Leave a comment

Planet Gaia: Southern Plains City, Life Unbound Biotech Private Limited

Three months ago, the shattered soul of Karlston possessed one of the researchers of the Life Unbound company, and had successfully driven out the former owner of this body.

Yet his condition now was no better than the poor soul whom he had unceremoniously kicked out.

Even if Karlston was a demigod, he wasn’t like Mo Ke, who had the Devil King Idol to protect him as he crossed the dimensional barriers between worlds.

He had arrived in this world, a ghost of his former self. Had this been like his previous world, he could have easily absorbed the mana in the atmosphere in order to slowly heal himself. Unfortunately, the spiritual energy lingering in this world was corrosive to apparitions like him. Had he not possessed someone early, he would most certainly be dead right now.

In that sense, it was truly a stroke of good luck that Ke Nuoze, the unfortunate researcher he would soon come to possess, so happened to pass by the area of his descent. Even so, the damage to his soul was massive. His memories were a terrible jumble, and it was only through the thinnest of margins that he managed to remember what his mission was.

Speaking of his mission, it was fortunate that his experience as a necromancer had survived the traverse. Adding on his own prowess as a former demigod, along with Nuoze’s own experience as a researcher, Karlston was able to combine the necromantic arts with biotech. The end result was an undead virus, a strange mix of both magic and biology.

This undead virus was every bit like the zombie viruses one would find in movies – those who were infected would turn into undead zombies. However, Karlston’s variant was more powerful.

Any claw wound or bite mark from a zombie had a chance of infecting the person, turning him into a new zombie. This applied to both humans and living creatures in general. Essentially, it was a matter of a creature’s internal resistance to the virus. Once that was gone, being zombified was only a matter of time.

In that regard, bite marks tended to have a higher chance of a successful zombification: 98% approximately, while a claw mark’s was just 79%. And as if that wasn’t enough, such a zombie also had a chance of turning into a wraith even after being killed, though that probability was less than 2%…

Thankfully, such wraiths weren’t able to act in the sun. However, the attributes of a traditional wraith were all present, such as being immune to physical attacks or being able to pass through walls.

Strong as this virus might be, it wasn’t omnipotent. The transmission rate of the virus wasn’t high. Direct exposure to air would cause it to naturally die off after a period of time, thanks to the spiritual energy within.

In fact, the first iteration of Karlston’s virus could only be transmitted orally…

As the saying went, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Upon completing the take over of his body, he spent some time acclimatising himself first. Next, he used his unique mix of necromancy and science to bring unprecedented advances in the lab he worked in, earning him the favour of the company’s board of directors.

The Gene Enhancement Serum was the invention that made him famous. This miraculous serum was able to strengthen a person’s body, increasing his lifespan in the process.

Just to verify that last effect, the board of directors sought out ten willing volunteers who were on the verge of dying from old age. To their delight, the serum worked even better than they had hoped.

Without exception, every one of the elderly experienced an all-round recovery of their bodily functions, to the extent that a wheelchair-bound old man was even able to walk three days after taking the serum…

This discovery thrilled the board of directors beyond belief. They quickly made the decision to mass produce this serum and devote more funds to the research. They had hoped to spread the serum to the entire world, but their hopes were dashed when the Federation government put a halt on their plans. They were worried that the serum would have some unknown long-term effect, especially seeing how miraculous the effects were.

For years now, humans had devoted countless hours into this particular field of research. Unfortunately, their efforts were doomed to failure as the Creator had set restrictions on this world that hindered progress.

The fact that such an effective serum, without any side effect whatsoever, would suddenly appear on the market, overturning every previously held notion was a hard sell for the Federation government. After all, the Federation itself had a massive research lab that was already researching this field. If there was anyone to crack the code of genetics, it would be them, not some small local company… not unless the serum was dodgy to begin with.

Naturally, Karlston gave his full assurances that the serum was a finished product, and would never harm the human body. Yet whether it was out of sheer jealousy or safety concerns, the Life Unbound Biotech company was strictly forbidden from producing the serum en masse. All samples were confiscated and sent to the Federation’s own labs for further study.

