Chapter 173: 177. Chapter 177: Too Advanced, Not Convenient to Display

177. Chapter 177: Too Advanced, Not Convenient to Display

Pfft—

Asande Connet couldn't hold back a mouthful of water and spat it out.

He really didn't expect that Luo Ken would have someone spread a rumor about Linke Grand once, and then come back for another.

Moreover, it was even more absurd and bizarre.

He turned his head, looking at the tall and burly Luo Ken, and asked puzzledly: "How did he offend you, that you're doing this to him?"

Luo Ken didn't even lift his head, his thick fingers continued tapping on the smartbrain, directing people to keep spreading rumors about Linke Grand, speaking in a muffled voice: "I haven't offended him; it's just that his talent in potion-making is too good, and I can't transplant it, so I take a dislike to him."

But...

Asande thought of how the Paro Witch and the Selin Witch valued Linke, and opened his mouth to advise him.

After all, we're all allies on the same side; there's no need to mortally offend someone over such a reason, right?

His mouth half-open, Asande swallowed his words back.

Luo Ken is someone with a very odd temperament; besides the Selin Witch, he won't listen to anyone's advice.

Even the Paro Witch can only order him to do things, but cannot demand that he change his temperament and his easily offensive manner of conduct.

Forget it, I'd better not advise him.

I firmly refuse to do anything that brings no benefit.

Let's leave it at that.

Asande Connet suddenly felt unmotivated, got up and left, distancing himself from Witch Luo Ken.

He feared that one day he too would be targeted and subjected to such a prank.

Linke felt that the public opinion blowing him up into a murderous maniac was uninteresting.

It seemed as if someone was venting their anger, deliberately distorting his image to release their fury.

It didn't seem like they were using public opinion to attack him.

Otherwise, the intensity wouldn't be so mild; they'd just say he kills like hemp, that he's a murderous maniac.

It's just killing; what's there to fear?

Which witch doesn't kill people?

Which witch kills few people?

At least add a bit of raw meat and blood-drinking, something like a man-eating demon king, for some strong material.

That would be more like it.

Now this is just a drizzle, a sprinkle of water.

Linke blocked out those strange rumors and began his first task after taking office.

First, following Old Man Murphy's instructions, he prepared a batch of antagonistic agents, a full three hundred of them.

This quantity shocked Linke greatly.

Like Virginie, a female spy reminiscent of a KGB swallow from his past life, how many did they actually raise?

They actually corroded that many people?

Isn't this legion of the Paro Witch practically infiltrated to the point of being a sieve?

Seeing the doubt in Linke's eyes, Old Man Murphy explained in a sentence:

"Those who have been affected are surely more numerous than what appears on the surface. Without screening, we just let those in key positions, whether affected or not, take a dose first and see. Besides, your agent has hardly any toxic side effects."

Linke nodded, indicating he understood.

Just in case, prevention is the main approach.

He didn't feel like digging deep into this issue; satisfying his curiosity was enough.

After delivering the antagonistic agents, Linke returned to the lab, changed into tight protective gear, and entered the dissection room.

The mutated fairy corpse lay on the cold dissection table, awaiting Linke's arrival.

Fairies are a kind of humanoid creature, tall in stature, with hair mostly green, hairstyle messy like a grass nest, features sharp, especially the nose and ears, which are spike-shaped.

This differs greatly from the fairy image Linke saw in novels and visual media in his past life.

The skin is tough, the exterior scaled, layered, giving the body strong defensive power.

The feet resemble duck feet, with webbing between the toes, making them excellent at climbing and swimming.

Fairies innately possess abnormal abilities, either bodily enhancement, mental control, or spell-like skills.

Tribes differ, individuals differ, abilities differ, strengths differ.

The mutated specimen Linke received was originally a rainforest fairy.

Its innate abnormal ability is bodily enhancement, leaning toward neural reaction—agile movement.

It possesses extremely fast movement speed, attack speed, flexible reaction, and keen intuition.

Its weapons are a sharp dagger and a long-range bow; its main attack methods are stealth assassination and long-range sniping.

After being infected with the plague, the rainforest fairy's body underwent numerous mutations.

Loss of reason, teeth sharpened like wolf fangs, skin ossified, fat reduced, body became gaunt, nails grew longer…

From an assassin and archer, it transformed into a frontline assault specialist.

All these symptoms and mutations, at first glance, Linke thought they highly resembled zombification.

Having selected a suitable dissection knife, Linke began the autopsy, not missing any detail.

In another room, three living rainforest fairies were kept for Linke to compare against.

For three consecutive days, Linke never left the dissection room, working day and night, conducting the autopsy.

Hungry or thirsty?

