Director Hale's office was located on the top floor of the Advanced Neurotechnology Division in the Pentagon. Beyond the massive floor-to-ceiling windows lay the skyline of Washington, D.C., and sunlight streamed through the glass onto the cold marble floor, yet it failed to dispel the oppressive atmosphere in the room. Liam walked to the desk, stopped, and subconsciously pressed his fingertips to his temple—where the blue light was still faint, but the hum of the "Connection Core" was clearer than before, even carrying a subtle sense of urgency, as if warning of something.
Director Hale sat in a large leather chair, leaning back with his hands crossed over his chest. His cloudy eyes stared fixedly at Liam, sharp as a falcon's, as if trying to penetrate his skin and see the secrets deep in his soul. He was about sixty years old, with gray hair and wrinkles covering his face—each crease hiding scheming and cruelty. His dark suit was immaculate, yet it still couldn't conceal the aura of authority he exuded after years in a position of power.
"Sit," Hale's voice was deep and hoarse, without a trace of warmth. He gestured to the chair opposite the desk, his gaze never leaving Liam's face. "Dr. Cross, you've given me a big surprise. Yesterday you were in critical condition, and today you're standing here, having fixed the fatal flaw in the 'Apex Serum'—even finishing what our team spent six months trying to do in just a few minutes. Do you think I'll believe this was just a 'sudden insight'?"
Liam's heart sank, and the pressure of his fingertips unconsciously increased. Sure enough, Hale was not so easily fooled. This old fox had spent his life dealing with power and intrigue, and his eyes were sharp enough to catch the slightest flaw. He forced himself to calm down, still wearing Ethan's signature calm and confident expression as he slowly sat down, leaning forward slightly to assume a respectful yet unyielding posture—the best way to interact with Hale, as he had learned from Ethan's memories.
"Director, desperate situations often give birth to miracles," Liam's voice was steady and natural, perfectly imitating Ethan's tone. His mind raced, searching for a suitable excuse. "Yesterday's serum test, though a failure, allowed me to observe the reaction between the serum and brain neurons up close. It also made me realize that we've been stuck in a misunderstanding—we were too fixated on 'breaking through' that we ignored 'compatibility.' The brain's neural pathways are like precise circuits; forcibly injecting energy will only cause a short circuit. Only by finding the right interface to achieve compatibility between energy and pathways can we maximize its effectiveness."
As he spoke, he took out a tablet from his pocket, opened the revised serum formula and neural mapping data, and handed it to Hale—deliberately avoiding mentioning the "Connection Core" and focusing only on the serum's optimization. "Look, this is the revised peptide chain sequence I created. I readjusted the targeting of the neural receptors, reduced the serum's toxicity, and improved its compatibility with brain neurons. Yesterday's failure made me clearly remember every abnormal data point, and it suddenly made me understand the problem that had been confusing me—it wasn't an insight, but the accumulation of countless failures, leading to a breakthrough in desperation."
Hale took the tablet, his gaze falling on the screen as he slid his finger across it, carefully examining each set of data and every line of code. He read slowly, his brows furrowed slightly, his expression unpredictable—sometimes solemn, sometimes confused, and sometimes flashing with surprise. The office was silent, except for the faint glow of the tablet screen, the soft hum of the "Connection Core" inside Liam's skull, and the even yet suppressed breathing of the two men.
Liam sat in his chair, calm on the surface but his heart already tensed to the breaking point. He could clearly feel Hale's gaze sweeping over his temple from time to time. Although the bandage covered most of the blue light, the faint glow might still be detected by Hale. What made him even more uneasy was that the hum inside his skull was becoming increasingly urgent, and a slight stinging sensation had begun—like countless fine needles pricking gently at his nerves.
