I live in the Martian wilderness!

In 2037, Earth's civilization entered the era of controlled nuclear fusion, and enormous ecological dome cities rose from the ground.

The original design goal of the Dome City was to select and train elite astronauts, special forces, and key scientific researchers for deep space colonization.

These enclosed, adaptive dome cities maintain a constant oxygen concentration of 30%, far higher than the 21% of the surface atmosphere in the old era.

This mild hyperoxia protocol can significantly improve blood oxygen saturation, accelerate metabolic recovery, and lead to faster physical and cognitive growth during high-intensity training.

This is an indispensable physiological pre-adaptation for pioneers who will soon face the Martian depressurization chamber or the lunar base.

Only a select few who pass a rigorous selection process can become "dome dwellers" and are allowed to live long-term in these 30% oxygen environments.

Ordinary people still breathe standard 21% air; the world outside the dome remains unchanged.

However, unexpected byproducts of high oxygen levels quietly appeared.

Chronic oxidative stress is a double-edged sword. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals it produces can inadvertently trigger a reprogramming of the genomes of a very small number of people carrying recessive genes.

Those "potential modules" hidden by millions of years of evolution are permanently unlocked under the precise oxidation of ROS, awakening unimaginable superpowers.

As of 2047, there will be only ten officially registered Awakened individuals worldwide.

They are all from the inhabitants of the dome, and each of them has become the most secret strategic trump card of their respective countries! They are capable of turning the scales of war and peace around.

The high-oxygen dome was originally created for interstellar pioneers, but unexpectedly gave birth to the most dazzling anomaly in the history of human evolution.

......

Gu Yu is the ninth genetic mutant in Earth's official records, but he is the most unique anomaly among these ten miracles.

His awakened ability is "carbon-fixed breathing," where carbon dioxide replaces oxygen and becomes the sole fuel for his life.

In this golden age of high oxygen, he became a "patient" who could only survive by being isolated from oxygen, spending his days in the oxygen-free environment of the national laboratory.

Until researchers discovered his cellular-level super-fast regeneration ability!

In order not to waste his talent, he volunteered to participate in the taboo experiment codenamed "Project Heart Bridge".

Finally, a rice-grain-sized biochip was implanted into his cerebral cortex as a "neuron synchronizer".

It acts like an ultimate bridge, accurately translating the massive data stream of "Xuanjian Ai" into neural electrical impulses that the brain can understand.

It directly performs "reading and writing" at the brain's fundamental level to achieve unparalleled efficiency in developing brain potential.

But this is a forbidden technology that can burn brain nerves!

The derived capabilities of carbon sequestration and respiration provide precisely the ability for ultra-fast regeneration at the cellular level.

The nerve damage caused by Xuanjian AI, combined with his supernatural ability to instantly repair it, formed a perfect cycle of destruction and regeneration.

This allowed his brain development to progress by leaps and bounds!

Carbon fixation breathing not only gave rise to two more abilities, but more importantly, it also awakened a second ability in him!

......

"Xuanjian, retrieve the body data."

[Generating data panel...] ​​Xuanjian's clear voice rang in his mind.

The AR-HUD display layer of the tactical helmet was activated, and a dark blue data stream was projected onto the inside of the visor, floating semi-transparently in front of the field of vision.

Name: Gu Yu

Age: 24

Height: 185CM

[Weight: 82 KG]

Rank: Captain

Stamina: 1980 / 2000

[Spirit Value: 5 / 2000]

Brain development level: 65.3%.

[Superpower 1: Carbon-fixing respiration]

Level: II

Type: Permanent Passive/Bio-Modification

Energy consumption: None

Core mechanism: reverse metabolism.

The host's mitochondria undergo a fundamental mutation, no longer releasing energy through oxidation reactions, but instead extracting chemical energy directly from carbon dioxide using a "carbon fixation reduction reaction".

Input: Carbon dioxide + trace amounts of moisture

Output: High-energy hydrocarbons (providing energy for the body) + oxygen (O2, which is expelled as metabolic waste gas)

Effect: This grants the host unlimited endurance and explosive power in the Martian atmosphere, which is 95% carbon dioxide.

[Derivative Capabilities]

1. Carbon cycle: Carbon elements are recombined on the body surface to form a layer of "graphene bio-armor" that is invisible to the naked eye.

Ability Effect: Grants vacuum immunity. The bio-armor physically locks in body moisture to prevent boiling and can withstand internal and external pressure differences of up to 3 atmospheres.

Second, carbon control: microscopic manipulation of pure carbon substances by interfering with the covalent bonds of carbon atoms through bioelectric fields.

Ability Effect A: Mobilizes the body's carbon elements to repair damaged cells, muscles, and bones at a visible speed.

Ability Effect B: Can generate carbonized armor, reorganize graphite powder into high-strength structural components, or change the physical morphology of carbon fiber materials.

