I am a female swordsman.

The man Sephiroth greeted was a very young, sinister man. He wore a white lab coat and frameless glasses, and looked like a venomous snake, ready to strike at any moment.

"Good evening, Sephiroth... Cloud, how interesting." The first sentence was a response to the greeting, but as Genus said the second sentence, his gaze had already fallen on Cloud.

That yearning gaze inexplicably reminded Claude of a lecherous man seeing a beautiful woman.

“My name is Genus, you can call me Dr. Genus. Don’t be surprised, I’ve seen your file, and I’ve written down all the information I’ve read here.” Genus tapped his head with his finger, clearly quite proud of his extraordinary intellect.

“Hello, Dr. Genus…” Claude instinctively wanted to speak, but for a moment he didn’t know what to say.

"You came here somewhat cluelessly, don't worry! Some people like you came here cluelessly too, but I guarantee you'll love it here very soon!"

What do you like?

Human experimentation? Human synthesis? Or human modification? Claude, filled with the most malicious speculation, dared not answer, nor did he dare ask what the consequences were for those like him.

Genus didn't exchange many pleasantries. After saying a few words to Sephiroth about the progress of the experiment that Cloud couldn't understand, he gestured for Cloud and Sephiroth to get in the car with him.

In the car, Genus handed Claude a document.

Speculations about the symptoms of deterioration and treatment methods.

After receiving the information, Claude looked at Genus with some confusion. The young and cold-looking doctor smiled slightly at Claude and slowly spoke.

"Claude, look, I've tried to write it in a way that even a monkey could understand. You're finished, and then you'll understand why your company was chosen to be here."

Chapter Seventy-Three: Opportunity

Deterioration is a phenomenon that currently only occurs in people who have been immersed in Mako liquid.

This phenomenon is irreversible.

Specifically, humans exposed to Mako energy undergo a complete and uncontrollable distortion of their bodies and personalities! It's as if this world is playing a cruel joke on humanity, turning the path of evolution into an unbelievable and insane contamination, where the slightest misstep can lead to death or something even worse!

The product of degradation is a monster.

Perhaps some of the corrupted retain their memories and human bodies, but something inexplicable within them has been completely altered, making them exceptionally cruel and evil...

And at this moment!

The degeneration has completely devoured the original personality of the affected individuals, turning them into something unknown. Due to the degeneration, they are often superior in every aspect, completely surpassing ordinary humans. The degenerated individuals controlled by Shinra either personally contribute to the psionic organ project or are requested by the specimen bank.

Claude watched very intently.

Or rather, this degraded document, so simple that even a monkey could understand it, couldn't possibly be something he couldn't comprehend. However, Claude still had a question that remained unanswered, something that wasn't mentioned in the document.

Why did we deteriorate?

Yes, everything has a reason. What exactly caused the deterioration? If the reason for the deterioration is Mako, then aren't these Shinra warriors, who are constantly soaked in Mako fluid, like ticking time bombs? Who knows, one day they might suddenly deteriorate into cruel monsters, turning their swords against their own kind.

"pollute."

Dr. Genus, the only one in the car who could answer Claude's questions, did not dodge, but instead lowered his head slightly, his expression indescribably gloomy and terrifying.

"Your education level is too low. You probably wouldn't understand anything about genetic evolution or information pollution. All you need to know is that something was interfered with when the fragile human body took its first step in evolution. The source of the interference is unknown, and the human body slides towards deterioration, eventually losing control completely." The River of Life is controlled by the planet's will, and the planet's will in this world is almost insane. Although it cannot stop Shinra from mining the River of Life, it cannot stop it from tampering with it.

This point was discovered through joint research by multiple departments after the degradation was detected.

The training of Shinra warriors is essentially organizing a group of people to undergo a test of degradation rate, which is absolutely impossible without strong organizational execution.

Fortunately, this rate of deterioration did not turn into a mortality rate.

"After all that, you should understand, Third-Class Soldier Claude. Your degradation level has exceeded the normal range." This is roughly equivalent to a doctor in a hospital holding a cancer diagnosis and asking you to get the necessary documents.

