Asura in Arknights

"Maybe, or maybe the boss dug it up from some ruins," the supervisor replied nonchalantly. "This might be technology used by the ancient Sarkaz Empire to manufacture warriors. I really don't know how the boss got his hands on such a good thing."

"The Sarkaz Empire? What's that?" Hearing a completely new term from his supervisor, Leon couldn't help but feel puzzled.

"It's just a very old legend, and not many people probably know about it."

Because Li Ang had agreed to his request, the supervisor was in a very good mood. Even with such an unrelated question, he was able to patiently answer Li Ang's question: "It is said that many years ago, this world was ruled by an empire established by a Sarkaz."

The Sarkaz people actually had such a glorious history? Leon was somewhat surprised.

However, the supervisor didn't know much about it either. He had only deduced this possibility from the information his boss had given him. He also wanted to ask his boss for more specific information, but the boss of Boer Pharmaceuticals was too mysterious. Even he, the supervisor, had only met him a few times.

After chatting casually with Li Ang for a few minutes, they had already reached the elevator.

After undergoing several complex authentication processes, including iris scanning and voiceprint verification, they finally gained access to the top-level laboratory.

Before the elevator doors slowly opened, the supervisor opened his arms to Li Ang.

"We've arrived. Welcome to my laboratory."

Behind him lay the most confidential core area of ​​this research and development center. Without the guidance of a supervisor, Li Ang would have no way of gaining access to this place.

What Marna asked him to find was stored in this area.

Li Ang silently extended his senses and scanned this layer of the laboratory once again.

Before this, although Li Ang had tried to peek into the internal structure of this floor from below, it was clear that as the core laboratory of Pol Pharmaceuticals, this place would naturally be wary of Originium Arts of the perception type.

Although it couldn't completely block Li Ang's senses, it significantly reduced the accuracy of his perception. He could only barely tell how many rooms were on this floor, and he knew nothing about the more detailed internal structure.

After entering the laboratory, Li Ang finally had a complete view of all the details inside.

After confirming repeatedly, Li Ang had a preliminary plan in mind, but before that, he needed to determine where the data was stored.

The supervisor then led Li Ang to the center of the laboratory, a high platform with a huge space below. This was unlike anything you'd find in a typical laboratory.

In the very center of the space below, Li Ang saw Byron, half-naked and strapped to a large operating table.

His injuries had been treated, and electrodes of various sizes were attached to his body. Dozens of researchers walked around him, constantly pushing new equipment near the operating table.

The supervisor stood there motionless, showing no intention of going down to participate.

"Aren't you going to go and direct them?"

"No need. If I had to handle such a small matter, they wouldn't need to stay here." The supervisor snorted dismissively, then immediately put on a fawning expression. "There's still some time before it starts. Feel free to ask me any questions you have. If I know the answer, I'll give it to you."

“Then, I want to know why you insist on bothering me,” Leon asked calmly. “If you just ask, I think no one else in the Knights will refuse your proposal.”

Although Li Ang was just doing what his supervisor wanted, he was still a little concerned about the reason why his supervisor was targeting him.

“It’s simple, it’s because of drug resistance.” The supervisor licked his lips and said, “Do you think I haven’t tried it? Those useless people… they don’t even need formal experiments, just ordinary tests are enough to make their bodies develop enough resistance. Byron was barely passable.”

"After a maximum of four times, the enhancement agent will no longer have any effect on him."

“But you are different. Your enhancement limit is far above Byron’s. Even if you only have six or seven chances, you can obtain power comparable to that of a Grand Knight Commander… No, even those legendary immortals would be no match for you.”

"How could I possibly let go of such an opportunity to create a legend with my own hands?"

Li Ang sensed a burning ambition in his supervisor. As for the consequences of his actions... if his supervisor had considered such things, he wouldn't be in this position now.

Chapter Sixty-Three: Rampage

The researchers below were busy at work, while the supervisor on the side was also effusively promising Li Ang a rosy picture.

Li Ang simply gave a few perfunctory "uh-huhs," focusing his energy on investigating the details of this laboratory floor to ensure he could obtain the information Marna wanted later.

Although Li Ang had already learned the general outline from his supervisor, what Marner and the SEC wanted was evidence—conclusive evidence that could destroy the entire Boer Pharmaceuticals. Li Ang's one-sided statement was not sufficient as evidence.

After thoroughly searching every room on this floor, Li Ang finally found a place that appeared to be the supervisor's office, where the security measures were clearly several levels higher than those in the other rooms.

There is a computer in this office, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, all the most confidential information in the entire R&D center is stored behind this computer.

This is a bit troublesome...

Although Li Ang knew that the data was stored on that computer, he had no way to copy it out—he couldn't see the screen, so how could he operate the computer's system?

Now, Li Ang only has one simple method left—to create an accident that can attract most people's attention, and then remove the computer's hard drive and take it away.

Even if there are encryption measures on the hard drive, that's something the SEC needs to address.

