Chapter 125: First Meeting with the Enhancement Group
And so, according to the bet from their competition, Esdeath became his possession.
That being said, he didn't do anything to this woman, and she declared that she would compete with him again next time.
It seemed she wouldn't stop until she defeated him.
"My, you've really gotten entangled with quite the formidable person."
Inside the research institute, Dr. Stylish muttered while fiddling with the various bottles and containers in front of her.
Several days had passed since the competition with Esdeath.
These past few days could be considered rare peaceful days for him, because Esdeath had gone off to battle again—apparently southern tribes were causing trouble, and the empire sent her to lead troops to suppress them.
However, today Dr. Stylish had sought him out, complaining with a resentful expression about how he'd forgotten to help with the medicine research.
And so, he naturally ended up in Dr. Stylish's research institute, sitting cross-legged on an empty operating table.
Meanwhile, that perverted woman in the white lab coat took a medicine bottle from among the numerous containers, filled a syringe with it, and injected it into a death row prisoner restrained on another operating table nearby.
"Don't move around, be good~ It'll be over soon~"
As the medicine slowly injected, the death row prisoner's struggles intensified, to the point where even the metal restraints showed signs of loosening.
But moments later, his head suddenly tilted to the side and he immediately lost all movement.
"Another case like this~"
Looking at the deceased experimental subject, Dr. Stylish pushed up her glasses and sighed slightly: "So, what are your thoughts?"
"My thoughts... This is simply a failed product."
Mahiro said bluntly: "Although the medicine can temporarily enhance a person's recovery ability and strength, and even prevent immediate death from fatal injuries, it's draining life force, right? That's why it can only last a few minutes."
Simply put, it was draining all the potential from the human body.
"Oh~ As expected of you, I didn't misjudge you—you immediately identified the medicine's flaw."
Dr. Stylish was excited, as if she had found a kindred spirit, but also felt troubled, "But that's exactly the problem—this can't be used as a long-term medicine."
"Have you tried reducing the medicine's concentration?"
"That won't work. I've experimented many times with death row prisoners—the concentration doesn't seem to affect the medicine's side effects."
"Alright, I'm not particularly skilled in this area either."
Mahiro helplessly spread his hands.
Just as Dr. Stylish was about to say something with a resentful expression, he suddenly tossed a vial to her.
"Though I'm not skilled in this area, I do have a physical enhancement serum in my possession. This one. You can borrow it for improvements."
"Th-this is...?"
"It was created by a friend of mine using a virus... no, just treat it as Danger Beast blood. This enhancement serum not only has excellent compatibility but also carries no side effects after successful application."
"You mean Danger Beast blood?!"
Dr. Stylish stared at the liquid in the metallic syringe, her eyes practically glowing.
An enhancement serum made from Danger Beast blood—wasn't this exactly what she had been pursuing her entire life?!
"May I analyze this?"
Despite her excitement, Dr. Stylish still sought Mahiro's permission before proceeding.
After all, she held great respect for Mahiro, not to mention his formidable personal strength. Even if she wanted to keep it for herself, she lacked the capability.
Naturally, Mahiro had no reason to refuse.
"Of course. It would be even better if you could improve it by incorporating genes from other Danger Beasts to enhance recovery capabilities."
It was unclear whether Dr. Stylish heard him or not, but after his agreement, she hurriedly disappeared into the depths of the research institute, now holding what appeared to be a ring-like glove.
Glorious Hands of God: Perfector—just like One-Cut Killer: Murasame, it was one of the forty-eight Teigu.
While others might find this artifact mysterious, in his eyes it had already been completely analyzed.
Perhaps he could borrow the characteristics of these Teigu to create a few exclusive ones for fun sometime?
"Oh, genius! The person who created this serum is absolutely brilliant!"
About several hours later, Dr. Stylish emerged from her private room and excitedly approached him.
"Your friend is truly amazing! This serum has provided me with many unprecedented research directions—it's a work of genius!"
"Right?"
Mahiro smiled faintly.
Although this serum was merely replicated through alchemy, it was after all Sumire's masterpiece. The title of "World's Greatest Mind" wasn't given for nothing.
Not to mention his eyes had assisted in the analysis during the replication process.
"Hey, could you introduce me to this friend of yours? I think we'd have plenty to discuss."
Dr. Stylish was extremely excited.
But Mahiro refused: "I'm sorry, but that's not possible. All I have left is this serum gifted by that friend, nothing more."
Waste a summoning opportunity to call Sumire here for Dr. Stylish?
Don't be ridiculous.
After all, there was a fundamental difference between Sumire and Dr. Stylish. Although Sumire had conducted human experiments, she carried guilt and was doing her utmost to save people.
She regarded being a doctor as her divine calling.
Whereas Dr. Stylish was merely a pure mad scientist, completely lacking any reverence for life.
If it weren't for the fact that this guy still had some use, he wouldn't have talked with this pervert for so long.
