Chapter 6: Pain, Power, and Panic
Lin Yan staggered out of the captain's room, still feeling the burning energy coursing through his veins.
He looked down at his hands, which were glowing faintly.
"Okay… so apparently, I'm not just stronger… I'm way stronger. Awesome."
"Master," Star said, calm as ever, "you have only absorbed 12% of the serum's potential. Your body is not ready for sudden movements. Suggest caution."
Lin Yan rolled his eyes.
"Caution? Star… do you know me? I am legendary at caution… not."
"Understood, Master. But your previous caution level is statistically insufficient for surviving asteroid fields."
Lin Yan groaned.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
He climbed into his mining pod—now looking like a tiny glowing comet as the serum's energy radiated from him—and prepared to retrieve more crystal energy stones.
"Estimated collection time: five hours," Star said.
"Ugh… five hours? I could binge-watch an entire series in that time," Lin Yan muttered.
"Master, watching shows does not increase survival probability," Star replied, deadpan.
Lin Yan snorted.
"Well, clearly you've never experienced 'The Galactic Show Marathon.' Highly educational. Dangerous, even."
The robot—Star Jr.—was already out gathering resources.
Lin Yan flexed, testing his new strength. He lifted a crate with ease, throwing it into the pod with a grin.
"Whoa… I could lift ten of these. Maybe twenty. Heck, maybe the whole asteroid if I really wanted."
Star's calm tone cut through his excitement:
"Master, I strongly advise against lifting the asteroid. Doing so may violate interstellar safety regulations and destroy your mining permit… and possibly your dignity."
Lin Yan paused.
"Destroy my dignity? Star… you know me too well."
Minutes later, Lin Yan felt a sharp pain ripple through his body. Black blood-like energy shimmered across his veins as his body continued absorbing the serum. He collapsed, groaning.
"Master, are you attempting voluntary agony?" Star asked.
Lin Yan flopped onto the floor. "I… I might be. Feels like… like my entire skeleton is trying to high-five my soul, and it's not going well."
"High-five noted, Master. Pain levels reaching comedic proportions. Shall I offer a sarcastic encouragement?"
Lin Yan couldn't help but laugh through the pain.
"Star… yes. Do it."
"You are doing… moderately terrible. Congratulations."
Lin Yan coughed.
"Moderately terrible? That's your support?"
"Correct. My sarcasm module is fully operational."
After five grueling hours, he finally sat up, exhausted but stronger than he had ever imagined. His muscles were toned, reflexes sharp, and his vision crystal clear.
"Master, Star Jr. has returned with one ton of crystal energy stones. Collection success rate: 100%."
Lin Yan's jaw dropped.
"One ton? That tiny robot did all that by itself?"
"Yes, Master. However, it refuses to make coffee. Efficiency is limited by rebellion."
Lin Yan laughed, collapsing back into the chair.
"Perfect. My life now has pain, power, and a passive-aggressive robot. Exactly the chaos I asked for."
Star spoke quietly, almost like a parent delivering bad news:
"Master, this is only the beginning. Do not overestimate your current abilities."
Lin Yan grinned, wiping blood and sweat from his face.
"Star… overestimation is my special skill. Now let's see what else this universe has in store."