Upon seeing the information about this Muta-gen 'S,' I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
*Flup!
Even when a small device, probably an advanced syringe, appeared, my disappointment didn't end.
(Super strength, flight, speed, X-ray vision... so many things you could give me... and you give me this?)
It's more than obvious that this Muta-gen specializes in enhancing the body and other Muta-genes, but...
(This thing optimizes the specimen, in this case me, to be the best of its own kind...)
If it were something else, like a dragon, I'd already be the final boss of this game, but… a human?
Literally, our only evolutionary advantage is our intelligence; beyond that, we're not superior, so to speak, to other animals on Earth.
(Maybe I need to look at it another way...)
If we read and understand its side effects, especially the second and third ones, you realize something important.
My descendants can develop their own muta-genes... furthermore, the hybrids I have with another humanoid race will also be superior specimens.
(In the second one, it says they'll also have a prodigious mind... but how prodigious?)
Considering it's an 'S' rank muta-gen, I suppose they'd be super-geniuses or something close to that.
Should I change my gameplay style to just be a stud and let my children do all the work?
(A strong instinctive affinity... I wonder how much affinity we're talking about.)
I'm left with no choice but to believe that this muta-gen is very much a late-game thing, where my descendants will become unstoppable monsters and bring me gifts just for being their father.
(Ha, as if those things happen.)
Anyway, an 'S' rank muta-gen is an 'S' rank muta-gen, surely it'll have some super overpower hidden effect.
"So... is it like this?" I wondered as I looked at this cylinder and speculated that it went directly into the arm and did its thing on its own.
(Hold on a moment... if I inject myself with this thing, won't it be like those novels?)
In some novels, when the protagonist is about to take a super serum or something similar, their body expels a lot of junk.
I should go to the bathroom...
--
The bathroom I chose had a spacious shower as well as a large bathtub, but I opted for the ample space of the shower in case I got hit by some strange movement of my body.
"All set," I thought as I made sure everything was prepared in case that scenario I had in mind happened.
*Click!
I put the 'futuristic syringe' on my arm, and before anything happened, this popped up.
[Your body is about to undergo a metamorphosis that could be very painful. Do you want to enter spectator mode? or you can continue and feel the process (not recommended).]
(I'm not a masochist, no, even if I were, I doubt I'd enjoy this 'metamorphosis') I thought.
"Spectator mode," I chose.
The instant I chose spectator mode, my view changed, and as if I were in a third-person video game, I could see my entire body about to change.
[Mother Muta-gen (Adaptive) (EX) has detected a new muta-gen in the organism. Attempting to adapt... 0%]
After the message appeared in my field of vision, I could see my body starting to contort...
"Wow, it's like I'm having a severe case of convulsions," I remarked.
Yes, that's how intense it looked.
[25%]
At some point, blood came out from everywhere, mouth, eyes, even from the pores of the skin.
"...I think this is getting too bloody," I muttered.
[50%]
By the time it reached 50%, my body was completely red from being covered in blood, and I could only make out the shape of my body.
"I think... I think those are muscles," I speculated that what I was seeing was actually my muscles without the skin...
Needless to say, my hair practically disappeared.
[70%]
*Crack!
*Crack!
Sounds of something breaking could be heard, probably that muta-gen was also doing something to my bones...
"The road to the perfect human is... tough," I mused.
Who would have thought I would be so far from what the tower considers a 'perfect earthling'?
[90%]
As it reached 90%, I could see my body starting to recompose itself again, or so it seemed...
[99%]
My theory was correct, as I could see my hair starting to grow at record speed and even more than it should...
"I wonder if there's a barbershop around here..."
[Mother Muta-gen (EX): has successfully adapted "Perfect Specimen (S)" to your organism. Success rate: 100%, no genetic errors detected.]
[Exiting spectator mode...]
And in an instant, I switched my view back to first person.
I found myself...
"Ugh, gross, I'm surrounded by blood and mess," I grimaced.
The feeling was disgusting, way too disgusting, so I opted to take a long bath and clean up the mess.
--
After a thorough bath and cleaning up everything, I decided to examine my body in more detail.
My body had changed somewhat, from the most obvious, my long locks, to the formation of a moderately toned musculature.
"I haven't grown at all."
My height is something you could call average in any case, so it's not something that really bothers me to change, as for my build.
(If I did some exercise, I could probably reach a similar state) I thought, comparing the me in this mirror with the real-life version.
Overall, I didn't look very different.
*Steps.
I stepped out of the shower and as I was about to grab the clothes I had taken off, a thought came to my mind.
"Can I buy clothes in the store?"
Somewhat curious, I sat on a nearby bench and opened the game interface.
[Utility Store: Use credits and premium credits to make your life easier!
Personal Comfort Items (Clothing and Accessories, Personal Hygiene Products, Hair Care and Styling)
Health and Wellness Items (Supplements and Vitamins, First Aid and Medications)
Convenience and Comfort (Leisure and Entertainment Items, Compact Furniture)
Travel and Exploration Items (Camping Equipment, Specialized Clothing)
Special and Exotic Items (Temporary Upgrades)
*Note: As the Earthling race develops in the tower, more items will be unlocked in the utility store.]
I quickly browsed through all the sections and noticed something peculiar...
"The prices of these things are way too disproportionate."
[Normal Quality Leather Jacket: 1,500 credits]
(1500 credits... that's equivalent to 1500 greenbacks on Earth, it's a real rip-off)
Could this be a subliminal message to motivate me to make my own garments?
It's like in gacha, they offer you almost impossible odds to push you to develop them in the lab.
(Even the design is pretty simple, surely if I go to a mall in my city I could get it for 250 greenbacks or even less...)
Wow.
(Holy mother…)
[Designer Evening Dress: 10,000 credits]
I was baffled by the prices of things in this store.
(Luke said I should look imposing, but is wearing starter clothes imposing?)
The answer is: obviously not.
"It seems like my commoner mentality is affecting me."
Would a millionaire complain so much about these prices?
Probably... I think.
"Where are the deals?, *cough, *cough, talent, do your thing..." I exclaimed, thinking my words might trigger some kind of offer or something.
Who knows? Maybe a damn convenient offer will pop up and get me out of this internal dilemma...
Time passed, but nothing came up.
[Exclusive Formal Suit: 10,000 credits]
"..."
(What if I put together an outfit with some relatively cheap items from the store?)
"I'd like, I don't know, for a damn CONVENIENT offer to show up!" I said again, hoping for a miracle.
At that moment, I heard a familiar sound, and the so 'long-awaited offer' appeared.
[Offer for Superior Conquerors! 90% off on:
Orbital Landing Supercarrier: The essential tool for landing on any celestial surface with precision and safety. Equipped with the latest navigation technology and propulsion systems, this supercharger allows you to conquer any terrain, from dusty moons to rocky planets.
Value: 50,000.00 premium credits
Time left on offer: 1:30 ]
(... What the hell is that?)
A... orbital landing supercarrier? Is it something for the ultra-advanced phase of the game? No, wait, are we invading moons and stuff in this game?
The price made me reconsider many things.
"I think I'd better buy the suit."