"With this, our next step can be to start more simplified research."
Although Twiggy was happy, she hadn't forgotten the reality of the situation.
For all inventions, the initial form is always just enough to achieve the goal. But the subsequent optimization, improvement, and mass production are the truly difficult parts.
"By the way, has the physical testing been done?"
Twiggy suddenly thought of this question. If they had done it, surely they didn't use themselves as experimental subjects, right?
"We've already done physical testing, but rest assured, we aren't reckless enough to use ourselves for experiments."
They had naturally conducted physical experiments, it was just that the subject of this physical test was a rather subtle existence.
"Oh? Don't tell me, it was that guy?"
Twiggy thought of a possibility, and the expression on her face immediately became somewhat strange.
Although it was true that just testing the inhibition effect would work, was there really no problem with data from such a source?
"Don't worry. The principles of Corruption and alienation are similar; such data is practical and valid. As for more data, we can only wait for the subsequent live subject experiments."
Number 5 saw through Twiggy's doubts at a glance and quickly provided an answer.
"Sigh, this is truly the hardest part. Where are we going to find volunteers?"
Twiggy rubbed the space between her eyebrows. It was naturally a good thing that the item was made, but the fact that testing couldn't proceed after creation was the sticking point.
They couldn't really let the sisters do it themselves, right?
No, Twiggy's heart would ache.
They had all experienced the pain of Ether Corruption before.
"It seems we can only look inside the Hollow to see if there are any unlucky souls corrupted by Ether."
In New Eridu, there were always some guys who considered themselves 'lucky' and walked inside the Hollows year-round. Such guys would eventually belong to the Hollow, corrupted into becoming Ethereals.
Their volunteers would probably have to be found among such people.
However, finding someone stuck right at that awkward stage of being corrupted but not yet undergoing Etherealization would likely be a very difficult matter.
"Let's take it one step at a time. If it really comes down to it..."
Then they would just have to find some Hollow Raiders to 'volunteer'.
"Let's talk about that later. Let's talk about you instead. Did you and Geno run into anything interesting this past half-month?"
Number 6 carelessly suppressed the dark side Twiggy was about to reveal, and immediately began to shift the topic.
Number 5, standing to the side, secretly gave a thumbs up upon seeing Number 6's move.
She, too, was very concerned about Twiggy's emotional issues. Or rather, there wasn't a single person in the entire base who wasn't concerned.
"Interesting things? Hmm, does the game that guy Geno made count? Oh right! I also made a new friend! Right, right! And there's..."
Having not seen her sisters for a long time, Twiggy immediately opened the floodgates of conversation, chatting about everything under the sun, from Sixth Street to Fourteenth Street.
The two sisters, Number 5 and Number 6, looked at each other. Why did it feel like the script was different from what they had envisioned?
Shouldn't it be a happy life in a two-person world with Geno? Where did all these obstacle options come from?
"Oh right, there is one more thing..."
Suddenly, Twiggy's originally high spirits abruptly calmed down. Immediately after, she spoke in a voice carrying a mix of nostalgia and trembling.
"I... found Captain Anby."
...
Silence.
Number 5 and Number 6, who were originally still thinking about how to bring the two closer, instantly had their minds go blank upon hearing Anby's name.
"You said... who?"
While the sisters on Twiggy's side began to get excited over the 'resurrection' of their eldest sister, Geno had arrived at the earthen slope outside the base.
He came to see old friends.
"..."
Geno gently stroked that nameless stele, saying nothing.
Or perhaps, he had nothing to say. After all, he hadn't even formally spoken to the guys sleeping here.
And the reason he sat here was to remind himself not to forget the promise he had once made.
'Let the people of this world all be able to show happy smiles.'
After staying a while longer, Geno slowly stood up and stretched his back.
"Alright, can't stay here dazing out forever. Let's go get some exercise."
Geno turned around, glanced at the base, and then twisted his body. His figure instantly disappeared from the spot, teleporting to a location dozens of meters away.
Continuing to repeat this a few times, he soon arrived at a clearing several kilometers away from the base.
"This place should be about right."
Geno pressed against the surrounding walls, then smashed a concrete slab with a single punch.
The structural strength of the buildings in this vicinity should be enough for him to mess around with his new abilities.
That's right. Since leaving the Hollow last time, Geno discovered his strength had increased again, and he seemed to have learned the abilities of the Dullahan, the Goblin, and others.
Geno spread his hands open, and a broad cross-sword composed of Ether appeared in his hands.
This was the ability of the Dullahan and Armored Hati—condensing Ether into the desired weapon or armor and attaching it to one's body.
Geno had improved it further; now he could condense specific weapons or items through Ether, though it was restricted to being inside a Hollow.
"Really strange. Clearly, I haven't dealt with these Ethereals any less over this past year, and the number of Ethereals I've killed is uncountable. Why did I only gain the ability this time?"
Playing with the cross-sword in his hand, with its wide hilt and ultra-long blade—if it were an ordinary person, let alone using it, the weight alone would be enough for them to struggle with.
But Geno was different; he was an Ethereal.
Not only did he possess natural godly strength, but since he made this sword himself, he understood every Ether particle from the inside out. It could be described as a roast chicken turning over in the oil pot—familiar beyond familiar.
He pretentiously performed a couple of sword moves, then let it dissipate.
What did he know about swordsmanship? He was just swiping randomly.
He thought about learning a few moves from Twiggy and the others later, and using this sword once he had learned well.
Just as he was preparing to go back, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"What sound is that?"
Geno detected a strange noise and immediately closed his eyes to sense it.
Immediately after, he followed the traces of his perception to find it, but he hadn't walked two steps before discovering the source of the sound.
"Quick! We must find it before those bastards do! Search quickly!"
Geno hid in the corner of a wall. He saw a group of guys, dressed differently but all looking fierce, searching everywhere as if looking for something.
This was not good news.
This place was very close to the base, and there were many people in this group. It was clear they came with ill intent; maybe they were even coming for them.
Thinking of this, Geno couldn't just leave like this. He prepared to find a way to lure this group away, making them leave the vicinity of Silver Base.
But before he could make a move, an accident arrived one step ahead.
Thought I got paid, but checked and saw today is Saturday. Delayed!
NO!!!!! (Snowflakes~~ fluttering~~)
____
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