Among the mountains.
A building with a unique style stood halfway up the mountain.
Its walls were square and flat without any decorative patterns, and even the windows were distributed in irregular geometric planes.
In this undeveloped, primitive forest,
this solitary postmodernist building was quite abrupt and eye-catching.
This building was the House of Evolution's—disguise.
Underground was the House of Evolution's true research facility.
Dr. Genus, wearing glasses with his hair meticulously combed,
stood before numerous data screens, checking the data of experimental subjects.
Suddenly, a short, urgent alarm sounded.
A surveillance feed automatically popped up on the screen.
However, it only captured a strange afterimage.
"Coming straight for the base?"
Dr. Genus pushed up his glasses.
He shouldn't have provoked any enemies recently.
He pressed a button.
He sent a communication to the building above.
Soon, a clone who looked exactly like him appeared on the screen.
"No. 91, a 'guest' has arrived. Go and negotiate."
"At this time?" No. 91 Genus glanced at the time. "And without notice, it's most likely an enemy. I request to mobilize combat specimens."
"I will arrange for them to be on standby. Negotiate first to find out their intentions."
The communication ended.
No. 91 Genus walked out of the room.
His clothing, which originally had his code number, had been replaced with a professional researcher's white coat.
Even though he was ordered by the original body to carry out a dangerous mission,
he didn't feel the slightest bit of resentment or indignation.
The original body and clones like him shared the same dream—human evolution.
Not the evolution of human civilization, but the artificial evolution of humans as a species!
This was their only dream.
To truly achieve it, they had long since prepared to make sacrifices.
No. 91 Genus stood outside the building, holding his slightly trembling arm.
The physical instinct of fear towards unknown danger still couldn't be overcome.
As expected, even if it's 'us',
we are still limited by this flawed human body.
No. 91 Genus stood beneath the high-tech human structure, gazing into the dark, primitive mountains, speculating on the visitor's identity.
Boom—
Boom—
Heavy footsteps drew closer and closer.
In the dark mountain forest, a massive shadow loomed.
Even the dense, towering trees couldn't hide its form.
No. 91 Genus swallowed hard.
Is it a Monster??
What's the point of negotiating? Release all the combat specimens!
Just as he was about to retreat into the building to contact the original body,
the massive shadow burst out of the forest.
Damn, it's too late!
No. 91 Genus closed his eyes, preparing to welcome the end of his mission.
After a while,
nothing had changed.
"Is the House of Evolution this shabby? You don't even have a security booth for the night sentry."
Aokiji poked the sweating, eye-closed No. 91 Genus.
The latter snapped his eyes open.
A human?
No. 91 Genus stared blankly at Aokiji.
Only then did he notice the ice sculpture containing a massive Monster behind Aokiji.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with some relief.
"I'm not a security guard on duty, I am Dr. Genus of the House of Evolution. May I ask what business brings you here... Wait, you're Aokiji from the Hero Association?!"
With the help of the light from the building, he recognized Aokiji's appearance.
To achieve their dream, sufficiently excellent experimental subjects were essential.
They had been following the recently emerging Hero Association, considering capturing exceptional heroes for experiments.
But due to various factors,
this plan had been temporarily shelved.
Now, a hero had actually come to their doorstep,
could it be to wipe us out?
No. 91 took a nearly imperceptible half-step back.
Original body! Did you see that?!
How should we act now?
Underground, Genus Original Body nervously toyed with his hair.
Based on the analysis of the opponent's track record and the strange sights left behind after his battles with Monsters,
even if all the artificially modified specimens attacked together, the win rate was still pitifully low.
Dammit!
The ultimate form of artificial evolution isn't finished yet!!
Otherwise, even the Association's strongest hero could be defeated!
Wait... let's think about this differently.
The opponent came with a Monster ice sculpture and didn't attack immediately.
Maybe his goal isn't to wipe us out!
"No. 91, continue negotiating! Do not show hostility!"
He issued the command through the miniature communicator in the clone's ear.
No. 91 took a deep breath and said,
"Pardon me, it's my first time seeing a hero, I got a bit too excited... Would it be convenient to tell me your purpose for coming?"
"No need to test me." Aokiji patted his shoulder.
"I need Dr. Genus's artificial modification technology. You can see this as seeking cooperation."
"...You're joking." No. 91 said stiffly, forcing himself to speak.
"Although this place is remote, it's still a regular research institute. We don't study that kind of technology."
"Is that so?"
Aokiji nodded, seemingly believing what he said.
Then he casually pointed underground.
"Then the mosquitoes, gorillas, lions, and whatnot down there must be animals that accidentally wandered in. How about I help you deal with them?"
No. 91 and the original body underground both froze simultaneously.
He actually found out?!!
Even though they were hidden inside the mountain, was he still sensed?!
"No need to pretend. I know what you're doing. For example, I know you're not Genus's original body."
Aokiji spoke plainly.
As soon as these words came out, it once again caused Genus great shock.
How does this person know everything!?
"...Bring him in."
Genus Original Body paused for a few seconds before giving the order.
The rhythm had been completely seized by the opponent.
Aokiji seemed to know everything he should and shouldn't know.
There was no point in dragging it out.
"Please come in."
No. 91 led Aokiji into the building.
They didn't go to the underground research facility.
After all, there was no space for guests down there.
On the contrary, this building used for disguise not only had some labs for deception but also various spaces for reception and rest.
No. 91 brought Aokiji to the reception room.
Afterward, he stood to the side, his mind frantically guessing Aokiji's goal.
Before long, Genus Original Body walked in.
At the same time, the beautiful and seductive Mosquito Girl followed behind him.
"As expected of the hero with the highest public support, my disguises are useless against you."
Dr. Genus complimented him immediately.
After all, he was an old man whose actual age was approaching three digits.
Even when facing Aokiji, whose intentions were unclear, he could still maintain an enthusiastic social attitude.
Mosquito Girl, who was responsible for guarding, quietly made tea for them as Dr. Genus instructed.
She had undergone artificial modification, and her body was covered with some insect features.
It looked a bit strange, but not terrifying.
Instead, it added a different kind of charm to her excellent looks.
Mosquito Girl secretly observed Aokiji as he spoke with the doctor.
Is he the hero the doctor mentioned?
I wonder what his body fluids (blood) taste like~
...
(Throw some stones)