Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 568: Settled

The middle-aged woman in charge was only nagging—she didn’t really care if there were more people or fewer people.

She turned the LCD screen on the table to Bai Chen and pushed out a mouse. “Pick one yourself; let me know when you’re done filling up the application form. Among them are biological prosthetics. Those without labels can be transplanted for free, while the yellow ones require additional contribution points. The exact amount is written at the back. Although the red ones are free, the risk is high. You have to sign a waiver.

“Genetic modification is a reward for you—it’s free. The different colors represent different risks; you can read through them yourself.”

Bai Chen nodded politely. “Thank you.”

Shang Jianyao immediately pointed at the chair opposite the display screen. “Have a seat.”

Bai Chen didn’t want to bend down to read through the options either—that would be too tiring and troublesome. She sat down, moved the mouse wheel, and pulled up the biological prosthetic limb list before looking at the options available.

Many of these were things Jiang Baimian had previously mentioned and analyzed for her, including the Viper, Dragon, Feline, Mutated Bat, Blackrat, and Phoenix models...

The name of the biological prosthetic limb might not necessarily correspond to a real creature. The way they were named was done through a comprehensive evaluation based on the original form and final functions. If one leaned toward the latter, they would often be named after fantasy or mythical creatures.

As Bai Chen flipped through the pages, Shang Jianyao didn’t treat himself as an outsider at all. He leaned over and gave his suggestions, while Jiang Baimian took her other side.

Only Long Yuehong wasn’t in a good position to take a gander. He had to support himself with the back of the chair and read from above.

The few of them discussed for a while. Bai Chen—who had some prior ideas—quickly made up her mind. She chose the Merfolk biological prosthetic limb.

This biological prosthetic limb’s technology was stable, so the risk wasn’t high. An additional large sum of contribution points was needed, but Bai Chen had done her accounts. Her savings—combined with the additional outfield allowance that was about to be distributed—was about enough. Jiang Baimian had also promised her an interest-free loan, but Bai Chen felt that it was best if she didn’t need to use credit.

The cost was one aspect, but the Merfolk biomechanical limb’s functions were another deciding factor in Bai Chen’s final choice. It had the ability to draw oxygen from water, which was achieved through a special skin layer and the corresponding internal structure.

This could effectively make up for the Old Task Force’s lack of underwater combat abilities. According to the description, humans who were transplanted with such a biological prosthetic limb could survive underwater for nearly 24 hours. They could last for about two hours even amidst constant vigorous exercises.

In addition, the Merfolk biomechanical limb had two other functions.

The first was Flamethrower. This biological prosthetic limb had active cells. Not only could it produce oil itself, but it could also absorb fat from Bai Chen’s body and store it. This fuel could be compressed into the artificial limb’s palm at critical moments, producing an effect similar to that of a flamethrower.

Of course, this replenishment was slow—it might not fully recover after days. The architect had considered this and had used the special skin layer to enhance the ability to absorb oil. In other words, Bai Chen could replenish the expended fuel by inserting her arm into a gasoline tank.

The second was Subsonic Attack. This was the main offensive attack the merfolk biological prosthetics had underwater; it was also very useful in other environments.

As a biological prosthetic limb, the intensity of its produced subsonic waves wasn’t too strong. It was divided into several frequencies that mainly targeted humans. It could make the target experience dizziness, nausea, and depression—it could knock the enemy out in the best-case scenario.

“This isn’t bad.” Jiang Baimian agreed with Bai Chen’s choice.

Shang Jianyao had an envious expression. “You can set off fireworks yourself! You can also dive for extended periods...”

He seemed eager to get himself such a biological prosthetic limb.

“That’s right.” Long Yuehong echoed his team leader’s words.

Bai Chen didn’t hesitate to mark the item. After she was done, she began to combine the biological prosthetic limb’s characteristics, her combat habits, and the modification risk for the specific targets she wanted to modify during surgery.

As he flipped through the pages, Long Yuehong carefully suggested, “You are good at sniping, so you can enhance your ‘talent’ in this regard.”

He had just seen that the risk of modification regarding Firearms Talent was very low.

Bai Chen nodded slightly and said, “That’s one of the choices.”

Genetic modification had a limit of three characteristics, and there were relatively many attributes corresponding to firearms talent which could also be improved. The risk-benefit ratio was very good.

Firearms Talent included improvements in vision, reaction, judgment, perception, and coordination.

Upon seeing that she had finalized the first target for modification, Jiang Baimian deliberated and said, “I suggest Enhanced Self Recovery for the second choice. The reason for choosing it is that you will be underwater for extended periods. Even if you don’t lack oxygen, your body will still suffer a lot of environmental pressure. Over time, there will be all kinds of problems, such as rheumatism. On the other hand, the principle of a Subsonic Attack is the special oscillations of certain cells in the biological prosthetic limb. This will also have a certain impact on your body.”