To be honest, it won't be easy to do this. It would probably take blowing up the entire floor to achieve Li Ang's goal. In the process, many innocent people would lose their lives.

Although Li Ang is a very selfish person, he is not able to make up his mind to do such a heinous thing for the time being.

At this moment, the supervisor's voice pulled Li Ang back to reality from his dilemma: "The surgery has begun."

The researchers below finally finished debugging all the equipment, and they began to gather around Byron to carry out the final step of the enhancement experiment.

"If you don't mind, I'll briefly explain the essence of this enhancement method to you."

"Then please."

In simple terms, this is a drug similar to adrenaline, which stimulates the body's potential in a short period of time. However, unlike adrenaline, this drug has very low toxicity. After the original formula was modified, the side effects are almost negligible.

Even after the effects of the potion wear off, a small portion of the enhancement effect will remain. The supervisor's job is to minimize the temporary enhancement as much as possible and concentrate the potion's effect on this permanent enhancement.

To maximize this strengthening effect, intramuscular injection alone is clearly insufficient; surgery is necessary.

Through various channels, Pol Pharmaceuticals has collected enough experimental data, and Byron is the first subject they will apply to once they feel the experiment is mature.

"What about the side effects? Will those who fall into a coma during the test never wake up again?"

The two of them were in a very safe location. Li Ang had not found any means of eavesdropping, so he could safely put some things on the table.

Li Ang thought that his supervisor would avoid the topic or change the subject when faced with this question, but to his surprise, his supervisor actually showed a blank expression.

"Huh? What's that? I've never heard of such a side effect." The supervisor paused for a moment, then said, "So that's what you're worried about, which is why you've been refusing my request?"

"I really don't know where you heard this rumor. I can tell you with absolute certainty that this medicine has no side effects whatsoever! Um... okay, there might be a few minor aftereffects, but at most it's like having a serious illness, and you'll recover in two or three months at most. How could you be in a coma for so long?"

Li Ang could sense that the supervisor wasn't lying; he genuinely believed that his research results didn't have such significant side effects. Therefore, the reason those people were unconscious wasn't because of the drug, but because they had all seen Adams.

If Li Ang hadn't discovered Adams's problem beforehand, he might not have been able to find out about the issues with this lowly spokesperson.

Just as Li Ang was about to say something, a commotion suddenly broke out in the experimental area below. Even the thick reinforced glass in front of him could not completely isolate the sound from below.

Thick black smoke billowed from several machines near the operating table. Just as the panicked researchers were about to unplug the power, a bright spark burst out from one of the machines.

"What's going on? How could the equipment malfunction? Where are the people responsible for maintaining the equipment?" The supervisor was furious and started yelling at people below through the public address system.

This was originally a performance specially prepared to demonstrate the advantages of the enhancement experiment to Li Ang, but now the performance has obviously been ruined, so how can the supervisor be happy?

And this was just the beginning. The overload of the first device triggered a chain reaction, and many of the surrounding devices were also damaged or destroyed due to the large current.

The researchers below were instantly thrown into chaos. Some were busy cutting off the power, while others were busy saving data. For a moment, no one paid any attention to the guy lying on the operating table.

On the operating table, Byron's muscles began to twitch like earthworms. The wounds left over from the surgery on his body, which had not yet been stitched up, healed rapidly under the movement of his muscles. Even the metal needles inserted into Byron's body were crushed into powder by his muscles.

Byron's already tall stature swelled up even more as if he had been inflated, appearing several sizes larger out of thin air.

When he stood up from the operating table, his shadow completely enveloped the people below him.

He slammed his hand down on the unsuspecting researchers below, instantly crushing them into a bloody pulp. The sound of bones cracking awakened the other researchers nearby. Although they didn't understand what had happened, a cruel reality was already laid bare before them all—

Someone died, like an ant being crushed, without even uttering a scream, right before their eyes.

However, Byron, who was in a somewhat strange state, did not give them time to be stunned. He was like a hungry wolf that had broken into a flock of sheep. With each step he took and each swing of his arm, he could turn a person into a cloud of blood mist, leaving only a few unrecognizable limbs on the ground.

Those dozens of researchers who were panting even when running were no match for Byron. His efficient slaughter lasted quietly for more than ten seconds, and everyone in the field below had been wiped out.

"Is this what you just swore was that the medicine had no problems whatsoever?"

Byron's current state looks like he's gone berserk due to losing control.

"This...how is this possible?" the supervisor murmured.

Perhaps having heard the conversation from the stands, Byron, who was standing atop a pile of corpses, suddenly looked up in their direction.

Chapter 64: Plan

Wow... they actually found them directly?

Not long ago, the supervisor had proudly introduced this grandstand to him, saying that it used reinforced one-way transparent glass, and from the experimental space below, it was almost impossible to tell the difference between this place and other places with the naked eye.

But Byron, who had lost his mind, had pinpointed their location with remarkable accuracy.

He casually grabbed a piece of broken equipment from the side and threw it in the direction of Li Ang and the others. The discarded equipment left a blur in mid-air and embedded itself deeply into the reinforced glass in the blink of an eye.

