C6 Underground

In this world, besides the Awakened, there exists a unique group known as the Mutants.

They share similarities with the Awakened, possessing some of their abilities, yet they are distinct. When they ingest the Awakening Potion and fail to awaken, their bodies undergo natural mutations, endowing them with extraordinary abilities. Mutation is an unpredictable and uncontrollable byproduct of Awakening.

For some, their mutations result in abilities that surpass those of the average Awakened. Others are less fortunate, ending up weaker than the frailest unawakened individuals, or even dying instantly.

The unawakened were already a minority, but those who failed to awaken and then mutated are even rarer. Their bodies experience a variety of additional changes. They are so scarce that their existence is virtually unknown to the general public. As such, most people in the slums are oblivious to this group and have no understanding of the 10% mutation probability.

This means that there's still a 10% chance of gaining some incredible abilities after the Awakening Potion fails. These unpredictable abilities offer a ray of hope to the unawakened, for better or worse.

"An invention that marks a new era!" Jun Lindao grasped the significance of this pharmaceutical trial instantly.

In that moment, despite recognizing the burly man's dubiousness, his usual cool, logical approach would have dismissed such blatant falsehoods. However, faced with something that could alter his destiny, he chose to believe. It's a testament to a common human frailty, one that not even a mind as sharp as Jun Lindao's could escape.

Even if it's a ruse, I'm compelled to see how they plan to fool me. With nothing left to lose, what do I have that's worth deceiving me for?

"Don't let this opportunity slip by!" the burly man's gruff voice echoed once more, though the crowd had dwindled to half its original size, leaving only a few indecisive souls.

"This could truly be the opportunity to change my destiny!" With that, Jun Lindao stepped onto the burly man's black truck.

And with that step, his fate was forever altered.

A black cargo truck meandered through the desert, its middle-aged driver humming an indistinct, upbeat melody while occasionally taking a drag from his cigarette and blowing smoke rings out the window.

The truck, originally meant for hauling goods, had been fitted with a few makeshift stools. Jun Lindao sat perched on one, surrounded by only six other passengers besides the driver.

The six were lured by the promise of a hefty payout, oblivious to any talk of mutation probabilities. Only Jun Lindao felt a surge of excitement, which took some time to subside into a calm focus.

He replayed the driver's recent actions and words in his mind, analyzing them with care. The man was undoubtedly an Awakened, powerful enough to overpower everyone aboard. Recalling the driver's robust, energetic movements, Jun Lindao was sure he wasn't one of the frail, unawakened.

The driver's rough demeanor suggested a limited education. Was he a mob enforcer, or perhaps ex-military? Despite his efforts to conceal it, Jun Lindao noticed telltale signs of rigorous physical training.

Forty-five minutes had passed, and at a speed of about 40 kilometers per hour, they couldn't be more than 30 kilometers from the slums—likely closer to 10 to 15 kilometers, near the outskirts, but not entirely out of the city. Jun Lindao checked his old-fashioned mechanical watch, the only timepiece still functioning after all his smart devices lost their signal upon entering the truck.

His thoughts were interrupted as the truck ground to a halt.

"We're here. Everyone out," the driver announced in a muffled voice.

Stepping out, Jun Lindao surveyed his surroundings and realized they were underground.

"Damn, if we're underground, my earlier estimates are off. We could still be within the city, maybe even less than five kilometers from the slums. The sounds of gates and tunnels we passed... they must be the access points to an underground city."

Jun Lindao was acutely aware of the complex network of tunnels beneath the city, built, it seemed, for military purposes. These were details and places beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

At that moment, he felt a mix of curiosity and excitement, a stark contrast to his previously mundane life.

"You've now entered a classified area. Follow orders for all actions. No one is permitted to act independently," came the stern directive.

The transformation of the burly man before him was startling. Gone was the slothful, unreliable demeanor, replaced by a sharp, alert presence, his posture ready for defense. He had morphed from a street tough to a military elite.

"How should I address you, sir?" Jun Lindao inquired with due respect.

"Li is my last name. Just call me Commander Li. Kid, you may have seemed the most impulsive and out of line earlier, but I can tell you're the sharpest of the bunch. Now that you're here, you will follow my commands. Don't get distracted, and don't try to outsmart the situation. The less you know and see here, the better—and safer—it is. Got it?"

"Understood, Commander Li!" Jun Lindao snapped to attention, his demeanor instantly shifting to that of a soldier, all obedience and focus.

The rest were slower to adapt, their faces teeming with questions. But one stern look from Commander Li's intimidating eyes silenced them, their compliance immediate.

One, however, didn't catch on and pressed with a few questions, only to be swiftly kicked to the ground by Commander Li. He lay there for five minutes before staggering to his feet. Commander Li's kick was precisely measured: not injurious, but painfully memorable.

"Obey my commands without question. This is your first warning; there won't be such leniency for a second offense," Commander Li growled at the unfortunate soul.

Though not the brightest, the man was not entirely foolish and quickly submitted to the authority before him.

With his show of force serving as a stark warning to the others, Commander Li surveyed them once more, nodding in approval. His gaze lingered on Jun Lindao, suggesting a favorable impression.

Officer Li guided Jun Lindao and his group through a series of twists and turns, taking three separate elevators before they finally reached their destination. Jun Lindao gauged that they must be at least thirty stories beneath the surface. It was astonishing to think that beneath the sprawling city lay an equally vast subterranean metropolis. The scale of it was truly awe-inspiring.