Ryan didn't throw Mobius out of the car; it wasn't out of chivalry, but because she clung to him like a tenacious viper; he couldn't remove her.
They engaged in a bizarre wrestling match for hours, the pickup truck passing several checkpoints, finally stopping before a half-buried structure. They finally separated, chests heaving violently.
Mobius has definitely undergone extensive modifications; her strength and endurance are impressive.
Ryan flexed his wrists; his legs were numb from the hours of struggle, preventing Mobius from landing a fatal blow.
"Ryan, you could be more gentlemanly sometimes."
Mobius panted heavily; even though he hadn't moved, she'd exerted herself fully; her arms ached; her inner thighs were slightly bruised.
This kind of battle damage could certainly arouse some base desires.
"Then you should be more ladylike first."
"Hmph, don't look at me with that vulgar gaze."
"Then why demand gentlemanly behavior from me?!"
Ryan straightened, ignoring the strange woman. The surrounding Fire Moth guards had ambiguous expressions, assuming they'd been doing something inside the car.
In reality, the vehicle had been shaking; the cause was merely different. Klein, the driver, was slumped over the steering wheel, unable to lift herself.
Ryan licked his lips; he couldn't actually hit Mobius. Feeling a bit frustrated, he composed himself.
He looked at the dark structure before them; a massive, half-buried building clinging to a barren mountain, resembling an abandoned mansion. Except for the surrounding guard towers and fences, it was almost invisible from a distance.
"A post-apocalyptic shelter?"
"Yes, one of the UN's renovated shelters. It extends over 100 meters underground, with five nuclear blast-resistant doors and a specialized ventilation system." Mobius recovered instantly, forgetting their recent altercation.
She possessed a unique ability to remember and forget things instantly.
Security was tight, yet the artillery was aimed at the main gate, as if guarding against someone's failed experiment.
Ryan saw through this but didn't comment, simply saying, "Your snake pit is well-protected."
"It's the Fifth Research Institute, the scientific temple. The equipment inside is more than you could ever afford." Mobius glanced at him, puffed out her chest, and strode forward with an air of self-importance.
The guards recognized Mobius and pressed a button. With a whirring sound, the heavy iron gate slowly opened.
A hidden world lay within; the mansion was merely the entrance; the entire mountain had been hollowed out, revealing dozens of researchers and sophisticated equipment; they seemed busy, rushing around with documents.
"This is the outer research facility, generally managed by my assistants. So, even when I'm away, research continues." Mobius explained casually, her tone like a child proudly showing off a favorite toy.
The assistants were impressive; those bald researchers had appeared on the covers of biological journals. The equipment was far more advanced than Chiba Academy's.
"Quite a luxurious team."
"Each Fire Moth Research Institute is like this. Specialized fields; each researcher is an expert in their domain; that's why I tolerate them."
Ryan nodded again; this was Fire Moth's value; no one else could gather so many brilliant minds and provide such vast funding; this was why he tolerated them.
Mei, Vill-V, and Mobius were leaders of this era, but research required numerous unsung heroes. Science wasn't a solo endeavor; countless "cannon fodder" were essential.
"So, the Fifth Institute focuses on genetic engineering, your area of expertise?"
"The first half is correct, but the second…" Mobius picked up a white lab coat, tilting her chin. "I can do anything. Come on."
So arrogant.
Ryan snorted, silently following Mobius. She walked with an air of self-importance, her high heels clicking like a queen surveying her kingdom.
The research team leaders rushed forward, hurrying after her with reports.
"Dr. Mobius, the N3021 test subject experiment is complete; here's the summary report."
"Doctor, we've conducted the third revision 35 times; the success rate is 7%."
"Our discussion with the First Research Institute concluded; they proposed 17 hypotheses; here's the detail."
"Doctor…"
Ryan watched Mobius surrounded by researchers; she was nothing like her usual eccentric self. She was composed, her eyes scanning documents, occasionally offering concise corrections—the demeanor of a true expert.
"This is wrong; such a basic error; you need to return to school for remedial training."
"The experimental data is incomplete; redo it. If you lack materials, request more from above. Rejection? Then bombard them with information until they concede."
Truly enigmatic.
After spending so long in the Previous Era, Mobius and Elysia were the two most inscrutable individuals he'd encountered. Mei and Vill-V were somewhat easier to understand, but the other high-ranking officials were a complete mystery.
Lost in thought, he looked up to see everyone stop and turn; Mobius and Klein had entered an elevator and were beckoning him.
Ryan frowned, quickly understanding the reason for the outer research facility. The researchers' gazes, however, irritated him.
Appraising, ambiguous, and contemptuous.