However, this unexpected turn of events suited Li Ang's wishes perfectly. Now he didn't have to waste brain cells; he could figure out how to create some commotion.

Seeing the half-exposed lump of scrap metal through the glass, the supervisor was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground.

If that device had been any harder, or if Byron had been any stronger, he might have been smashed into a pulp on the spot.

"Where are the police and guards? What about the security measures? Why aren't they activated?" the supervisor shouted, trembling, as he scrambled away from the window.

Experimental accidents have happened before, but never as serious as this one.

"Alright, stop shouting. Even if the guards come now, I don't think they'd be a match for Byron."

Byron was already quite strong, and now he had an additional berserk buff. Ordinary guards would be suicide if they came, and the researchers were not useless either, but Byron still slaughtered them like cutting vegetables.

Unless all the Knights under the name of Pol Pharmaceuticals are transferred here, it is impossible to subdue Byron in this state, but by the time the Knights arrive, it is unknown how long it will be.

"This guy... I can handle him."

"But you're not wearing armor!" the supervisor screamed in terror.

Fighting that kind of monster without any protective gear was, in the supervisor's view, tantamount to suicide.

Now that this accident has happened and so many researchers have died, it's already heartbreaking enough for him. Although as long as he himself is safe, he can train any number of researchers, the time needed for a new team to integrate is also a very high cost.

If Li Ang and Byron were to fight now, and either of them were to die, Pol Pharmaceuticals' strategy for this Special Championship would be a complete failure. Even if the manager held a high position, they would not be able to bear the responsibility.

"Don't do anything rash! Let's get out of here quickly. The alarm should have been raised outside by now, and someone will be here to deal with this soon!" The supervisor struggled to his feet and stumbled toward the elevator.

Rescue? Who can say for sure about such a thing? Li Ang smiled slightly, completely unmoved by his supervisor's behavior.

At this moment, the supervisor had already run to the elevator door and was pounding on the control panel, but no matter how hard he tried, the elevator door did not open at all, and the control panel remained completely still without any response.

"Why can't it be opened!" The supervisor slammed his fist on the elevator door, his impotent rage unable to even make the door shake.

It was not difficult at all to breach this fortress from the inside. When Byron showed abnormalities, Li Ang secretly did something and overloaded and burned out the power supply line of this floor.

This elevator... is the only exit from this floor. With the elevator blocked, none of them can leave this huge prison, and people outside can't get in for a while either. This time is enough for Li Ang to turn this floor upside down.

“Are you still going to hold on? He’ll be coming out in a little while,” Li Ang said, pointing to the reinforced glass.

Although Byron has lost his mind, he still retains the most basic intelligence.

Unable to break the reinforced glass on the first attempt, Byron continued to repeat the same action. Under the repeated bombardment of the heavy object, the cracks on the reinforced glass became more and more numerous, showing signs of breaking at any moment.

"I..." The pain in his hand calmed the supervisor down. He glanced at the shaky reinforced glass with some fear before saying helplessly, "Alright, it seems I can only ask you for help now."

"Speaking of which, aren't you going to explain what happened to him? He doesn't look normal at all right now."

“I don’t know either,” the supervisor said helplessly. “This kind of accident has never happened before in previous experiments… Maybe it’s because he’s a Sarkaz? The technology of the Sarkaz Empire might have undergone some special changes when it came into contact with his bloodline…”

"I wonder if the data from earlier was saved. Maybe we can find the specific reason from it."

“We’ll talk about that later. I want to know if there’s a way to make him stop.”

The supervisor shook his head helplessly. "Now, the only way to stop him might be through violence."

"So... even if we kill him, it shouldn't matter, right?"

"No, no, no! Please don't kill him!" the supervisor shouted frantically. "If possible, try not to kill him. I want to find out what happened to him!"

“You’ve really put me in a difficult position…” Li Ang said, concealing his delight as he slowly drew his short sword from its sheath. “Since you’re making this request, then don’t blame me for any damage that may result.”

Before the supervisor could figure out the meaning of Li Ang's words, the reinforced glass finally reached its limit with a loud bang and shattered into countless small glass shards.

A huge object flew through the crack in the glass amidst the howling wind.

"Is all you do is litter everywhere? Are all Sarkaz people like you, like uncivilized primitives?"

As the heavy object approached Li Ang's body, it was bound by the Originium particles that filled the entire space. Then, under Li Ang's control, it flew back along the same path at a speed even faster than before.

"boom--"

With a single punch, Byron smashed the instrument, worth hundreds of thousands of Kazimierz gold coins, into pieces.

Li Ang's provocation seemed to have no effect whatsoever. Byron's emotions remained completely calm, and in fact, he turned his head slowly toward Li Ang because of Li Ang's counterattack.

"Roar!!"

With a roar, Byron leaped up from the ground like a cannonball, his legs giving way beneath his feet, causing a spiderweb-like crack to appear in the floor beneath his feet.

Byron actually planned to jump in directly through the hole in the glass.