My Little Fishy

It's already mid-May, Lou Yu's injury hasn't fully healed, yet he's already planning to go out and find Tao Qiu.

Just as he was wondering what supplies he should bring this time, the research institute called, saying that the only successful esper in the awakening experiment had encountered a problem and asked him to come and take a look.

Not long after the experiment ended, spring arrived. Lou Yu was busy fighting the mutated monsters and was subsequently hospitalized, so he didn't have time to see this person.

As the only two people with superpowers in the entire base, and given their similar situations, Lou Yu would naturally do his best to help them if he could.

This superhuman is named Zhao Tao. He is the youngest awakened individual in this experiment, only eighteen years old, and has only been in the army for a year. However, his performance in all aspects is exceptionally outstanding, and he is highly valued by his superiors.

After learning about the experiment, he proactively approached his superiors to sign up, saying, "I'm the only one left in my family. Even if I die, I won't let my family grieve for me."

His superior put him on the reserve list; he was in the last batch to enter and the only one to survive to the end.

After the experiment, he was kept at the research institute for observation. Lou Yu hadn't heard anything about it before, so he had no idea what was going on this time.

Upon Lou Yu's arrival, Old Doctor Li personally came to pick him up and took him to see Zhao Tao. On the way, he explained everything to him in detail.

It turns out that Zhao Tao's physical condition was actually quite good after he woke up. The doctor and his team specially designed a plan for his recuperation and ability training. He was very obedient, had a friendly personality, and was very efficient, so he basically didn't cause the doctor any worry.

However, starting last week, Zhao Tao suddenly became irritable, not only frequently refusing to cooperate with work, but also attempting to attack researchers.

But afterwards, he seemed very remorseful, saying he didn't know why he couldn't control his temper and that he didn't mean it.

The researchers had spent so much time with him and knew he was a sunny and gentle young man. His sudden change in personality, especially intermittently, must be related to his special abilities.

Zhao Tao told the researchers that he often dreams that he is not a human, but a free and unfettered fox in the mountains.

The scenes in his dreams were so realistic that, after many repetitions, he began to have difficulty distinguishing between dreams and reality.

When he believes he is a fox, he develops a dislike for humans, which is why he has a bad temper.

The doctor asked Lou Yu, "Have you ever experienced anything like this before?"

The reagent Zhao Tao was injected with was made from foxes, so he sometimes felt like he was a fox.

Lou Yu's special ability comes from a mutated worm. After he gained the ability, he was not affected by the worm's memories or habits. He was still himself, just with an additional ability.

Lou Yu told the truth, adding, "When I was at the Central Base, I heard that some ability users are affected by the traits of the mutated monsters from which their abilities originate. For example, if a mutated monster loves to eat raw meat, the ability user's eating habits will also shift to a preference for raw meat; if a mutated monster prefers quiet, the ability user will also change from loving excitement to preferring quiet. This is because the mutated monster's genes partially overpower the human genes within them."

Chapter 66 My Little Fishy

The doctor was very worried. "Could it eventually evolve into the genes of mutated monsters? Overpowering human genes? And completely alienating humans into mutated monsters?"

Lou Yu shook his head. "At least before I left the Central Base, I hadn't heard of such a case. Since they've awakened into true superhumans, it means that genetically, humans have surpassed mutated monsters. How they ultimately develop depends on the strength of their will."

The two arrived at Zhao Tao's place, both deep in thought.

To prevent Zhao Tao from feeling like he was living in a hospital or laboratory, and to avoid causing him psychological pressure and resentment, his room was decorated very warmly and filled with his belongings, essentially giving him a new home.

When Lou Yu and Old Doctor Li entered, Zhao Tao was chatting with a researcher dressed in casual clothes. His eyes were big, round, and bright, the kind that couldn't hide any emotion.

It seems that Zhao Tao is normal at this time.

"Teachers, Building Leader? You've arrived." The two researchers stood up to greet them.

Zhao Tao's unit didn't have much contact with Lou Yu, and the two had never met before, but Zhao Tao did know Lou Yu.

The only superhuman in the entire base, he always charges to the forefront of the fight against mutated monsters. Handsome and gentle, he's practically the perfect man.

Many soldiers at the Yong'an Base admire Lou Yu and regard him as a role model, and Zhao Tao is no exception.

During the awakening experiment, Zhao Tao was very well-behaved throughout. At that time, the experiment was nearing its end, Lou Yu had too much work to do, so he didn't go to protect the researcher in charge of the injection. Therefore, the two of them happened to miss it.

Zhao Tao had seen Lou Yu from afar before, but this was the first time they had met in person at such close range.

Zhao Tao was very nervous. He wiped his hands on his clothes before handing them over. "Captain Lou? Hello? I'm Zhao Tao."

