Chapter 9

Elara tapped on the glass with a chuckle. She said, "Go play on your own." No.4 seemed to understand her. He reluctantly traced her palm on the other side of the glass with a tentacle before swimming to the deep end. Ashley crossed her arms and leaned against the door, looking impressed. "He really does understand you, huh? Can he hear or see you? No, that can't be right. He doesn't have the relevant organs for that." The complexity of these mutations far exceeded imagination, defying reasonable explanations even with current scientific understanding. Elara smiled without responding to Ashley's words. Instead, she said, "I need to ask you something." "What is it?" For certain security reasons, most of Zone S had been sealed off. Everyone was still on high alert. The special-grade creatures zone, which Elara had previously stepped foot in, was now enclosed by thick, solid protective walls. It was almost as if the research base was afraid the ferocious beast within would escape. Oddly enough, everyone who entered that sealed-off area would wear a pair of thick protective goggles. That was what Elara wanted to ask about. "What are those special protective goggles for?" Ashley had signed a strict confidentiality agreement, so she couldn't go into detail. She could only keep it brief as she asked, "Have you heard of consciousness interference?" "What's that?" "It's something far beyond what basic science can explain. I'm not too sure what it is myself, but I heard that meeting that special-grade creature's gaze will allow him to invade your consciousness. A number of caretakers there have already taken their lives." "Really?" Elara was shocked. "Yeah. It's been happening continuously. Someone jumped into the water chamber of a carnivorous creature, and another harmed themselves. One even had a mental breakdown. The deaths have been happening in various ways, but the victims shared a common experience—they locked gazes with the special-grade creature at some point," Ashley said. She sighed when she saw the stunned look on Elara's face. "That's why I told you not to be too curious about that place. The creatures in there are all life-threatening." Elara sat down. "Why was No.4 upgraded, then?" The research base was strict in categorizing the test subjects. The system seemed simple, but there was a huge disparity between the different ranks. Ashley was a bioengineer, so she knew more about the leveling system. "Toxins are, in a way, a chemical weapon, especially water-soluble toxins—they play important roles in conquering the marine world. No.4 is highly toxic and can even undergo self-evolution. He's the research base's dream weapon." An intelligent, terrifying biological weapon was perfect for anyone who wanted to expand their territory. As land resources became scarce, mankind had long since set its sights on the seas, an area filled with the unknown. Ashley knew the ocean was Elara's childhood trauma despite her working in that area. To the latter, the mysterious ocean was the source of all her pain—it was an abyss that had taken her parents' lives, yet it had also given her a second lease on life and allowed her to survive. Elara couldn't harden her heart enough to conduct cruel experiments on the test subjects, so she'd chosen to become a keeper, which was the gentlest role among the research base's staff. Meanwhile, Ashley had gone into bioengineering, which everyone claimed only the most heartless could excel in. … Ashley visited Elara at her office the following day, but this time, she brought a new memo the research base had just issued—No.17 would be sent for a Tier 4 splitting experiment to determine whether it could ascend to the next level. She said, "Elle, No.17 will also enter Zone S if he can make it through the splitting experiment." Elara's head shot up. "A Tier 4 experiment? That's way too dangerous." It was a regenerative splitting experiment that had a death rate of 99.5%. Only two test subjects had succeeded thus far. Ashley stopped her. "You don't have the right to decide on this, Elara. Even us engineers can't interfere with the research base's decisions." These creatures belonged to the research base—only the higher-ups had the right to decide whether they lived or died. Elara was just a keeper they'd hired. But why would a creature in Zone A need to undergo a Tier 4 experiment? Ashley explained, "The last splitting experiment he did went above and beyond the threshold of any creature in Zone A. No.17's excelled at it, and his regenerative abilities were so advanced that they were almost unbelievable. "The researchers speculate that he might've undergone mutation long ago, unleashing its latent biological potential due to some unknown reason." Self-evolution was a topic that all researchers wanted to delve deeper into. Elara protested, "But he'll die if he fails." "That's the way things are, Elara. We have no choice but to obey. Anyway, this is a notice. It's not up for discussion," Ashley said. The research base's decisions had never left room for negotiation. Elara sat there stiffly and furrowed her brows, seemingly deep in thought. After a while, she said, "I want to see him." … At the Aether Spire Biological Research Base, a person's rank commanded respect and obedience. The perks enjoyed by those at a higher level were beyond imagination; for a high-ranking keeper, entering the lower-tier zone was effortless. Rank meant everything in that place. Elara felt a pair of eyes on her as soon as she entered her former place of work. A handsome young humanoid squid stared at her fixedly from behind the glass. He plastered his hand to the glass, his captivating eyes filled with restraint, which was different from his usual icy gaze. No.17 had missed Elara dearly—so much so that he'd displayed a strong aggression that had scared off many feeders. She ignored his longing, though. She acted like she didn't even notice him as she walked past him to No.11's water chamber. His eyes were rimmed with red as he obediently climbed out of his chamber. He wrapped his arms around Elara's waist and clung to her, savoring her warmth. His gentle face radiated docility and dependence as he nuzzled her palm affectionately. He looked endearing and lovable. Their interactions were intimate. She caressed his hair gently and watched as he clung to her. It was almost as if he couldn't remain upright without her. A strong gaze fixed on them from behind. Elara ignored No.17; she didn't turn around to look at him. "Missed… Elle…" No.11 looked up at her as tears filled his eyes. He expressed his longing for her in a loving tone. "Don't… go…" She stroked his cheeks and back, making him wrap his arms tighter around her. A flush spread over his body from her gentle caresses, and his chest heaved. His voice became even softer. "Elle… Elle…" He missed her. He missed her so, so much. No.11 repeatedly called Elara's name as he held her, his voice filled with love and admiration. He was holding his beloved keeper, her slender waist snug between his arms. Could there be anything more joyful than this? His head spun from the immense happiness. He pressed his rosy lips to the back of her hand, awkwardly yet rashly expressing his love for her. The action was instinctive to him—he used his docility and obedience to win her approval and pleasure. He made himself look pitiful. Elara indulged in his affection and smiled gently at him. This was what No.11 loved, and it was what No.17 hated.