Kaedori, Time to Eat
The experiment to evolve the Guardian into a Hydra was, for all intents and purposes, essentially complete. All that remained was verification.
Of course, the Hydra still couldn't easily take down an external 5.0 Stage specimen. If they clashed, it would be a fairly intense battle. And yet, victory would belong to the Hydra. Its powerful breath attacks combined with regeneration pushed to the absolute limit. Eight heads and hearts were proof of that. It was on par with the mythical Hydra—no shortcomings there.
Dr. Licht let out a scoffing chuckle.
Naturally, there was no chance of encountering a Calamity-level Cadaver. If he wanted to find one, he could, but this was purely to check the Guardian's condition. The test site was inside the relatively safe Surveillance Network.
So, no risks. The goal of this verification was simply to accurately quantify the Hydra's abilities.
And there was an additional objective.
The Hydra had now grown large enough to fill an enormous room.
In truth, compared to a true Calamity-level Cadaver, it was still quite small. A cadaver that had broken past 4.0 Stage would be about the same size as the Guardian.
It wasn't a real problem for the Hydra. Think of it like a growth spurt that hadn't gotten quite enough fuel.
They'd invested as much of the Sector's surplus meat as possible into the Hydra, but it still fell short. Meat was a precious resource, after all. Pushing too hard for more would draw too much attention. Since it was just a slight delay in growth with no major impact on the results, there was no need to go all out.
Meat was rotting in piles outside anyway. It was just the kind humans couldn't eat. And the P.V Virus-pickled meat from outside was even better nourishment for the Hydra.
Soon, the Hydra would feast on a banquet unlike any it had seen before. That fuel would unlock its full planned potential!
Punishment: hour 12. Morning had dawned before I knew it. Sure, while the other brainwashed dolls were gone, I'd snuck onto the bed and raided the fridge for snacks, but no one saw, so it was basically 12 hours of standing duty for me.
My legs are starting to ache. I'd actually been standing for less than two hours, but they felt sore anyway. The good news? Things were getting busy around me. Like everyone was packing up tight and heading out somewhere.
The lab felt lively, unlike usual—but calling it "human energy" might be a stretch.
They were all shuffling around blankly, eyes unfocused, just moving crates. It was like the worldview had shifted a bit.
Yeah, zombies. Corporate zombies grinding through 24/7 hell shifts. These researchers really drew the short straw in life.
Still, even knowing they weren't paying me any mind, I couldn't bring myself to move. Those vacant stares screamed "no consciousness here~," but with all the activity, it made me paranoid.
What if Emma was lurking among them, watching me? Under secret orders from the doctor, no less!
"Nera, come with me."
Someone tapped my shoulder. Not just someone—this was the only one here who gave me orders and touched me directly. The doctor? He freaks out whenever he sees me! Like he can't stand even getting close.
Sure, better than some creepy uncle creeping up with a "hehehe," but... it kinda stung. Who was avoiding who here?
Was she actually watching me? Emma's timing is always spot-on. Sometimes I wonder if she's got eyes on me 24/7!
Nah, probably not. If she was, the doctor would've sniffed out my antics ages ago.
Emma started dragging me along.
Under her firm grip, we arrived at a massive truck. No idea what they were hauling to need something this big.
I eyed the truck closely. Nothing odd on the surface, but it twitched now and then, like something huge was inside. And that faint, familiar signal...!
Kaedori was definitely in there. I was sure of it.
Come to think of it, I hadn't seen Kaedori in a while. Wonder how much it'd grown. Part of me wanted to fling open those doors and play—but yeah, that'd cause a riot.
Sigh. Just hold it together a bit longer. They wouldn't prep a truck this huge and not let it out, right?
Wonder what prompted this sudden Kaedori walkies. They wouldn't parade it around the Sector openly... not yet, anyway.
I glanced at Emma.
Asking for an explanation was pointless. Guess I'd have to wait and see.
But now I'm curious: did I even need to tag along to this party? Sure, if invited, I'd happily go, but I couldn't read the doctor's angle here. Same as always!
The truck carrying Kaedori headed the opposite way from my Executor Dormitory. Toward the Western Outer Wall. That's where Inspectors usually hung out for missions. But since the goal was Kaedori's walkies, it skipped the dorms and headed straight out of the Sector.
Outside, military vehicles were already waiting.
Ooh. Sure, I'm basically a prisoner, but being surrounded by soldiers made me feel like a VIP.
Did they really need this many troops, though? From my firsthand experience since Kaedori's birth, these frail Inspectors might end up as its snack if anything.
No protection value, no control value.
Or... maybe they were targeting the doctor if Kaedori went rogue?! That might make sense. But I didn't think his beef with the hardliners was that bad...
Who knows. They must have their reasons.
Lost in thought, the truck pressed on.
The wasteland around the Sector was as barren as ever. Random thought now, but maybe the Sector made it that way on purpose.
No matter how strong cadavers got, no food meant no survival. Virus mutations were useless without fuel. Biology 101.
Keeping even a blade of grass from growing? Genius move.
Unless a tough plant-type cadaver took root. With soil and sun, those things could thrive anywhere. In some ways, scarier than beast-types.
How long did the rumbling last? Finally, the truck stopped.
By my sharp spatial senses, we were right between the Sector wall and the Surveillance Network—smack in the middle.
Dodging Sector eyes while avoiding the dangerous cadaver zones in the Network. Smart!
The truck's massive rear doors swung open. And out came Kaedori... looking totally different!
World's gone mad. While I wasn't looking, the mad scientist corrupted my little blob!
Up to 4.0 Stage, those squishy tentacles had a cute charm, but now? Straight-up monstrous horror show!
I couldn't say it outright, but the doctor definitely had twisted tastes.
His body was spry, and he controlled Kaedori fine, so his P.V Virus skills were solid. He could've tweaked the looks easily without messing with core powers. Why make it this terrifying?
"Begin."
The doctor, remote in hand, pressed a button.
-Ziiiiing.
I nearly clapped my hands over my ears but held back.
Everyone else was fine! Overreacting would've drawn stares.
Was it ringing my ears or buzzing my brain? That irritating sensation wouldn't quit. What kinda machine was that? They looked unfazed, but maybe it messed with brainwaves?
-Rumble rumble rumble.
Hordes of cadavers from afar. Ah, got it. Just the Cadaver Area Provocation Device. Super effective! Hundreds by eye alone. Time to shut it off?
-Beep.
The doctor pressed again.
"That should be enough."
Yeah, exactly what I was thinking!
The weird vibration stopped, but the incoming cadaver horde didn't.
Growing roars shook the ground harder.
Inspectors with superior physiques hopped out, forming ranks.
"No shooting until I say. This is just to measure the Guardian's stats."
"Understood."
They shouldered rifles, standing ramrod straight. Barrels aimed every which way—a picture-perfect spectacle.
Dust clouds parted as cadavers emerged one by one. Crimson skin, grotesquely swollen muscles. Forms defying natural biology.
"Go."
Kaedori lumbered forward at the doctor's command.
-Thud. Thud.
Biggest cadaver here. Even small steps quaked the earth. Not quite Tortuga-teacher level, but still.
Kaedori gaped wide and chomped incoming cadavers indiscriminately.
This wasn't one-sided violence—it was predation. I figured it'd be strong, but 3.0~4.0 Stage cadavers didn't even need full power.
As a 5.3 Stage pro, that tracked... but its smaller size made it look a tad weaker? Nah, illusion—current form proved otherwise.