The end of the world is approaching, I'm handing myself over to the country.

Within the Wasteland Era.

Lin Mo hasn't left the pharmaceutical lab in the past two days.

Only when the last ray of light outside the window was swallowed by darkness did he drag his weary body back to the grocery store.

With a "bang".

Lin Mo slumped in the chair, not wanting to move at all.

Lin Mo was speechless: "The process of preparing intermediate-level gene-enhancing drugs is simply torture!"

"I have the complete refining memories and techniques in my mind, but my body just can't keep up!"

The gap between theory and practice was even greater than he had imagined.

It's been two days.

It's been two whole days!

He didn't even get close to the basics.

"This thing is way too difficult," Lin Mo couldn't help but complain.

A sparrow appeared out of nowhere, landed on the table in front of him, and preened its feathers.

Your talent in potion-making is quite impressive.

The system's voice suddenly sounded.

[Really, I'm not kidding you. At your current pace, you should be able to configure it successfully in three days at most.]

Lin Mo lifted his heavy eyelids and glanced at it listlessly.

"...Three days? It's going to take that long!"

He thought he had misheard.

Why would it take three days when there are readily available memory techniques to impart?

This is completely different from the imagined concept of "understanding immediately and learning in no time".

【Is this still going to take so long?】

The system's sparrow-shaped form tilted its head, its expression one of utter speechlessness.

[You've prepared an intermediate-level gene-enhancing agent, not bottled mineral water. You can't just fill a bottle with water from a tap and sterilize it.]

This involves genetic restructuring and the targeted guidance of elemental energy. Without sufficient talent, it would take at least three days, three years, or even thirty years to configure!

Lin Mo didn't want to talk.

As expected of the system, it knows how to praise people.

In his presence, even the most worthless person can be praised as a genius.

Lin Mo shifted to a more comfortable position, sinking himself into the chair.

There's something I'm curious about.

Lin Mo's gaze passed over the counter and landed outside the window of the general store.

The safe zone under the cover of night is not quiet.

Or rather, it was even more lively than during the day.

The enormous fireball roared past, leaving a trail of flames, and crashed into a stone pillar in the distance, exploding into a dazzling burst of sparks.

The icy blue ridge materialized out of thin air, freezing another rock into a block of ice.

There were also bolts of lightning as thick as an arm that fell from the sky, leaving a charred spiderweb-like crack on the ground.

Various colorful special effects illuminated the night sky of the safe zone, making it appear to be constantly lit up and dimmed, like a never-ending fireworks display.

These are all examples of players practicing, or rather, showing off their rune abilities.

This caused the players nearby who hadn't obtained the rune to scream in surprise.

The Rune Tower is open, and although the success rate is low, there are just too many people trying to open it.

And if it doesn't work the first time, there will be a second and a third time.

"What exactly is the difference between the so-called elemental pathways of intermediate-level gene potions and the elemental runes they use?"

Lin Mo withdrew his gaze and asked the question that had been lingering in his mind.

In his view, aren't they all just playing with fire and electricity?

The difference is huge.

The system's answer carried a subtle hint of superiority.

You think that just by conjuring a fireball, you've mastered the elements?

If everyone carried a windproof lighter, wouldn't everyone be a master of fire?

This metaphor... though crude, is quite vivid.

Lin Mo: "So? So what?"

【...】

The system paused, seemingly organizing its thoughts.

The runes that players activate are merely unclaimed elemental energy dissipating from the outside world; they are simply switches, triggers.

[The elemental pathway of gene-editing drugs fundamentally alters the human life form; its biggest difference lies in the elementalization of the body.]

"Body elementalization?"

Lin Mo repeated the unfamiliar word, his brain working at lightning speed.

"You mean... if I choose the fire elemental path, I'll turn into a ball of fire?"

That's roughly the idea.

The system gave an affirmative response.

Once the initial elementalization is completed, all known physical weaknesses of humankind will be overturned.

[The heart is no longer a weakness, and the brain is no longer a fatal flaw. As long as the elemental core remains intact, theoretically, you are immortal.]

Lin Mo was completely stunned.

Turn into a ball of fire?

No heart, no brain?

This is completely beyond the scope of human beings.

He imagined the scene.

When the enemy thrusts his sword, all that passes through is a phantom flame; the sword itself is even melted by the intense heat.

Even if a bullet is fired, it will be burned up in mid-air and will not be able to reach the core.

this......

Lin Mo suddenly realized, and muttered to himself, "It really is pretty cool."

Being cool is just its most insignificant advantage.

The system seemed dissatisfied with his choice of words.

[A true elemental body can be immune to most physical attacks and can merge with the same type of natural element, achieving instantaneous movement and energy absorption...]

The system continued to rattle off the various benefits of elementalization.

While Lin Mo's brain was still processing the various benefits of elementalization, he astutely seized upon a loophole in the system's discourse.

What does it mean to be immune to the vast majority of physical attacks?

He sat up straight in the chair and leaned forward slightly.

"If I turn into a ball of fire, will physical attacks still be effective against me?"

【Oh.】

The sparrow conjured by the system let out a soft laugh, carrying a hint of adult mockery towards a child.

All fear stems from insufficient firepower.

If you put your hand into a campfire, it will be burned and cooked by the high temperature, but your hand can easily extinguish a match.

This analogy... is indeed apt.

Lin Mo suddenly realized.

It turned out to be the case.

So-called immunity is only relative.

If the energy level of the attack is high enough to annihilate the opponent's elemental core, then he will still die.

However, if the combat power is the same, the elemental path has a great advantage.

Lin Mo didn't dwell on the topic any further and instead opened the system shop.

A pale blue light screen unfolded before him.

[Current available turnover: 4,242,081]

Four million two hundred and forty thousand!

Looking at that long string of numbers, Lin Mo's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of excitement rushed to his head.

Get rich!

However, his excitement lasted less than three seconds before he discovered another, more serious problem.

The product list in the remote grocery store was grayed out.

empty!

empty!

It's all empty!

All items, whether basic health potions or weapons and ammunition, are showing as having zero inventory!

"..."

Lin Mo's smile froze.

When did it become empty?

He's been completely absorbed in the pharmaceutical lab these past two days and hasn't paid any attention to the sales figures in the remote store.

So nothing was found.

"System, what's going on?"

Don't forget, the current number of players that can be acquired in Wasteland Era has reached one million.

The system's answer was simple and direct.

One million...

I almost forgot about that.