The surgery was complete.
In his private room, Benjamin conjured three sparring dolls and used them to familiarize himself with his enhanced body through rapid punches.
His power did not become uncontrollable due to growing too quickly. After just one set of punches, he fully mastered it.
With a thought, Benjamin returned to his bedroom in reality.
"Hey, Team Leader Liu… what, going to the factory for shift now?"
His mother's, voice came from the living room; she was probably on the phone about work.
"...I understand the factory's difficulties, but I've already gone home. It was my turn last week, and this week it's Meis's and the others' turn."
"Why? They have to take care of their own children, but I have to work night shifts every day? I also have a child at home...!"
"Go ahead and deduct it if you want. Let me tell you, Liu, I'm quitting this job. But you owe me every penny for the hours I've worked. If you short me even a cent, I'll sue you!"
"My son is earning money now. I don't care about that perfect attendance bonus. You can work your way up yourself...!"
She hung up the phone angrily. Before, for her child and for stability, she thought that working harder and being tired was okay.
But the more she helped her colleagues, the more they took it for granted, dumping all sorts of hard work on her every day.
However, now it's different. Her son is successful.
Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. (Meaning: Fortune alternates over time.)
Finally, she no longer had to put up with this kind of treatment. She spoke out what she had kept bottled up for three years, feeling triumphant and ten years younger.
Benjamin pushed open the bedroom door and entered the living room.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I just called the factory and said that Mom will retire from now on and rely on her son to support her."
Seeing her son come out, Mom's smugness subsided slightly.
Looking at Benjamin with a radiant smile, she felt genuinely happy, as if her life had been worthwhile.
"Okay, then I'll drive you there tomorrow!"
Benjamin chuckled. He was happy to cooperate with such a small matter. Back home, his tense emotions finally relaxed for a moment.
Nothing happened that night.
At 9 a.m., after the family finished breakfast, Benjamin drove his mother to the factory to complete her resignation procedures.
There were no embarrassing moments; the resignation went smoothly.
When Team Leader Liu saw Benjamin and Benjamin's Mom, he didn't mock them. He said a few words calmly, then signed the papers. His mother's salary would be deposited into her account next month.
This left Benjamin's mother, somewhat unsatisfied, but she didn't notice the tightly clenched hands and the dejected back of Team Leader Liu as he left.
He thought of his idle child at home, wondering how much longer he would have to endure, perhaps until he was too old to move.
As soon as they entered the residential area, the mother asked Benjamin to park the car on the side of the road.
She slowly got out of the car, greeted the crowd, and joined the square dance group.
"Hey, Hui, aren't you going to work at the factory today?"
"Who's this young man? Why did he come all the way to drive you back to the neighborhood?"
A group of middle-aged women greeted the mother excitedly.
"This is my son. He's doing well now, so I can finally retire!"
"That's amazing! Your son's doing well! That car must have cost a fortune."
...
Hui seemed unconcerned, offering a few modest words, but after that, she lost all interest in dancing.
She turned and sat down on a nearby bench, basking in the sun and scrolling through short videos.
The autumn sun was warm, and it felt like the first time in twenty years she'd ever been in the sun.
Benjamin parked his car in the basement garage, entered the elevator, and pressed the button for the fourth floor.
The elevator slowly ascended.
When it reached the first floor, the elevator doors opened, and a pretty girl with a single ponytail walked in. She was wearing a matching pure white tracksuit with pink trim from a certain brand.
This vibrant outfit, however, seemed somewhat incongruous with her pale lips.
When the girl saw Benjamin, she slightly raised her right hand, smiled, and nodded, as if to say hello.
She was Lynas, the girl from room 403.
Benjamin nodded slightly in response, then frowned almost imperceptibly.
There was a metallic scent of blood on the woman, emanating from her lower body.
He was now extremely sensitive to blood and was certain this woman was injured. The wound was at least two inches long and quite deep.
"You don't look well," Benjamin said tentatively.
The silent girl standing beside him seemed surprised by Benjamin's words. She paused for a moment before speaking:
"Well… girls get like this every month. I'm a bit anemic."