Hearing this, although Dr. Stylish was dissatisfied, she gave up.
"Then, is what I mentioned earlier feasible? Adding the blood of other Danger Beasts into this enhancement serum to boost strength and recovery—for example, adding Tyrant's blood."
By the end, Mahiro's bright smile had taken on a sinister edge.
Tyrant, one of the legendary Super Danger Beasts, was also one of the materials used to create the Teigu, Incursio.
Its most notable characteristic was its ability for infinite evolution, or what could be called adaptive evolution.
As long as he could integrate this adaptive evolution gene into the original virus, he refused to believe that Maya's uterus couldn't regenerate!
"Hoh~ That's quite a bold idea. If you can capture a Tyrant, it might just be possible."
Not only was Mahiro eager, but Dr. Stylish was equally enthusiastic. Her greatest desire was to create an army of Danger Beasts that obeyed only her.
Unfortunately, she had never been able to stabilize the genes of the Danger Beasts.
That is, until she saw the serum Mahiro brought—she saw the possibility!
"However, before that, I took a sample of your serum and blended it into the potion I made... Mahiro, you won't be mad at me, will you?"
"Not at all. I'd be fine with giving you this entire serum."
Mahiro maintained a polite smile on his face.
But secretly, his fists clenched. He really wanted to punch this annoyingly fake bastard.
Couldn't she just speak normally?
Did she have to be so disgusting?
"That's really wonderful then. We already have the formula for the serum, and next, we just need to conduct a few dozen more live experiments, and it should be about done."
"This is truly insane. Is it really okay to use so many people every day?"
Using the serum for human experiments—the number of people who had died at the hands of Dr. Stylish was already unknown.
But just in this room alone, nearly ten people had died today.
"Haha, it doesn't matter how many people die. The Empire will fully support my and his research."
Another eerie voice chimed in. Turning to look, Mahiro saw a bald man entering the laboratory.
When the man walked in and saw Mahiro sitting on the operating table, he was slightly taken aback.
Such a handsome young man in Dr. Stylish's research institute?
He scrutinized the two as if he had figured something out, then ignored Mahiro and walked straight toward the host of the place.
"Chief, you're here!"
"Yes, I've brought the five most outstanding children from the unit to see if any of them can withstand the serum's effects."
The bald man didn't waste words. After clapping his hands, five children entered the research institute.
Four girls and one boy.
The four girls each had their own distinct charm, all rare beauties in the making. The most eye-catching was the girl with black-framed glasses, trying hard to maintain a cold expression.
But what caught Mahiro's attention the most was the short-haired black-haired loli.
Aside from her shorter hair and black pupils, she looked almost identical to Akame.
So Kurome was also in the experimental lineup...
No, it would be more accurate to say this was inevitable.
They stood side by side before the operating table, their faces visibly pale.
They appeared somewhat nervous, their legs trembling uncontrollably.
"I can already smell the thick scent of blood. Minister, you haven't started training them to kill people already, have you?" Dr. Stylish asked in surprise.
"Heh, your nose is quite sharp. We did just come from the interrogation chamber—we've been using death row inmates for their practice," the bald man chuckled ominously, then added with a sigh:
"What a pity though. I've recently realized we're running short of death row inmates. Aside from those tortured to death by Vice General Esdeath, almost all the rest have been taken by you for live experiments! Though the Imperial City is vast, the number of prisoners the security team arrests daily is never enough."
"Why blame our security team?"
"We work diligently every day to maintain order in the Imperial City. Besides, I recall we have plenty of captive non-humans—isn't this the perfect time to make those creatures useful?"
"Unless you're planning to keep them around as power generators?"
Mahiro suddenly suggested, taking Paradox Interactive war criminal logic to its extreme.
The moment these words were spoken, the bald man's gaze immediately fell upon him.
Though likely unintentional, his expression remained fierce, the monocle over his left eye reflecting a cold gleam.
"Who are you?"
"Ah, I forgot to introduce! This is the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Imperial City Security Team, Yotsuba Mahiro—the prodigy I mentioned to you earlier."
"And this gentleman is the Minister of the Imperial Assassination Unit, Lord Bill."
Dr. Stylish completed the introductions for both parties.
"The Minister of the Assassination Unit, huh."
Mahiro looked directly at the man, noting how fitting his appearance was for the position.
"Heh, Vice Minister Yotsuba is indeed remarkably talented for his age," Bald Bill remarked with surprise.
He had already heard about the duel between the Security Team's Vice Minister and Vice General Esdeath, including the shocking outcome where this vice minister actually defeated that sadistic female general.
So he had always been curious about what kind of person that was.
Seeing him today was beyond imagination—at the very least, his appearance was incredibly deceptive.
This seemingly youthful, noble-like, and gracefully polite boy didn't resemble someone from the security team at all; it would be more believable to say he was Dr. Stylish's lover or plaything.
Let alone defeating General Esdeath head-on.
