So that's how it is. But where did this book come from? What does it have to do with my transmigration? Chen Gu was utterly perplexed.
On the other hand, Milna Katerina's memories related to Professionals explained Chen Gu's previous doubts. The Biological Nuclear Explosion skill was indeed the ability to unleash a terrifying nuclear explosion using one's own biological body! Besides Biological Nuclear Explosion, every skill of a Professional seemed to defy common sense in Chen Gu's eyes. The key to achieving all this was "Super Material."
"Super Material" originated from Super Lifeforms in the Star Sea. Super Lifeforms weren't a single species but various immensely powerful beings, their existence currently inexplicable by scientific theories, appearing almost as isolated entities within the Star Sea. These lifeforms weren't necessarily colossal in size, but they invariably possessed incredible power. Each Super Lifeform could single-handedly confront a primary human Starship! Every Super Lifeform had left nightmarish memories for human fleets.
Although researchers still hadn't found conclusive evidence, it was widely speculated that the extraordinary abilities of Super Lifeforms stemmed from the Super Material within their bodies. Humans encountered their first Super Lifeform while developing the sixth colonial planet, "Pioneer Star." It was a powerful entity resembling a fusion of a whale and a centipede, several thousand meters in length, possessing the abilities of "Deep Freeze" and "Teleportation." Humanity lost half a fleet before finally slaying this Super Lifeform, thereby acquiring the first-ever sample of Super Material from its corpse. To this day, humans still don't understand how such clearly "unscientific" beings as Super Lifeforms came into existence, or why they persist.
In subsequent history, humans discovered Super Lifeforms numerous times. Most were entirely different from one another, with no apparent connection, yet every Super Lifeform contained Super Material. The queen of the Alien Insect Race, a major headache for the human military, was the weakest "Super Lifeform" yet discovered, possessing only a minimal amount of Super Material. In every respect, the queen was an anomaly among Super Lifeforms.
Only with Super Material and a special Profession "Generator" could a Professional be created. The very existence of Super Material defied common sense, yet it was what supported Professionals in performing their various incredible skills, such as Biological Nuclear Explosion.
Chen Gu suddenly grasped some of the meaning behind the phrase on the title page: Science and mystery are intricately entangled. The end of science may well be mystery. No matter the world, there were always many mysteries that science seemed unable to explain: his own soul transmigration, this book titled "The Past of Four Hundred," the so-called... Professionals.
Chen Gu took a deep breath, his consciousness re-entering that mysterious void. With another thought, he flipped past Milna Katerina's page. On the second page, a portrait of a person still occupied the center.
He was tall and strong, but not overly muscular, striking a balance between power and agility. His short hair stood stiffly like steel needles atop his head. He wore a dark green combat uniform from an unknown organization, complete with a belt, a monocle, and an arm-mounted computer—all clearly high-tech. His entire right arm, extending to his right pectoral, had been replaced with metallic components through advanced medical procedures. Energy flickered within these components, perhaps concealing some formidable weapon.
His hands were tucked into his belt, his gaze ferocious, as if he were perpetually watching, ready to punish any mistake without hesitation. Yet, for some reason, this man, who exuded ferocity, irascibility, and cunning, also inspired a profound sense of security: on a battlefield, you would confidently entrust your back to him.
On the blank spaces to the sides of the portrait, lines of text were written.
On the left:
Name: Griffin Wester
Profession: Star Battle Instructor
Origin: Blue Blood Ruffians Expeditionary Force
Ability: High-Energy Combat Art
On the right:
Griffin Wester was the fifth Star Battle Instructor of the Blue Blood Ruffians. It was due to this Profession that the Blue Blood Ruffians became the foremost mercenary corps during humanity's era of great interstellar exploration.
Compared to the diverse and strange abilities of other Professionals, a Star Battle Instructor trusts only his own hands. High-Energy Combat Art is profound and extensive, capable of complementing any high-tech weaponry, such as Griffin's "Titanium Crystal" mechanical arm, Star Armor, personal nuclear-powered furnaces, or even the... Divine Light Cleave Warship Saber.
As an instructor, Griffin possessed discipline bordering on obsessive-compulsive disorder; he couldn't tolerate the slightest "mess" in camp. This even influenced his aesthetic sense; make no mistake, he was a thoroughly pragmatic and unyielding man. He wasn't easy to get along with, but he was undoubtedly a good comrade-in-arms. If you underestimated his battlefield command, leadership, or decisiveness due to his inflexibility, you were gravely mistaken. He was an excellent mentor but not a good friend; he had once successfully driven three of his close friends mad.
