The abandoned facility loomed in the darkness, its structure weathered by time. Cracks ran along the walls, a silent testament to the years of neglect and decay.
Dried bloodstains marred the floors and walls, while scattered bones lay across the corridors—grim reminders of the horrors that unfolded here when the apocalypse began.
It wasn't hard to imagine the tragedy that had once consumed this place.
Novak moved cautiously, his footsteps light against the debris-covered ground.
He had no desire to unintentionally destroy anything.
There were secrets to uncover, and he wasn't about to let carelessness cost him valuable rewards.
But after a quick survey of the crumbling buildings, he frowned.
Nothing special.
Aside from a few cell-active agents—which, in theory, could restore health—he found little of value. Though whether these had expired or not was anyone's guess.
But one thing was certain—
This meager haul wasn't enough to satisfy him.
Every world on the verge of merging contained hidden opportunities—waiting to be seized by evolutionists like him.
And Novak wasn't about to let this one slip away.
Through his investigations, he had already pieced together a basic understanding of this facility.
This was, without a doubt, a branch of Company X.
A factory—tasked with production, research, and experimentation for the corporation.
As for the company's true headquarters—
It was located on a secluded island, separate from the rest of the world.
Beyond that, there was little information available.
But Novak could feel it—
This place held more secrets than it appeared to.
For others, uncovering the truth would require meticulous investigation—piecing together fragmented clues bit by bit.
But for Novak, it was far simpler.
Because at this moment—
The Eye of Peeping Secrets were fully activated.
Information flooded into his mind, every clue weaving together to form a coherent picture.
Following the trail of revelations, Novak arrived at an elevator shaft.
The elevator itself was long defunct, its outer doors rusted and barely holding together.
Without hesitation, he kicked the metal doors open—
Then plunged into the pitch-black void.
With a thunderous crash, he landed below, his impact shaking the ground.
Ahead of him, a reinforced steel door stood in his way.
He didn't slow down.
With a single, brutal strike, the thick steel buckled and shattered, collapsing inward like crumpled paper.
Nothing could stop him.
And as he stepped forward, his eyes gleamed—
Because what lay before him was exactly what he had been searching for.
A dimly lit laboratory stretched before him, its equipment long abandoned.
Scattered throughout the room were skeletal remains—both zombies and humans in white lab coats.
This was it.
The heart of Company X's experiments.
The Eye of Peeping Secrets took in everything at once—
Every hidden clue, every fragment of knowledge, every secret buried in the darkness.
And within the depths of the lab, Novak found what he had been searching for—
His real reward!
🔹 [Gene Modification Potion – Beast (Class B)] ×2
Type: Special Item – Pharmaceuticals
A hybrid genetic serum that fuses human genetic enhancement with beast-like transformations. When consumed, and combined with the training notes of genetic warriors, it enables a job transfer to a B-Class special profession: Genetic Warrior.
Novak's brows furrowed slightly.
A genetic modification serum?
A special transformation agent?
Could this be the unique enhancement of this world?
He didn't stop there.
He turned his gaze toward the next discovery—
🔹 [Gene Manipulation Method]
Type: Special Item – No Grade
A classified biological research manual detailing techniques to control one's genetic modifications. Can be copied and used in conjunction with genetic modification potions to transfer into a B-Class special profession: Genetically Modified Human.
Novak's mind raced.
A job-changing potion and a manual for genetic control?
A profession tied to blood and mutations?
There was no doubt about it—
This was something far beyond ordinary evolution!
And he had only just begun to uncover its true potential.
Novak scanned the laboratory's findings with mild interest.
These things were intriguing.
However, when his gaze landed on the final item, his eyes suddenly gleamed with excitement.
Compared to the previous two job-related items, the one in front of him was on an entirely different level.
This wasn't just another job advancement item—
This was the real deal.
[Energy-Gathering Gunner Job Transfer Scroll (A-Level)]
Effect: Grants the ability to wield advanced high-tech weaponry, enhancing firearm control and combat performance. Additionally, all tech-related equipment will receive a significant power boost.
Job Transfer Requirement: Level 10
A Gunner class…
Though the arrival of the Trial Grounds of Gods and Demons had rendered traditional firearms obsolete, there were still countless advanced weapons across the universe.
And among them—
The Gunner profession remained one of the rarest and most valuable.
Firearms, while sometimes flawed, were undeniably practical.
In many cases, they provided unparalleled safety and ranged advantage.
And this scroll…
Was truly a treasure.
Novak nodded in satisfaction.
Thinking back, Andrea's innate talent revolved around enhanced vision—a natural fit for bows and firearms.
But because she had never actively pursued combat roles, she hadn't prioritized a job transfer.
Now, however…
Novak recalled something else—
The first time he met Zogwort, he had noticed a unique piece of equipment in his store.
A legendary firearm—
The Kiss of Death.
An S-Rank sniper rifle.
The sheer firepower and precision of that weapon must have been unimaginable.
For a Gunner, skills and talents were important—
But not nearly as important as the gun itself.
A top-tier firearm could make all the difference.
Novak made a mental note—
He would have to find a way to acquire that sniper rifle.
It would be a perfect fit for his team.
Though he had some doubts about whether Andrea could fully utilize its true potential, it was still an opportunity worth considering.
With nothing else catching his eye, Novak took one last look around the laboratory.
Unfortunately, most valuable resources had either been taken or hidden away.
He sighed and shook his head.
Just as he was about to leave, something caught his attention.
A corpse—
The remains of a scientist, still draped in a tattered white coat.
And tucked within the pocket of the lab coat—
Something small and metallic.
Novak reached inside and retrieved the mysterious object.
It was a card.
Sleek. Smooth. A faint magnetic charge pulsed from its surface.
[X Company Executive Identification Card]
Owner: BI AY, Chief Director of Sandworm City
Novak frowned.
A mere business card?
No—
That couldn't be it.
Sure enough, the moment he held it, a notification flashed before his eyes.
[Special Cosmic Will Notification]
You have obtained a special item: X Company's High-Level Identity Card!
New Special Exploration Mission Triggered: X Company's Secret
After four days, you can use this special identity card to access the hidden world: X Company Headquarters!
Company X Headquarters…
Novak's heart raced.
So it was real after all.
A deeper mystery lay ahead—
And he was about to uncover it!