internet gave Yan Anqing.

She brushed a strand of hair from her temple and gracefully sat down next to Yan Anqing. "I heard you just made a new breakthrough, published over a dozen papers, and got promoted by skipping ranks? You're now... a Level 2 Researcher?"

Yan Anqing was devouring his meal, replying as he ate, "Just luck."

"Amazing, my Yan God!"

Dongfang Zhi said with half-genuine, half-mocking resentment, "It's only been a short while, and our rank levels are the same. Aren't you considering the feelings of an old girl like me?"

"..."

Yan Anqing remained silent for a moment, then continued to eat heartily from his food tray.

In reality, his current promotion speed had already been deliberately slowed down.

With his cheat-like abilities, producing a new achievement every day wasn't impossible.

However, that wouldn't be as interesting.

The process and outcome of "Remastering" the world were equally important.

"Your appetite... is too exaggerated?"

Seeing that Yan Anqing wasn't interested in small talk, Dongfang Zhi immediately changed the subject.

She stared at Yan Anqing's food tray and exclaimed, "This isn't just the level of a big eater anymore... You were a Latent Qualified before. If this keeps up, you'll probably become Silver-Eyed before long!"

The paper strength changes of the golden-eyed individuals and silver-eyed individuals, at this stage, are actually quite easy to self-test.

Weigh yourself.

Before Yu Hongyi broke through to Tier 2, he appeared a bit thinner, but his weight had increased by over thirty pounds!

Meanwhile, external silver-eyed individuals, under conditions of unchanged physique or even becoming progressively thinner, experienced a surge in appetite and weight!

Yan Anqing thoroughly chewed and swallowed the last bite of food, wiped his mouth, and said calmly, "Let's get down to business."

Dongfang Zhi's eyes were deep as she spoke, "Speaking of which, I came over at just the right time after seeing your published paper and no new projects. I'm so considerate, yet you're not showing any mercy?"

The straight arrow man conveyed his thoughts with his eyes—time is precious, damn it, stop with the nonsense!

Who isn't a little prince here!

Dongfang Zhi laughed, her body shaking with mirth, "Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore."

"Speaking of which, you haven't forgotten your other position, have you?"

Hearing this, Yan Anqing suddenly came to his senses.

Theoretically...

He was now not only a Level 2 Researcher in the Mojuke but also the Leader of Special Operations Team 13 in the Yaoguang Section.

Did this mean the higher-ups had assigned him a new task?

Given his current demonstrated abilities and value, would it be appropriate for him to undertake an external mission?

Weren't the big shots in Section 17 worried about a repeat of the previous spy incident?

Dongfang Zhi seemed to have read Yan Anqing's mind.

She covered her red lips and chuckled, "It's an internal mission. A special operative in Team 13 has run into some trouble, and it's inconvenient for others to get involved, so the higher-ups specifically assigned you to handle it."

Yan Anqing nodded slightly and asked seriously, "Is it a ideological problem, or a physical one?"

As soon as he said this, the white-stockinged beauty paused for a moment, then shook her head, "I don't really understand the specifics. It seems to be a psychological illness that has only recently become prevalent. Do you know the term 'wannabe'?"

The Leader of Special Operations Team 13 immediately reacted.

"Aspirant."

After the Crimson Moon, countries all over the world saw the emergence of individuals with qualities exceeding the limits of ordinary humans.

Yu Hongyi, Ma Ran, Uesugi Zangetsu, Tokugawa Ishimasa, Kira Wolma, Choi Sang-hwan...

These individuals, due to various circumstances, displayed their extraordinary abilities.

People firmly believed—there must be many more similar individuals hidden in the world!

The number of superhumans could be ten times!

A hundred times!

Or even a thousand times!

The emergence of countless "supermen" stimulated many who were unwilling to live mediocre lives, and also caused the chuunibyo souls of many to burn fiercely.

Many people began to fantasize that they were Blood Moon Latent Candidates, destined to become silver-eyed individuals, and would possess special abilities similar to superheroes or supervillains in the future.

In recent days, various peculiar individuals have been using their imaginations to their fullest, with a constant stream of unconventional methods to stimulate their physical potential:

Not eating or drinking, paying to be beaten, locking themselves in refrigerators, refusing to sleep...

Having friends hit them with cars, touching electrical outlets with wet hands, jumping from tall buildings...

This group is known abroad as [wannabe]—admirers who aspire to surpass.

Domestically, they are referred to as [Aspirants].

"I understand."

Yan Anqing sighed.

This was also a good opportunity to meet his nominal team members.