Chapter 40: Modification and the Next World
The surgery was complete.
In his private room, Marcus conjured three sparring dummies, using rapid punches to familiarize himself with his enhanced body.
There was no issue of his strength increasing too quickly or being unable to control it; he mastered it completely after just one set of combinations.
With a thought, Marcus returned to his bedroom in reality.
"Hey, Mr. Johnson, what's up? Heading to the factory for my shift now?"
His mother, Carol's voice came from the living room; she was probably on the phone about work.
"I understand the factory's difficulties, but I've already clocked out. It was my turn last week, and this week it's Amy's and the others' turn."
"Why? They have to take care of their own kids, but I have to work night shifts every day? I also have a child at home!"
"Deduct it if you want, Johnson, let me tell you, I'm quitting, but I'll report you to the labor board if you take even a penny of my wages!"
"My son is earning money now, I don't care about that attendance bonus, you can work yourself to death!"
Carol hung up the phone angrily. Before, for her child and for stability, she thought it was okay to work harder and be more tired. But after helping her colleagues so much, they took it for granted and dumped all sorts of hard work on her every day.
But now it's different; her son is successful.
The tables have turned.
Finally, she didn't have to put up with this anymore. She spoke out what she had kept bottled up for three years, feeling triumphant and ten years younger.
Marcus pushed open the bedroom door and entered the living room.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I just called the factory and told them that I'll be retiring early."
Seeing her son come out, Carol's smugness subsided slightly. Looking at Marcus with a radiant smile, she felt genuinely happy, as if her life had been worthwhile.
"Okay, I'll drive you there tomorrow!"
Marcus chuckled, happy to oblige with such a small favor. Back home, his tense emotions finally relaxed for a moment.
The night passed uneventfully.
At 9 a.m., after the family finished breakfast, Marcus drove his mother to the factory to complete her resignation procedures.
There were no embarrassing moments; the resignation went smoothly.
Team Leader Johnson didn't mock Carol and Marcus; he simply said a few words and signed the papers.
Carol's final paycheck would be deposited next month. This left her feeling somewhat unsatisfied, but she didn't notice Johnson's tightly clenched hands and dejected back as he left.
He thought of his idle child at home, wondering how much longer he would have to endure this, perhaps until he was too old to move.
As soon as they entered the apartment complex, his mother asked Marcus to park the car on the side of the road. She slowly got out of the car, greeted everyone, and joined the group doing morning tai chi.
"Hey, Carol, aren't you going to work today?"
"Who's this young man? Did he drive you home?"
A group of middle-aged women greeted his mother excitedly.
"This is my son. He's doing well now, so I can finally retire!"
"That's amazing! Your son is doing well! That car must have cost a fortune."
Carol seemed unconcerned, offering a few modest words, but then lost interest in tai chi.
She turned and sat on a nearby bench, basking in the sun and scrolling through social media.
The autumn sun was warm; it felt like the first time in twenty years she had time to just sit and relax.
Marcus parked the car in the basement garage, entered the elevator, pressed the button for the fourth floor, and the elevator slowly ascended.
As they reached the first floor, the elevator doors opened, and a pretty girl with a single ponytail walked in. She was wearing a matching white athletic outfit with pink trim.
This vibrant outfit seemed somewhat incongruous with her pale lips.
The girl saw Marcus, slightly raised her right hand, and smiled and nodded in greeting.
She was Lily, the girl from room 403.
Marcus nodded slightly in response, then his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
There was a metallic scent of blood on this woman, emanating from her lower body.
He was extremely sensitive to blood now and was certain this woman was injured; the wound was at least two inches long and quite deep.
"You don't look well,"
Marcus tentatively said.
The silent girl standing beside him seemed surprised by Marcus's words, remaining silent for a moment before speaking:
"Well, that… it's just that time of the month. I'm a bit anemic."
She lowered her head slightly, a few strands of her dark hair slipping from behind her ears.
