Desire

Planes continuously landed and took off in Anchorage as elite Pan Pacific United Nations forces arrived batch after batch, sealing Anchorage Base so tightly that not even a drop could get through. The base was on high alert, steeped in a heavy atmosphere.

Batch after batch of cutting-edge medical equipment was transported in and swiftly put to use.

By the time night fell, the countless biomedical researchers seemed as though they had been pumped full of stimulants. They did not even have time to eat, unwilling to step away for a moment. They muttered like possessed men, their flushed faces growing even redder with excitement as they conducted their experiments.

"The lab mouse's strength has surged! It broke the nutrient tank—catch it!"

"The test rabbit's eyes have mutated. It's displaying a laser response."

"Where did the lab mouse go? Damn it, it can teleport! They all have superpowers! Check the surveillance footage and catch it!"

"Professor Tongus, it is time for the report." A researcher at his side reminded him.

Tongus came back to his senses. Slightly dazed from anemia, he looked up as though a lifetime had passed and saw the vast laboratory: some were panicking amid sudden accidents, some researchers had bloodshot eyes like possessed madmen and wore sinister grins like evil scientists from a villain's lair, while others looked as though their worldview had collapsed, staring wide-eyed and muttering in disbelief. Finally, his gaze settled on the imperious Ciri.

Tongus was somewhat afraid of the blazing Ciri, not only because of what she had done to him and his son, but also because in just over a dozen hours, the biomedical team under his leadership had become her assistants. The results they had produced were enough to sweep more than a century's worth of Nobel Prizes.

Her talent truly surpassed that of every biomedical researcher by a hundredfold.

Tongus gave Ciri a deep look, then walked out of the laboratory. He rubbed his tired face, exhausted after the excitement, and instructed the assistant beside him, "Prepare a preliminary summary of the experimental data and convene a joint meeting."

But I had never been a researcher who focused solely on experiments. Within the vast social system, dealings between people were more likely to yield results.

Once the experimental materials were prepared, Tongus brought his assistant along with Augustine and Stacker to the conference room, where they initiated the joint meeting.

The conference room was brightly lit by fluorescent lights. Within five minutes, all twenty-one screens lit up. Many of the figures on screen were national leaders, dragged out of deep sleep to attend a meeting that would determine the alien's survival and Earth's response to extraterrestrial threats.

"Director Tongus, your preliminary experimental report is three hours and forty-two minutes late. Please deliver it immediately." A president questioned him displeasedly.

"I believe the preliminary experimental results will satisfy the leaders of every nation."

Tongus smiled with composed confidence and impeccable gentlemanly poise. Taking the documents from his assistant, he opened them and began reporting the necessary detailed figures, presenting them in a simplified form.

"The previously measured baseline strength of 8,000 tons was slightly inaccurate due to equipment issues. According to the latest precise measurements from our medical instruments, he now possesses at least 30,000 tons of strength." Tongus selected the alien body data they were most concerned about to explain.

"We have reason to believe that in merely a dozen or so hours, he has grown into a monster with a baseline strength of 30,000 tons," Tongus reported.

The representatives on all twenty-one screens fell silent.

What did it mean for a human-sized body, less than two meters tall, to contain thirty thousand tons of raw strength?

The representatives from every nation understood very well. But the ones who understood the true terror it represented even more clearly were General Augustine and Stacker. The two instinctively exchanged glances, and both saw horror in the other's eyes.

Just how powerful was this body, which had concentrated thirty thousand tons of strength within itself?

"In terms of its dense molecular structure, his body is already harder than ordinary alloys. Many extreme forms of energy are beginning to lose their effect on him. In addition, he has developed evolutionary resistance against various toxins and diseases, along with tremendous growth potential. This is by no means his limit." Tongus dropped another bombshell, causing every representative's pupils to constrict.

"Earth cannot tolerate his existence, everyone."

"His existence is already a threat to Earth."

"In just over a dozen hours, he has reached thirty thousand tons of strength. Even if we can communicate with him, how could we restrain him?"

"I cannot imagine what level his strength will reach in another month."

"My country supports executing him."

"Agreed."

"We must consider Earth's safety."

"Earth cannot bear the existence of such an alien."

"Then execute him."

At this moment, even the peaceful faction that had supported communication no longer dared suggest waiting until that body woke up before negotiating.

His potential for growth was simply too great.

If they waited for him to awaken in a week or a month, Earth would already become his private backyard. What would there be left to negotiate?

An uncontrollable monster could only be killed now.

"I understand." Tongus nodded. Unlike an ordinary researcher, he felt no regret over killing that body, and he proceeded to say something that shocked the representatives of every nation even more.