Initially, Karlston had modified his virus-laden serum to take effect after two months, however the Federation had mandated that this serum would have to be monitored for half a year…

In other words, Karlston was doomed at this rate. Karlston, as he was right now, did not have the power to go against the Federation by himself, and was seriously considering if he should flee while he could. However, Karlston had severely underestimated the greed of human beings…

A representative from the board of directors suddenly came knocking on his door with a proposal. They wanted him to create a new batch of serum, which they would sell in Southern Plains.

The company itself was a formidable figure locally, and as long as they kept the sales quiet, they could still prevent the government from getting wind of their activities.

Suddenly gifted with such fortune, Karlston happily accepted the board’s request, even going so far as to give them an improved version of the serum…

Just like that, the fate of this tourist paradise was sealed in the boardrooms of a greedy corporation.

Western Human Realms: Azure City, Demon Hunters Guild branch, Branch Leader’s office.

“Are you sure about this?” Aques Lumen couldn’t help but ask his expressionless student, standing there almost doll-like. “If you fail… you might never regain consciousness…”

“I want to grow stronger.” Nicole looked her teacher right in the eyes. In her heart, she had already resolved herself for the worst to happen, thus her eyes were clear as day.

“Even if you were to obtain that sword, it might end up working against you instead…”

“But Ke’s soul might still be suppressed by that she-devil as we speak. And if it is just me… I can’t do anything… No matter what, I have to try.”

“… I think you should at least discuss this with your father and Mille Nix.” Seeing the resolve in her eyes, Aques Lumen knew he wasn’t going to persuade her otherwise, so he offered a concession instead.

“There’s no need for that.” Even the mention of Roscar and her master wasn’t enough to shake her resolve. “If it’s my dad, he would definitely agree, knowing that I was doing this for Ke. As for my master… I doubt she has the time to bother about my matters…”

“Three days. You have three more days to consider.” Aques Lumen sighed in resignation, then walked to his office table and sat down. “Have some time off with Neneth. If you are still adamant after three days, I’ll bring you there… but… Forget it, I’ve never been one to be so wishy washy in the first place. If that is all, you may leave for now, I still have work to do.”

“Thank you, teacher.” Nicole bowed respectfully then left the office.

Shameless Self-promotion

Announcement: I’ve re-opened my Patreon in case anyone wants to sponsor more chapters. Every end of the month, those chapters in early access will be released for free for all to read. If you sponsored a chapter, you will gain permanent early access to these chapters. Essentially, everyone gets more chapters to read, but those who donated get to read earlier. More chapters will then be translated at the start of the month. Explanation on the Patreon itself.

LINK HERE

Leave a comment

My name is Mo Ke, eight years old. Doused in blood that I was, I was currently being pressed against the floor by a little girl with purple hair and purple wings, dressed in an elaborate princess dress… In short, I was in hell…

“Cut!” I couldn’t even begin to remember how many times it had been since the director, Aunty Qiao, had jumped out of nowhere to yell that single word. The filming took place in a virtual space, so after the first few shocks, everyone had basically gotten used to the way she just popped in at random.

“Lixiang! What the heck was that? Why can’t you act better?” Director Qiao thwacked the expressionless You Qin Lixiang on the head with his rolled up script. “And here I was thinking that you were better at least; the number of times you messed up is already on par with Bitong!”

Hearing that comparison, Bitong, still in her little Nicole form, couldn’t stop herself from jumping out and exclaiming, “Aunty Qiao! Was that a cheap shot at me?”

“No. That was called directing!”

Had this been an everyday setting, she would not have treated Bitong like this, but everyone was a part time actor now. Actors who hadn’t even read the basics on how to act, else she would have not blown her top so many times already…

Glared at, Bitong grumpily pouted, but said nothing against the older woman, merely turning her head away in anger.

Ignoring the girl, Aunty Qiao turned her sights onto Lixiang, who was currently pretending to count the ants on the floor. “Lixiang, I’ll give you one last chance: do it right, or I will swap you out.”

“Swap her! Swap her!”

