Miles returned to his apartment after he purchased the serum. The prices of the serums increased exponentially, and it would be harder and harder for Miles to purchase them, but with his strength increasing, he would also earn more and more to balance his expenditures.

The third serum cost Miles 25 Million UD, and the last one would be four times that. After all, the material needed for creating these serums was not something that could be shrugged off.

The testing this time was as easy as last time. Miles already knew he passed through the testing thanks to Virtual Reality scanning his body. He had reached the peak of the second serum not long ago, only waiting for an opportunity to buy the medicine, so after seeing the result, the paymaster respectfully escorted Miles and handed the medicine over.

As soon as Miles entered the apartment, Coin notified him, “Mom is calling.” Miles wasn’t perturbed or surprised. Even if Roger or the paymaster wouldn’t notify her, Mother AI would. After all, she still had connections to transactions in headquarters, and when Miles bought the medicine with his own identity, Mother AI dutifully notified Evelyn as her close friend.

They were working together ever since the monsters invaded the Earth, and she would consider herself Miles’s aunt or something even when she lacked the required emotions. Or she had some other agendas, who knew.

“Hello, mom. How have you been since we last met?” Miles rolled his eyes at his mother’s frowning face and joked.

“Still mocking your mother?” Evelyn asked and fake sadness appeared on her face. Seeing Miles’s scotic look, she dropped the act and got back to the subject. “I heard you bought the third serum.”

“Yeah. I am already at the peak of the second.” Miles truthfully answered.

“Are you confident?” Evelyn asked with a stern face.

“Yes. There won’t be any problem.” Miles answered with confidence. He was sure he could pass through this ordeal. Not because he was conceited of himself, but because his reaction to the second serum was much milder than other people.

Miles wasn't a suicidal person who gambled with his life. He had a dream, but it didn’t mean he would disregard his well-being just because of it. He would take risks, but if the mission was impossible, he would just walk away. But since he knew his body best, he was sure that he would be fine.

“Then I have nothing else to say.” Evelyn supported him too, of course. Miles wasn’t a child anymore. He already entered the portal world more than a year ago and survived for such a long time without any superpower or support from his family. He also experienced two serums, and a smart person such as Miles should know the consequences of using the third one. Since he was confident, Evelyn would support him wholeheartedly.

“Do you want me to come over and help you?” She asked.

“It is okay. Thank you, mom.” Miles felt a warm feeling in his heart. Just seeing his mother was still worried for him made him happy. “I will visit you for a second Mind Serum soon though,” Miles said with a smile.

“Sure, whenever you want. Let me know after you are done with the serum. Love you.” She said and ended the call.

He fished out the pinkish liquid inside the vial and looked at it for a while. After steeling his nerves, he pierced his vein masterfully and laid on his bed, so Coin could tie him.

“As usual, buddy.” Miles smiled and Coin strapped his limbs. Even his head, so he wouldn’t break his neck accidentally.

The medicine kicked in in a short while, way worse than the second one, and Miles was under constant pain once again. His apartment was soundproof, but his room was not. His screams reverberated in his house, and lasted for a long time. If one were to hear his screams, they would think he was being tortured in the most heinous ways.

————

“Good morning, how do you feel?” Coin asked when he noticed Miles woke up. He was watching him closely, so he noticed as soon as Miles was awake.

“Like a shit!” Miles grumpily climbed out of the bed. He brought his hand to his hair, but because of his reduced muscle power, his control was weak again and he ended up hitting himself in the head. “Welp, at least I facepalmed myself in advance.”

“How long have I been out?” He asked, after learning his lesson, he tried to feel his body, so he wouldn’t break anything. His power was four times that of the strongest man before the monster invasion ever after regression. So, the slightest mistake could break delicate houseware around him.

“A week.” Coin answered and unstrapped Miles's legs. Miles slowly walked around the house to feel his strength. His steps were stronger. With a step, the ground was crying under his soles.

His arms were much more powerful too. Opening the door almost removed it from the hinges.

"It is gonna take a long time it seems." Miles sighed as he went to the kitchen to eat some meat. He needed protein as soon as possible after draining any nutrition in his body.

If it wasn't for Coin feeding with the Jumbo Packs of Nutritions from his vein, he would be dead by now.

"Take your time." Coin floated nearby, "You will get used to it."

"Thanks, buddy." Miles nodded as he grabbed the pan, but broke the handle. "Motherf...."

"Let me do it." Coin floated and grabbed another pan and smeared it with oil.

"Okay, I shouldn't touch anything if I can." Miles agreed with a sigh and waited for the food to be served.

"Where now?" asked Coin after Miles was done eating.

"I will study the forging techniques mother stored in my mind. Then I am planning to hunt in locations near the Stronghold for cores. I may need them to practice after all. Purchasing is too expensive. Hunting is easier." Miles answered as he sorted the information in his mind. Once ready, he sat in silence, regardfully

“There is a message from Mae.” Coin reported.

“What is it?” Miles looked at him and asked.

“Grader Hassan wants to meet you.”