"Based on our preliminary examination of the blood cell samples that fell from his body, and the tested state of cellular division, we can almost conclude that this life-form possesses an exceptionally long lifespan."

Tongus paused. No matter how long that life might be, dying at this moment would render it meaningless.

"Furthermore, by observing the cellular division samples and extracting telomeres, we have developed a Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution that increases cellular division. Experiments on lab mice have shown excellent results thus far. Their cell division rate increased, their telomeres lengthened, and their lifespan increased tenfold compared to untested mice."

After saying that, Tongus stood there calmly. He believed every nation understood what this meant, and he also understood that his own power was about to reach its peak.

This was not actually an accident. Before they arrived, Ciri had synthesized the Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution in just two short hours using the blood collected from the crater—a result they might have failed to achieve in their entire lifetimes.

After arriving, they had merely noticed the result at once and injected it into lab mice for observation.

Ciri had not been lying when she said her talent was a hundred times greater than that of all of them.

But it did not matter. Everything belonged to me. It was an achievement under my... leadership.

Just as expected, upon hearing Tongus's words, some screens began changing participants. They were directly replaced by the individuals holding the highest power in their nations, though such people were also far older.

Those who reached the pinnacle of power in a country were never under forty-five. Even those around fifty were rare.

The greedy faces most coveted by human emperors instantly appeared across the twenty-one screens.

"Director Tongus, you mean...?"

"Yes. According to our calculations, an average of fifty grams of blood cells can yield one gram of Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution. We have not yet tested the other cells, but we can determine that they will yield even more than blood cells. An adult needs approximately ten grams of Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution to initiate a new cycle of cell division and extend telomere length."

"In other words, ten grams of Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution can increase a human lifespan tenfold."

As Tongus spoke, even his own chest surged with excitement.

How many ordinary people could resist the temptation of immortality?

Only those with unwavering faith, or hot-blooded youths who knew nothing of life, aging, illness, and death, and carried dreamy fantasies in their hearts, would scorn a group of withered old men.

But when they themselves became withered, they might kneel weeping and beg for immortality even more desperately. This was something no human could avoid.

And if those withering old men held immense power in their hands, they would be even more unwilling to die, even more attached to eternal life.

Augustine and Stacker's expressions changed at once. On the screens, every powerful figure seemed stunned senseless by this terrifyingly wonderful surprise.

Those who recovered first could not hide the twitching delight on their faces. Ecstasy filled their eyes, their blood circulated faster, adrenaline surged, and it seemed as though infinite strength born of Desire was bursting from the depths of their aged bodies.

"He cannot die."

Those in power understood. As long as they kept that body barely alive and drew its blood over a long period, they, the people standing at the peak of humanity, could gain lifespans extending for centuries or even millennia.

The ruler who had shouted first noticed his loss of composure. After coughing lightly twice, he returned to normal.

"For thousands of years, ever since humanity acquired the spark of civilization, we have battled beasts, conquered the land, opened the seas, soared through the skies. In the face of an extraterrestrial invasion, what we should do is not kill this alien and hope to avoid this calamity. We should confront it proactively, prepare for war with all our strength, and get ready to step into space."

"Yes, exactly. No matter the circumstances, we should not execute this alien so easily."

"Have faith in humanity."

"Humanity has never feared war, not even war in space."

"Cancel the alien's execution. Keep him under observation."

"Agreed."

"Everyone, we are dealing with an alien. Please be cautious."

"We should not decide to go to war so lightly."

"The alien has already arrived. It is no longer up to us to decide."

"Agreed."

"Imprison him, then make further plans."

"In that case, such overwhelming power must have its movements restricted."

"My country will provide a nuclear weapons base in Nevada, seven hundred meters underground. It is equipped with comprehensive containment and protective systems, sufficient to control the alien. We will permit every country to send representatives to supervise it jointly. Remember, everyone, we are one."

"No objections."

"Agreed."

"As for the Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution, we will discuss that later."

"Accepted."

The people on screen looked spirited and energized, having decided to keep the alien and actively confront the invasion from space.

They believed that even if aliens invaded, their countless soldiers and citizens would fight with everything they had to protect their homes and defend Earth.

By then, with hundreds or even thousands of years to live, they would decide based on the situation whether to "fight" the aliens.

Stacker found it utterly absurd. A moment ago, they had been discussing their policy toward the alien for Earth's sake and had concluded that he should be executed. The next moment, after learning that the alien's cells could produce a Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution that extended life, they turned around and enthusiastically declared war on the aliens, preparing for war and vowing to fight no matter what.

As though it would not be them going to the battlefield.

