Alchemy of mysteries?

## Yerevan, Armenia - Eugene's Private Laboratory, 48 Hours After the Jin-Woo Confrontation

Eugene stood before a wall of crystalline displays, each one showing different aspects of his dimensional power analysis. The stolen specimen had yielded far more data than he had initially anticipated. Mathematical formulas cascaded across holographic screens, revealing the elegant structures underlying various magical frameworks.

**[DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATION: 78% COMPLETE]**

**[MATHEMATICAL FRAMEWORK: SUCCESSFULLY REVERSE-ENGINEERED]**

**[POWER SYNTHESIS: READY FOR IMPLEMENTATION]**

But the recent acquisition was merely one component of something far grander. Eugene's true project—the culmination of years of research and calculation—remained his primary focus. The battle with Jin-Woo had been just a extra data collection phase, nothing more.

He touched one of the displays, watching as dimensional energy patterns merged with mathematical frameworks in ways that defied conventional understanding. The fusion was elegant, precise, and utterly devastating in its potential applications.

"Progress report," he murmured to himself, reviewing the accumulated data from dozens of similar encounters over the past months. Each confrontation had been carefully orchestrated to acquire specific power samples—fire magic from Japanese S-Ranks, ice manipulation from Scandinavian hunters, even traces of necromancy from underground European guilds.

All of it fed into the same ultimate objective.

The laboratory's communication array activated with a soft chime. Eugene's expression shifted slightly—this was one of the scheduled check-ins he had been expecting.

"Eugene," came a voice through the dimensional relay, distorted by the complex encryption protocols that made the transmission untraceable. The speaker's identity was masked, but their authority was unmistakable.

"Status report," Eugene replied, his tone becoming more formal and respectful than usual.

"How is the project progressing?"

Eugene glanced at his main display, where a complex three-dimensional model rotated slowly. The model showed a humanoid figure composed entirely of mathematical equations, with power sources from dozens of different magical systems integrated into its structure.

"Phase Seven is nearing completion," Eugene reported. "The dimensional integration was successful, and I've achieved stable fusion with seventeen distinct power matrices. The mathematical framework is holding under stress testing."

"Timeline?"

"Three months. Perhaps less if I can acquire the remaining components without significant resistance."

A pause. When the voice returned, there was something that might have been satisfaction in its tone. "The Council is pleased with your progress. The other projects are proceeding on schedule as well."

Eugene's eyes narrowed slightly. "Other projects?"

"You didn't think you were working alone, did you? There are twelve active research streams, each focused on different aspects of human evolution. Your mathematical approach is merely one path among many."

This was new information. Eugene filed it away for later analysis, but his expression remained neutral. "I see. Are any of these other projects approaching completion?"

"None as rapidly as yours. Your methodology has proven... uniquely effective."

Eugene allowed himself a small smile. Of course his approach was superior. While others might rely on crude experimentation or emotional manipulation, his mathematical precision eliminated variables and guaranteed results.

"What about resources?" Eugene asked. "I'll need access to at least three more S-Rank power sources for the final integration phase."

"Already arranged. You'll receive coordinates within the week. But Eugene..." The voice carried a warning tone. "Be careful. Your activities are drawing attention from the International Hunter Association. They're beginning to notice the pattern of missing hunters."

"Understood," Eugene replied. "I'll adjust my methodology accordingly."

The transmission ended, leaving Eugene alone with his research once again.

He walked to another section of the laboratory, where Yulshiya sat gracefully reading what appeared to be a book of poetry. She looked up as he approached, her expression immediately brightening with genuine warmth.

"How did your call go?" she asked, closing the book and giving him her complete attention.

"Well enough," Eugene said, settling into a chair beside her. "Though it seems my work is part of a larger initiative that I wasn't fully informed about."

Yulshiya's expression shifted subtly—the change was almost imperceptible, but Eugene caught it. For just a moment, something cold and calculating flickered behind her beautiful eyes.

"Does that concern you?" she asked, her voice maintaining its gentle tone.

"Not particularly. Whether I'm working alone or as part of a group is irrelevant as long as I can complete my research." Eugene paused, studying her face. "Though I suspect you already knew about the other projects."