She lowered her head slightly, a few strands of her blonde hair slipping from her ears.
"Oh, drink more hot water."
Benjamin replied casually, his heart sinking. This woman was lying!
What had injured her? Why was she lying? Did she have something she couldn't tell?
His gaze briefly swept over the girl's thigh, unnoticed by her.
Judging from the location of the smell, the wound was on the outside of her right leg, and it must have been recently treated, so the smell of blood hadn't dissipated yet.
"Thank you."
The girl seemed very silent, completely different from when he'd seen her a few days ago.
"It's nothing. Do you want to go to the hospital to rest for a few days?"
Benjamin wondered if he was being overly sensitive because of his two terrifying experiences in the world, perhaps even suffering from persecution complex!
He even suspected that this woman might also be a tower Guardian.
"No need, I'll be fine after a couple of days of rest."
Ding! Fourth floor arrived.
Lynas said as she stepped out of the elevator and walked towards 403.
Benjamin followed behind, carefully observing the girl.
Her feet, left leg, upper body, and even her arms moved normally.
Only her right leg was injured, but the wound was definitely from a regularly shaped sharp weapon!
Why would an ordinary girl suffer from knife or sword wounds?
And she was willing to use menstruation, something girls are ashamed to talk about, to cover up the wound, which made Benjamin suspicious.
He hoped he was overthinking it. How could it be such a coincidence that another tower guardian had appeared next door?
However, this girl living so close to his house could cause trouble. He needed to nip any danger in the bud.
This world wasn't simple; it wasn't the ordinary world of his past life. He had to proceed cautiously, step by step, and couldn't be careless.
Benjamin pondered this as he returned to his bedroom and communicated with the Lighthouse Mark to check the information for the next story world.
[Next story world: "Spasm," countdown 28 days, 16:23 (refreshable)]
Benjamin frowned slightly at the name.
Even with his extensive knowledge of horror movies online, he'd never seen this one before. Who made it, and who was watching it?
Refresh!
[Deducted 500 survival points, refresh successful]
[Next story world: "Deceased Husband and Tenant," countdown 28 days, 16:21 (refreshable)]
Benjamin felt a bit confused. What kind of movie was this? What country was it from? Director, come out!
Was it because his own knowledge is too limited, or because there were too many unknown films in his past life? He has already begun to doubt whether this is a movie from another world!
Refresh!
Benjamin gritted his teeth. Survival points were limited; this time, no matter what the movie was, he'd go for it.
He escaped pain in the first world, and killed greed in the second. Couldn't he become stronger without knowing the plot?
[Deducted 1000 survival points, refresh successful]
[Next plot world: "The Heart Has a Ghost," countdown: 28 days, 16:20 (refreshable)]
"?"
Benjamin was now extremely sensitive to the word "heart."
He'd even dare to go for "The Butt Has a Ghost," but the "heart", his lifeline—he relied on his heart to survive!
No need, really no need. Fine, refresh again!
Benjamin sighed.
[Deducted 2000 survival points, refresh successful]
Benjamin felt a sense of relief upon seeing the new scenario world.
He was just worrying about how to fill the deep space of the Life Box when this world arrived at the perfect time.
The message relayed by the lighthouse read:
[Next story world: Tomie, countdown 28 days, 16:17 (can be refreshed)]
Benjamin finally got a world with a known plot.
This story mainly revolves around an immortal monster: Tomie Kawakami!
Tomie Kawakami is an incredibly beautiful woman, attractive to men, women, young and old. Her origins are unknown, and she is vain and arrogant.
She possesses a strange constitution, capable of endlessly reproducing through her own cells, with a reproductive ability similar to that of a planarian.
She possesses a deadly charm, alluring yet deadly, seducing men and driving them mad.
All men fight and kill each other for her, murdering wives, fathers, and children, including committing suicide.
But in the end, they all tear Tomie to pieces to satisfy their own sordid possessiveness.
Tomie, though dismembered, does not die. Instead, she splits and regenerates into new Tomie, spreading her charm to more places and causing the tragedy to repeat itself countless times.