Seeking Protection

Yang Xiao sat down about 30 meters from the Gene Store, feeling a little tired and hungry. 

He opened a bottle of mineral water, took a few gulps, and tore open a packet of crackers to eat.

While eating, he observed the two warriors standing guard outside the Gene Store. In the morning sun, he could clearly see their appearance. 

Their silver armor reflected cold light. He had never seen such armor before. 

Two warriors wearing helmets, with only their eyes, noses, and mouths exposed, could be seen as non-human just from their height of over two meters. Most people on Earth were only about 1.7 meters tall, so those exceeding two meters were indeed a minority.

Yang Xiao could even see their blue eyes, exuding powerful killing intent. 

Their meter-long broadswords at their waists were even more intimidating.

Were they shooting a movie? Such a thought crossed Yang Xiao's mind, but upon further consideration, he immediately dismissed it.

Who would dare to destroy a prestigious university for a movie shoot?

The Academy of Ethereal Darkness was a top university in the Mysterious Darkness Nation, with tens of thousands of students. Now the entire school was in ruins, and Yang Xiao came across countless bodies in the rubble. This was a grim reality.

But what on earth was going on?

Yang Xiao finished a bottle of water and ate a pack of cookies, feeling that his energy had recovered significantly.

"Why are you sitting here?" A voice came from behind Yang Xiao. He subconsciously gripped his steel pipe tightly and turned around to find it was Xiao Zhe.

Xiao Zhe followed Yang Xiao's suit, carrying a backpack with half a bag of food inside.

Xiao Zhe looked at the strange bright orange building nearby in shock. Yang Xiao wasn't lying. The building was indeed strange. 

Xiao Zhe, who had been a student at the Academy of Ethereal Darkness for three years, also served as the vice president of the student council. He was very familiar with every corner of the school. When did this strange building appear in the middle of the school's playground?

"You mean this building?" Xiao Zhe asked.

Yang Xiao nodded. "There are two warriors outside and a little old man inside. I've entered before. You should go see the old man inside."

"Go with me," Xiao Zhe said, feeling uneasy. This was too abrupt, like a dream. 

"Okay!" Yang Xiao nodded, holding the steel pipe as he accompanied Xiao Zhe.

"Gene Store?" Seeing the sign, Xiao Zhe was as puzzled as Yang Xiao. He was also curious yet fearful of the two warriors. But Yang Xiao had entered before, so he boldly led the way in.

"Welcome to the Gene Store," the little old man, Gu Bo, greeted them from behind the counter, smiling at Yang Xiao. 

Glancing around at the furnishings, Xiao Zhe was stunned again. Everything in here was dreamlike, completely different from the furniture and displays on Earth.

Especially behind Gu Bo, there were various small glass-like containers, colorful and emitting strange lights.

Xiao Zhe looked at Gu Bo in confusion. "May I ask who you are?"

Gu Bo smiled and stroked his beard. "To tell you the truth, I'm from outside Earth. Your civilization has been destroyed. In seven days, it will enter a period of gene mutation. All Earth's creatures will undergo genetic mutation, including humans. In seven days, you will face many unexpected challenges, but of course, you need to be able to get through the next seven days first."

Xiao Zhe's eyes widened in confusion. "What's your Gene Store for then?"

"I collect various genetic fragments and sell gene potions that can alter your body's functions. You may not understand it now, but in seven days, you will naturally understand." 

Xiao Zhe wanted to ask more, but Gu Bo just smiled and urged, "Young man, think about how to survive the next seven days. Today is the first day. All survivors will gradually emerge from the ruins and leave their homes. Food and water will become scarce. Don't waste time here with me."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhe glanced at Yang Xiao, his mouth twitching. He then left the store and hurried toward the shopping center. He finally understood why Yang Xiao had collected so much food. Instead, he had only taken some water and crackers from the ruins, so he had to hurry back for more.

Inside the store, Yang Xiao glanced at Gu Bo. "I believe your Gene Store not only offers gene potions for altering genes but also provides some special weapons and armor, right? For example, the armor worn by the two guards at the entrance and the swords in their hands."

Gu Bo smiled mysteriously and replied, "You're right. We provide more than potions, but you currently have nothing to exchange."

"What do you need then? Gold?" Yang Xiao thought of game scenarios where items were exchanged using gold coins, wasn't it?

"Hehe, we're not interested in gold. Soon it will lose all value, becoming just a metal mineral. In the era of gene mutation, the most valuable things are genetic fragments and the gene potions and genetic crystals refined from them."

"Where can I get genetic fragments then?"

"I said, after seven days all the creatures on Earth will undergo genetic mutations. By then, you can hunt and kill those genetically mutated creatures to obtain the corresponding genetic fragments, and then come to me to exchange them."

"Can I get your protection in these seven days?"

"No, we don't protect anyone. Survival depends on your ability. Even if you're hunted here in the store, I won't help." Gu Bo smiled.

"Can I rest here overnight?" 

"Haha, the store welcomes anyone, but you're not a member yet. You'll be asked to leave the store after spending ten minutes here each time." 

"Ten minutes?"

"Yes, you've been here eight minutes already. You'll be automatically asked to leave the store when the ten minutes are up, and you won't be allowed to re-enter the store for two hours."

"How can I become a member?"

"By selling genetic fragments to us. The more you sell, the higher your membership, the longer you can stay each time."

Yang Xiao's plan to use the store to survive the seven days failed. He had to find another way. 

He currently couldn't hunt any genetic fragments or buy weapons and armor to increase his survivability.

After chatting with Gu Bo for a few more minutes, Yang Xiao felt a flash of light before his eyes, and his body appeared outside the Gene Store.

What was going on? Was he really kicked out after ten minutes?

Where could he hide for the next seven days?

If Gu Bo was right, the survivors would start fighting over food in two days. Yang Xiao's bulging backpack was full of food. How could he protect it alone, especially having to sleep at night? The starving people could kill him anytime. 

The Academy of Ethereal Darkness was located in a mountain valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides. On the side of this large playground was the famous Jade Cloud Mountain. 

Yang Xiao saw small groups of survivors walking towards the middle of the playground. The strange orange building had attracted everyone's attention.

It wouldn't take long for them to learn the severity of the situation from Gu Bo.

Yang Xiao thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and headed towards the mountain near the playground.