Chapter 256: The Top Research Priority

Watching Dorothy's graceful figure disappear into the distance, her dress swaying gently in the wind like a blooming flower, Mo Chen did not stand there in a daze like an inexperienced boy. Instead, he furrowed his brows slightly.

Dorothy's determination was far stronger than he had expected.

She was willing to give away her first kiss over a mere joke.

And as for whether it truly was her first kiss—Mo Chen, now an experienced man, could tell at a glance. No matter how much she tried to mask it, her inexperience in the act was obvious to him.

If she could still remain composed afterward, without the slightest embarrassment or hesitation, then there was only one possible explanation—this beautiful woman was ambitious. Very ambitious.

"A human who likes Nikkes, unaffected by the Uncanny Valley effect, and even takes pleasure in it. According to intelligence, there have been recorded instances of impregnating Heretics. If true, this suggests the presence of male reproductive instincts and the influence of hormones. Specimen should be collected and archived…"

As Mo Chen was still deep in thought, a cold and analytical voice suddenly spoke behind him.

Turning around, he spotted a girl standing in the corridor a short distance away, holding a tablet and appearing to record data.

His gaze landed on her face, and instantly, he was captivated by her striking features.

She had long, silver-white hair cascading down like a waterfall, each strand silky and radiant under the lights. Her eyes, a deep, mesmerizing blue, shimmered like the night sky, exuding both brilliance and mystery.

She wore a white lab coat—clean and elegant. The coat was accented with violet trims, contrasting sharply against the black details, adding an air of intrigue. A black belt wrapped around her waist, the metallic buckle reflecting a subtle gleam, emphasizing her sharp and efficient demeanor.

Her right hand was gloved in black, the material supple yet elastic, fitting snugly to her slender fingers. The intricate patterns on the glove stood out starkly against her white attire, making her overall image all the more striking.

But what truly stood out was her stunning figure—exquisite curves forming a flawless S-shape. Her clothes strained against her ample chest, barely containing it, while her legs, encased in fine black stockings, were almost excessively long and toned. 

The leather straps around her thighs accentuated a tempting, sculpted silhouette—an embodiment of refined seduction.

Despite wearing a mere researcher's uniform, Mo Chen immediately recognized her.

Cecil.

Cecil was not just Eden's but perhaps humanity's greatest scientist, having developed technologies that surpassed even those of the Ark.

She was the mind behind optical camouflage, advanced reconnaissance systems, life support systems, and even the later models of the Pilgrim frames used in Eden.

Her technological prowess was at least fifty years ahead of the Ark's.

The pointed devices near her ears were communication equipment, though their elven-like design gave them an otherworldly appearance.

"Hello."

Mo Chen took the initiative to greet her.

If there was a reason he had come to Eden besides obtaining the neutralizer, it was to find Cecil.

Because, in the original timeline, Cecil successfully recreated the neutralizer.

Cecil slid her fingers across the tablet, shutting down a program before lifting her gaze to meet Mo Chen's directly. The first thing she did was offer an apology.

"My apologies. It's a professional habit. When I see a rare specimen, I can't help but want to study it immediately. I acted impulsively just now and may have offended you. I sincerely apologize."

To Mo Chen's surprise, Cecil was quite reasonable and genuinely sincere in her apology.

Seeing her earnest attitude, Mo Chen chose to let it slide.

"It's fine, it's fine. Just don't study me anymore."

The last thing he wanted was to be treated as a lab specimen.

Cecil looked slightly disappointed but remained decisive. Right in front of Mo Chen, she deleted the recorded data without hesitation.

Mo Chen said to Cecil, "There's something I want to ask you."

Cecil replied, "Go ahead."

Mo Chen asked, "How much do you know about the neutralizer?"

Cecil obviously wasn't slow-witted—she immediately understood the purpose of Mo Chen's visit.

"The moment we obtained the neutralizer, I conducted a preliminary test and roughly analyzed some of its components. However, I haven't been able to conduct a deeper study, and soon, I likely won't have the chance."

Cecil looked regretful.

The arrival of Nihilister had disrupted her research progress. More importantly, in order to weaken Nihilister's regenerative ability, they had to use their only vial of the neutralizer.

Without a sample, future research on replicating it would become significantly more difficult.

"In that case, let's collaborate," Mo Chen proposed naturally. "I'll provide the materials, and you handle the research. How about it?"

Cecil shook her head.

"The ingredients for the neutralizer are extremely rare. Eden spent twenty years searching and only recently obtained a sample. As for its composition, we haven't fully identified it yet. The only clue we have is that it seems to be related to a specific blood type."

