[Death]'s Approval, Ron's Resolve (5k8)

[Death]'s Approval, Ron's Resolve (5k8)

Why?

Why had he suddenly turned into a Void monster?

Was it because of that "Ability Needle" he had not injected in time?

Ron looked at the gaunt man before him, who had suddenly mutated into a Void monster, and recalled what he had just said.

No wonder. No wonder he had been so panicked, so desperate to leave this place as quickly as possible.

It turned out he had run out of time.

He knew perfectly well that if he did not inject himself with that so-called "Ability Needle" within the prescribed time, he would become like this and die completely. Ron had thought he was hiding some other secret. He had not expected that this was what he had kept buried in his heart, too afraid to reveal.

So, in his eyes, revealing that secret and dying from not injecting the "Ability Needle" led to the same result?

After exposing the secret, would he be disposed of for leaking it?

Ron pondered for a moment, his expression gradually turning cold.

Seeing a living person suddenly transform into a Void monster before his eyes, even an idiot should have understood that he was the same as those high school students who had suddenly turned into Void monsters at that high school before. If the reason they had all become Void monsters was that so-called "Ability Needle," then was it because of the experiment Ark had used to awaken their superpowers?

After completing Ark's Ability Awakening Experiment, did they have to inject the Ability Needles provided by Ark on schedule, or else turn into Void monsters?

Considering that, according to the gaunt man, Ark's Ability Enhancement Plan had become extremely popular in District D...

How many people had now participated in Ark's Ability Awakening Experiment in order to awaken abilities?

If they would all eventually end up like this... what exactly did Ark and Noah Pharmaceuticals want?

Ron furrowed his brow. Usually calm, he found himself overcome by an anger he could not suppress.

This had nothing to do with benefits or hostile factions. It was the pure anger of a human being whose moral bottom line had been gravely violated.

Ron knew very well why something like the Ability Enhancement Plan had become so popular in District D.

After all, in a slum like District D, people unable to awaken superpowers were everywhere.

They lacked the talent to awaken abilities, yet had tragically been born into this world...

The ideals of Ideal City weighed on them until they could barely breathe. As people without abilities, they had to struggle with everything they had just to live ordinary lives.

In Moen Ideal City, the preferential treatment given to Superpowered individuals was enough to drive every powerless person to despair.

It was practically stripping away full civil rights, reserving part of them as so-called "preferential treatment" for Superpowered individuals, and forcing powerless people to live without even possessing complete citizenship rights. So, even the slightest chance to become Superpowered was a beacon of hope to them.

No one would let a chance to awaken abilities slip away before their eyes. Ron himself had once been one of those bottom-tier people unable to awaken abilities. He knew how frenzied they would become upon learning of an opportunity that guaranteed awakening abilities for only 5,000 credits.

But if the Ability Awakening Experiments they received were all like this—experiments that turned people into Void monsters...

Then what had originally been their hope of climbing out of the mud would become inescapable despair, would it not?

Noah Pharmaceuticals and Ark had even found a way to draw away the patrol officers, arranged for two people to steal the corpses, and tried to take the bodies back as experimental materials. They had become so vile that they treated the people they had killed as experimental materials, unwilling to leave even these pitiful people peace after death!

What... did they take human lives for?

Ron took a deep breath, looked at the snarling Void monster lunging toward him, and clenched his fist tightly.

Then he threw a vicious punch.

"Bang!"

["Fantasy Dissolution" is being worn away by a trace amount of "Mysticism Influence".]

[Characteristic Damage: 10%]

"Crack, crack—"

The monster was sent flying by Ron's furious punch. A sound like grinding and shattering bone rang out from its body.

Those illusory, twisted bone spikes instantly snapped and crumbled apart.

Before long, it reverted to its original human form. Its entire body was riddled with torn, bloody holes, while the shattered bone matter turned to ash and drifted down onto the ground.

Ron looked at the monster, which was no different from those high school students after being worn away by Fantasy Dissolution, and clenched his fists tightly.

As expected, their symptoms were identical.

As expected, Noah Pharmaceuticals and Ark were disregarding human life.

As expected... this was not something Ron could simply forget after seeing it.

He cast a cold glance at the two corpses lying together, switched back to Age of Gods Remnant and Potion Sequence, and lit a cluster of dark green Necromantic Fire.

