Virus King - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Virus Enhancement: Darklight Virus!

TL: YYang

Virus Sovereign!

SSS!

Even Chen Bai could never have imagined that, in this very moment, his newly awakened talent would soar to the highest level all at once!

An SSS-Rank talent was an absolute rarity in his past life on Blue Star. On the entire Evolution Forum, confirmed cases of SSS-Rank talents were so few that one could count them on one hand—if that.

Yet, there was no doubt about it: any individual with an SSS-Rank talent, as long as they could develop and grow it, would wield immense power!

The lowest potential level was Saint, but they could even reach the Imperial Sovereign level, or possibly achieve the mythic realm!

In his past life, Chen Bai was indeed the White Demon Saint, but that was partly due to his connection with the Dark Mother Goddess.

Now, however, he seemed to have gained the perfect start on his own!

Chen Bai took a deep breath, calming his trembling heart as he focused his mind on his talent.

The next moment, a symbol resembling a giant banyan tree appeared before his eyes.

The Talent Tree!

For talents below S-Rank, only one fixed effect was available, such as Chen Bai’s previous E-Rank “Virus Resistance.”

Talents at S-Rank and above, however, unlocked a Talent Tree, allowing for further development and enhancement!

This was why S-Rank and A-Rank talents were separated by a seemingly insurmountable divide.

Most of the options on the Talent Tree remained shrouded in darkness, with only the very center illuminated.

[Virus Sovereign (SSS): You possess an innate mastery over any virus or bacteria within your body! Any type of virus can be used to your advantage. Each time you absorb or come into contact with infectious bacteria or viruses, you gain Evolution Points, which can be used to unlock additional abilities. Current Evolution Points: 2]

Evolution Points, control over any virus or bacteria, and the potential to develop further powers!

Chen Bai’s eyes shone with eager anticipation.

As he focused on the Talent Tree’s core, a few branches gradually emerged.

[Infectious Disease Evolution: Develop infections akin to traditional diseases, transmissible through physical contact, bodily fluid exchange, airborne droplets, and so forth. Higher levels may allow for unknown methods of transmission!]

[Virus Enhancement Evolution: Strengthen yourself using specialized viruses, enhancing personal abilities with viral augmentation!]

[Virus Parasite Evolution: Create parasitic viruses primarily targeting and harming enemies. Some specialized parasites may also enhance personal abilities!]

Infectious Disease, Virus Enhancement, Virus Parasite!?

With enough Evolution Points, it appeared that all three branches could be pursued!

But, given his meager two points, Chen Bai knew that his choice was critical.

He immediately dismissed Infectious Disease.

The development of that talent branch seemed to offer limited offensive capability.

That left Virus Enhancement and Virus Parasite.

After some thought, Chen Bai, aiming for reliability, chose Virus Enhancement.

The word “parasite” alone evoked considerable intrigue.

Controlling others, manipulating others—these seemed more like the powers of a summoner or similar profession.

Though intriguing, these abilities didn’t align with Chen Bai’s combat style, and they would require time to develop into formidable combat power. Enhancing himself, on the other hand, promised a more direct and immediate strength boost!

With a single Evolution Point invested, the Virus Enhancement branch of the Talent Tree lit up even further.

Within this branch, two main pathways appeared, faintly illuminated.

Since the apocalypse, certain abilities, once familiar from popular media, had become real within hidden realms and secret dungeons. Chen Bai had long known this fact, but he hadn’t expected that these very abilities would show up in his Virus Sovereign Talent Tree at this moment.

Upon seeing the two brightened options, representing the main types of enhancement viruses he could unlock, his breathing quickened.

[Progenitor Virus: RNA-class virus, the origin of all virus series, including Virus-T, Virus-G, Ouroboros Virus, and more. Absorption and successful fusion would greatly enhance overall physical qualities and extend lifespan. Consuming Evolution Points could further unlock additional Progenitor Virus enhancement branches!]

(PS: The Virus Sovereign talent ensures there is no risk of failure in fusing or absorbing any virus.)

[Darklight Virus: DNA-class virus, fusion with this virus would significantly enhance all physical attributes—strength, endurance, spirit, and agility—greatly boosting combat effectiveness. It also drastically increases cellular activity! Once activated, consuming Evolution Points will allow further development of Darklight Virus abilities.]

These two enhancement virus options, both lit, left Chen Bai momentarily undecided.

While the Progenitor Virus offered versatility, its effects couldn’t match the sheer combat power of the Darklight Virus.

Of course, the powerful enhancements of the Darklight Virus came at a price. Although the Virus Sovereign talent allowed Chen Bai to bypass most side effects, he knew—without a doubt—that it would demand a high number of Evolution Points to fully develop.

Ultimately, Chen Bai chose the Darklight Virus.

It couldn’t be helped—its strengthening potential was unparalleled. None of the virus enhancements he knew of could rival the Darklight Virus!

As for the Progenitor Virus, he could always return to it later when Evolution Points were more abundant and fully unlock its potential then.

Strength would inevitably demand a price.

Chen Bai believed that his new starting point would pave the way to an extraordinary future, wholly different from his past life.

The last of his Evolution Points vanished.

The Progenitor Virus option dimmed, replaced by the instant brightness of the Darklight Virus.

At that same moment, a wave of excruciating pain, sharper than last night’s, surged through him, nearly forcing a scream from his lips.

He bit down hard on his nearly shredded bedding as sweat poured off his body.

Fortunately, the pain lasted only a few minutes.

Chen Bai felt something foreign yet tangible settle within him.

Darklight Virus!

It had fused into every fiber of his being.

Under its influence, his muscles—previously only moderately developed—quickly reshaped themselves, transforming into a perfect form, containing an immense, agile strength he’d never known.

Then, the Cosmic Will sent another prompt before him:

[Initial fusion with the Darklight Virus complete. Current progress: 0.1% Your strength +10, agility +10, constitution +10, spirit +10! Health regeneration rate +200%!]

In that instant, Chen Bai clenched his fists tightly.