Even the White-Haired Old Man, Isaac Klein, who had remained calm all along, had a flash of undisguisable surprise in his eyes at this moment.
He had seen too much.
Genetically modified soldiers, biological weapons, mutated creatures... he had participated in, witnessed, and even personally created the Umbrella Corporation's crazy experiments during those years.
But he had never seen—
A human being capable of directly devouring genes.
And what was devoured were the optimal fragments concentrated to such an extent.
An inconceivable thought emerged in his mind.
Could it be... she herself is a genetic fusion?
And a higher-level life form capable of actively devouring, integrating, and assimilating other genes?
If that's the case... He took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart.
He knew that he could never ask this question.
Because once asked, he and the answer would leave this world together.
But if it's true, then this little girl will be the most perfect creature in this world!
An unknown amount of time passed.
The last container on the shelf was picked up by Lilith, emptied, and put down.
She closed her eyes, quietly feeling the surging genetic flood within her body gradually subside.
The system notification sound finally stopped.
[Current Gene Fragment Progress Summary:]
[Blue-Ringed Octopus: 87%]
[Megalodon: 1%]
[Mosasaurus: 1%]
[Velociraptor: 56%]
[Quetzalcoatlus: 48%]
[Ankylosaurus: 43%]
[Tyrannosaurus Rex: 79%]
[...]
Most other genes were between 3% and 5%.
But two had reached 1%.
Megalodon.
Mosasaurus.
Lilith opened her eyes, a thoughtful light flashing in her crimson pupils.
The reason these two genes could be completed at once was not because they had more samples, but because of their massive size.
The amount of genes extracted from each sample far exceeded that of other organisms, so the proportion was naturally higher.
However, she did not intend to fuse these two genes now.
The Blue-Ringed Octopus and Scaly-foot Snail were her targets for the next stage.
The former granted her lethal toxicity and deep-sea adaptation, while the latter granted her extreme defense and heat resistance.
Both were relatively small in size; fusing them would not lead to a drastic change in body size, nor would it result in excessive energy consumption.
As for the Megalodon and Mosasaurus.
Once fused, her size would explode to a new level, and the subsequent genetic requirements would increase exponentially.
She retracted her thoughts, her gaze sweeping over those trembling researchers before finally landing on Klein.
"I've taken the genes."
She spoke, her voice still flat.
"Hand the data backup to my assistant."
Klein nodded slightly without any redundant words.
Lilith turned around, her bare feet stepping across the cold alloy floor as she walked toward the door.
Leah and the five Reincarnators followed closely behind.
Before leaving, Forde stole a glance at the researchers frozen in place, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Just moments ago, he was merely a useless Breeder struggling at the bottom of the dungeon.
And now, he already stood at a height these people could never reach.
All because of that petite figure from behind.
At the door, Lilith stopped.
She didn't look back, only saying in that immature voice.
"The most important things in this dungeon have been obtained."
"For the remaining time, wait peacefully for the return."
"Let's go."
As her voice fell, she stepped out of the main control room and disappeared from everyone's sight.
Leah followed closely, and the five Reincarnators filed out.
In the main control room, only the shaken researchers and Klein, who silently gazed toward the doorway, remained.
A long time passed.
A young researcher finally couldn't help but speak.
"What... exactly is she?"
Klein did not answer.
He just slowly sat back in his seat, a bitter smile appearing on his aged face.
Monsters created by humans using technology, no matter how powerful, are still just monsters.
But some existences... are born to be masters.
Outside the window, the massive figure of the Alien Queen still crouched on the ruins, its dark gold vertical pupils looking toward the direction Lilith had left, its posture respectful.
Like a subject seeing off a monarch.
The dungeon countdown ticked in silence.
Seven days?
Three days?
One day?
It no longer mattered.
What should be taken had been taken.
What should be gained had been gained.
The rest was just waiting.
Waiting for the return.