Chapter 27 Tools

The class leader made the decision on the compensation first.

"My family definitely wouldn't allow me to take unnecessary risks before the admissions exams,

I choose the first one; after all, there's no time limit on this item. If one day there is a problem with my body, I can get a precision prosthetic for free, which is pretty good."

"I also choose the first one."

Gao Yuxuan also pointed to the first option. His left arm was already a prosthetic, and it was a very common model. If it were to become damaged or problematic in the future, he could go directly to the General Administration to get it replaced with a higher quality precision prosthetic.

At present, many talents being recruited by companies or institutions are also trending towards cyborgization. This technology neither requires taking risks nor is it effective in dealing with various kinds of anomalies.

Most importantly, Gao Yuxuan was very clear that he himself was not some "genius," nor could he afford to take extra risks at his current age.

It was Anna's turn to make a choice. She had no interest in prosthetics at all.

After all, her family was a definite carnivorous community, and they had a tradition of venerating the original flesh body. In her view, the body was not necessarily worse than metal.

As for the post offered by the City Research Bureau or the cash compensation, she didn't need either.

The only remaining option was number four.

"Can I take your adaptability test first and if it's not suitable, then choose another compensation?"

"Of course you can."

The last remaining Luo Di crossed his arms and propped his chin with his hands, knowing very little about this type of item. But after the accident during the Simulation Practice, he needed something, something special enough to ensure he could handle similar incidents on his own next time.

"If I choose the fourth option, can I get an item used for exorcism, or rather, one that can deal with anomalies without a physical body?"

"We do have that."

"Then I choose the fourth one."

Following Luo Di's decision, Director Wang lightly rubbed his nose with his finger,

"I'm sorry, I didn't make it clear to you in advance, we only have one 'entry-level' item here.

Since both of you have made your choices, we'll immediately conduct the adaptability test here.

Whoever has higher compatibility will get the ownership of the item."

"Sure!"

Anna wasn't particularly in need, but she was happy for the opportunity to compete with Luo Di, even beginning to show off her biceps.

After a short wait, a staff member came in carrying a fully sealed metal box,

The class leader and Gao Yuxuan subconsciously moved their chairs back, even Anna leaned back a bit.

Director Wang also explained: "Don't worry, since we've managed to bring the 'item' here, we have naturally processed it in advance, and there's no risk of any radioactive impact."

The metal box opened,

Inside was another transparent glass container with a special structure, with the so-called "item" sealed inside.

When the item was revealed, everyone present was stunned for a moment.

It was something they were not at all unfamiliar with; they could even vaguely smell a familiar stench, which took their thoughts back to the hillside outside the city from a few days ago.

A head was placed inside,

[Rotten][Evil][Sewing][Pathological]

It was the zombie head that they had collaboratively decapitated during the practice period, which had subsequently been divided into four parts by Luo Di and was now repaired as good as new by the City Research Bureau.

The glass container containing the head was not completely sealed; it had a funnel-like opening at the top, connected by an internal pipe directly to the mouth of the zombie head.

"Fortunately, although you damaged the head, the most important 'pituitary' was well preserved.

Normally, the research institute would completely restore this zombie for future use in Simulation Practice. However, considering your excellent performance and the factors I mentioned before, we have decided to give you the 'pituitary'."

The class leader proactively asked: "Is there any information on the origin or year of this zombie?"

"Of course."

Director Wang reached into his lining again and produced a document, even accompanied by a black and white portrait that resembled an ID photo.

————

Name: Li Xuantong

Age: 46

Summary of life: Migrated as a carpenter, later had no proper occupation. Worked as a fortune teller across various regions of Jupiter City. At the age of 45, he was diagnosed with a late-stage brain tumor. Facing the extreme blow and a state of despair about life, the Thought Corner appeared at that time.