Yulshiya smiled, and for a moment she looked almost proud of him. "I know many things that I don't share unless you ask the right questions. But yes, I'm aware of the Council's broader objectives."

"And you approve?"

"I approve of anything that helps you achieve your goals," she said simply. "The Council wants to create evolved humans who can survive what's coming. You want to optimize your own capabilities and understanding. Your objectives align, so I support both."

Eugene nodded, accepting this explanation. Yulshiya's loyalty was absolute, but it was also pragmatic. She would support anyone or anything that served his interests, regardless of their other motivations.

"What is coming?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Yulshiya's expression became distant, as if she were looking at something far beyond the present moment. "A convergence. Multiple dimensional barriers are weakening simultaneously. The gates were just the beginning—a testing phase to see how humanity would adapt to magical integration."

She turned back to him, her gaze becoming focused and intense. "What's coming next will make the current gate system look like a children's game. Only those who have transcended normal human limitations will survive."

Eugene absorbed this information, his mind immediately beginning to calculate implications and possibilities. If Yulshiya was correct—and she usually was about these matters—then his research wasn't just academic curiosity. It was preparation for a fundamental shift in the nature of existence itself.

"How long do we have?" he asked.

"Eighteen months. Perhaps two years at the outside."

Eugene stood, walking back to his displays with renewed purpose. Eighteen months to complete a project that would normally take decades. The timeline was aggressive, but not impossible—especially with the resources the Council was providing.

"Then I'll need to accelerate the schedule," he said, beginning to modify his research parameters. "The dimensional integration was successful, but I'll need to move to simultaneous acquisition rather than sequential analysis."

"More dangerous," Yulshiya observed.

"More efficient," Eugene corrected. "And with your assistance, the risk becomes manageable."

Yulshiya's smile was radiant and terrible at the same time. "Of course. I'll help you take whatever you need."

Eugene paused in his calculations, looking at her with something that might have been affection. Yulshiya was perhaps the only being in existence who understood his objectives completely and supported them without reservation or judgment. She was brilliant, powerful, and absolutely devoted to his success.

She was also, he knew, utterly without mercy toward anyone who stood in his way.

"Yulshiya," he said quietly. "When this is all over—when I've achieved optimization and humanity has evolved to survive what's coming—what will you do?"

She considered the question seriously, tilting her head as if listening to something he couldn't hear. "I'll do whatever makes you happiest," she said finally. "If you want to rule the new world, I'll help you rule. If you want to explore new dimensions, I'll explore them with you. If you want to create new forms of life, I'll help you create them."

She paused, her expression becoming almost shy. "I exist to love you and support your ambitions. Everything else is just... details."

Eugene felt something complex stir in his chest—an emotion he rarely experienced and didn't entirely understand. Gratitude, perhaps. Or recognition of how perfectly they complemented each other.

"Then let's finish this," he said, turning back to his work with renewed determination.

**[PROJECT STATUS: ACCELERATED TIMELINE APPROVED]**

**[DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATION: COMPLETE]**

**[NEXT ACQUISITION TARGETS: CALCULATING...]**

**[ESTIMATED COMPLETION: 14 MONTHS]**

**[COALITION SUPPORT: CONFIRMED]**

**[YULSHIYA ASSISTANCE: UNLIMITED]**

Eugene worked through the night, modifying equations and recalculating variables. The stolen dimensional data was already integrating with his existing capabilities, creating new possibilities he hadn't previously considered. With each breakthrough, he moved closer to his ultimate goal—not just personal optimization, but fundamental evolution beyond the limitations of baseline humanity.

The gates had brought magic to Earth. The dimensional breaches had introduced new forms of power. But all of it was just preparation for something larger—a transformation that would determine whether humanity had a future at all.

Eugene intended to ensure not only that humanity survived, but that it evolved into something worthy of survival. And with Yulshiya at his side and the Council's resources backing his research, nothing would stop him from achieving that optimization.

The architect of evolution continued his work, building toward a future where mathematics and magic would reshape the very nature of existence itself.

In eighteen months, the world would change forever.

Eugene would be ready.