[Warning: Brain activation level is continuously rising, currently at 15.6%. Neural symbiosis stability has dropped to 82%. Minor discomfort detected in the host's body: abnormal muscle tone, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure—the physical endurance has reached the limit of the current activation level. It is recommended to stop brain activation immediately or improve physical endurance as soon as possible; otherwise, irreversible damage such as neurological disorders and muscle strains will occur.] The AI's warning sounded in Liam's mind, still calm but with an undeniable sense of urgency.
Liam's heart skipped a beat, and a faint dizziness came over him, blurring his vision for a moment. His fingertips also began to tremble slightly. He subconsciously clenched his fists, forcing himself to steady his figure so that Hale wouldn't notice anything unusual. It turned out that activating the brain came at a price. Ethan's body, though that of an adult with a decent constitution, was just an ordinary human body—untrained and completely unable to withstand the energy impact brought by a brain activation level above 15%.
It was like a sophisticated computer: even if equipped with the top CPU, without a powerful enough power supply and cooling system, forcing it to run high-load programs would eventually cause it to crash or burn out. His brain, under the dual effect of the "Connection Core" and the "Apex Serum," was awakening rapidly, releasing more and more powerful energy. Ethan's body, however, was like that underpowered, poorly cooled computer—constantly being bombarded by this powerful energy, on the verge of collapse at any moment.
"The data looks fine," Hale finally finished reviewing the data, placing the tablet on the desk. His gaze returned to Liam's face, still sharp with a hint of scrutiny. "In fact, it's even better than I expected. With this formula, the safety and effectiveness of the serum have improved by more than one level. As long as we conduct a few more clinical trials to confirm there are no side effects, it can be mass-produced and applied in the military and high-end scientific research fields—and then we'll both get what we want."
Liam's heart moved, and he instantly understood Hale's meaning. What Hale wanted was never a scientific breakthrough or human evolution, but power and profit. Once the "Apex Serum" was successfully mass-produced and applied in the military, it could create a group of super soldiers with extremely high IQ and enhanced perception—greatly boosting U.S. military strength. And Hale, as the person in charge of the project, would gain higher power and more benefits with this achievement.
"Don't worry, Director. I will arrange clinical trials as soon as possible to ensure the safety and stability of the serum," Liam spoke at the right moment, his tone respectful but subtly leaving room for maneuver. "However, clinical trials take time, as well as sufficient volunteers and equipment support. Additionally, I have an idea—the optimization of the serum is only the first step. If we want to break through higher barriers of brain activation, reaching 20%, 30%, or even higher, relying solely on the serum is not enough."
He deliberately mentioned higher brain activation levels to lead into the topic of physical modification—not only to find an excuse for his subsequent physical enhancement but also to arouse Hale's interest and make him relax his vigilance. After all, what Hale wanted was more powerful "results"; higher brain activation meant stronger super soldiers, which meant more power and profit—he had no reason to refuse.
Sure enough, Hale's eyes lit up instantly. He leaned forward slightly, the scrutiny on his face fading a little, replaced by eagerness. "Oh? What's your idea? Go on."
"It's like this, Director," Liam spoke slowly, his tone calm and firm, putting forward the idea he had long thought out. "Activating the brain releases enormous energy, and this energy needs a physical body to carry it. Currently, the average human body can only withstand a brain activation level of about 15% at most. Once it exceeds this limit, irreversible damage such as neurological disorders, muscle strains, or even organ failure will occur. The reason I was in life-threatening danger during yesterday's test, besides the serum's flaw, was another important factor—my body couldn't withstand the energy from the brain activation caused by the serum."
As he spoke, he deliberately put on a tired expression, raising his hand to rub his temple, pretending to be unwell to further reinforce his point. "As you can see, although I woke up today, my body is still weak. That's because my body is still recovering from the damage caused by yesterday's brain activation. Therefore, to break through higher brain activation levels and achieve 100% awakening, we must carry out two research projects simultaneously: first, continue optimizing the 'Apex Serum' to improve the efficiency of brain activation; second, strengthen and modify the physical body that carries the brain to enhance its endurance."
