I am a hero of the former civilization.

“No need, we’ll meet sooner or later anyway.” Ryan turned and left, taking the opportunity to observe the work environment.

There aren't many researchers here, only about a hundred. The equipment is nothing like that of a professional research institute. Most of it is used for processing preliminary data, but it's enough for the extravagant Moth Chaser. He even saw a small particle collider.

That's good. I can use this opportunity to advance the research. Exploring the nature of Honkai is also very important.

Ryan didn't consider himself a mere soldier. Once he put on his white coat, apart from looking quite energetic, he was no different from the researchers with dark circles under their eyes.

As he walked and strolled along, he reached the end of the thirty-fifth floor. The gate was painted with a radiation hazard pattern. Ryan unlocked it and went inside, where he saw a second blast door. However, one side of the corridor had been replaced with thick glass, through which he could see a tall figure busy at work.

In the center of the hundreds of square meter laboratory, there was an operating table. Mebius, with her green hair tied in a ponytail, was cutting up the corpse of a Honkai Beast with a knife. Several other operating tables next to her were also filled with the corpses of assassins or infected.

Each body was disemboweled, yet the knife work was extremely precise, as if the person had been dissected, and then their hair, skin, and muscles were thrown into instruments for analysis.

Ryan stared blankly, feeling as if he were watching a chef preparing a dinner party. He rarely saw Möbius's focused concentration, and that beautiful face—

Elegant, rational, yet secretly harboring a hint of excitement and fervor.

Sure enough, this PhD student was unpredictable.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Come on, call me teacher!

There's a legend within the Moth of Fire: those who can work alongside Dr. Möbius need not be particularly capable or educated; the key is having exceptional mental fortitude.

Not everyone can accept Möbius's ideas, especially when they see a stunningly beautiful young girl intently dissecting various human tissues and creating monsters with her whimsical ideas.

Fortunately, Ryan had a strong mentality. Apart from finding Mebius somewhat unpredictable, he was still able to understand this woman.

She is doing what she loves and putting her ideals into practice. Every piece of tissue that is cut off is a cornerstone for evolution toward the future.

Without a certain level of dedication, the Fusion Warrior Project would be impossible to come up with. What ordinary person would fuse Honkai Beast genes with human genes?

Underground, it was impossible to distinguish between day and night. Ryan just watched Möbius quietly as she fiddled with the instruments, constantly typing on the keyboard to record data, and then cutting off tissue to graft onto another corpse. He didn't know how much time had passed before she turned her head away.

In an instant, he saw the woman's eyes light up as she waved her blood-soaked hand, signaling for him to come in.

I should have gone back to my room and taken a nap.

Ryan regretted it a little, but he had no choice but to unlock the door and go in. He then discovered that the laboratory had very complete safety facilities, with three explosion-proof doors, and various disinfection facilities and negative pressure protective suits.

He didn't need these things. He turned a corner, walked to the innermost side, and then, amidst the sound of pressure relief and alarms, the automatic door slowly opened, revealing Mebius standing at the door.

"Are you so interested in my work? You couldn't wait to come, even though it's only been less than a day."

“Don’t talk nonsense, you’re the one who sent me.” Ryan glanced at the corpse next to him, a small gesture that was immediately noticed by Mebius.

"How is it? Do you find it disgusting?"

The slaughterhouses I created weren't much better than this.

Ryan shook his head and replied sincerely, "Evolution always comes at a price. At the very least, you are searching for a glimmer of hope for humanity, and I don't have any moral fastidiousness."

Snapped.

Mebius clapped his hands, sat back down in front of the computer, and took a sip of coffee.

"I'm getting more and more satisfied with you. Why don't you make a small contribution to the evolution of humanity?"

Ryan snorted, dragged over a round stool and sat down opposite him, subconsciously glancing at the other person: "Forget it, just say it. What do you want me to do? On this 35th underground floor, no enemies will bother you."

At this moment, in his eyes, Mebius possessed not only a rational beauty but also a mature charm. His long legs were crossed, his over-the-knee stockings leaving obvious marks on his skin, and his black high heels swayed back and forth with his delicate ankles.

"Hey, answer my question."

Mebius didn't dislike Ryan's gaze; as long as he could achieve his goal, he wouldn't hesitate to imitate Alicia's speaking style.

"The Moth Chasing Fire has been infiltrated like a sieve, and the Far East Branch is in a state of chaos. It is still very dangerous before we return to the Mu Continent."

