4 Project GNX

While Lin Fan's home looked like any other home in the district, the interior far surpassed his expectations. The combination of polished hardwood and plush carpets adorned the walls and floors, creating a warm and inviting ambiance unlike those made out of cement, ceramic, or marble.

Lin Fan was immediately greeted by an abundance of natural light pouring in through the expansive sunroof and windows, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape of the district where each house had its own colorful gardens and fruit trees.

Passing through the entrance and removing his shoes to place on the wooden rack, Lin Fan was met with a luxurious lounge that seemed straight out of a home magazine. The array of plush cushions, oversized sofas, and inviting upholstery relaxed him. He sank into one of the sofas, engulfed in a sense of comfort that almost made him doze off.

The walls of the lounge were adorned with numerous photographs. Some depicted two older figures resembling Lin Fan, with a disgruntled young girl probably in her early teens with green hair situated between them. Later photographs captured the entire family together, with the girl playfully carrying Lin Fan while the parents laughed. The most recent picture was the girl in her early twenties standing next to Lin Fan.

From beginning to end, the girl went from disgruntled to happy, as if she found a place to call home and be herself. The careful placement of the framed photographs suggested a story that will perhaps be told another time.

Discreetly integrated into the lounge was a state-of-the-art entertainment system, complete with a large screen that practically spanned an entire wall, along with multiple gaming consoles.

Tatsumaki sprawled out on the sofa without bothering to change immediately. Her psychic powers effortlessly lifted a small carton of strawberry milk from the mini-fridge next to the sofa. Pouring a stream of pink sweet goodness into her mouth. She seemed almost sloth-like as her pajamas floated in from upstairs, ready for her to change out of her black dress.

Lin Fan turned away, familiar with Tatsumaki's casual demeanor at home. She no longer needed to maintain an image, not that she had particularly cared about the so-called image to the commoners anyway. His memories reminded him that she had been doing this since he was born.

The television switched to a news channel, with a reporter speaking amid loud sirens in the background. "We've arrived at the train cart where the hero Tatsumaki saved the passengers."

An image of the sliced-up train cart flashed across the screen, and some passengers in the news seemed familiar to Lin Fan. One of them even appeared in the interview, proudly showcasing recorded footage on their phone. "Dude, I can't believe I got to see Tatsumaki in person! Look, check it out."

Soon, the reporter brought it back to the news station. "We are currently investigating how the monster managed to bypass our security system. We urge the public to remain calm as we are on high alert. That's all from me. That's it from me, back to you, Andrej, and Malaya..."

Andrej, a middle-aged man with European features and light brown hair, and Malaya, an Asian woman with a light-brown complexion and beautiful almond-shaped eyes, were the news anchors.

"Thank you, Jerome. We hope that all the victims are safe and sound. It seems that the person Tatsumaki rescued just as they were about to be attacked holds a special significance for the Tornado of Terror. We have received reports of her flying to the scene even before the dispatch signal was sent out. Our team will investigate deeper into this relationship." Andrej winked and chuckled.

Tatsumaki grumbled, her smartphone began to float to her while she rested her head on her palm.

Malaya giggled and swiftly changed the topic, "Quite the jester you are, Andrej, now moving on to other news. We have an announcement from the 3rd Institute."

Andrej playfully asked the viewers, "Which one was the 3rd Institute again?"

"The 3rd Institute primarily focuses on Biotechnology. Like with all the institutes, they are government-owned institutions funded by our tax dollars with occasional support from private companies or individuals," Malaya answered promptly.

The screen displayed a snapshot of a young man with an almost pale-ish complexion, sporting a clean side part and wearing a pristine white lab coat. His blue eyes underneath his rectangular glasses seem to scream an almost fanatical obsession with something.

"Wow, that's Professor Genus? Isn't he turning 65 this year?" Andrej commentated. Doctor Genus looked no older than 25!

Malaya laughed it off, "No gossiping Andrej, and it's Doctor Genus. Now let's play the announcement as it is scheduled. For our audience at home, there is a chat feature enabled for this broadcast."

"I am Ingo Genus, representing the 3rd Institute for this announcement. As the Principal Investigator for this research into genetic optimization, I am honored to say that we are finally able to announce the results of Project GeNeXcel."

"GeNeXcel?" Lin Fan couldn't help but be intrigued. The audience around the world couldn't help but ask the same question.

"Project GNX is not merely a scientific endeavor; it embodies the collective aspirations of our team of brilliant scientists, researchers, and visionaries. It encompasses years of meticulous research, exploring the intricate pathways of genetic expression before we even dare to present it to the world."

"At the 3rd Institute, we refuse to accept the limitations of our biology. We are fragile, susceptible to accidents, and prone to diseases and ailments, our body betrays us when we need it the most. To accept this flaw is to accept mediocrity! "

"Monsters, The Crimson Leagues, The Fourteen Races, The Outlanders, and the Calamities, simply put, we are ill-equipped for the 23rd Century. If anything, we should've gone extinct during The Great Annihilation!"

"As the sole survivors of the human race, we must do more than catch up; we must innovate, advance, and evolve! We must strive to surpass the accomplishments of the previous generation!"

Doctor Genus' following words almost dropped a bomb on humanity as citizens of the USW nearly jaw-dropped at his announcement.

"The goal of Project GNX has always been to charter the next stage in human evolution!"

"And we have succeeded!"