28: Mutation

One year later.

【Zhang Huaiyuan】

Classification: Carbon-based lifeform.

Abilities: Playing in the mortal world (Current world assimilation progress: 18%).

extraordinary level: B (166 / 500000).

Current Profession: Star Mechanic.

Profession Level: Master Rank 1 Star (55899 / 300000, possesses sufficient extraordinary modification blueprints, can upgrade).

Academic Research in Progress:

1. Creatology, current progress 18.2%.

2. Transcendent Deconstruction Theory, current progress 5.1%.

"Finally leveled up!"

Zhang Huaiyuan let out a long breath as he felt his brain domain expand once again.

With the deepening study of the knowledge within the silver robot wreckage, his brain had been in a state of overload.

Fortunately, this knowledge provided him with a massive amount of progress, allowing both his extraordinary level and profession level to advance rapidly.

"Congratulations, Master, on becoming an even greater lifeform."

The lights throughout the combat readiness laboratory turned on in an orderly fashion, as if celebrating.

"Stop learning those useless things, Asroth. Hurry up and categorize the useful data, then finish the weapon order modifications for Randy and Brother Reis."

Zhang Huaiyuan scolded with a smile.

This was the intelligent lifeform he had created after countless modifications and adjustments over the past year.

Besides assisting him with the modification requirements for Dark Destruction Legion, it was mainly used to attempt to hack into the Imperial network to collect hidden classified data.

Currently, it could perfectly execute tasks based on his designs, saving him a lot of energy and allowing him to spend more time on scientific research.

As for the latter, the Imperial intelligent lifeform's defense level was too high. Even with the technological boost from the silver robot wreckage, it was still somewhat difficult to bypass its monitoring.

"Yes, Master."

Upon receiving the command, the robotic arms next to the workstations and production lines began to operate simultaneously, starting the weapon modifications.

"I really should have created this guy earlier."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded with satisfaction.

As an intelligent lifeform, it could multitask and work tirelessly, making it perfectly suited for handling such tasks.

"I've been in seclusion for a long time; it's time to go out and take a look."

Thinking this, Zhang Huaiyuan got up and left the laboratory.

Over the past year, he had spent almost all his time researching the technology within the mechanical wreckage.

However, there was one thing he found strange: during this period, he hadn't been notified to join any missions.

"Sir, do you require a meal or muscle relaxation?"

At the door, the assigned exclusive health management team greeted him respectfully.

"Not for now, I'm going to walk around the base."

Zhang Huaiyuan waved his hand and went straight to the top floor via the internal elevator.

Ever since An Yu promoted him to Chief Researcher, he could access almost all facilities within Dark Annihilation just by showing his face.

"Hmm... Why are there so many people in the conference hall?"

Before he even got close, he could vaguely see through the glass that it was packed. He immediately knocked on the door gently and then walked straight in.

Instantly, all eyes turned toward him.

"Is your research finished?"

From the main seat, An Yu greeted him with a squeezed-out smile.

"Yes, it's come to a temporary pause... What happened?"

Zhang Huaiyuan met her gaze. Although she was forcing a smile, the exhaustion and worry in her eyes could not be hidden.

He couldn't help but look at the others in the meeting, discovering that even the usually optimistic Reis and Saide were full of sorrow. Only after seeing his gaze did they manage to force a faint smile.

Zhang Huaiyuan's heart sank instantly.

"Take a seat first. Since Researcher Zhang is here, Randy, repeat the current situation."

"Yes, Commander."

Randy stood up and pointed at the star map projection in the center of the conference room.

"About ten months ago, over 100 large Disaster Zones and five Death-level Disaster Zones suddenly erupted consecutively within the Imperial interior."

The star map was instantly covered in densely packed red-marked areas.

"Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed immediately that the Imperial fleet had suppressed all disasters, but..."

At this point, an expression of disbelief appeared on Randy's face: "According to some internal information and the blockade situation, at least the Luca Star Sector and the Sprey Star Sector have completely fallen. This is simply impossible!"

A flash of surprise also crossed Zhang Huaiyuan's eyes.

He had once seen the Free Star Alliance's weapons and equipment from 30 years ago at an auction, and he had seen the strength of an A-Class Galaxy Beast with his own eyes.

By analogy, with the equipment of the current Imperial active-duty forces, dealing with A-Class or even S-Class Star River Beasts should be easy.

Although an SS-Class Star River Beast might appear in a Death-level Disaster Zone, in front of powerful fleets equipped with gear even more advanced than energy weapons, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Not to mention that the Empire has Class 3S Experts.

In fact, ever since he saw the obsolete weapons and equipment of the Free Star Alliance, he had once believed that the reason the three major powers allowed the north to be occupied by Galaxy Beasts was simply to keep them as livestock for resources, and they could easily exterminate them when necessary.

But now, he had actually heard that star sectors within the Empire had been occupied by Galaxy Beasts from Disaster Zones! What a joke!

Zhang Huaiyuan was astonished, but he didn't say anything, just continued to listen. Although this matter was shocking, it wasn't enough to make the entire Dark Annihilation so gloomy; the situation must be far more complicated than that.

Sure enough, after Randy calmed down, he continued:

"Not only that, about five months ago, this phenomenon spread to the Empire's border regions, including our Blackstone Star System."

"Although there haven't been any large or higher Disaster Zones yet, three medium-sized Disaster Zones have appeared, and their intensity far exceeds previous ones. Among the three medium-sized Disaster Zones, two of them bizarrely experienced A-Class mutated beast advancements halfway through. If it hadn't been for that expert from the Imperial Mining Zone stepping in, the experts from the five major powers responsible for clearing them would likely have been wiped out."

"Don't even talk about medium-sized Disaster Zones."

At this moment, Reis, who was beside him, couldn't help but speak up.

"The intensity of small Disaster Zones has also become incomprehensible. In last month's mission, it was clearly just a C-Class Galaxy Beast, yet while wearing the Titan II Mech, I was beaten to a pulp by it. If Brother Zhang hadn't built me an extraordinary heavy machine gun, I'm afraid my life would have been left there."

"That's right. I heard that other mercenary groups have suffered heavy losses recently and don't dare to take on missions anymore. The mercenary group 'Shadow' in the Third Temporary Survival Zone, which is on par with us, reportedly lost two A-Class Transcendent members who were escorting a caravan through a Disaster Zone; not a single one made it out."

Another captain sighed: "Those are A-Class Transcendent experts!"

"Stop talking. It's only thanks to Master Zhang upgrading our equipment that the casualties in the First Brigade of 'Dark Destruction Legion' have been relatively low."

At this, everyone couldn't help but cast grateful gazes.

"This is what I should do."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head.

Inspired by the Free Star Alliance's weapons, over the past year, he had naturally incorporated some more advanced designs when creating modification blueprints, at least doubling the power compared to before.

He had even customized a few ordinary extraordinary weapons for those he had good relationships with.

But... even the stronger Empire was suffering setbacks. If the situation continued to deteriorate, what use would this little bit of help be?

"Actually, I am more worried about another matter right now."

At this moment, An Yu, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

"Since the intensity of the monsters in the newly appeared Disaster Zones has risen to varying degrees, will those original Galaxy Beasts in the North Zone also suddenly become stronger?"