As the non-essential personnel evacuated the restaurant, only the small group remained.
Saeko Kageyama's transformation became even more dramatic. She first smoked white steam and reverted to her Lobster Orphnoch form, then cracks began to appear across her gray-white carapace, revealing a brand-new Kaijin body underneath. The distinct characteristics of an Amazon were clearly visible, giving her a much stronger, more biological texture.
"I… I feel stronger…" Saeko's voice trembled with excitement.
Takuma was utterly terrified by this sight of Saeko Kageyama, reminiscent of the time he saw the rampaging Raven.
"Doesn't look any different to me, how boring," Kitazaki dismissed it. He was confident in his own strength and felt no need to rely on Amazon Cells for evolution.
Kyouji Murakami, however, watched Saeko Kageyama with a grave expression. He could sense that her essence was fundamentally no longer that of an Orphnoch, though the Orphnoch imprint remained in her body.
"Do you feel hungry yet?" Raven tested the waters.
Saeko Kageyama's transformation was within his expectations. Her state was similar to his own, having devoured Orphnoch genes: essentially an Amazon with Orphnoch powers, naturally allowing her to escape the fate of turning to sand. His primary concern, however, was the issue of losing control. When ordinary people were infected with lysogenic cells and converted into an Amazon, it was nearly impossible for them to regain human consciousness; they would go mad with the desire to eat flesh.
But from this example, Orphnochs seemed to be different. At least a high-level Orphnoch like Saeko Kageyama appeared capable of maintaining her sanity after being converted into an Amazon.
"Now that you mention it, yes, I am feeling a bit hungry. I especially crave meat…" As she spoke, Saeko's gaze drifted toward Takuma.
Takuma instantly flinched, terrified.
"Haha, just kidding, Takuma." Saeko reverted from her Lobster Amazon form, picked up her knife and fork, and quickly devoured the steak in front of her.
Seeing this, Raven was completely reassured. If this was the case, Yuka should also be fine.
"Miss Saeko, how do you feel now?" Murakami asked curiously.
"Compared to before, I feel much better. And I can now sense a kind of kinship, a similar scent, on Mr. Raven." Saeko's gaze toward Raven was entirely different from before, filled with tenderness.
"Well, since Miss Saeko succeeded so easily, who else wants to try next?" Raven looked at the remaining members. It would be amusing if the masters of Smart Brain were transformed from Orphnochs into a group of Amazons. And he, the Amazon Origin, would naturally become the King of the Amazons born from him.
Takuma quickly avoided Raven's gaze. He wanted to try, but he was too afraid. Kitazaki showed absolutely no interest.
Murakami, though tempted, had no intention of recklessly experimenting immediately. He smiled faintly. "I think we need some time to observe first. However, Mr. Raven, what you shared with us is genuinely important. On behalf of Smart Brain, I sincerely express my gratitude."
Learning the secret that their former President may have concealed had deeply shaken him; his mind would not settle down for a while.
"Then I suppose that's all for now." Raven felt it was time to leave. He had eaten his fill, enjoying a top-tier steak, so the trip was worthwhile.
Seeing Raven depart, Murakami didn't try to stop him. Their primary goal this time was just to reconcile. The events of the evening had been too impactful, and they needed time to process everything. Only Saeko Kageyama, for reasons unknown, had immediately drunk Raven's blood.
Shortly after Raven left, the members of the Lucky Clover also departed. Only Murakami remained, savoring his wine while contemplating and processing the recent revelations.
"It seems this so-called Amazon has a more sophisticated method of creating its own kind than we Orphnochs do—through infection," Murakami couldn't help but sigh. If it were up to him, he would simply contaminate the water supply and infect the entire city, or even the whole world, turning everyone into his kind.
After leaving the restaurant, Saeko got into her blue sports car. She examined herself in the rearview mirror.
"This feeling is truly unprecedented."
She was extremely satisfied with her current state. The surging vitality within her was far more potent than when she was an Orphnoch. It seemed Raven's claim of eternal life was not a lie. The only side effect appeared to be an increased appetite and a stronger craving for meat.
"He really is a charming man, isn't he?" Saeko mused about Raven. She then instinctively reached a hand down below her gown in the car, unable to contain herself.
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