Rebirth: Eating, Drinking, and Living for Free in the Hospital

After his genetic potential was activated, Li Aoz's mind quickly cleared, his body temperature returned to normal, and although he was still in a weakened state, his health points began to slowly recover. He estimated that he would be back to normal by tomorrow morning.

He glanced furtively: Assistant Physician Anna and others were still busy around him, monitoring his health status, and not far away, armed security personnel were standing, one on the left and one on the right, ready to form a firing net to prevent accidents if problems broke out.

"They're quite experienced in dealing with this."

Li Aoz was a little surprised that these humanitarian physicians from the Outland were even more cautious than Emile Pharmaceutical Group from Heavenly Ring.

The latter had leaked biochemical beasts and high-risk experimental subjects due to careless operators or experimental accidents as often as construction workers kicking up dust on a construction site. Players had suffered a lot from the monsters that the company had 'proudly produced'.

In comparison, the Nethermark people were well-trained, rigorous in their attitude, and had both quality and technique, which made Li Aoz want to throw a bomb at the headquarters of Emile Pharmaceutical.

With people monitoring his health outside, Li Aoz simply didn't bother to communicate and closed his eyes to check his personal information.

"After getting the talent, my attributes immediately went up."

Character: Li Aozhi (Player)
Level: LV.1
Experience: 10/100
Race: Human
Faction: Underworld Pathfinder (Friendly)
Charm: -3 (Your appearance is truly unsightly)
Strength: 6 (You can easily lift a gas tank)
Agility: 7 (You are quite nimble)
Constitution: 5 (Your body is healthy)
Intelligence: 11 (You are quite smart)
 
Status: Weakened
Aura: Gravity
Feat: Adaptive Modification (Blue)

[Gravity] is not a very aggressive Aura. Its lethality is not strong, its early range is not great, and its difficulty to master is very high. It takes a long time to explore to understand it.

But Li Aoz didn't care.

Strength? A lie fabricated by capitalism!

[Gravity] Aura is one of the four fundamental forces of the universe and one of the Auras that constitute the job requirements of a [Starcaller].

Although it's a bit of a grind in the early stages, once you enter the universe, those space marines will understand what a 'Battleship Breaker' is! "It's a pity that the Gene Awakening Potion can only be taken once. Now, the gene fragments in my body have begun to leak, and my lifespan may only be about 20 years left."

Li Aoz didn't mind at all. This was a necessary sacrifice. Everyone who had been through it knew that there was no free lunch in the world, and what seemed free was often the most expensive.

"It's best not to carry too many Auras, or the genetic pressure will be too great and it will easily collapse. Similarly, the [Esha Experiment Drug - Type VI] from Nethermark can theoretically get three branches... but if it is not combined with special means, it is likely to awaken some unexpected Auras for me."

Li Aoz pondered for a moment. At first, due to the urgency of time, he didn't have time to pay attention to the problem of gene collapse. Now it's different. He still has a little balance in his account, but this is to be used to exchange some resources with the NPCs.

So, what to do next? "Nethermark's faction favorability still needs to be brushed up, and faction contribution points must be accumulated."

Li Aoz didn't hesitate much.

After all, he wasn't playing a game. Now he was a living person, and it was lucky enough to be able to choose the [Gravity] Aura.

Nethermark Humanitarianism is not the official game, and unstable quality control is also a situation to consider.

The worst result is that he took three branches of [Esha Experiment Drug - Type VI] and did not get an Aura required for a [Starcaller] job, but instead got three pieces of trash.

But no matter what, Li Aoz didn't plan to waste the opportunity. He calculated that his constitution was 5 points, and theoretically he could take 15 related potions to release genetic potential.

This is not the universe after all. The technological level of Azure Planet is still boiling water, and it has no ability to engage in gene adjustment and directional gene optimization.

In essence, [Esha Experiment Drug - Type VI] and [Omega-Grade Gene Awakening Potion] are both methods of artificially breaking up the gene sequence. The only difference is the amount, location, and released gene fragments.

The so-called, some people are born in Rome, and some people are born as mules and horses.

Most advanced civilizations have genetic optimization projects, and some geniuses are even born with awakened Auras, which is equivalent to directly entering the prerequisite conditions for [Ability User].

"I still have to prepare for the worst. I want to directly brush out a constitution-type talent to improve my constitution attribute. If it doesn't come out in 15 times, then 25 times, 30 times! I don't believe there's no chance!"

The reason why Li Aoz was so determined was not because of how lofty it was.

But in version 2.5, the Galaxy Civilization was about to bomb Azure Planet.

"If I don't reach level 60 before version 2.0 arrives, I will definitely have no chance of survival."

This is not a joke. Li Aoz knows the end of Azure Planet better than anyone else. When the gorgeous fireworks bloom, even players cannot escape. Players who did not evacuate in time had their accounts on Azure Planet forcibly deleted, and were transferred to the new server seven days later.

