Faction

Inside the magnificent mansion.

Jiu Zhengxuan stood on the steps, at the center of the crowd.

Lu Zun's eyes were filled with pride.

At that moment, senior figures from both sectors, B5 and B6, were rushing there aboard high-speed vehicles to witness the founding of the Experimental Zone's first youth order squad.

A data panel floated beside the boy in white.

Jiu Zhengxuan

Fusion rate: 68%

Reality enhancement: *****

The information in the reality enhancement field had been concealed, kept from public view.

Everyone marveled inwardly.

Their nephew Zheng Xuan had only just entered the Experimental Zone, yet his fusion rate was already 68%. Figures like that were bound to come with a corresponding "reality enhancement"!

And the ability it enhanced would surely be extraordinary, perhaps even astounding.

The youth order squad would give him plenty of room to shine, and would undoubtedly become a dazzling stage.

It would make the rising star named Jiu Zhengxuan shine all the brighter.

"Why should I join the Gang?"

Qin Yiguan looked into the distance.

NST's Wulong Baiyan was directing his underlings to drag a passerby who had made a snide remark into the Church for a savage beating.

"I have a few honest things to say."

Director Chen raised an eyebrow. "Kid, with a fusion rate like yours, what can you do if you don't join the Gang? Would anyone else take you?"

The boy fell silent.

Director Chen continued, "The Gang has its perks, of course. For example, we can stay hidden in the dark forever! Do whatever we want without being condemned! We don't owe anyone an explanation. It's freedom!"

"Hidden in the dark?"

The boy reflected that ever since [gestalt collapse] had appeared, he had grown increasingly fond of staying in pitch-black surroundings.

They even made him feel safe, as though he had returned to his mother's embrace.

"What's more."

Chen Fazheng licked his lips. "The commission on our group's 'business' goes as high as 60%. Every time you finish a job, you'll receive a hefty payout!"

"Of course, since I'm the one referring you, I'll take 10%, but you'll still keep 50%. That's plenty!"

Seeing Qin Yiguan's eyes flicker.

Chen Fazheng added, "Take a level-nine job, for instance. Finish just one, and you can earn over a hundred thousand!"

The boy asked curiously, "What's a level-nine job?"

Chen Fazheng lifted his chin. "Murder."

Qin Yiguan remained calm.

Chen Fazheng couldn't help being taken aback. Whenever he told newcomers about this line of business, they usually recoiled in fright. This kid... was so composed?

Then Chen Fazheng suddenly lowered his voice. "I know a secret. It's a mechanic introduced in this update, and very few people know about it yet."

"Killing is an action within the Metaverse too..."

"If you kill someone..."

Chen Fazheng covered his mouth with his hand and whispered into the boy's ear, "There's a chance your fusion rate will increase. When it does, the increase starts at 2%! I hear the crueler your methods, the greater the increase!"

"You should know that plenty of ordinary people spend three to five years here without even gaining 2%!"

"Just imagine if killing were your job..."

Qin Yiguan slowly turned his head.

Was the Gemini Superbrain really this insane?

By that logic, wouldn't the Experimental Zone become hell on earth?

Surely Director Chen was spouting nonsense.

Ding.

Qin Yiguan suddenly heard a notification.

God's Abandoned opened an information panel in his separate view.

Qin Yiguan.

Fusion rate +2%

Brain dark zone A06 [gestalt collapse]-development potential +2, overall progress 2%.

Brain hyperactivity zone B05 [shadow syndrome]-development potential +2, overall progress 1%.

Brain abnormal zone A89 [conscience-free syndrome]-development potential +2, overall progress 2%.

Brain restricted zone A01 [cosmic phobia]-development potential +2, overall progress 0%.

Brain restricted zone A07 [dissociation VI]-development potential +2, overall progress 5% (3% temporary development).

Qin Yiguan froze.

Why had his fusion rate suddenly increased?

And all his dis... abilities had gained a higher development ceiling too?

Ring, ring...

An incoming call sounded immediately afterward.

Through God's Abandoned's view, Qin Yiguan saw the caller's name-Meng Jihe.

"Kid, are you doing all right?"

"I only just realized your combat strength is far beyond what I imagined."

"When you slammed that bald, fat Ke Qiming earlier, you badly injured his spine. He howled for two whole days and nights!"

"I just got word that one minute ago, that fatty's virtual body kicked the bucket! He's dead!"

"But don't worry. It happened in the Experimental Zone. There's no order here, and no punishment!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he ended the call with Meng Jihe.

Qin Yiguan stood utterly stunned.

It seemed he had found the reason for his sudden increase in fusion rate.

Was Chen Fazheng telling the truth?

So.

The Gemini Superbrain... had gone mad.

Then.

Qin Yiguan suddenly reached out, his gaze burning, and tidied Director Chen's messy center part, tucking a long lock of hair from his forehead behind his ear.

"???"

The corner of Chen Fazheng's mouth twitched. He clutched his chest. "What kind of fetish do you have, kid?"

The boy was a little stunned.

A 2% increase in fusion rate had restored basic precision to his movements!

Then.

The boy looked at the vicious-looking Gang members before him.

Then he turned and surveyed the vast, empty Experimental Zone.

One hundred and one ways to kill flashed through his mind, and when broken down, those actions became countless criminal techniques.

The Gang?

It was a perfect match for the methods in my mind.

Like an excellent dancer given a vast stage.

He remained silent for three minutes. His gaze shifted from unfamiliarity to fear, then settled into calm, before finally taking on a sharp edge as he clenched his teeth.

"I'll join."

As the boy finished speaking, a notification sounded in his ear.

-Brain abnormal zone A89 [conscience-free syndrome]: temporary development +1.