190: decay equation

【Consciousness Space】

Han Chengyu was "standing" in the center of the data stream.

Anger. A cold, heavy anger that almost crushed his reason burned deep within his consciousness.

Those records—living extraction, forced mutation, neural overwriting, consciousness erasure... The actions of the Prometheus organization were far more extreme and inhumane than his worst imaginings.

Behind every successful or unsuccessful "imitation" were countless lives that had perished in despair and pain.

They weren't exploring evolution; they were manufacturing Hell.

This anger didn't make him lose control; instead, it was like the cruelest tempering, forging his already firm resolve into something harder and clearer.

“System,” his consciousness rippled, his voice sounding abnormally calm in the data space, “analyze all acquired experimental data and theoretical models related to ‘catalysts,’ ‘inducers,’ and ‘concentration excitation.’

Based on our existing knowledge base and these materials, deduce—can we develop a safe agent that can permanently and stably increase the evo factor concentration in a compatible host’s body?”

【System responding...】

【Deep data analysis in progress... Integrating host knowledge base (Cross-Boundary Synergistic Combat Unit basic sciences), Prometheus organization experimental data from this world, core parameters of the GES-EVO-001 file...】

【Deduction complete.】

【Conclusion: A theoretical feasible path exists.】

【However, the success rate of actual implementation infinitely approaches zero. Core limiting factor: The level of material science and industrial precision of this civilization era.】

“What do you mean?” Han Chengyu frowned. “We have the theory and the data, why won't it work?”

【Specific explanation: Permanently increasing EVO particle concentration involves the directional completion and stabilized embedding of ‘EVO particle clusters’ at the gene fragment level. This process requires atomic-level operational precision and picosecond-level energy synchronization injection.】

【The most advanced instruments of the current civilization (such as high-energy particle gene editors, quantum resonance stabilization chambers, etc.) only reach 12.7% to 31.4% of the required precision and energy control standards. The margin of error is too large.】

【The result of forced operation has a 99.998% probability of gene chain collapse, with the remaining probability being uncontrollable mutation.】

【This Unit’s functions are concentrated on guidance, connection, information processing, and limited material construction; it does not possess the capability or authority to independently manufacture precision macro-instruments of this level.】

【The host needs to acquire corresponding instruments from this world, but this world is currently unable to produce them.】

Han Chengyu fell silent. This wasn't a problem of technical theory, but rather the "hardware" of the entire era being unable to keep up. It was like giving a medieval blacksmith a titanium alloy recipe; he still wouldn't be able to make it.

A moment later, a gleam flashed in his eyes as he seemed to grasp another line of thought.

“If the hardware isn't enough... then bypass the hardware limitations. System, what if we change the goal?”

“Let's not pursue ‘permanent increase.’ We'll take the path of ‘temporary excitation.’”

He pulled up several experimental records regarding "short-term concentration peaks" and "metabolic decay."

“Look at these imperfect agents; they are essentially crudely ‘stimulating’ the particle clusters to be temporarily active at a massive cost. What if we... design a special ‘Decay Equation’?”

“My idea is this: create a new type of agent. After injection, it can, within a very short period and according to our preset mathematical model Decay Equation, safely excite and maintain a high EVO particle concentration plateau.

This plateau would be sufficient to support the completion of one ‘armor guidance and activation.’”

“And when the transformation is complete, or once the preset duration is reached, the main components of the agent will precisely and rapidly ‘decay’ into harmless substances and be metabolized according to the equation.

The temporary concentration boost effect will vanish simultaneously, forcing or naturally ending the transformation state.”

“This way, what we need isn't the precision to permanently modify genes, but a ‘program’ to precisely control chemical reactions and biological metabolic timing. Theoretically, is it feasible?”

The System fell into a longer computational silence, the data stream flickering wildly.

【Remodeling... Introducing ‘time-concentration-metabolism’ correlation functions... Simulating the coupling of agent metabolic paths and EVO particle activity decay...】

【Deduction revision in progress...】

【Conclusion updated: The ‘directional time-limited concentration excitation and decay’ scheme proposed by the host bypasses the precision barriers of permanent operations at the genetic level.】

【It converts the problem from ‘microscopic permanent construction’ to ‘macroscopic programmatic control.’】

【Theoretical feasibility: High. Required technical threshold: Significantly reduced. Preparation can be achieved using existing high-end biochemical laboratory equipment in this world (the host still needs to find a way to acquire or access it).】

【Warning: The equation design is extremely complex, requiring a balance of multiple variables such as excitation efficiency, duration, metabolic safety, and individual difference tolerance. Failure risks still exist, but have dropped from ‘impossible’ to a ‘high-difficulty challenge.’】

Han Chengyu let out a long breath, as if slowly exhaling the pent-up anger in his chest.