Do they think I'm Mobius's lover, here to keep her company?
He didn't bother explaining; muttering "Excuse me," he entered the elevator. The door closed; Mobius, who had just been a cold researcher, burst into laughter.
"Their gazes… didn't they bother you?"
"A little, but I'm not playing a Dragon King drama. Research isn't like brute force; it can't be directly measured. Should I compare credentials with them?" Ryan shrugged. They seemed brilliant; every one of them was a doctor.
"Credentials are meaningless. Do you know why I need your help?"
"Exceptional work ability? Or is it a work-for-debt arrangement?"
"Neither." Mobius leaned closer, whispering. "You learn incredibly fast; your sudden insights surpass even the most brilliant minds. If you focused on research, your achievements would rival mine, confirming my other hypothesis."
"What hypothesis?"
"You're evolving, not just in strength, but in a more intriguing way—intellect, physique, and knowledge; a comprehensive evolution."
Ryan's pupils constricted; Mobius was astute; she'd approached the truth quickly.
His Path wasn't about devouring or plundering; acquiring the Herrscher's power was merely a foundation for him to develop, which had both advantages and disadvantages.
The disadvantage was its inability for immediate use; the advantage was its secrecy. If he were devouring power, Fire Moth wouldn't be foolish enough not to check the Herrscher Core; any energy fluctuations would reveal the truth.
"Too much intelligence shortens one's lifespan." Ryan smirked, seeing satisfaction in Mobius's eyes.
Her lack of denial confirmed her deduction; she enjoyed puzzles and knew Ryan would keep his promise; she moved closer.
Mobius practically clung to Ryan, her head near his ear; her tone lazy yet seductive.
"So, why are you evolving? Don't worry; Fire Moth can only monitor the upper levels. Be honest. Tell me everything."
Black stockings brushed against his trousers; Ryan's hand rested on her curves; Mobius's warm breath tickled his ear.
Klein quickly looked away, watching the elevator numbers change; the scene was too stimulating.
Ryan remained calm, seemingly unaffected, turning to meet her intense gaze after a long moment.
"Guess."
The intense atmosphere in the small elevator cooled rapidly; Mobius's expression hardened, as if turning cold; she withdrew her hand, even pushing Ryan slightly.
"Hmph, I'll force your secrets out of you eventually!"
"Ha ha, waste of effort. Go ahead and try."
They glared at each other until the elevator dinged, shifting their focus.
Dim lights illuminated the metallic corridor; Ryan realized the underground area was vast; it was eerily silent, like a horror movie.
This was Mobius's true lair; only her assistant, Klein, could enter, explaining her terror. Through the thick, blast-resistant glass, the scene inside was even more disturbing.
Bubbling containers held body parts and mutated organs—animal and human, and various Honkai Beasts.
"Beautiful, isn't it? My Research Institute, the cradle of human evolution." Mobius's mood improved seeing Ryan's unimpressed expression.
"Terrifying is more accurate; it looks like a villain's lair."
"Crude. Science has no morality. And let me be clear; I haven't forced anyone into these experiments." Mobius snorted, then, noticing Ryan's expression, frowned. "I'm not explaining myself to you. I just… don't want your sense of justice to get out of control."
Leaving that statement hanging, she turned away, leaving Ryan slightly confused.
I'm not a saint; why would my sense of justice get out of control? And what's there to explain? Human experimentation is standard Fire Moth procedure.
He didn't overthink it, following Mobius down the dim, narrow corridor to the central laboratory.
The space was over 10,000 square meters, containing archives, specimen rooms, and operating theaters. Some of the equipment was unfamiliar to Ryan, highlighting the significant investment.
"Look around; I'll enter the data. Klein, assist."
Your employer just abandoned me?
Ryan suppressed the urge to sabotage some equipment to make Mobius suffer, slowly strolling through the lab. The facilities were luxurious, a stark contrast to the battered truck; each piece of equipment could buy ten luxury cars.
Mobius was proud; she could easily summon Fire Moth personnel, yet she preferred the beat-up truck, subtly demonstrating her loyalty to secure funding while disdaining the need for others.
Perhaps I'm the only one she's ever begged?
Ryan smirked, strangely pleased by her unmet desire. At that moment, he heard a soft gasp.
"What?"
Mobius stood before a computer, hands on the desk, her furrowed brow indicating confusion; she beckoned Ryan closer.
"While I was in Shanghai, someone infiltrated the lab and copied data from the central computer; their skills are impressive; they bypassed my security key."
Ryan was puzzled. The Fifth Institute's security was impeccable; no one should have been able to, nor needed to, infiltrate it; opposing genetic modification would be easier to handle. Unless…
Was it an inside job?