The Last Vanguard

Chapter 1: The Symbiotic Beast(2)

Although Shao Lin and his friends wouldn't involve themselves in such matters, they shared a good rapport with Lu Yinan and certainly wouldn't side with Zhao Pinghu. Li Jian coolly replied, "Try the fourth classroom, maybe Lu Yinan is there."

The fourth classroom was where physical education took place, taught by retired military veterans. Even someone as brash as Zhao Pinghu wouldn't dare cause trouble there.

"Hmph! Li Jian, you watch your tone!" Zhao Pinghu threw this remark over his shoulder as he left with his gang.

After Zhao Pinghu's group departed, the four friends were eager to leave the area themselves. "Shao Lin, if you're done wallowing, let's go get our graduation certificates before they're gone," suggested Chai Lijun. In this cohort of the 416th district, he was dubbed 'Number Two,' a title that implied a combination of handsomeness and coolness, as countless pretty girls pursued him. However, since he showed no favor to anyone, he earned this nickname, which wasn't entirely flattering.

"Yeah! Goblin, hurry up!" even Li Jian joined in.

Though the two seemed anxious, their concern wasn't really about the graduation certificates. These are vital for future social standing and will never run out, given their necessity in civilian life, so the school wouldn't skimp on such costs.

What they were eager to obtain was the government-issued "symbiotic beast," given to every law-abiding adult at seventeen.

Special circumstances warranted special regulations. Declaring seventeen as the age of adulthood was a measure born out of necessity. During times when war with virtually invincible enemies could break out at any moment, previous norms needed altering. With ten years of mandatory education, anyone at that age was deemed responsible for their actions.

In districts, which managed the distribution of symbiotic beasts, it was a managerial decision not to immediately issue these to all seventeen-year-olds but to distribute them en masse upon graduation.

Over a mere two thousand years, humanity hadn't undergone significant evolutionary changes. Modern humans remained fundamentally the same as their ancient ancestors, with minor improvements in lifespan, physique, and health.

However, technology has made it possible to artificially enhance human abilities. The "symbiotic beast," developed by examining the physiology of celestial and demonic beings, incorporates technology from the future world to form a "universal human protection and metabolic system."

The symbiotic beast is a sentient organism without its own consciousness and lacks a fixed form. In legitimate procedures, it fuses with the human host, providing enhanced capabilities, bolstering humanity's resilience and adaptability to harsh environments.

"Let's go, hurry up!" Zheng Lishuang, the only girl in their group, couldn't help but urge. "If we're late, and end up with outdated symbiotic beasts, it's on you, Shao Lin."

Though seemingly heartbroken, Shao Lin wasn't deeply affected, having mentally prepared himself. A teenage romance ending prematurely is quite normal, while reaching fruition is the outlier. Seeing his friends eager to move on, Shao Lin couldn't delay them any longer. Collecting himself, he said, "Geez, you guys are way too eager. I'm coming, aren't I?"

Whenever Shao Lin's signature phrase, "Geez," came out, it signified he was back to his usual self.

When the four arrived at the main gymnasium, the graduation ceremony, already underway for two hours, continued. It couldn't be deemed a waste, as some matters had to be addressed. Regardless of whether these rookies listened, the school leaders had to clarify everything to avoid any discrepancies.

"You are now entering adult society as legal entities, with full citizenship rights and responsibilities…"

"Such a blabbermouth."

"What can you do, throw rotten eggs? Do you even have any?"

"Who would carry those things?"

"How about smelly socks?"

"……"

Growing impatient, the students started discussing impractical plans.

It wasn't until they heard the final words, "The graduation ceremony is now over," that everyone's emotions erupted.

"Alright!" Amidst the rising cheers, emotions heightened; every graduating student seemed ecstatic.

Upon the conclusion of the ruckus, the scene normalized when the distribution of symbiotic beasts began, with everyone maintaining rare discipline.

