Infinite Evolution-The End of Bugs

Touching Xenomorph blood with bare flesh was undeniably reckless - a suicidal act straight out of horror cinema. Those who tried it in the films always met gruesome ends. Yet faced with impending death, Chu Xun had no choice but to gamble everything.

Genius or fool? The answer would soon reveal itself.

Hsssss—

The moment his palm contacted the acidic fluid, corrosive destruction began. Flesh sizzled and peeled away like melting wax, exposing bone within seconds. Agony tore through Chu Xun's nervous system, a white-hot branding iron searing his soul. Through watering eyes, he watched his hand dissolve. Despair flooded him - this gamble was failing.

[System Alert: Foreign insectoid DNA detected. Initiate gene fusion to enhance Parasitic Hive abilities?]

[Warning: Hostile genetic material detected. Assimilation may induce extreme pain and unpredictable mutations.]

The mechanical voice pierced Chu Xun's anguish like divine intervention. "Fuse! Now!" he roared through clenched teeth.

Blue light erupted from his ravaged palm. His blood vaporized into crimson mist that engulfed the Xenomorph. The creature shrieked - an unearthly sound of torment - yet held its ground as the mist corroded its carapace. Gradually, the crimson fog turned translucent, mirroring the Xenomorph's acid blood. Everything it touched dissolved: soil, vegetation, even the fallen hounds' remains.

When the transformation completed, the translucent mist surged into Chu Xun's palm with blinding azure radiance. The Xenomorph emerged diminished, its size halved, carapace dulled - alive, but grievously weakened.

Chu Xun never saw this. As the mist entered his body, agony beyond comprehension erupted. It felt like his cells were being disassembled by molecular scalpels while acid rivers burned through his veins. The pain defied description - a supernova of torment where every nerve became a lightning rod for suffering.

He wished for death. Begged for unconsciousness. Yet his heightened senses trapped him in exquisite awareness of every nanosecond of torment.

When blackness finally claimed him, his right arm already showed grotesque changes. Exposed bones knitted themselves under rapidly regenerating flesh. Dripping blood shifted from crimson to pale pink, sizzling where it struck the ground. The Xenomorph dissolved into violet light, reverting to its card form as Chu Xun's transformation completed.

Silence fell, broken only by shallow breathing. The stench of blood hung thick - a dinner bell for predators.

Snarls.

The two surviving hounds crept from the woods, saliva dripping from dagger-like fangs. Their earlier fear had transformed into ravenous opportunity. Circling Chu Xun's motionless form, they tested the air for that terrifying black creature's presence. Finding none, they lunged for the kill.

"Flame Serpent's Bite!"

A child's voice rang out. Twin fire serpents materialized mid-air, engulfing the hounds. Their screams died instantly as 3000°C flames reduced bone and sinew to ash within milliseconds.

The attacker stepped into the clearing - a vision of surreal contrasts. Crimson curls cascaded like liquid fire around a porcelain doll's face. Her frilly princess dress belonged in a fairy tale, yet the smoldering ground beneath her Mary Janes told a different story. Wide amber eyes sparkled with childish curiosity, belying the thermonuclear power coursing through her petite frame.

At fourteen years old, Yang Yan stood as one of the Wasteland's most dangerous paradoxes - a pyromantic prodigy wrapped in lace and innocence. She tilted her head, observing Chu Xun's mutated arm with scientific fascination. Acidic blood droplets hissed against her forcefield.

"Interesting," she mused, crouching to examine the unconscious youth. "Human... yet not. Let's see what secrets you're hiding."