161: hunt

Perhaps he was wrong from the very beginning.

If he hadn't provoked the Tiger King, none of the subsequent events would have happened.

Even the powerful Ismail Institute wouldn't have been destroyed in an instant.

Professor Arnos was filled with regret.

Regret for making a very wrong choice.

However, at that time, they were full of confidence.

They never thought they would lose to the Tiger King.

Gathering the wisdom of so many people, melting so many resources, yet they couldn't defeat a mere wild Tiger King.

Lin Tianwei was an existence completely beyond their comprehension.

Give up?

Completely submit to the Tigers Might of the Tiger King?

Professor Arnos was unwilling.

He refused to admit that he was inferior to a tiger.

He wanted to turn the tables through his own wisdom and effort.

Thinking of this, he looked at Black Fiend, who was imprisoned in a cage.

This beast, or rather, Awakened Beast, had been with him from the very beginning.

They thought they understood the Gamma Gene, but they couldn't explain why the Gamma Gene only showed different characteristics in Black Fiend.

Resurrection from the dead, an incredible characteristic!

Perhaps Black Fiend, like the Tiger King, was also a special existence.

An irreplaceable special existence.

Although incomprehensible.

However, the appearance of Lin Tianwei had already made Professor Arnos resign himself to fate.

Some things are simply incomprehensible.

There's no need to try to analyze, understand, or reject them.

One only needs to accept this specialness and utilize it.

Thinking of this, Professor Arnos looked at Black Fiend with a fervent expression.

Perhaps by continuing to use Beta Gene Reinforcement on Black Fiend, it might gain powerful strength.

Strength enough to rival the Tiger King.

Thinking of this, Professor Arnos's gaze towards Black Fiend also became eager.

Under his manipulation, a golden liquid was slowly injected into Black Fiend's body.

This was the Beta Gene.

An existence distinct from the Gamma Gene, yet equally formidable.

A special gene capable of causing a qualitative change in Black Fiend's strength in a short period.

It was as if it had a chemical reaction with Black Fiend's own genes.

As the Beta Gene was injected, Black Fiend's body began to change.

Black Fiend, who was originally peaceful and sleeping comfortably, suddenly trembled.

In a short while, it even began to roll around in pain.

First using Gamma Gene Reinforcement, then Beta Gene Reinforcement.

This was not the correct choice.

This resulted in the Reinforcement effect not being the most perfect or optimal, while also greatly increasing the risk.

However, Professor Arnos had confidence in Black Fiend.

It would definitely be able to withstand the Beta Gene Reinforcement.

Anyway, Black Fiend could revive indefinitely.

With countless opportunities, success was inevitable.

As for pain?

Professor Arnos didn't care whether Black Fiend was in pain.

As an experienced researcher, he had long discarded unnecessary sympathy.

He would only pay appropriate attention based on the value of the experimental subject.

Professor Arnos's guess was correct.

Although the Beta Gene Reinforcement reaction was severe, Black Fiend still endured it.

After a while.

Black Fiend's previously pained expression gradually softened.

The aura around it also became increasingly terrifying.

It was as if with every breath Black Fiend took, powerful pressure began to be released throughout the entire space.

This was the innate intimidation of a super beast!

Another two hours passed.

Black Fiend, who had been sleeping, finally opened its eyes.

Looking at the familiar yet strange silver-white room before it.

And Professor Arnos's extremely familiar face.

Black Fiend's expression gradually turned to anger.

It had been captured by humans once again.

It had lost its freedom and become a pathetic prisoner.

It wanted to tear everything apart and regain its freedom.

Thinking of this, Black Fiend looked at the cage before it.

The ridiculously thick iron bars possessed terrifying strength.

Yet they couldn't confine Black Fiend's heart that yearned for freedom.

Without hesitation.

Black Fiend directly opened its large mouth and bit down on the iron bars.

A terrifying electric current instantly erupted.

This was a defensive weapon attached to the iron bars.