Qiao Jiaojiao frantically cheered from the side, eyes practically bulging with excitement. Couldn’t really blame her there. Out of everyone present right now, she was the only one who hadn’t gotten a role, not even a monster costume…

Thankfully, this little girl was still relatively well-behaved, barring the times when an actor messed up, and she was happily calling for their replacement.

In contrast, Bitong and Lixiang were the ones who had constantly made mistakes, despite the high hopes we had placed on them initially… If I had known earlier, I would have just gotten Jiaojiao to play the role of Yi Yi instead…

“I don’t care if you hear me or not, but you don’t have many chances left. Two chances, if you purposely mess up two more times, I’ll swap you out.” Aunty Qiao pulled no punches as she chided the girl.

Just like Bitong, Lixiang did not talk back to her, instead turning away in protest. However, Aunty Qiao wasn’t about to care about her little tantrum, instead preparing for another reshoot.

Knowing our resident middle school syndrome girl, she definitely heard what Aunty Qiao said, she just did not want to respond.

“Aunt–Director… Qiao…” I almost called her aunty by reflex, but quickly stopped myself. It would have been inappropriate to do that right now, while she was still directing everyone.

“What’s the matter, Ke?” Aunty Qiao smiled as she ruffled my hair. “And what do you mean director? You’re being too distant, just aunty is fine. Honestly, your aunty thinks you should call her mum instead.”

“…” I almost recoiled in shock. “Aunty Qiao… maybe we should start on the next shoot…”

“Do your best, big brother! Just two more mistakes!” Just as I found myself stuck in that awkward position, Qiao Jiaojiao suddenly jumped and tugged on Aunty Qiao, excitedly saying to her, “Mum, get to shooting already, then we can swap out sister Lixiang. I guarantee I will be a perfect Yi Yi… I can act… so how about just giving me a chance right now?”

I swear… is there no one here that isn’t a troublemaker… all problem children, the lot of them.

Now that Aunty Qiao had left the acting area, the shoot started anew once more.

The system projected me in my dying form once more. I laid there as before, surrounded by countless green goblins and red-skinned devil corpses.

Before me, stood Yi Yi, played by Lixiang. She stared at me expressionlessly, her emotions a complete mystery to anyone who looked at her.

Just based on that alone, I could confidently say that she was a perfect fit for the whole emotionless girl role. Now… if she would just put more attention into her acting, she would be perfect.

The scene was just after the main character had run away from home, stumbling onto the epic battle between goblins and devils.

The goblins had barely won the battle, but the surviving six goblins ended up slain by the main character, in the process he was mortally wounded as well. Next up was the scene where Yi Yi interacted with the fallen main character. On my part, I just had to act like a dying boy while Yi Yi read my mind with her hand on my forehead.

If I was being honest, the acting system meant that I didn’t even have to memorise my lines on stage. When the time was appropriate, the corresponding lines would show up, visible only to the person it was intended for.

In the script, the both of us would have a little discussion on the meaning of life, after which I would die and Yi Yi would send me off to the Blood Sea.

The scene wasn’t actually a technically difficult scene at all, assuming there weren’t any troublemakers.

Not only the lines, the system was even capable of projecting me in a dying state. I didn’t even have to act at all and I would look like I was about to kick the bucket.

In short, this whole gig was exceedingly easy to act, assuming Lixiang would just play along…

“Do you regret it?”

“I do not.”

“Then sign the pact.”

Having said that, Yi Yi took out a scroll and placed it before my eyes. Because the system had set me as dying, I couldn’t move too much to begin with. However, I could clearly see the words, marriage agreement, written in bold letters on the heading…

“Cut!”

This time, Aunty Qiao only yelled the word. She did not jump off her seat like before, instead coolly warning the girl, “Last chance. Everyone, get ready… and action!”

This was truly the last chance for Lixiang. If we failed because of her again, she was going to be swapped out. Yet unlike the previous failures, we smoothly passed the scene without a hitch…

The main character and Yi Yi exchanged words as per the script, and died. Yi Yi drew a magic circle on the floor, and used the last of her power to send the main character into the Blood Sea.

Following that, the special effects system went into overdrive, letting forth fireworks to signify the end of our half-month long journey acting out ‘Devil’s Evolution Catalogue Season One’. At last, it was over. On a side note, it was decided that the whole series would sell better if the main character’s face was changed to mine instead, just de-aged.