[Negative Status: Oxygen Poisoning]

Due to metabolic reversal, high concentrations of oxygen (>25%) are highly toxic neurotoxins to you, which can cause dizziness, metabolic disorders, or even shock.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

[Superpower 2: Gravity Kingship]

Level: I

Type: Force Field Manipulation

Energy consumption: mental energy

Core mechanism: gravitational potential well sensing.

Ability Effect: The brain has evolved a sixth sense of gravitational waves. No matter what kind of gravity environment it is in, the cerebellum can instantly rewrite the balance algorithm.

Walking on Mars (0.38G) is as stable as on Earth, and one can walk on flat ground even in weightlessness, and is immune to motion sickness.

[Derivative Capabilities]

1. Gravitational Anchor Point: It can lock itself in the current gravitational field.

Ability effects: such as forcibly obtaining false gravity to stand on a wall in a weightless environment, or reducing one's own mass to achieve a super high jump when jumping.

Second, vector manipulation:

Ability Effect A: Repulsive Force; Generates an anti-gravity field in the palm of the hand, repelling incoming objects or knocking them away.

Ability Effect B: Gravity; Creates miniature gravitational singularities, drawing distant objects into the hand.

Ability Effect C: Precision micromanagement; repairing precision mechanical structures using microscopic gravitational fields.

[Negative State: Neural Etching]

Gravity is the most difficult of the four fundamental forces of the universe to control.

Each time gravity is actively interfered with, it places a huge mental burden on the cerebral cortex.

Consequences of overload: Mild cases may result in nosebleeds and severe migraines; severe cases may lead to coma or even permanent damage to brain nerves.

...

A few seconds later, as the data stream disappeared, Gu Yu's gaze became incredibly profound.

He knew very well that the reason the country had placed all its bets on him a year ago boiled down to only two things: cost and efficiency.

His two superpowers combined to form an irreplaceable solution for pioneering Mars, making him the chosen one!

Now, this is also the capital that allows him to survive alone on this red land.

"Xuan," Gu Yu's voice was hoarse but incredibly firm, "Open the hatch!"

[Command confirmed, balancing internal and external air pressure...]

Gu Yu walked to the airlock door, and through his helmet, one could see his handsome yet rugged face.

His facial features are well-defined, and his deep eyes, like a calm starry sea, exude a composure beyond his years.

"laugh--"

The hatch slid open, and Gu Yu stepped out, his magnetic boots automatically closing.

In an instant, Mars' gravity, which is only 38% of Earth's, acted like an invisible hand, suddenly "lifting" him upwards!

With a slight thought, an invisible force field instantly enveloped Gu Yu's entire body.

The feeling of weightlessness as he floated upwards was crushed, and his feet were firmly rooted to this land that had been untouched for millions of years.

Only now did he begin to examine this new world.

There was no wind, no chirping of insects, no familiar sounds. Only a crimson wasteland stretched to the distant horizon.

Several crimson craters, bearing the marks of millions of years of meteorite impacts, stand like silent giants in the distance.

The sun that was once so familiar has become a slightly smaller, pale disc here.

"mysterious..."

"I'm here, Captain."

"Is this... Mars?"

Gu Yu stared blankly at the unfamiliar world before him through his mask.

Xuanjian's clear voice carried an absolute sense of rational reassurance: "Yes, Captain, this is Mars."

"The atmospheric pressure here is less than 1% of that on Earth, extremely dry, and bitterly cold. 95% of the thin atmosphere is carbon dioxide."

"What is a deadly hell for carbon-based humans is a perfect breathing medium for you with the ability to fix carbon and breathe."

"A perfect... medium?" Gu Yu gave a wry smile. "But that doesn't change the fact that it's a prison."

Xuanjian did not refute, and the next second, the originally clean AR-HUD interface changed color instantly.

The gentle, dark blue data stream disappeared, replaced by lines of harsh reality flashing with high-risk warning red lights.

[WARNING: Deep Space Link Disrupted]

[Communication Status: Out of Contact (Signal Loss Rate 100%)]

Current coordinates: Orbit of the fourth planet in the solar system

Distance from Earth: 6.02 × 10^7 km (sixty million kilometers)

(Note: Due to orbital dynamics, this distance is increasing at a rate of 80 kilometers per day.)

[Task Status: Changed]

The original mission "Establish an outpost" has been cancelled.

The planned resupply of the Long March 9 rocket has been postponed indefinitely.

Current mission – Project Fireseed has failed.

[Survival Assessment]

Carrying food reserves: 66 days

The latest theoretical rescue window: 542 days later.

Estimated success rate of the rescue mission: < 17%

[Highest priority recommendation: Survival.]

Gu Yu stared at that glaring 17% for a long time.

He has now truly set foot on Mars, fulfilling a centuries-old human dream.

But it was truly abandoned by the entire world on this wasteland 60 million kilometers away.

As the first person in history to achieve this, he should feel honored and excited, but now he only feels a chill that penetrates to the bone...

Sixty million kilometers, 66 days' worth of survival supplies, a rescue success rate of 17%...

These harsh realities, like cold nails, pinned Gu Yu to this lonely planet.