Hale frowned slightly, tapping his fingers gently on the desk as he fell into deep thought. He glanced down at the data on the tablet, then at Liam's tired expression, his eyes changing unpredictably. Liam's words made sense. Although he didn't understand the specific scientific principles, he knew that any powerful force required a corresponding carrier. If the physical body couldn't withstand the energy from brain activation, no matter how perfect the serum was, it would be impossible to break through higher barriers, let alone create real super soldiers.
"Physical modification?" Hale looked up, his gaze falling on Liam's face with a hint of confusion and scrutiny. "How? Through drugs or other means? Will there be side effects? After all, we want 'super soldiers,' not 'monsters.'"
Liam breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Hale had been persuaded. He quickly replied, "Don't worry, Director. The physical modification I'm talking about isn't about turning people into monsters, but using scientific methods to improve the body's strength, toughness, and energy-carrying capacity, allowing it to adapt to a higher activated brain. I initially envision two directions for modification: internal genetic modification and external technological empowerment."
"Explain in detail," Hale's tone became more serious, clearly having developed a strong interest in this topic. He knew that if this idea could be realized, it would bring about a revolutionary change—and he would become the leader of this change, go down in history, and gain endless power and profit.
"Internal genetic modification involves editing human genetic sequences to repair genetic defects and strengthen genes related to physical strength, toughness, and energy metabolism, thereby enhancing the body from the inside out," Liam spoke slowly, at a moderate pace, systematically presenting his idea, integrating Ethan's neuroscientific knowledge with his own AI optimization concepts. "Human genes contain enormous potential, but most of it is in a dormant state. We can use a derivative formula of the 'Apex Serum' combined with gene editing technology to awaken these dormant genes, strengthen various physical functions, and enable it to withstand the higher-intensity energy from brain activation. This type of modification starts from the inside; the modified body has the highest compatibility and stability with the brain, with minimal side effects."
He paused, then continued, "External technological empowerment, on the other hand, involves auxiliary physical enhancement through external technological devices. For example, developing a lightweight nanoscale bio-mecha that adheres to the human skin, capable of absorbing and conducting the energy released by the brain while enhancing the body's strength and toughness to provide protection and reinforcement. Or developing an energy conduction device implanted in the human body that can convert excess energy released by the brain into power needed by the body—avoiding energy waste and further improving the body's carrying capacity. This modification method takes effect quickly, does not require a long process of gene editing and cultivation, and is suitable for rapid mass application."
"Of course, the best approach is to combine internal genetic modification with external technological empowerment," Liam added, his tone filled with certainty. "Internal genetic modification improves the body's inherent strength and compatibility; external technological empowerment assists in carrying energy and provides additional protection. The two complement each other, allowing the body's endurance to keep up with the speed of brain awakening, ultimately achieving 100% brain awakening and creating truly superhumans."
Hale listened quietly, stopping his finger tapping. His expression gradually became solemn, but a hint of excitement and greed flashed in his eyes. As he looked at Liam, he seemed to see a huge treasure—if this idea could be realized, it would completely change the world pattern, and he would become the owner of this treasure. He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, his tone carrying an undeniable order: "Very well, Dr. Cross. I approve this idea."
"I will allocate the best resources and the top team to you. You can mobilize any gene editing experts or nanotechnology engineers you need. Don't worry about funding—no matter how much it costs for the project, I will approve it," Hale's voice was softer than before, but still carried the oppressive aura of someone in power. "I have only one requirement—deliver results as soon as possible. Three months. I'll give you three months to show me the initial results of the physical modification and the test data of brain activation breaking through 20%. If you fail, you know the consequences."
Liam felt a surge of joy and quickly nodded. "Please rest assured, Director. I will not disappoint you. Within three months, I will definitely deliver results, achieve a breakthrough in brain activation to 20%, and complete the initial physical modification trials."
