Free Web NovelChapter 717: Too Much Credit.
’An entire month in a coma, huh?’
With a straw in his mouth, Dante slowly sucked in the cold strawberry shake treated himself to. It tasted surprisingly better than all the alcohol he had been drinking as of late, even though it was nothing more than a complex brew of chemicals. Accompanied by the chaotic, neon filled view, the flavor seemed to cool his mind a little.
’What do you think, Volcan?’
[It is quite curious.] His resident AI responded. [The process might be entirely different between the two.]
Though they didn’t have anything to call proof, Dante was leaning toward the theory that Eidolon’s Genome therapy and Catalyst worked the same way, and that the former had a way to negate the time limit. What made the theory more plausible was his belief that the megacorp could’ve easily created the miracle drug if they wanted.
’Am I giving them too much credit?’
In their eyes, Catalyst must be a defective product. The transformation it provides was only the first stage of the procedure, and since its almost instantaneous, the month that follows it was entirely spent on making the transformation permanent. The Catalysts lacked whatever their rivals were using, but instead of waiting until they got it, they were testing the drug and gathering high Level Pseudos in preparation.
[Come to think of it, there types of Genomes vary greatly between those who underwent the normal procedure and those who took the drug.]
’Weren’t you the one who said they were the same?’
[They are indeed very similar, but I have noticed a pattern.] Several screens popped up. [Transformation abilities seem to be very rare among regular Genomes. Even those who have it can revert back to a human form.]
’Oh, I see...’
Having fought his fair share of Pseudos, Dante had noticed that a lot of them metamorphosed into creatures that could barely called human. Quite a few caught on fire and were able to fight for a while, but left alone, they would have turned into charred corpses.
On the other hand, the heroes had abilities that don’t alter their physical appearance. Even in the rare cases where they do, the abilities would allow them to safely revert back to their human form.
’Wouldn’t that mean Eidolon has something else on top of the method to remove the time limit?’ Dante thought aloud. ’Something that allows them to maintain the Genomes human form?’
[That might be the case.] Volcan replied. [Or it might be that they have a better way to select for humans who would not gain transformation abilities.]
’This really is a pain. Wonder why the whole thing is randomized in the first place.’
Things probably would have been easier if they simply mass produced Genomes with the powers they like, but that’s clearly not an option. Not for the Catalysts, nor for Eidolon. The best they could hope for is finding candidates who meet their standards, and from the looks of it, both sides had a way of doing so.
’What’s the point of all of this again?’
Killing Genomes, crushing Eidolon. Those were his goals, and to accomplish them, he needed power. A single person couldn’t possibly fight a war on their own. He needed soldiers and resources, ones that can rival the world’s most powerful corporation. Things would have been a lot simpler if he just had to kill someone, but that’s not what he was trying to do.
As he drank what was left in the paper cup, he stared at a certain tower. Until a week ago, there was nothing but a gap around that part of the concrete jungle, but now, a massive tower sprang up there, its front decorated by a large shield. A second later, light shone from behind it, creating a series of dancing red flames.
-Look at them showing off. Almost as if they didn’t get their asses kicked just recently.-
-Are you going to let them enjoy their time just like that?-
If he were to adjust his ears, Dante was sure that he would have heard the speech being blasted in the City Center. Obviously, he wasn’t about to ruin his mood more than he already did, so he simply tossed the empty paper cup and go onto his bike.
~[ ]~
Another day arrived, and with it, the odd feeling that he was missing something grew in Dante’s mind. Sitting in one of the audience stands in the basement of his night club, he watched as his blond subordinate evaded strikes from fur covered hands.
"Tsk..."
"Hm?"
Sitting by his side was the bright hero Sunray, or Sunshine, as he liked to call her. Having heard him click his tongue, she turned to him with a questioning look.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing..." Dante heaved a sigh. "Was just thinking about how much I hate geniuses."
"Don’t we all?" Merry replied.
"Sometimes I feel like I’m cursed to be surrounded by them."
"Isn’t that a good thing?"
"Not in the least."
It was almost as if they were drawn to him by some invisible force that constantly wished to remind him of his own mediocrity. He might be able to put them to good use, sure, but that didn’t mean he must have positive feelings about them.
’You can’t build an organization around retards...’
[
Carlos: Boss, it seems some of our men were attacked again.
]
The message arrived, an upon reading it, Dante almost clicked his tongue again.
[
Dante: How bad is it?
Carlos: They were able to manage the situation on their own.
Although one was severely injured.
I’m only updating you on the situation;
Dante: Make sure he gets properly treated.
Carlos: Understood.
]
Just when he thought the number of assassination attempts had decreased. Instead of giving up on forcing him to participate in their human trafficking business, they keep sending assassins and mercs his way, targeting his subordinates now that I had become public knowledge that getting to him wasn’t going to be easy. He considered taking some names off his list to send a message, but after giving some more thought, he decided that it wasn’t yet time for that.
