章 8: Chapter 8: A Wonderful Mutated Body Experience
Zhou Baiyu had always wanted to try out his "professional" ability.
From the notes, he learned that there were nine major professions. He was one of them, a Mutator.
But the specific information was still too scant.
And according to the description, it seemed that Mutators… were a pretty lousy profession.
However, he had already got the script, and the key was to perform it well.
On the matter of "Mutated Items," Zhou Baiyu, as a Mutator, had not yet attempted mutation.
But his thought process was clear:
"I need to find something that is easy to carry and is likely to come into contact with succubi."
After looking around, the only item in the room that fit the criteria was a comb.
Small and exquisite, easy to carry, and Zhou Baiyu was confident that he could persuade a succubus to come close with a comb.
"This is it."
As he focused intently on the comb, the item prompt for potential mutation quickly appeared in Zhou Baiyu's eyes.
[Item Name: The Fear of Balding.]
[Specialty: Every time you comb your hair, it takes away several hairs.]
[Introduction: Hey, luckily surviving rookie, since it's your first mutation, let me tell you the simple rules. You need to hold the comb in both hands for more than three seconds, and silently consent to the mutation. Of course, I can't guarantee what the mutation will result in, and with your ability, you can only perform mutation five times a day. Anyway, good luck.]
[Status: Ready for mutation, deviation rate 99%. Would you like to mutate?]
Zhou Baiyu frowned silently.
"Five times..."
"It seems that professions have levels too, but I don't yet know how to upgrade the profession level."
"What exactly does a deviation rate of 99% mean?"
"Forget it, I'll give it a try!"
Right now, he was alone in this room, with the succubus leader having gone to negotiate with the nearby humans.
He had to seize the opportunity.
Holding the comb in both hands, Zhou Baiyu suddenly thought...
What if he tried to mutate a "carrot"? Wouldn't that mean holding onto the "carrot" with both hands?
Would a mutated carrot turn into a corn cob sprouting kernels? Or a bitter gourd growing spikes?
The image of a man clutching a carrot made Zhou Baiyu feel a bit uncomfortable.
Ew, disgusting. Shaking his head, he focused his attention again.
"Mutate..."
When the prompt whether to mutate appeared again, Zhou Baiyu decisively agreed to the mutation.
Three.
Two.
One.
There were none of the golden light effects he'd imagined, nor any changes in sound.
It was as if nothing had happened. But that was what satisfied Zhou Baiyu the most.
He hoped that this kind of mutation wouldn't cause any commotion.
When Zhou Baiyu opened his hands and looked at the comb, the item's prompt had indeed changed.
[Item Name: The Fear of Balding Pro Version.]
[Specialty: Every time you comb your hair, it takes away many hairs.]
[Introduction: Congratulations, great Chosen One, genius among Mutators, the succubi coveter, bearer of the hope to save the world and prevent the apocalypse… Look at what a great feat you have accomplished, oh, an enhanced version of a hair loss comb. I'm sure when the succubi see their hair falling out, you will be not like the love trembling in the wind, but the love blossoming in the wind.]
[Status: Ready for mutation, deviation rate 98%. Would you like to mutate?]
Zhou Baiyu's head was covered in dark lines.
His eyes twitched incessantly, first from the snarky notes, and second because he finally understood what was meant by a lousy profession.
That's it? That's it?
Your mother, this mutation ability isn't even as good as my verbal evasion!
Indeed, the comb's original function had been enhanced, but it seemed more fitting for Teacher Tony to use.
However, Zhou Baiyu, attentive to details, noticed one thing—the deviation rate was 98%.
"The good news is, the deviation rate has decreased; the bad news is, it might as well not have."
The two percent probability, though double the one percent, was something Zhou Baiyu knew all too well—he wasn't that lucky.
"One more try..."
He grasped the comb in both hands again.
This time, Zhou Baiyu felt a sense of fatigue.
"It seems there really is a cost. Perhaps the fifth time will bring an extraordinary tiredness?"
He internally mocked the pitfall-ridden occupation of a Mutator once again.
Three seconds later, sweat began to bead on Zhou Baiyu's forehead.
The man who could engage in a three-hour battle of attrition with a succubus now felt tired after two mutations.
Zhou Baiyu closed his eyes, and strangely, he felt as if he were back playing a gacha game.
"Stop making fun of me, I have five more days... I need more assurance for survival!"
If possible, Zhou Baiyu truly wished he had studied metaphysics seriously, to learn how to increase his chances of success.
He spread his hands out and began to focus on his second mutation.
[Item Name: Let Bygones Be Bygones.]
[Specialty: Each time you comb your hair, it evokes sad or distasteful memories. Durability 5/5.]
[Description: In a way, you've created a very practical comb, but in another sense, it might be more suitable for the resentful women of ancient times. Clearly, it is of no help to your current predicament.]
[Status: Mutatable, Deviation Rate 94%. Mutate?]
How wonderful, another comb that could hasten my demise...
Using it to deal with a succubus is genuinely courting death.
Zhou Baiyu finally understood why Mutators were said to have the most random ways to die.
The Mutated Items were completely unpredictable in functionality.
It's like going to the battlefield, hoping a mutated gun might increase firepower and turn the tide, only to possibly mutate a snitch gun.
"What's the point of this occupation? Will it continue to be this treacherous in the later stages? Can I change professions?"
Perhaps more answers would only come from "us".
Zhou Baiyu was still not resigned to his fate.
In fact, this comb wasn't entirely useless.
But indeed, as the note indicated, it couldn't change the current dire situation.
"One last try, I can't use up all five attempts. I must conserve some energy in case... I have to fight a bloody battle again?"
"But this time the deviation rate dropped so much at once, directly from ninety-eight to ninety-four percent..."
"Does this mean that the reduction in deviation rate is random? That's good news."
Zhou Baiyu adjusted his breathing, his hands gripping the comb once again.
He was full of earnestness.
Afterward, he looked at the comb with an unprecedented determination in his eyes.
The third mutation completed.
[Item Name: Comb of Sparking Romance.]
[Specialty: Can increase a bit of affection by combing someone else's hair. Durability 3/3.]
[Description: As the saying goes, all good things come in threes, and indeed, on your third attempt, you've mutated a useful item. This item can definitely help you survive better. But it seems... you harbor other ambitions?
But I must warn you, newbie, once the durability is consumed, you cannot mutate it again unless it's depleted and loses function.]
[Status: Mutatable, Deviation Rate 99%. Mutate?]
It's a breakthrough, but not a complete one.
Zhou Baiyu stroked his chin...
Looking at the comb, there were many things he still didn't understand.
It seemed the comb could help him gain more affection, but in reality, Zhou Baiyu's aims were not limited to just that.
"The deviation rate is back to ninety-nine percent... which means that once a Mutated Item helpful in the current situation is mutated, the deviation returns to square one..."
"What a treacherous occupation."
A comb like this could be enough to help him survive.
He accepted the choice, to further utilize the comb and improve the succubus's affection for him.
It seemed like a good strategy.
However, Zhou Baiyu continued to frown, looking at the comb, a different idea emerging in his mind.
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