He knew that Hale's promise meant he would gain sufficient resources and power to conduct his research—not only to improve the neural symbiosis technology and increase brain activation but also to modify Ethan's body and solve the current problem of the body being unable to withstand brain energy. More importantly, it would allow him to temporarily escape Hale's suspicion and have more time to hide his identity and find a way to return to his own universe to save his sister.
"Good," Hale nodded in satisfaction, waving his hand. "Go down and formulate a detailed research plan as soon as possible. Bring it to my office tomorrow morning. Remember, this matter is strictly confidential. No one is allowed to know except the two of us and the core team you select. If the news leaks, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Yes, Director," Liam replied respectfully, slowly standing up and turning toward the office door. Just as he reached the door and was about to open it, the "Connection Core" inside his skull suddenly let out a sharp hum. The stinging sensation intensified instantly, stronger than ever—like countless red-hot needles frantically pricking his nerves.
[Warning! Warning! Brain activation level has suddenly soared to 16.2%! Neural symbiosis stability has dropped sharply to 70%! Host's physical endurance has reached its limit! Minor muscle fiber tears detected, neurological pathways disrupted, heart rate abnormally accelerated, blood pressure soaring! If brain activation is not stopped immediately, severe irreversible damage will occur, even endangering life!] The AI's warning sounded extremely urgent in Liam's mind, with a hint of panic, repeating over and over.
A severe dizziness swept over him, his vision blurring instantly. A buzzing sound echoed in his ears, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably—his fingertips cold, his legs weak, barely able to stand. He subconsciously grabbed the doorframe, his face turning as white as a sheet. Cold sweat slid down his forehead, soaking his hair at the temples, and he could even feel the blue light at his temple becoming brighter, as if trying to break free from the bandage.
"What's wrong?" Hale's voice suddenly came from behind, with a hint of confusion and vigilance. "Dr. Cross, are you unwell?"
Liam's heart tightened. He gritted his teeth hard, forcing himself to steady his figure to avoid collapsing. He knew that at this moment, he must not let Hale notice anything unusual—otherwise, all his previous efforts would be in vain, he might even expose his identity and bring about his own death. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and slowly turned around, forcing a weak smile. His face was still pale, but he still tried to maintain Ethan's calm. "N-nothing, Director. It's probably because yesterday's test took too much out of me. My body is still weak, and I felt a little dizzy just now. I'll be fine after resting for a while."
Hale's gaze fixed on Liam's face, then swept over his hand on the doorframe and his pale complexion. A hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes, but he didn't ask further, only waving his hand impatiently. "If you're unwell, go rest quickly and don't waste time here. Remember, the research plan must be in my office tomorrow morning—no delays."
"Yes, Director," Liam replied respectfully, not daring to linger for a moment. He turned and quickly walked out of the office. The moment he closed the door, he could no longer hold on. His body slid down the door, collapsing onto the corridor floor, gasping for breath. Cold sweat kept pouring down, soaking his white lab coat.
The severe stinging sensation continued in his skull, and the hum of the "Connection Core" became weaker and weaker, as if it might stop working at any moment. He could clearly feel a soreness spreading through his muscles, as if he had been severely beaten—every movement accompanied by intense pain. His brain also felt like it was about to explode, muddled and chaotic, with countless memory fragments and data frantically intertwining and colliding in his mind, making his head throb.
"AI... immediately... reduce brain activation... stabilize neural symbiosis..." Liam spoke with difficulty, his voice weak and trembling, issuing the command to the AI in his mind. Every word seemed to take all his strength.
[Command received. Reducing brain activation level, activating neural stabilization program, injecting trace residual serum to repair damaged neural pathways... Brain activation level: 15.9%, 15.7%, 15.5%... Neural symbiosis stability: 72%, 75%, 78%... Host's physical damage is being initially repaired, but muscle fiber tears and neurological disorders require further treatment and rest.] The AI's voice was still urgent but calmer than before, sounding in Liam's mind.