Lou Yu returned the handshake with a warm smile, "Hello Zhao Tao?"

The two researchers beside them Lou Yu, "Xiao Zhao's emotions have stabilized. Now that Captain Lou is here, let's postpone the other plans and let the two of them have a good talk."

Speaking of the morning's outburst, Zhao Tao lowered his eyes and said dejectedly, "I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble again."

Judging from his age, Zhao Tao is about the same age as Old Doctor Li's grandson, and given his well-behaved personality, Old Doctor Li is very fond of him.

Seeing his guilty expression, she reached out and patted his shoulder, saying, "Okay, child, don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. You were just affected by the genes of the mutated monster."

Lou Yu also said, "Don't feel guilty. Tell me all your troubles. As a fellow ability user, I should be able to help you solve some problems."

Zhao Tao looked up at Lou Yu, his expression brightening again. His idol had come to help him in person!

"Really? Can I really tell you anything?"

Lou Yu put his arm around his shoulder, making him feel close, and laughed heartily, "Of course? Sure, I came here today specifically for you."

After the researcher poured Lou Yu a cup of hot water, he and Old Doctor Li and the others left, leaving the two of them to talk.

Lou Yu and Zhao Tao sat down facing each other. Zhao Tao was a good talker, and with Lou Yu's gentle guidance, he quickly told Lou Yu in detail about the changes in his body.

Zhao Tao can transform certain parts of his body into beast forms, such as growing sharp teeth and claws, and his tail can occasionally pop out.

After transforming into a beast, his five senses will be enhanced several times, and his speed will also increase significantly. Perhaps he can develop in the direction of reconnaissance in the future.

However, because Zhao Tao's superpower is very unstable and requires strong stimulation to be activated, which can usually only be done in a laboratory, he can't even perform it for Lou Yu now.

Zhao Tao was weakened for a while due to the torment of the ten days of the awakening experiment, but he recovered by eating well, drinking well, and sleeping well. His condition was much stronger than before, and he did not experience any strange symptoms.

After he had been training his superpowers for a while, he started having frequent dreams at night.

In his dream, he transformed into a White Fox, roaming freely through the mountains and forests, powerful and unrestrained, without any rivals, living a carefree and unrestrained life.

The dream was incredibly realistic; Zhao Tao could clearly perceive the scent of flowers and plants, the warmth of the sun on his skin, and even the feeling of fullness when eating.

This often leads him to confuse dreams with reality, thus blurring his perception of his own identity.

"Even when I'm awake during the day, the thought that I'm a fox inexplicably pops into my mind. Once I accept my fox identity, seeing the doctor and the others makes me feel disgusted and want to bite and hurt them."

"But my human reason tells me I can't do that. These two conflicting thoughts are beyond my control. I can't help but lose my temper and become unable to cooperate with the doctor and his team."

After Zhao Tao finished speaking, he looked at Lou Yu: "Captain Lou? When you first became a superhuman, did you go through something like this too?"

Lou Yu Old Doctor Li to Zhao Tao what he had said to Dr. Li earlier.

After hearing this, Zhao Tao felt both happy and sad.

He was happy because he knew that as long as he was determined, he might be able to overcome this difficulty; he was sad because, although they were both "defective products," Lou Yu had not experienced as many problems as him, no wonder Lou Yu was able to become a true superhuman later on.

Zhao Tao said, "Captain Lou, as long as I firmly believe in my human identity, don't let the genes of the mutated monster control me, and actively cooperate with the doctor and the others in training, can I become as powerful as you?"

Lou Yu understood that when Zhao Tao said "powerful," he meant that his superpower could be stabilized, allowing him to continue living.

Looking into Zhao Tao's bright eyes, Lou Yu was momentarily at a loss for words.

Should he go along with it and say nice things to appease him, or should he tell him the truth so that he can be mentally prepared in advance?

Before Lou Yu could make up his mind, Zhao Tao spoke again. He scratched his head and said, "I'm sorry, have I put you in a difficult position? Actually, I've asked the professor and the others many times before. In my case, over the past few years, you're the only one who has survived."

"The doctor said that just like whether or not one can successfully awaken their abilities depends on fate, even prospective superhumans need luck to survive. You really don't know how to stabilize your abilities; it was your special constitution that saved your life."

"The reason I asked you even though I already know the truth is because I wanted to hear a word of encouragement from you, even if it's a lie. My comrades and I admire you very much, and I'm already very satisfied to receive your comfort."

Zhao Tao's eyes were sincere and frank; he didn't seem to be lying.

Lou Yu sighed inwardly, patted Zhao Tao's head like he would a child, and said solemnly, "Zhao Tao, I believe in you. Your superpower will definitely stabilize. I want to fight alongside you again in the future, drive away all the invading mutated monsters, and protect our base!"

Zhao Tao's eyes welled up with tears instantly.