And as though it would not be them using the Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution.

"Are you people serious? You are placing Earth directly in the aliens' sights under such grandiose pretenses?" Stacker's anger rose, and he questioned them outright.

The earlier options of communication and execution could both be considered decisions made by nations for Earth and its countless people in the face of aliens. Right or wrong, Stacker was willing to accept his share of responsibility because that might have been the best option.

But now, they wanted to keep the alien alive and imprison him in a nuclear base seven hundred meters underground solely to extract blood and produce Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution. The naked ugliness beneath the nations' grandiose rhetoric was fully exposed. They were willing to advocate war with aliens, even support war, just to imprison him.

Were they serious?

Did their greedy faces not consider the consequences?

The truth was that true autocrats were already in their seventies and eighties. Many were capitalists from great families, and they might not even live long enough to see an alien invasion. There might be no future for them otherwise.

Stacker's furious rebuke slightly dampened the excited expressions on the screens.

"Stacker, the nations will discuss every aspect thoroughly. General Augustine, Stacker cannot remain calm and is not suited for this meeting. Let him rest first."

Someone on screen gave the order displeasedly.

General Augustine remained expressionless. With only a gesture, he ordered soldiers to escort the bewildered and enraged Stacker out.

"Director Tongus, you have done very well. You will be responsible for this matter. We will not forget your contributions." The autocrats on screen were highly satisfied.

Tongus was even more satisfied, practically beaming. With perfect etiquette, he placed his right hand near his abdomen and gave a slight bow.

He did not look like a biomedical researcher at all.

The figures on the screens nodded, satisfied that he was not merely a pure biomedical worker.

"Everyone, there is something even more surprising for you." At this moment, Tongus was like a magician, drawing the attention of everyone before the screens.

"Director Tongus, please proceed with your performance." Rarely, someone on screen made a joke. The wrinkles on the others' faces folded together as they smiled knowingly.

They were truly in excellent moods.

The alien's 1,700-kilogram body could only produce more and more Cell Enhancement Nutrient Solution. There was no need to tear off all pretense and fight over it like Man-Wolfs, so they maintained excellent decorum.

Tongus smiled and made a gesture, ordering his assistant to play the recorded experimental footage.

One lab mouse spat freezing breath under surveillance, then froze itself into an ice block. After the staff thawed it out, they discovered that it was still alive, healthy, and hopping about energetically.

A test rabbit began firing lasers wildly from its eyes. The high temperature melted its containment box, and it escaped, firing indiscriminately and injuring staff before being shot dead.

One experimental mouse gradually became bulkier, its strength increasing dozens of times over. It was exceptionally vicious.

One experimental mouse's body became steel-like, impervious to blades and bullets.

One experimental mouse vanished from the surveillance footage, then reappeared on the ground. It could use Instant Transmission and ran away, never to be caught again.

Some mice suddenly developed advanced brains. Their eyes became lively yet composed, and they began sitting and thinking. According to the researchers' studies, these mice possessed IQs higher than the average human.

There were even mice that seemed able to control invisible air. According to the researchers, they possessed an ability named Telekinesis.

The autocrats on every screen looked shocked.

They had thought increased lifespan was already a second life granted by God, yet they had never expected so many different kinds of superpowers to appear before them, waiting for them to claim.

But after their initial shock, the eyes of most autocrats on screen turned wary as they began thinking deeply.

Tongus did not notice. He continued his performance with pride.

"Freezing, lasers, immense strength, steel bodies, Instant Transmission, intelligence, Telekinesis, and more than a dozen other superpowers! Everyone, we are about to usher in a brand-new era. Longevity is merely a side effect of becoming an ability user."

Tongus could practically imagine himself being remembered throughout history, with everyone who mentioned him saying in worshipful admiration, "The founder of the age of abilities, humanity's beacon of hope, the greatest man."

Yet he had not expected every screen to remain silent, deeply silent. There was none of the excitement he had imagined.

The skin on his lifted face stiffened. His gaze swept over the screens, and his raised hand slowly dropped of its own accord.

What was going on?

Their reaction was completely different from when they learned of extended lifespans. Tongus even saw profound wariness in some people's eyes.

Was having superpowers not a good thing?

Tongus's heart skipped a beat. He felt there were things he had failed to consider.

The atmosphere seemed to sink into a swamp.

After a long while, the Russian representative slowly made a proposal.

"The missile silo base in Siberia is nine hundred meters deep, enough to imprison any alien."

"Nevada has one a thousand meters underground. Certain countries can rest assured."

"No, that will not do! We can provide one thirteen hundred meters underground. Listen, our country absolutely will not allow the alien to be kept in Nevada."