With the AI's operation, the stinging sensation in his skull gradually eased, the dizziness subsided significantly, and his brain became clearer. Liam leaned against the door, closing his eyes and gasping for breath. The paleness on his face faded a little, but he still hadn't regained his color. He knew how dangerous it had been—if the AI hadn't activated the stabilization program in time, he might have fainted on the spot in Hale's office, exposing his identity, or even died completely because his body couldn't withstand the excessively high brain activation level.
This was the price of brain awakening. To gain powerful strength, one had to bear the corresponding pain and risks. Ethan's body was too fragile, completely unable to keep up with the speed of brain awakening. If he couldn't complete the physical modification as soon as possible, even if he could continuously optimize the serum and increase brain activation, he would eventually die due to physical collapse.
"Physical modification... must be done as soon as possible," Liam opened his eyes, his gaze filled with determination and a hint of fear. He gently touched the bandage at his temple, feeling the faint blue light. "Internal genetic modification, external technological empowerment... combining the two is the only way to make this body carry the power of 100% brain awakening."
Just then, hurried footsteps came from the end of the corridor, accompanied by Elena's anxious voice: "Dr. Cross? Dr. Cross? Where are you? Are you okay?"
Liam looked up toward the end of the corridor and saw Elena walking quickly toward him, her face full of anxiety and worry. She was still wearing her white lab coat and holding a first-aid kit in her hand—obviously, she had noticed something was wrong and come to look for him specifically. Fragments of Ethan's memories emerged again: Elena was not only his colleague but also his friend. She had always been by his side during his most difficult times, loyal to him, and even harbored a subtle affection for him deep in her heart.
"I'm okay, Elena," Liam spoke slowly, his voice still a little weak but steadier than before. He struggled to stand up, but stumbled slightly due to muscle soreness.
Elena quickly stepped forward, supporting his arm. The worry on her face deepened as she reached out to touch his forehead, then looked at his pale complexion and the cold sweat on his forehead, her brows furrowing tightly. "You're in no condition to say you're okay! Your face is as white as a sheet, and you're covered in sweat. Is there something wrong with your body again? Did yesterday's serum test cause any irreversible damage to you?"
Her fingers accidentally touched the bandage at Liam's temple, feeling the faint blue light. A hint of confusion flashed in her eyes, and she asked subconsciously, "Your temple... what is this? Why is there blue light? What exactly did you do during yesterday's test?"
Liam's heart sank, and he subconsciously avoided Elena's gaze, his body stiffening slightly. He knew that Elena had noticed something unusual. This woman was too sharp and cared too much about him—it would be difficult to keep the existence of the "Connection Core" hidden forever. Moreover, he needed a loyal and talented assistant for his upcoming physical modification research, and Elena was undoubtedly the best candidate.
But if he told Elena the truth, would she believe him? Would she accept it? Would she help him keep the secret? If she told Hale or anyone else, he would be trapped in an irreversible situation. But if he didn't tell her, he would struggle to complete the three research projects—serum optimization, brain activation, and physical modification—in three months, let alone deal with Hale's oppression and those potential enemies.
As Liam hesitated, Elena seemed to sense his dilemma. The confusion on her face gradually turned to understanding and worry. She gently let go of his hand, her tone softening a little. "Dr. Cross, if you don't want to say it, I won't force you. I know you must have your own difficulties. But I hope you understand—I'm your friend and your colleague, and I'll always be by your side to help you. No matter what you've done or what difficulties you're facing, you can tell me, and we'll face it together."
Looking at the sincere worry and trust in Elena's eyes, Liam's heart gradually softened. He knew that Elena was truly good to him and sincerely wanted to help him. Moreover, he had no other choice—he needed Elena's help and her talent to complete the upcoming research. Perhaps telling her part of the truth was the best option.