From his experience with Milna Katerina, Chen Gu already knew that the memories of the individuals on each page of "The Past of Four Hundred" could "possess" him, allowing him to use their abilities through this "possession." However, he had no idea to what "Energy Level" of strength he could tap into.
Chen Gu gently touched the page. Griffin Wester's portrait instantly vanished, and a vast flood of memories poured into Chen Gu.
With a loud shout, Chen Gu executed a perfect kip-up. BANG! He snapped from a prone position to military attention!
His eyes wide, he swiveled his neck robotically, surveying the apartment.
"Damn it, what the hell is this place? Where's my training equipment?" he thought, his new persona taking over.
"These furnishings are too light! Is there a single piece over five hundred pounds? That's less than one of my dumbbells!
"The window angles are all wrong! A bullet could hit any spot in this room from outside!
"What is that! Gods, that flimsy plank—they call it a door? It offers no security whatsoever!
"Sealing! It doesn't even have basic sealing! Enemy biochemical attacks could easily penetrate!
"Which idiot billeted me here? This dump needs a complete overhaul: embed polymer composite armor plates in the walls, shrink the windows, install four automated weapon stations…"
This time, Chen Gu forcefully suppressed the strong urge—induced by Griffin Wester's memories—to "immediately begin renovations." His form flickered, leaving an afterimage…
In an instant, Chen Gu had launched dozens of attacks from various angles using his fists, feet, elbows, knees, back, and even his hair—so fast the naked eye could barely track their trajectories!
Within mere seconds, Chen Gu's stamina was significantly depleted. He shook his head, sweat flying from his hair like raindrops.
Only then did Chen Gu truly understand the description on the right about High-Energy Combat Art being "profound and expansive." This ability, or rather, technique, could perfectly integrate with any high-tech equipment to unleash the maximum combined power of the user's body and the equipment!
By now, the compulsion in Chen Gu's mind to "renovate immediately" was almost overwhelming. He released Griffin Wester's memories, and the man's portrait returned to the thick, ancient tome.
Immediately, an intense hunger assailed him. Chen Gu rushed to the refrigerator, but when he pulled open the door, he remembered with a jolt that he had just moved in and bought nothing. It was completely empty.
Chen Gu sat down, accessed the Interstellar Quantum Network, and ordered a large amount of food, opting for the expensive express delivery.
While waiting for the delivery, Chen Gu recalled experiencing similar intense hunger after overexertion in his past life—one such episode had even led to hypoglycemia. This current body, however, seemed to be in excellent condition. The hunger was acute, but there were no other discomforts.
As soon as I left, the other two souls under Soul Imprisonment were killed… I have 'The Past of Four Hundred' inside me, and it seems to contain many 'pasts.' Where do these pasts originate? How are they stored in the book? Under Soul Imprisonment, physical functions wouldn't improve, even if they didn't deteriorate. The original owner of this body was just an ordinary high school student; he shouldn't be this formidable…
Chen Gu engaged his analytical skills. As the saying goes, "an actor who doesn't aspire to direct isn't a good screenwriter"; many actors honed their critical thinking by meticulously dissecting scripts.
Luckily, with the Nuclear Explosion Nun, I didn't actually unleash the Biological Nuclear Explosion, Chen Gu thought with a lingering fear. Otherwise… I'm afraid she would have drained me dry on the spot.
Five minutes later, the food arrived.
Looking at the now fully stocked refrigerator, Chen Gu heaved a sigh of relief. It feels good to be prepared.
He ate ravenously, his thoughts returning to "The Past of Four Hundred." This thing… it suits me surprisingly well. If anyone else got it, each possession would induce a kind of 'method acting,' so realistic that after a few times, they'd suffer from personality dissociation, unable to tell which self was real.
That means… they'd go insane.
I might only be a minor actor, but I've had professional training. I know how to disengage from the characters I portray.
This Golden Finger is incredibly dangerous, hmm, even though its power is also extraordinary…
Hmm, I can't get complacent. In my previous life, many truly great actors became so immersed in their roles they couldn't break free, eventually developing psychological disorders, even descending into madness or suicide!
Chen Gu silently cautioned himself. After eating his fill, he once again entered that mysterious, profound space.
He tried to flip past Griffin Wester's page, but it wouldn't move, as if the subsequent pages were fused together. Chen Gu was taken aback. Soon, a line of text materialized in the void: Energy Level insufficient.