Fifth Institute, Deep Laboratory.
Thick explosion-proof glass separated the inside and outside. Klein, wearing a white coat, stood frozen in front of the window, her hands trembling slightly as they held the documents.
The operating room was filled with thick, black-green liquids that surged like mud, almost as if they had a life of their own. On the innermost side, the door—one that was never supposed to be opened—had caved in, as though it had been violently torn apart.
The girl's trembling hand hovered near the red button. Before the operation began, all passive defense systems had been suspended.
If she pressed it, the entire laboratory would enter the self-destruction program. The N1 bomb buried underground would turn everything into nothingness, and the Fire Moth headquarters would receive the highest-level alarm.
The dark green liquid was flowing through the gap and into the door, while the roars of the Honkai beasts grew weaker, as though something was killing or devouring them.
The monster felt like a newborn, thirsting for nutrition.
Gurgle.
Fear gripped Klein heart. She swallowed nervously. It felt like she was standing before a roaring flame. As soon as the mud and water broke through the glass, she would die instantly.
"Dr. Mobius, you said the surgery would be okay."
The girl felt a tinge of regret. Despite referring to the data from the lower-level Mantis, she realized the two weren't comparable. If Mobius hadn't let her escape, Klein would have become a part of that black-green mud.
"Why are you so stubborn? Dr. Ryan clearly told you to perform the transformation in stages, but you insisted on doing it all at once. Aren't you afraid of death?"
"No, the doctor wants to explore his own limits!"
Countless thoughts rushed through Klein mind, but she never suppressed them. She understood how long Mobius had been waiting for this day.
Mobius had studied the data, conducted countless experiments, and silently severed all contact with the outside world, completing his evolution right under Fire Moth's nose. Perhaps the trip to Hawaii had relaxed his mind, and Klein was scared but didn't interfere—until...
"What's going on?"
The sudden male voice startled Klein, her short green hair standing up. She quickly turned around and her eyes welled up when she saw who had entered.
"Dr. Ryan, you're finally here!"
It truly was tormenting for Klein to stay deep underground and witness such an incomprehensible evolution.
"Don't worry, I'm here now. Even if Mobius suddenly loses her mind, I can pin her down and spank her." Ryan patted Klein shoulder and took the observation report from her.
Three full days had passed since the operation began. The data had been confusing, and in the end, even Mobius' team had disappeared.
To bypass the surveillance of the higher-ups, Ryan and Elysia had handled the hurricane while Mobius secretly returned to the Fifth Institute and started the experiment.
Mobius often hid underground for months. In addition, he secretly modified the detectors, so the guards above had no idea what was happening. They would only know the results after everything was finished. If the parliament had known Mobius was about to become the first upper-level Mantis, they would have sent experts to supervise him, and this scene could never be seen by others.
Three days—nothing should have gone wrong, right?
Ryan checked the data again and again, his uncertainty growing. He knew the results, but not the process. He still didn't know if the Śeṣa factor he brought back had any issues.
Besides, didn't Mobius ever hear the words "If you don't commit suicide, you won't die?" He clearly told her to complete it in stages.
"Doctor, nothing will happen."
"It should be fine. I trust her." Ryan gritted his teeth. He still didn't believe that even if he increased the success rate and tried every means to reduce side effects, it could be worse than the original world line. Moreover, Mobius had also injected his genes, which acted as a catalyst and could greatly increase the success rate.
In science, the word "believe" was meaningless, but for some reason, Klein suddenly relaxed.
"The Honkai energy reaction has begun to stabilize, and I can start reading the doctor's physiological reactions." At this point, Klein opened her mouth and rushed to the console.
Ryan didn't move at all. It wasn't that the data wasn't important, but he could see the changes with his own eyes.
The dark green muddy water surged and receded quickly like the tide, rolling into the gap of the twisted iron door. It was so clean that not even a drop remained in the operating room.
The twisted crack in the door looked like the mouth of an abyss. Ryan stared at it intently, his hand subconsciously stroking the hilt of his sword.
Come on, Mobius, show me your most radiant self.
Klein was also watching, her lips turning pale from nerves. She glanced at the long sword on Ryan waist. "Dr. Ryan, if the doctor fails, will you kill her?"
There were no shortage of failed fusion surgeries, which usually resulted in two outcomes: either a transition mutation led to death, or the mind was assimilated by the Honkai beast, turning the person into a madman.
"No, I will suppress her and then find a way to bring her back." Ryan answered firmly, then his ears perked up slightly.
Da da da...
It sounded like bare feet stepping on the floor. Ryan held his breath, his gaze fixed on the crack in the door without blinking.
He saw a white hand press against the door, followed by a familiar figure.
Her long green hair hung down in front of her chest, the chandelier above casting a pure white glow on her skin.
Her legs were long, her chest was prominent, and her eyes were a gradient of red and green, with the pupils elongated like snake eyes.