It was feasible. A path lay right before his eyes. Although still covered in thorns, at least there was a direction, a possibility.

“Alright...” he whispered to himself, the fire of focus reigniting in his eyes—the light of a Researcher facing a difficult problem, “For the third set of armor... and for this ‘possibility.’”

“System, prioritize deducing this ‘Decay Equation.’ We need a mathematical model that is as efficient, safe, and universal as possible.

On that basis, combined with the expected concentration peaks and duration of the equation, start conceptualizing the initial design direction for the third set of armor.

It must be compatible with this ‘time-limited excitation’ mode.”

【Command confirmed. Task sequence established: 1. Deduction of the time-limited EVO concentration excitation Decay Equation; 2. Conceptual design of the third Cross-Boundary Synergistic Combat Unit and corresponding biomass evolution armor based on said equation.】

【The System will devote full power to mathematical modeling and simulation work.】

【Reminder: This process will occupy a large amount of computational resources and requires the host’s deep participation in logical judgment and creative conceptualization. The System will provide as much assistance as possible.】

Han Chengyu rubbed his non-existent forehead, but the corner of his mouth curled into a slight arc, tired but mostly excited.

“Understood. Time to start grinding again... I can practically hear my hairline screaming.”

“Still, compared to those lives lost on the Experimental Table, this price is insignificant.” “System, let’s begin.”

【Computational resources at full capacity. Logical threads loading. Collaborative creation mode activated.】

【Real World】

Shen Mingyuan confirmed that the imitation "silver skeleton" was completely dead, his red eyepiece quickly scanning the mess in the main control room.

The objective was complete. The residual abnormal signals and battle traces here, combined with the coordinates and warnings he had synced to Lu Jianchuan before infiltrating, would be enough for GUPA follow-up forces to lock onto and take over this place.

At that moment, Shen Mingyuan looked toward the seat where that woman had been sitting—the main control console connected to countless cables.

As he approached the console, a faint blue light suddenly lit up from it. Several large curved screens silently activated at once, the display automatically jumping and splitting into dozens of clear surveillance feeds.

Shen Mingyuan paused slightly as his red eyepiece scanned the screens. It seemed the mysterious "The Forger" or some mechanism within the armor itself had automatically taken over or activated the display System here upon his approach. This saved him the trouble of figuring it out himself.

In the feeds, scenes from various areas were visible at a glance. Just as he had expected, the remaining personnel of the base were evacuating in a panic, clutching boxes and dragging equipment as they ran through some still-intact corridors.

Shen Mingyuan observed silently, noting several major personnel flow directions and possible exits.

He wasn't part of the GUPA cleanup crew, and eradicating every low-level pawn wasn't his goal; this information might be useful later.

His gaze moved calmly until it fixed on a surveillance feed in the bottom right corner located in a deeper level—it seemed to be some kind of large-scale sample storage area.

In the video, a panicked Researcher tripped while running, and the metal box in his arms flew out, violently smashing into a massive cylindrical transparent container in the center of the area!

“Clang—Crack!!!”

Countless cracks instantly exploded across the container's surface, followed by it shattering completely! A large amount of viscous, pale green liquid surged out.

And within the container, that originally suspended, blurry, massive black shadow suddenly lurched!

A giant claw covered in thick, pitch-black scales with dark red edges—glistening like cooled lava—brutally tore through the remaining container wall and reached out! Then came another claw as a hideous head suddenly burst through the wave of liquid!

The shape of that head... was extremely similar to the head of a Dragon from Western legends!

Slender yet powerful, it was densely covered in pitch-black bone plates and sharp bone spikes. Its muzzle split open to reveal crisscrossing, forest-white sharp teeth, and two points of pure, heart-palpitating crimson light burned within its eye sockets.

Its thick neck connected to a torso full of power, and behind it seemed to be the outlines of folded, broad limbs covered in the same pitch-black scales.

It was pitch-black all over, with only the gaps between scales, the tips of the bone spikes, and those eyes flashing with an ominous dark red.

It didn't look like any known natural creature; it was more like a monster that had stepped directly out of a nightmare into reality, carrying a primal and violent majesty.

The Researcher who had fallen was just pushing himself up, his face covered in nutrient solution and terror.

The black behemoth that had broken through the wall had already locked its crimson pupils onto him.

The black shadow lunged with a swiftness that defied its massive body!

The surveillance screen shook violently! The giant maw filled with sharp teeth instantly swallowed the Researcher's upper body, then snapped shut and lifted up.

Once the screen stabilized, only a mess of liquid and fragments remained on the spot. The pitch-black behemoth slowly turned its head, its crimson gaze scanning the surroundings, until finally, it seemed to glance unintentionally toward the camera.