The Scavengers Association's bunker.
A high seat had been welded together from scrap metal, and a hunched, elderly figure sat upon it.
More than a dozen figures stood respectfully on the floor before him.
The Gray Storm was raging.
The entire bunker shook violently, and the ceiling occasionally creaked and groaned as the metal warped.
The lone tungsten-filament lamp swayed too, making everyone's shadows swing across the floor like pendulums.
"Don't worry. This bunker has protected us through more than a dozen Gray Storms."
"It may look ready to collapse, but it has pulled through every time."
"Right now, there's a more serious matter we must consider."
The old man on the high seat slowly turned aside and picked up an exquisite metal box. Facing the crowd, he slowly opened it, revealing a vial of black serum inside.
Everyone present widened their eyes, their breathing quickening, but no one dared make a sound.
"A top-grade black-market gene serum."
The old man's voice was aged and frail. "Our alliance saved up ten years' worth of wealth and exhausted every channel available just to obtain this one vial."
Click.
It was the sound of a high heel striking the floor.
Among the crowd, Hana, dressed in red, stared at the black serum with burning eyes. Biting her lip slightly, she couldn't help taking a step forward, making that sound.
"My daughter, Hana, what on earth are you wearing?"
The old man's voice carried authority without anger. "Clothes like those can't shield you from radiation or filter toxic gases."
Hana lowered her head slightly and stepped back into the crowd, trying hard to cover her body.
"I'm old."
"Someone must take over as president of the Scavenger Alliance."
"My eldest daughter..."
Seemingly in poor health, the old man couldn't help coughing several times as he spoke. "Hongyun, this serum is yours."
A slender figure in a gray cloak slowly stepped out of the crowd.
Reaching the center of the room, she extended a fair arm and pulled off her cloak.
She was a tall woman in tight leather shorts, with long, snow-white legs and a firm, shapely rear.
She wore a short black leather jacket, leaving part of her slender waist exposed. There wasn't a trace of excess fat on her, and clearly defined muscles showed on her abdomen.
Long black hair fell over her shoulders, and her face bore some resemblance to Hana's.
But her beauty and the proportions of her figure far surpassed Hana's.
The most striking feature of this beautiful woman was her eyes.
A faint blue ring of light shimmered within her narrow eyes.
It gave her an air of mystery, coldness, and nobility.
Her clothes offered no protection from radiation either.
Yet the old man's eyes held only approval and pride, without a trace of reproach.
All the core members of the Scavenger Alliance knew.
The president had two daughters.
His eldest was named Hongyun, and his youngest was named Hana.
Two E-Level gene-enhanced humans who stood proudly above the world.
But the president never hid his favoritism toward Hongyun.
"President, Miss Hongyun is already an E-Level gene-enhanced human."
"Why not give such a precious serum to another senior member? That way, our overall strength would improve more evenly."
The old man's voice was low.
"I've been notified that a Galactic Alliance combat squad will arrive on Earth within the next forty-eight hours."
"They're here to carry out some kind of secret mission."
"And in their eyes..."
"No number of E-Level gene-enhanced humans can match the standing of a single D-Level gene-enhanced human."
"Earth has been abandoned for so long. The environment keeps worsening, and resources keep dwindling."
"This is a precious opportunity."
"Perhaps we can get word to the Solar System Alliance through this squad and apply for some aid."
"To do that, we need at least one... representative they'll take seriously enough."
At that moment.
Hana bit her lip. "Father, I'm an E-Level gene-enhanced human too..."
The old man merely gave Hana a cool glance. "I know perfectly well that even if your genes were upgraded, you wouldn't have the negotiating skills we need."
Hana bit down with her pearly teeth, frowned, and slowly lowered her head, saying nothing more.
"Hongyun."
The old man looked at the leather-clad woman in the center of the room. "This top-grade serum has a success rate of twenty-three percent. That's already an astonishing probability, and even if it fails, its side effects won't be fatal."
"Don't worry. I've already prepared a medical team."
"Even if it fails, you'll receive treatment immediately."
"I won't lose you, and neither will the Scavenger Alliance."
The old man drew a deep breath. "Get ready. In one hour, you'll begin your second genetic evolution!"
He paused.
Then the old man raised his head again and said solemnly, "The future of the Scavenger Alliance, and the fate of hundreds of thousands of scavengers on this Earth, rest on your shoulders."
The meeting ended, followed by a brief rest.
Hongyun leaned against the bunker's heavy alloy doors, her arms folded and one foot braced against the metal behind her.
She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes glowing blue as she looked at her younger sister beside her.
Hana leaned against the doors too, but her head was lowered, her expression aggrieved. She held her hands together, picking at her fingers.
"Hana."
Hongyun lifted her head and surveyed the bunker before them. Her voice was clear and cool. "Father's regard for me is a double-edged sword. It's just like where we're standing now. In front of us is a safe bunker, but behind us is the terrifying Gray Storm."
Hana frowned. "I can face those storms too."
"No, you can't."
Hongyun took a deep breath, and her tone suddenly softened. "I won't let my little sister face any danger."
Hana went still.
Hongyun continued, "The Galactic Alliance has never treated scavengers as people. In their eyes, we're like cockroaches in a garbage dump. Even E-Level gene-enhanced humans like us are nothing more than rats a little bigger than those cockroaches."
"No one knows what might happen once we face them."
As she spoke, Hongyun smiled and raised a hand to smooth her sister's hair. "I promise you, if the negotiations succeed, and if the resources we receive include more gene serums, I'll be the first to stand up and fight for your share."
"No matter who they are."
"Even I, Hongyun, will have to wait until Hana has hers."
Hana's eyes filled with tears. She turned and hugged her older sister, choking up a little. "I'll always trust you, sis. You don't have to work so hard, either. I have my own ways."
Hongyun patted her back and smiled. "I know. I've always known that Hana is a stubborn girl."
"Miss Hongyun!"
A staff member called from a distance, "The serum is ready. We can begin!"
Hongyun slowly turned and let out a heavy breath.
A trace of solemnity appeared in her beautiful, noble eyes.
She began walking slowly forward.
But behind her, Hana held on to her hand, her eyes filled with deep concern.
Earlier, their father hadn't explicitly stated the consequences if the black-market serum failed.
But everyone in the bunker knew that it was highly likely to cause genetic defects, turning the recipient into a "Defective"-in other words, leaving them disabled!
A twenty-three percent success rate meant that Hongyun had only a one-in-five chance.
"Don't worry, Hana."
Hongyun gave her a reassuring smile.
Then she lifted her chin, the tungsten lamp illuminating her stunning face and the hint of resolve upon it. "I'll succeed. I know I will."
Before you continue