Yang Dian and Nid were dejected. The exploration team they had gone to rescue was from the Louis Research Institute, which had also commissioned Louis Research Institute. After Han Xiao left, the two rested for a while and cautiously searched the area. Finally, they found their target in the valley where the exploration team had disappeared.
However, the entire exploration team was infected with the Death Virus, mutated, and developed bony spurs all over their bodies, turning them into rabid beasts. There was no hope for them.
The exploration team leader, barely retaining a sliver of his sanity, handed a metal box to the two, saying it contained important materials that could be used to develop an antidote for the Death Virus, and instructed them to take it back to the research institute.
The two had no choice but to abandon the hopeless exploration team and leave the restricted area with the box. On the way, they encountered an accident and were attacked by a pack of beasts. In order to protect the metal box, they risked their lives to shield it and managed to escape. They were covered in wounds, but fortunately, the box was intact.
Exhausted, Yang Dian and Nid finally returned to Canros by plane. Filled with remorse, they went to the research institute. They were still upset about failing to save the exploration team and were prepared for the institute's wrath, feeling they had let down the client's trust.
A bespectacled man, dressed as if he were a high-ranking official, stepped out of the elevator and hurried towards Yang Dian and his companion, his face filled with hope.
"Two heroes, you're back." He said warmly.
"Mr. Locket, I'm sorry, we failed the mission." Nid said apologetically.
The bespectacled man, Locket, paled. "Have they all been murdered?"
"I'm sorry, they're infected with the virus, there's nothing we can do." Yang Dian couldn't bear to look at Locket's grief-stricken face.
"It's not your fault..." Locket took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. This gesture made Yang Dian and Nid uncomfortable. Nid took out a metal box and said, "This is a relic that the exploration team asked us to deliver to you. It contains important materials that can solve the problem of the source of the Death Virus!"
Locket took the metal box, stroked it, and said sadly, "Ah, if only they could come back. This is all thanks to them, and we will never forget it. If we make a finished product, we must name it after them."
The two men deeply agreed, their eyes welling up with tears. Yang Dian sighed, "They are heroes. Not being able to save them will be the regret of my life."
"You flatter me. Without you, their hard work wouldn't have been able to be passed on. You've done your best, so don't blame yourselves. If you don't mind, we can treat you for free," Locket said gratefully.
"No need, we can't trouble you any further." The more grateful Locket showed, the more embarrassed Yang Dian and Nid felt. They hurriedly waved their hands, declined the invitation, and helped each other away, their backs straight and full of pride.
Locket adjusted his glasses, watched the two leave, then walked up to Han Xiao with a smile, "Hello, do you have any business you'd like to entrust to our research institute?"
Han Xiao smiled, opened the metal box, and showed the Mutated Heart to Locket.
"This is the heart infected by the Death Virus; the source material is a very powerful individual."
Locket's eyes lit up, and he put on a smile. "Please come with me."
Locket led the way, and Han Xiao followed him into the elevator. They arrived at the thirteenth floor, and after the doors opened, they saw a long white corridor with laboratories on both sides. The windows were on both sides, allowing people to see inside from the outside. Some laboratories had people conducting experiments, while others stored experimental equipment and materials. There were also groups of researchers chatting in the corridor.
The thirteenth floor is one of the experimental floors of the Louis Research Institute. As Locket led the way, he said, "The Death Virus has always been an important project for our research, but we've been stuck at a bottleneck due to a lack of active materials. This heart is very important to us; perhaps we can make a drug in one go. As usual, you can receive a finished product after completing the drug. Of course, if you want other rewards, that's fine too."
"No need, I need the potion." Han Xiao said calmly, pointing to the metal box in Locket's hand—the one Yang Dian and Nid had handed over—"I thought you already had the materials."
"This? Hehe, it's quite important too." Locket smiled, without elaborating.
Upon arriving at a large biological laboratory, Locket stopped and said, "Please wait outside. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter the laboratory."
Han Xiao gave the boxes to Locket, Locket took the two boxes into the laboratory and began talking to a high-ranking official who appeared to be the laboratory director. The two boxes were opened on the table, and Han Xiao could see from afar that the other box contained a snow-white egg, the nature of which was unknown.
Locket and the lab supervisor were talking in hushed tones. Han Xiao's ears twitched; his level 55 senses picked up the conversation between the two in the distance.
Experiment Supervisor: "Where are the exploration team members? Are they all dead?"
Locket: "Yeah, those two heroes didn't manage to rescue anyone."
"Fortunately, the supplies were delivered. It doesn't matter if the person died. With this heart, we can make the medicine soon. What did those two 'heroes' say?"
"I feel guilty for betraying our trust. Haha, hiring these superheroes is much more cost-effective than mercenaries. As long as we give them a good reason, they'll even work for us for free, saving me a lot of money."
You didn't give yourself away, did you?
"Of course not. They're so stupid and naive. A few sweet words and they're almost moved to tears. These so-called heroes are the easiest to fool. Praise and gratitude are all it takes to make them dizzy with joy. When they left, they thought they had done something great. I almost couldn't help but laugh out loud."
"Don't offend superheroes, try to befriend them."
"Don't worry, I made a very good impression on them. Next time there's something I need them to do, I can ask them again. As long as I come up with a good reason, they definitely won't refuse."
Han Xiao's eyes flashed, but his expression remained unchanged as he waited quietly.
Not long after, Locket finished his conversation and returned outside, saying with a polite smile, "Making the potion will take a day. If you don't mind, we can provide a room for you to rest. The potion will be delivered to you as soon as it's finished."
"Okay." Han Xiao had no objection.
The two took the elevator to the living area floor. Han Xiao was assigned to a guest suite. After giving instructions on not wandering around the area, Locket made an excuse to leave.
Han Xiao checked the room for cameras and found two. He then took out his computer, hacked into the network, and controlled the cameras in the room, playing them in a loop.
Then, without any hesitation, he hacked into the research institute's database and browsed through various research projects.
His [Basic Programming] skill is already maxed out. His hacking skills are enough to breach most of the network firewalls on Planet Aquamarine. Except for the Six Nations' Secrets, the Germinal Headquarters, the Dark Net Core, and the critical networks of some other major powers, he cannot be hacked. A small research institute is no match for him. He enters as if it were his own territory without triggering any network alarms at the institute. After he finishes watching, he will clear all traces, and no one will know that he has ever hacked into the network.
Opening the institute's project archives, projects flashed across the screen.
"Green Lizard Potion, Wild Bull Hormone, Thunderclaw Beast Extract, Stone Spot Plague Pathogen..."
Many of the names were potions that players had obtained in their previous lives. After looking for a while, he finally saw the Death Virus Project, whose full name was [Death Virus Enhancer]. The project's detailed records showed funding from various conglomerates, indicating that it was an experiment to enhance physical abilities. As for the Death Virus antidote that Lukai'te mentioned to Yang Dian and Nid, the research institute had not conducted any research in that area.
Han Xiao's eyes flickered as he rapidly typed on the keyboard, implanting the program.