Years have passed since we took down the BSAA's corruption. Our family—under watchful eyes—returned to a semblance of normal life. Heisenberg struck a deal with Chris and set off on his travels. The terms? Cooperate if needed, no unauthorized weapon-making or modifications, no killing or stealing, and in return, they'd leave him alone.
"Hard to believe Madao sticks to it," Eveline remarked. "He's gotta be the strongest guy on Earth."
"He's probably sick of being hunted," I said.
Bullets and torture devices don't faze Heisenberg, so threats were useless. A verbal agreement was the best Chris could get. Heisenberg, happy to be free from anyone's control, agreed. He's now running an airplane and car factory, or so his letters say. As I sorted through mail from friends, Chris, and Heisenberg, Rose poked her head in.
"Dad, Sis, any idea where my necklace is?" she asked.
"Hm? Uh… wasn't it on the living room shelf?" I replied.
"Wait, wasn't it in your room's bookshelf?" Eveline countered.
"Huh?" Rose blinked.
"What?" I said.
"Huh?" Eveline echoed.
We burst out laughing, our answers clashing hilariously. Mia's voice called from the kitchen.
"What are you three playing at? Dinner's ready—come help!"
"Coming, Mia," I said.
"On it!" Eveline and Rose chimed in.
The kids answered energetically, and we headed to the dining table. I grabbed a healing vial, noticing Rose and Eveline's expectant looks—especially Rose, eager to catch a glimpse this time.
"Come on, Dad, hurry up!" Eveline urged.
"You'll show me today, right?" Rose pleaded.
"No way, Rose," I said. "It's bad for your education. Go on."
"Aww, Sis, it's fine, isn't it?" Rose pouted.
"Nah, it's kinda gross. Wouldn't recommend," Eveline said.
"Tch, stingy!" Rose huffed, stomping off to Mia.
Being called stingy didn't change the fact that it's not something to show a kid. I locked the door to keep Rose out, took a knife, and sliced my palm.
"Here we go," I said.
"Yup," Eveline replied.
Once Eveline merged with me, I poured the healing vial over the wound, letting it drip downward. Black mold oozed, swelling and crackling into a humanoid shape. It detached, taking on a flesh-toned form—a small girl, younger than Rose but insisting she's the older sister: Eveline's old form.
"I hate Miranda, but her mimicry power's super handy!" Eveline grinned, her voice now physical, not just in my head.
"Short duration's the downside," I said.
I smiled at her small, lively figure. Fused with her original self, Eveline had grown stronger, inheriting Miranda's mimicry through the fungal network. Her body lasted only an hour before disintegrating, but now she could join us at the table. She reveled in this ordinary life, something we couldn't have during those three years.
"Come on, let's go," I said.
"On it!" Eveline chirped.
Mia and Rose welcomed us warmly at the table. Me, a walking mold corpse. Eveline, the true mold human who once wrought havoc. No other family would accept us like this. As we helped set the table, Rose lit up, remembering something.
"Oh, today's the day Karl comes, right?" she said.
"Yeah, you're right," I replied.
"Hope he brings another cool toy," Rose said.
"No more junk piling up, please," Mia groaned.
"That's harsh," a voice interjected.
We turned to see a man in round sunglasses, a black soft hat, and an olive long coat, smirking as he munched a sandwich from the table. Karl Heisenberg, visiting monthly, caught Rose as she leaped into his arms.
"Karl! It's been forever!" she squealed.
"Hey, kid, good to see ya," Heisenberg said. "Brought some fun toys today."
"Keys mean nothing to you, huh?" I said. "Good to see you, Heisenberg."
"Metal locks? Child's play," he grinned, shaking my hand firmly.
Eveline pounced. "Madao! Eating first is rude!"
"Guess I forgot to wash my hands," Heisenberg chuckled. "What's that in your hand, Eveline?"
"…Figured it was fine since you were eating," she mumbled, holding a sandwich.
"Both of you," Mia scolded. "Lecture later."
"Yes, ma'am…" they muttered, chastised.
Mia could tame even Heisenberg, arguably the world's strongest. My wife's terrifying.
"Hey, what'd you bring?" Rose asked. "A killer robot?"
"That thing was wild," Eveline said. "Haven't seen anything cooler than Lucas's stuff."
"That's not a toy, Heisenberg," I said. "It's bad for education."
"My bad," he said. "Just fake blood and guts, right?"
"So, what's today's haul?" Mia asked.
"Something educational, per your orders," Heisenberg said.
He pulled over a suitcase and opened it, revealing five familiar dolls. One resembled a cartoonish Heisenberg, another a haughty noblewoman in a hat, a cute bride in white, a gap-toothed fish-man in black, and a masked nun with six wings. Everyone but Rose and Heisenberg grimaced at the last one.
"What's this?" I asked warily.
"Puppets for an educational show," Heisenberg said. "Battery-powered, they talk and dance. Got voice actors to match. Meet Machine-Loving Heisen, Vampire Lady Domi—cough—Big Sis Domi, Spooky Doll Angie, Slimy Guy Moreau, and Mother Miranda. Couldn't think of a tagline for Miranda."
"That's the Miranda who kidnapped me as a baby?" Rose said. "She's kinda cute."
"Miranda's character's a bit… off," Eveline noted.
"I don't know much about her," Mia said. "Is she like that?"
"She was… mostly good at mimicking," I said, grimacing at the memories.
Miranda's erratic ramblings came to mind. Heisenberg pulled out screws, winding each doll and tapping their heads. They sprang to life, dancing chaotically.
"Come to Bio Village, yay!"
"We're one big happy family!"
"Vampire Big Sis Domi!"
"Slimy Guy Moreau!"
"Machine-Loving Heisen!"
"Spooky Doll Angie!"
"Mother Miranda!"
"Not scary, not scary, not scary at all♪"
"Play with us in Bio Village!"
Cheerful music played as the dolls danced and started a skit. Miranda's just stood there, which was honestly hilarious. But the skit's content…
"How's that? Educational, right?" Heisenberg grinned.
"Super fun! You're the best, Karl!" Rose cheered.
"No way, it's creepy!" Eveline protested. "Fake blood-spraying dolls!?"
"I'm with Eveline," Mia said. "Impressive, but such a waste of talent."
"Heisenberg, you're exhausted," I said. "Bio Village? Because it's where a biohazard happened?"
"I'm dead serious!" he insisted.
"Really…?" we groaned in unison.
Rose loved it, but for those of us who knew the source material—and Mia with her normal sensibilities—it was absurd. Rose's weird tastes are definitely Heisenberg's fault… what? My fault? No way, Eveline, stop glaring—I'm innocent!
---------------------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my Patreon!
💖 Support me here: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
🔓 Get ahead of the story today!