The Common Flaw of Genetically Modified Humans

Back in the day, his brother and Brother Huo were selected together to enter the Safe Zone. Every year, children from the shantytown would be chosen to enter the Safe Zone. Through a series of medical procedures, their latent physical abilities would be fully activated to enhance combat effectiveness and better serve the Safe Zone.

Children who successfully underwent genetic modification would then enter subsequent phases of training and education. Based on their abilities, they might be assigned to either mercenary units or guard teams. This was the only path for kids from the shantytown to join the mercenary or guard squads.

Unless they were sent out on missions, these modified individuals typically stayed within the Safe Zone, and their standard of living was far better than anything they had back in the shantytown.

The stronger one’s abilities, the better their quality of life in the Safe Zone.

However, genetic modification wasn’t without flaws. For instance, prolonged radiation exposure could cause further genetic mutations in the body—commonly referred to as “genetic collapse.”

This condition was very common among genetically modified humans and completely beyond human control.

Both Yan Hu and Huo Xiao’s bodies were showing signs of this problem.

Once genetic collapse occurred, the body’s physical capabilities would rapidly deteriorate, making it impossible to handle intense training or field missions.

As a result, anyone experiencing genetic collapse would be immediately expelled from the mercenary unit. That was the cruel and unforgiving reality.

Of course, if someone owned property within the Safe Zone, things were different.

But for someone from the shantytown to buy property in the Safe Zone? That was practically impossible.

Thinking of this, Yan Ming sighed quietly and said, “Take out the energy stone and place it in Brother Huo’s hand. It’ll help ease his symptoms.”

On the bed, Huo Xiao’s expression grew increasingly pained. Zhuang Xiao hurriedly rummaged through the house. After digging through boxes and cabinets, she finally found the crystal-clear energy stone.

Following Yan Ming’s instructions, Zhuang Xiao placed the energy stone in Huo Xiao’s hand. Within moments, his labored breathing began to stabilize, and she finally let out a breath of relief.

But she didn’t dare relax completely.

Just in case something else unexpected happened, she kept the communication link with Yan Ming open. The two of them chatted sporadically.

Only now did Zhuang Xiao finally understand why Huo Xiao was like this.

What kind of messed-up world was this?

If it was so technologically advanced, then why was food and water still a daily issue? And if it was backwards, how could they already have genetically modified humans? It didn’t seem to fit either definition.

If science had progressed to the point of modifying genes, couldn’t they have spent some time improving crop yields instead?

In truth, Zhuang Xiao was being a little unfair to the researchers of the wasteland. If the safety of the base couldn’t even be guaranteed, then “national peace and prosperity” would remain nothing more than a pipe dream.

Another hour passed. After saying goodbye to Yan Ming, Zhuang Xiao ended the call.

Her “encyclopedia” required regular maintenance and recharging. It was a bit of a hassle.

Zhuang Xiao ruffled her hair in frustration. No point overthinking it.

Things were already this tough. One more problem didn’t make a difference.

“If soldiers come, fight them. If floods come, block them with earth. And if the flood buries me—then let it.”

When Huo Xiao woke up, daylight was already streaming through the window.

So… it had happened again.

Struggling to sit up, he felt something hard pressing against his hand. Looking down, he saw the white energy stone resting quietly on the bed sheet.

Huo Xiao stared at it, lost in thought.

Just then, Zhuang Xiao walked in from outside. “You’re awake? You get to rest at home again today, hehe.”

Before sunrise, Yan Ming and Yan Hu had dropped by, worried about Huo Xiao’s condition and checking if there was anything they could help with.

“Time to eat—nutrient solution and boiled eggs.”

Zhuang Xiao set the bowl on the table and moved to help Huo Xiao out of bed.

But he already felt much better and got up before she could assist him.

When he returned to the table, there was more than just nutrient solution and eggs—there was even fruit for dessert. Each of them had half a mulberry fruit…

Huo Xiao was momentarily speechless. But then he remembered: everything here belonged to Zhuang Xiao. Naturally, she had the right to share it however she liked.

“What are you standing there for? Come eat!” Zhuang Xiao waved at him cheerfully.

Honestly, this was the most luxurious breakfast she’d had since arriving in this world.

She hadn’t originally wanted to part with her supplies.

After all, food in the wasteland was something you had to risk your life for. It was incredibly valuable.

But now that there was a sick person in the house, giving him something nutritious wasn’t too much to ask.

Zhuang Xiao managed to convince herself and ate the meal with a clear conscience.

Across from her, Huo Xiao was eating a mutated dove’s egg, his heart swelling with mixed emotions. Even back when he worked in the Safe Zone, he couldn’t afford meals like this.

That was just the reality of his background and family.

And without a powerful backer in the Safe Zone, even though he rose to the position of mercenary squad captain purely by ability, his quality of life barely kept him from starving.

For those at the bottom, crossing social class boundaries was always incredibly hard.

As the juice of the fruit burst in his mouth, sweet and fragrant, Huo Xiao suddenly no longer envied the fact that Yan Hu had a younger brother at home.

He had always wanted to live.

And at this moment, he wanted to live even more—not just for himself…

After finishing her half of the mulberry, Zhuang Xiao looked at the juice on her fingers and, completely shameless, licked them clean.

She couldn’t help but mentally praise herself: turns out she really was a thrifty and practical girl.

She watched Huo Xiao eat tiny bites of the mulberry like he was savoring some rare delicacy. Her own mouth began to water uncontrollably with longing.

Though she’d only been in the wasteland a few days, she already felt like her body lacked everything.

“Can you help me buy one of those wrist-mounted arrows you used yesterday?” Zhuang Xiao asked.

She had seen him use the weapon yesterday—wrist darts. Before this, she had only seen such things in TV shows.

It was compact, easy to carry, and seemingly had decent firepower. For someone like her, who was anything but physically strong, it seemed like the perfect match.

“I can make one for you,” Huo Xiao said after swallowing his last bite of fruit. “No need to spend money. We still have materials at home.”

Zhuang Xiao’s eyes instantly lit up.

A genius.

He could even make this himself.

An encyclopedia plus a weapon maker—keeping him around was definitely worth it.

Suddenly, she felt her odds of survival had increased by another 10%.

“Can you also make a crossbow?” she asked excitedly, leaning forward.

Huo Xiao nodded. “If we have the materials.”

After a pause, he added, “We don’t have enough for a crossbow. I’ll make the wrist dart first.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Zhuang Xiao responded quickly.

With a weapon, maybe she could start hunting smaller mutant animals. Then she could finally have some meat.

Thinking back to all the meat she skipped to maintain her figure in the past—it really made her heart ache.

Meat, oh meat, how I miss you…

While Zhuang Xiao daydreamed about meat, Huo Xiao was thinking whether he should also start training her while she was still home.

After all, even with a wrist dart, without the strength or aim to use it properly, it’d be like tossing buns at a dog.

Not only would she waste ammo—she might end up as the dog’s next meal.

Zhuang Xiao: …
Excuse me?! How rude! Who are you calling the dog, huh?!