His head was engulfed in flames, his fur glossy black. He stood on all fours, but every now and then, he would rise onto his hind legs like a human. You'd expect screaming and chaos from him because of the flames consuming his head, but no matter how long you waited at the door of his cell, it never happened.
"This, sir, is a hybrid dog. It took a long time for the serum's effects to show on him. He's remarkable, isn't he, sir?"
I looked at the doctor, pride gleaming in his eyes.
Honestly, I couldn't blame him. This changes everything—literally, everything.
I continued inspecting the cells once I gathered my emotions and collected my thoughts.
A bat the size of a human with glowing red eyes.
The moment our gazes met, it bared its sharp fangs and glared at me as if sizing me up for a threat.
I thought it would attack me, but it seemed its instincts told it that was a bad idea, and it retreated to the farthest corner of its cell.
"Very strange. Whether it's because of me or Mr. Dahi, as soon as we step into the hallway, it starts screaming and trying to attack us. We've noted in its file that it's of low intelligence. Could it be that it's beginning to develop reasoning? I must write this down."
Without warning, he pulled out a device resembling a computer from his pocket, though it was the size of a phone, and began pressing its buttons furiously.
He gave off the impression of a mad scientist from old movies, with thick glasses and features radiating obsession.
I tried to avoid him as I continued my exploration.
Bats were terrifying enough at their small size—imagine them the size of a human.
The doctor noticed my unease and hurried to join me.
It was clear that there was a serum responsible for this madness happening here.
It also became evident that this doctor was quite young, making it hard to believe he'd been entrusted with running this facility.
From his mention of someone named Dahi, I decided to extract more information.
"Where is Dahi now?"
"Ah, Mr. Dahi. It seems he's been suffering from a health condition. I've contacted him several times, and he said he'll resume his duties once his health improves."
His illness coincided with the time I was absent. A curious coincidence.
"Are you the only one in charge here?"
I raised an eyebrow at him, signaling my disbelief, and he took the bait.
"you Excellency trusts Mr. Dahi and entrusted him with this great secret. I was the brightest and closest of Mr. Dahi's students, so he entrusted me with this secret that will change humanity forever. Rest assured, sir, I am wholly committed and responsible."
He knows how to sell himself.
Of course, there are those skilled in selling dreams and words, but the sincerity I saw in his eyes told me everything.
"Alright, let's test how diligent you are in your work. I'll ask you some questions; it's best you don't embarrass your mentor."
"Sir, please begin. I'm ready."
He bowed confidently, sure he could answer.
I hoped he could. He thought I was testing him, but in truth, I was interrogating him.
"Where does the serum come from?"
A calculated expression appeared on his face, as if it were a trap he wouldn't fall into.
"No one knows, not even Mr. Dahi. It is you, sir, who provides it. We are not to question matters that don't concern us."
It seemed to me that this was a rule instilled by Dahi, and it reflected on this young man. Not a bad policy, but it didn't help me.
My simple analysis suggested that the serum came from the old-looking young man, which was troubling.
"What are the properties of the serum?"
A look of pride appeared on his face again.
He seemed to have had a stellar academic journey that fueled this pride.
Instead of giving me a concise and meaningful answer, he launched into the most detailed explanation you could imagine, as if ensuring a perfect score in a science exam.
"The serum contains a unique combination of nanomaterials and modified genes. This is just my analysis since you, sir, have prohibited us from analyzing it in detail.
The serum doesn't grant a specific fixed ability but instead offers the potential for any extraordinary ability. It takes some time for these abilities to manifest, but no matter how long it takes, they are inevitable. Here are the serum's characteristics:
Unique Genetic Interaction
The serum interacts with the subject's fundamental genes, resulting in the development of unique superpower abilities for each individual.
The abilities can vary significantly.
Gradual Transformation
The emergence of abilities starts gradually; it might take days or weeks for them to become evident.
The transformation is painless but requires an adaptation period. Abilities typically begin to manifest after at least seven days, though it can take longer.
Ability Diversity
There is no fixed pattern to the acquired abilities, meaning every individual can develop completely different powers.
The abilities can range from enhanced senses to flight.
Ability Stability
Once abilities appear, they become a permanent part of the individual and cannot be lost.
The acquired abilities are stable and can evolve over time.
Self-Healing and Regeneration
The serum enhances the body's self-healing capabilities, allowing wounds and injuries to heal much faster.
It can stimulate the regeneration of lost tissues, giving the subject the ability to recover from severe injuries."
After he finished his explanation, I looked at him, trying to absorb all this information.
Though I had only wanted a quick and simple answer, I couldn't help but admire what this could accomplish.
"How much serum do you have left?"
I asked, hoping they had something I could examine.
"No, sir, we've been waiting for your appearance to provide us with more samples, but..."
I nodded to signal understanding, cutting him off. Should I ask the old-looking young man to give me more samples? How should I contact him?
"Ah, I just remembered, sir! There's one dose left."
My hopes rose as he quickly gestured for me to follow him. It took only about five minutes to exit the hallways. This place was enormous, making me wonder how many animals were here.
No—how many super animals were here?
We approached a metal staircase leading to rooms resembling control rooms in factories. Upon reaching the top, I could see an overview of the corridors.
They weren't just corridors but a maze of cages and cells designed to contain terrifying creatures.
It seemed they chose this design to facilitate moving and hiding them in case their activities were exposed.
