After a night's rest, Locket arrived the next day carrying a metal box. He placed the box on the coffee table, patted it gently, and said with a smile, "The potion has been made."
Han Xiao opened the box, and a hazy white aura emanated from it. Inside was a vial of thick, dark red medicine. He touched it, and information appeared on the panel.
[Death Virus Enhancer (Low Concentration 3.5%): A drug cultivated from a certain genetically mutated virus, extracted for human use, with high stability. Effects: Strength +1, Agility +1, a certain chance to awaken [Extraordinary Physique]]
[Note: Don't be fooled by its color resembling menstrual blood; it also smells...]
"It's just a low concentration; they gave me the lowest quality, substandard product." A thought flashed through Han Xiao's mind as he closed the box and smiled, "I'm very satisfied."
Locket politely replied, "I look forward to working with you again."
"Don't expect anything. I want to buy more potions. Do you have any left in stock?"
"Louis only supplies products to large, capable clients on a long-term, bulk basis. For individual clients... especially those with unclear backgrounds, we face difficulties. We hope you understand. Only if you can prove your ability to make long-term payments will we sell you the medicine in bulk."
Locket's face showed just the right amount of difficulty, as if he really wanted to agree but had to refuse due to the rules and regulations. However, in the eyes of Han Xiao, an old hand, it seemed very deliberate, and he was probably trying to raise the price.
Han Xiao smiled mysteriously, straightened his collar, and said calmly, "Let me formally introduce myself. I am Heisenberg, the executive officer of the Germinal Organization."
Locket ate a pound.
The Germinal Organization? Didn't they withdraw from the Western Continent? Is this Heisenberg a covertly active executive, or just a conman?
"Excuse my bluntness, but your identity is highly suspicious." Locket took two steps back, reaching into his pocket with his right hand to grab the alarm. He would trigger it if Han Xiao made any unusual movement.
"Don't be nervous, wait a moment." Han Xiao carried his backpack into the restroom.
Why was this guy going to the toilet? Locket was completely confused. Just as he was wondering, Han Xiao, dressed in Viper Mod, came out. His high-tech mecha suit immediately stunned Locket.
"You, what are you doing...?"
Han Xiao swung his arm and spoke through his helmet in a synthesized voice, "This is the latest single-soldier mech developed by Germinal. If your eyesight is good, you should be able to see that the technology it contains is extremely advanced. Even the official laboratories of the Six Nations don't have this kind of technology. You don't need to worry that I'm a fraud. This was originally a secret project of the organization, which should prove my identity."
Locket opened his mouth, then realized something was wrong, "But..."
"I know what you and _Book_ are worried about. If you want to find the Germinal emblem on the mechs, save your energy. The situation is difficult right now, and being too high-profile is dangerous. I have been given full authority to handle this matter. If you want to contact the higher-ups in the organization... forgive me for being blunt, but you are not qualified yet." Han Xiao's tone was serious, and he almost believed it himself.
Locket hesitated, "I need to discuss this with the other senior executives."
He walked to the side, opened his tablet, and contacted other senior executives, all of whom were lab directors and were surprised by Han Xiao's background.
"He can't prove his origin; he's unreliable."
"Do you want him to go around shouting 'I am Germinal '? I don't think he has any reason to lie. We'll know the truth when the deal is done."
That makes sense.
"But collaborating with Germinal seems a bit dangerous..."
Han Xiao interjected, "All our transactions are kept secret. If you don't tell and I don't tell, no one will know. We can even fund your establishment of a branch in the Andia Continent."
The research institute's senior management's eyes lit up. The Andia Continent was radiated everywhere, with many genetically mutated plants and animals. Others would avoid it like the plague, but to them it was a treasure trove they couldn't ask for. They had heard about the generosity of the Germinal, and the bureaucratic corruption and extortion in Red Maple had long been intolerable to them. A change of environment seemed like a good idea.
Even if we don't relocate the headquarters, opening a research branch in Andia would be good.
"How about we try a trade?"
"Take him to the exhibition hall."
Having reached an agreement, Locket hurriedly smiled and said, "We agree to the deal. Heisenberg, please come with me, I'll show you our research results."
Han Xiao nodded, and without taking off his mecha, followed Locket into the elevator to the second basement level.
The exterior of the pharmaceutical exhibition room resembled a cold storage door. After Locket entered the password, the door slid open automatically, revealing a dark, multi-level room divided into two floors, connected by a metal staircase. Glass display cases lined the walls, containing pharmaceuticals of different colors, each labeled with its name and experimental effects. Several samples of each pharmaceutical were also on display, labeled with different concentrations.
"These are the results of the research institute. What kind of drugs does your organization need?" Locket asked with a smile.
Han Xiao pretended to look around and said, "I want every kind. Money is not a problem; it just depends on whether you have enough stock."
The executives watching the situation through the cameras were all delighted; this was a huge order.
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow. "But I need to check the potion's effects first."
Locket unlocked the cabinet with a combination lock, took out a bottle of potion, and handed it to Han Xiao. Han Xiao looked at the information on the panel; it was a temporary buff potion. Drinking it would grant him a buff of +3 stamina for 3 minutes.
After confirming that the potions in the display case were genuine, Han Xiao remained calm and said, "I want a lot of them."
Upon receiving instructions through her earpiece, Locket took out her laptop, opened the pricing page, and said with a forced smile, "We have enough stock. After you pay, these cute little West Capital yours."
Han Xiao narrowed his eyes. "I'll only pay after I see the goods with my own eyes."
"You flatter us. We are just a civilian organization and wouldn't dare to provoke a behemoth like you. We won't renege on our debts. We hope you understand our concerns. Besides, your organization isn't short of money." Locket said with a smile, his attitude firm.
'Looks like this is the only way I can fool them.' Han Xiao's eyes flashed. He had no intention of paying. He drew his gun and pressed it against Locket's forehead, coldly saying, "This is my payment."
Snap!
The tablet computer fell to the ground.
The threat of the gun made Lukai'te tremble, and he said, "You're fake!"
Han Xiao did not answer, and fired a shot at the display case. However, it was bulletproof glass, and although it cracked, it did not shatter.
The senior management of the research institute, who were far away in the monitoring room, were startled.
"He wants to steal our hard work."
"Luckily, I took him to the exhibition hall; there were safety measures there!"
The metal door of the exhibition hall suddenly closed, the mechanism locked, and the display case retracted into the wall without leaving a trace. The room became empty, and the ceiling was removed, revealing three rows of Black Hole gun barrels. The range of fire covered the room without any blind spots, and Han Xiao and Locket were both under the gun barrels.
The triumphant voice of the institute's senior management rang out over the loudspeaker.
"Didn't expect that, did you? We've suspected your origins for a long time. Now your life is in our hands, you have nowhere to escape. With just the press of a button, you're dead. Drop your gun, take off your mech armor, and kneel down on the spot. Unless you want to try and see how Metal Storm can turn you into a sieve in seconds, if you want to live, obediently confess your identity, origins, and the mastermind behind it all. We're only giving you one chance."