Virus King - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Awakening Talent: Virus Sovereign!

TL: YYang

“Damn, could Little Bai be dead!?”

“What now? Damn it, I told you guys not to keep him up all night. Is he vomiting blood from drinking too much? I didn’t hear anything about Little Bai having a breakup!”

“Breakup? The god of looks that even Jiangcheng University’s campus belle, Song, chased after? Get real! You think he’s you or something? Stop worrying over nonsense!”

“Enough talk, hurry and call him! Has Old Fang arrived? Quick, call an ambulance!”

Pain.

Every muscle, every organ, his head, every cell in his body sent waves of excruciating pain to his nerves.

Coupled with the clamoring voices around him, the intensity of the pain became even clearer.

Yet, as soon as his consciousness returned, Chen Bai let out a sigh of relief.

He opened his bloodshot eyes, glancing at the sheets shredded by his own scratching and the dried traces of blood that seemed to have been vomited out. Chen Bai remained unfazed.

Staying alive was all that mattered!

Looking at the two familiar yet strange figures standing around his bed, his already pale face became even more devoid of color. Still, he forced a slight smile.

“It’s nothing. No need to make a fuss. Thanks, brothers. I just drank a bit too much last night, and it caused some gastric bleeding. Sorry for worrying you!”

At his words, everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Mu, whose birthday it was, still couldn’t shake his concern and added:

“Little Bai, if you feel unwell, speak up right away. Health is the foundation of everything!”

“Yeah, seriously. But you never used to drink, Chen Bai. What happened? Don’t tell me we were right… Is this because of a breakup?!”

“Heh, I already said, he didn’t even care about Song, the campus belle, why would he have a breakup? What is it—some celestial fairy came down to earth?” A lightly mocking laugh, laced with faint disdain, rang out. Behind the crowd, a figure with black-rimmed glasses lounged on another bed, watching with amusement.

“Enough, Li Feng, don’t say another word!”

“Seriously, you’re all just worrying over nothing! If everything’s fine, I’m going to catch some sleep. Someone give me a hand if you’re headed to roll call later…” Li Feng shrugged, but just as he finished, Chen Bai’s cold gaze fell on him. Instantly, he felt as if his whole body was paralyzed.

That feeling was familiar—like the time he’d gone to the zoo and a Siberian tiger had stared him down.

No, it was even worse.

Though Chen Bai was no longer the White Demon Saint, a legendary Evolver from his past life, decades of apocalyptic slaughter had left him with a tangible killing intent.

But the aura soon faded, allowing Li Feng to finally exhale. He no longer dared to spout off and promptly lay down on his bed.

Small characters like him weren’t worth Chen Bai’s attention anyway. Petty rivalries in college meant little to him.

There were far more pressing matters to focus on!

After explaining briefly again to Zhao Mu and Lin Qizheng, the two, still sporting dark circles from the all-nighter, left the dorm, reassured: “Rest up, then. I’ll let Old Fang know later!”

Chen Bai nodded but, after a moment’s thought, added, “Try not to stay up all night. Get some exercise over the next few days; consider it last-minute prep.”

The inexplicable words left everyone baffled.

But Chen Bai couldn’t be bothered to explain further. He lay back on the bed, enduring the soreness spreading throughout his body, and focused on sensing the changes within.

The fact that he hadn’t died from the zombie virus injection proved that his Virus Resistance talent had already started to take effect.

Although only a small amount had been injected, this kind of infected blood would be enough to turn three to five people into zombies with just a touch.

Yet here he was, perfectly fine.

Chen Bai let out a slow breath, a hint of disappointment flickering across his mind. Merely resisting the zombie virus might not be enough to trigger the early awakening of his talent?

Still, it seemed the analysis thread he’d read before was correct. During this period, with the Cosmic Will on the brink of descending, talents were indeed gradually awakening and beginning to show their effects.

And with his actions now, his previously E-Rank talent from the last life—who knew what rank it might reach upon awakening this time?

As he pondered, a sudden flash of gold seemed to appear before his eyes.

Then, a blue watery screen seemed to wrap around him.

This sight startled even someone with Chen Bai’s mindset. But soon, he realized what was happening, and the slight disappointment from moments before turned into a surge of exhilaration.

Sure enough, the blue water screen formed a distinct image before his eyes, accompanied by a crisp, cold voice that sounded deep within his mind:

[Cosmic Will: You have been chosen as a Pioneer! Your talent is granted the opportunity to awaken early! Cosmic Will descent countdown for the Blue Star Trial Grounds: 9 Days, 17 Hours, 31 Minutes, 51 Seconds…]

A Pioneer!

Early talent awakening!

Just as his emotions surged with excitement, another cool notification followed:

[You have earned the special title: Pioneer!]

[Pioneer (Special Title, No Rank, Passive Title Effects): Only Evolvers who awaken their talents before the official start of the trial grounds can hold this title! Strength, Constitution, Agility, and Spirit attributes +5%! Experience gained +10%!]

Fuck!

Chen Bai couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. Titles were considered a unique means of boosting strength, similar to equipment.

Typically, however, titles only activated their corresponding effects when equipped.

But the Pioneer title—while it might not sound impressive—provided attribute bonuses even without being equipped, putting it leagues above countless titles below S-Rank!

Not to mention, the direct attribute percentage boosts and experience gains were simply the best stats imaginable.

Chen Bai hadn’t anticipated that the benefits of early talent awakening would far exceed anything he’d imagined!

Just as he was marveling over this revelation, the most important notification finally appeared:

[Your innate talent has awakened: Virus Sovereign (SSS)!

…

They’re not actually calling Chen Bai ‘little’. It can just mean another way of referring to someone younger than you.