Is there anything I can do?

Claude was calm, so calm that it didn't seem like he had contracted this incurable disease.

Genos pushed up his glasses in surprise, suddenly realizing he might have misjudged the blond kid. He had expected the boy to panic and be terrified, but instead, he faced the situation with such calm and composure—a rare and precious quality.

In fact, Claude was scared, terrified!

He couldn't sleep at night because of the sheer size of the object! He felt like his entire life was about to collapse at any moment! If it were the first time he learned about the degradation, Claude would definitely be trembling with fear. But he already knew, and having barely survived that ever-present terror, he was now able to appear calm and composed.

"There is a project that can save the lives of the corrupted. You are not the first Shinra employee to become corrupted, nor will you be the last. Soldier Third Class Cloud, Shinra needs you to participate in this project!"

This is an invitation that cannot be refused.

Psionic organs can solve the problem at its root!

Genus smiled and extended his hand, which Claude grasped in his slightly dazed state.

'Resolved?'

………………

Has the matter been resolved? Claude felt like he was dreaming; the seeds of doubt that had been sown in his heart regarding Shinra still felt somewhat unreal to him.

This sense of unreality persisted until certain modules were loaded onto his personal terminal, signifying the disclosure of the various confidentiality regulations, methods, and measures of the psionic organ project. Guided by the AI, Claude completed the testing himself and began operating some relatively simple instruments.

The extremely thorough physical examination revealed Claude's true physical condition.

The degradation value remains stable.

After doing all this, Claude was honored to become Dr. Genus's assistant. Because the previous monkey—no, the previous assistant—during some somewhat dangerous experiments, his personal strength was insufficient to guarantee his own safety, and a special organ accidentally pierced his chest, taking away his vital lungs.

"Is there any danger to life during experiments?"

"Do you think it's safe to conduct experiments? Or do you think it's safe for uncivilized Native Americans to walk into a high-voltage power room and touch everything?"

Claude, speechless after being choked by Genus, lowered his head silently. Although he wanted to argue that he was not a monkey, the natural intellectual superiority of Genus forced him to shut his mouth.

“From today until next month, I’m going to train you from a monkey that can only use muscles into a monkey that can at least use tools. A psionic organ isn’t something you can get just by lying on an operating table. You need to know what the function of the psionic organ you’re about to transplant is, how much energy it consumes, the physical phenomena it will cause, and how it works. Learn. The more you learn, the greater your success rate and the better your chances of survival!”

The backward bows to the advanced, and barbarism bows to wisdom.

Genus's words were clearly intended to intimidate Claude, who appeared calm and unmotivated to learn, and their credibility is debatable. However, one thing is certain: Genus's statement that the more knowledge one acquires through learning, the higher the success rate is absolutely not deceptive.

After spending some time on the muscular monkey, Genos glanced at the time.

"You can leave today after you've read the lab rules."

As he spoke, he put on a mask and rubber gloves, as Genos needed to regularly check on the breeding progress of each sub-project. Regarding this monkey assistant, Genos only hoped that he could be of some use under the pressure of life and death, and not be completely unreliable.

This is an incredible opportunity.

The psionic organ project is not yet complete, but Genus is certain that a fully psionic Shinra warrior would have combat power that would be on par with the Angel King! It's just that Cloud is lucky to have caught this crucial moment in the project!

Chapter Seventy-Four: Pre-Match Visit

From the moment humans descended from the trees, a bloody and brutal massacre began.

In the earliest stages, they struggled against the harsh living environment.

Wild beasts and insects, floods and fires. Early humans were simply no match for wild animals whose bodies far surpassed their own. As they gradually developed tools for survival, they also realized that certain techniques and stances could protect them from wild beasts. This was the earliest form of martial arts, which has been passed down from generation to generation.

The martial arts in this world are very powerful.

At least when Sakura Yomi was reviewing historical documents, she discovered that even in the era of powerful ships and cannons, there were still a large number of powerful martial artists.