In version 2.1.7 of Star Abyss, a fatal loophole appeared on the Azure Planet server. At first, no one cared and let it develop. Finally, in version 2.4.8, people were shocked to discover that this loophole would cause the game to be almost impossible to continue. If it was allowed to expand, it might be necessary to completely remove the data of the entire nebula.

The official found the right time and took the opportunity of the 2.5 version update to bring in the Galaxy Civilization, which should not have appeared in this version, as a patch, and cooperated with the players to permanently eliminate the loophole – the price was that the mother star civilization of mankind was completely destroyed.

Players may criticize and regret, scold the dog planners for being unjust, and not even issue maintenance compensation, but for Li Aoz, who was on Azure Planet, he was one of the 56 players who operated the Galaxy fleet's planet-destroying cannon!

"I don't know if the players will descend, maybe there will be another 'Li Si' appearing... Damn it, don't complete a 'I kill myself' ghost achievement by then?!"

Thinking of this, Li Aoz couldn't hold back a bit.

"Speaking of which, health monitoring shows that he is now out of danger."

Professor pushed the tablet aside, took off his glasses, looked at the two people standing in front of him, and smiled slightly: "In that case, Anna, Nordly, what are you still looking for me for?"

"Professor——"

"It's because of that guy that we came to you!"

Anna had just opened her mouth when the head nurse, Nordly, beside her immediately stepped forward to the desk. Facing the Professor's gentle smile, she said in a deep voice, "Professor, he's only been here for a few hours, and he's already wasted a lot of our manpower and resources. We don't know what benefits we can get from him yet. If he keeps having these difficult problems, and we have to spend a lot of time and energy dealing with them every day… In the long run, it will not only put a lot of pressure on internal treatment and custody, but also affect Nethermark's field missions…"

Nordly spoke eloquently for several minutes, the Professor just listened quietly, and smiled to signal her to continue.

Anna was left aside, holding the record report in her hand, waiting silently for Nordly to finish her output.

"…In summary, I don't think we should continue to invest so many resources in monitoring and following up on Li Aoz's treatment."

The moment Nordly finished speaking, the Professor immediately nodded and asked a question in return:

"Then, according to Head Nurse Nordly's idea, how should we deal with Li Aoz?"

"Treat him as an ordinary infected person. He has already shown his dangerousness. Even I, as a Martial Artist, would be knocked down when he loses control. Therefore, he must be subjected to personal detention, restricted from free movement, made to wear a full-body restraint suit, and undergo regular sampling tests—"

"In other words," the Professor said slowly, "you think that a restraint suit that even a level 3 infected person may not be able to break free from can restrain someone who can defeat a Martial Artist in a frenzy, a suspected level 5 infected person?"

"No, I mean we can strengthen the materials…"

"Li Aoz hasn't awakened his Aura yet. What if he does?"

The Professor asked seriously, "The people of the Four Nations don't even dare to say that they can stably control a transcendent being who has awakened their Aura. If we can completely trap an infected person who has awakened their Aura, wouldn't that mean… Are we more powerful than the Four Nations?"

"No, that's not what I meant, Professor…"

"Since Nethermark is more powerful than the Four Nations, then why are we just trapped in an abandoned shelter, instead of going out to save all the suffering people of the Outland?"

The Professor frowned and sighed, "Having strength far surpassing the Four Nations, but not using it to help the world and save the people, instead contenting ourselves with a corner, Nethermark is just eking out a living, and secretly doing unknown forbidden experiments—it's completely understandable that the world sees us this way."

Head Nurse Nordly was a little confused. How did it suddenly turn into a public relations crisis for Nethermark Humanitarianism from the issue of containing Esha-infected patients?

If the Professor continued to speak like this, Nordly felt that she was bearing a huge sin.

"Actually, I also understand. After all, Esha infection is just my personal conjecture. The reason why the entire Nethermark has become what it is today is also because of my own opinion. It can be said that the deterioration of Nethermark Humanitarianism's image, the loss of talent, and the misunderstanding by the world are all because of me alone…"

The Professor's eyes were slightly red and hazy. The voice of this white-haired beauty carried a hint of self-blame and disappointment:

"I don't want this either, it's all my fault… My ability is not enough, I can't protect you, that's why Nethermark has fallen to the point where everyone is shouting to beat us!"

"Indeed, I should have resigned in 201 and entered the Third Layer Hospital."

"That's not true!"

Nordly felt deeply ashamed, and she quickly clarified:

"Professor, you have no responsibility. Without your wise leadership, there would be no Nethermark Humanitarianism, and the continuation of humanity's noble qualities would be out of the question. And the leadership of Nethermark Humanitarianism, especially our ideals, our original intentions—of course, they can only be maintained if they are entrusted to you."

