Chapter 148: The Mad Scientist’s Wicked Plans

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Doctor Willheim introduced Arthur Claymore to the "new specimen" he had discovered after escaping from the laboratory where he conducted his private "side projects." He spoke with clear excitement, yet he carefully kept the specimen’s true identity a secret from the president for a very important reason.

A short pause followed on the other end of the line before the President finally voiced his growing annoyance. His voice came through loud and clear, attempting to intimidate Willheim — something that never worked. The mad scientist was simply too insane to be intimidated by even one of the few L-Rank Hunters in the entire world.

"Who is this man? Can you not identify him properly, Willheim?!"

Arthur Claymore was curious, or rather, more than just curious. He sensed something suspicious in the way Willheim continued to hide the identity. Concern and irritation built inside him as he realized that this scientist, despite his undeniable genius, still treated him with complete disrespect for his power and authority.

However, Willheim knew exactly how to play his cards. He readjusted his glasses, shook his head, and pretended to genuinely have no idea. "I am unable to learn his true name. He’s completely unregistered. Apparently... who would have thought that? But I suppose this isn’t the first time a few people have infiltrated cities without registering as citizens, right? The slums are full of such individuals."

"Huh... And who is this person? Did he destroy the facility where you were working?" Arthur Claymore asked sharply. "Where did you even find him?"

"Yes, he did," Willheim answered. "All critical data was safely secured, however. And whether he survives or not... well, that’s up to fate now."

"I am worried you’re taking this entire situation too lightly," Arthur sighed. "A great deal has been happening outside. Is the Super Soldier Project progressing strongly? I am tired of relying on the general population. Once we can begin mass-producing reliable Hunters, the world will truly belong to Claymore."

"It’s progressing steadily, sir," Willheim replied with a thin smile. "Anyway, this specimen I mentioned may be the exact key we needed. He is certainly a perfect human specimen, and yet his blood and genetics are something special — fused with forces far more interesting. He possesses an active, evolving Titan physique and a predatory assimilation ability that rivals, and in some respects exceeds, the Genesis Cells found within some of the strongest children of the goddess herself. I recommend immediate acquisition. Alive, preferably. His unique genetic structure could accelerate Project Genesis-Prime by several years... oh, and of course your own Super Soldier project as well. Yes, yes."

Willheim deliberately kept Riven’s identity a secret because he knew that, despite everything, Arthur would never allow him to experiment on his own flesh and blood. Especially not when Riven was married to Elisa and served as the living bridge that kept Claymore Enterprises and Frostbane Holdings united as one superpower capable of rivaling entire nations.

In response, Arthur fell into a long silence.

Unfortunately for Willheim... the reply that finally came was far from pleasing.

"You will not act without my authorization. Continue the analysis. Perform full sequencing and compatibility tests with the remaining Genesis embryos. Do not alert the main family branches yet. I want my Super Soldiers, Willheim. I have not spent billions on your project for the last decade just to end up with a collection of freaks I cannot even show to the public! I want concrete results, if possible this year! Or else I will start cutting even more of your budget."

"As you wish."

The communication channel closed. Arthur Claymore left the call, clearly too busy with more pressing matters to continue bothering with this particular side project.

Willheim turned back to the glowing displays, his eyes glittering with feverish light. He felt a mild frustration that Arthur had refused to grant him full authorization.

But so what?

He already possessed the means to obtain every sample he needed on his own. As long as Riven survived the current crisis, of course.

"I pray for your success in whatever you were trying to accomplish out there, Riven Claymore. I wish for nothing more than to meet you again."

He continued examining the computer data as more and more information unfolded from the small sample he had managed to secure. Each new layer proved more fascinating than the last.

However, certain errors kept pushing back, preventing him from unraveling everything completely.

"Tsk, what is this interference now? You’re fighting back against analysis? Preposterous...!"

Somewhere deep within the data stream, a faint, almost mocking resonance pulsed — as though the blood itself knew it was being examined and refused to yield all of its secrets at once.

He placed a gloved hand against the cool glass of the sequencer.

"You escaped me once," he whispered. "But your blood is already mine. And through it... I will understand the secret that even Genesis herself has kept hidden for eons. Yes, I will. If I can combine your cells with hers... what kind of new specimen could I create? Perhaps... even that Super Soldier Project can finally be completed on schedule!"

He straightened his posture and adjusted his glasses once more.

"Begin full spectral mapping. Priority Omega. And prepare Isolation Chamber Nine."

"A-Ah! Yes, sir!"

"Understood."

"Hurry!"

Technicians scrambled to obey his orders.

Far above, in the surface levels of Claymore Labs, ordinary researchers continued their sanctioned daily work. They remained completely unaware that in the deepest underground wing a madman had just brought home a sample that would one day rewrite the future of both humanity and the monsters that hunted it.

Willheim smiled one last time at the swirling crimson data on the screen.

"Welcome home, Riven Claymore. Whether you know it or not... you have just become the most important specimen I have ever collected," he chuckled softly to himself. "Who would have thought that she — perhaps the most perfect of all my previous specimens — would return to me through her own son? Haha... and that Arthur himself would be the father! Hahaha! Ahhh, fate truly works in mysterious ways, does it not?"

Willheim smiled viciously as he started working, extracting DNA, Genes, and more from the blood, and rapidly beginning to experiment by creating specialized serums with it, while mixing them further with Genesis Cells.

"Ohoho... now let’s see what sort of precious new discovery I can make with this! Oh, Riven Claymore, you’ve made me so happy today I could scream!"

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