Liam took a deep breath, slowly raised his head to look at Elena, his gaze filled with hesitation and sincerity. "Elena, thank you. There are some things I can't tell you the whole truth about, but I can tell you part of it. Yesterday's serum test was not just a failure—it also brought me an unexpected gain—I found the key to brain awakening and the direction to optimize the 'Apex Serum.'"
He paused, gently touching the bandage at his temple, his tone lowering a little. "The blue light at my temple is a secret research achievement. It can help me better control brain activation and achieve perfect compatibility between the brain and the serum. However, it also has a side effect—the speed of brain activation will become faster and faster, but my body can't withstand the energy impact brought by this speed. Just now, I almost fainted because the brain activation level was too high."
"So, I proposed a physical modification plan to Director Hale, wanting to improve the body's endurance through gene editing and external technological empowerment to keep up with the speed of brain awakening," Liam looked at Elena, his gaze filled with a hint of pleading. "Elena, I need your help. I know you have great talent in neurochemistry and gene editing. I hope you can join my core team to help me complete the upcoming research and achieve 100% brain awakening."
Elena listened quietly, her expression changing from worry to surprise, then to determination. She looked at Liam, her eyes filled with admiration and a hint of sympathy. "So, you've been through so much. Dr. Cross, don't worry—I'll help you. No matter how dangerous or difficult it is, I'll always be by your side to help you complete the research and achieve 100% brain awakening."
She paused, her tone becoming firmer. "Gene editing and neurochemistry are my specialties. I'll formulate the initial plan for physical modification as soon as possible, cooperate with you to complete the serum optimization and brain activation tests. Additionally, I'll help you keep the secret—no one will know, not even Director Hale."
Liam's heart warmed, and he showed a rare smile—not Ethan's calm confidence, but his own, filled with sincerity and gratitude. In this unfamiliar parallel universe, in this world full of danger and intrigue, Elena's trust and help were like a ray of light, illuminating his path forward and giving him more courage to persist.
"Thank you, Elena," Liam's voice was a little choked as he nodded gently. "With you here, I believe we will definitely succeed."
Elena smiled, supporting Liam's arm and carefully helping him stand up. "Okay, stop saying that. You're very weak now and need to rest as soon as possible, as well as receive initial treatment to repair muscle and nerve damage. I'll take you back to the laboratory first to treat your wounds, then inject you with some nutrients to help you recover your strength. We'll discuss the research plan tomorrow."
Liam nodded, leaning on Elena's support to slowly stand up and walk toward the laboratory step by step. His body was still weak, and soreness still spread through his muscles. The "Connection Core" inside his skull still hummed faintly, but his gaze was extremely firm.
He knew that the road ahead would be even more difficult. Hale's oppression, potential enemies, the risks of physical modification, the price of brain awakening, and the crisis of hiding his identity—countless difficulties and dangers awaited him. But he would not flinch or give up. He would fulfill the unfulfilled dreams of two people, improve the neural symbiosis technology, achieve 100% brain awakening, rewrite the trajectory of human evolution, and more importantly, find a way to return to his own universe to save his sister.
Just as they were about to reach the laboratory door, Liam's phone suddenly rang. He took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID, his face turning as white as a sheet again, his body stiffening once more. The caller ID clearly displayed a name—Marcus Thorn.
Fragments of Ethan's memories flooded into Liam's mind instantly, filled with fear and disgust. Marcus Thorn was Ethan's biggest competitor and most dangerous enemy. He was the founder of another top biotechnology company—ambitious and ruthless, he had long coveted the research results of the "Apex Serum." He even resorted to all kinds of schemes and tricks to frame Ethan in order to seize the research results.
Yesterday, when Ethan conducted the serum test, Marcus Thorn had sent someone to secretly monitor the laboratory's movements. Now, why did he suddenly call? Had he noticed something? Or did he already know that the serum had been repaired and wanted to seize the research results?