The Necromantic Fire fell upon the corpses, licking at the souls of the dead unwilling to depart.

It spread, burned, and reduced everything to ash...

In the end, the two corpses lay piled on the floor, transformed into snow-white ashes.

Ron should not have done this.

The two corpses should have become the beginning of a case, fresh clues for the previous Void incident. The Patrol Bureau would have issued more case commissions, and patrol squads would have taken the assignment to investigate and arrest the culprits behind it all. But Ron knew that would be meaningless.

He could have pretended not to know anything, reported the matter to the Patrol Bureau, and let the bureau and the other patrol officers thoroughly investigate it.

Then Ark and Noah Pharmaceuticals would surely be distracted dealing with the Patrol Bureau. He could fish in troubled waters, try to infiltrate Ark, and see whether he could obtain the secret that allowed Formula to be used even at Lv.1.

But afterward, would the real culprits truly be punished?

Ron knew there might be many officers in the Patrol Bureau who held ideals in their hearts, people like Xia Zhi who pursued fairness and justice. But the fact that patrol officers could be transferred away and people could infiltrate this place meant there had to be rot within it.

Noah Pharmaceuticals was one of the three major corporations. They would not pay any real price for this.

Perhaps all it would take was a sum of credits to close the matter.

Afterward, the people who had planned this incident and used ordinary people as experimental materials would not receive any punishment.

They might even change their faces and continue their experiments.

Ron could not accept that.

He would peel back the layers and discover exactly what Noah Pharmaceuticals and Ark's experiment was intended to accomplish. Then he would find the mastermind directing it and make them pay the price!

Perhaps this would bring Ron no benefits at all. It might even put him in danger. But he simply could not watch such crimes unfold around him and do absolutely nothing!

Even if he could no longer save those pitiful people who had undergone the experiments and were destined to become Void monsters, he still wanted to destroy the experiment, so that at least they would not be used as experimental materials after death.

At the very least, he wanted them to have peace after death!

The instant that thought arose, Ron suddenly felt his blood stir.

The roar of a surging river sounded in his ears, and in a daze, he could hear faint, cold words within it.

But this time, Ron clearly sensed that the voice carried a distinct phrase with meaning—"Well done."

It spoke in Old Rodlandic.

The next moment, his agitated blood flowed through Ron's entire body. Coldness seeped into his bones, yet it brought him a pure feeling of relaxation and comfort.

The crushing weight that should have been bearing down on him loosened slightly.

He clearly realized something—his Gravekeeper Potion had undergone substantial digestion because of this.

A crisp notification sounded by his ear:

["Setting: Acting Method" is greatly dissolving the magical contamination present in "Profession: Gravekeeper".]

["Setting: Beyonder Loss of Control" is consequently reducing the degree of loss of control—]

[Loss of Control -35%]

The Potion had digested because of that?

And it had even digested so much. Now, Beyonder Loss of Control had fallen below ten percent, no longer capable of preventing Ron from advancing his abilities!

Why? Had something in what he had just done fulfilled the requirements for acting as a Gravekeeper?

Wait, Gravekeeper... guarding the dead?

Ron froze slightly, then finally came to an understanding.

So-called "acting" was not merely superficial imitation.

Only by comprehending the meanings and concepts hidden deep within the Potion's imagery, then making the corresponding choice, could one truly complete an act of "acting."

At least at that moment, Ron had made the most primordial choice represented by Gravekeeper, a principle approved by Death—protecting the tranquility of the dead after death.

That was why the lingering will within the Potion had approved of Ron's choice and dissolved the "contamination" within it.

Ron looked at the pile of white ash on the ground, enough for two people, and finally let out a deep sigh.

Even the so-called gods of the previous era approved of his decision. That showed just how abhorrent Noah Pharmaceuticals and Ark's experiment was.

Someone truly needed to step forward and stop this sinful experiment, which toyed with the pitiful people of District D and used their lives as test subjects.

Still, even so...

Ron had never intended to rush in alone and start some street brawl with Noah Pharmaceuticals and Ark.

Individual strength was insignificant—especially since Ron was not even a Superpowered individual who had reached Lv.3. If he really went to war with a major corporation, the only outcome would be getting beaten to death by its security forces in a rotating assault.