She didn't state it explicitly, but her meaning was clear.

They hadn't even fully analyzed the neutralizer's formula—how could Mo Chen possibly know what it was made of?

Let alone provide the necessary materials.

Mo Chen, however, patted his chest confidently.

"I can guarantee that I have the necessary materials for neutralizer research."

In his mind, he muttered an apology to Anderson—he was going to have to borrow some of his blood.

The neutralizer was created using a specific blood type combined with human tissue, with the key ingredient being the blood itself.

In the original story, only the protagonist, Anderson, and the first-generation Commander had that blood type.

The first-generation Commander had long since perished—his remains likely rotted away to dust.

The protagonist was no longer in the picture, so that left only Anderson.

Cecil was briefly stunned. She stepped closer to Mo Chen, scrutinizing him carefully before even leaning in to take a sniff.

"You're saying that you… no, that someone you know possesses the materials needed for the neutralizer?"

"Ah, not me, no."

Mo Chen cleared his throat. "But I know someone who does."

"Alright."

Cecil considered for a moment before agreeing. Then, she extended her hand.

Looking at her pale, delicate palm, Mo Chen was momentarily confused, unsure of what she meant.

"In a partnership, both parties must offer something in exchange," Cecil explained. "I'll help you research the neutralizer, but you need to show me that you're sincere in this collaboration."

Extorting him?

Mo Chen was dumbfounded.

"Wait, don't you want to research the neutralizer too?"

"That's correct," Cecil nodded slightly before shifting the topic. "However, the neutralizer is not the primary research priority. Studying it would take up a significant amount of time that could be allocated to other projects. Alternatively, you can choose to wait until I finish my current research."

"How long would that take?"

"Approximately ten years."

Mo Chen felt a headache coming on.

Ten years? By then, it'd be completely useless.

He sighed in exasperation.

Just earlier, he had been the one squeezing Dorothy for a deal, but now the tables had turned—he was the one getting squeezed instead.

So this was karma, huh? Look, it has come back full circle.

"Fine,"

With no other choice, Mo Chen had to accept Cecil's terms. After all, she was the only one capable of researching the neutralizer.

Syuen might have been able to modify the neutralizer bullets, but her expertise wasn't in biopharmaceuticals—she had only succeeded because she had a prototype sample to work from.

"Name your conditions."

Cecil raised her fair, slender finger and pointed directly at Mo Chen.

Seeing her gesture at him, he suddenly had a bad feeling.

"My research subject is you," Cecil stated. "So I'll need you to cooperate with my study. But don't worry, I won't dissect you or do anything too harmful to you—after all, you're a unique sample."

Dissection?

Mo Chen's scalp tingled.

And what did she mean by "too harmful"?

As for him being a "unique sample," was she just afraid of accidentally killing him?

But this was about the neutralizer, about the Nikkes. Mo Chen had no choice but to agree.

"Alright, I'll do it."

"Thank you for your cooperation."

Cecil immediately took out a tablet and stepped closer to Mo Chen, examining him like a doctor conducting a check-up.

He was dumbfounded—wait, she was starting already?

She was incredibly close, barely ten centimeters away. Her elf-like, stunning features were right in front of him.

And if that weren't enough, her body proportions were practically flawless. 

From her well-endowed chest to her long, sculpted legs, she had the textbook figure of a cold, elegant dominatrix. Yet, at the same time, her face had a youthful, slightly childish softness—reminiscent of the "white, youthful, and thin" beauty trend in Korea.

Even Mo Chen, who had seen a lot, found it difficult to remain completely unaffected at such proximity.

He could even feel her warm breath brushing against his neck.

"Adrenaline levels rising, increased hormone secretion, heavier breathing,"

Cecil looked up at him with a cool, analytical gaze and calmly recorded the data. "Blood circulation accelerating, corpus cavernosum—"

"Stop! Stop!"

Mo Chen immediately interrupted, alarmed by how far she was going.

"Let's not study this, alright? There's plenty of time for that later. And besides, we're in public, people are walking by..."

Cecil nodded slightly and put away her tablet, offering a sincere apology.

"My apologies, that was inconsiderate of me."

With Cecil no longer taking notes, Mo Chen finally relaxed a little, though he still felt awkward. To change the subject, he decided to ask something else.

"You mentioned earlier that the neutralizer isn't the top research priority. Then what is?"

The neutralizer was crucial for dealing with Heretics, meaning it was of the utmost importance to Eden. If something was ranked even higher than that, Mo Chen couldn't help but be curious.

Cecil raised her long, slender, and meticulously maintained fingers.

"You."

"?"