However, Black Fiend, even with the terrifying electric current coursing through its entire body, showed no intention of retreating.

It continued to bite the seemingly thick iron bars, one bite after another.

Crack.

Under Black Fiend's incredibly Sharp Teeth, the iron bars finally made a breaking sound.

The strength of these ordinary materials had long been unable to keep up with the evolution speed of Awakened Beasts.

Under Black Fiend's incredibly Sharp Teeth, they couldn't even last a few rounds.

As for the electrical attack?

Black Fiend's physical body was incredibly strong, and it had just undergone Beta Gene Reinforcement.

Even without electrical resistance, it could completely withstand it.

Seeing Black Fiend about to break out of the cage.

Professor Arnos took a deep breath.

The most crucial moment was next.

Whether he could tame Black Fiend for his own use was key to his revenge plan.

After all, no matter how powerful the strength, it was useless if it couldn't be completely controlled.

Thinking of this, he directly pressed the green button in front of him.

With a harsh metallic screech, and under Black Fiend's confused gaze, the cage was actually opened.

It simply and easily obtained the freedom it had long dreamed of.

Since Black Fiend had spared Professor Arnos last time, he would not make a move this time either.

Black Fiend looked at the door-like opening.

It pondered how to violently tear open this iron door that tried to stop it.

However, at this moment, the iron door suddenly opened before Black Fiend.

Revealing the outside.

The freedom that was within reach.

Its muscles tensed.

Black Fiend's body began to gather strength.

It had to unleash all its power to escape from here.

However, just as it was about to leave, Professor Arnos spoke:

"Leaving might be simple."

"But once you leave, you will completely lose the chance to seek revenge on the Tiger King."

"For your entire life, you will be a pathetic stray dog!"

Professor Arnos's cold voice came from behind Black Fiend.

Especially the words "Tiger King" made Black Fiend's pupils constrict instantly.

As its strength continuously increased, Black Fiend's intelligence also became higher and higher.

It could even understand the meaning of most human languages very easily.

What's more, Professor Arnos's voice was transmitted into Black Fiend's mind through the special ability of an Esper.

This was the basis for their unobstructed communication.

Professor Arnos was gambling.

Gambling that Black Fiend would choose to stay to defeat the Tiger King.

Otherwise, given his situation upon just arriving at the Bruno Institute, he would have no ability to confine Black Fiend, who had undergone a second Reinforcement.

Anyway, it was just one Beta Gene.

Professor Arnos felt that this gamble was worth it.

He even felt that his chances of winning were very high.

Because he saw a unique quality of a lone wolf in Black Fiend.

Tenacity.

Intelligence.

And most importantly, vengefulness!

The three Claws marks left by Lin Tianwei on Black Fiend's face were the best evidence.

With Black Fiend's terrifying Self-healing Ability, it would be easy to eliminate these three Claws marks.

However, even under such circumstances, Black Fiend still retained these three Claws marks.

The meaning behind it was self-evident.

Sure enough, the moment it heard Professor Arnos's words, Black Fiend's tense body relaxed.

It turned its body and looked at Professor Arnos.

Its eyes were full of thought and scrutiny.

How could Black Fiend not be moved by Professor Arnos's words?

Just as Professor Arnos expected, its desire for revenge against Lin Tianwei had become an obsession.

Even just hearing Lin Tianwei's name would make the Claws marks on its face begin to ache faintly.

This was even an instinct etched into its genes.

An instinct that could only be completely washed away with Lin Tianwei's blood!

Just you?

Just you, this weak human?

Black Fiend's eyes suddenly became disdainful.

Professor Arnos's proposal might be very tempting.

But Black Fiend didn't believe that this human, who had been beaten by Lin Tianwei and fled with his tail between his legs, truly possessed such ability.

If that was the case, it had no intention of giving up its freedom and staying here.

Thinking of this, Black Fiend's body transformed into a sharp arrow, quickly running towards the door.

It wanted to leave here.