But that did not mean Ron had no chance of stopping the experiment.

He picked up his phone and expertly dialed a number.

After a burst of static, a somewhat authoritative voice came from the other end.

"Ron, this is the second call you've made to me today."

Irina's tone was stern.

"If you still want to continue the topic from early this morning, then I can only tell you once again that Heavenly Hearing Media's business empire does not include the funeral industry."

But as she spoke, her tone shifted and softened.

"However, if you called because you want to quickly enter a new stage of ability enhancement and begin the Ability Enhancement Experiment originally scheduled for next Monday ahead of time, then I have no objection—"

No, better not.

Heavenly Hearing Media's exclusive investment plan for Ron was divided into four stages. Over the two months of summer vacation, there would be one session every two weeks, each lasting a week.

After enduring that week of entering and leaving the laboratory every day, constantly getting on and off the testing table, and being covered in needle marks, Ron only wanted to be a normal person for one week.

Though the various projects Heavenly Hearing Media had arranged for him could indeed elevate him to Lv.3, they also made him feel as though he were gradually becoming some mysterious creation of technology and ruthless experimentation.

Besides, Ron did not currently lack opportunities to become Lv.3, so there was no need to rush into accepting Heavenly Hearing Media's investment.

"Mm... actually, there is something else more important."

Ron spoke seriously.

"Ms. Irina, I discovered that Noah Pharmaceuticals seems to be conducting some illegal experiments in District D recently."

Unlike the Patrol Bureau, Heavenly Hearing Media would not cover for Noah Pharmaceuticals if something went wrong.

Noah Pharmaceuticals and Heavenly Hearing Media were both among Ideal City's three major corporations. They were also both weaker than Moen Commerce, which had already become the government of Moen Ideal City. Their hatred and conflicts ran deep.

If asked whether either major corporation wanted the other to suddenly collapse, the answer would certainly be no. After all, they still had to support Moen Ideal City together. But if it was merely causing the other some trouble, then presumably any corporate executive would agree without hesitation.

With that in mind, Ron carefully explained everything he had discovered, telling Irina the entire story in full detail.

After hearing Ron's discovery, Irina was clearly stunned for a moment, her voice tinged with confusion.

"When did Noah Pharmaceuticals develop this kind of technology?"

Compared to the innocent District D residents who had died, she was clearly more interested in the technology Noah Pharmaceuticals had developed—technology that could guarantee powerless people would awaken abilities, only for them to become Void monsters.

"This matter is strange. Perhaps it is related to their earlier attempt to complete Hera's new Knowledge-Seeking Experiment."

It was actually related to a Knowledge-Seeking Experiment?

Ron could not help but pause. Hera was clearly one of Ideal City's Central Intelligent Brain sectors, but someone had long since taken its administrative Authority and become Lv.5.

Should Hera's Knowledge-Seeking Experiment not have already been completed by that Lv.5?

Could it be that the Central Intelligent Brain did not issue only one Knowledge-Seeking Experiment? Even after someone became the sector administrator, it would still issue new Knowledge-Seeking Experiments for them to complete?

At that moment, Irina, who had been muttering to herself, thought for a moment before quickly speaking in a serious tone.

"What you discovered is indeed important. If possible, I would also like to stop their large-scale experiment."

"However, the three major corporations signed a non-aggression treaty long ago. I cannot provide you with any military assistance."

She could not provide military assistance?

Well, it was related to a Knowledge-Seeking Experiment...

Though Ron was somewhat disappointed, he could understand after thinking it over.

If this were merely an ordinary experiment, there would be no problem with Heavenly Hearing Media intervening. It would just be the usual mutual sabotage and harassment between the three major corporations.

But if it involved a Knowledge-Seeking Experiment, then Heavenly Hearing Media's people stepping in directly would count as outright hostility. After all, if Ron had the chance to complete Prometheus's Knowledge-Seeking Experiment in the future, and Noah Pharmaceuticals sent people to interfere through underhanded means, Ron did not even dare imagine how many people on Heavenly Hearing Media's board would be furious enough to slam the table.

But Irina quickly added:

"However, since we now know about this, we certainly cannot let Noah Pharmaceuticals complete such an unethical large-scale experimental project so easily."

