Chapter 3: Fate Imprints and Innate Talents

“Just now, the notification mentioned that the ‘Life Gear’ had automatically equipped itself...” As this thought crossed his mind, Zhou Yan lowered his head to look. The short-sleeved shirt he’d been wearing before entering was nowhere to be seen. In its place was a seamless suit of pure black, form-fitting attire that had appeared out of thin air.

This black suit enveloped Zhou Yan’s entire body, including his neck. The material looked like a blend of rubber and leather—its color deep and unfathomable, scarcely reflecting any light.

“So this is the ‘Life Gear’? When did I put it on...?” Zhou Yan extended his right hand and poked at the suit over his chest. Despite both his fingers and chest being wrapped in the suit, the sensation was identical to touching his own skin; there was no sense of a barrier at all.

Curious, he reached downward to check... Yes, there was a protective cup, and it didn’t outline his “long spear” at all! Zhou Yan let out a sigh of relief.

Yet, with these subtle movements, he immediately noticed something different about his body. He felt stronger than usual.

No—not just “stronger.”

His entire being was surging with explosive power, and his control over his body had markedly improved.

So this is the effect of the “Life Gear”?

Zhou Yan began to understand, at least vaguely. He wanted to call up his so-called “personal panel” to get a more detailed sense of his current state.

But reason held him back.

This wasn’t a game—opening a panel wouldn’t pause time. He needed to first confirm his surroundings.

Zhou Yan looked up and surveyed the room.

He found himself in what resembled a small studio apartment. Sitting at a desk, he realized that aside from the black suit he now wore, he had nothing with him.

The clothes he’d worn before, and the wooden sword he’d held, hadn’t come through with him.

The situation was becoming clear.

Some mysterious force, using something called “Calamity World Walk,” had drawn him into an unfamiliar world.

It had bestowed upon him this “Life Gear,” awakened his “Talent,” and assigned him two “Missions”...

Zhou Yan pondered silently as he stood and quickly searched the apartment.

It was a modest studio, similar to a hotel room, with a kitchenette and bathroom but no balcony.

Looking out the window, he saw only an impenetrable expanse of gray mist. When he tried to open the window and reach out, he found the mist didn’t drift inside, but it was as solid as a wall; he couldn’t push his arm through.

An invisible wall?

Zhou Yan was slightly surprised but quickly accepted it. Since he’d already been transported to another world—one resembling a game or an illusion—such things were to be expected.

He checked and locked the apartment’s door, confirming that, for now, the space was safe.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and, with a simple mental effort, successfully summoned his personal panel.

*

A phantom panel, shrouded in mist, appeared before Zhou Yan.

[Calamity World Walker: Zhou Yan]
[Rating: 0 Star, Tier 0]
[Attributes: Physique 7 (+5), Agility 8 (+5), Spirit 9 (+0)]
[Life Gear: Basic Reinforcement Suit (0 Star, Tier 0)]
[Talent: Ultra Fusion]
[Skill: Basic Short Weapons Technique (Standard)]
[Essence: 0]
[Items: None]

The information was clear and straightforward, without any unnecessary embellishments.

Zhou Yan read through it and quickly focused on the “Attributes” section.

Physique? Agility? Spirit?

As these questions formed in his mind, additional descriptions emerged.

[Physique: The strength of the body’s muscles, bones, and organs (Reference standard for peers: 10)]
[Agility: Reflexes and control over the body (Reference standard for peers: 10)]
[Spirit: Willpower, conviction, and speed of thought (Reference standard for peers: 5)]

He understood.

His three stats were 7 for Physique, 8 for Agility, and 9 for Spirit.

His Physique and Agility were below the reference standard, likely due to his physical disability and lack of natural strength...

The reason his Spirit was far above standard was unclear—perhaps a side effect of transmigration?

He also noticed that both Physique and Agility had a “+5” modifier. That extra value was likely the effect of the “Life Gear.”

Zhou Yan’s gaze dropped to the “Life Gear” section.

As if sensing his intent, an additional window appeared—detailing the Life Gear’s properties.

[Life Gear: Basic Reinforcement Suit]
[Rating: 0 Star, Tier 0]
[Class: None]
[Damage Mitigation: 50%]
[Attribute Bonus: Physique +5, Agility +5, Spirit +0]
[Path: None (Unlocking a Path grants powerful traits to the Life Gear)]
[Runes: 0/10 (Filling the Life Gear with runes enhances its performance)]
[Durability: 100/100]

[Intensive activity, taking damage, or using special skills will consume durability. When durability reaches zero, the Life Gear automatically disengages.]
[Essence can be consumed to quickly restore durability.]
[Note: When not equipped, the Life Gear still grants 20% of its attribute bonuses, and durability consumption is reduced to 20%.]

...

After quickly reviewing the information, Zhou Yan had a general understanding.

Given the current situation, the Life Gear was much like a piece of “game equipment,” and a potent one at that.

It not only enhanced his physical abilities, but also mitigated damage and, by the looks of it, could grow stronger over time.

A true artifact.

Zhou Yan clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power.

His base Physique and Agility were 7 and 8. With the Life Gear’s bonuses, those stats rose to 12 and 13—a boost of over fifty percent, which matched his physical sensations.

However, the Life Gear’s durability would be consumed during various activities. Durability could be restored with “Essence.”

Yet his panel showed “Essence: 0.”

So... how could he acquire Essence?

Zhou Yan licked his lips, a trace of longing in his eyes.

But for now, the question of Essence could wait. Diving into mysteries without enough information would only waste precious time.

There were more pressing matters.

Zhou Yan focused on the next line of his panel.

His Talent—Ultra Fusion.

Just as with the Life Gear, a thought brought up its details.

[Ultra Fusion—Absorb a qualifying chaotic object as “Material.” At any time, the Life Gear can be fused with one Material to assume a “Special Form.” Power and effects stack based on the star level and attributes of both the Gear and the Material.]
[Materials absorbed: None (0/1)]
[Note: During each Calamity World Walk, you may only collect or replace one Material.]

A blaze of excitement lit Zhou Yan’s eyes.

Undoubtedly, even from the description alone, his “Ultra Fusion” talent was powerful and held immense potential.

This, perhaps, was his true golden finger!