Honestly, I was drained at that point. Who would have thought that acting would be such hard work…

Mostly, it was because of Bitong’s and Lixiang’s unorthodox acting…

In order to celebrate the end of the first season, Aunty Qiao arranged for a small celebration in her store. Only the main actors like us were invited, the time was tomorrow morning.

For now, nothing had to be said. Go home;rest; and party tomorrow.

However, upon our return to the store, I suddenly realised… there seemed to be a lot of people crowding outside the door…

Shameless Self-promotion

Announcement: I’ve re-opened my Patreon in case anyone wants to sponsor more chapters. Every end of the month, those chapters in early access will be released for free for all to read. If you sponsored a chapter, you will gain permanent early access to these chapters. Essentially, everyone gets more chapters to read, but those who donated get to read earlier. More chapters will then be translated at the start of the month. Explanation on the Patreon itself.

LINK HERE

• Chapter 631: A Willful You Qin Lixiang
• Chapter 632: Epilogue
• Chapter Summary: Summary of Volume 12/13

Leave a comment

Yi Yi calmly looked her father in the eyes, “He’s my fiance.”

“…”

There really wasn’t much for him to say to that, was there?

Yi Yi had always been a stickler for facts. Since she had acknowledged Mo Ke as her fiance, then she was dead set on him for life. Even if he were to actually kick the bucket, she still wouldn’t find another person to marry.

The two might have only met each other briefly, but the sight of him, a frail and weak human, protecting her to the death was something she had never experienced before and would never forget.

Ancerl knew what his daughter’s temperament was like, so he did not try to press the issue further, instead changing the topic, “There’s been some reports recently of an interesting bunch of little things, they seem to have some connection to that brat.”

“Mhm. Yi Yi has sensed them as well.”

“Should daddy take care of them for you?”

“There’s no need…” Yi Yi shook her head. “Just leave it all up to fate.”

As if on cue, a gust of wind gently blew past the girl, carrying with it a petal from the purple flowers nearby into the distance…

Planet Gaia: Southern Plains City

The city of Southern Plains was a tourist city modelled after the ancient times. Most of the buildings in the city were built in the style of a thousand years ago, similar to what you would see if you were in ancient China.

Amidst all that, a strikingly white soul silently drifted across the night sky, finally stopping just behind a middle-aged man in the middle of a suburban district. The wandering soul channeled whatever scant energy it had left in itself into its arm, then forcefully choked the man from behind.

The man immediately started to struggle violently. Unfortunately, the strength of that wandering soul was too much.

A moment later, the wandering soul’s body began to transform into a liquid-like state, gently flowing into the exposed orifices of the man. Slowly but surely, the struggling died down, until finally, the man collapsed to the floor as if dead.

A few hours had passed uneventfully till the man suddenly stirred from his torpor. He stood up as if nothing had even happened, then wordlessly got into his car and drove back to the city. Finally, he entered a towering office building which was labelled in bold letters as ‘Life Unbound Biotech Private Limited’

Somewhere in Gehenna…

The Skeleton King and the Lich King met once more, in that same icy cavern with a skeletal throne in the center. As he sat atop his throne, the Skeleton King quietly watched the scenes unfold before him in a floating sphere of light.

After a long while, he finally spoke. “Are you certain that Karlston has successfully entered the new world?”

“When have I ever failed in my plans? Besides, Karlston himself is a demigod. Passing through the dimensional barriers would at most destroy his physical body. Reconstituting his soul flame and possessing a mortal shell should be easy.” The Lich King replied in his hollow voice. “Once he has made it in, it’s only a matter of time.”

“You are sure your formula works then?”

“As long as the target is alive, it will work.” The Lich King answered without any hesitation. “But I’ve heard that the new world does not contain mana, it might be… difficult for that formula to take its full effect.”

“Hmph, I just knew you couldn’t be relied on.”

“But that’s why Karlston is over there, isn’t he? He used to be an excellent necromancer in life.”

“Fine, that will have to do for now.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t be disappointed.”