"Then why don't you go back?"

“I don’t want to for now. Recently, the Honkai energy fluctuations in the Far East have been abnormal. It’s troublesome to airlift the freshest materials to Mu Continent, and it would have to be deducted from my research budget.” Mebius was immediately filled with resentment, then looked at Ryan expectantly, “I heard your family is quite wealthy. Could you contribute a little bit for the cause of human evolution?”

Oh, you not only want me, but you also want my money. You're truly insatiable.

Ryan laughed in exasperation; this Mebius really dared to think that way.

"He's also a member of the Fire Chasing Council. If you don't want to cause trouble, you'd better not mention it at all."

"You don't contribute money or manpower, what use are you?"

"What did you say??"

“I didn’t say anything, don’t worry. The main reason I asked you to come here is to help. We’re short-handed here, and I happen to have some inspiration recently. I can’t let some little guys affect the progress.” Mebius gently swung his legs, his delicate black stockings reflecting the dim light. “You don’t know yet, do you? The person who was instigating Velvie behind the scenes has issued another commission, and [Poison Chrysalis] has taken on this job.”

"Poisonous Chrysalis?" Ryan had heard of this assassin organization, which included many people with extraordinary abilities, and that it had been recruited by the Fire Moth at some point. He shook his head in annoyance: "How stupid. Do they think there are only two Herrschers? And just how much trouble have you gotten yourself into?"

“It has nothing to do with me. It’s just that my research is very special. People like you and Alicia are rare, but I can mass-produce ‘supermen’.” Mebius said innocently.

"That kind of physical modification is still a long way off."

"So I need your help, huh? Oh, they must think you've become my subject of study." Möbius 'suddenly realized,' but then proudly raised his head: "I can do it without you. Don't forget, I'm Möbius!"

She wore her pride on her face, and she had the right to be proud. She put down her long legs, tapped a few keys on the keyboard, and the dense data on the screen jumped rapidly.

Ryan leaned forward, carefully looking at the profound words and hundreds of structural diagrams, and gradually came to his senses.

"Are you conducting an experiment on the fusion of Honkai energy and the human body?"

"Hmm, combining imaginary energy with the real human body, and then using human intelligence to manipulate this energy, isn't that a great idea?"

"So where does the energy come from?"

“Of course it’s them.” Mebius pointed to the corpse of the Honkai Beast, stood up, and calmly analyzed: “These silicon-based creatures use Honkai energy as food, as inseparable from human breathing. The stronger the Honkai Beast, the stronger the energy within its body molecules. And the infected creatures have proven to me that carbon-based creatures can also fuse with this energy.”

Perhaps infected by Mebius in his researcher state, Ryan also entered that state, pondering deeply before shaking his head: "But infected creatures have no brains and cannot be used as weapons."

“Perhaps it’s because of the excessive Honkai energy in one instant, or perhaps the carrier’s adaptability is insufficient, but after comparing a thousand sets of data, I found that they all undergo mutations at the genetic level. What I need to do is to make these mutations controllable, which requires more in-depth research into Honkai energy.” Möbius extended his hand, extending an invitation like at a ball. “So I need someone to help me, and you are very suitable.”

Ryan understood completely. Since Mebius dared not force her, she wanted to squeeze out all her value like a juicer. The key to her research was Honkai energy, which Ryan could not only control but also had academic insights into.

Lane was also a co-author of May's groundbreaking paper, so it wouldn't be a problem for him to get a Nobel Prize by association.

"No wonder you're so interested in me."

“Of course, if all I know is fighting and killing, I might as well go find that Alicia. How about we make a deal?” Mebius crossed his arms, causing his ample breasts to sink slightly, his emerald pupils filled with seriousness: “You help me with the research, and I won’t be after you for now.”

Ryan thought for a while. This was in line with his goal. If he could create a fusion warrior as soon as possible, he might be able to try it out. Even if it didn't increase his strength, it would be enough to cover up many problems.

Why don't you go find Mei?

“That woman is no simpleton. How should I put it? Her research direction is quite different from mine.” Möbius frowned slightly, clearly having already tried it.

In terms of talent, Mei is even more exceptional. She is proficient in almost every subject and excels at overall planning, making her more suitable for a research director or something similar.

"You admit defeat to her?"

"How could that be? Don't try to provoke me." Möbius couldn't help but chuckle, urging, "Are you going to agree or not?"

"If there's a breakthrough in your research, you can go back. Is that a suitable condition?"