Though school leaders urged orderly queues through loudspeakers, it was evidently ineffective. During the bustling distribution process for symbiotic beasts, physically stronger students clearly had the upper hand, seizing the best positions to claim theirs first. Shao Lin and his three friends, arriving early, were right at the front of the line.

Despite Shao Lin not possessing typical male assertiveness, often jested for resembling a girl and said that with a dress and long hair, he'd compete against the district's top beauties, he still had a male advantage in physical strength. Although he couldn't compare to Li Jian, nicknamed 'Crane' for his athletic prowess across sports, he was quite active in athletics. Along with Chai Lijun, the three could easily incorporate the more delicate Zheng Lishuang.

"Mr. Li!"

Seeing their class advisor, they knew their luck had turned.

Sure enough, noting they were his students, the expressionless middle-aged teacher quickly input their information into the symbiotic beasts and handed them out to the four.

Modern systems rarely used physical items, with most documents and books stored in the body-implanted devices. The adult-mandated symbiotic beast featured similar capabilities, embedded with a controller for the "neural implant."

The "neural implant," "Eye of Heaven," and "antigravity propulsion device" are the three primary internal add-ons considered default modules for the symbiotic beast, which requires initial user data input to confirm ownership. Hence, a graduate’s diploma is recorded into the symbiotic beast assigned to them by the graduate school district. Upon fusion, the data can also be backed up in each individual's neural implant.

After receiving the symbiote, the group of four quickly extricated themselves from the crowded mass yet to collect theirs. Soon, they were outside the gymnasium, now spacious and free. Li Jian, ecstatic with their newly acquired symbiotic beasts, turned to Shao Lin and Chai Lijun, saying, "We really lucked out having our advisor, Mr. Li, distribute them. Otherwise, who knows if we'd have gotten 'VR-80'!"

Shao Lin and Chai Lijun nodded enthusiastically, their joy from obtaining the symbiotic beasts sweeping away Shao Lin’s earlier gloom.

Four companies provide symbiotic beasts distributed across China's districts. The international number one, "Pan-Biotic Technology Development Group," supplies approximately sixty percent of the global market. Ranked slightly lower, the "International Biomechanical Beast Research Center," significantly less potent, secures merely a third of Pan-Biotic's orders, garnering a twenty percent market share.

Domestically, the "Phantom Beast Group," despite its lower international ranking compared to the above two, reigns supreme in China, underpinned by strong governmental procurement, virtually monopolizing local distribution.

Performance-wise, Pan-Biotic Technology Development Group's symbiotic beasts are undeniably superior.

The newly distributed "Fierce Beast Fourth Generation" represents the latest product, boasting significant performance enhancements over the previous generation. Initial fusion boosts basic physical capabilities by up to eighty-five times. Strength, agility, reflexes, and resilience dramatically improve. Once reaching maturity, an ordinary human can lift over ten tons and sprint at speeds of 120 meters per second. Surpassing a half-centimeter-thick alloy steel plate in physical durability, the body’s regenerative capacity dramatically enhances, potentially healing a person bisected at the waist in minutes.

Additional microdevices offer further enhancements, such as "ability control implants," the most advanced "antigravity personal propulsion," sixth-generation "Eye of Heaven," and a specialized "life-support energy conversion furnace," all providing comprehensive and powerful functionalities with exceptional performance.

The "International Biomechanical Beast Research Center's" latest offering, codenamed "Ogre Beast," showcases performance akin to the "Fierce Beast Fourth Generation," with notable improvements over its predecessor, the "Savage Beast." Despite not outperforming the "Fierce Beast Fourth Generation" overall, it introduces some novel features. The "Ogre Beast" boasts an ecological energy reserve four and a half times higher than the "Fierce Beast Fourth Generation," sustaining operations for up to five years on a single energy refill. Notably, the product includes a groundbreaking ability for "morphing," allowing hosts to alter their appearance, simulate others, and transform exterior protective layers into various preset forms, a flashy innovation.

