C1 Activate!!

It was almost dawn, and the sun was on the verge of rising.

In the East Victory Continent on Earth Star, within the Great Qin Empire and Nanjiang City, on the top floor of Haihe University's male dormitory building.

In the dim morning light, Hsu Yuvran, his eyes red and bloodshot, scanned his surroundings cautiously.

Hsu Yuvran, towering at over 180 centimeters, had a slight frame and a pallid complexion as if a mere gust of wind could knock him down.

His unkempt hair, neglected for a long time, sprawled messily over his shoulders. Fatigue etched into his handsome face, and his bloodshot eyes told tales of exhaustion. 008 Within a year, the majority of the human

The glaciers in the South and North Barbarian Continents had melted, unleashing an ancient virus that had been dormant for ages, devastating Earth Star.

From East Victory Continent to West God Continent, from the South Wasteland to the North Barbarian, and from the No-wild Continent to the Profound Vast Continent, the virus was relentless.

Within a year, the majority of the human population had succumbed to the virus.

The world was a desolate, broken wasteland, and the once bustling cities were ghost towns.

Animals infected by the virus evolved at an alarming rate, becoming not just stronger, but also more aggressive.

These mutated creatures hunted not only their animal brethren but also had a newfound taste for human flesh.

Though some birds also mutated, their transformation was far less concerning than that of the other animals.

To guard against the nocturnal attacks of these mutated beasts, Hsu Yuvran's most critical task over the past year had been to keep vigil through the night.

Behind him, more than thirty people lay in a large dorm room meant for sixteen, practically piled on top of each other as they slept.

This motley crew comprised original teachers, maintenance staff, and students from the school.

Seated alone in a corner against the wall was Dongfang Bai, Hsu Yuvran's classmate and the school's beauty. Her delicate yet striking appearance was a mesmerizing blend of elegance and poise.

Hsu Yuvran was born with a unique condition, a congenital immunodeficiency that left him vulnerable to all kinds of viruses.

Despite a life fraught with constant illness and viral infections, he had somehow managed to survive.

Earth Star's medical experts couldn't explain his extraordinary resilience and could only resign themselves to diagnosing him with this unusual condition.

As for the underlying reason for his immunity, not a single doctor on Earth Star had a clear explanation.

Over the past year, countless people had fallen victim to the virus, yet somehow, Hsu Yuvran had managed to survive.

And something had shifted in him since yesterday.

He was aware of his newfound differences but felt isolated, unable to share his unique situation with anyone.

Just a day ago, he had been bitten by a mutated wild dog. Shortly after, the dormant rabies virus inside him activated, plunging him into a state of agony.

While exploring the basement of his nearly deserted school, the symptoms erupted in full force. Alone in the mud-filled room, he rolled around, screaming and wailing.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, the school was almost empty due to the ongoing epidemic; nobody discovered his sad state.

On the brink of death, a flash of white light flickered through his mind. A hazy screen of light appeared in his sea of consciousness.

In a desperate gamble, he remembered an ancestral cultivation technique taught by his father, the Nature Scripture, and began to focus on it.

The pain in his body miraculously lessened, and the once-hazy light screen in his mind grew increasingly clear.

As he completed the ninth cycle, something miraculous happened. The rabies symptoms started to vanish.

It felt as if the virus had been absorbed into his dantian, an energy center in his body, and the once-hazy screen in his mind became crystal clear.

Confused, he scanned the screen with his weakened divine sense, thinking, 'Who's using me for some high-tech experiment?'

Though he had heard of technology projecting interactive screens, never had he heard of one installed in a person's consciousness.

Ignoring the foam at his mouth and the mud that covered him, he read the words that had appeared on the screen.

At the top, it said, "The Throne of the Virus."

Followed by a list of options:

1. Awakening Skill.

2. Basic Attributes.

3. Basic Skills.

Curiosity getting the better of him, he touched the first option with his divine sense, and a dropdown menu appeared.

There were seven options for the next level, but only the Earth Attribute was illuminated.

The other six options remained gray, their descriptions indecipherable.

Earth Attribute:

[One. Earth Shield, Black Iron Level. You can use the Earth Element to form a shield to resist Black Iron Level physical attacks. Elemental resistance is weak. (Can be upgraded)]

[Level 2 Earth Spike, Black Iron Grade. You can use the Earth Element to form three Earth Spikes and pierce through the enemy's body. It has a physical attack. (Can be upgraded)]

'Is this some sort of manual?' Hsu Yuvran wondered.

'Are these the Awakening Skills I can now use?' he pondered.

He withdrew his frail consciousness and scanned the cement floor around him. 'Cement is an Earth Element, right?'

Unexpectedly, Hsu Yuvran felt a newfound affinity with the cement.

He raised his hand, and a large black shield materialized in his left hand with a faint sound.

"Wow!" Startled, Hsu Yuvran hastily threw the shield away.

"Clang!" With a loud sound, the shield crashed onto the cement floor.

'This was real, not an illusion!' He exclaimed.

Hsu Yuvran felt he was losing his mind. 'What's happening here?'

He had thought rabies had caused hallucinations and lingering aftereffects.

Little did he know, this was the reward for contracting rabies.

He lifted his right hand, and with a faint rustle, three sharp Earth Spikes erupted from the ground, pointing skyward.

He walked over and cautiously touched the sharp Earth Spikes.

They were solid and cold, like three razor-sharp blades, almost cutting his fingers.

"This is no illusion; this is reality!" he affirmed.

He withdrew his focus and shifted his attention to the second column.

The screen refreshed, presenting him with a new line of text.

