Chapter 12: The Research Base
Inside the cardboard box lay a grapefruit-shaped fruit covered in swirling spiral patterns, giving it an aura of deep mystery.
"As I thought…"
Seeing the Devil Fruit, the corner of Jiang Qize's lips lifted into a grin.
He didn't know exactly which kind it was, but even the cheapest Devil Fruit went for at least a hundred million Berries—and that was if you could even find a buyer.
A hundred million Berries—more than enough to greatly enhance both the Raptorex and himself.
"I wonder what this one is, then?"
After examining the Devil Fruit, his gaze shifted to the smaller box beside it.
Anything kept alongside a Devil Fruit couldn't possibly be ordinary.
Click!
When he opened the small box, he found a key inside—made entirely of gold.
At the sight of it, Jiang Qize raised an eyebrow.
"Could there be other locked structures or treasures on this island?"
As a successful man from the modern world, he naturally doubted that this key was for something somewhere else. It had to belong here, on this very island.
After all, the people of this world didn't have the kind of imagination needed for such complex setups.
He pocketed the key, then placed his hand over the pile of gold and murmured, "Recharge."
In the next moment, the gold vanished.
[Recharge successful. 20 million Berries obtained.]
A mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
That was one of his system's features: it could automatically convert hard currency like gold into Berries—fast and convenient.
"Twenty million, huh. That's enough to summon a few more dinosaurs."
A satisfied smile appeared on Jiang Qize's face.
This trip to the island had paid off handsomely.
Just then, the ground trembled slightly.
Rumble…
A deep sound came from beneath the mountain.
"Hm?" He straightened up.
"Roar," the Raptorex called out softly.
"Oh?"
Hearing the Raptorex, Jiang Qize's eyes lit up.
Thanks to its enhanced spiritual sense and Observation Haki, the Raptorex could detect things within a hundred meters—and even convey what it sensed.
It had sensed an opening underground.
"Let's go check it out."
They made their way downhill, with Camon trailing behind reluctantly. He didn't dare disobey. Even though he didn't know why this young man hadn't killed him yet, wandering off would be suicide.
Soon, they reached the base of the mountain.
There, where a massive boulder had been moments before, a dark opening about two meters wide had appeared, exuding an eerie chill.
"You stay out here and keep an eye on him," Jiang Qize instructed the Raptorex.
"Roaaar~"
The Raptorex growled in acknowledgment.
Then Jiang Qize stepped inside.
…
The tunnel was dim and cold. At its end, a massive bronze gate blocked the path.
The cavern itself was enormous, with obvious signs of being man-made—carved and hollowed out long ago. But the faint light barely illuminated the interior.
Standing before the gate, Jiang Qize scanned its surface and spotted a small keyhole.
"This key must be for this door…" he murmured.
He produced the golden key and gently turned it.
Click…
Gears shifted within the mechanism.
Hum!!
A narrow beam of light shone from the center of the bronze door, widening slowly as the door creaked open.
When Jiang Qize saw what lay beyond, a strange gleam flashed through his eyes.
Inside was a vast chamber filled with enormous machinery. Along the walls were rows of incubation pods, each containing bizarre creatures—mutated animals, just like those outside on the island.
"So it's true… someone really did cause these animals' genetic mutations."
He stepped in, studying the machines closely as he muttered to himself.
The technology in this world was peculiar. "Hard tech" barely existed—yet somehow they'd created pacifista-like killing machines. And at the same time, basic electricity wasn't even widespread, and ordinary people still relied on letters or news birds for communication.
Scientists did exist here, but their research leaned heavily toward biological experimentation. Hardly anyone delved deeply into mechanical science.
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