Ch.122122. Eun Serin’s Experiment

[Eun Serin: You need to show us some results too, don’t you? We’ve shared our plans with you several times.]

[What do you think is the reason we’ve tolerated your indulgence until now? Has all your anger disappeared? Or is this betrayal?]

The Catastrophe Group was continuously pressuring Eun Serin.

The main reason was, naturally, results.

She was supposed to cause incidents and accidents to further damage the already chaotic Academy, just like before the regression.

But there had been no notable actions from her. For one thing, their previous achievements remained intact unlike before, among other overlapping reasons.

However, while the Catastrophe Group had been quietly gathering strength until now, they had begun to stretch their limbs to carry out various operations, including the Incheon occupation plan, and thus started to press her.

“So I just need to show results?”

Eun Serin smirked at the message in her home. In front of her was a child who appeared to be in the lower grades of elementary school.

But there was something strange about the child’s face. It seemed distorted, as if mixed with something inhuman.

The child was playing with toys like an infant.

[Mommy… Mommy…]

“What is it?”

The child suddenly broke the toy it had been handling.

[I want to break things… It makes me feel good.]

“You must resist. If you can’t overcome such impulses, you can’t become ‘human.’ Otherwise, you’ll be separated from mommy.”

[No! If mommy isn’t here…]

The child vehemently refused.

“I feel the same way, because you’re my child. You should stay by mommy’s side, right?”

[Yes. I like that.]

Eun Serin cautiously glanced outside.

‘The growth rate is indeed fast. Within a year, it might grow to upper elementary school age…’

Eun Serin was continuously writing something.

[Experiment Overview to Date]

-Generally, monsters and humans are different entities, but there are cases where the two are artificially combined. Cases initiated by monsters are called human-monsters, while those initiated by humans are called monster-humans. Combining these two creates unexpected synergies, leading to various research efforts.

-Human-monsters perfectly replicate humans down to DNA cells, wearing human skin inside out. Initially crude enough to trigger monster detectors, they have become so precise in modern times that detectors can no longer identify them.

-Conversely, monster-humans involve humans borrowing monster bodies. However, once transformed, cells become damaged and eventually assimilate with the monster.

-Hybrids: An early research byproduct of monster-human studies. An unstable intermediate form forcibly connecting monsters and humans. While having few advantages compared to monster-humans and human-monsters, it evolved into the category below.

-Mixed-bloods: Entities created from birth using both human and monster cells. Highly valued for their potential, possessing both monster strength and human intelligence. However, research is still in early stages with limited results.

Eun Serin glanced at her child.

[Records of My Child]

-Currently assessed at approximately 4 years old in human age

-Already possesses S-rank or higher combat ability

-Displaying violent tendencies

-Shows dependent characteristics. Could be very helpful if properly utilized.

As she wrote the last phrase, she felt a surge of disgust.

She almost stopped writing but gritted her teeth, saved the record, and reported to the Catastrophe Group.

‘If this isn’t enough, I’ll have to cause an incident.’

Results must be shown.

“I’ve obtained a useful pawn anyway.”

She pulled out another report.

[Red Powder]

-Red powder is made by mixing Mahanaga’s flesh and cells with fusion slime.

-This powder transforms the consumer’s body cells into monster cells. It also appears to contain Mahanaga’s will.

-Monster transformation occurs when strong impulses, anger, or emotions are triggered. (These emotions can be controlled with drugs.)

-Individually, they are certainly weak. However, when properly transformed through reaction with Mahanaga’s shell and fusion slime, they could pose a significant threat. So far, there have been no reported cases of transformation into Mahanaga itself. Therefore, I’m attempting to connect the collected cells directly to Mahanaga.

‘Could those infected by Mahanaga’s cells become Mahanaga themselves?’

If this worked, it would be a tremendous achievement and a formidable force for the Catastrophe Group.

Just then.

Someone knocked on the door. Eun Serin didn’t immediately go out but observed the sound.

After hearing three rhythmic knocks, she finally moved.

But not to the front door.

She went down to an underground facility resembling a bomb shelter. There, a suspiciously covered man was trembling.

“Easy, right? The investigation is already over, and with the funeral, everyone will be too distracted.”

“Instructor. Are you insane? How could you…”

A youthful voice was heard. The one carrying the corpse in a bag was Min Kangsu.

He trembled with fear.

“W-what are you going to do with Yoo Deokmin’s body? Instructor, I was terrified doing this. Why?”

“Why are you afraid? You’re cooperating with me to cover up your wrongdoing, aren’t you?”

Her expression was contemptuous.

Min Kangsu felt hurt by that look.

“You’re different from usual! Instructor…”

But Eun Serin grabbed Min Kangsu’s chin and lifted it.

“This is who I really am. What you saw before was the fake.”

A duralumin case opened, revealing Yoo Deokmin’s finely dismembered body with a revolting smell.

“A body transformed into a monster by red powder. Wouldn’t that make for good research material?”

“Instructor, you’re insane.”

“…I have to be. Otherwise, I get irritated.”

Eun Serin showed signs of disgust.

“Anyway, good job. The next plan is to bring a corpse related to the red powder. How? I’ll let you know. There’s a child desperate to kill someone right now.”