Planet Gaia: Phoenix City

“Ke, there’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s about school…”

Duanmu Bitong, dressed in pink pyjamas, walked up to Mo Ke while rubbing dry her hair with an equally pink towel.

“What’s wrong with school, Sister Bitong?” Seated in the middle of the room, Mo Ke turned his head around with a start to look at the girl.

“The school was blown up.” She stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

“YES!” Mo Ke immediately stood up and did a banzai.

Seeing the boy so excited, Duanmu Bitong couldn’t help but chuckle a little before saying with a smirk, “Naturally, that was just a joke.”

“…”

“But I was just thinking to myself in the bath, if Ke really does not want to go to school, it’s alright as well.”

“Really?”

“Really. However…” Duanmu Bitong deliberately paused at that point. “I need Ke to promise me something.”

“What’s that?”

“You mustn’t dress like a boy!” She declared with all the seriousness in the world.

“…”

“If Ke doesn’t want to go to school, he has to stay in drag.”

“Never!”

“Then go to school.”

“…” Mo Ke fell silent, a thousand indignations bottled up in his chest.

Seeing her little brother so visibly torn over the fact that he had to choose between wearing drag and going to school, she realised that she had gone overboard with this joke of hers.

Remorseful, she sighed before finally offering as such, “How about this? At least while you’re at home, you have to stay in drag. And Ke can only go work at aunty Qiao’s, nowhere else.”

“Oh, fine…” Even though he was still a little unhappy with the terms, he knew this was the biggest concession he was going to get from her.”

Having settled Mo Ke, Duanmu Bitong left for her own room where she started a video call with her mom, Duanmu Xinqing.

About to head to sleep herself, Duanmu Xinqing quickly picked up the call in her bedroom when she saw that it was her precious daughter. “What’s the matter, miss your mummy already?”

“Mum, there’s something I need to talk to you about…”

From the beginning, she was never one to call her mother for idle chat. She had grievances to air, and she dove right into them. For example, how aunty Qiao Yin was mean to her, or how aunty Qiao Yin was trying to introduce her daughter to Mo Ke.

The moment Xinqing heard that her dear sister was trying to snatch her future son-in-law from her, she quickly hung up and called her.

Right this very instant, Qiao Yin was talking to a black-haired girl that looked to be about eleven years old. The moment Duanmu Xinqing’s call went through, the three of them ended up being in the same video call.

“Hello aunty Xinqing.” The little girl politely greeted the projection of Duanmu Xinqing. “It has been a while, have your experiments been going well?”

“They are proceeding at a decent pace.” She answered without much thought before smiling warmly at the little girl, any thought of admonishing the girl completely driven out of her head. “So Jiaojiao was having a chat with your mum? I hope your aunty Xinqing wasn’t interrupting anything.”

“Not at all, mum was just talking to Jiaojiao about aunty Xinqing and sister Bitong.” Qiao Yin shook her and smiled as adorably as before. “Aunty Xinqing, I’ve heard that sister Bitong is staying with another big brother?”

“What do you mean, another big brother? That’s your big brother Mo Ke.” Qian Yin suddenly interjected herself with a light admonishment before Xinqing could even respond. “Your big brother Mo Ke and sister Bitong grew up together.”

“That’s right. That’s right. Your big brother Mo Ke went missing two years ago, and he was found only recently.” Duanmu Xinqing nodded her head. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten about your big brother?”

Seeing her own mother and her aunty suddenly affirm the existence of this Mo Ke, Qiao Jiaojiao was suddenly left at a loss for words. Perhaps she was the one that was actually amnesiac? She thought to herself.

“Huh? So there really is such a person?

“Of course, there is!” The two ladies answered in unison. And he’s super adorable too. The two added on silently.

Shameless Self-promotion

Announcement: I’ve re-opened my Patreon in case anyone wants to sponsor more chapters. Every end of the month, those chapters in early access will be released for free for all to read. If you sponsored a chapter, you will gain permanent early access to these chapters. Essentially, everyone gets more chapters to read, but those who donated get to read earlier. More chapters will then be translated at the start of the month. Explanation on the Patreon itself.

LINK HERE