Starting from Prototype to Immortality

Chapter 3: The Evolution of the Blacklight Virus

Chang Wei's mutation and evolution rely on his own capabilities and efforts. The system merely provides a stable and controllable framework for mutation and evolution; it cannot create abilities like breathing fire out of thin air.

At this moment, Chang Wei was in a non-infected zone, separated from the infected area by just one street. Here, everything seemed peaceful.

"The combat strength of Blackwatch is enough to crush Umbrella Corporation…"

It was clear that this peace was due to Blackwatch's formidable combat prowess. The news only reported that they were hunting down terrorists.

Surprisingly, the residents actually believed this narrative. It was hard to understand how citizens of the Beautiful Nation (America) could trust their government's statements so blindly.

Chang Wei didn't come to the non-infected zone to attack military bases. He had his own plans.

"A pet shop…"

Looking at the pet shop in front of him, Chang Wei thought about how Americans kept all kinds of pets—reptiles, insects, and even venomous snakes.

These creatures provided genetic components that Chang Wei needed. The Blacklight Virus couldn't create something out of nothing; all evolution was based on the acquisition and utilization of genes.

Chang Wei realized he couldn't limit himself to evolving cold weapons. There were many other avenues to explore.

For example… electric eels.

While insects and arthropods possess impressive strength and quick reactions, scaling up their abilities to human size would first require addressing their structural limitations. Without sufficient bodily strength, Earth's gravity would crush them.

Their remarkable strength, therefore, wasn't entirely applicable.

That said, they weren't completely useless. Structural mechanics and other aspects studied and utilized by researchers could still provide valuable insights.

However, for someone like Chang Wei, a layman, he didn't know which traits were useful and which weren't. The only thing that came to mind was the supernatural ability of electric eels to generate electricity.

This was a power strong enough to kill crocodiles. If the Blacklight Virus could adapt this, covering the entire body with electrical organs to generate high-voltage currents for attacks would be entirely feasible.

The average discharge voltage of an electric eel is over 350 volts, with some recordings reaching 650 volts. The maximum voltage of the South American electric eel exceeds 800 volts—enough to kill a cow.

Chang Wei's luck was good. He found an electric eel in the first shop he visited. He also purchased some birds, not forgetting the importance of flight capabilities.

"No bats? Looks like I'll have to catch some myself."

Flight didn't necessarily require wings; bat wings would suffice and even fit the aesthetic better.

Then, Chang Wei consumed the electric eel and the ornamental birds he had bought. The Blacklight Virus acquired new genetic material, granting him gene points. This confirmed that ordinary organisms could also provide gene points.

Suddenly, Chang Wei spotted a figure running across the rooftops of tall buildings.

"Alex Mercer…"

What a nostalgic sight. Not long ago, he had controlled A-bro to climb walls. Now, seeing Alex Mercer sprinting up a skyscraper while stepping on glass was a surreal experience.

Soon after, Chang Wei noticed several Hunters chasing Mercer. His eyes lit up.

The genetic points of ordinary infected individuals far exceeded those of other creatures, let alone Hunters.

Of course, since Chang Wei had chosen a different evolutionary path from Mercer, absorbing a Hunter wouldn't grant him claw forms. His version of the Blacklight Virus was more stable due to the system's influence, making sudden mutations unlikely.

Mercer intended to lure the pursuing Hunters into the wilderness to eliminate them, avoiding harm to civilians.

As a virus-revived being, Mercer still considered himself a normal person. He believed he was persecuted, and that the current viral outbreaks were caused by others. Despite inheriting part of Mercer's memories, he exhibited a superhero-like sense of responsibility, ensuring his battles avoided civilian casualties.

Players, on the other hand, often behaved less ethically when controlling him.

"Let's end this here."

Mercer led the Hunters into a small forest. Seeing no one else around, he revealed his claws.

Mercer had extensive experience dealing with Hunters. These creatures, capable of smashing main battle tanks with a few slaps, were best avoided in direct strength contests. With his claw form, he could easily tear through their bodies, impervious even to rifle bullets.

As one Hunter pounced on Mercer, he dodged with a side step and countered by slashing its abdomen open with his claws.

The Hunter let out a wail, its wound rapidly healing as it lunged at Mercer again.

To kill a Hunter—a creature completely integrated with the Blacklight Virus—it was necessary to exhaust it continuously. Otherwise, if left in a near-death state, it would simply recover.

"Such skill… He must have been through many battles."

Chang Wei had followed the scene and was secretly observing. Watching Mercer maneuver effortlessly among the Hunters, Chang Wei couldn't help but think to himself.