Volume Two: The Many Faces of Youth — Chapter 103: HRI

The meeting concluded, and a man in a white lab coat approached Eddie, first exchanging some courteous pleasantries. He was impeccably dressed, with dark circles under his eyes that betrayed several sleepless nights, yet his beard was cleanly shaven—clearly a man meticulous about his lifestyle. The only discordant note was the early signs of male pattern baldness, a midlife milestone he was facing.

This man was Lucas, a leading research scholar at the Central Scientific Institute of the Sola Colony, and also the director of a covert organization known as the Human Mutation Research Institute (HRI). This institute specialized in studying the intrinsic nature of individuals with supernatural abilities. They devoted themselves to exploring the biology of these gifted individuals, harnessing big data to develop pathways better suited to their growth. Rumors among the upper echelons suggested that in recent years, HRI had even uncovered methods to significantly increase the likelihood of ordinary gifted individuals awakening unique powers, though these findings were still incomplete.

It was at HRI’s headquarters that the sub-level stem cells of Huo Ye had been identified and characterized years ago. Naturally, Dark Compatibility had also been examined there.

HRI’s research focus was highly specialized. After Eddie rose to become the strongest human, vast amounts of manpower, resources, and funding were funneled into HRI annually, all in the hope of unraveling the genetic codes Eddie had donated. The former director, who had died suddenly from overwork five years prior, once said that while Eddie’s achievements were undoubtedly the result of his perseverance and effort, he firmly believed there was an unbreakable lock within Eddie’s body, a lock destined for strength, awaiting a key to be discovered. Otherwise, among the countless determined individuals in the world, why was Eddie Hols the only ultimate powerhouse?

Two years ago, another blood sample was sent to HRI’s research table, one that commanded as much attention from the colony as Eddie’s. Its owner was capable of devouring calamity itself—the very person who single-handedly consumed the entire vanguard force of the disaster invasion on the Sola Colony.

“Actually, for the past two years, we have focused on studying the secrets within your son’s body. We attempted to cultivate his sub-level stem cells because of their high cellular activity and theoretical ease of cultivation. However, contrary to our expectations, these cells derived from his unique abilities only function normally within his own body. We even tried to grow a clone without consciousness from his normal cells, but found no sub-level stem cells. When we transplanted those stem cells into the clone, they exhibited devouring behavior, quickly consuming the host clone. Our final conclusion is that the issue lies with your son’s unique power itself—Dark Compatibility—a miraculous trait that cannot be replicated. Everyone involved in this research agrees that only your son undergoing direct tests and examinations can reveal the true reason he can consume calamity.”

“So after all that, you’re just telling me to take my son to your lab that always smells like chemicals?” Eddie asked.

“Basically, yes,” Lucas replied.

“Next time, just get straight to the point,” Eddie said, turning away to leave with Genos.

——————————————————————

Huo Ye was troubled. He had just logged in and barely gotten comfortable when Shangguan Yudie appeared online, heading straight for his Night Rain Cold Crow.

Now that they were teamed up, they were inseparable comrades until the semester’s end, making evasion pointless. Yet today, Shangguan Yudie seemed different—as if lacking... enthusiasm.

Huo Ye didn’t dwell on it. With enough troubles at hand, he preferred to spare himself unnecessary thoughts. But when Huo Ye introduced the Dragon Nail Chain, Shangguan Yudie showed clear displeasure. He knew exactly why—she was jealous of Huo Xiaolan. Since they hadn’t defined their relationship, there was no need to explain.

They were to continue their practice battles, but Huo Ye was tired of fighting only human opponents and suggested switching to disaster hunting mode. To his surprise, Shangguan Yudie strongly opposed it.

Her thoughts were: “You just devoured a bunch yesterday and now you’re craving more? You are Night Rain Cold Crow; can’t you hold back? You’re the only one in this world who can eat calamity. If you break that last fragile truce, we really won’t be able to get along anymore.”

Of course, Huo Ye had no idea what she was thinking. He wasn’t truly craving calamity, though he did find it delicious. But he wasn’t desperate enough to lose sleep over it. He just wanted to change the rhythm of their battles, having grown up honing his skills through real combat, not endless virtual duels.

In the end, they compromised: a special battle without calamity—the Hundred-Man Battlefield.

The Hundred-Man Battlefield was a rare mode in an academy with roughly two thousand students, whose numbers dwindled each year. The population was never large enough to override everyone’s preferences, and many disliked such large-scale battles. But today was different—a master of multi-person combat, Vice President Dai Hua’an of Wind Chime Valley, had called for it. Dai was the academy’s all-time tactical assessment champion and top strategist.

Huo Ye admired talent. When he first saw Dai’s profile, he had considered recruiting him. He envisioned assembling trusted aides representing seven elemental attributes; the wind attribute was already held by Jiang Feng. But this was an ideal too perfect to realize—each talent had their specialty, and gifted powers weren’t simply defined by elements. Jiang Feng possessed strong intelligence skills and could grow in ability with training, destined to be Huo Ye’s right hand. But he lacked tactical command in battle, a critical shortcoming.

What hindered Huo Ye’s recruitment plans was his strained relationship with Feng Wuming. If he tried to poach Dai Hua’an into the Star Cluster, Huo Ye was certain that Feng Wuming, a monk with a calm demeanor, would wield his whisk and beat him mercilessly. Feng often boasted during tea about how talented his vice president was and how much peace of mind it gave him. A man detached from worldly matters, Feng preferred to be a relaxed bystander.

Huo Ye nearly crushed his teacup in frustration. Drinking tea was one thing, but flaunting it? Didn’t Feng realize that his Star Cluster was reserve for the Death God Hunt Team? He was tempted to grab Feng’s vice president right then and there and hang him in their Star Cluster.

This was Huo Ye’s truest feeling at the time.

——————————————————————

Qi Mu had found the person he was looking for. Though the supernatural ability was yet unconfirmed, the fact that this person could devour calamity made it certain—they had found the human King sought, without doubt. But what next? Should he kill the person immediately? After all, such a human posed a tremendous threat to the calamity.

Or should he report to the King first? The King had yet to issue further orders, which was understandable—no one expected the target to be located in under a month, rendering even his prepared move with Jin Puxian unnecessary.

However, contacting the King was only possible once back in the Calamity Wilds. The force field isolation in Bankrof made communication impossible. He would have to lie low and wait. Rumor had it that in a few months, he would be sent to the Calamity Wilds for training. When that time came—he must find a way to contact Lord Disaster.