After Professor Edwin and Rad left, they headed straight to a villa in the outskirts.
"Professor, do you think they will cooperate with us properly?" Rad asked, sounding uneasy.
"Rest assured! They will agree. If not willingly, then they'll be forced to," Professor Edwin replied with a look of determination.
The token he showed Reed wasn't a joke; if Reed didn't cooperate, he would make sure someone more obedient took over as mayor. At this point, he wouldn't let anyone disrupt his plans.
Professor Edwin suddenly remembered something and looked up at Rad."By the way, have we heard anything new from the Ryan Group?"
Rad shook his head and answered,"No, there's been no news about the MA-1 robot at all. However, they mentioned that the last place the MA-1 robot was spotted was on West Mountain. I wonder if Vic and his team are aware of this."
"Hmph, Vic is a crafty old fox. Even if they know, they won't tell us," Professor Edwin said."But even if they don't tell us, it doesn't matter. This time, we're dragging them into this mess. If they discover anything, they'll spill everything to save their own lives."
"Didn't Ryan Group say that Professor Kona's research had a significant breakthrough? I wonder what secrets the MA-1 robot might have taken with it?" Rad's tone was filled with curiosity.
"Hmph, although Kona has talent, I've spent all these years without figuring out that thing, so there's no way she could have made any new breakthroughs!" At this moment, Edwin's tone was filled with disdain for Kona, not at all like the rumors that he doted on her as a student.
But if one looked closely, a trace of jealousy towards Kona could still be seen in Edwin's eyes.
"Kona was just ungrateful. If she had cooperated with us willingly, she wouldn't have died," Rad said, showing some regret over the fall of this brilliant scientist.
"What's there to regret? There are plenty of capable people. If they won't work for us, they're all useless!" Edwin's voice was full of cruelty.
Thinking about the data Ryan Group had sent him earlier, he continued:
"However, the MA-1 that Kona recently developed is quite an interesting device. From the data, it seems to incorporate many new technologies and is more human-like. Perhaps the MA-1 even developed human-like thoughts and emotions!
"Pity that the MA-1's whereabouts are unknown now! If we had it, exploring the Dark Abyss Forest would be much easier!"
"I still think Vic and his people must know something. Should we ask them again?" Rad suggested.
"No need. If you go and ask, they might guess that Kona's death is related to us. Although this news will eventually spread, we should delay it as long as possible.
Once we find what we're looking for in the Dark Abyss Forest, all the current problems will be resolved," Edwin replied.
On the other side, after Reed ran out from Vic's place, he couldn't help but think about what Edwin and Rad had mentioned regarding Ryan Group. This brought back memories of the MA-1 robot's remains.
Although his subordinates had already reported that the robot was completely beyond repair and had no research value, deep down, he felt compelled to see it for himself.
Reed was a man of action. Once he made up his mind, he wasted no time and headed straight for the secret laboratory beneath his home.
The lab manager, upon learning that Reed had arrived, hurried out to greet him, bowing respectfully."Young Master, you've come! Is there anything you need?"
"Where is the wreckage of the MA-1 robot from the other day? Take me to see it," Reed instructed.
"This way, Young Master!"
It didn't take long for the manager to lead Reed to a laboratory. After a series of security checks including fingerprint, iris, and voice verification at the door, the lab's heavy door finally opened.
"Why would a worthless robot require such stringent security measures?" Reed asked, puzzled.
"It was on orders from your father! However, I just received word from your father that the MA-1 robot's remains are to be destroyed."
Reed inwardly sighed in relief; fortunately, he had come. If he had delayed any longer, there would have been nothing left to see.
Inside the laboratory, it was eerily empty except for a collection of incomprehensible instruments and a large central operating table. On this table lay the remains of the MA-1 robot.
Reed turned to the manager and said, "You can go about your business; I'll take a look inside."
The manager nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
Reed touched his right wrist and murmured to the MA-1 on the operating table.
"You're nothing but scrap now, yet you still managed to leave me with this puzzle. What exactly is this bracelet you gave me? It's been days and nothing has happened. I wonder if carrying it will shorten my lifespan."
Although Edwin and Rad hadn't mentioned the MA-1 when they visited today, Reed had a gut feeling that there was some connection between them and the robot.
Recalling his interaction with MA-1 that day, Reed felt that its behavior had been far too intelligent. Over the past few days, as he grew more familiar with this world, he realized that while robots here came in various forms, none compared to MA-1. They were all mechanical in comparison. MA-1 seemed to possess human-like thought processes and even emotions at times. If not for its mechanical nature, Reed would have mistaken it for an intelligent being.
Unfortunately, no matter how advanced, the MA-1 was now just a pile of scrap metal. After inspecting it, he found nothing out of the ordinary.
Deciding not to linger any longer, Reed turned to leave. But as he did, he thought he saw a flash from MA-1's chest area.
"What was that?" He turned back to focus on MA-1 again.
There was no sign of anything unusual.
"Was it just my imagination?"
Reed circled the operating table twice but saw no trace of the light. Deciding to investigate further, he began examining the MA-1's remains closely.
Suddenly, his right index finger was pricked by a sharp piece of debris.
Blood dripped down.
One drop fell onto the damaged chip in MA-1's chest.
Suddenly, a beam of white light flashed.
Reed felt a sharp pain in his index finger, followed by a wave of warmth. Something seemed to enter his body through the wound.
He stood frozen in shock.