Evan Mercer sat in his private laboratory, eyes scanning the complex genetic sequences displayed on the massive screen before him. The holographic projection detailed Darwin's genetic structure, lines of DNA sequences highlighted in various colors, mapping out his unique mutation.
It was breathtakingly complex.
Darwin's genome wasn't like that of any ordinary mutant. His reactive evolution gene was buried deep within his DNA, structured in a way that defied conventional biology. Unlike other mutants, whose powers were typically encoded in predictable patterns, Darwin's ability was built on dynamic genetic response, meaning his genome rewrote itself in real time under external stimuli.
But for Evan, understanding it was proving far more difficult than expected.
He had spent weeks trying to decipher the fundamental mechanisms that allowed Darwin to adapt to extreme conditions, but every approach led to a dead end.
For all his intelligence, biology was an entirely new battlefield.
Dr. Elias Ward, his lead geneticist, stood next to him, arms crossed. "You're looking at the most sophisticated biological fail-safe in existence. Darwin's DNA doesn't just mutate—it anticipates threats and adapts before they even become lethal."
Dr. Selene Carter, another scientist on his team, leaned forward, examining the data. "We've isolated the primary mutation sites, but there's something strange about the structure. Unlike normal genes, these don't just express certain proteins—they seem to trigger an entire epigenetic cascade."
Evan nodded. "That's why traditional gene therapy won't work. We can't just splice his DNA into a human and expect it to function the same way. The body would reject it."
Dr. Ward scoffed. "Exactly. That's why mutants like Darwin are so rare. His mutation is not static—it's a self-contained, living adaptation engine. Trying to replicate that would require rewriting the host's entire genetic structure."
That was the problem.
Darwin's mutation wasn't just genetic. It was fluid, meaning any attempt to integrate it into a normal body would either fail outright or lead to uncontrolled, unstable mutations.
They had already tried multiple approaches, each one ending in disaster.
The first attempt had been CRISPR-based genetic editing, injecting the modified sequence into test cultures. The cells mutated erratically, forming grotesque, cancerous growths before breaking down entirely.
The second approach had been stem cell fusion, introducing Darwin's genetic material into rapidly dividing cells. That experiment had lasted a little longer—until the cells adapted so aggressively that they started consuming themselves as part of an internal evolutionary race.
Evan watched it all unfold with cold calculation.
Failure was expected.
Failure was necessary.
Three of Mercer Biotech's largest investors arrived at the private research facility after hearing about the numerous failed attempts. They were men accustomed to results, not patience.
Howard Vance, the most outspoken among them, glanced around the lab with narrowed eyes before turning to Evan. "We've put a lot of money into this, Mercer. I expected more than a collection of failed test reports."
Victor Langley, a high-profile investor in the pharmaceutical industry, crossed his arms. "You promised a breakthrough, and so far, all we see is wasted effort."
Evan remained unshaken. "Every failure refines our understanding. We are dealing with the most complex genetic trait known to science. If you thought this would be easy, you invested in the wrong man."
The room went silent.
Vance studied Evan, as if trying to gauge if he was bluffing. Then, surprisingly, he chuckled. "You've got nerve, I'll give you that."
Langley, however, wasn't so amused. "But where's the progress? You need something concrete, Mercer."
Evan didn't hesitate. He gestured toward the massive screen displaying genetic sequencing models. "You're looking at progress. We are closer than any research group in history to engineering controlled evolution. But we have one obstacle left: human testing."
The third investor, Conrad Holt, who had remained quiet until now, spoke. "Animal trials won't work, will they?"
Evan shook his head. "No. Darwin's adaptation gene is uniquely human. Testing it on anything else would be a waste of time. If we want real results, we need test subjects capable of sustaining genetic restructuring."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then, Vance smirked. "I think I can arrange that."
Two days later, a transport van arrived at Mercer Biotech's underground research division. Inside were prisoners, hand-selected by the investors—murderers, traffickers, and men whose disappearances wouldn't raise questions.
Evan watched as they were unloaded, each one drugged and restrained.
Dr. Ward exhaled sharply. "So this is happening."
Evan's expression was unreadable. "It was always going to happen."
The experiments began immediately.
The first batch of test subjects received direct injections of modified Darwin DNA. The results were horrifying—some developed grotesque tumors, others screamed as their bodies twisted in unnatural ways, their cells unable to regulate the constant adaptive response.
Evan observed everything with an eerie calmness.
He wasn't wasting lives—he was refining the process.
With each failure, he gathered new data, new patterns, new hypotheses.
Weeks passed.
The failures piled up, but Evan's mind was processing everything at an inhuman speed. He could feel himself learning faster than before, understanding concepts in mere days that should have taken years.
Then, one night, everything changed.
As Evan sat in his lab, studying the latest failed subject's genetic decay, he felt something shift inside his mind. A deep, intrinsic awareness.
His intelligence had evolved again reaching Level 4.
His cognitive speed had reached a point where he could now mentally simulate biological processes before conducting them, reducing failures significantly. He was understanding genetic adaptation on an intuitive level, no longer just relying on theoretical knowledge.
He immediately started rewriting the genetic formula, modifying the triggers for adaptation, ensuring the subject's body would respond only to specific stimuli, preventing uncontrolled mutations.
The next test was performed on a fresh subject. This time, the results were different. Instead of rapid failure, the test subject's vitals stabilized. Within an hour, his immune system began rapidly adapting to foreign infections, his body rejecting and neutralizing them before they could take hold. A complete immunity system overhaul.
Dr. Ward, reading the live data, let out a breathless laugh. "We did it."
Selene Carter stared at the subject's readouts, her voice in disbelief. "This… this could wipe out diseases entirely."
The other scientists who had been part of the grueling failures erupted in cheers. Some clapped, others simply stared at the breakthrough unfolding before them.
Evan simply nodded. He already knew they had succeeded.
The investors were called immediately, and when they arrived, Vance's expression changed the moment he saw the results. "Mercer… this is beyond anything we imagined."
Langley, who had been skeptical before, was now nodding in approval. "This… this could reshape the entire pharmaceutical industry."
Evan simply smiled. "And now, gentlemen, you see the future."
No one knew the truth.
There wasn't just one serum.
The one he showed them—the cure for 98% of the world's diseases—was what the world would get.
The other serum, the one that could force unrestricted adaptation to any condition, was his alone.
Only Amelia knew. And she knew better than to ask questions.
Evan had done what no one else could.
He had taken Darwin's evolution and made it his own.