Doesn't exist.

Tired?

Take a short rest, then continue once you've recovered.

From skin to fascia, from fat to muscle, from blood vessels to nerves, from limbs to torso, from bones to viscera, from peripheral nervous system to central nervous system, from spinal cord to brain……

The more parts dissected, the more abnormalities found, the more excited Lin Ke became, and the more meticulous the dissection.

Only after dissecting the mutant's corpse thoroughly, missing no part and overlooking no abnormality, did Lin Ke stop.

Overall, Lin Ke's initial judgment was correct; the rainforest fairy's mutation was indeed progressing toward a zombie-like direction.

There is a rather special point: the rainforest fairy's innate ability was not lost, but even strengthened.

Lin Ke was conducting tests, trying to find the mechanism behind the ability's enhancement.

Setting aside the tests that would take a long time to yield results, Lin Ke took off his gloves, washed his hands, and began writing the dissection report.

No detail was too small; whether normal or abnormal, everything was recorded.

Not only text, but also multi-angle photographs and edited short video displays.

Striving to write down all dissection findings, completely and well.

This writing took another day and night.

Even Old Man Murphy couldn't help rushing into the dissection room and pulling Lin Ke out.

Afraid that Lin Ke might encounter some problem.

"Take it easy, don't rush."

Seeing that Lin Ke's mental state was fine, Old Man Murphy let out a breath, then with a stern face criticized, "The headquarters hasn't urged you, so take your time; why are you working overtime to rush progress? Don't wear yourself out."

Is Old Man Murphy showing concern for Lin Ke?

No, he's concerned about having a capable aide who can help him restart the potions department!

300 vials of antitoxin, he personally delivered them to the front line, and the feedback was excellent.

Those who had been affected were released, after which a purge and reorganization were carried out.

Those who hadn't been affected each took one or two vials, claiming they wanted to study the antitoxin's development approach, believing it would be enlightening.

The reputation of the rear potions department instantly improved considerably.

The front-line command is already considering whether to schedule a restart of the potions department to alleviate pressure on the medical department.

The medical department's group of potion makers and potion researchers trained by the Seraphine wizards couldn't utter a single 'no'.

Initially, for certain considerations, they cited manpower shortages as an excuse to refuse sending strong potion researchers back to the rear potions department to oversee the situation.

They allowed the potions department to decline and deteriorate.

Then they smoothly took over the potion research and manufacturing tasks that originally belonged to the potions department.

Although the pressure indeed increased somewhat, it greatly boosted the medical department's status, voice, and influence.

With gain comes sacrifice.

Now he could only endure the resentment of being scolded all day outside the medical department's lodgings by Old Man Murphy, who had come specially, swallowing all his emotions.

Everyone knows Old Man Murphy is a shameless scoundrel; a few days ago, when people came to his door begging, why couldn't he hold his tongue, and why did he have to throw in a sarcastic jab?

Now it's come to this: they've seized the opportunity to retaliate, not with sarcasm but by blocking the door and hurling insults.

After Old Man Murphy had scolded the medical department, he rushed back to the rear, took charge of the potions department, and further tightened discipline. Four days passed, and the atmosphere had largely been rectified, making it possible to consider operational moves.

Immediately he thought of inviting Lin Ke to discuss together.

The young man has good talent, solid skills, a sharp mind, and keen eyesight.

If not him, who else would we consult?

Was it that bunch of worthless fish and shrimp originally in the potions department?

After asking a bit, Old Man Murphy discovered that Lin Ke had been holed up in the dissection room for four days without leaving.

That's why he had this complaint and criticism.

"Thank you, Department Head, for your concern."

Lin Ke first expressed thanks, then explained, "It's not about rushing progress; I'm genuinely interested in this kind of creature, the fairy, and its abnormal mutation—once I start researching, I don't want to stop."

"Hmm..."

Old Man Murphy pondered a moment, then said, "You lot who like to do research and tech all have this flaw. I'm not good at this, so I won't meddle; you just need to know your own limits."

"Yes."

Lin Ke nodded, indicating he had listened, then asked, "Department Head, do you have any orders?"

"Nothing to order."

Old Man Murphy waved his hand, and a soundproof rune barrier unfolded without any smoke or fire.

Lin Ke's eyes lit up at the sight.

This kind of clearly distinct from sorcery, high-level use of runes, he had only seen similar descriptions in data and literature.

He had never learned the details.

A few days ago he saw the legendary "magic-sealing barrier" rune sorcery formation, and today he saw the well-known rune barrier.

This early internship trip really wasn't wasted—it was an eye-opener!