The cages resembled towering boxes, not reaching the ceiling, leaving room to build more above them.
Just thinking about it makes my body shiver.
"Sir..."
The young man's voice from the room snapped me out of my nightmares. I entered.
Did I say room? I take it back.
It was a laboratory building.
The body's owner was truly terrifying. The more I discovered about him, the more fearful I became.
He bought an animal shelter only to turn it into a testing lab.
As for the kingdom, it is sleeping on its belly, waiting for the impaler to enter...
Damn it, what am I thinking?
The young man approached one of the cabinets, his movements hinting that something was wrong.
First, he went to a specific spot to retrieve it. Suddenly, he started searching more widely, expanding his search from cabinets to shelves, to anywhere his eyes landed.
Sweat began to trickle down his forehead, tension contorting his features. The pride on his face faded, replaced by fear.
"Stop panicking and tell me what's going on."
He bowed his head, the embarrassment clear in his tone.
"I—I can't find the serum."
All sorts of dark thoughts started flooding my mind.
Was it stolen? Lost? How could something this important go missing?
"Where could it have gone?"
His eyes darted in every direction, and his fingers fidgeted nervously like a girl about to confess her love.
"I—I think Mr. Dahi took it with him."
Damn it, don't tell me he's done what I'm afraid of.
My gaze swept across the room.
"How many test samples do we have?"
I stepped out to take another look at the maze without waiting for his answer.
"There are about 20 samples. All of them tested positive for abilities, but I'd say only three of them possess truly terrifying powers."
I turned to him, my face full of shock.
"All these animals, and you've only given the serum to 20 of them?"
"Sir, we gave the serum to around 100 animals, but we were only able to control 20 of them."
Damn it. Of course, giving power doesn't necessarily mean controlling it.
Many of humanity's greatest disasters were caused by humans themselves.
"Are you saying the current samples are under control?"
"No, there are samples we can control, whether through torture, food, or confinement, like the giant bat."
I descended the staircase, heading toward the exit. Naturally, I couldn't shake the gazes that seemed to seep out from the creatures that were supposed to belong to me.
Now I stood either at the gates of paradise or the brink of hell.
Things like this can ruin their owner if not properly managed.
Where did this serum come from, and why is it appearing now? Could it have something to do with my reincarnation into this body?
I couldn't help but dwell on the matter.
This world had never seen superpowers before, and suddenly I reincarnate into this body, and superpowers emerge.
When I consider all the possible reasons for this, I can't help but feel fear.
I've read many novels and am familiar with most plotlines, and even the simplest of them result in destruction and chaos.
I was really starting to convince myself that this world might be nothing more than a game or a novel, and I was just a character being moved by some deranged author.
Hey, author, are you there?
(The author: What do you want? Oh, right, you can't hear me.)
My train of thought was abruptly halted by the sound of the car door opening, courtesy of the doctor.
Before I got in, I turned to the young man.
"What was your name again?"
"Thomas, sir."
If this world is a story, then let me say this: the author lacks creativity.
(The author: Patience is an art, and I've mastered it. Just wait.)
I got into the car, ignoring everything else.
I think that's enough for today, isn't it?
I rested my head on my hand, staring out at the view.
But due to the pitch-black darkness, all I could see was my own reflection, as if I were looking into a mirror.
Once again, I found myself lost in thought.
I had thought they were bold to antagonize the kingdom, even assuming they were just a bunch of fools digging their own graves.
But now, if you have the ability to create an army of superpowered beings and don't plan to rule a kingdom—no, the world—you're the real fool.
I was starting to think it wouldn't be a bad idea to stand with them rather than with a kingdom destined for collapse.
Well, it's not that simple, and it's clear that the Boss the old-looking young man mentioned is not an easy person.
If he were reckless or foolish, he would have been eliminated long ago. But he's cunning, and it's obvious he's not planning to rush things.
He wants me to control the economy while recruiting some fighters.
New life is a superpower.
After this analysis, I felt like the dark surroundings were finally illuminated.
The car came to a stop, and I placed my hand on the door to open it.
"Sir, what should I do with the body?"
The driver, who hadn't spoken a word the entire time, chose this moment to speak, and I just wanted to curse him. A body? Whose body?
"What body are you talking about?"
"….."
I noticed his silence before he suddenly answered cryptically.
"Understood, sir. I'll handle it."
I couldn't take this anymore.
Just when I thought the path had been made clear, he throws a smoke bomb and leaves me confused all over again.
"It seems you've forgotten my orders."
Though darkness surrounded us, obscuring everything, I could still sense his trembling.
"Of course, sir. I remember your orders perfectly."
"Repeat them to me in detail."
I know this method is overused, but it's worked for me before and still does, so why abandon it?
"In response to you, sir, I killed Number Two as ordered and didn't step out of the car to mislead the person watching us."
Did the body's owner order him to kill Number Two? Why? Is that why he didn't open the door for me—because he was following orders to avoid being identified by the watcher?
It's him, the old-looking young man. Who else could it be?
"When the sir was in the arena, I confirmed he had stopped watching us. And as ordered, once he stopped, we headed straight to the animal shelter."
The body's owner was injecting animals behind their backs.
Wait, wait, wait.
If I am an enemy of the kingdom, am I an enemy of the Boss as well?
So, who exactly do I work for?
Don't say I'm working for myself.