Chapter 14: The Next Step

Evan stood over Talon's lifeless body, the weight of his latest victory settling into his mind. The fight had been a test, not just of his abilities but of his adaptability. Talon had been engineered for efficiency, a walking weapon optimized for assassination. And yet, Evan had out-thought him, proving that raw enhancements alone weren't enough to kill him.

But this wasn't over.

He turned his gaze to the security monitors, ensuring there were no external alerts or uninvited observers. He had built Mercer Biotech's security systems from the ground up, embedding layers of redundancies and countermeasures into its digital infrastructure. If ExxCorp was watching, they'd find nothing but an uninterrupted security feed, showing a completely normal night inside the facility.

Now came the real problem—disposing of the evidence.

Talon's corpse was a goldmine of genetic modifications and cybernetic implants, and leaving it behind was out of the question. Evan crouched beside the body, running an internal analysis of what he had learned.

Talon had been fast, faster than Evan had accounted for, which meant ExxCorp had perfected speed-based combat enhancements. He had also been resilient, able to shake off injuries that would incapacitate a normal enhanced human. But ultimately, he still had vulnerabilities—his nervous system, no matter how augmented, still followed the rules of biology.

And that was where Evan had beaten him.

His precise nerve strike had completely shut down Talon's autonomic functions, disrupting his body's ability to regulate itself. It was an exploitable flaw—one Evan would use again if ExxCorp sent more enforcers.

But first, he needed to eliminate any trace of the fight.

He dragged the body toward the facility's biological disposal chamber, a high-tech lab space where failed experiments and contaminated materials were incinerated. The walls were reinforced with heat-resistant alloys, and the temperature control systems could vaporize organic matter down to the molecular level.

As he activated the sequence, he watched Talon's remains dissolve into nothing, leaving no DNA, no cybernetics, no trace of his existence.

It was as if he had never been here.

And that was exactly what Evan wanted.

With the body gone, Evan turned his attention to his next task—covering his tracks digitally.

ExxCorp would notice Talon's disappearance, but they wouldn't immediately link it to Evan. Talon had been sent on a clandestine mission, one that wasn't supposed to exist in any official record.

Evan manipulated ExxCorp's internal databases, injecting false security logs and digital timestamps that suggested Talon had gone rogue, operating outside of his assigned parameters. He planted evidence that suggested Talon had been eliminated by an unknown third party, possibly a rival corporation.

Then, he set up an automated AI subroutine that would slowly leak this fabricated information into classified government channels over the next several days.

The result? ExxCorp would be forced to investigate themselves, while the government would increase scrutiny on their activities.

A perfect diversion.

Evan stepped away from the monitors, feeling a shift in his body.

It was happening again.

His breathing slowed as his nervous system adapted, and an overwhelming sensation of mental clarity and physical awareness filled his senses. He clenched his fist, feeling the subtle increase in reaction time, muscle coordination, and internal energy flow.

Level 4 had been reached.

His mind processed the changes instantly. His cognitive functions had expanded, allowing him to analyze data and predict outcomes with even greater accuracy. His cellular structure had reinforced itself, increasing his stamina and overall efficiency.

But something felt different this time.

As he checked his biometrics, he noticed a concerning pattern—his genes were reaching a saturation point.

This wasn't unexpected. His body was adapting too fast, evolving at a rate beyond normal biological limits. If he kept pushing his enhancements without a proper foundation, he risked genetic instability—an outcome he wouldn't allow.

He needed a long-term solution.

But that would come later.

For now, he focused on another immediate priority—Mercer Biotech's public product launch.

Amelia was already overseeing the preparations. The upcoming launch would introduce Mercer Biotech's first publicly available medical product, a revolutionary serum designed to eliminate nearly 98% of all known human diseases.

Of course, the real serum—the one capable of true biological adaptation—would remain in Evan's hands.

The public version was powerful but controlled. It would serve as the stepping stone, allowing him to establish Mercer Biotech as the world's leading pharmaceutical empire, while keeping the true breakthroughs for himself.

Evan met with Amelia in one of the upper-floor conference rooms, overlooking the city skyline. She was reviewing the final details, speaking with corporate representatives and legal advisors.

When she noticed him enter, she dismissed the others with a wave.

"You've been busy," she said, folding her arms. "I assume Talon is... taken care of?"

Evan nodded. "There's nothing left of him. Not even ExxCorp will find evidence."

She studied him for a moment, as if analyzing his demeanor.

"You don't seem particularly satisfied," she noted.

He exhaled. "Because the fight revealed something. I'm still not where I need to be."

She raised an eyebrow. "You just took out one of ExxCorp's top enforcers. That's more than most people can say."

"But I had to outthink him," Evan said, his voice calm but firm. "If I had fought him on equal ground, I wouldn't have won."

Amelia's expression turned serious. "So what's next?"

Evan glanced at the product launch reports on the table, then back to her.

"I need to evolve further," he said. "And that means I need materials. Research. More than what we have now."

Amelia narrowed her eyes. "You're planning something."

He smirked. "Of course I am."

She sighed. "Let me guess—you won't be at the public launch?"

"No," Evan said simply. "That's your role. I'll be working on something more important."

She studied him for a long moment before shaking her head. "Fine. I'll handle the public face. But be careful, Evan. If ExxCorp sent Talon, they'll send someone else."

"I know," Evan said. "And next time, I'll be ready."

Amelia gave him a final glance before leaving the room.

Evan turned toward the window, watching the city lights stretch into the horizon. He had reached Level 4. His mind and body were stronger than ever, but he was now approaching his biological limits.

He needed a solution—a way to surpass his current state without instability.

And he already had an idea where to start.

This was only the beginning.