The Top Gun of Rookies

Li Xianfeng rattled on about one disaster after another around the world, then abruptly changed the subject.

"Next, a major scientific breakthrough!"

"Research into Paranormal Studies has achieved a major breakthrough. A team of experts at Qingbei University's Institute of Biology has conducted extensive research into mutated lifeforms and published a significant paper, 'Preliminary Analysis of Alpha Lifeforms.' The paper was featured on the covers of Nature and Science."

"Scientists have discovered that the flesh of mutated creatures contains various special biological enzymes, which the expert team has termed alpha enzymes. With these substances as a core component, a special active enzyme can form, greatly increasing the vitality of cells and thereby producing a range of special Superpowers."

"However, the crucial question of why alpha enzymes develop within humans and mutated creatures remains an unsolved mystery. No instrument currently exists that can detect the so-called 'spiritual energy'..."

"You're behind the times, humanity!"

Zhang Ming felt a little smug.

I've been eating giant crabs for a whole month, and you're still researching whether some 'alpha element' is edible.

Just eat it already!

Still, when it came to scientific research, producing results in a mere month was quite an achievement. He could picture those scientists working themselves to the bone, writing through the night to be the first to publish their findings.

Li Xianfeng continued, "The research team discovered that, besides mutated creatures containing 'alpha enzymes,' there are many other biological enzymes whose properties remain unknown, such as beta enzymes, gamma enzymes, and delta enzymes. Recklessly consuming unidentified types of mutated creatures can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and splitting headaches in mild cases, or genetic collapse, cellular mutation, and severe deformities in serious cases..."

Zhang Ming paused. That was actually quite an important piece of information.

I can't just eat anything.

Li Xianfeng said, "So, dear listeners, how can we determine whether a mutated creature is edible?"

"The expert team believes the first method is to observe its appearance. If the creature has simply grown larger, it is most likely an alpha-type creature. If it was edible before, it will most likely remain edible after mutation, causing relatively little harm to the human body."

"However, please exercise caution when consuming creatures that have undergone more bizarre mutations."

"For example, creatures with eyes covering their entire heads, bodies shriveled like zombies, a smell of decay, several extra tentacles or legs, or poisonous gas emanating from their whole bodies. If you encounter such species, please exercise caution before consuming them."

The broadcast left Zhang Ming feeling creeped out.

He vaguely suspected that the enormous dark shape in the center of the island was a high-level mutated monster.

Fortunately, that enormous dark shape seemed fairly inactive, remaining in the very center of the island.

"The second method is to observe its special abilities. The more an ability defies ordinary physics, the greater the creature's complexity, and the less likely it is to be safe to consume. Examples include antigravity levitation, weather manipulation, firing lasers from the eyes, short-range spatial jumps, and placing curses on humans."

Abilities like that actually existed? Zhang Ming was stunned.

Then he heard the next sentence from the radio: "Of course, the special effects produced by consuming these mysterious elements also vary from person to person."

"The paper indicates that people with stronger constitutions have a higher likelihood of successfully digesting them."

"The first time someone consumes the flesh of a mutated creature, there is approximately a one-in-ten chance of awakening a Superpower."

"On the second and third occasions thereafter, there are no obvious benefits beyond filling the stomach. It should be noted that the energy contained in this flesh is significantly greater than that of conventional food, and consuming large quantities carries a risk of indigestion and diarrhea."

Zhang Ming frowned. "No obvious benefits?"

"Looks like other people can't extract attribute points from mutated creatures' flesh."

"My personal ability really is unique..."

After listening to all those broadcasts, island survivor Zhang concluded that he needed to find a new source of food.

For one thing, he was thoroughly sick of crab.

The mere thought of that damned crabmeat sent his Mental Value plummeting, made acid rise in his stomach, and left him feeling faintly nauseated.

Crab and coconuts were far too monotonous a diet, and they did not provide balanced nutrition either.

For another, he had essentially squeezed all the potential out of crabmeat.

During the first week, eating crabmeat had increased his attributes by three to four points a day, allowing him to improve rapidly every day. During the second week, that had dropped to two or three points. By the third week, he could gain only one attribute point a day.

In the fourth week, it took two days of eating to gain a single attribute point.

That also proved he could not grow endlessly stronger by eating only one type of mutated creature and grinding away in the starter area until he became a master swordsman.

Even so, crabs alone had given him a full fifty attribute points!

Thus, his current attribute panel was...

[Physique: 70/70] (3.5 times an ordinary human's physique. You seem just a teeny-tiny bit strong now.)

[Perception: 50/50] (Your sight and hearing are clear, and your senses are as keen as a cat's.)

[Spirit: 30/42] (You are thoroughly sick of living in the company of crabs.)

[Lifespan: 24/30] (You're doomed to an early grave and have only a few years left. Hurry up and find a solution!)

[Total attributes: 192] (You really are the top gun of rookies.)

[Ability: Strength Burst (activated)]

Although his assessment was only "the top gun of rookies," Zhang Ming felt he could put up a teeny-tiny bit of a fight.

Fighting crabs for a month had given him some combat experience, too.

Barring any surprises, he might now be the strongest human in the world... To be modest, he should add "one of."

After all, the broadcasts occasionally reported on people with Superpowers back on Earth, and they all seemed pretty weak. He wondered whether that was just Zhang Ming's imagination.

As he was thinking this, rustling came from the grass outside.

Zhang Ming's ears twitched. He recognized their footsteps and smiled faintly. It was the giant sea turtles.

"Good evening!"

Night had fallen. Heavy black clouds blanketed the sky, and a fine drizzle began to fall.

Sea turtles gathered in twos and threes near the sheet-metal house, calling out, "Awroo, awroo."

Since Zhang Ming had never hurt them, and instead occasionally fed them scraps, these fellows had grown increasingly bold. Every evening, they came over to see whether there was anything tasty to eat and listened to the radio while they were there.

They were very curious about humanity's technological creations. Why did this thing make sounds? It truly baffled the sea turtles.

Today, there was even one whose shell stood as high as a two-story house-

a Giant Sea Turtle that opened its enormous maw and immediately tried to eat the sharp crab legs on the fence!

"Hey, newcomer, don't eat my fence! Try it, and I'll chop off your tail!"

"Awroo?"

Startled by Zhang Ming's shout, the Giant Sea Turtle withdrew its head with an innocent expression, staring with its two round eyes as if to say it had done nothing at all.

Zhang Ming looked at the whole group of sea turtles, each one looking craftier than the last, and sighed.

These turtles haven't just gotten smart-they live in groups, too. When am I ever going to get some turtle meat?

I don't need much. Just a tail will do!