119: Rift Beast

Just as Lu Jianchuan was speaking with the Rabbit King, the door to the research lab opened. The Researcher from before walked out holding a preliminary report, his face clouded with gravity and a hint of disbelief.

"The analysis results are out. This thing... is even more troublesome than we anticipated." The Researcher showed the data on his tablet to Lu Jianchuan.

"Its biological structure isn't complex; in fact, you could say it's quite 'crude,' as if it were forcibly distorted for the sole purposes of 'survival' and 'proliferation.' For now, we've named it the 'Fissure Beast.'"

He pointed to the gene sequence comparison chart and said, "The most unsettling part is that when we reverse-engineered its DNA, we found that its... its base template before evolution was likely a human."

"Human?" Lu Jianchuan's pupils constricted.

"Yes. But it has completely alienated now. Its cells possess a terrifying level of activity. Even after being thoroughly charred by your high-voltage current, we still detected a few cells at the edge of the sample with faint activity, attempting to draw energy from the environment for self-repair and regeneration. Such tenacious vitality is simply inconceivable."

The Researcher switched the screen to show a simulation of cell division. "Conventional physical attacks are extremely ineffective against them. Only methods that can instantly destroy cell structures over a large area—like fire, strong currents, or strong acids—can effectively counter and completely eliminate them, preventing their regeneration."

He paused, his tone growing heavier. "Furthermore, its cell division characteristics are very peculiar. It reminds us of Wang Yu's ability, yet it's fundamentally different. Wang Yu's Clone is a temporary, controllable energy aggregate."

"Whereas the division of this 'Fissure Beast' is more like... an uncontrolled, permanent reproduction."

"As long as there is sufficient energy—meaning enough biomass as food—they can divide almost indefinitely like cancer cells. Theoretically, they could form a terrifying number capable of overwhelming everything in a very short time."

Lu Jianchuan frowned deeply. "I see... that is indeed very dangerous. Luckily, there were only three when I encountered them, which later split into four. I wonder if there are any others that slipped through the net elsewhere in the city."

The Researcher offered some comfort. "Probably not for now. Individuals with such extreme proliferation characteristics are very rare. If it were a natural occurrence, the probability would be extremely low;"

"If it were artificially created and deployed, its purpose and subsequent movements would be even harder to predict."

"However, based on the predation and division speeds we've extrapolated, if there were other individuals in the city, given their blatant hunting style, it would be impossible for us not to have received any reports of anomalies by now."

"Since there's been no new news, perhaps those four you encountered and dealt with were all of them."

Lu Jianchuan sighed. "I hope so. It would be best if it was just an accidental mutation, and only those four existed."

He looked down at the Rabbit King in his arms. "Let's go. I'll arrange a place for you to rest first."

After settling the Rabbit King into a small cubicle the base had prepared for it—complete with soft cushions and fresh water—he felt a wave of exhaustion himself. He didn't plan on returning to his rented apartment in the city today, so he stayed in the staff dormitory at GUPA Base.

After a quick wash, he collapsed onto the bed. Just as he was about to rest, the phone screen by his pillow suddenly lit up, followed by the familiar wechat notification sound.

He picked up the phone and unlocked the screen. The dialog box with the starry sky avatar popped up again.

.**: I have a new idea regarding how to handle potentially more complex situations in the future. If you're interested, we can talk.

Lu Jianchuan replied immediately.

Lu Jianchuan: What's the idea?

.**: GUPA is trying to replicate the Transformation Device you use. Although they've only produced flawed failures, they might be useful. I have a plan to perform a special modification on their failed product, turning it into a usable, simplified secondary Transformation Device.

Lu Jianchuan: Oh? That's a good thing! I completely agree! What do I need to do?

.**: Considering the complex situations that may arise and your potential need for trustworthy teammates to fight alongside you, an extra bit of power is always good. When the time comes, you'll need to bring the prototype they've built into physical contact with your armband and maintain it for a period. I will handle the rest.

.**: Additionally, there's one more thing. You need a more reliable vehicle. That motorcycle of yours has a good foundation; I can perform an upgrade for you.

Lu Jianchuan: Upgrade the bike? Great! Do I need to take the vehicle to a specific location?

.**: No need for such trouble. You only need to do as I just described: place your transformation armband near the motorcycle for a period of time. The modification process will complete automatically.

Lu Jianchuan: Got it. Both operations are the same—letting the armband touch the target object, right?

.**: Correct. You may judge the specific timing for execution yourself.

After finishing his communication with The Forger, Lu Jianchuan felt reassured and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, while eating breakfast in the base cafeteria, he saw Golden Bone talking to an unfamiliar male staff member nearby. Both looked quite serious. Lu Jianchuan didn't go over to disturb them; he finished his breakfast quickly and prepared to leave.

He hadn't walked far from the cafeteria when Golden Bone's voice came from behind him.

"Lu Jianchuan, I was looking for you."

Lu Jianchuan stopped and turned to respond, "Senior Golden Bone, what's wrong?"

Golden Bone walked up to him and said directly, "There's an emergency mission. I need to leave the base immediately for a while. It's regarding the New Federation; they've conducted another provocative gathering on the outskirts of the city, not too far from here. I need to go handle it."

He paused and estimated, "If all goes well, I'll probably be gone for one to two weeks. During this time, I'm leaving the base's internal defense and routine emergency response to you. You are currently the strongest combatant in the base, so be extra careful."

Golden Bone's gaze was sharp, carrying a trace of imperceptible gravity. "I have a feeling... things might not be very peaceful lately."

Lu Jianchuan immediately straightened his posture and responded solemnly, "Understood! Please rest assured, I will guard the base well and guarantee the mission's completion."

After Golden Bone left, Lu Jianchuan began to ponder how to obtain that replica Transformation Device.

He quickly realized that without exposing The Forger's existence, it would be nearly impossible to openly take that prototype—which was defined as a 'failed product'—from the organization.

"It seems this can't be rushed; I have to wait for an opportunity." He put the matter aside for the moment and decided to first complete the other, easier-to-execute task—upgrading the motorcycle.

He went to the base garage and found his silver-white custom motorcycle. Seeing no one around, he took a deep breath and gently pressed the armband on his left wrist against the motorcycle's fuel tank.

The moment they touched, the crimson orb in the center of the armband glowed slightly. Several fine energy streams, like red electric arcs, instantly shot out and silently merged into the motorcycle's metal shell. The entire process lasted only a few seconds before the energy streams vanished and the armband returned to its original state.

Lu Jianchuan removed the armband and carefully inspected the motorcycle. From the outside, there seemed to be no change; it was still the same bike he was familiar with.

"That should be about it, right?" he thought. "Maybe the change takes time, or the modification is internal. Regardless, if The Forger says it's done, then it's done."

He parked the motorcycle back in its place, feeling a bit more at ease having completed at least one task.

The next four days were unexpectedly peaceful both inside and outside the base. Lu Jianchuan lived a disciplined daily routine: training, patrolling, and communicating with Wang Yu and the Rabbit King. In this rare tranquility, the only interlude was Li Zhe coming to the base a few times to visit 'Big Orange,' the evolved Orange Cat kept in the Ecological Observation Zone.

Every time Lu Jianchuan learned of Li Zhe's arrival, he subconsciously chose to avoid him. He wasn't ready to face the boy yet. Li Zhe's very existence was a direct reminder of the heavy guilt in his heart regarding Li Ming's sacrifice.

He could only hide behind the daily operations of the base, silently watching as staff members led Li Zhe to the Containment Area. That complex emotion of being unable to step forward and talk became the only undercurrent beneath this surface of calm.