I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era-Chapter 70: Devour you

Mobius's trip to Shanghai was unexpected, but her absence for over a week left this underground facility unguarded.

Theoretically, this shouldn't affect the overall security; surface defenses were in place; outsiders couldn't approach the underground lab. However, Ryan noticed a significant flaw.

The facility was protected from external attacks, not theft. Mobius submitted monthly progress reports to the Council; there was no need to steal data.

The rule against unauthorized access was an unspoken agreement and a reflection of Mobius's personality, but it was also due to past dangerous incidents.

"Someone's bored and making trouble," Mobius frowned, her intelligence failing to provide an answer.

"Your security is lacking; you should have better precautions."

"As a scientist, who would I protect myself from? Even if things were stolen, Fire Moth would replace them. Oh, right, Klein, check for missing items; especially the equipment I recently purchased." Mobius's tone turned urgent.

Her experiments weren't secret to Fire Moth, but the equipment was precious.

"Yes, Doctor." Klein, understanding the urgency, hurried off to inventory the assets.

Ryan said nothing, watching them frantically check. After a while, he noticed nothing was missing or damaged; the intruder had only accessed the computer.

This was unusual. Someone opposed to Mobius's research would have sabotaged the equipment to slow down the experiments.

Something was amiss.

Ryan squeezed Mobius's hand, shaking his head as she picked up her phone to scold the Security Department.

"Look at what data was copied; this isn't simple vandalism."

Mobius raised her chin, quickly understanding Ryan's point. Unlike her, he'd experienced those frustrating power struggles; his experience was vast.

She considered this and decided to follow his suggestion.

As one of the most skilled hackers, her fingers flew across the keyboard; lines of code scrolled past, as if only this supercomputer could match her speed.

"Confirmed. The copied data is related to the warrior fusion project. Fortunately, I left a backdoor. Hmph, they even copied other data to mislead me."

As expected.

Ryan nodded; he'd suspected it was related to the warrior fusion project, noting the word "enlightenment."

"So, it wasn't someone opposed to your research."

"Why?"

"Because of 'enlightenment.' If they truly wanted to expose the project, making you a scapegoat, they wouldn't bother concealing it. They would simply leave a note: 'Doctor, you wouldn't want this evil project publicized.'"

Mobius didn't understand this; it was an area she wasn't familiar with; she'd intended to humbly ask but couldn't bring herself to do so; she stiffened.

"So, what does this mean?"

"The warrior fusion project is an 'S' level clearance, right?"

"Yes, all materials must be submitted for approval by the Council..." Mobius paused, finally understanding. "Someone wants to replicate this research without the Council's knowledge."

"You're sharp. This research belongs to Fire Moth, to all of humanity fighting the Honkai; it's not the tool of any individual or faction, yet the power is tempting."

Ryan sighed softly, vaguely feeling this was his own fault; his methods had been too effective; a sharp blade is a double-edged sword.

Knowing the reason was pointless; finding the culprit would be a Herculean task; he wasn't a detective.

Mobius dismissively added ten layers of security to the data. "Tedious. Stealing a near-complete product to harm others is an insult to my reputation. Whatever; perhaps they'll create something interesting; it could be useful for reference."

Fire Moth wasn't the only organization researching Honkai energy; there were likely many clandestine labs employing brutal methods. Vill-V had destroyed some, but the lack of limitations could result in interesting discoveries.

Mobius suddenly turned. "Do you have a strong sense of justice?"

"A little, but not much. These petty matters are uncontrollable; missing persons reports are difficult for governments to track."

"Knowing your limitations is good." Mobius nodded approvingly, slowly standing. "You've rested enough in the car; let's begin."

Rested? I've been wrestling with you the whole time.

Ryan remained silent, understanding Mobius's style. Before explaining the mission, she dismissed Klein and dragged him to the deepest part of the lab.

Passing several security doors, he entered a room with solid walls. A metal operating table stood in the center; glass containers lined the sides; the air was thick with dangerous levels of Honkai energy.

All electronic equipment was inoperable here; apparently, no man-made object could withstand the Honkai energy's corrosion. The energy originated from deeper within.

Living Honkai Beasts? They were constantly emitting Honkai energy; this was the core of the Fifth Institute.

Surprise flickered across his face, but Ryan remained composed, turning to Mobius. "Mobius, I understand why they're wary."

This woman needed to be contained; her audacity was beyond ordinary people.

"Experiments are inherently risky; proper precautions are all that's needed. Don't worry about them escaping; if the door breaks, the intense heat will incinerate them." Mobius tossed her hair, confident. "As for me, I'm not worried; my Honkai energy resistance is S-class."