[When the great calamity threatens to annihilate human civilization.

A select few among humanity will have a single opportunity to activate the Virus Throne System.

[Are you willing to infect yourself with all known viruses to embark on your evolutionary path?

Will you endure unimaginable pain and hardship, treading through blood and sacrifice, all to save humanity?]

Two options appeared below: 'Yes' and 'No'.

For anyone else, this could be a monumental choice.

But for Hsu Yuvran, who had suffered for more than twenty years.

The decision was clear-cut.

He mentally tapped 'Yes'.

The previous text vanished, replaced by new words.

[Viral infection is both a death sentence and a path to evolution.

The trajectory of evolution involves pushing limits and self-improvement.

Will you lead humanity through endless despair, guiding its evolution toward perfection, and ultimately triumph over the great calamity?]

Again, the options 'Yes' and 'No' presented themselves.

Hsu Yuvran felt like he was nearing a breaking point. He thought, 'I'm just an average guy with good looks, and I had to drop out of university during my second year.

How can I bear such an enormous responsibility? Isn't this a job for a genius or a leader?'

He was in a world now teeming with mutated beasts; stepping outside would have him torn to shreds in seconds.

All he wanted was to survive and find his father.

Hsu Yuvran's mother had left them when he was just a young boy.

He had grown up under the watchful eye of his father.

Plagued by illness, he had spent more than two decades in constant sickness.

Despite the odds, he had managed to reach his twenties and even attend university, but then one morning, his father vanished without a trace.

After his father's mysterious disappearance, he went to the authorities for help, but they came up empty.

No matter how many departments he contacted, they all drew a blank.

He sometimes wondered if he had imagined his father entirely, a thought he quickly dismissed as ludicrous.

That was impossible!

Could it be that these departments lacked the authority to find his father?

That tiny glimmer of hope was all he had to hold onto.

Dragging his frail body around, he had worked odd jobs and sold some family assets, barely making it through his second year of university.

The driving force that kept him going was the need to find his father, the person he relied on the most.

So, without hesitating, he chose "Yes" once again.

The words vanished, replaced by another string of text:

[The number of viruses you're willing to host will determine the Awakening Skills you can unlock!

The more life-and-death situations you survive, the stronger you will become!

Be brave, embrace the virus, and you can ascend to the supreme throne of viruses!

Although getting infected won't kill you, pain is an inevitable part of the process.]

[Character Attributes: Black Iron Warrior.]

[Available Resources:Rabies Virus]

'So, you're saying I won't die even if I get infected with any virus?' Hsu Yuvran finally grasped the concept.

That explained why he'd contracted so many viruses and yet had never succumbed to any of them.

It turned out that this 'King of Virus' system had been safeguarding him the whole time.

'So, I'm at a Black Iron Level now?

Be the first to get infected by a virus?

Is this encouraging me to risk my life?

Are you sure you're not pulling my leg?

This doesn't seem very reliable...

And what does 'available resources' mean?

Can I distribute the rabies virus?

But seriously, who would even want to be infected with the rabies virus?'

Questions swirled around in his mind.

However, it became clear that the system wasn't exactly built for chitchat.

Or maybe it just couldn't be bothered to engage with him.

He took a moment to assess his condition and realized he felt stronger than ever; the chronic weakness was gone.

Unbeknownst to Hsu Yuvran, he had completed his first awakening.

Eager to test his newfound strength, he dropped down and did a few push-ups.

With a sigh of relief, he sprang up.

For someone ill for over two decades, even a single push-up was a miraculous feat.

Yet now he had effortlessly done five in a row. It was nothing short of astonishing.

He quickly focused his mind on the third column and opened it.

Basic Skills:

[One. Escape (Cannot be leveled up).]

'What on Earth?

What kind of skill is this?

So, this is my only basic skill? People would die laughing if they knew.

And it can't be leveled up? What's that about?

So if I can't defeat an enemy in the future, I can't run away?

What kind of system is this? Survival is key. Having a future is all about living today; sometimes, that means running away.

Do they expect me just to face every challenge head-on?

They must think very highly of me...'

Hsu Yuvran quickly withdrew his attention from the system. 'This skill is downright embarrassing.

Anyone who finds out about this skill is a goner.'

With a mere thought, the black shield vanished.

Another thought and the Earth Spike disappeared as well.

The shield is clearly for defense, and the Earth Spike can appear out of nowhere—these are premium skills for home security, traveling, and, well, less savory activities.

As he sat by the window, Hsu Yuvran found it all hard to believe.

'The rewards for overcoming life-threatening situations seem too generous,' he thought, his consciousness scanning his inner world.

'The light screen is still there; this isn't a dream!

But this is too unbelievable to share with anyone. Who knows, someone might decide to study me like a lab rat.

Especially that escape skill—that was just too embarrassing.'

As the sun began ascent, a ray of sunlight filled the room.

Feeling the sunlight on her skin, Dongfang Bai abruptly opened her strikingly large eyes and leapt to her feet, scanning the room cautiously.

Hsu Yuvran gave her a wave, signaling that everything was safe.

Dongfang Bai let out a long sigh of relief and gracefully lifted her hand to rub her cheek.

She glanced around the room and whispered, "Wake up, everyone. Dawn has broken. With fewer Mutated Beasts out and about, now's our chance to gather essential supplies."

Hsu Yuvran sprang to his feet in excitement.

'Now's the perfect time to test my powerful Awakening Skill!

Tremble, humans!

Haha!

Wait, wrong line. Let's try that again...

Tremble, Mutated Beasts!

Haha!'