23. The Serpent's Mr. Butler?
The acquisition of Subject Zero predated Dr. Mei's proposal for the MANTIS project. When Zero's remains were brought to Mobius's lab, the MANTIS concept was merely a fantastical idea scribbled on Dr. Mei's draft papers.
After all, human technology still held a significant advantage over the Herrschers.
The Herrscher of Reason, the Herrscher of the Void, and the Herrscher of Thunder – their powers, while bizarre and reality-defying, challenging fundamental physical laws, ultimately had low energy output.
However, with the birth of each new Herrscher, their Honkai energy output continuously increased. It was like an arms race, with them growing stronger in tandem with humanity.
Precisely because of this, the multi-national high council controlling the Anti-Entropy organization began funding equipment development at any cost.
The MANTIS project, however, was not considered. After all, humanity was still quite fixated on its own "purity."
Those powerful and terrifying Honkai beasts were humanity's enemies. The idea of integrating their genes into a human body was repulsive to any sane person – after such fusion, what would you be? Human, or Honkai beast?
But, with the emergence of the Fourth and Fifth Herrschers, Anti-Entropy realized that the pace of technological innovation might not be able to keep up with the Herrschers' evolution.
They began to consider whether humanity itself needed to change.
As the world's foremost biologist, Dr. Mobius had, in fact, never stopped her work on the MANTIS project.
As the most durable, resilient, and highly Honkai-resistant and adaptable test subject, "Zero" had been preserved throughout the attrition of countless other test subjects.
And now, living up to Mobius's expectations, he became the first MANTIS.
[Facing your kiss on the hand, the three researchers blushed shyly, while Mobius gladly accepted your proposal.]
[They addressed you as "Mr. Zero," seemingly not overly surprised by your return from death.]
[You obediently followed their guidance to undergo a comprehensive physical examination. You felt your body was in an unprecedented state of well-being, one could even say – powerful.]
[You knew nothing about the past of this corpse. Since they called you Zero, you accepted it.]
[And as "Mr. Zero," this time, you planned to adopt a completely new persona.]
"Perfect data. Even I, in my pride, must admit he is not a replicable experimental product, but a miraculous flash of inspiration!"
Sitting before the computer filled with data, looking at the physical examination report in her hand, Dr. Mobius crossed her ample legs, clad in black silk, and shook them rhythmically.
Compared to her usual somewhat lazy demeanor, she now seemed passionate and lively, her light green eyes filled with a mad spark.
Opposite her, in the laboratory behind the glass, a tall, powerfully built man with full muscles and black short hair was obediently restrained in a spread-eagle position on the research table.
Beside him, Nuwa and Fuxi, their faces flushed, were attaching various electrodes to his body to collect experimental data.
Mr. Zero's physique was excessively good, making even them, who wouldn't normally notice such things, unable to resist stealing a few extra glances.
"He's just like Prometheus from myth, willingly enduring punishment to help humanity, bringing them fire and wisdom."
A brilliant smile spread across Mobius's face. She often smiled, but never this beautifully.
"Ha, really now. It's all my fault for trying to inject too many Honkai beast factors. I currently don't know which factor took effect. But it doesn't matter, we can study it slowly – Klein, don't you want to go talk to him?"
Turning her head, Mobius rubbed the back of her hand, the very spot "Zero" had kissed, and teased Klein playfully.
"He is an excellent gentleman, like Adam created by God, and the direction of human evolution – I have a feeling you two will be good friends."
Behind Mobius, a somewhat tired Klein forced herself to perk up and posed a question to Mobius.
"Dr. Mobius, are we really going to conceal his existence like this? We still cannot guarantee his safety."
Watching the man conversing with Nuwa and Fuxi, Klein lacked Dr. Mobius's ambition; she prioritized safety and stability.
"Heh, Klein, you must understand that scientific experiments are inherently full of risks, and an excellent researcher must accept those risks."
That intoxicating smile reappeared on Mobius's face; she showed no fear of the so-called risks.
"If we hand him over now, he will only be eliminated as a threat, and we will be punished for conducting forbidden experiments – but, there will surely be a time for him to make his appearance, right?"
Seeing Dr. Mobius's enraptured expression, Klein could only smile wryly.
Everyone thought Dr. Mobius was a madwoman, but Klein understood her greatness and respected her choices.
"However, there's one more small issue, Doctor. I checked the records of test subject Zero. His identity before death was a victim of the Third Honkai Eruption – and also the elder brother of 'Hua,' a soldier from Anti-Entropy's 5th Squad."
The past of test subjects was often forgotten, but Klein had deliberately retrieved the long-sealed records.
"What I mean is, since he has come back to life, shouldn't we notify…"
This time, Mobius decisively shook her head.
"No, not needed. Nuwa has already questioned him; he doesn't remember his past. Furthermore, after all these experiments, is he really still that soldier's brother? You should remember the story of the Ship of Theseus, Klein. Destroy the records."
Waving her hand to indicate the end of the research, Mobius pressed a button, releasing Zero's restraints.
"Klein, a girl's possessiveness can be very strong. I don't want to share what's mine with unfamiliar outsiders – Of course, you three are the exception!"
——————
"So, you two are twins? Wow, truly alike and beautiful. Miss Nuwa, although I don't remember my past, since I've returned from death, this life belongs to you all."