"I will apply to use Heavenly Hearing Media's intelligence system to provide you with every kind of support except military force—"

As she spoke, a hint of amusement entered her voice.

"—and I will submit a request for the relatively idle executives to have more conversations with Noah Pharmaceuticals' old friends recently, arranging some appropriate business visits."

"All executives with administrative Authority over Hera, Aphrodite, and Demeter will probably be too busy over the next half month to make a trip to District D."

Oh?

Ron's earlier disappointment was immediately swept away.

Did Ms. Irina mean that for the next half month, no Superpowered individual at Lv.4 or above who could protect this experiment would be present in Ideal City's District D?

What was more, there was Heavenly Hearing Media's intelligence system. Though it was probably inferior to the Patrol Bureau's Artemis, analyzing Ark and Noah Pharmaceuticals in District D should not be difficult.

Then, as long as Ron reached Lv.3, perhaps he would truly be qualified to charge into Noah Pharmaceuticals' branch alone and completely resolve this experiment...

After all, with sufficient intelligence, Ron did not believe that his Lv.3 self would lose to any ability user below Lv.4!

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Irina, Ron hung up. He considered things briefly and confirmed the current situation.

Now, all that remained was advancing to Lv.3.

As long as he could advance to Lv.3, he would have a sufficient chance to stop this experiment!

Not only for the pitiful people of District D, but also for himself, to seek a way to construct Formula—

It seemed his rest time was over. It was time to return to Potion Era and meet Father Harvey.

Ron fell into thought, but he did not immediately choose to return.

Instead, he first called Xia Zhi. "Sister Xia Zhi, when I woke up, I accidentally crashed into the corridor outside the underground morgue and smashed both the wall and my body camera."

"Ah?"

Having just answered the call and heard that sentence, Xia Zhi could not help but feel flustered. She asked in confusion, "You—you were just guarding a door. How did you manage to cause that kind of problem?"

Ron sighed, sounding utterly helpless.

"You know, Sister Xia Zhi, I still have to use an Ability Limiter to control my powers..."

He finally brought up what he really wanted to ask:

"So, Sister Xia Zhi, can I go to the Logistics Department now to pick up a new law enforcement recorder, along with the other standard-issue equipment I haven't collected yet?"

Xia Zhi was a little puzzled, but she did not think much of it.

"It's not impossible. I was planning to take you there later, but if you want to go now, then go ahead."

"I submitted an Authority request for you through the Patrol Bureau Intelligent Brain's backend. The Logistics Department will issue you standard equipment. Once you get it, don't use it recklessly. A lot of standard equipment is dangerous!"

Dangerous? If it wasn't dangerous, I wouldn't even want it!

What Ron wanted was the Patrol Bureau agents' standard-issue equipment.

Although much of it was not suitable for bringing into the Potion Era—after all, products of technology were far too conspicuous and would easily arouse suspicion. Ron did not want to expose his identity either. However, some items could be disguised as "divine gifts" and would be of great help in combat. He switched back to [Superpowered] and [Vector Manipulation], gathered up all the ashes and packed them away, destroyed the evidence outside the Patrol Bureau, then went to the Logistics Department to collect all his standard equipment before returning home.

After briefly sorting through everything, Ron took several Flashbang Grenades and a bottle of Nanomedical Spray. These things looked simple, but they were incredibly useful. Take the Nanomedical Spray, for example—even for an external injury involving a severed limb, a spray could let nanobots stitch the arm back together.

As long as someone had not died on the spot, this standard equipment issued by the Patrol Bureau could keep them alive.

There was even less need to mention Flashbang Grenades. They could be quite effective even when apprehending Lv.3 Superpowered individuals. Ron did not believe the extraordinary beings of the Potion Era would be immune to them.

Perhaps such unfamiliar devices would prove even more effective against them.

He stuffed everything into his pockets and held them in place with his hands, tucked away his spellbook, and put on the fully charged Ability Amplifier. Ron was brimming with confidence.

And it was not just these things. There was also Idrila, who had already become Sequence Seven, and President Elvis, who claimed he would protect them...

Even if Father Harvey truly became their enemy, he would surely turn into a mass of extraordinary characteristics and become nourishment for Ron's advancement of [Death].

Sequence Seven—nourishment for achieving Lv.3!

He would advance to Lv.3 today!