“Who now? I can’t do this anymore!”

Min Kangsu shouted.

“T-this kind of thing… I absolutely won’t do it! Never!”

“…”

“It’s not something you can be proud of either, right? Experimenting on a dead student?”

In that moment, Min Kangsu was grabbed by the throat.

“You really disappoint me. You get three chances. You’ve broken all of them. If I were my old self from the beginning of the semester, I would have killed you immediately. I’ve gotten too soft. It’s all because of that child. I should make you take responsibility.”

“!”

Min Kangsu struggled but couldn’t muster strength.

Suddenly, Eun Serin’s magical power erupted, and a hole appeared in Min Kangsu’s stomach.

“If you had just quietly carried out your mission, at least you wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

“Gack! Kuk!”

She looked at the trembling Min Kangsu with mockery.

“Once you gave up on turning yourself in, you could never live properly again, whether with the Catastrophe Group or elsewhere. For the rest of your life. If you had just listened to me, you could have at least lived like a human. This is why stupid kids are hopeless.”

Min Kangsu began to transform as his anger reached its peak.

“Yes. Yes. That’s exactly what I was aiming for. Son?”

At Eun Serin’s call, a mass of magical energy instantly descended.

[Don’t bother mommy!]

“Take care of him. Don’t kill him, okay? It’s mommy’s request!”

[Mommy!]

A battle ensued, and the monster that Min Kangsu had become collapsed.

[Oh, he’s not dead. I… I need to listen to mommy! Mommy… I’m sorry. I made… a mistake…]

“My son, he’s not dead. Good boy.”

Eun Serin embraced her child, displaying maternal affection.

She then took out Yoo Deokmin’s body, facing Min Kangsu who was gasping for breath.

“Now, shall we experiment? I hope Mahanaga responds properly.”

Eun Serin began another experiment.

*

[Machine Characteristic]

-Temporarily (5 minutes) converts non-machine entities into machine race.

-Increases resistance and magic resistance by 1 rank

“What a stroke of luck.”

Honestly, I never imagined I’d transform again.

Why? Because Senior Hwibin from the security team had a big fight with his girlfriend.

“I don’t mind, but are you sure you’ll be okay, hyung?”

“Thank you so much, Jonghyun. Ugh!”

Senior Hwibin was going to meet his girlfriend during my surveillance time. He was desperate to win back his girlfriend’s heart after their fight.

It was a blessing for me too. But I had to pretend to be reluctant, acting stern.

“I’ll hunt safely, but this is really just this once. I’m grateful to all the security team seniors usually, you know?”

“Thanks, Jonghyun! You’re all I have. I feel like I’ll go crazy if I don’t go now.”

Just to be safe, I decided to play around at a nearby gate that I could quickly return from.

It was a perfect opportunity for me to earn more points.

An E to B-rank gate was sufficient.

I came to experiment with my newly acquired card as well.

First, the machine characteristic, which seemed like the best ability.

Various mechanical devices attached to my Dragon Sura body.

With this, non-machine races can use machine sub-cards.

Though it’s temporary, that’s a natural penalty for adding another racial characteristic.

So what am I doing now?

I equipped this sub-card to my Dragon Sura and attached Firearm Armor Level 10.

But the form is different from before.

The insect used to hang on my back, but now the Dragon Sura has it on the shoulder.

Maybe it varies by transformation characteristic.

I was waiting for monsters to emerge here.

What kind of creature would be my first test target? Perhaps due to the new card and Dragon Sura’s characteristics, I was looking at enemies more aggressively than usual.

But then I felt vibrations under my feet? Could it be?

Just as I jumped away, a Predator Worm revealed itself where I had been standing.

B-rank.

I remember the first time I fought one. Back then, I fought as an immature Dinosaur Sura, but now I’m fighting as a fluid form.

There was a time when even C-rank monsters were dangerous to me in fluid form, but things are different now.

My attack power is effective.

I deliberately lured the Predator Worm to areas with vibrations, following its pattern.

The imposing Predator Worm emerged, making my legs tremble.

Simultaneously, Firearm Armor Level 10 fired.

How powerful would it be?

I recalled its power when I was in adult form, but this turret’s force was noticeably less than before.

Still, it penetrated.

The Predator Worm twisted its long body like a dance before collapsing.

“So the power varies with evolution. That’s good to know.”

[Evolution]

-Bird Sura

This immature form is Bird Sura. A hawk carrying a cannon on its back—just thinking about it is awesome.

I bombarded monsters from the air without taking any damage.

Some guilds saw me, but I just flew elsewhere.

I managed to harvest 20,000 points that day through hard work.

With this, another evolved form is possible.

I played it safe, but I couldn’t go home easily that day.

“Minseo! Sob…”

“Hyung… stop crying. There are plenty of women out there. Forget her. Forget.”

In the end, I came home late after consoling Senior Hwibin who had been dumped.

All in all, it was a peaceful day.

But when the last days of November arrived, marking the final exam season, everything changed.

On Wednesday, the third day of final exams, after hanging out with friends and separating, I witnessed an impossible situation.

“It’s been a while?”

Yoo Deokmin, who had died, was standing right in front of me.