Chapter 11

Stephen strode into the experimentation zone as the armed security personnel respectfully made way for him. Elara couldn't help saying, "Professor Shore, I'm test subject No.17's keeper. I can make him get through the splitting experiment." He didn't even spare her a glance, though. Countless researchers followed him inside, ignoring her completely. It looked like he was just as arrogant and aloof as the rumors made him out to be. The experimentation zone's doors slid shut before Elara's eyes. The 8K-QLED screen spanning the entire wall outside the door displayed a steadily rising experiment level. A crowd had gathered outside, watching the screen curiously. They were all senior bioengineers from Zone S, and their interest was piqued. "Is this the ascendance experiment for a Zone A experimental subject?" "You don't see things like this every day. Has it evolved?" "I heard that another creature from Zone A recently ascended, too. I think it was a blue bottle jellyfish mutant." They chatted excitedly, unaware that the young woman standing beside them was the keeper of the two test subjects they discussed. No.17 didn't seem too injured after the first round of experiments. So, the bioengineers gave the green light to increase the power of the attacks. Sharp laser weapons emitted irregular lights. He was able to dodge most of them, and the wounds caused by those that landed on him healed swiftly. The injuries rapidly closed up. After the second round of experiments, the attacks started including explosives. The experimentation zone was engulfed in incessant flashes of light and smoke. It was almost impossible to see what was happening. Behind the screen, researchers used infrared cameras to observe No.17's agile movements as he dodged the attacks. The injuries he sustained were far fewer than expected. "He's amazing." They wondered why he'd been placed in Zone A before this. It didn't make sense. Someone said, "He seems to have undergone a self-induced mutation." "What? Does that really exist?" They vaguely remembered another creature from Zone A undergoing self-induced mutation—a jellyfish. How incredible was this? The third round of the experiment involved releasing potent toxins. While swiftly dodging the venom, No.17 accidentally tainted a few of his tentacles. The poisoned tips quickly blackened and rotted. As a highly intelligent creature, he swiftly severed his tentacles at that critical juncture to prevent the venom from spreading. His movements started slowing, and his regrowth rate dropped. A yellow warning flashed on the screen for the first time since the experiments had commenced. "Amazing. He made it through so many rounds before triggering a life alert." "He's powerful." The researchers didn't hold back on their praise. Just then, Stephen, who'd been silent the whole time, said, "Turn up the difficulty by three notches." A bioengineer immediately launched a more intense onslaught of attacks before observing No.17. This time, he sustained more injuries and was forced to sever more tentacles while swiftly dodging the attacks. The life alert continued flashing. His vitals were getting worse, and he seemed to be about to greet death, like a character in a game whose HP was dwindling. Fortunately, he didn't die. A bioengineer started preparing medication to heal No.17, and the testers prepared to end the experiment. However, Stephen spoke again. "Turn the difficulty up again." The bioengineer hesitated this time. "He might die if we do that." Stephen didn't even bat an eye. He ordered, "Do it. Three notches." The researchers exchanged looks but couldn't do anything other than obey him. The destructive power of the attacks was increased further. This time, the onslaught of attacks was so strong that there was basically no chance of No.17 surviving it. Pushing the experimental subjects to the brink of death to awaken their potential was something that the higher-ups of the research base often did. They liked forcing these dangerous creatures to the edge of the abyss in order to stimulate the possibility of mutation hidden deep in their DNA. No.17 endured round after round of explosions, splitting, venom, and laser severance. He looked like he was in agony. However, Stephen merely placed a hand on the control center and leaned forward. He said to the researcher seated there, "Move aside." This time, he launched the attacks himself. He turned the firepower to its highest and added the most potent toxins to the mix. No one made a sound, leaving the observation room in complete silence. They knew how cold and ruthless Stephen could be—he wanted to make the experimental subjects realize their full potential, even if it would cost them their lives. He would squeeze every drop of worth from these creatures. The experimentation chamber was almost in ruins from the unending explosions, laser attacks, and toxins. If one had to use a single word to describe the state of the place, it would be "Hell". Someone said, "There isn't any more movement, professor." A researcher observing the screen said, "Vitals are dropping." They waited for a few minutes, but No.17 showed no response. Stephen stared intently at the screen, where the scattered debris no longer revealed any recognizable biological form. "Infrared detection shows no sign of biological activity." "Test subject has entered a state of suspended animation." A state of suspended animation was the final struggle of these cold-blood mutant creatures. There was a chance they would make it out alive if they received medical attention at this juncture. If left unattended, they would die. Stephen didn't take his eyes off the screen. He pushed his glasses up and stroked his chin softly. His assistant knew this was a habitual action to express his admiration—it showed that No.17 had exceeded his expectations and given him a pleasant surprise. However, there was a hint of disappointment behind the surprise. Attacks of that intensity were rare these days, but they weren't unprecedented. Cloning DNA from a creature of the same level would suffice—there was no need to introduce a new one. A terrifying creature with such immense destructive power and aggression would demand vast financial and human resources. Why would they need to waste precious resources on a replaceable species? Just then, a woman's pleading voice vaguely came through the doors to the experimentation zone as they opened and shut. "Let me in, please. I can make him…" Stephen didn't hear the rest of her sentence. He frowned and turned to see a young, naive keeper behind the doors. She said, "I can make him survive this. Please believe me! Save him!" Her beautiful eyes were rimmed with red, and she looked anxious. Stephen could tell that she was a keeper who'd formed emotional attachments. This should've been a touching scene, but emotions were the most burdensome thing to have at the expansive, icy research base. They needed weapons, and weapons didn't need emotions. Unnecessary emotions were a burden and weakness. Still, Stephen looked at Elara thoughtfully. He couldn't help finding her somewhat familiar. It was almost as if he'd seen her somewhere before. His assistant suddenly leaned close and pulled up a group of data on the screen. Stephen looked down at the data—they showed what had happened during No.4's ascendance test. He scrutinized the dense array of numbers and a video documenting the execution of No.4's death penalty. Suddenly, his eyes glinted oddly. He raised a hand and said stoically, "Let her in."