"Nordly… Thank you for saying that."

The Professor wiped her eyes and said bitterly, "It feels so good to be trusted."

The way she rubbed the corners of her eyes and forced a smile was like a blade cutting through Nordly's heart. The head nurse, who had originally come aggressively, now felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Even though there were only three of them in the Professor's office, Head Nurse Nordly felt as if she was exposed to the public eye.

The vague pointing and whispering from below seemed to be poking her spine, and a strong sense of shame erupted like a geyser, with feelings of shame, regret, and self-blame running rampant.

'The Professor is under so much pressure, yet I'm still blaming and questioning her.'

Nordly's heart roared like a sea wave:

'I'm really a terrible person. She, as a superior, still forgives and excuses my impulsiveness and defiance.'

As a Martial Artist with some achievements, her face turned red, and she bowed her head, deeply and sincerely apologizing to the person sitting in the wheelchair who was secretly sobbing and comforting her, "I'm very sorry! Professor! I regret my irrational remarks and apologize to you."

"Nordly, get up quickly, it's not your fault."

The Professor's eyes were slightly red, and her voice became sharp and hoarse:

"I want to bring everyone a better tomorrow, and you also know… Level 5 infected people may really prove the existence of the Esha theory. I was too anxious, I didn't consider you…"

"It's my vision that was too narrow, Professor."

Nordly took a deep breath, her body trembling slightly, almost failing to control her facial muscles, and burst into tears, "We were too selfish, only thinking about making our positions easier, but forgetting that Nethermark Humanitarianism has been working on the Esha theory for decades, but has never made any substantial progress… Yes, you are doing it for our own good. We all know that, how can we question you…"

Her body, which was stronger and more burly than a bodybuilder, was like a kindergarten child who had made a mistake in front of the Professor.

"Nordly… you've been wronged."

"Professor, please give me another chance, I will never make another mistake."

"In that case," the Professor said, her face slightly flushed, sobbing softly, feigning composure, and forcing a dignified tone, "there is still some distance between you and patient Li Aoz. I know he severely injured you before he was contained, and also consumed a lot of manpower and resources."

"However, when facing the unknown, even if you try your best, it will be in vain. As long as you have some contact with the unknown, it is a great step forward."

"Having missed the Level 5 infected, the next opportunity to prove the truth of the theory… will take a long, long time to come."

"I don't want the blood of the Nethermark's predecessors and volunteers to be shed in vain. I have always encouraged myself to make some achievements, to prove the real existence of the Esha virus, and to use this theory to end the suffering of the people of the Outland."

"Professor…"

"Please continue to cooperate with the research. The patient's body is still very weak. If yesterday's sudden situation breaks out again, we may lose such a valuable opportunity…"

The Professor said in a deep voice, "Everything will proceed according to plan. I will eliminate any resistance, and I will bear the cost. This is the ideal and belief of all mankind. For this, we will spare no expense!"

Her tone became more and more impassioned, and Nordly was emotionally moved. She straightened her chest, her face full of righteous indignation.

The Professor said, "The brilliance of humanity will be remembered forever."

"The brilliance of humanity will be remembered forever!" Nordly repeated firmly.

"I will remember all of this and complete the training responsibly."

"That's right, this is our Nordly."

Nordly was high-spirited, her eyes resolute, and she solemnly promised, "Then I'll go prepare the training plan. I will definitely live up to your expectations."

"Wait a moment…"

The Professor suddenly stopped her.

"Professor?"

"Nordly."

She reached out and touched her neck, asking with concern, "…Does your neck still hurt?"

BOOM! The thermite agent broke through the door, and the female special agent with a gun threw a gas grenade inside, then shouted loudly, "Law Enforcement Division Four on duty! All women, put your hands on your heads, and men, kneel down!"

Several smuggling ringleaders hadn't even reacted before they were immediately irritated by the gas, unable to open their eyes, coughing and tearing uncontrollably. Before they could cover their eyes and run away, the Law Enforcement Division Four agents quickly rushed in and took control of the personnel inside.

"Damn it, be honest! We are female enforcers! Any resistance from you is an infringement on the rights of great women!"

Agent Tima raised her pistol and smashed it down, quickly knocking down a thin man. She kicked away the pistol he dropped, stomped on his head, raised her hand and pressed the headset on the side of her gas mask, and said on the channel, "Team Leader Nimoting, the personnel here have been controlled. Some personnel are moving towards your side."

"Very good."

Nimoting nodded, leading her people to block the back door.

A moment later, several fleeing smugglers appeared in sight in a panic.

"Don't move."

She casually raised her hand, and her palm instantly cracked open, revealing the prosthetic gun inside, "You are suspected of helping thugs leave the country, accept the Law Enforcement Division Four's investigation!"