Wearing a temporarily found, somewhat short white lab coat, Gao Qi strode swiftly toward the office, with Nuwa and Fuxi following close behind her.
"Hehe, so sweet-talking. You're quite handsome too, Mr. Zero! We'll be colleagues from now on—though your job is to be the one studied."
Both Gao Qi and Nuwa were talkative and quick to make friends. Nuwa had studied Gao Qi for a long time, while Gao Qi had come to understand both of them better. Naturally, the two quickly hit it off.
Although, for now, Nuwa and Fuxi were just ordinary researchers, in the future, they would become members of the Project EMBER, accompanying the slumbering Fu Hua into the new era.
Her little sister's good friends were naturally Gao Qi's good friends too.
Unusually for this simulation, Gao Qi knew nothing about her own background, only that she was a resurrected dead person.
But the identity of a dead person was quite convenient. Gao Qi simply claimed to have amnesia, and no one pressed further.
For this simulation, Gao Qi planned to stay in Dr. Mobius's laboratory—she was a genius on par with Mei. By her side, the highly desired MANTIS surgery that Gao Qi longed for could be easily performed.
To be precise, it had already been successfully performed.
In Gao Qi's character panel, there was now a long list of complex and dazzling buffs.
*[MANTIS Enhancement (Incomplete):]* You have undergone multiple MANTIS modifications, resulting in numerous imperfect flaws and critical errors. Although powerful, the stability is extremely poor and cannot compare to that of a genuine MANTIS.
*[Mixed Honkai Beast Genes (Conflicting):]* Your body has been inoculated with a large number of Honkai Beast genes. They do not provide much enhancement. Instead, they conflict with each other, suppressing their respective energies.
*[Awakened Honkai Beast Gene (Unknown):]* The power of life within the Authority of Death communicated with one of the Honkai Beast genes, awakening its ability related to the power of creation, which restored your dead body. This Honkai Beast has not been named.
This "Zero," was merely a collection of "mistakes" from the MANTIS research.
If it weren't for the effect of the Authority of Death, he probably wouldn't have woken up at all. But Gao Qi wasn't regretful—at worst, he could just undergo more surgeries. Once the simulation ended, the side effects could all be erased by the system!
"This is Senior Klein, and that's Dr. Mobius—she's the one who resurrected you. We all respect her greatly; she's our big boss!"
Entering the office, Nuwa enthusiastically introduced Klein and Mobius.
The next second, an extremely voluptuous figure stumbled and threw herself directly into Gao Qi's arms.
"Zero, hehe, I'll call you that from now on. You are my creation, and the hope for humanity's continuous evolution. From now on, your life belongs only to me, understand!"
Pressing her heavy bosom against Gao Qi's chest, this Mobius—different from the slender, child-like snake in Gao Qi's memory—was curvaceous and alluring, yet seemed completely unguarded.
"I have so many ideas I want to test on you. You will share the truth of the world with me. You said you would serve me forever, right?"
Looking up, Mobius flashed Gao Qi a radiant smile. Beneath the innocent expression, Gao Qi sensed an absolute craving.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure against her chest, Gao Qi couldn't help but swallow hard—just for this, this simulation trip was totally worth it!
Either raising a little sister or raising a daughter... Gao Qi was about to lose it! Big sisters were her true love!
"Of course. I have no past; you all are my future—Dr. Mobius. However, before the experiments begin, I have one condition."
Looking at the ethereal beauty of Mobius and Klein's faces, and the dark circles under their eyes they couldn't hide, Gao Qi frowned.
As an older brother and father who never let Fu Hua or Kiana get less than eight hours of sleep, Gao Qi couldn't accept their current state.
"Don't worry, my authority is quite significant. As long as you cooperate with the experiments, I'll agree to any request."
Mobius nodded. As a founder of MOTH, she could grant almost anything.
"From now on, I will be the manager of this laboratory. Let me be in charge of your schedules and health!"
"Huh?"
Then, as Mobius looked on somewhat flustered, Gao Qi scooped her up in a princess carry, winking at Klein nearby.
"Miss Klein, could you please show me to your dorm? You both need a good sleep now. You can hand over the work to me—no refusals allowed!"
Faced with Gao Qi's unyielding smile, Klein was stunned for a moment, then obediently nodded and led him towards the inner room.
"Oh, right—this way. The Doctor really should rest."
"Hey, put—put me down! The experiments aren't finished! I'm your master, Zero! Listen to me! Klein! You traitor, why are you listening to him!"
Mobius struggled involuntarily, but as a mere mortal, she was no match for Gao Qi. Held tightly in her arms, she was carried towards the laboratory dorm.
Watching the three figures leave, Nuwa shyly covered her face, while Fuxi beside her just sighed helplessly.
They felt that life in the laboratory was probably going to get much livelier from now on.
[Although Dr. Mobius struggled incessantly, even wriggling about after being placed on the bed, she quickly quieted down after you tucked the innocent Klein into her arms.]
[Soon, the utterly exhausted pair fell into a deep sleep, holding each other.]
[And so, you became the manager of Mobius's laboratory. Besides being the subject of research, you took charge of caring for the daily lives and well-being of the four girls.]
[However, the time when you, and a true MANTIS, were truly needed would arrive very soon.]
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?