"Do you even need to tell me? If there's another way, I don't want to waste my time."

What I'm waiting for is your words.

Ryan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, Alicia could also mobilize Honkai energy, but how to put it, that person's thinking was too unconventional and she didn't understand the principles. Ryan was indeed the best helper.

"Yes, but I don't know much about biology."

“I am the most authoritative expert.” Möbius gave no room for retreat, ran over, pulled up a swivel chair, and plopped down in it.

Ryan was baffled. He saw the tight skirt bulge out, and Möbius crossed his long legs. His face showed not only the rationality of a scientist, but also a kind of sentimentality stemming from personal grudges.

"Before that, come on, call me 'teacher' and let me hear it~"

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Ryan, you smell terrible but smell good too!

With the future in mind, Ryan reached a cooperation agreement with Mebius, but a few days later he found that things were not quite as he had imagined.

For the first three days, he was on high alert, refusing even the food Mebius offered. Five days later, his busy research tasks left him no time to worry about such things; he mobilized Honkai energy from morning till night, recorded data, and then summarized patterns from repeated failures.

Ten days later, he finally realized something was wrong.

There was no conspiracy, no seduction, no testing. He was just like an ox, keeping Möbius company from morning till night. Blanca was exhausted several times, and Ryan wanted to go to Kevin to fulfill his promise several times, but Möbius just wouldn't let him.

She crossed her arms, lifted her chin, gave a mocking smile, and said something.

'I'm still holding on, and you, a grown man, are already giving up.'

"If you're lacking energy, I have some supplements here. Would you like to try them?"

There was no way around it; Ryan had his pride too. He'd already slaughtered hundreds of Honkai Beasts, how could he let this woman mock him? Besides, he was a researcher, and scholars always had their pride.

So he focused even more on his research, using Honkai energy to revive the remnants again and again, and then carefully using these remnants to stimulate the cells.

Mei and other people from other departments came to help a few times along the way, but they were exhausted in just a few days, and gradually, no one wanted to come anymore.

About half a month later, they finally discovered a fusion reaction in one of the specimens. Under an electron microscope, this specimen showed the birth of a strange, entirely new gene.

"Doctor, specimen NL03124 is reacting, with very little rejection and a stable structure." Blanca, with dark circles under her eyes, quickly raised her hand.

Möbius, who was dividing the specimen with a centrifuge, was taken aback. He quickly ran over, pushed his assistant aside, and then leaned over to the microscope.

She was very focused, taking notes as she watched, and Ryan could even sense a tense atmosphere.

"It's a success! My idea was right after all. Humans can fuse the genes of Honkai Beasts. Every cell will store energy, and when countless cells combine, they will become an extraordinary individual."

Mebius lightly slapped the table, instantly dispelling his fatigue and invigorating his spirits.

"Once I get started, I can delve deeper into the research direction, from the micro to the macro, and gradually figure out where the boundaries are. If I can succeed, humanity will take a giant leap forward in evolution."

"Congratulations on your doctoral studies. May I go and rest now?" Blanca leaned on the table, knowing that accompanying Möbius on his research was incredibly exhausting, but she was also very happy.

Each time the doctor's research makes a breakthrough, the chances of defeating the Honkai increase. In fact, after discovering that the Honkai could crush human civilization, all the research institutes of the Fire Moth have been exploring this energy in depth.

Some focused on the destructive power of Honkai energy, while others made this energy controllable, turning it into the energy core of giant combat robots.

"You've worked hard, go and rest." Mebius rarely showed a gentle smile, then seeing the man following behind, he called out again, "Hey, you can't leave yet."

Ryan paused, gritted his teeth, and turned around: "Are you ever going to stop? I've been treated like an ox by you for a whole month, eating and sleeping in this lab, and I haven't received a single penny of salary."

Ryan miscalculated. He was trying to guard against Mebius's schemes, but he ended up falling into a trap without realizing it. He was eating instant noodles and sleeping on the floor every day, and he didn't know what he was thinking. But then again, he admired Mebius quite a bit.

Such intense research would inevitably lead to sudden death sooner or later; even her own well-trained body would struggle. For an ordinary woman to persevere is truly remarkable, making her a super workaholic.

"Don't be angry. I haven't met such a high-quality assistant in a long time." Möbius leaned over and put his hand on Ryan's shoulder, looking very sincere. "We get along very well. Without your help, we might not have achieved anything in a year or two."