Hidden in the shadows of the cliff face, Lin Ke's mind raced, processing the implications of the scene before him. The slumbering Alpha was a formidable obstacle, a monster of immense power. But the true prize, the object that sent a thrill of scientific curiosity and raw ambition through him, was the clutch of five corrupted eggs.
He focused the Gene Editor, pushing its analytical function deeper than ever before. He needed more data.
[Performing deep-level scan on Corrupted Egg specimens...] [Analysis Complete.] [Each egg contains a concentrated mass of chaotic genetic material. Estimated Raw Corrupted Gene Essence per egg: 250-300 units.] [Warning: The essence is in a highly volatile, semi-sentient state due to the active embryo. Direct absorption via the 'Purify and Absorb' function is not advised. Probability of system overload and catastrophic energy release: 85%.]
Lin Ke's breath hitched. Over 250 units per egg. The entire clutch represented nearly his total goal. Taking it would shave months, perhaps years, off his project timeline. But the risk was equally monumental. A direct "purification" was tantamount to suicide. He couldn't just defeat the Alpha and absorb the spoils like he had with the smaller creatures. This was an entirely different class of problem.
The Gene Editor, processing the dilemma, offered a new theoretical pathway.
[Alternative Protocol Suggested: 'External Decontamination'. If a specimen can be safely extracted and transported to a controlled laboratory environment, a slow, methodical purification process could be developed. This would negate the risk of explosive energy release. Success is dependent on laboratory equipment and host's knowledge of genetic synthesis.]
The path forward became clear, presenting him with a stark choice.
Option A: The Hunter's Path. He could play it safe. Wait for the Alpha to leave the cave on its patrol, then ambush it. A victory would likely yield a significant amount of essence—perhaps 100 units—and would be a challenging but manageable fight for the Rock Vole.
Option B: The Thief's Path. He could attempt the impossible: bypass the slumbering Alpha and steal an egg. The risk of waking the creature was immense, and if he was caught, he and the Rock Vole would be cornered in the cave with no hope of escape.
For a moment, the cautious scientist in him argued for the safer route. But the ambitious visionary, the one who chose a dead egg over a living dragon, knew that greatness was never found on the path of least resistance. The potential to study a corrupted embryo, to understand the phenomenon at its source, and to acquire a massive amount of essence in a single move, was a siren's call he could not ignore.
He was going for the egg.
His focus shifted from the "what" to the "how." This was not a problem to be solved with force, but with intellect. His gaze swept over the cave again, the Gene Editor overlaying the scene with data points.
[Subject: Alpha Corrupted Stone-Lizard. Status: Deep sleep cycle. Respiration Rate: 4 breaths per minute. Auditory Sensitivity: Moderate. Olfactory Sensitivity: High.] [Environment: Cave floor is littered with loose stones. High probability of creating noise. Air currents are minimal, carrying scent outwards from the cave entrance.]
A direct approach was impossible; the creature would hear or smell him immediately. He needed a diversion. His eyes fell upon a cluster of loose rocks on the cliff high above the cave entrance. An idea, precise and dangerous, began to form in his mind. It was a plan of timing, distraction, and surgical precision.
He looked at the slumbering Alpha, then at the pulsating eggs nestled behind it. The risk was enormous. The slightest mistake would mean a gruesome death. But if he succeeded, he would take a giant leap toward his goal.
Lin Ke settled back into the shadows, his body perfectly still. He would not rush. He would wait for the optimal conditions—for the wind to be blowing in the right direction, for the Alpha to be at the deepest point in its sleep cycle. He became a part of the rock and shadow, a patient scientist waiting for the perfect moment to conduct the most dangerous experiment of his life. The heist was on.