Duration of the Corner: 0.4 years (Disguise Phase)

Fear Embodiment (Anomaly): Zombie

Capturing and Utilization:

Any patient diagnosed with a terminal illness will be added to the monitoring list, with increased daily surveillance and more frequent and precise psychological detection.

This individual was found to be an anomaly during the thirteenth inspection and killed while attempting to escape.

The body was transported back to the Jupiter City Research Bureau and repurposed for Simulation Practice, with corresponding event difficulty ranging from three to five stars.

————

The class leader quickly skimmed through the anomaly file and offered her conclusion:

"Pseudo-Persons with less than half a year's history belong to the most elementary level of anomalies; such Pseudo-Persons' strength will not surpass that of normal humans by much. Exposed after just over four months, this fellow really wasn't that impressive.

The corresponding 'entry-level' item is also more suitable for newcomers, minimizing risk.

However, this person had a brain tumor when they developed Thought Corner, could there be some synergistic effect? Would the risk increase because of that?"

Director Wang nodded, "You're right, his illness did influence the pituitary when the Thought Corner emerged, making his 'Fear Embodiment' more refined than ordinary Pseudo-People, but also more prone to exposure.

To embody the image of a zombie in just four months is extremely rare, and he even possessed quite impressive physical strength; standard 9mm bullets couldn't kill him.

As for the danger, we have already conducted tests; though the 'brain pituitary' also shows certain cancerous traits, these are not infectious, but rather they facilitate the formation of an external use type of item.

Both of you, prepare to begin the compatibility test."

Surgical scalpels, sterilized, were handed to Luo Di and Anna by a staff member,

"The testing method is simple, just drop a droplet of your fingertip blood into the zombie's skull's mouth, strictly one drop. The device will display the zombie skull's activity index, the higher the index the better the fit."

"Let me go first~"

Anna was the first to go, decisively cutting her finger and letting the blood drop into the funnel at the top of the container,

When the blood flowed along the internal tubes into the zombie's mouth,

The anticipated 'resurrection' scene did not happen, but rather at the cracked corners of the mouth grew less than an inch of flesh, and two hairs sprouted,

Simultaneously, a figure surfaced on the surface of the container.

[63.2]

The figure was yellow, signifying a barely passing grade and eligibility for adaptation.

"Not bad."

Following the container's reset by Director Wang, Luo Di too sliced his finger, allowing his blood to drop.

No reaction when the blood entered the skull, but the related figures delayed in their display, with Director Wang raising a hand to signal everyone to wait patiently.

Roughly after a minute,

Click~ha!

The zombie's jaw suddenly loosened, the entire skull took a deep breath as if coming back to life.

But as there was only one drop of blood, this sign of revival quickly faded away, and the relevant numbers finally appeared.

[91.2]

Displayed in green, signifying excellent.

"Congratulations!" Anna, seeing the score higher than her own, relaxed a sigh of relief.

Director Wang pinched his nose, "As expected, during the whole practice process, you interacted with the zombie the most, both in time and in extent, and you completed the beheading of the zombie; moreover, you've been infected by the Corpse Poison before. This zombie's Thought Corner was also quietly observing you.

To reach an adaptation value above 90, it will be easy to assimilate, and it will be easier to bring out the item's performance."

"What's next?"

Luo Di asked eagerly, his pupils betraying his unusual interest.

Director Wang gestured to a staff member on the side to bring over something that had already been prepared, an item tightly wrapped in a special fabric.

Upon unwrapping it,

It was the very machete Luo Di used to kill the zombie during the practice.

"Back to basics... If you want another item to combine with this Zombie Pituitary, that's also possible, but the combination efficiency can't match this knife.

Furthermore, the chainsaw you use suffered severe damage and will need a few days to repair, so it's up to you to decide.

Choose this knife, and we can start now."

"Let's go with this one."

Luo Di fixed his gaze on this machete that had seen him through the practice, identical to the one used by the movie character, his mind already fantasizing about the final merged form of the blade.