Chapter Fourteen: NE-Alpha Parasite

Although Ye Hai’s complaints poured out relentlessly, the genetic engineering system hardly ever responded to his gripes.

A full ten years had passed...

The last time he heard that crisp “ding!” was not long after Ye Hai had crossed over to the Zombie Star. Having been scratched by a zombie, the virus invaded his body, and he was on the verge of becoming a mindless creature, forever chasing energy and radiation.

The system had activated with a single ding, injecting the Solar Ladder primordial virus into Ye Hai without a word.

It nearly tortured him to death, but thankfully, he survived in the end... and thus unlocked the Biohazard Virus module.

Today, at last, he heard that “ding!” again.

Ye Hai couldn’t help but sigh. Other transmigrators with systems seemed to get ding after ding on their way to the peak of life. Yet for him, it took ten years just to hear a sound. Who knows how many times he’d hear it before dying of old age—he felt he was dragging the transmigrator community down.

Ye Hai slowly turned his head, re-examining the Stage Six mutant zombie whose limbs had all melted away, and he frowned slightly.

Such anomalies must have a cause.

The system had been silent for ten years, and now, suddenly, the Biochemical Parasite module was activated. There was clearly a reason.

The only thing Ye Hai could think of was that something unknown had changed within the zombie’s body, just killed by the T-virus.

Suddenly, Ye Hai’s pupils dilated sharply.

A thin tentacle pierced through the zombie’s spinal column, emerging from its back.

One after another, tentacles appeared.

Soon enough, Ye Hai saw clearly the palm-sized parasite.

It was a grotesque thing, composed of fleshy lumps forming half the shape of a human brain, with dozens of dense tentacles sprouting below.

It looked like an octopus whose brain had been replaced by tumors.

Definitely not aligned with human aesthetics.

The system’s voice sounded at precisely the right moment: “This parasite shares 98% genetic similarity with the NE-α gene. Due to fusion with an unknown virus, its genetic fragments possess exceptional adaptability and heightened intelligence!”

“Such traits allow integration into organic bioweapon hosts, granting them the ability to extend and soften their limbs, and to think independently!”

“The NE-α parasite is a prerequisite for activating the ‘Nemesis’ module!”

“Refer to the module’s documentation for NE-α parasite cultivation techniques!”

Hearing this, Ye Hai was overjoyed.

“NE-α parasite? Incredible!”

“This creature can fuse with a Tyrant and upgrade it to a Nemesis—a truly powerful entity!”

“The upgraded Nemesis, also called ‘Nemesis,’ not only possesses a considerable degree of intelligence, but can independently choose how to fulfill my orders.”

“It can even learn to use all sorts of heavy weaponry... an exceptionally formidable killing machine.”

“Its regenerative abilities are nearly on par with the G-virus’s immortality, and it has three distinct forms.”

“Though untested, I don’t know what stage of mutant it could reach on Zombie Star... but its strength should be no less than Stage Seven!”

“Most importantly, a Nemesis with intelligence and weapon proficiency might be capable of defeating enemies far beyond its rank!”

Just as Ye Hai was reveling in his luck, the icy system spoke emotionlessly:

“In its non-parasitic state, the NE-α parasite has a lifespan of only about three minutes.”

“Host, please make appropriate arrangements!”

“If this NE-α parasite dies, you will not be able to cultivate another. The Biochemical Parasite module will revert to a dormant state.”

Ye Hai was so furious he almost cursed aloud...

All systems are supposed to help, so why is this one so stingy?

It gives you something, then wants to take it back? Is there any justice?

“System, how do I make the NE-α parasite parasitize?”

Ye Hai quickly inquired.

“Implant the NE-α parasite into the spinal column of a T-virus-infected host to complete parasitism... but be advised: as this NE-α parasite is mature, not larval, parasitism carries a high risk of failure!”

“Implanting into a Licker yields less than a 30% success rate!”

“Implanting into a T-103 Tyrant yields less than a 50% success rate!”

“If parasitism fails, both the parasite and the host die!”

Ye Hai couldn’t help but curse after hearing this.

“Less than 30% success rate with a Licker—given my natural bad luck, that’s almost guaranteed failure!”

“As for trying on a Tyrant…”

Ye Hai glanced at the dazed bald zombie beside him and shook his head.

“Less than 50% is still too risky. If both the parasite and the Tyrant die... it’s a loss I can’t afford.”

Perhaps sensing Ye Hai’s dilemma, the genetic engineering system, for once, made a rare, humane suggestion:

“Due to this system’s influence, the success rate of fusion between the host and the NE-α parasite is 100%!”

Ye Hai was momentarily stunned!

He’d forgotten—because of his system, all T-virus products are harmless and controllable for him...

But as he glanced again at the NE-α parasite,

His head shook violently, like a rattle drum.

Letting such a disgusting thing parasitize his own body?

Madness!

He’d rather eat a ton of excrement than endure such nauseating disgust.

It’s like someone putting a cockroach in front of you, assuring you it’s been completely disinfected, has no trace of bacteria or virus, and eating it would bring you great benefits... but watching the cockroach’s twitching antennae and scuttling six legs, damn it! Who could swallow such a thing?

Just as Ye Hai was about to gamble and try fusing the NE-α parasite with the Tyrant, that damned system spoke again.

“Due to this NE-α parasite, the host’s body contains the zombie virus…”

“Through cultivation, the second-generation NE-α parasite may gain the ability to parasitize mutant zombies!”

In that instant, Ye Hai’s eyes turned red...

Damn, parasitize mutant zombies?

That means...

He might have the chance to control all the mutants on Zombie Star?

In ten years, using the T-virus, he’d only produced a handful of creatures.

Now, the opportunity to dominate the entire Zombie Star was right before him...

Ye Hai had to admit he was tempted.

If his heart was moved...

Why wait? Time to act!

He’d just consider it as growing a tumor on his spine...

As long as he wasn’t disgusted, it’d be others who felt sick!

Being decisive, Ye Hai strode over to the NE-α parasite and reached out his hand.

The NE-α parasite eagerly climbed onto him!

In no time, it crawled along Ye Hai’s arm to his spine...

Then it secreted a powerful, numbing acid, dissolving a bloody hole in Ye Hai’s back.

Until his spine was clearly visible, several tentacles wrapped tightly around it.

Once fully fused, the NE-α parasite began pulsating like a second heart.

At the same moment, the muscle tissue around the corroded hole on Ye Hai’s back rapidly sprouted and interwove, sealing the wound in seconds.

His skin was smooth and flawless...

A sudden clarity flooded Ye Hai’s mind...

This NE-α parasite could truly become his second heart!

Oh my! It’s surprisingly wonderful...