To pursue its own freedom.

As for challenging Lin Tianwei?

Unless its strength had a qualitative improvement, it would never do something akin to seeking death.

It yearned to defeat Lin Tianwei, yet it feared Lin Tianwei and dared not act.

This was Black Fiend's incredibly contradictory mindset at the moment.

However, just as Black Fiend ran out of the Research Institute and arrived in a wider area, it found itself surrounded.

It wasn't other creatures that surrounded it.

It was those three Clone Tigers that had once captured it in the Arctic ice fields with overwhelming force.

They carried an aura that it detested immensely.

Three powerful Clone Tigers.

Before Black Fiend could make a move, Professor Arnos spoke again, saying, "They are merely little playthings I've researched."

"They are even only two months old, not even considered sub-adult tigers."

"Perhaps a battle with them will give you more confidence in me."

Professor Arnos was not a fool.

He could naturally read the disdain in Black Fiend's eyes.

It was a disregard for his capabilities.

This immediately infuriated Professor Arnos.

You yourself are a product I formulated, yet you look down on me.

What's the difference between this and questioning myself?

A beast is a beast, simply terrifyingly stupid.

However, Professor Arnos still needed Black Fiend's strength.

Naturally, it was impossible to turn against it at this moment.

He could only use other methods to prove his strength to Black Fiend.

That is, those three surviving Clone Tigers.

They were also creations of the Ismail Institute.

Using them to show Black Fiend his power was the most suitable medium.

Roar~~~~

The three tigers roared almost in unison.

It was like they were challenging Black Fiend.

Or perhaps declaring their sovereign status.

However, due to the immense size difference between the two sides.

Their roars seemed a bit weak.

Owooo~~~~~

Black Fiend was not to be outdone and let out its own unique roar of anger.

It remembered these three Clone Tigers.

They were the ones who brought it back from the Arctic.

The thought of being instantly captured ignited a surge of anger in Black Fiend's eyes.

The claw marks on its forehead began to throb faintly again.

These fakes want to attack it?

Its true enemy has always been only that terrifying tiger.

Only he is worthy of being its opponent.

Thinking of this, Black Fiend took the initiative to attack the three Clone Tigers.

Under its rapid movement, it even stirred up strong winds.

The wind swept over its body, making it look exceptionally mighty.

Facing Black Fiend's proactive attack.

The three mutated tigers chose to evade.

In terms of size, they were at an absolute disadvantage.

Coupled with Black Fiend's recent Reinforcement by the Beta Gene, its strength had become even more terrifying.

Outsmarting.

Achieving victory through numerical superiority was the best choice.

After all, humans were controlling them.

And they were the humans with the best operational skills remaining from the Tiger God Project.

They could fully unleash the powerful strength hidden within these three tiger bodies!

However, their movement speed was clearly inferior compared to the rapidly strengthened Black Fiend.

They wanted to dodge, but they couldn't.

One of the Clone Tigers was instantly overwhelmed by Black Fiend.

Its gaping maw immediately bit down.

Facing such a fatal bite.

The Clone Tiger dared not be careless in the slightest.

It twisted its body, avoiding the most vital parts.

Even so, its body was directly pierced by Black Fiend's Sharp Teeth.

If Black Fiend were to exert more force.

Its body would undoubtedly be crushed to bits.

Under normal circumstances, most creatures, when encountering such terrifying damage, would instantly lose their fighting ability.

Intense pain would torment their nerves.

Making them lose the ability to continue fighting.

But these Clone Tigers were different.

Their bodies were no longer controlled by their own will.

Instead, they were more like emotionless machines.

As long as the brain's commands could still be transmitted, they would never hesitate for a moment due to pain.

After all, the humans controlling them could not feel the pain endured by this body.

Sharp Claws, carrying immense power, attacked Black Fiend at an extremely fast speed.

The target was nowhere else.

It was precisely Black Fiend's right face.

Such obvious claw marks.

