Marcus stroked his chin, examining the new mission displayed on his system panel. Previously, most of the system's objectives involved eliminating a specific target or collecting an item. This was the first time the system had presented such an abstract mission: "Completely terminate the research and development process of organic bio-weapons in the Resident Evil world."
"However, it's not difficult for me," he mused. "I can just have the newly established United Government handle it in the name of the Blood Moon." Shaking his head, Marcus shifted his attention to the mission rewards he had just received.
First was the new title, "Extreme Evolution."
"Isn't this just telling me to inject myself with drugs?" Marcus couldn't help but complain, looking at the title's effect. "Now I'm really going to have a pointy head." According to the system's explanation, this title would allow him to retain the strengthening effects of any virus under his subjective consciousness, while blocking all negative subjective side effects. For example, if Marcus injected the G-Virus, he would be able to block the rampant reproductive desires and the grotesque mutated forms, retaining only the G-Virus's extremely abnormal recovery ability.
"Speaking of which, if I got the Blacklight Virus—" Marcus recalled the devastating capabilities of "A-bro" from Prototype and began to fantasize. But he quickly snapped back to reality. He didn't know if he would ever have the chance to traverse into the Prototype world, and while the Blacklight Virus might theoretically be extractable, the probability was too low. So Marcus instead considered the several viruses he had already collected: T-Virus, Progenitor Virus, G-Virus, and Abyss Virus. In fact, the strengthening effects of these viruses were basically similar, all primarily enhancing vitality and recovery ability. The Abyss Virus, however, could increase the flexibility of muscle tissue, strengthen resistance to blows, and allow the host to grow bones more adapted to the environment.
Without much hesitation, Marcus directly took out samples of the G-Virus and Abyss Virus. After confirming that the "Extreme Evolution" title could affect both viruses, he chose to inject them. Due to several previous enhancements, Marcus's skin toughness was now far beyond that of ordinary people, requiring him to switch to a special needle to successfully inject the G-Virus into his body. The scope of "subjective side effects" was very broad, including but not limited to pain, deformity, uncontrollable desires, etc.—all of which were blocked by the title. So even after the injection, Marcus still felt nothing intense, only that his life strength had subtly increased. After adapting for a short while, Marcus continued by injecting the Abyss Virus. The effect of this enhancement was even weaker; after all, Marcus was already operating like a mini-superman, so this incremental improvement was indeed not significant.
After completing all his injections, Marcus casually used the two drawing opportunities given by the system. Two new cards appeared on the panel.
[Purifier Colossus Source: StarCraft
Effect 1: Purifier Colossus is equipped with Purifier AI, capable of autonomously receiving commands and acting.
Effect 2: Colossus is equipped with a super heavy energy shield, capable of resisting massive damage.
Effect 3: Colossus can spew deadly beams through the thermal ray guns on both sides of its armor, leaving high-temperature flames on the ground. Note: Legend has it that three Colossus can destroy a low-level civilization.]
Upon seeing the content on the card, Marcus's eyes widened instantly. A Colossus! The super warmachine of the Protoss race in StarCraft! And it was a Purifier Colossus, enhanced with Purifier technology, making its destructive power even greater. Undoubtedly, this was a Titan-level unit. And Marcus did not doubt the saying that "three Colossus can destroy a low-level civilization."
Unless nuclear technology was developed, three such war weapons, combined with proper command, could indeed decimate humanity before the advent of World War II. With the Colossus as a new war weapon, the power accumulated in Marcus's hands was growing stronger and stronger. After calming his excited mood slightly, Marcus looked at the second card.
[Psychic Contract Source: Warhammer Universe
Effect 1: After using this skill, a contract can be drafted and signed with the target unit.
Effect 2: Once the contract is officially signed, if either party maliciously violates the contract content, or maliciously induces others to violate the contract content, they will immediately suffer massive Psychic damage and continue until death.
Cooldown: None.
Note: Before signing the contract, you had best clearly read the clauses disguised with patterns.]
Marcus's eyes flickered as he saw the skill on the card. Before this, he had been controlling some of the Ishimura's crew members using Fleshworms produced by the Warrior Bugs. Each time he used it, he had to control the target and summon a Tyranid Warrior, which was indeed somewhat inconvenient. Moreover, it was not guaranteed that some advanced civilizations would not have the ability to remove Fleshworms. In comparison, the [Psychic Contract] was indeed more convenient, more covert, and more lethal, and it could also be applied on a large scale. With this skill, Marcus could further strengthen his control over his subordinates.
Taking out a few pieces of paper, Marcus began to scribble on them, preparing to draft the initial content of the contract. With this skill, Marcus could completely coerce others into signing tyrannical contracts and then lord over them. However, he did not entertain such an idea. Soon, the first draft of the contract was completed. In fact, the content of the contract was not much different from standard employment contracts between companies and workers on Earth. The crew members of the Ishimura needed to work for Marcus, complete their respective tasks, and keep certain specific secrets. Marcus, on the other hand, needed to provide them with living supplies and offer rewards based on the difficulty and successful completion of tasks.
"My contract is much fairer than those unscrupulous companies," Marcus noted with satisfaction. After all, even he, as the initiator of the contract, would suffer Psychic damage if he violated it.
Opening his communicator, Marcus quickly called Isaac over. "What's wrong again? I was just about to rest—" Isaac walked into the Captain's Quarters, yawning.
"Come and take a look at the content of this contract. What do you think?" Marcus handed the initial draft he had prepared to Isaac. The latter took the contract and examined it carefully. A few minutes later, Isaac looked up at Marcus. "There's no major problem with the content. Most of the Ishimura's crew members will accept it. But honestly, is it necessary to do this? A contract, without a third-party enforcer, who is responsible for punishment if it's violated? Especially you, who would dare to punish you?"
Marcus waved his hand indifferently. "The crew members on the Ishimura will only increase in the future, so this is necessary. As for the enforcement method, you can understand it as an invisible bomb placed in your brain. Once the contract is violated, it will instantly explode, and even I am no exception." Isaac couldn't quite grasp what the "invisible bomb" meant, but he was already accustomed to Marcus's strange methods, so he didn't press further. "Since you're the captain of the Ishimura now, just handle it. By the way, should I sign one now?"
"Sure." Marcus nodded, then used [Psychic Contract] and, according to the content on the paper, drafted the contract. Instantly, a strange mental connection was formed between the two, and both parties could view the drafted contract content. And the consequence of maliciously violating the contract—Psychic explosion and death—was also implanted in their minds. After confirming that there were no problems with the contract content, Marcus and Isaac signed their names together.
"Congratulations, Isaac, you have become the first official crew member of the Ishimura," Marcus declared, shaking Isaac's hand, already seeing a strong, rising "tool-man" for his future endeavors.