"Captain, would you be interested in seeing our latest masterpiece?"
Dr. Dalt, clad in a white lab coat, walked over. A faint smile spread across his face as he said, "At Arlan-dono's request, I've already deployed a team of perfect test subjects. They've formed the planned Elite Strike Team and are participating in the Investigation Bureau's operations."
"Oh, so they're already in combat. Looks like the plan's been completed," Aeridar said with a grin.
"Not entirely completed. We're still far from the most critical stage," Dalt replied in a serious tone.
"Don't worry about that. It's not easy to reach that level. You've already done an excellent job," Aeridar reassured him. "By the way, I've brought a world-class great physician with me. He's an expert in all kinds of medicines, and he's also a skilled surgeon with a deep understanding of the human body."
"That's great!" Dalt's eyes lit up with hope and surprise. "I'm in dire need of a top-tier doctor like that. What's his name?"
"His name is Jason, Asa Jason! He's from the kingdom known as the 'Medical Nation,' Drum Island," Aeridar introduced.
"It's him!" Dalt's eyes widened in shock and delight. "He's one of the world's best doctors, with the title of 'Great Physician.' His medical skills are exquisite. His paper on 'Human Anatomy and the Possibility of Biological Evolution' in the World Economic News was simply brilliant! And that other paper, 'Thirty-Nine Unknown Herbs,' caused the 'Herbal Encyclopedia' to be completely revised!"
"If it's not a case of the same name, profession, and hometown, then it must be him," Aeridar said with a shrug.
"Captain, a top-tier doctor like him should be a national treasure! How did you manage to recruit him?" Dalt asked, amazed.
"That's a long story," Aeridar said, without going into detail. "We ran into a huge storm on the way here. Dr. Jason was terribly seasick and couldn't eat or sleep properly for days. He's resting at the castle now. First, take me to see your new creation."
"My apologies to Dr. Jason. Let's go, Captain, I'll take you there." With that, Dalt led the way.
"Big guy, I'm heading out now. I'll come see you again tonight," Aeridar waved to Calamodus and left.
....
Research Base, Test Area 3.
"Based on the complete genes extracted from Calamodus, and the optimization of the SS Agent, we have created this XT Model advanced gene-enhancement agent," Dalt said, holding a vial of light-red liquid in the observation room.
"Oh, the XT Agent? Its purpose is to turn ordinary people into 'superhumans'?" Aeridar asked, taking the vial and examining it curiously.
"It can indeed turn people into superhumans, but the potency is too strong. Ordinary people can't handle it; it requires someone with a Doriki of at least one hundred," Dalt said with a hint of regret. "But it still has the same problem: it doesn't do much for those who already have a Doriki of over five hundred."
"What are its other pros and cons?" Aeridar asked with a frown.
"If the SS Model Agent is a basic agent, then the XT Model Agent is its advanced version. It has a much stronger potency, capable of giving a person an astonishing strength of over 500 Doriki. It also provides superhuman recovery and stamina, and some of the best subjects even gain a 'berserker' ability similar to Oto's. Long-term injections of this agent can also significantly enhance a person's overall physical functions. The results are quite remarkable," Dalt explained in detail.
Dalt paused, then continued, "But the drawback of the XT Agent is also its excessive potency. If an ordinary person is injected, their entire genetic structure will break down, and they'll die. Only a body with a Doriki of over one hundred can fully withstand the agent's power. And again, it doesn't boost the strength of those already above 500 Doriki. Also, due to the materials, we can only produce it in small batches."
"Excessive potency..." Aeridar mused, swirling the light-red XT Model Agent in his hand. "The core material must be Calamodus's blood. Only its blood would be so overwhelming."
"Exactly. We are researching a combat-oriented gene-enhancement agent, so we need powerful potency to provide tremendous power. This is how we stimulate the growth of human genes and strengthen the body," Dalt said, sounding a bit frustrated. "But Calamodus's genes are so overbearing. I've tried many times, but I can't figure out a way to lower the potency without also weakening the effects."
"Don't worry about it. We can just keep this stuff for our own use," Aeridar said with a casual smile. He shook the vial in his hand and continued, "And there's no need to lower the potency. Just use it in conjunction with the SS Agent."
Seeing Aeridar's response, Dalt stopped fussing over it. He walked over to the window and looked down at the metal plaza below. "Captain, come take a look at the experiment."
Aeridar nodded and walked over. Below, in the center of the metal plaza, was a large machine with a mechanical arm.
"Begin the test!" Dalt nodded to the staff member beside him.
Soon, the indicator lights on the machine below lit up. At the same time, a large man, stripped to his shorts, was led to the plaza by several researchers and was instructed to lie on the machine.
"He's a hunter from the town and a member of the guard squad who was previously injected with the SS Agent," Dalt explained.
Click!
After the man lay down, the machine's mechanism activated, cuffing his hands and feet. The machine started, and a researcher placed a vial of light-red XT Agent into a slot on the mechanical arm.
BUZZZZZZ...
The machine went into operation. The mechanical arm lowered, and a sharp needle inserted itself into the man's right arm. The light-red liquid visibly diminished in the vial, and the injection was complete in about three seconds.
"AAAGH! AAGH! AAGH! AAGH!"
In the next moment, the man's face flushed a deep red, and he began to scream in agony.
"What's this?" Aeridar's brow furrowed.
"This is a normal reaction. It's because Calamodus's genes are so overbearing, and the agent's power is so explosive. It will pass in a moment. For those with a Doriki of over five hundred, there's no pain," Dalt quickly explained.
Aeridar nodded, saying nothing.
Just as Dalt had said, the man's screams lasted for only about ten seconds, and his body began to change. First, his muscles started to swell, and his body began to grow. He grew bit by bit, reaching at least ten feet tall before the transformation and enhancement stopped.
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