Onboarding benefits

The third basement level of D.O.D.C. headquarters was neither the dark, damp dungeon Zhao Fan had imagined nor a cold, oppressive quarantine zone.

When the elevator doors slid open, a futuristic, open-plan living area greeted him.

Soft, warm lighting simulated the natural transition between dawn and dusk, and a faint white tea fragrance filled the air. Minimalist furniture furnished the spacious lobby, while a holographic wall displayed a live panorama of Manhattan, New York-footage taken from the top of Avengers Tower, allowing people to feel connected to the world even underground.

Rather than the base of a secret department, this looked more like the executive lounge of a Silicon Valley tech company.

"Welcome to the living quarters of the S.C.U.-the Special Resources Recovery Unit."

The administrative assistant leading them smiled and handed them two black-and-gold access cards. "This facility was built to the standards provided for senior engineers at Stark Industries. Dr. Evelyn specifically instructed us that excellent cleaners need the best possible rest environment to maintain sharp judgment."

She pointed to two doors at the end of the corridor. "Those are your assigned suites. Just swipe your cards to move in. They've already been stocked with supplies based on your personal files."

"S-suites?" Old Dog's eyes widened. He held the black-and-gold card as though it were some fragile treasure.

The assistant kept smiling. "Yes. Hot water around the clock, top-of-the-line soundproofing, and menus in the dining area that meet three-Michelin-star standards. In addition, this floor's gym, recreation room, and medical rehabilitation center are open to you both twenty-four hours a day. Unless there's an emergency assignment, your time is your own."

"No... restrictions?" Zhao Fan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping seemingly casually over the corners of the ceiling.

"The only restrictions are that you may not bring outsiders in without permission, and you must remain reachable during missions." Seeming to see through his thoughts, the assistant added, "Rest assured, Mr. Zhao. The doctor respects every core member's privacy. There is no surveillance equipment here. That would show a lack of trust in professionals."

With that, the assistant bowed slightly, turned, and left.

Old Dog drifted toward his room as though walking on clouds, then swiped his card and went inside.

"Holy shit..."

A heartfelt, uncultured exclamation came from Old Dog's room.

Zhao Fan shook his head and swiped open his own door.

The room was large, a full sixty square meters. Though the enormous floor-to-ceiling window was fake, its lifelike 8K projection recreated a peaceful forest landscape. In the center stood a bed that looked as though it could swallow a person, with a workstation equipped with top-of-the-line hardware beside it.

Zhao Fan closed the door and tossed his backpack onto the sofa.

Rather than relaxing immediately, he habitually activated [Weak Energy Perception] and used his own keen powers of observation to conduct a thorough search of the entire room.

Five minutes later.

Zhao Fan stood in the middle of the room with a somewhat conflicted expression.

Nothing.

No pinhole cameras, no listening devices, no infrared sensors. This really was nothing more than a comfortable, private, luxurious dorm room.

Even the tablet on the desk, though connected to the internal network, had extremely high user privileges and allowed unrestricted browsing of the public internet.

"So this is how big money operates..."

Zhao Fan gave a self-mocking chuckle, walked over to the food dispenser, and ordered himself an iced Americano.

Evelyn was far more shrewd than he had imagined.

If she had locked Zhao Fan up under surveillance, he would have spent every moment thinking about how to escape and sabotage things. But now, she had given him dignity and Old Dog a life like paradise. This "trust" and these "perks" were the strongest cage of all.

They made people reluctant to leave.

"Knock, knock."

A knock sounded. Old Dog stood at the door with a dreamy expression, already holding a glass of red wine.

"Fan... I think I could live here until I die." Old Dog's eyes were slightly red as he pointed at his legs. "There's even a hydrotherapy tub in the bathroom specifically for arthritis! Do you know what that means to me?"

Looking at this old man who had spent half his life battered by hardship, Zhao Fan felt the taut string inside him loosen a little.

"Then enjoy it, Jose." Zhao Fan raised his coffee cup and clinked it against his glass. "We've earned this."

"Beep."

The communicator on Zhao Fan's wrist vibrated.

It wasn't a shrill alarm, but a polite text message:

[Mr. Zhao Fan, if you've finished resting, please come to the medical laboratory. I believe we need to discuss "enhancement." -Evelyn Reed]

"Looks like it's time to pay the bill for this feast."

Zhao Fan drained his coffee in one gulp, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Enjoy your bath. I'm going to see the boss."

The medical laboratory.

There were none of the operating tables or restraints Zhao Fan had expected. Instead, it resembled an upscale private clinic.

Evelyn was sitting in front of a machine, analyzing data. At the sound of footsteps, she turned around.

"Are you happy with the accommodations?" She took off her glasses and rubbed between her brows, her tone like someone greeting an old friend.

"Far better than I imagined," Zhao Fan answered honestly. "I thought you'd lock me in a cage."

"That's how you treat beasts." Evelyn pointed to the chair beside her. "I've always been generous with talented people. D.O.D.C. isn't short on money. What we lack are people who can solve problems."

She pushed a holographic report in front of Zhao Fan.

"I reanalyzed the data from your onboarding physical. Zhao Fan, your body is fascinating." Her eyes shone with a light unique to researchers. "Your cellular activity far exceeds that of ordinary people, but your muscle density and bone strength can't keep up with it. Simply put, you're like a tractor fitted with a Ferrari engine."