Elena also noticed Liam's abnormality. Looking at his pale face, she asked worriedly, "Dr. Cross, what's wrong? Who's calling?"
Liam gripped the phone tightly, his knuckles turning white with force. His gaze was cold and vigilant, his voice deep and hoarse. "Marcus Thorn."
Elena's face also turned pale instantly, fear flashing in her eyes. "Marcus Thorn? Why would he call you? Did he notice something? Or does he already know that the serum has been repaired?"
Liam didn't speak, only gripping the phone tightly with a cold gaze. He knew that Marcus Thorn's call could mean nothing good. This ruthless man, once he knew the serum had been repaired and learned of his research progress, would stop at nothing to seize the research results—even kill him to eliminate all future troubles.
The phone kept ringing, its harsh tone echoing in the silent corridor—like a death knell, tapping at Liam and Elena's hearts. Liam took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, a hint of ferocity flashing in his eyes. He knew he couldn't hide. Now that Marcus Thorn had called, he had to answer. No matter what Marcus Thorn's purpose was, he had to face it.
Liam slowly pressed the answer button, putting the phone to his ear. His voice was cold, without a trace of warmth. "Thorn, what do you want?"
On the other end of the line, a deep, sinister laugh came, filled with scheming and mockery, clearly reaching Liam's ears. "Congratulations, Dr. Cross. Yesterday you were in critical condition, and today you've fixed the fatal flaw in the 'Apex Serum'—even gaining Director Hale's full support. Truly commendable."
Marcus Thorn's voice was cold, like the hiss of a venomous snake, sending chills down one's spine. "However, Dr. Cross, do you think you can keep your secret forever? Do you think the research results of the 'Apex Serum' can really be yours? I'll tell you—impossible. I already know you've repaired the serum; I also know you proposed the physical modification plan to Hale."
Liam's heart sank, his gaze becoming even colder. Sure enough, Marcus Thorn had been secretly monitoring him, watching every move of the "Apex Project." Every action, every plan of his was under Marcus Thorn's control.
"Thorn, what do you want?" Liam's voice was icy, with a hint of warning. "The 'Apex Serum' is my research result, and the physical modification plan is my idea. If you dare to interfere, if you dare to seize my research results, I won't let you get away with it."
"Let me get away with it?" Marcus Thorn let out another sinister laugh, his tone filled with disdain and arrogance. "Dr. Cross, you're too naive. In this world, only the strong are qualified to possess the best things. Your research results, your physical modification plan, and your mysterious 'blue light secret'—they will all be mine."
"I'll give you a chance, Dr. Cross," Marcus Thorn's tone turned dark and threatening. "Tomorrow night, eight o'clock, at the abandoned laboratory outside the city. Bring the revised formula of the 'Apex Serum,' the initial plan for your physical modification, and your mysterious 'blue light device.' If you don't come, or if you dare to play any tricks, I'll tell Director Hale and the whole world about your 'resurrection' secret and all the flaws in your research. At that time, you'll not only lose everything but also become a 'monster' in everyone's eyes, dying without a burial place."
After speaking, Marcus Thorn didn't give Liam any chance to respond, hanging up the phone directly. A busy "beep beep beep" sound came from the phone, echoing harshly in Liam's ears.
Liam gripped the phone tightly, his knuckles white with force. His gaze was filled with coldness and ferocity, and a strong murderous aura emanated from him. Marcus Thorn, this sinister and cunning man, actually dared to threaten him, dared to covet his research results, dared to try to seize the "Connection Core." He knew that Marcus Thorn was not joking. This man always kept his word—if he didn't do as Marcus Thorn demanded, Marcus Thorn would definitely expose all his secrets.
At that time, he would not only lose Hale's trust, all his resources and power but also be hunted down by the whole world, becoming a "monster" in everyone's eyes. He might even be silenced by Marcus Thorn because his identity was exposed. And his research, his dreams, his wish to return to his own universe to save his sister—all would be completely shattered.
