[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-becoming-a-god-through-horror":3,"chapter-becoming-a-god-through-horror-becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-198":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Becoming a God Through Horror",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2273741,4441,"Chapter 198: Two and a Half Years: Kano International","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-198",198,"\u003Cp>The year was 1995.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two and a half years had passed since Louis closed himself off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During these two and a half years, the outside world had changed significantly—first and foremost, America, having outlasted Mao Xiong, began reaping the benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these four to five years, America’s hegemony spread across the globe; its title as world hegemon became renowned, backed by military power, with oil and gold as leverage, propelling its economy to the top of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, even with welfare cuts, the lower classes showed some resistance, no longer as destitute as when the cuts first began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after reaping Japan, numerous jobs opened up, and America suddenly appeared to be ablaze with prosperity, flourishing like a garden in full bloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beacon light of the world shone brightly, drawing the admiration and longing of countless immigrants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the cake grown larger, domestic capitalists naturally feasted greedily, achieving comprehensive development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orlando.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David, dressed in a black suit, adjusted his tie, then stepped out of the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to two and a half years ago, their home had been expanded into something resembling a private villa, complete with a swimming pool, viewing deck, and garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the private garage, Emma, dressed in black, long hair flowing over her shoulders, exuded a crisp, spirited aura, holding her phone and doing something unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emma, we’re leaving. By the way, did you call Jiali?” David sat in the driver’s seat, fastening his seatbelt as he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I called. Jiali is already waiting outside.” Emma closed the forum and replied flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to two and a half years ago, Emma’s face had become slightly more refined, with none of the coarse pores or declining beauty common among Western women—she still looked youthful and beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, good. Let’s go then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David smiled, started the car, and paid no mind to his daughter’s flat tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these two years, his daughter had consistently earned top marks at school, repeatedly representing students in speeches as student council president—an unquestionable top student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had even received an acceptance letter from MIT.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her conduct was flawless: as student council president, she united classmates, organized events, and often took them volunteering—undoubtedly an outstanding student.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his daughter’s tone, David attributed it to teenage rebellion and her lingering thoughts and resentment toward Louis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that kid Louis… tsk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he drove, David gritted his teeth, his thoughts drifting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Louis said two and a half years ago that he needed to leave for a while, he had simply vanished—if not for the phone call, David would have been frantic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For most of these two and a half years, he was nowhere to be seen, likely occupied with his mysterious affairs, only appearing briefly during New Year’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, over these two and a half years, David had come to see one side of Louis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kid wasn’t perfect after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when it came to women—he was a real scoundrel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides his own daughter, Jiali was one, two more at school, and rumors said the former girl he brought home, Haley, had some connection too. Most crucially, they all knew each other!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he discovered this, he was stunned: four women, one man? And all with wildly different personalities—nothing like they could coexist peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell was he playing at?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are today’s youth really this wild?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh, maybe they are—today’s era really is wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several bouts of thought, he decided to let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, Louis was his own son; if his own pig had mated with a few more cabbages, he was secretly pleased—especially since all the girls were willing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This clearly proved Louis’s charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Emma and Louis…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no longer of this era; some things he couldn’t control. As long as Louis was a good kid, that was enough—he didn’t want to meddle further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he was worried—not about his daughter, whom he trusted Louis’s character and ability to protect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was worried about Louis himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own daughter was fine—a good girl, kind-hearted. But what about the other three?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would they not clash over emotions one day and end up slashing him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh, Louis, Louis… too much greed is no good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma glanced at her foolish father and rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screech—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman of exceptional poise stood by the roadside, dressed in a black dress, wearing sunglasses, her jet-black hair cascading down to her shoulders, tall and slender, her smooth skin shimmering faintly under the sunlight—beautiful beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiali, get in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Uncle David.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali got in, tucked away her sunglasses, revealing a pale, refined face and two dark, cold eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Emma had a petite, gothic dark-contrast vibe, Jiali was the cold, commanding senior woman—especially with her expressionless face and those dark eyes, the impression was even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma glanced at Jiali, said nothing, and shifted slightly away. Since the Patricia haunted house incident had been disrupted, their relationship had grown subtly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car moved through the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skyscrapers, clean roads, vehicles passing, pedestrians hurrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David drove all the way to downtown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood a building, its top bearing a dazzling, multicolored neon sign—Kano International.