Their promotional slogan: "Possess thousands of appearances, change your look at will."

The "Phantom Beast Group" also has a unique ace for the domestic market.

Though international treaties permit ordinary individuals to possess symbiotic beasts, there are constraints prohibiting weapon systems on civilian symbiotes. Phantom Beast leverages this aspect.

They developed an "Ancient Chinese Martial Arts Integration System" that allows hosts, after mastering its techniques, to rival or surpass martial arts experts in ancient novels.

With post-fusion enhancements, coupled with the innate abilities that most symbiotic beasts impart, feats like wall-running become trivial. Mastery over select combat techniques facilitates skyrocketing supremacy in unarmed combat against other symbiotic beast users.

Additionally, enthusiastic devotees have discovered methods to harness and disperse a symbiotic beast's energy, creating techniques like "Vacuum Palm," "Hundred Step Divine Punch," "Invisible Qi Sword," "Inherent Blade Light," "One Yang Finger," and "Tortoise Impact Wave."

Mastering the Ancient Chinese Martial Arts Integration System renders such techniques effortlessly achievable.

These abilities are non-lethal, compliant with international agreements, and garner a devoted following, making Phantom Beast’s products consistently popular domestically.

Symbiotic beasts stem from future-world technology, with humanity yet to fully grasp their complete array of functions. Presently, it’s understood that they integrate with humans in four stages of fusion.

Level One: Coexistence Fusion

This initial state of symbiosis sees the symbiote cohabit human skin, muscle, and some organs. The symbiote's enhanced cells coexist alongside human cells at this stage; separation from the host is still possible. Primarily, it offers essential protection, enhancing physical abilities several times over, with limited body repair capabilities when injured.

This stage is often termed parasitic fusion.

Level Two: Deep Fusion

At the cellular level, the symbiote's enhanced cells merge with human cells, forming a new state. Separation becomes impossible. Physical capabilities increase over a hundredfold compared to initial fusion. It absorbs ecological energy directly, creating a complete energetic circuit for human survival, enabling subsistence without water or food temporarily, and surviving hostile climates until energy runs dry. Surviving briefly in space is feasible.

At this level, humans can rely solely on ecological energy for short periods; however, human functions still require periodic reinforcement through hydration, respiration, and sustenance to maintain life functions. Capable of forming a microwave energy shield, it can emit potent energy blasts.

Completion of the second fusion stage and the establishment of an energy shield defines this level.

Level Three: Complete Fusion

Life form completely altered, representing a new form of existence. Lifespan extends significantly, reaching two to three millennia in Earth years. Possesses formidable abilities, capable of flight without any mechanical aid.

Beyond atmospheric movement, users can traverse space.

Fully sustainable on ecological energy alone, the restrictions of human biology are entirely eliminated; adverse conditions become negligible. While appearing human in normal states, in combative conditions, users display combat power akin to humanoid armored warriors. Nonetheless, many mysteries of complete fusion remain unsolved.

Human characteristics disappear at this stage, genetic lineage changes, and reproductive abilities vanish.

Completion of Stage Two Fusion and progression toward Stage Three requires unknown prerequisites, and the fusion process itself poses extreme risks, with less than three percent survival among participants. Meaning, out of a hundred, only three survive and achieve full fusion success.

Consequently, not everyone desires Stage Three Fusion. The demanding prerequisites for evolving a symbiotic beast discourage many, making the end result tantalizing yet rarely pursued.

Failure in Stage Three Fusion results in symbiotic feedback, reducing the human to a vegetative state, or total cellular disintegration.

Dubbed 'Genetic Fusion,' although precise changes in human biology or whether this constitutes genetic mutation remain uncertain.

Level Four: Ultimate Fusion

Research posits this as the final form of a combat-ready organism in future-world species, with only the Ziger Luna Roma Space Research Institute purportedly identifying two individuals breaking through into this stage, with all specifics presently unknown.