The risk of modification related to this was higher than Firearms Talent. However, both Bai Chen and Long Yuehong felt that it was necessary to add this after hearing Jiang Baimian’s words.

Only the honest Shang Jianyao muttered, “That’s not a big problem. When it becomes a big problem, who knows if she’ll still be alive...”

He was glared at by Jiang Baimian before he could finish speaking.

During this process, Long Yuehong even glared at him angrily.

After Bai Chen placed Enhanced Self Recovery into the list of surgical targets, Jiang Baimian chuckled. “Are you worried that the modification risks in this regard are relatively high? Don’t worry. I have a solution. Recent research has shown that when carrying out Enhanced Self Recovery modifications, adding Enhanced Immunity can form a balance in post-op side-effects and effectively reduce the probability of a genetic breakdown. The combination of these two can also allow you to adapt to environments with relatively serious pollution.”

Bai Chen quietly listened and fell silent for a moment. “Alright.”

She showed sufficient trust in Jiang Baimian’s suggestions.

Shang Jianyao sighed when he heard that. “These three characteristics aren’t as interesting as the Merfolk biological prosthetic limb.”

“Then, which one do you want?” Jiang Baimian glared at him.

Shang Jianyao pointed at one of the rows of words and said, “This.”

He chose Damage Reduction.

After the corresponding modifications, one’s skin and muscles would undergo major changes. It could effectively reduce the damage brought about by guns and bombs.

“Don’t even think about it.” Jiang Baimian chuckled. “This is considered a large-scale and high-risk modification. It’s only recommended for fertilized eggs. For an adult like you, there’s a 100% chance of genetic breakdown.”

Shang Jianyao was gravely disappointed.

As the two of them conversed, Bai Chen finished filling up the application form, handed over the mouse, and turned the display back to its original spot.

The middle-aged woman pointed at the card reader beside her. “Swipe your electronic card and make a 50% deposit. You’ll pay for the rest when the surgery is successful.”

After Bai Chen paid the fee, the woman nodded. “I’ll officially help you make an appointment now.”

“How long will it take?” Bai Chen asked.

The middle-aged woman checked and said, “There’s a ready-made Merfolk biological prosthetic limb—there’s no need to wait. Therefore, I’ll inform you in three days to a week.”

...

On the 647th floor, Room 14.

“Are you nervous?” It was unknown which Shang Jianyao was ‘interviewing’ Bai Chen.

“I’m alright.” Bai Chen originally only planned on responding calmly, but for some reason, she added, “Back when I followed you to storm the Underground Ark, I wasn’t that nervous.”

The risks involving these two matters were actually about the same.

Shang Jianyao had a ‘shocked’ expression. “Y-you actually have such a side! You can even mock Big White and me for being rash!”

Jiang Baimian cleared her throat and helped Bai Chen resolve the awkwardness. “Hey, how’s your mental trauma recovery? Are you going to explore Room 522 tonight?”

Shang Jianyao’s attention was indeed diverted. “It completely recovered last night, so I did some exploration. We discovered Iron Mountain City’s Second Food Company.”

“Huh?” Long Yuehong was surprised and confused. One of Buddhism’s Five Great Holy Lands? Isn’t this too much of a coincidence?

Jiang Baimian frowned slightly. “Isn’t this too much of a coincidence? Could it be that someone wants you to know something and discover something, so they specially switched Room 522 to your vicinity?”

“That’s possible. Are they enemies of Subhuti or Master Zhuang?” Shang Jianyao had clearly considered this question.

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and asked, “How’s the situation inside?”

The Shang Jianyaos rushed to recount last night’s experience and concluded, “From time to time, I felt a strange gaze on me. That woman’s reaction was also very strange. She was actually afraid of me; she should be some final boss...

In a place where Heartless couldn’t enter and there were no other survivors, there was clearly a huge problem with the woman who had lived there for seven to eight years or even more than a decade.

“You’ve only searched two floors, but you can’t be sure if there are other ‘people.'” Jiang Baimian picked out a logical fallacy.

She deliberated for a moment and said, “Don’t explore any further for the time being. I’ll arrange for a field training session when Little White’s surgery time is confirmed. We can head out after your application for the Six Senses Beads is successful.”

That way, Shang Jianyao would have the Six Senses Beads and the Life Angel necklace—two relatively powerful items—to ensure his safety.

Shang Jianyao didn’t respond directly. Instead, he thought about another question. “How will the negative effects appear if I carry the corresponding items in the Mind Corridor?”

He looked eager as if he couldn’t wait to use the Life Angel necklace for an experiment.

Jiang Baimian gave her theory. “Maybe... the type that affects the body will lose its effects, but those that target the mind will remain effective.”

An Awakened’s body in the Mind Corridor was only a manifestation of their mind.