Adrian was bent over, scrubbing the cafeteria floor when—splash! Dirty water from the mop bucket mysteriously spilled right over his head.
"Fu—"
Adrian nearly let out a harsh curse, but his voice caught in his throat the moment he saw who was standing in front of him. His breath stalled, and his lips quivered, holding back the words he had initially wanted to unleash.
"Oh? Got something nasty to say to me, huh?" Carl Bastian sneered.
The man stared at Adrian with a mocking smirk, arms folded casually over his chest. His expensive suit wrapped around his nearly six-foot-six frame, exuding authority over the place. Carl Bastian, the CEO and heir of this business empire, was notorious for his ruthless reputation. Spoiled since childhood, Carl had never known boundaries. To him, dousing a janitor in mop water was just a small amusement to ease his boredom.
Adrian fell in silence.
"Well? Got nothing to say?" Carl taunted. "Do you think I'll apologize?"
"Did I... do something wrong, sir?" Adrian asked, his voice tight.
Inside, he was furious. But losing this job was a worse fate than losing his pride. Adrian swallowed the bitterness.
Carl folded his arms across his chest, lifting his chin slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"Still wondering why I'm mad?" he sneered. "This place has standards, you know. And you—" his gaze dragged over Adrian's soaked, filthy figure, "—don't even come close. You're like a stain on silk. Disgusting."
Adrian was used to insults, mockery, and even physical abuse from employees who deemed themselves superior. And Carl—he was the peak of all the hatred Adrian had ever endured.
But thinking of his younger sibling, his mother, his father, and his demanding girlfriend, he fought back the urge to quit.
Adrian lowered his head before saying, "I apologize for my negligence, sir. I promise to work faster from now on."
Carl was still unsatisfied with the apology, knowing Adrian didn't truly feel sorry.
"You know, I'm thinking about replacing you. You're done here. I don't tolerate incompetence in my company."
Adrian looked up, panic in his eyes. "Mr. Bastian, please—this was just a minor slip-up, I swear it won't happen again. I really need this job!"
"What? Everyone would beg like a dog for your job," Carl sneered. "Your menial work doesn't even require skill. Anyone could replace you anytime I want. So, what additional benefit can you offer me, huh?"
"Mr. Bastian, just tell me anything you need from me," Adrian replied hastily.
Carl raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"
"Anything," Adrian repeated, his voice soft yet steady, even though he knew this wouldn't end well for him.
Carl raised an eyebrow, murmuring as if pondering something, though it was clear he had already planned his next move.
"Well then…"
Carl picked up a cup of coffee from the table and, without warning, spilled it onto his Oxford shoes.
"Oh my, I accidentally stained my shoes!" Carl feigned shock, his gaze fixed on Adrian, domineering and unrelenting. "Adrian, you know what you should do to make me happy, don't you?"
Adrian nodded, pulling a rag from his janitor bag and kneeling to clean Carl's shoes. But Carl stopped him midway.
"Heh, what are you doing? Do you think my shoes deserve that filthy rag?" Carl barked.
Adrian looked at his boss, bewildered.
"You idiot, use your face instead!"
Adrian recoiled in shock. As he looked around, he realized no one was willing to help. They are indifferent. Never want to know. He was truly alone in this. Kind-hearted saviors only existed in movies, not in real life.
Carl growled, "Are you going to clean my shoes or just stare at me like a lost puppy?!"
"I will, sir," Adrian replied quietly.
Swallowing his pride for the sake of those who depended on him, Adrian slowly bowed, pressing his face against Carl's shoe. With a pitiful motion, he rubbed his cheek up and down, like a living rag.
Each passing second felt like torture for him.
"Good," Carl nodded. "You should be grateful I didn't fire you. Now get the hell out of my sight!"
Just then, an executive ran over to Carl, steps quickly, and face glistening with sweat.
"Boss!" he exclaimed, panic lacing his voice as it echoed through the cafeteria. "Five employees just collapsed out of nowhere! Our medical unit can't do anything to help!"
Carl huffed in irritation before dismissing him. "Why should I care about something so trivial?"
"Boss, this is more serious than you realize," the executive insisted. "They just dropped, one after another, without warning. Their bodies convulsed before they started vomiting black blood. The medical staff noted muscle growth, heart rate spikes, and unusual eye activity…"
Carl muttered, "If I go there, what then?! You think I can make shit different?"
The executive opened his mouth to speak, but Carl cut him off, raising a finger. "I don't want to hear a word from you. I have more important matters to handle. Get out of my way, or I'll dock your pay."
Carl shoved the executive aside and strode out of the cafeteria.
Just then, Adrian heard a sound.
DING!
A blue, transparent panel appeared before him.
[Mutant Blood System installation initiated!]
[30%]
[90%]
[100%]
[Mutant Blood System successfully installed!]
[The Chosen One, an early warning has been issued just for you. An apocalypse will occur in less than 30 minutes. Evacuate yourself while your power aspects are being fully installed!]
[Main aspect installation progress: 5%]
[35 minutes remaining…]