Decay Rate Algorithm

"This was unavoidable... Maybe I would succeed!"

Connors sat listlessly in his office. Whenever he thought of how the work of most of his life was about to go to waste, a surge of anger rose within him. Those bastards in the mainstream scientific community had mocked him as a mad scientist pursuing research doomed never to yield results. Even Norman Osborn, who had funded him all this time, had abandoned him at his most difficult moment.

The ugly, twisted faces of those who had mocked his disability kept flashing through his mind. His beautiful dreams, once filled with flowers and honors, had been shattered by cruel reality. Without the results of this research, what could he possibly accomplish in the future?

It was as though a voice kept echoing in the depths of his heart, like the devil in Faust, tempting Connors to take a risk and make that bold decision. Perhaps Lady Luck would come to his side. The odds of a successful human trial were admittedly minuscule, but when he thought of a destitute life for the rest of his days, along with the ridicule and doubts of the academic world...

"I won't accept this!"

Connors shouted and swept the documents from his desk with a wave of his hand. Like a gambler who had lost everything, he resolved to turn things around with one final bet.

He looked at his empty sleeve, and some impulse surged through his heart like erupting volcanic lava, completely crushing the last line of defense of his rationality.

Taking a vial of reagent from the laboratory freezer, Connors returned to his office and locked the door. Then he began a human trial. Holding that defective reagent, he understood that such an insufficiently rigorous gamble was practically suicide. But he had no way back. Osborn Industries would soon withdraw its funding and reclaim the laboratory, and then he would have nothing left!

"God bless me!" Connors prayed silently before raising his hand and injecting the reagent.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Dr. Connors, are you in there?" The sudden knocking interrupted Connors's human trial.

The one-armed middle-aged man looked slightly flustered. He recognized the voice as that of Sean, the intern, and wondered what the outstanding young man needed from him.

"I'm doing some research. What is it, Sean?" Connors asked nervously.

"Oh, it's like this. I was just talking with Gwen about Cross-species genetics. She said the laboratory's research progress was stuck on the Decay Rate Algorithm... I've read the books you published and all your papers... Could you let me come in first?"

Standing outside the door, Sean knew that Dr. Connors had spent his entire life researching Cross-species Genetics, attempting to transplant the biological traits of lizards into humans so that people with physical disabilities could be restored to wholeness.

Unfortunately, this research project, which could shock the world if it succeeded, had remained stuck on the Biological Equation. Dr. Connors lacked the Decay Rate Evolution Algorithm, making it difficult for the experiment to progress.

The office door opened, and Connors ushered Sean inside. The young man caught sight of the vial on the desk and was somewhat surprised. It seemed that his blow against Osborn Industries had driven this one-armed doctor into a difficult point in his life, even to the extent of using himself for a human trial.

"Do you have any suggestions for my experiment?"

Connors asked perfunctorily. Although Sean was indeed excellent, he did not think the young man could offer any useful advice.

He had been stuck at this stage his entire life. Even after countless attempts, he had never obtained the correct Decay Rate Evolution Algorithm. Sean was only twenty years old and had been involved with Cross-species Genetics for merely a few months. Connors did not think he could have any extraordinary ideas.

"Dr. Connors, I've read your books and those papers on Cross-species Genetics. It's a great concept. If it can be realized, it will have limitless potential."

Sean's face showed admiration and respect, as though he were full of confidence in Connors's research.

The young man's sincerity moved Connors. He had always lacked recognition. The mainstream academic world considered him a fanciful dreamer. Aside from Norman Osborn, no one had thought highly of this research project, and the president of Osborn Industries had only invested for commercial reasons.

"Thank you, Sean. A lot of people think Cross-species Genetics is a crazy idea." A trace of gratitude appeared in Connors's eyes. No one had ever said such things to him before.

Seeing that he was gradually taking control of the conversation, Sean's lips curved into a faint smile. This one-armed doctor, immersed in academic research all year round, was not skilled at interpersonal relations or communication. Otherwise, he would have seen that Sean's seemingly sincere words were actually nothing more than hollow flattery.

"Doctor, I've read your experimental comparison reports and all that data... This is the Decay Rate Evolution Algorithm I came up with. Could you take a look and see what needs correcting?"

Dr. Connors laughed to himself. He did not believe Sean could solve this problem at all, but seeing the eagerness in his eyes, he did not wish to hurt the young man's enthusiasm and effort toward science.

He took the notebook covered in a string of complex formulas. Just as he was about to reject it, he suddenly found himself speechless, staring at the calm-faced Sean in utter shock.

"You... Incredible! Sean, you're a genius! A genius in the truest sense!" Connors was so excited that he could barely speak coherently. He had never expected the problem that had troubled him for years to be solved so simply.

"Doctor, this formula isn't perfect yet. I hope you can complete it."

Sean revealed a humble smile. He did not want Connors to immediately use this algorithm and, as in the original timeline, turn himself into a lizard-like monster because of the conflicts between biological genes.

"But... all right, Sean. I'll tell you the truth. This laboratory was funded by Osborn Industries, but the company has run into some trouble recently. They want to withdraw their investment and reclaim the laboratory's rights of use—in other words, I don't have much time."

Pain showed on Connors's face. Time was now his greatest enemy. Even though success was within reach, everything still required time.

"Doctor, have you forgotten why you began this research? If Cross-species Genetics can be realized, it can save tens of millions of disabled people, freeing them from physical defects and the strange looks of others. And its prospects go far beyond that. The cross-fusion of human and animal genes would be enough to let us take a huge step forward on the road of evolution!"

Sean spoke passionately, his voice immensely persuasive as he painted a vast blueprint of the future for Dr. Connors.

"This algorithm isn't perfect yet—it was only the product of a sudden flash of inspiration. It needs someone who understands Cross-species Genetics extremely well to refine and complete it. Dr. Connors, we can do better. We just need to be a little more patient."

Like a Wall Street stockbroker, the young man kept guiding him step by step, causing Dr. Connors's resolve to waver.

"Osborn Industries..." Thinking of Norman Osborn, who was prepared to abandon him, Connors fell into conflict once more.

"Research funding won't be a problem. Trust me. Give me two days."

Sean gave his assurance. His young face was serious and resolute, as though it possessed some marvelous power that made people believe him without question.

Through his glasses, Connors looked at the young man who had brought him a miracle. Though doubts remained in his heart, he still chose to trust Sean. Perhaps, deep down, he also hoped to obtain the perfect experimental results Sean had described.

P.S.: Huh, the status changed. Ahem, esteemed readers, won't you celebrate with some recommendations and tips?