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the building, men and women in sharp suits entered and exited, while over a dozen guards with stun batons stood at the entrance, their expressions stern, eyes sharp and fixed ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the building, two long lines of people waited to enter, hoping to apply for the basic positions Kano International had opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all without higher education, seeking entry-level jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David and Emma stepped out and walked past the lines directly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey? How are they cutting in line?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t move. See if they get kicked out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, last time two Black guys tried cutting in—they got slammed with stun batons. They don’t care about your skin color.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, still racial discrimination—why not zap the white guys?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think I won’t punch you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the scrutiny of all eyes, David simply showed his ID and walked in with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the guards bowed slightly to David, showing clear respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh no, are they company executives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope I didn’t speak too loudly...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices would never reach David.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now led his daughter and Jiali up the elevator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kano International was founded just two years ago, primarily in real estate, prison labor, textiles, mineral resource development, and imports\u002Fexports, and is now moving into biomedicine and the internet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If not for Louis’s connection, even if I sold my factories, I wouldn’t get this kind of treatment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kano International was the whitewashed entity built by the former Kano family, consolidating all their original industries and assets acquired from Michael’s network—it was now among the top five capital groups in Florida.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It still lacked the depth and accumulation to become a true giant—like leading an entire industry or controlling massive employment positions to become “too big to fail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It still had a long way to go, but it was already ranked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orlando housed Kano International’s largest branch; its headquarters were in Miami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David held a senior position here and owned minor shares—his status was high. As he said, without Louis’s connection, his barely-capitalist factories would never have received such treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiali, when you go in, give your interview your all. Even with Louis’s name, your education level is low—that’s a weakness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand, Uncle David.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali made no argument, replying calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David turned to reprimand Emma. “And Emma, don’t be careless. Interning is fine, but why insist on the front lines? Don’t you know how exhausting that is? Can’t you join my department?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma shook her head. “Dad, you know I love helping others. This internship is just about experiencing life—not about earning money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David nodded, both touched and pained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. You’re both grown. I won’t say more. Just make sure you’ve thought it through.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator reached the thirteenth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>David arranged for them, then returned to his own department. Though not critical, his department had plenty of work—many factory matters required his attention; he wasn’t idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali and Emma exchanged glances, then returned directly to the elevator, swiped their ID cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beep!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Verification passed. Laboratory access card.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Access granted to floor twenty and above.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator shot upward past the twentieth floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them lay a series of white, partitioned laboratories, their floors made entirely of special alloy—impossible on such a scale unless Kano International itself had mineral resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corridor, people in white lab coats hurried about, while janitorial staff pushed carts along the aisles—carts carrying all manner of things: corpses, blood plasma, plants, animals…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were even stranger creatures: massive sharks cut into pieces, mutated wolves, mutated pigs, and piranhas with sharp fangs and fierce aggression…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most striking, however, were the security personnel—expressionless, muscular, every single one at least 1.9 meters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armed with loaded firearms, the bullets in their magazines glinted faintly silver, and hanging from their chests were pendants of peach wood crosses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most unusual were the few individuals clad entirely in pitch-black armor; they did not patrol but stood motionless like robots before each box-shaped laboratory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strangely, they showed no reaction at all upon seeing Emma and Jiali.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They entered a laboratory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A researcher immediately approached: “Miss Jiali, the experimental subject has been waiting for you—hurry over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the lab, an old man, seeing Jiali arrive, immediately began the experiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali was here to oversee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As electric sparks flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The liposuction leeches, drastically altered in form, began writhing violently, their bodies shrinking gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! That’s enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Six thousand one hundred and fifty-first experiment: successful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh oh oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Amazing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the lab erupted in cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This laboratory was originally a small team within the Rebirth Underground Base, but because liposuction leeches and other mutated organisms proved beneficial to the medical industry, they were transferred to the newly established Cano International.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two and a half years, they had finally succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s face glowed with excitement—he could finally return to the base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the base was a true center of scientific research; demons, evil spirits, and aberrant monsters could only be studied there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a place for studying mutated organisms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not where a truly ambitious scientist should be!