Some powerful martial artists were even able to control the wind and fire, manipulate thunder and lightning, using their strength and skills—capabilities almost equivalent to those of gods in mythology. It wasn't until the technological explosion that martial arts were left far behind that we see what we now call the decline of martial arts!

even so……

In the darkness beyond the reach of ordinary eyes, ancient martial arts, ninjutsu, swordsmanship, death combat, ascetics, and other groups that can be categorized as martial arts practitioners still thrive in the shadows.

The World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament is just one corner of this undercurrent rising to the surface!

A bustling crowd arrived in droves!

As one of the country's traditional arts, the martial arts tournament is such a spectacular and exhilarating event that it attracts a large audience to watch live every time it is held. Many television stations also dedicate time slots to broadcasting this grand spectacle.

For ordinary people, watching a martial arts tournament is just for fun.

The martial artists' visceral punches and fluid, powerful moves are enough to leave audiences breathless with excitement. And of course, such a spectacle wouldn't be complete without a professional commentary.

This martial arts tournament features a special guest commentator: Haojie!

It's impossible for an ordinary person to explain the dazzling martial arts moves and their effects, and they also need to have a certain understanding of the martial arts world and the general overview of various schools. Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain them at all. This hero is a former champion of the martial arts tournament, and his exceptional knowledge makes him perfectly suited to be a guest.

"Phew...it's really lively here."

At the top of the martial arts tournament venue, without any tools, Sakura Yomi stood in a difficult balancing pose. Looking down at the dark mass of people below through her black-rimmed glasses, her gaze gradually became excited.

The venue was vast, allowing for unrestricted combat. With so many participants, there were bound to be some very strong individuals among them. The familiar battle atmosphere brought a smile to Sakura Yomi's lips, and her blood seemed to flow faster throughout her body!

A feeling from a past life!!

Sakura Yomi opened her fair, jade-like left hand to the blazing sunlight. The originally scattered sunlight was drawn together by an invisible force, quickly converging towards her left palm.

"Hmm? Why is it so much darker?"

"It's getting hot!"

"Hey, what's going on at this venue?!"

The light enveloping the venue suddenly dimmed considerably, but instead of decreasing, the temperature rose slightly. Such a noticeable change was easily perceived even by ordinary people, let alone by martial artists who were extremely sensitive to their surroundings; many participants' expressions changed drastically as a result!

Could this ability to summon the sun be the arrival of that blind swordsman from the Sword Saint Guild?

………………

Ms. Yomi Mado, waiting room.

The brutal elimination mechanism meant that only the winners advanced and the losers were eliminated, with no excuses or justifications. While savage, it suited Sakura Yomi's taste perfectly. She seemed to catch a whiff of her past life on the run, fearing the potential backlash from the transferred power or the pursuit of imperial soldiers—the pressure was mounting relentlessly!

No matter what kind of opponent lies ahead, Sakura Yomi is fearless!

As Sakura Yomi was examining the group assignment list in her hand, a steady male voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Is Ms. Mado inside?

"Please come in."

The person who entered was blond, blue-eyed, and baby-faced, clad in full steel armor, with a katana at his waist. Upon seeing Yomi, he instinctively stood at attention respectfully. This man was Iaian, who had met Yomi once before, and was one of the beloved disciples of the hero [Atomic Samurai] Kamikaze, and had some connection with the true [Scattered Cherry Blossom Sword Style].

Iaian's respect for Yomi stemmed from the scene where she was able to sit down and chat with her master, Kamikaze, and Master Bango.

The martial arts world is a place that highly values ​​seniority and experience.

Being able to sit down and have an equal exchange with his master, Kamikaze, and Master Bang must mean he has extraordinary abilities.

"I saw Ms. Mado on the list of contestants, so I came here specifically to pay her a visit." Iai-an spoke in a measured tone, showing no disrespect for Sakura Yomi despite her unassuming appearance. This handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed man exuded a sharp aura as he walked, the crisp, melodious sound of his armor clashing seemed to warn his enemies.

"How have you been lately, Mr. Kamikaze? ... Please sit down, there's no need to be so formal."