Mobius emerged from the darkness, walking under the spotlight. There was a strange smile on her oval face—partly confused, partly satisfied. Finally, she closed her eyes and let out a soft moan.
It was an evolution at the level of life. She felt as though, with a single thought, steel would turn to mud, and she could even venture into space without protective equipment.
Food, water, and air were no longer necessities. The sensation of going from destruction to rebirth made her heart flutter. Then, endless desires exploded within her.
After satisfaction comes hunger and thirst—like shackles breaking free, her heart began to boil, and all morals and ethics could no longer hold her back. The feeling of boundless freedom surged within her chest.
"I still need to evolve, evolve to infinity."
"Mobius, congratulations on not being human anymore."
A male voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Her snake pupils reflected Ryan standing in front of her. The afterglow of her recent transformation made her mind feel a little fuzzy, and obvious greed appeared in her pupils.
The stage of evolution was right in front of her, and she wanted to...
Clang—
The sound of the sword being unsheathed interrupted her, causing Mobius to pause for a moment. She grinned, spread her hands lightly, and said, "Ryan, is this how you congratulate me?"
For a brief moment, Ryan felt a hint of threat, but it didn't surprise him.
Everything in this world comes with a price, and Mobius was clearly somewhat affected by the transformation.
"Keep your sanity, be firm in your heart, and don't be swayed by your instincts."
"Ryan, I've never been so rational and free. I've never been so clear-headed. Are you afraid of me?" Mobius giggled, taking a step forward, slowly closing the distance between them.
"No, I'm just reminding you of our promise. Do you remember what I said when we were at the Far East Branch?"
Clatter.
Her footsteps faltered, and Mobius tilted her head, recalling the warning.
Evolution isn't about disorderly growth; there must always be things left behind. As long as those things remain, it can still be called the evolution of "human beings."
"Will you kill me if I say I forgot?"
"Since you said that, you must still remember," Ryan suddenly sheathed his sword, his smile now full of danger. "I won't kill you, but you are so shameless that I'll have to teach you a lesson."
Me? Shameless? What is he talking about?
Mobius was slow to react. She felt some of her consciousness returning to her body, as if suppressing her instincts. She slowly lowered her head, finding herself standing before Ryan.
Mobius pursed her lips, trying to keep her voice cold.
"The shame of humanity. Hum, what a boring word."
You're so amazing, but if you have the guts, don't tremble when you speak.
Ryan chuckled inwardly, removing his coat and throwing it over her.
"Don't be crazy. Śeṣa will affect your mind, but it can't replace your personality. Try to control it."
Mobius held the coat, feeling a slight confusion. Her eyes mutated, but this was within her expectations.
The probability of side effects from the fusion surgery was high, and this was already a stroke of luck. She originally thought she would at least grow a snake tail.
"Do you trust me that much?"
"Of course." Ryan nodded without hesitation. "You are Mobius!"
This affirmation made Mobius grin, her pride returning.
"Haha, it's good for you to know. I, Mobius, can do anything!"
"Yes, yes, you can do anything." Ryan glanced at Mobius and pulled up his pants. "Although I know you have a great figure, I hope you put on some clothes before talking."
This sentence dragged Mobius back to reality. Her fair skin turned slightly red, starting from her neck and crawling up to her face.
"Ryan, can you please turn around?!"
Ah, so that's how it is.
Ryan suddenly realized he was a gentleman, but not a gentleman enough. He turned around, listening to the rustling of clothes being put on, while secretly thinking Mobius truly had an amazing figure.
Just over 1.7 meters tall, with a perfect body shape, and...
There are some things I didn't see.
Stay calm, Ryan. You must stay calm. Don't let her take advantage of you. And Klein, what the hell is that expression of yours that looks like you've seen someone change your mind?
Ryan nodded to the girl outside the window, who quickly ran to get her clothes. He took a deep breath to cool his slightly heated body.
He knew Mobius too well. Once this woman saw something unusual, she would find a way to take advantage of it and let him feel the taste of wanting something but not getting it. This resentment had been building for a long time, and now she was going to exact her revenge.
"I will never lose to you. How could I let you take revenge on me?"
Ryan anger boiled over as he realized Mobius would only become more arrogant after completing her transformation. On one hand, it was the side effect of Śeṣa; on the other, it was the immense power she had gained.
But why did he suddenly regret allowing Mobius to become a Mantis? If she were still the old Mobius, would she dare to be so bold? Would she have been so shameless?
The thought of it stirred a deep frustration within him. He had always known Mobius was unpredictable, but now, with her newfound power, she had crossed a line.
He couldn't just stand by and let her walk all over him. No, she needed to be taught a lesson—taught that there were consequences for such arrogance.
He clenched his fists, his mind set. Mobius was going to get a beating—one she wouldn't forget.