**Chapter 57: The Dreadful Truth of the Terrifying Dragon People**
M-City.
Hero Association Headquarters.
Buzz! Buzz!
Originally, after eliminating most of the Terrifying Dragon People, the operations room had gradually quieted down. However, ten-odd minutes ago, a panicked phone call shattered the tranquility.
"Report, Chief! Professor Hammond's Terrifying Dragon Research Institute has been razed to the ground! Professor Hammond and all the research institute members are missing. We found... we found failed Terrifying Dragon Person variants in the ruins... They... they were all transformed from strong humans! And... and we also found Terrifying Dragon Person-related mutation experiment records..."
"What?!"
Sitch was greatly alarmed: "Professor Hammond's research institute discovered failed Terrifying Dragon Person variants?" This news was truly shocking; there was almost no need for further conjecture. It could be completely affirmed that Hammond's Terrifying Dragon Research Institute was researching and experimenting on how humans mutate into Terrifying Dragon People, and these Terrifying Dragon People suddenly appearing in M-City's streets were likely experimental subjects who escaped from the institute.
"Damn it, what on earth is that old fool Hammond doing? How could he research such dangerous, illicit creations?" He clasped his head in vexation, "It's rumored he was utterly obsessed with Terrifying Dragons, often neglecting food and sleep to research precious Terrifying Dragon fossils and related materials, reaching a point of forsaking all else. I used to think he was just a stubborn Terrifying Dragon fanatic, but now it seems that old man has always harbored the dreadful idea of resurrecting Terrifying Dragons. What's even more terrifying is that this old man had the ability and truly realized his dream, using special methods to unleash those damned creatures from ancient times! My heavens, I really want to strangle that old geezer to death! Oh, no, that old fool probably got himself killed by his own 'creations,' perhaps already becoming their meal. Hmph, serves him right!"
"Wait a minute, that damned old geezer was a Terrifying Dragon fanatic whose life savings were all spent on Terrifying Dragon fossils. Where did he get the funds to initiate such a massive Terrifying Dragon Person genetic modification experiment project? Could there be someone else manipulating everything from behind?"
Sitch was greatly shaken by the discovery at Hammond's Terrifying Dragon Research Institute. After a moment, he recovered his wits, his expression changing as he thought of a crucial question: where did Hammond's funds for researching Terrifying Dragon People come from?
"Investigate! Immediately trace Hammond's financial history! This matter is too terrifying; someone actually supported such a dangerous Terrifying Dragon Person genetic research project!" He furiously ordered, "Are the brains of those rich people completely filled with crap?"
"Rep-... report, Chief! There's been a major discovery at the Terrifying Dragon Research Institute!" A Hero Association staff member, who had gone to the Terrifying Dragon Research Institute to search for Hammond, reported haltingly, "We... we discov-... discovered in the research institute's experiment records that Ha-... Professor Hammond himself also underwent the Terrifying Dragon Person genetic experiment! And... and it was the Tyrant Dragon gene..."
"What?! That old fool participated in the Terrifying Dragon Person genetic modification experiment himself?" Sitch was startled and uncertain. However, upon closer thought, given Professor Hammond's level of obsession with Terrifying Dragons, transforming himself into a Terrifying Dragon Person seemed perfectly normal. "That guy wouldn't have been successfully mutated only to be killed by a hero, would he?"
He considered a possibility: if Hammond used his own body for the experiment, then the Terrifying Dragon Person genetic modification project must have achieved sufficient mastery. Hammond very likely succeeded in transforming into a Terrifying Dragon Person, but perhaps he had already died at the hands of a hero.
"Chief, another major discovery!"
"..." Sitch was furious, "Can't you people finish reading all the experiment records before giving me a single, comprehensive report? Are you trying to scare me to death with these piecemeal reports?"
Geez, every time he heard a report, countless conjectures would arise in his mind. Such piecemeal reporting truly made him mentally exhausted.
"Yes, Chief! The experiment records show that only five Terrifying Dragon Person genetic modification subjects were successful. All the other Terrifying Dragon People were substandard variants..."
"Only five successful ones?"
Sitch was surprised. Up until now, statistics showed that over forty Terrifying Dragon People had appeared in M-City. According to the records, almost all of these forty-plus individuals were substandard variants. So, how were the successful Terrifying Dragon People distinguished?
"Yes, Chief. The records state that fifty people were experimented on, but only five completely inherited the Terrifying Dragon's body and power while retaining human intelligence. The Terrifying Dragon genes of these five people were, respectively, Swift Dragon, Wind God Wing Dragon, Alien Dragon, Armored Dragon, and Earthquake Dragon."
Sitch raised an eyebrow and immediately asked Maria, who was in charge of Monster information, "Maria, immediately check if any Terrifying Dragon People resembling these five types – Swift Dragon, Wind God Wing Dragon, Alien Dragon, Armored Dragon, and Earthquake Dragon – have appeared among the recently sighted ones. Oh, and also check if a Tyrant Dragon Monster has appeared..."
Regarding Hammond, this fanatical Terrifying Dragon enthusiast, Sitch felt a faint unease in his heart, unsure whether Hammond had truly died at the hands of a hero.
"Yes, sir."
Maria immediately operated the computer to retrieve the latest collected Terrifying Dragon Person information. A moment later, she reported loudly, "Chief, as of now, the six types of Terrifying Dragon People you mentioned have not yet been discovered..."
"None?" Sitch's expression darkened. "Search! Quickly find those few successful Terrifying Dragon People, as well as Hammond's Tyrant Dragon Terrifying Person form!"
These substandard variants all possessed the strength of Tiger-Wolf level Monsters. So, wouldn't the successful specimens potentially possess the strength of Demon Level or even Dragon Level Monsters?
The thought of five Monsters of Demon Level or higher potentially lurking in M-City, and that damned old geezer Hammond also being a hidden threat, made Sitch's scalp tingle. "Immediately dispatch Terrible Tornado to M-City for reinforcements!"
"Ah? That... that... Chief, isn't that a good idea?" Coulson, who had been waiting for orders, hesitated, "M-City has always been King's protected area. Rashly sending other S-class heroes to eliminate monsters, wouldn't it displease King, making him think we don't trust his strength?"
"It's fine, King's temperament is extraordinary; he won't care about such trivial matters."
Sitch waved his hand, "Just do as I command. If King questions it afterward, I'll take full responsibility."
"Yes, Chief!"
Coulson took the order and turned to leave the operations room, heading to Tatsumaki's resting room to deliver the notification.
Buzz!
Just as Sitch was getting furious over the matter of Hammond's Terrifying Dragon Research Institute, Maria suddenly received a critical piece of information. She quickly rose to report to Sitch: "Chief, Lightning Kid has sent a distress signal! A powerful Terrifying Dragon Person has appeared in the M-City Government District Street. This Terrifying Dragon Person is clad in heavy armored scales with astonishing defense. Unlike the other bloodthirsty and irrational Terrifying Dragon People, it possesses human intelligence and rationality, retaining its past human memories, and its behavior and demeanor are completely human-like. It could be said to be a human clothed in a Terrifying Dragon's skin. According to Lightning Kid's conjecture, that Terrifying Dragon Person is likely a Demon Level Monster calamity!"
"An intelligent Terrifying Dragon Person clad in heavy armor?" Sitch frowned. "That's right! It must be the Armored Dragon Terrifying Person, one of the five successful Terrifying Dragon People! Maria, officially designate it as a Demon Level Monster and announce it. At the same time, quickly notify King, who is in M-City, to proceed to the M-City Government District Street and eliminate the Armored Dragon Terrifying Person!"
"Yes, Chief!"
(end of chapter)