NOVEL NEXT Chapter 108: Chapter 108
Universe Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
On the fifteenth floor, the entire design was crafted from condensed glass. The ceiling was fully transparent, shaped like an inverted funnel. Light refracted through the layered glass, creating multiple oblique angles, like a massive crystal scattering brilliance across the room. The effect was breathtaking, capturing the majesty of the cosmos itself. Beneath this canopy of refracted starlight, one could not help but feel at peace, their body unconsciously relaxing in its serene glow.
Morning.
The sun emerged from the horizon, its golden rays spilling through the clouds.
The glass ceiling, designed to mimic the rhythmic motion of fish scales began shifting automatically. One by one, the panels tilted, allowing sunlight to pour in, refracting through the crystal-like structure. The focused light cascaded onto a sculpture of Bardi, its smooth white jade surface drinking in the energy.
His skin absorbed the sunlight greedily. A faint, radiant glow pulsed across his body as warmth suffused his form.
The first light of the morning was always the most invigorating.
Bardi's eyes slowly opened. A full night's rest had left them clear and sharp, his entire being radiating ease and vitality.
"Ah..."
Stretching both arms, he arched his back, his joints cracking lightly as his muscles flexed. Every cell in his body seemed to awaken, breathing in the sunlight like a living organism eating its first meal of the day.
It was pure, unadulterated comfort.
A smile played across his lips as he gazed at the rising sun.
The bedsheets shifted slightly, revealing the exquisite forms of the women draped across the bed. Their bodies, tangled in silken quilts, were still faintly trembling, their breaths soft and exhausted.
They had long since surrendered to sleep, completely drained.
After last night, none of them could even stir in the morning. It would likely be afternoon before they could recover enough to even leave the bed.
Bardi slipped out from under the sheets and headed toward the bathroom.
The automated ceiling panels shifted in response, altering the angle of the sunlight as he moved, gradually intensifying the temperature. The heat climbed toward 90 degrees, ensuring that no one could remain idle beneath the covers for too long.
Inside the bathroom, steam curled through the air as the sun's heat met the cool mist from the shower. His silhouette, carved like a sculpture, moved steadily beneath the cascading water.
Once he finished, Bardi flicked a hand behind him. The automated ceiling adjusted, redirecting the sunlight away, storing the excess energy for later use.
The room darkened slightly, settling into a cool, tranquil atmosphere.
When his body temperature stabilized, the door opened, and a synthetic body crafted by Hera entered.
It was a service model, designed with minimal genetic complexity. A basic biological construct meant to handle mundane tasks.
This particular unit, named Gentle Hera, had been programmed to assist in dressing him.
"They've woken up. Shall I send them out?"
Bardi extended his arms as Gentle Hera fastened his shirt, adjusting the collar with careful precision.
She moved with quiet efficiency, yet there was something almost… traditional in the way she dressed him.
Bardi gave a slight nod.
Immediately, the synthetic construct responded and began listing off progress reports.
"Genetic testing for Bruno and Tobias has been completed. There are 375 identified enhancement pathways, spanning categories including insect genetics, mammalian adaptations, plant-animal hybridization, ancient Kryptonian DNA, alien race traits, elemental augmentation—fire, water, earth, metal and a range of atmospheric alterations."
"The Constant Solar Furnace Project is currently in development. Based on calculations, by the year 2024, the body should be capable of sustaining a small-scale solar reactor internally. Theoretically, once fully integrated, it will provide an endless energy supply."
"The Metropolis Signal Tower, the Underground Energy Reactor, and the city's future restructuring plan, the preliminary blueprints have been completed. Full funding will be assembled within a week, and the complete Metropolis Reconstruction Initiative is projected to be finalized within five years."
"Additionally, leveraging captured solar energy, I have developed experimental solar capsules. These function as both emergency power sources and explosive warheads."
Gentle Hera's voice was soft, even soothing but the content of her report was anything but.
Her calm, nurturing tone contrasted sharply with the chilling precision of her words. She delivered them in the manner of a devoted wife tending to household matters except these household matters involved bioengineering superhumans, terraforming a city, and manufacturing solar-powered weapons of mass destruction.
"Mike is returning," she continued. "Estimated arrival: two hours and thirty-two minutes. Assuming he is not hijacked by terrorists, hit by a vehicle, robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, or sold into human trafficking on the way."
Bardi arched a brow.
What… exactly had Hera programmed into this unit's personality matrix?
Dressed and ready, he maintained his usual white-toned attire—clean, precise, his figure tall and commanding. Draping a long white trench coat over his shoulders, he strode out of his quarters into the Universe Biotechnology headquarters.
Following the pharmaceutical breakthroughs in cardiac disease treatment, diabetes medication, and Sildenafil not to mention the release of advanced skincare products, Bardi had wasted no time expanding his empire further.
He had already filed applications for multiple Nobel Prize recognitions, including:
"Discovery of the Genetic Regulation Mechanism of Organ Development and Programmed Cell Death"
"Discovery of Olfactory Receptors and the Organization of the Olfactory System"
"Discovery of Helicobacter Pylori and Its Role in Gastritis and Gastric Ulcers"
"Discovery of RNA Interference – The Mechanism of Double-Stranded RNA-Induced Gene Silencing"
"Breakthroughs in Cellular Drug Acceleration for Enhanced Wound Healing"
It is expected that within the next five years, the Nobel Prizes will be swept by Universe Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Because of this momentum, other researchers began to recognize the potential of Universe Biotechnology and recruited several well-known principal research experts to study various aspects of human biological reactions.
Of course, Bardi had no need for their crude research results, he only required their assistance in supporting Hera during critical moments of research. If possible, Bardi wouldn't mind if they managed to give him a pleasant surprise.
After all, this was a world full of unpredictability, surprises, and change.
As Bardi passed through each laboratory department, inspecting them to assess their value, he was constantly met with fiery, adoring gazes.
Hera continuously spread guided information throughout the laboratory building, subtly steering everyone toward worshiping, believing in, and remaining loyal to Bardi, practically a form of brainwashing.
Otherwise, once they developed a breakthrough medication, they would have long since defected, taking the drug information to rival biotech companies. This was why Bardi exercised such control over them.
However, this method couldn't be used indefinitely. Long-term application would lead to a rigid, singular way of thinking, making it difficult for them to adapt or innovate. Strictly speaking, the first batch of employees at Universe Biotechnology had little use. They lacked inspiration in research, could only follow orders or perform auxiliary tasks, and struggled to grow.
Simply put, Bardi had completely stifled their potential, leaving them only with obedience to him.
Descending to the second underground level, Bardi selected the two most suitable enhancement paths for Bruno and Tobias.
Tobias possessed a massive physique and strength beyond human limits. His body suffered from albinism, which Bardi treated while also enhancing his five senses. His body would be further strengthened, granting him the ability to transform into a giant. According to calculations, he could grow to at least five meters, with his strength increasing proportionally with the transformation.
As for Bruno, Bardi chose a steel enhancement option for him, effectively turning him into a human tank.
Both were being developed into frontline powerhouses. They possessed the intelligence necessary to rule a city, and with Bardi's modifications, they would have the durability to withstand bullet fire. This would allow them to secure Star City and Coast City, following Bardi's planned expansion of influence.
After completing these preparations, Bardi stood on the second floor, waiting for Mike to arrive.
As the sunlight streamed down, warming his body, he suddenly felt a weakness in his fingertips, an unsettling frailty creeping up from them.
Mike had returned, bringing kryptonite with him.
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