Chapter Forty-Four: Training Base

Of course, the one who came over wasn’t some sharpshooter reinforcement, but the “handsome high schooler,” Zhou Shu.

“How was it, did you take it down?” Zhou Shu asked, a little frustrated.

Zhuang Yong’an looked at him curiously. “It’s down. That was your... ‘Slow Motion Vision’ ability just now?”

“Yes.” Zhou Shu nodded, but his expression didn’t change, as if he were lying.

The three-person team found Zhou Shu’s expression odd, but thinking back to what just happened—and recalling the abilities Zhou Shu had told them about—it seemed only he could have done it.

Besides, this sort of thing was easy to confirm, unlike finding a backpack on site. The gun was in Zhou Shu’s hand, the bullet was likely lodged in the mutant’s leg, probably stopped by its kneecap. Mutants had all their physical attributes enhanced, and their bones were much stronger, so bullets getting stuck in bones wasn’t uncommon for them.

With the bullet in hand, a simple comparison would reveal its origin.

And to hit the knee of a fast-moving agile mutant—now that wasn’t something an ordinary marksman could pull off.

They looked at Zhou Shu again, eyes shining.

This was a diamond in the rough. “Slow Motion Vision” and “Alertness”—these abilities were the makings of a natural-born warrior!

If the Hunter System could hear their thoughts, it would surely give a thumbs-up.

With the crisis resolved, the trio had work to do. Zhuang Yong’an was on the phone, telling reinforcements not to come, but to send the tech team to clean up the scene instead.

Sun Congliang climbed up for a better vantage point, keeping watch.

Qiu Ling went to check on the wounded, to see if the rescue vehicle had arrived.

As for Zhou Shu...

Zhuang Yong’an, still on the phone, saw Zhou Shu approach the corpse but didn’t mind. Whether admiring his prize or just curious, it was harmless. The mutant was dead, no danger remained.

He even smiled a bit. Zhou Shu’s abilities were incredibly useful; the higher-ups would surely try to make him a super soldier. In the future, he’d see so many of these creatures, he’d be sick of them.

But with that thought, a frown creased his brow. Their pressure was mounting. With rapid advances in biological and chemical technology, “Evolution” was growing ever more rampant. They truly needed more fighters.

Supernaturals like Zhou Shu, with the potential to become elite forces in the Demon Suppression Bureau, were needed even more!

Meanwhile, once Zhou Shu touched the mutant’s corpse, his frustrated expression eased significantly.

[Source Energy increased by 0.82]

Fantastic! Worth the effort!

And it was 0.07 higher than last time—clearly, this beast was tougher than the last one he brought down.

The system’s attribute values confirmed it. The previous beast’s Agility had barely crossed 1, while this one had 1.5, with Strength at 1.2—no wonder Zhuang Yong’an’s team could barely hit it.

Not to mention, even the difference between 1.2 and 0.9 was huge.

As for Zhou Shu, without “superpowers,” his 0.8-level attributes were simply average.

He was just contemplating this when a new wave of reinforcements, already nearby, arrived instead of returning to base—just in case.

Just like Sun Congliang’s need for a vantage point.

Once they arrived, Zhuang Yong’an handed over the scene to them and took Zhou Shu back to base.

He was eager to introduce Zhou Shu to the higher-ups, and Zhou Shu was eager for the “testing.”

They were of one mind, not at all bothered that they’d probably be eating dinner late tonight.

After getting into the car, Zhuang Yong’an kept busy with his report. Perhaps feeling that Zhou Shu’s case was a sure thing, he didn’t hold back while Zhou Shu was present.

Of course, it was limited to information from this mission.

After all, Zhou Shu had experienced it firsthand, and the report needed to mention him.

Listening to Captain Zhuang’s praise, Zhou Shu felt a bit embarrassed, because he was already eyeing Captain Zhuang’s “headquarters.”

He’d just absorbed a good amount of Source Energy from the monster’s corpse, and since this organization recovered monster bodies, their “headquarters” must have a special storage facility.

