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63: The Fine Line Between Genius and Madness

“I don’t know the exact research details; only Professor Wang, Professor Zhou, and Dr. Lin, who is in charge of the project, are aware of them.”

“But I’m certain Dr. Lin’s work can alter some human genes, granting us strength, speed, and vitality that rival those of mutant animals.”

The male researcher spoke while shifting his gaze to Lin Zhiwei, who was jotting down data, his eyes filled with reverence and admiration as though he were looking at a deity.

If Dr. Lin truly succeeded, she would undoubtedly become the god who changes humanity’s fate.

Captain Zhao and the surrounding soldiers were completely baffled.

Modify human genes?

How could an experiment on a mutant dog lead to such a conclusion?

Could canine and human genes really be the same?

Still, they at least understood the literal meaning… if the study worked, ordinary people could gain power comparable to mutant beasts.

If that was true, it would indeed usher the entire human race into a brand-new era.

At once, every soldier’s eyes toward Lin Zhiwei changed.

This doctor was practically a monster in her own right.

Just imagine if they, too, possessed mutant speed and strength, combined with modern firearms… mutant flora and fauna would pose no threat at all.

Moreover, if they gained the monstrous vitality of that lab creature downstairs, able to shrug off SMG and rifle rounds, they would be virtually invincible.

Even Superman was nothing special in comparison.

“Bang bang!!!”

Suddenly, violent pounding echoed from belowground.

It sounded as if something was trying to come up from the basement.

The soldiers froze and instinctively looked toward the elevator.

What was going on!?

“It really is still alive! 001’s mutant genes truly fused with a living host!” Lin Zhiwei shot to her feet, staring at the elevator in excitement.

Captain Zhao blinked, then suddenly reacted. “Dr. Lin, are you saying the noise is coming from that mutant dog in the basement?!”

His tone brimmed with disbelief.

After that kind of explosion, how could it possibly still be alive?

Even if it survived, how could it still possess such terrifying strength?

Lin Zhiwei closed her eyes, sensed for a moment, and then said slowly, “Yes, it’s the dog.”

“Most of its injuries have already healed.”

“What astonishing vitality…”

There was no fear on Lin Zhiwei’s face, only exhilaration.

The other soldiers, however, looked grim.

Not only was the monster alive, it was recovering?

Did that mean they had to start the whole fight over again?

Facing such a creature, it was impossible not to feel afraid.

Yet despite the fear, none of the soldiers retreated.

“Dr. Lin, what should we do now?”

Captain Zhao hurriedly sought Lin Zhiwei’s opinion.

In the past, he trusted only the weapon in his hands.

But after the earlier basement battle, where his mis-command cost four soldiers their lives, he realized his error.

Professional matters needed professionals.

“Leave the research facility; I’ll tame it alone.” Lin Zhiwei offered no further explanation.

Or rather, she couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Just as in the basement earlier, she had advised them to lower their guns, but only twice, and if they ignored her… then death would claim them.“Dr. Lin, h-how are you going to tame that monster?”

Captain Zhao could hardly believe it.

Lin Zhiwei adjusted her glasses and said calmly, “It’s my pet.”

“But it has mutated; what if it doesn’t recognize you?”

“Then it will slap me to death like anyone else.”

Lin Zhiwei answered blandly.

She showed no fear of death; only an almost manic longing burned in her eyes.

“This…”

Captain Zhao hesitated.

Even Dr. Lin herself wasn’t entirely certain.

The risk was enormous.

If Dr. Lin died, their entire mission would be a total loss…

“Bang!!!”

Suddenly, another thunderous impact came from below; the mutant dog seemed to have reached the bottom of the shaft.

Lin Zhiwei glanced back at everyone. “Leave quickly; you can’t help me here, and your presence will only drive it into a frenzy.”

“……”

Captain Zhao fell silent, then clenched his teeth and nodded. “Dr. Lin, we’ll wait outside the research facility; if anything happens, call us immediately!”

“……”

Lin Zhiwei gave no reply and walked toward the elevator.

Captain Zhao took a long look at her back, then turned and ordered, “Retreat! Take them with us!”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers obeyed and forcibly dragged away the two male researchers who refused to leave.

At that moment, a deafening crash resounded.

The giant green mutant dog tore a passage through the shaft by brute force.

The entire elevator was destroyed, debris scattered everywhere.

Just outside the research facility, everyone heard the tremendous noise and their faces filled with worry.

“Huff, huff!!”

The mutant dog panted heavily, its body covered in wounds large and small, yet those injuries were visibly closing.

Its eyes glowed crimson with murderous light, and though it limped, it still advanced toward Lin Zhiwei.

One of its forelegs had been blown off, a bloody mess, but new tissue was slowly sprouting.

The mutant dog breathed raggedly and finally stopped before Lin Zhiwei, lowered its head, and stared at her.

“Little Ha.”

Lin Zhiwei stood her ground, showing neither fear nor retreat, simply meeting the beast’s gaze.

After a few seconds, the dog slowly raised a paw and pressed it down toward her.

“Still no good, huh…”

Lin Zhiwei let out a soft sigh.

In the next instant, the massive paw halted in midair, suspended above her head as though an invisible force had locked it in place.

“Is this… a superpower?”

Watching through Telepathy, Shen Yi mulled it over.

So this woman was hiding quite a secret.

If she dared face the mutant dog alone, she must have some confidence.

Yet, the very next second after Shen Yi’s thought, the beast seemed enraged, opened its jaws wide, and lunged to bite Lin Zhiwei.

Lin Zhiwei’s expression changed.

She realized the husky remained in a berserk state.

“Must I detonate the explosives and kill it?”

“No, I can’t!”

“This is the only successful test subject; it must not die!”

In a split second, Lin Zhiwei made her choice.

She would rather die herself than let her specimen perish.

For she saw a certain possibility in this creature.

To put it bluntly, not for country, not for humanity, not for any lofty ideal… Lin Zhiwei simply refused to let her research vanish.

There is but a fine line between genius and lunatic.

Right now, Lin Zhiwei obviously crossed into madness.

She abandoned the idea of detonating the lab explosives and destroying the monster she had created.

She shut her eyes and quietly awaited death.

She believed her research direction was correct; even if the creature lacked stable cognition, she felt she had done nothing wrong.

Even if she could start over, she would do the same again.

Moreover, she would splice even more genes into the mutant dog to let it evolve further.

Lin Zhiwei waited several seconds, then realized she was still alive and opened her eyes.

There, a gigantic canine head hovered above her.

Its maw was agape as if to devour her, yet it was frozen in midair, perfectly still.

Lin Zhiwei was stunned, then looked about ten meters away at a figure that had appeared unnoticed.

A man.

Was this his doing?

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