Elena looked at Liam's cold gaze and the murderous aura around him, her face full of worry and fear. She asked cautiously, "Dr. Cross, what's wrong? What did Marcus Thorn say to you?"
Liam slowly raised his head to look at Elena, the coldness in his eyes fading a little, replaced by solemnity and determination. He took a deep breath, speaking slowly with a deep and firm tone. "He's threatening me. He knows I've repaired the serum, knows about my physical modification plan, and has even detected the existence of the 'Connection Core.' He's telling me to bring the serum formula, the modification plan, and the 'Connection Core' to meet him at the abandoned laboratory outside the city tomorrow night. If I don't go, he'll expose all my secrets and make me die without a burial place."
Elena's face turned pale instantly, her eyes filled with fear and worry. "What? How could he know so much? He must have been secretly monitoring us! Dr. Cross, we can't go! It's a trap! Marcus Thorn is ruthless—he'll definitely take the opportunity to seize your research results and then kill us!"
Liam nodded, his gaze solemn. "I know it's a trap. Marcus Thorn never does business at a loss. He wants me to go just to seize my research results and kill me. But we have no choice. If we don't go, he'll expose my secrets, and we'll die anyway—even more miserably."
He paused, a hint of ferocity and determination flashing in his eyes. "However, it won't be that easy for him to seize my research results and kill me. Marcus Thorn has his schemes, and I have my plans. Tomorrow night, I'll go to the appointment. But I won't let him succeed—I'll make him pay a painful price for his greed and cruelty."
Elena looked at Liam's firm gaze, knowing he had made up his mind. She didn't try to persuade him anymore, but a hint of determination and resolve appeared in her eyes. "Dr. Cross, I'll go with you. No matter if it's a trap or how dangerous it is, I'll be by your side to face it with you. Together, we'll defeat Marcus Thorn and protect our research results."
Liam looked at Elena, his heart warming as he nodded gently. "Good. We'll go together. But before that, we have a lot to do. We need to formulate a detailed research plan as soon as possible, and also prepare to deal with the trap tomorrow night. Additionally, I need to improve my brain activation level and repair my physical damage—as long as I become stronger, we'll have a chance to defeat Marcus Thorn and survive."
Just then, the "Connection Core" inside Liam's skull let out another faint hum. The AI's voice sounded in his mind, filled with surprise and vigilance. [Unknown energy fluctuation detected. Source: direction of the abandoned laboratory outside the city. Abnormal energy fluctuation, suspected to be an unknown biological enhancement device, with similar energy characteristics to the host's physical modification plan. Additionally, multiple human life signals detected, with cold auras—suspected to be assassins.]
Liam's heart sank, his gaze becoming even more solemn. An unknown biological enhancement device? Assassins? It seemed that Marcus Thorn not only wanted to seize his research results but was also conducting similar research—biological enhancement research. Moreover, he was already prepared—once Liam arrived at the abandoned laboratory tomorrow night, he would immediately attack him.
What made him even more uneasy was that the unknown biological enhancement device had extremely strong energy fluctuations—even stronger than his "Connection Core." If Marcus Thorn had already successfully developed biological enhancement technology and created enhanced assassins, then the trap tomorrow night would be even more dangerous than he imagined.
He knew that a life-or-death struggle was inevitable. Tomorrow night, the abandoned laboratory outside the city would become the battlefield between him and Marcus Thorn. If he won, he could protect his research results, continue his plans, and survive. If he lost, he would lose everything, die without a burial place, and even let his research results fall into Marcus Thorn's hands—bringing unpredictable disasters to humanity.
Liam supported Elena's arm, slowly walking into the laboratory, his gaze filled with determination and resolve—no matter how dangerous the road ahead was, he had to keep going, for himself, for Elena, and for the unfulfilled dreams of two people.