Maybe it could be called a “monster morgue.”

It sounded rather twisted, but he wanted to take a stroll through that “morgue.”

He even wanted to touch every corpse inside.

When Zhuang Yong’an told him they’d arrive in five minutes, Zhou Shu checked his latest attribute panel.

Though the Hunter System gave him plenty of theoretical data, he honestly didn’t know how much his body could actually achieve.

Testing himself would be a hassle, but this was the perfect opportunity.

[Hunter System]

[User: Zhou Shu (Recruit)]

[Mental: 1.16 (+0.01)]

[Strength: 0.85 (+0.01)]

[Agility: 0.83 (+0.01)]

[Endurance: 0.83 (+0.01)]

[Constitution: 0.84 (max)]

[Language: Native (proficient), English (skilled)]

[Weapon Proficiency: Firearms (basic), Powered Exoskeleton Operation (basic)]

[Support Equipment: “Edge of Tomorrow” Standard Powered Exoskeleton Suit (good condition)]

[Source: 2.21]

[Source Energy sufficient. Would you like to allocate points to non-maxed attributes?]

Goodness, he hadn’t expected such a surprise. Not only had his Source Energy increased, but his attributes had also gone up. Apart from [Constitution], which only increased upon death, every other attribute had risen by 0.01.

Interesting.

“How did that happen?” Zhou Shu asked the Hunter System in his mind.

[Your body was trained through rapid movement and combat.]

“Trained in combat? Why didn’t I get any points last time? That was also intense running and fighting.”

[Single sessions have negligible effect—not enough to show up.]

“...”

Fair enough.

As long as real-world training works, he wasn’t picky.

Looking at the available points, Zhou Shu pondered, then allocated them.

Whether it was last night’s encounter or today’s, weak physical attributes just wouldn’t cut it. And only improving his body wasn’t enough; he needed to learn combat skills too.

Places like Zhang Peng’s “supernatural” group or Zhuang Yong’an’s elite squad were perfect for learning.

Most importantly, it didn’t use up Source.

Five minutes later, Zhuang Yong’an drove into a Special Police Training Center. It wasn’t much different from regular SWAT bases: spacious, with garages and training facilities, including urban combat structures and several unfinished buildings. As the car entered, a squad was training inside.

Without stopping, Zhuang Yong’an drove all the way to a large warehouse at the far end of the center before parking.

“We’re here.”

As soon as both got out, someone came forward—it was none other than Deputy Captain Wang Kailun, in charge of technical matters.

He walked right up, eyes glued to Zhou Shu, rubbing his hands with excitement. “You must be Zhou Shu, right? I wanted to meet you last night, but it wasn’t protocol. Now you’re finally here. What do you want to do first? Mental or physical tests?”

“Come on, Old Wang, you look like a mad scientist—don’t scare the kid,” Zhuang Yong’an quickly stepped between them, blocking Wang Kailun’s gaze.

“Confirmed to have taken down one mutant in the past 24 hours, maybe two, and he surprised you at first sight. Then he talked with you calmly and rationally. This kid’s nerves are tough.”

Wang Kailun brushed him aside, smiling at Zhou Shu.

Zhou Shu smiled back; he truly wasn’t timid—having plenty of cards up his sleeve made him confident.

He asked, “Mental and physical tests—what’s the difference?”

“Come, let’s walk and talk. Mental means we hook you up to equipment to test your mental power. Your two abilities probably relate to mental mutation, but who knows…” Wang Kailun explained as he led them into the warehouse.

Once inside, Zhou Shu realized it was no ordinary warehouse, but a fully equipped indoor sports arena. There was a rubber track and a variety of climbing facilities along the edges.

People were training here too, though fewer than outside—just two working with...a ball machine, while several lab coat-wearing staff observed.

Noticing where Zhou Shu was looking, Zhuang Yong’an glanced over, but when he saw who was there, he frowned slightly.

“Why are those two boys here today?”