Chapter 12 Original Identity (2/2)
This was shocking news even to the boss himself. The Alumera family were a powerful warring clan allied with the country of Theus.
Test subjects captured for experimentation were usually criminals or stragglers. How did someone with such background end up in their hands?
”The son of the Alumera's second-in-charge? How?”
”According to our investigations, Xiao Han was the most ungifted among his siblings. Not only was he unable to awaken any energy, he was extremely incapable at leadership and weak-minded,” answered the researcher as he flipped through his report. ”Our agents stumbled across him in the wreckage of a battle. He had been following his elder brother, Xiao Hai, on a transport mission when they were ambushed by an enemy.”
”Continue.”
”At the time, Xiao Hai was in command of the team, and the assailants' true aim was not the goods that they were transporting, but he himself. He was the most promising of his siblings, and was more or less guaranteed to succeed his father's position. According to our intel, the ambush was an inside job. Someone within the family wanted to get rid of him.”
”During the ambush, Xiao Hai forced Xiao Han to swap clothes with him and he used him as bait. In the end, while Xiao Han was hit by a cannon, Xiao Hai managed to escape to safety.”
”Since when was our network that well-informed?” frowned the boss.
”Erm... Xiao Hai did not bother to hide the truth, including the fact that he used Xiao Han as bait.”
”The circumstances of Xiao Han's death did not hurt Xiao Hai's standing in the family. At the time, the second-in-charge even said that Xiao Hai had done well. As you know, the Alumera family values power above all. A burden like Xiao Han meant nothing to them. Even his siblings did not mourn his death.”
Han Xiao's past existence was like a roadside flower that everyone trampled over without notice.
The boss laughed coldly.
”The weak do indeed deserve no sympathy. Enough of his past. Tell me what happened during the 6 months.”
”We think that the Valkyrie experiment triggered a change within his body—a change greater than we could have imagined. It did not just unlock his talent for machinery; what it did was enhance his intelligence. We think that he has been planning his escape from the very start!”
”Are you saying that the brainwash did not work on him?” interrupted Hila.
”Yes, I'm afraid so.”
Hila frowned.
The researcher continued, ”How is it possible for a subject with no memories to develop his own will? The only explanation seems to be that Valkyrie helped him to regain his memories. However, since he was never a gifted person to begin with, Valykrie must have also awakened some kind of hidden strength within him.”
”Are you sure?” asked the leader coldly.
”Not absolutely...” admitted the researcher. It was simply conjecture after all. Who the hell could be sure.
No. 1 couldn't help but butt in. ”Was he just luck—”
The boss instantly silenced him with a stare.
”Oh right. The guards also brought back this mecha arm that he used,” added the researcher. ”Although the craftsmanship of the arm itself is not very refined, I must say that it is quite a revolutionary concept. It seems like this mecha arm played a huge part in his escape. The weapons development department would like to replicate this model for development.”
Finally, thought the boss, something good to hear.
”Funds are not an issue. I just want results.”
The researcher nodded, continuing. ”No matter what, Zero's cunning and talents make him a dangerous person. He has high research value. Whether dead or alive, obtaining his body will undoubtedly help us in perfecting Valkyrie.”
While the researchers were all terrified of Han Xiao as he could have killed them anytime he wanted, they were, after all, men of science.
No. 1 frowned.
From the moment that he was created, he knew that he had a predecessor. This fact alone caused him to identify Han Xiao as an enemy. However, just when he thought that he had surpassed Han Xiao, reality hit him like a truck.
”Before determining the exact factor behind the drug's effects, cease all experimentation. Round up all the test subjects once more for another round of brainwashing. I don't want another Zero to appear,” ordered the boss.
No. 1's eyes widened in disbelief. He felt that his loyalty to the organization was being doubted.
”I wish to lead a team to pursue Zero!” he burst out.
The boss looked at No. 1 as he contemplated. He did indeed have high expectations for the test subject squad.
”Can you do it?”
”I will definitely succeed!” declared No. 1.
”Fine. Bring Zero back—dead or alive!”