"Oh, take care of yourself,"
Marcus casually replied, his mind racing. This woman was lying!
What caused her injury? Why was she lying? Did she have something she couldn't tell?
His gaze briefly swept over the girl's thigh, unnoticed.
Judging from the location of the smell, the wound was on the outside of her right leg, and it must have been recently treated, so the smell of blood hadn't dissipated yet.
"Thank you."
The girl seemed very quiet, completely different from when he saw her a few days ago.
"You might want to see a doctor if it doesn't get better."
Marcus wondered if he was being overly paranoid because of his two experiences in horror worlds, perhaps even developing PTSD.
He even suspected that this woman might also be a Tower Guardian.
"No need, I'll be fine after a couple of days of rest."
Ding! The fourth floor had arrived.
The girl said as she stepped out of the elevator and headed toward 403.
Marcus followed behind, carefully observing the girl.
Her feet, left leg, upper body, and even the movement of her arms were all normal.
Only her right leg was injured, but the wound was clearly from a regularly shaped sharp weapon!
Why would an ordinary girl suffer knife or sword wounds? And why would she use menstruation, something girls are embarrassed to talk about, to cover up the wound? Marcus couldn't help but be suspicious.
He hoped he was overthinking it; how could it be such a coincidence that another Tower Guardian appeared next door?
However, this girl living too close to his apartment might cause problems. All dangers must be eliminated in their infancy. This world was not simple, not the ordinary world of his previous life. He had to proceed cautiously and not be careless.
Marcus pondered this as he returned to his bedroom and communicated with the tower seal to check the information for the next story world.
[Next story world: "Spasm," countdown 28 days, 16:23 (refreshable)]
Marcus frowned slightly as he looked at the name. Even with his extensive knowledge of horror movies, he hadn't seen this film before. What obscure streaming service was it on?
Refresh!
[500 survival points deducted, refresh successful]
[Next story world: "The Deceased Husband and the Tenant," countdown 28 days, 16:21 (refreshable)]
Marcus felt confused. What kind of movie is this? What country is it from? Come on!
Is he too ignorant, or did he watch too many obscure films in his previous life? He was starting to wonder if these were movies from the previous world!
Refresh again!
Marcus gritted his teeth. Survival points were limited, so this time, no matter what the movie was, he'd commit to it.
He escaped pain in the first world, and killed greed in the second. Did he think he couldn't become stronger if he didn't know the storyline?
[1000 survival points deducted, refresh successful]
[Next story world: "The Heart Has a Ghost," countdown 28 days, 16:20 (refreshable)]
"?"
Marcus was now really sensitive to the word "heart."
He'd even dare to go for "The Ass Has a Ghost," but "heart," the lifeline, he was counting on his heart to survive!
No need, really no need. Fine, refresh again!
Marcus sighed.
[Deducted 2000 survival points, refresh successful]
Marcus felt relieved upon seeing the new story world.
He had been worrying about how to fill the deep space of his Life Reservoir, and this world had arrived just in time.
The message from the lighthouse read:
[Next story world: Tomie, countdown 28 days, 16:17 (refreshable)]
Marcus had finally found a world with a known storyline.
This story mainly revolves around an immortal monster: Kawakami Tomie!
Kawakami Tomie is an exceptionally beautiful woman who is attractive to everyone. Her origins are unknown, and she is vain and arrogant.
She possesses a strange constitution, capable of endlessly reproducing through her own cells, like a flatworm.
She has a deadly charm, alluring yet deadly, seducing people and driving them mad. All men fight and kill each other for her, murdering wives, fathers, and children, including committing suicide.
But in the end, they all tear Tomie to pieces to satisfy their own twisted possessiveness.
The dismembered Tomie doesn't die; instead, she splits and regenerates into new Tomies, spreading her charm to more places and causing the tragedy to repeat itself countless times.
And Marcus needed blood. Lots of blood.
Tomie could provide that. Endlessly.
(End of Chapter)
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