Something stirred in Zhao Fan. She was right.

As his system abilities improved, especially after acquiring a high-strain ability like [Kinetic Repulsion], Zhao Fan had increasingly felt his body struggling. Those few repulsion blasts last night had nearly broken his arms with their recoil-the best proof of all.

"This is the result of prolonged malnutrition and a lack of systematic training." Evelyn stood, walked to a refrigerated storage cabinet, and took out several vials glowing pale gold. "As a captain-level member of the S.C.U., you're entitled to the 'physical optimization' benefit."

"What is this?" Zhao Fan looked at the reagents.

"A derivative of the Extremis Virus, mixed with Stark Industries' latest nanorepair fluid," Evelyn explained, pride in her voice. "We removed the original risks of extreme heat and explosion while preserving its powerful cellular repair and enhancement functions. It can reshape your muscle fibers, increase your bone density, and repair all the old, hidden injuries in your body."

She turned to look at Zhao Fan. "This was only just developed. Out there, a single vial could fetch an astronomical price on the black market, and even then, money couldn't buy it. Here, it's your onboarding benefit."

Zhao Fan looked at the golden liquid.

[High-energy bioactive substance detected.]

[Estimated effects: greatly increases the host's base attributes and repairs hidden injuries.]

Zhao Fan raised his head and met Evelyn's gaze. "What do I need to do?"

"Lie down in that treatment chair and hold out your arm." Evelyn smiled. "You don't need to be restrained. If you feel uncomfortable, you can ask to stop at any time."

Zhao Fan walked over and lay down in the comfortable leather recliner.

With practiced movements, Evelyn loaded the reagent into an intravenous syringe pump.

"You may feel a little warm, like you've had a glass of strong liquor."

As the golden liquid slowly entered his veins, Zhao Fan felt warmth instantly spread throughout his body; it wasn't a painful burning, but a nourishing sensation, like a withered tree reviving in spring.

The joint pain and muscle strain accumulated over the years, along with the aches left by combat, rapidly faded beneath that cleansing warmth.

[System intervening to guide the process...]

[Absorbing high-energy substance...]

[Optimizing muscle structure...]

There was no violent reaction. Zhao Fan merely felt warm all over, even a little sleepy.

Ten minutes later, the infusion ended.

Zhao Fan sat up and tried clenching his fists.

"Crack."

His knuckles popped crisply. His body felt lighter than ever, as though he had shed dozens of pounds of weight. His vision was clearer, his hearing sharper, and even his breathing had grown deeper and stronger.

[Constitution increased.]

[Strength increased.]

[Agility increased.]

[Trait acquired: Basic Self-Healing (wound healing speed increased by 300%).]

It was nothing short of a complete transformation.

"The results look perfect." Evelyn nodded in satisfaction at the data on the monitor. "Your body's absorption rate reached ninety-eight percent. It's nothing short of a miracle."

She pointed to the towel and water on the nearby counter. "Congratulations, Zhao Fan. Only now do you truly have what it takes to survive in this world overrun with monsters."

Zhao Fan wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, feeling the power surging inside him.

The way he looked at Evelyn changed.

If he had merely been using her before, now he genuinely acknowledged her as his "boss."

"Thank you, Doctor," Zhao Fan said sincerely.

"Don't thank me. This is an investment. I also want to know what's going on with that constitution of yours." Evelyn regained her cool demeanor. "Now that the hardware upgrade is complete, let's discuss the software."

She opened the holographic map behind her.

"The S.C.U.'s job is to handle the 'trouble' ordinary cleanup teams can't."

Several areas lit up red on the map.

"Some of these places involve alien biochemical contamination. Others are occupied by gangs with heavy firepower. And some... may hold secrets even S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't want anyone to know."

Evelyn pointed at the band on Zhao Fan's wrist.

"That band isn't just a health monitor. It's also your tactical terminal. It connects to Stark Industries' satellite network. When you're on a mission, it can provide real-time scans, friend-or-foe identification, and even authorization to call in aerial drone support."

She looked into Zhao Fan's eyes and said earnestly, "I want you to be my eyes and my blade. Don't let those so-called 'rules' bind you. As long as you bring back anything valuable and deal with the trouble, the process... doesn't concern me."

"Understood." Zhao Fan stood and rolled his shoulders. That feeling of strength filled him with greater confidence.

This was exactly what he wanted.

Not just money, but the authorization to "legally" gain access to high-level relics while having powerful backing.

"What's the first mission?" Zhao Fan asked.

A mysterious smile curled the corners of Evelyn's lips.

"No rush. Get some rest tonight and adjust to your new body. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet the other S.C.U. members. Strong as you are, some jobs can't be done alone."

She waved a hand, indicating that Zhao Fan could leave.

After leaving the laboratory, Zhao Fan walked down the bright, spotless corridor.

He touched the terminal on his wrist and felt the surging power inside him.

Evelyn had given him a sharp sword and a shield. Though it also meant he had been bound to D.O.D.C.'s war chariot, he didn't resent it.

In this world where the strong preyed on the weak, finding a boss willing to feed you meat and hand you a knife was already a stroke of luck.

"In that case..."

Zhao Fan thought of "Kestrel," who was watching him from the shadows, and the unfathomable "Shadow."

The elevator doors slowly closed, carrying Zhao Fan back to that underground world, as comfortable as paradise yet brimming with ambition.