Chapter 139
After learning from the senior researcher that a project involving No. 66 was beginning, I immediately applied for the project.
The senior researcher I had been assigned under flew into a rage, shouting that it was ridiculous for them to suddenly take away his subordinate researcher, but in the end, my transfer was approved.
The research involving my clones was already suffering from a shortage of personnel.
If they were willing to recruit a rookie who had only worked there for three months, then the project’s reputation must’ve been pretty terrible.
After arriving at the new laboratory where the upgraded project would take place, I was greeted by the other researchers.
“Honestly, I didn’t think anyone would volunteer.”
“I heard he’s only been here three months. Wonder if he’ll end up cleaning corpses.”
“Stop saying useless things! Welcome. We appreciate you volunteering for this project.”
An elderly-looking lead researcher extended his hand toward me.
“Welcome. You know what project we’re handling here, correct?”
“Yes. I heard you’re separating the experimental subjects that produced outstanding results from the Vessel of the End cloning experiments and conducting research on a larger scale.”
That was exactly why I volunteered for this research.
It would increase my opportunities to interact with No. 66.
Hearing my answer, the lead researcher nodded in satisfaction.
“Correct. I’ll explain what your duties will be from now on. It’s not particularly difficult, so don’t worry too much.”
Isn’t that exactly the kind of line black companies and scammers always use?
After saying that, he led me somewhere.
The place he brought me to was none other than Test Subject No. 66.
Since the project had been upgraded, the laboratory itself looked different as well.
Most of the unpleasant experimental subjects resembling me that once filled the room had disappeared.
There were also new experimental devices I hadn’t seen before.
But naturally, the most eye-catching thing remained No. 66 herself.
Ash-gray hair and a beautiful appearance identical to mine.
Inside the water-filled incubator, she slept as though dead.
The lead researcher pointed toward No. 66.
“The task assigned to you will be caring for this test subject.”
Hearing that, I hid my smile internally.
I had expected to receive this role from the moment I applied for the project.
This project was so unpopular that no researchers volunteered for it, and rumors even claimed casualties had occurred due to test subject rampages.
So who would willingly manage dangerous experimental subjects like these?
Then an ignorant rookie researcher suddenly volunteered.
From their perspective, there was no reason not to welcome me.
Besides, the remaining researchers here were mostly senior-level personnel like chief researchers and senior researchers.
Naturally, the laboratory didn’t want to lose expensive experienced staff.
The lead researcher smiled kindly and spoke.
“It won’t be particularly difficult. The work probably won’t differ much from your previous laboratory.”
I knew perfectly well that was a complete lie.
Still, if this could increase No. 66’s favorability toward me, then I didn’t care.
After being branded a traitor by the Academy group, earning the favor of No. 66—the last remaining main playable character—had become extremely important.
At that moment, the lead researcher spoke again.
“Then I’ll be counting on you starting today. First, could you begin by waking this test subject from her coma state?”
“Of course.”
The lead researcher left the laboratory, and I immediately began the task he assigned me.
Waking No. 66 from her coma state.
The task itself wasn’t difficult.
Because No. 66 wasn’t actually in a coma.
She merely had her eyes closed while fully perceiving everything happening around her.
After all, I could clearly feel her Aura scanning my entire body.
I placed my hand against the incubator’s glass.
Cold frost crept up through my palm.
“It’s been a while.”
“…….”
No answer returned.
I glanced around subtly.
A Death Knight wandered near the laboratory.
The creature patrolled along a fixed route like a machine, yet I could still feel its gaze directed toward us.
It seemed No. 66 had become even more wary because of the Death Knight guarding this place.
That thing looked like it would pose quite the obstacle for her escape in her current state.
I began manipulating the incubator’s control panel to release No. 66.
Soon, with a hiss of machinery, the cables connected to the incubator detached themselves one after another.
The water filling the incubator slowly drained away.
Clank.
The incubator door opened, revealing No. 66.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Cloudy golden irises reflected my figure.
It was the second meeting between her and me.
---
Necropolis, the Fortress of the Dead.
The castle where Biden, the one known as the Lich King, resided had been half-destroyed.
Countless Undead forces were strewn across the fortress like puppets with severed strings.
Within that horrific scene, Biden ground his teeth violently.
Crunch.
His rage manifested into reality.
The thick demonic energy pouring from Biden crushed the surrounding atmosphere.
“Heavenly Demon…….”
His voice dripped with dense hatred.
Biden recalled the Heavenly Demon suddenly barging into his fortress.
She arrived without any prior notice, destroyed his Undead, and then stood before him.
And the first thing she did was threaten him into revealing everything happening within Pandemonium.