In other words, higher than Himiko; she could be a top-tier warrior.

Ryan shook his head, understanding Mobius's intentions. Some experiments required a Honkai environment for optimal results; the organisms in the glass containers were alive.

"It seems routine experiments aren't enough for you. Tell me, what do you need me for?"

"Simple." Mobius carefully removed a twisted piece of tissue, resembling a distorted arm, yet its fingers twitched, indicating it wasn't dead.

"Starting with the Honkai Emperor."

Probe me?

Ryan raised an eyebrow, checking his surroundings before focusing on the arm.

"75% cellular fusion; the fingertips twitch, as if tearing through Imaginary Space; a common attack method of the Honkai Emperor." Ryan muttered, his eyes sharper than any instrument.

"But this isn't enough. We need to remove genetic impurities, integrate it with the human circulatory system, and use human will to control this power; only then will it be valuable."

A perfect answer; incredible. Are you a human computer?

Mobius's eyes widened slightly; his words reflected her thoughts; she felt she'd made a good bargain.

Even if he were sarcastic, for the sake of evolution, she could tolerate it.

"I know this is difficult, but you can do it."

"Don't flatter me. I'll help you, but no payment afterward; we're clear?" Ryan adjusted his glasses; he wasn't falling for sweet talk.

"Ha ha, that depends on your success. Rest assured, I won't treat you badly; I'll treat you to a meal."

"Bread or ramen?"

"Do I seem that cheap?"

Ryan studied Mobius, shaking his head, then nodding slightly. "You're not cheap, just... poor."

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You're mocking me again!

Mobius took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to kick Ryan. For the sake of science, how could she be considered poor? And ramen was delicious; she'd bought a whole truckload.

The bigger picture, the bigger picture; don't argue with him.

"Fine, once you're done, we'll settle the payment."

Then I'll create a new debt, ensuring you're eternally indebted to me.

Mobius smirked inwardly, putting on a compliant expression. Before she could offer her plan, her pupils constricted.

Purple lightning reflected in her jade-green eyes; the Honkai energy in the lab activated, as if subjects bowing before their sovereign.

Lightning arced across the arm, dissecting the impure tissue—no, it was decomposing it, severing connections at the atomic level, like peeling an egg, separating impurities, refining the genes.

This...

It couldn't be wrong; this was the power of the Third Herrscher; he'd acquired it as she'd suspected.

How? Why couldn't she detect it?

Mobius's mind was filled with questions. Initially, Ryan had been a treasure map; now, they were surrounded by gold.

Her body trembled slightly; her excitement reached its peak. She recalled her research on the Second Herrscher's remains; her doubts about Elysia remained vivid.

"Why should humanity be limited to a single state? Why can't we be as strong as the Herrschers?"

Now, the question had an answer. Possessing the human heart, also possessing the Herrscher's power, using human nature to control destructive power—what answer could be more perfect?

I'd thought evolution meant sacrificing something to gain something else. I was wrong. Perfect evolution exists; you don't need to sacrifice anything to achieve permanence and infinity.

Mobius found the man before her dazzling; she'd never found anyone so appealing.

Her greed, like a serpent's, uncoiled. As a perfectionist, she disdained imperfection; Ryan had rendered her previous goals obsolete.

The future, the path of evolution, lay before them.

Ryan was focused, honing his control over electromagnetism at a microscopic level, though he sensed the intense gaze beside him.

Should I tease Mobius more?

The thought flashed, then he dismissed it; it was a calculated decision.

He was helping her, not just to expedite the warrior fusion project, but to ensure her safety; it was a two-birds-with-one-stone approach, honing his control over the power.

He wasn't worried about Mobius's strange behavior; they had a life-or-death bond. She was rational and wouldn't turn hostile; subtle guidance might lead to compliance.

If Path could be replicated, I'd bring you along, but it can't; I'll just use a bait.

Ryan smirked; influencing Mobius was about exploring the unknown. He dissected, refined, and fused, working for hours until his mind grew weary; then he stopped.

"Done. Extract and replicate the genes from this arm. Incorporate the original into a living subject; observe the results."

The arm on the operating table was completely restored; except for the long, inky black fingernails, it was flawless. It was a feminine hand, without any signs of abnormality or mutation; it was unusually perfect.

"Hey, are you listening? Look at the arm! Why are you staring at me like a lovesick fool?" Ryan's mouth twitched; her gaze had been fixed on him for hours; it made his scalp tingle.

"That's unimportant. Do you know what I want most?" Mobius didn't glance at the operating table, licking her crimson lips.

"I want to devour you."