Naturally led the operators to believe this was Black Fiend's weakness.

The familiar cold glint flashed again.

Triggering Black Fiend's fear.

As if by instinct, it immediately released its bite on the Clone Tiger.

It dodged backward, attempting to avoid this attack that was not inherently fatal.

After all, Black Fiend's Self-healing Ability was inherently terrifying.

Now it had also received physical Reinforcement.

As long as it wasn't an instant kill, it was basically impossible for it to be severely injured.

It was a pity.

Its life was destined to be lived under the shadow of Lin Tianwei.

As if by bodily instinct, it chose to flee at the first moment.

Fleeing also made it lose the best offensive opportunity, exposing an opening.

The remaining two Clone Tigers seized the chance.

Sharp Claws, shimmering with a cold light.

The Claws, enhanced by Esper abilities, were incredibly sharp.

Easily piercing Black Fiend's body.

Leaving several claw marks on its body.

Black Fiend's blood immediately flowed out from the wounds.

Staining the ground red.

Owooo~~~~

The injury immediately ignited Black Fiend's ferocity, causing it to let out an angry roar.

Or rather, that retreat just now made it feel incredibly humiliated.

It was eager to destroy its enemies to prove itself.

Black Fiend eagerly launched a counterattack.

With a flexible maneuver, Black Fiend found the best offensive position.

After the previous contact, it realized that the strength of these three Clone Tigers was too weak compared to before.

Or rather, it had become even stronger after being reinforced by the Beta Gene.

Strong enough to cause significant damage to these Clone Tigers with just its Claws.

Thinking of this, Black Fiend's Claws swiped out.

Although not as sharp and vicious as a tiger's Claws.

But with the added boost of Black Fiend's own powerful strength.

In just an instant, it struck one of the Clone Tigers.

Tearing open the opponent's soft belly, it sent the opponent flying to the ground, unable to move.

Next, it only needed to deal with the last Clone Tiger.

Black Fiend would then completely win this battle.

Although it would not be affected by pain, the Clone Tiger that Black Fiend had bitten through.

Still had its movements affected due to severe injuries.

It was basically impossible for it to cause harm to Black Fiend.

And the remaining Clone Tiger?

Under the immense disparity in strength.

It had no chance to resist at all.

Failure.

That was its destined fate.

Powerful techniques.

Could only make its failure a little slower.

"Stop!"

At this moment, Professor Arnos's voice reached Black Fiend's ears, saying:

"Killing them is meaningless to you."

"If you need food, I can provide more succulent food."

"Keeping them, on the other hand, can serve as your sparring partners."

"Sparring partners that will make you even stronger!"

With the last three Clone Tigers on the verge of death, Professor Arnos had no choice but to speak.

Although Clone Tigers could still be created as long as Lin Tianwei's genes were available.

It required massive resources.

For him, who had just arrived at the Bruno Institute and didn't have many resources to begin with.

It was best to save whatever he could.

At the same time, this was also a test of Black Fiend's attitude.

If the other party wanted to stay, then it would choose to stop.

If the other party wanted to leave, then he would have to take other measures to keep it.

To set Black Fiend free?

Professor Arnos's words were just for show; he would never allow Black Fiend to leave directly.

Black Fiend's voluntary cooperation was naturally the best.

Everyone would naturally be safe and sound.

But if it didn't know what was good for it, then Professor Arnos shouldn't be blamed for playing dirty.

After hearing Professor Arnos's words, Black Fiend, who was about to attack the last Clone Tiger.

Its movements immediately paused.

It turned to look at Professor Arnos, a thoughtful expression in its eyes.

It was obvious.

It was considering whether to stay.

Whether to stay for the possibility of defeating Lin Tianwei.

Seeing Black Fiend waver, Professor Arnos continued to persuade, "If you leave today, you will never have the possibility of taking down the Tiger King."

"Think about yourself."

"All the powerful strength you have gained comes from me."

"After leaving, you will not be able to gain any further improvement!"