"Russian bear, this is a decision being discussed by all nations here. How dare you reject it?"

"I would like to see which country dares decide to keep it in Nevada!"

"Keeping it in Nevada is indeed inappropriate. It requires more careful consideration."

"Discuss it more. Keep discussing."

"Actually, keeping it in our country would be the safest option."

"Our country can do it too."

"I propose our country."

"One country's credibility cannot be trusted."

"It truly cannot be placed in Nevada. I suggest our concealed undersea base."

"You want it in your country? What are you planning?"

"Nothing. Safety!"

"Anywhere would be safer than your drafty country!"

"What did you say? Say that again if you dare."

"What are you arguing for? Everyone knows what this is about. Just dismember the alien and divide him equally! Each country can take a portion back to conduct its own research!"

"..."

"..."

"Agreed!"

"As long as it cannot be kept in Nevada, agreed!"

"Divide him up. Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Shouldn't we be considering the alien threat instead? Why argue over this?"

"Since you are so noble, then don't take any of the alien's corpse!"

"..."

"It's decided! The majority has voted to execute it by dismemberment. The minority must obey the majority. The United States' objection is invalid. President Tongus, present a plan immediately. The alien must be dismembered within three hours."

"How dare you!!!"

"I dare!! If it hasn't begun in three hours, we'll dismember it directly. The Sarmat SS-X-30 Satan 2 intercontinental missile will fire at once and destroy Mark Ritchie. No room for negotiation."

"..."

"Agreed. Our country will begin deploying Nuclear Weapons."

"Agreed."

"Seconded."

"Please comply with the Pan Pacific United Nations resolution, United States."

"From this moment onward, every surveillance feed must be transparent to all Pacific Rim nations!"

In an instant, the screen erupted like a bustling marketplace. Everyone clamored over the alien, unwilling to leave it in Nevada no matter what.

If it had merely extended lifespans, everyone present would have gladly cooperated. But now that unimaginable superpowers had appeared, it absolutely could not be kept in Nevada.

If it were only about extending lifespans, the nations could still accept it peacefully. But these superpowers had appeared so easily in barely a dozen hours. It was impossible to imagine how simple it would be to form a force capable of striking straight at the heart within a month.

Most importantly, everyone was worried that Nevada was not their territory. If the United States tampered with things even slightly, every other nation's plans would vanish into thin air.

For example, they could pretend to be terrorists and claim that the alien had been stolen, making it disappear before their eyes for a day or two. What could the other countries do then?

Issue strong condemnation?

What use would that be?

They would not dare launch a nuclear strike first. The moment they did, the United States would have a reason to destroy them.

Even starting the Third World War would not necessarily allow them to reclaim the alien corpse.

And if they did not strike, then after the United States spent enough time building an army of superpowered soldiers—or produced an Ability user who surpassed nuclear bombs and rendered them useless—the United States could simply steamroll everyone.

The United States was already the strongest nation. The other countries, especially those that had fought the Cold War against it, could not tolerate the possibility of the United States producing invincible individual Ability users.

There were simply too many unknowns.

Back then, everyone had Nuclear Weapons, and everyone was ordinary. People died easily, so there was peace.

But now, if you gained superpowers first, no one knew whether Nuclear Weapons would still be useful. Yet gaining superpowers first was terrifying enough.

What was more, even if the alien were dismembered, the cells they received would be enough for the highest authorities of all twenty-one countries to use and study.

At 1,700 kilograms, divided into twenty-one portions, each share would still be at least around 80.95 kilograms.

As for how they used it, that was each nation's own business.

Only then would it be fair to judge the countries by their biomedical standards.

One option was to leave the alien in Nevada and let the United States have the first taste. It was even possible that, after enjoying that first taste and discovering how formidable its superpowers were, the United States would decide it had no need to share with these ants. It could simply refuse to give anything to the other nations, and that would mean the Third World War.

What benefit would that bring the other countries?

But if they dismembered the alien now, every nation's highest authorities could live hundreds of years longer and gain superpowers.

Then, there could still be peace in an age of superpowers.

What they obtained now would truly belong to them. As for the United States talking about the long term, it was nothing more than boiling frogs in warm water. No country believed it.

Only by dismembering the alien and letting everyone take a share could things be fairest and most peaceful.

If the alien were left in the United States, a superpowered imperial hegemon could very well be born.

They could not let the United States grow stronger first. It could not be given even the slightest chance.

Thus, everyone on the screen descended into chaotic argument. In the end, someone proposed a decision that everyone found ideal and acceptable, but which left the United States deeply uncomfortable.

Dismember it!