However, Mahiro had no intention of responding to this astonishment and instead turned his gaze back to the children.
"Dr. Stylish, are you planning to have them test your unstable potion now?"
The oldest of the five children was only about ten years old. Although their bodies held strong latent life potential, if they were to take that enhancement potion to boost their combat power, it would only lead to their deaths.
Not to mention Kurome was one of them—he couldn't just stand by and watch these children die like that.
So, he quietly reminded, "Don't say I didn't warn you! After using your potion, these children will most likely end up like those death row inmates!"
"No, I originally only intended to examine their bodies. But after discussing with you, I felt it necessary to conduct another experiment using their bodies to test the potion's compatibility—I'll lower the concentration, and it also contains components from the potion you brought. There shouldn't be any issues."
"Hey, hey, don't mess around with the lives of my assassination squad team members," Bill couldn't help but interject upon hearing Dr. Stylish's response.
"Don't worry, the potion Mahiro brought already possesses strong life force. Combined with me diluting and lowering the concentration, there won't be any problems."
Dr. Stylish shook the newly adjusted potion bottle in his hand.
Of course, Dr. Stylish left something unsaid.
Even if they didn't die after the injection, they would still fall into a brief period of weakness, and the injection process would be especially painful.
After all, it contained an enhancement potion made from the Gastrea virus.
As for how much stronger they could become, that was still an unknown.
Unbeknownst to him, none of this escaped Mahiro's notice, who even detected highly addictive components in it—likely used by the assassination squad to control these children.
"Fine, but you must ensure their safety," the assassination squad leader finally couldn't help but agree.
If possible, he certainly didn't want these children to die in such a place.
After all, gathering them had been quite troublesome.
The five children, clearly hearing their conversation, couldn't help but show anxious expressions. Combined with the fear of having just killed someone, their legs trembled uncontrollably.
"Now, please lie down on these."
Dr. Stylish, holding the diluted potion, pointed to the row of cold operating tables in the research lab and instructed.
The bald man signaled with his eyes, and the four girls and one boy, trembling with fear, each lay down on an operating table.
Mahiro had been sitting on one of them, so he jumped down from it.
Dr. Stylish took a syringe from the side, filled it with the diluted potion, scanned the five of them, and then walked smilingly toward the only handsome young boy.
"Hoho, little one, what's your name?"
Hiss—
Mahiro couldn't help but gasp, instantly breaking out in goosebumps all over his body. That damned pervert had indeed gone for the boys first.
"M-my name is Natala. Assassination... assassination rank No.11!" Natala's voice was filled with terror.
It was unclear whether he feared the enhancement serum or the woman in the white lab coat before him—or perhaps both.
"No.11? Though your abilities are quite lacking, don't worry. After receiving my serum, I guarantee you'll break into the top ten. Now be a good boy and take off your pants." Dr. Stylish snorted heavily, completely unaware of how perverted his expression appeared.
"Really?"
Natala hesitated, though he naturally longed to advance into the top seven—that would mean joining the elite squad!
"Mhm!"
With Dr. Stylish's assurance, Natala reluctantly removed his trousers.
Watching this, Mahiro could no longer bear to look. This guy was truly a pervert—disgusting enough to make one sick!
"Dr. Stylish, could you please act more professionally?"
Even Bill, the assassination unit head, had seen enough and couldn't help but rebuke angrily.
"Ah, sorry, sorry! I got a bit carried away there."
Dr. Stylish chuckled without attempting to conceal his preferences.
"Oh, right. The other four girls are in your hands, Vice Minister Yotsuba. You know how I feel—I detest women, and children are no exception."
Mahiro's mouth twitched involuntarily.
He felt he might eventually lose control and erase this repulsive creature from the world, but he had to give credit where it was due—at least Dr. Stylish preferred boys.
Otherwise, how would these girls have ended up in his care?
So he straightforwardly retrieved four syringes from Dr. Stylish's metal cart and walked directly toward the four girls.
Then he pulled the partition curtain shut.
Instantly, a private space was formed.
Though Bill had some objections, he remained silent. They were merely tools, not worth his intervention.
Let the vice minister do as he pleased—as long as they weren't damaged or their combat effectiveness reduced.
Behind the curtain, Mahiro's gaze returned to the four girls lying there.
His attention first fell on the bespectacled girl, still trying to maintain an icy expression despite her trembling body.
Next was the girl with impressive assets nearby, her silver ponytail quite striking.
The third girl wept silently, fear evident in her eyes—behaving much like any ordinary girl would.
And finally, Kurome with her ear-length black hair, lips pressed tightly together. Her gaze seemed fixed on emptiness, as if her thoughts had drifted far away.
Among these girls, it could be said that aside from Kurome, each had died more tragically than the last—so horribly that he hadn't even remembered their names.
The only ones he recalled were the bespectacled girl who seemed to have been split in half by an axe, and the crying girl who appeared to have been finished off by the bald Bill after being injured...