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent. Everyone’s bonus is doubled, ten internal points added, and an extra month of annual leave—go home and relax.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsen Cano’s voice rang out, appearing out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff’s joy became even more evident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bonus was one thing, but the ten internal points were the real currency—within Cano International, points could be exchanged for dollars, promotions, beautiful women, firearms, enhanced potions (witch potions), and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In essence, they were a form of wish points!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magnitude of this reward was unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Arsen approached Emma and the others, exchanged greetings, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emma, collect all of this first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma formed a finger seal, channeled her inner Qi, and pointed into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Collect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In midair, a jet-black silk pouch suddenly appeared, its mouth opening wide—a force they could not perceive drew in all the liposuction leeches from the dozens of glass cases, not one left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the pouch did not swell—it seemed to contain another space, profoundly mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsen watched, envious. Mystical power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was mystical power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many times he saw it, it still awed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad—he was too old, cultivation was difficult, and after all these years, he still felt no Qi sensation, only slightly stronger physique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would likely never possess such power in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well then, he would focus on managing the family business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the liposuction leeches’ side effects eliminated, the family now held a killer app for the medical industry—finally, they could officially enter the biotech field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsen, whose mind had raced through countless thoughts in an instant, turned his gaze back to the two and said, “Little Louis is about to emerge from seclusion again—this time, he won’t re-enter it. The other two kids have already gone. Aren’t you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali: “I’ll go after I finish here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emma smiled, swinging the pouch. “My task is done—I can go now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at Jiali.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking out with a victorious smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali snorted, closed her eyes, and released her psychic sense to monitor and suppress the entire building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t come here for an interview.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Cano International Tower wasn’t as dangerous as the Rebirth Underground Base, its defenses were weaker—if the mutated organisms went rogue, chaos would follow. That’s why they needed her, a living weapon, to guard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, she’d handled many incidents—like those ferocious mutated piranhas, caught by company staff while converting Lake Victoria into a water park.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bringing them back, some do-gooder’s incompetence nearly let them flow out through the pipes—only her cutting off every pipeline saved the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsen shook his head, unwilling to comment on the girls’ petty rivalries—poor little Louis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not really—he brought it on himself, couldn’t keep his hands off so many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsen took the experimental report and walked toward his office. Next, he would join forces with the Eater Company on Huaerjie to officially enter the biotech industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more half-measures!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eater Company had thrived over the past two years, becoming a well-known international venture capital firm with massive cash flow—partnering with them would greatly increase success rates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, their behind-the-scenes boss was Little Louis—so he was more trustworthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finally, we can break into biotech—but will the internet industry really work? The past two years crushed so many people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsen muttered to himself as he entered his office and dialed Jordan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebirth Prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past two and a half years, the prison had changed greatly—its total area doubled, yet vast farmlands still surrounded it, filled with crops and straw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facilities inside had multiplied, and so had the number of inmates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, though America had reached its peak these past years, the side effects were severe: lax laws, rising immigration, explosive growth in drug gangs and violent groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Social order had grown chaotic, crime rates skyrocketed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this benefited the prison—funding poured in, talent became abundant, and operations became far easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within a zone wrapped in electrified wire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive blood-red hound, drenched in the stench of blood, with fangs and giant claws, lay dozing on the ground, surrounded by a dense ring of guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below this area, at the elevator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria, dressed in black and white, and Madison, in gray athletic wear, stood waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria now looked markedly different from two and a half years ago—her figure improved, her face more refined, especially her eyes, blazing with intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They carried a softness, yet beneath it, a strange, wild madness—the two qualities twisted together unnaturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madison, by contrast, was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One word—sizzling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curves front and back, crimson lips, golden hair flowing, a carefree grin on her face—clearly loved to play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The standard American girl everyone adored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, both women stood silent, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2514,"2026-06-19T23:34:28.869Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7f343a52fde202501e849ddf83ddbe9a74488cb32be31051bb52e2c28d42288c","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-199","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-197",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecoming-a-god-through-horror-cover.jpg"]