Starting Point

"From the biopsy report, it has been proven from the through reverse genetic engineering that the DNA within the patient's body was designed through CRISPR technology. His cells were completely genetic. Residual energy from the cells suggest that an intense amount of energy was inserted to activate the cell and cause it to multiply at tremendous levels, allowing for the body to function within several seconds." Captain King explained. Although he was not a doctor, he did get education in biology in high school, so such a topic was not foreign to him. Neither was it foreign to General Young.

"Have the doctors or geneticists tried to recreate this DNA genome using CRISPR?" General Young asked as it was not written in the report.

"The results right now are preliminary, but all of the experiments done in the past few hours have failed. While editing the DNA, the DNA itself suddenly collapsed due to incompatibility." As Captain King continued to discuss the details of Arnold's body, the General seemed solemn, listening intently while thinking within his mind.

Finally, the general said, "When it is possible, tell the young man in question to come see me. I have some questions for him."

"Yes, sir!" Captain King stood up and saluted before leaving the office.

*

General Young furrowed his brows after the captain closed his office door behind him. He took a glance at a framed photo that was located at the edge of his desk. Within the photo was three ambitious looking young men staring towards the camera, smiling vibrantly. They wrapped their arms around each other's shoulders and acted exceedingly familiar with each other, as if they were inseparable friends.

The person on the very left wore a military uniform that had different military medals filled on the left side of his chest. With his golden slicked-back hair, broad body and his charming smile, he gave off a vibe of a victorious general that just came back from battle. If one were to see the photo, they would realize that the man looked exceedingly familiar to General Young, except that his face looked much younger and much more youthful.

The person standing in the middle was just as the younger General Young. He was wearing a custom-made suit that was made with synthetic materials unobtainable by an ordinary person. The blue and white suit looked just like the ones back before the age of apocalypse, except for the change in materials. He was wearing a blue and white striped tie that was made from silk. The silk were generated by mutated silkworms that had the prowess of a Level 4 or 3 zombie, causing the product to reach sky high levels in cost. He revealed his snow-white teeth on the camera, making a V sign with one of his hands.

Finally, a young Asian looking person stood at the very right of the photo. He was wearing a white laboratory coat that accentuated his narrow waistline. Due to his body structure, he was much skinnier than the other two boys. This, however, gave the man an androgynous charm when compared to the masculinity exuded by the other two guys. The man was giving a slight smile, just slightly moving his lips upwards, created a calm atmosphere if a person were to look at him.

General Young took the frame of the photo. He used his other hand to touch the photo with his fingers and sighed.

It was then that he held the photo in front of Arnold's medical report. From the looks of it, the Asian man standing on the very left seemed to have similar features to Arnold if one were to analyze both pictures at the same time. Although the general had his doubts, he still needed to check whether or not his doubts are true. However, from what he had heard from Captain King, it seemed he could not confirm Arnold's identity through DNA, as it had been completely modified.

As he sat on his swivel chair and contemplated, he subconsciously turned the chair to face the window. He stared outwards into the subterranean city that was filled with artificial lights, but he was not paying attention as to what was happening outside at all.

*

Commander Lewis arrived at Arnold's hospital room when he had finished ingesting the Level 4 zombie cores. He decided to leave one of the zombie cores for Arthur and kept it with him instead of using it.

When the commander came in, Arnold immediately got off from his hospital bed and stood on the ground. However, having not moved his muscles for a few days, his legs immediately turned soft and he wobbled, falling forwards towards the ground. Luckily, Lewis was able to catch him before he fell, upholding his entire body by placing his hands below his armpits.

"Easy there, tiger!" Lewis gave a slight smile, completely unperturbed by the weight of Arnold's entire body weighing upon his arms. He held Arnold back up, allowing him to get used to his legs before releasing him when he made sure Arnold could walk again.

Lewis then went to the wardrobe that stood on the other side of the hospital bed and opened it. Within the wardrobe was a brand new cadet uniform that seemed to be just the right fit for Arnold. "Since I basically destroyed your clothes when we had our spar, the military decided to compensate you by providing you your uniform for free." Lewis explained as Arnold stared at the uniform in front of him.

Arnold immediately came to and bowed his head deeply when facing Lewis who was still holding his uniform for him. "Commander Lewis, I had to apologize for my conduct back when we had the spar. I had went too far back then." Although Lewis seemed quite friendly, Arnold did not really know what he was thinking on the inside and decided it was much safer if he just apologized right now, easing the tension between them.

Lewis, who saw my solemn bow, simply laughed and replied, "Aren't you being too serious, Troy? I was the one who started it first when I used my plasma blade against you at that time."

Arnold raised his head and simply gave Lewis a slightly grateful gaze and said, "Still, I really did a number on your body, didn't I?"

Lewis placed Arnold's uniform on the hospital bed and gestured for him to change while they talk. Arnold immediately stripped his hospital gown off and started wearing the uniform.

"Sure you did. How does it feel to get a huge promotion just by beating me up?" Lewis joked casually.

Arnold, who was still wearing his clothes, immediately froze. Seeing Arnold's stiff body, Lewis laughed and said, "That was just a joke. Come on, stop being so stiff all the time."

Arnold simply continued putting on his clothes, not saying anything.

After putting on his uniform, Lewis stood in front of him and patted on his shoulders. "Now, lets get you sorted out with enrolling in the military academy, shall we? Follow me."

Lewis headed out of the hospital room with Arnold following behind him. They had to sign out and return the keys of the room when passing through the reception of the hospital. The nurse gave them a smile as Arnold went through with the check-out procedures.

"Good luck in the future, young man! And don't get into any more injuries if you can help it!" She said in a positive tone.

Arnold nodded and thanked the lady before leaving with Lewis.

*

It was at this time that Arnold truly realized how huge the military complex actually was. He had passed through the recruitment center when he first arrived. Then, he went to a field where servicemen would practice their drills, a long underground corridor that had multiple rooms in it. There was also a large hospital here as well. Arnold walked out of the hospital to find that the military academy was actually not quite far away. It was simply across the street from where he was standing.

Lewis and Arnold headed over to the front entrance of the academy. There was a massive arch at the entrance, with huge words plastered at the top of the arch. The words were written in Chinese characters, so many would not be able to know what it mean. However, Arnold was able to instantly recognize the four words written on top, which roughly translates to, "serve the country with the utmost loyalty."

As they walked past the arch, they saw multiple buildings on all three sides, with each building containing five different floors. "Since there is going to be someone here to be your tour guide, I'll save myself from introducing the academy to you for now. However, if you have any questions about this place, you can ask me at any time. Understand?" Lewis said in a friendly tone.

Arnold nodded in an obedient manner. "Understood, Commander."

"Just call me Lewis, that's what everyone calls me around here." Lewis smiled back. "We've already fought against each other, so it can be said that we are comrades! Stop being so stiff around me, all right!"

Arnold did not know what to say and simply nodded again much to Lewis' annoyance.