Biden had been furious at the absurd demand.
She stormed into his territory like a bandit without warning, only to demand all of Pandemonium’s secrets.
It was an act that completely violated the unspoken rules between the Heavenly Demon and the High-ranking Executives.
The Heavenly Demon and Pandemonium only cooperated because their goals partially aligned.
That was why the High-ranking Executives respected her overwhelming power, and why the Heavenly Demon refrained from interfering in Pandemonium’s affairs.
Yet now she had not only barged into the residence of a fellow High-ranking Executive, but destroyed it and attempted to meddle directly in Pandemonium’s operations.
Such treatment was utterly intolerable.
And thus began the battle between the High-ranking Executives of Pandemonium.
At first, the battle had been relatively balanced.
Necropolis was Biden’s home ground and the gathering place of his entire army.
Biden’s magic strengthened the Undead, while countless spells sleeping within Necropolis awakened.
That power alone was enough to explain why he was called the Lich King.
But his opponent was the Heavenly Demon.
She was the terror of the Demons, an abnormal powerhouse whom even the strongest of Pandemonium’s executives could barely oppose by joining forces.
In the end, Biden had no choice but to kneel before her overwhelming strength, barely escaping her grasp by sacrificing part of his own power and fleeing to the hidden location where the Life Vessel was concealed.
Consumed by immense humiliation, Biden exploded in fury.
He simply could not forget the Heavenly Demon’s gaze as she looked down on him.
‘That damned bitch dared to……!’
As Biden swung his staff, darkness swirled through the air and projected several figures beyond it.
The beings reflected through the black vortex were none other than the High-ranking Executives of Pandemonium.
Soon, voices began emerging from beyond the swirling darkness.
“Biden?”
“You look terrible. Did you get into a serious fight?”
“What’s the reason for contacting all the executives?”
They all reacted with confusion at Biden’s sudden summons.
To begin with, Demons were beings of extreme individualism, violence, and greed.
And the High-ranking Executives stood at the very peak among such Demons.
Naturally, they had no interest in associating with one another.
That was why the only times they communicated were during official meetings between executives or when Pandemonium’s ruler issued commands.
Biden explained what had happened to him.
The Heavenly Demon’s sudden assault and her absurd demands.
The reactions of the High-ranking Executives varied greatly.
“So basically, you got beaten up by the Heavenly Demon and now you want us to avenge you?”
“A cowardly excuse from the weak.”
“I don’t think this is that simple. The Heavenly Demon never cared about Pandemonium’s affairs before. Isn’t it strange for her to suddenly take interest now?”
“Come to think of it, I heard rumors recently that the Heavenly Demon fought our king.”
“She definitely wouldn’t attack Biden without a reason.”
As the executives discussed the matter amongst themselves, Biden gradually became excluded from the conversation.
Realizing this, Biden ground his teeth violently.
He contacted them to warn them by sharing what happened to him, and yet—
It was always like this.
Despite him being one of the same High-ranking Executives, they constantly ignored and looked down on him.
The reason was simple.
Because he was much weaker than the others.
Biden hated that fact.
He knew how extraordinary his abilities truly were.
His power specialized in warfare itself, and he ruled over death.
The longer a battle dragged on and the more deaths accumulated, the stronger he became—possessing enough power to destroy entire nations.
Yet the High-ranking Executives of Pandemonium refused to acknowledge his strength.
Because his army was useless before them.
Demonic Authorities stood at the pinnacle of all things demonic, and that included the power of death itself.
Before Pandemonium’s executives, Biden’s Undead army couldn’t properly display its full power, while every one of those executives possessed strength capable of rivaling armies on their own.
Thus, when High-ranking Executives fought among themselves, Biden being the weakest was unavoidable.
But they used that fact as justification to deny his position and covet the rights he possessed.
Once more, Biden felt unbearable humiliation.
He could never forgive either the Heavenly Demon who destroyed his fortress and beloved Undead, nor the High-ranking Executives who subtly looked down on him.
‘If only I possessed enough power.’
He recalled his long-cherished wish.
Long ago, he abandoned the body of the living in pursuit of immortality.
If he, now a Lich who had obtained eternal life, could reclaim the complete flesh of the living as well, then they would no longer dare look down on him.
The laboratory he supported came to mind.
The laboratory receiving his full backing in order to fulfill his desire.
Recently, he had heard that the experiments cloning Devil Knight’s body were producing tremendous results.
If that experiment succeeded—
Then the body of the living would fall into his hands.
And once that happened, he would evolve into a higher existence entirely.
‘It seems I should personally check how far Devil Knight’s cloning project has progressed.’
Dense greed filled his heart.