Chapter 45: Test Subject AE-09

Sizzle

Crackle

I electrocuted the insect flying towards my head.

Mental fatigue was building from the countless attacks.

It had been a while since I entered the facility presumed to be the Chimera research lab.

But unfortunately, I hadn’t found a place where Lisa might be imprisoned yet.

The interior, now in ruins after 100 years, was teeming with insects and unidentified plants.

An underground space where light didn’t reach.

I didn’t know how the plants were thriving here.

Recalling that this place was originally a Chimera research facility, I assumed these were all byproducts of the experiments.

And what stood out the most in this dilapidated place were the human bones scattered across the floor.

The skeletal remains seemed to be the only evidence of what happened here.

“What in the world happened here?”

According to the memories I saw in the dream, everyone involved in the research, except for one person, had left this place in the end.

Then what were all these skeletal remains?

I desperately wanted to read the past memories.

But the image of the creepy, incomprehensible eyes I saw earlier kept coming back to me, preventing me from even trying.

Whirr

Crackle

Now a walking human bug zapper, I wandered through the lab and found a tightly closed door.

I hoped this one didn’t need a key.

But contrary to my worries, the door opened easily.

The door opened with a heavy thud as I pushed it lightly.

I walked forward, using the lantern to dispel the darkness.

Ready to react if something suddenly jumped out.

The new area I arrived in.

It was a wide-open space with a high ceiling, like a plaza.

In the center of the circular open area.

A giant teddy bear-like doll was placed.

And several doors were situated around it.

This seemed to be the central hall connecting to all other parts of the lab.

Why would they put so much effort into a Chimera research facility?

Creating a few simple labs would have sufficed.

Seeing how they decorated the interior made me wonder if they had other intentions.

For example.

Trying to make this place into something like a theme park.

Their ultimate goal might have been to fuse various things with humans.

To attempt to make humanity a more capable and superior species.

But I had a feeling they might have also planned to use the various Chimeras created in the process for entertainment.

100 years ago, there would have been far fewer forms of entertainment than now, with barely any video entertainment.

The standard of living would have been lower than now due to underdeveloped magic.

It was possible they intended to operate this place like a zoo or amusement park using the grotesque Chimeras created during the experiments.

Of course, it could all be just my imagination.

Standing before the bear-like doll, I looked around.

Most of the surrounding doors were tightly closed.

Only one door was wide open.

That one first.

Deciding on my destination, I headed straight for the open door.

“A control room…or something?”

Unidentified magic circuits lined the walls.

The magic circuits filled the interior, intricately intertwined like a spiderweb.

Even after 100 years.

They were almost undamaged.

That was the advantage of magic circuits.

Durability and stability.

Magic circuits rarely deformed, no matter how much time passed.

Unlike the device using the magic circle at the entrance, I felt I might be able to activate this.

I recalled what Viola had briefly taught me.

Viola had explained that magic circuits have a starting point.

So perhaps….

“…This is it?”

I placed my hand on a blunt device at the end of the magic circuit, resembling a power switch.

And I slowly channeled mana through my palm.

The mana resonated, emitting a bright light.

Hum

Soon, the fluorescent lights on the ceiling of the dark space lit up.

Various devices simultaneously started operating with loud noises.

Magic circuits were truly amazing.

I couldn’t help but admire how they functioned perfectly despite being left unattended for so long.

I might be able to open the closed doors now.

Feeling good about the smooth progress, I returned to the central hall.

But.

“…Huh?”

As soon as I returned, I couldn’t help but wear a puzzled expression.

Something had changed in the now brightly lit space.

The bear-shaped doll that had been in the middle of the hall just a moment ago.

It had vanished without a trace.

It was definitely there…?

But the teddy bear had disappeared.

In this mysterious situation, I looked around.

The teddy bear couldn’t have come alive and disappeared on its own.

Perhaps some change occurred when the magic circuit was activated.

As I considered various possibilities.

A giant shadow fell behind me.

“Eh…?”

Feeling uneasy about the shadow that now completely enveloped me, I turned around.

And.

“Roar!!”

Behind me, the teddy bear was looking down at me with its arms raised.

The vanished doll had reappeared, raising its arms menacingly.

And as our eyes met, it began to roar ferociously.

“Holy!”

Bang!

The bear’s paw slammed into the ground just as I quickly dove to the side.

Seeing the dent where I had just been standing, I raised the Orb of Dreams.

I didn’t know why it suddenly came alive.

But one thing was certain.

That bear was hostile towards me.

From experience, I knew it was advantageous to attack first before the opponent grasped my abilities.

I immediately created a sword and swung it at the bear without hesitation.

But.

Clang!

“Growl!”

“…What is this?”

The sound that rang out as my sword struck the bear’s arm wasn’t the sound of it crying out in pain, but the sound of hard metal clashing.

Something shiny glittered beneath the slightly parted fur where the sword struck.

Was everything that looked like skin not real?

Then this thing in front of me might not be a living creature.

But with no time to think, I ducked to avoid the incoming attack.

“Ugh…!”

Fortunately, it was slow, probably due to its large size.

Although a single hit would cause damage, if I dodged them all, there wouldn’t be a problem.

Dodging the continuous attacks, I raised my sword.

Using Lightning Strike at this close range would turn me into grilled chicken as well.

I planted my foot on the ground, pivoted, and kicked the bear’s head.

“Lightning Strike!”

Crackle!

Electricity erupted as my foot connected with the bear.

“Grrrr!!”

It let out a pained cry, engulfed in electricity. It seemed I had successfully dealt damage.

I got up from where I’d landed after the impact of the attack.

I thought it wouldn’t be able to get up after taking a direct hit.

But.

“Groan…!”

The bear shook off the remaining sparks and glared at me.

It withstood that?

What kind of defense did it have?

That attack was powerful enough to take down even monsters with tough hides in one hit.

It seemed it didn’t inflict much damage.

“Roar!!”

Oh, it was angry.

The bear roared furiously.

But its next action completely bewildered me.

“Hurt! Human! Iota hurt!”

It spoke?

Human words came from its large mouth.

Then, it began running towards me with a furious look.

“Human! Not forgive!”

I thought I could dodge it easily like before. But perhaps due to its rage, the bear was much faster than before.

‘Oh no…!’

In the end, I couldn’t dodge.

Caught by the bear’s paw, I was lifted into the air.

Sharp claws, as if about to tear me apart, dug into my body.

At this rate, I’d be ripped to shreds!

My body would be torn to pieces.

A life-or-death crisis where I would become Louis.

Just as my left hand touched the bear’s paw in a desperate attempt to escape and unleash electricity.

A bright red light erupted from the back of my hand, enveloping us.

And.

“Eve?”

“Uwaaaa……ah?”

The bear’s ferocious eyes, which had seemed ready to tear me apart, suddenly softened.

And it now embraced me in its arms.

“Eve…!”

“Ugh…!”

What the…?

What was happening???

Unable to comprehend the situation, I was held in the bear’s embrace, my mind filled with question marks.