Not treating Lin Ke as an outsider, Mo Fei Lao Tou directly said: "I'm preparing to expand the business of the potions department; I came to ask you, where do you think we should start?"

Hearing the question, Lin Ke withdrew his attention, thought for a moment, and said: "It's best to start by replenishing manpower, especially the R&D and refining teams."

Mo Fei Lao Tou's scarred old face immediately fell a bit, and he let out the truth: "How could we possibly replenish potion-makers and potion R&D staff that quickly? Those scoundrels in the medical department—I merely criticized them a bit, and they ended up poaching all our people, leaving only a half-bucket of water for our potions department!"

A half-bucket of water?

As for the dispute with the medical department, Lin Ke wasn't concerned; instead, he was more curious about this.

Regardless of that, I didn't want that person either; let him sink or swim.

Mo Fei Lao Tou waved his hand, bringing the topic back, and laid his cards on the table: "Put the manpower issue aside for now; we'll definitely get it settled later. Just tell me, which potion should we start producing?"

Lin Ke was quite speechless.

Really overbearing.

Not letting the horse eat grass, yet insisting it gallop.

He complained inwardly, but showed no outward change; Lin Ke suggested: "I think we shouldn't blindly decide which potion to produce. We must first find out the frontline's needs. What the frontline needs is what we should produce."

"Hmm... that makes some sense."

Old Man Mo Fei fell into thought, left a remark, turned and walked out: "I'll go inquire first; you kid, don't just focus on research and wear yourself out."

"Yes, Department Head."

Lin Ke replied loudly, truly following the advice.

He took off his protective suit, returned to the dorm and took a hot bath, lit a premium lavender aromatherapy essential oil, and began meditating.

After finishing, he lay down and slept.

He slept straight through until dawn.

Wherever the will of the wizard world covers, the time rules converge with those of the wizard world.

Even though the barren world Lin Ke currently inhabits has no sun or moon, there is still a day-night cycle, and a day remains 24 hours.

It is synchronized with the wizard world.

Get up, wash up, drink water, eat.

Lin Ke did not touch the water and food provided by the Pharmacy Department.

On the first day he came to the barren world, someone handed him a cup of poisoned water.

He drank his own purified water and ate the high-energy rations prepared by Mo Li.

Safety comes first; taste and flavor are secondary.

Even the air he breathes is filtered through an air-purifying magical device clipped to his collar.

After doing these, Lin Ke dove back into the laboratory.

The main body of the dissection report had been written; after minor revisions and polishing, it was complete.

After 48 hours of operation, the test results finally came out—this is what deserves the most attention right now.

Holding a report up to three pages long, Lin Ke read it carefully from beginning to end.

Upon reaching key points, he would pause and think.

He read for over half an hour before finally putting the report down.

His brows were tightly furrowed.

After the rainforest fairy mutation, the mechanism by which innate abilities are retained and enhanced can be said to be complex, or it can be said to be simple.

What Lin Ke is uncertain about is whether this mechanism is universal.

Or perhaps the material at hand is too scarce.

We need to dissect more rainforest fairy mutants, more fairy mutants of other clans, then compile statistics and compare.

Thinking this through, Lin Ke pulled out his Portable Smart Brain and sent a communication request to Old Man Mo Fei.

"Shut up, all of you!"

The call connected; Old Man Mo Fei first bellowed, then his tone quickly softened as he asked, "What's up, little guy?"

hearing the noisy sounds from the other end, Lin Ke knew Old Man Mo Fei was probably not in the Pharmacy Department, so he said directly: "I need more fairy mutants, from all clans, the more the better."

"Any findings?"

Old Man Mo Fei's voice suddenly grew much louder, as if he were deliberately saying it for certain people to hear.

"Yes, a very important discovery. But it needs further evidential support, so I need more test subjects."

Lin Ke gave an affirmative reply.

Old Man Mo Fei's face lit up with vigor, he laughed heartily: "Rest assured on this front, however many research subjects you need, I'll get you that many."

After expressing his stance, Old Man Mo Fei casually asked: "By the way, what aspect is your discovery about? Can you share?"

Lin Ke pondered a bit, then politely declined: "It's too important to disclose."

"Fine, not disclosing is fine then!"

Old Man Mo Fei's face lit up even more: "Hang up now, just wait; I guarantee you'll get however many you need."

After hanging up, Old Man Mo Fei glanced at the Medical Department Head and two Vice Department Heads, who still refused to allocate some pharmacists and pharmaceutical R&D staff to the Pharmacy Department, raised his chin, and snorted: "I'll be damned if I ask you for people or resources; I'll wait until you come begging to me, and then I'll see what kind of faces you make."

Having vented his frustration from today, Old Man Mo Fei lifted the tent flap, stepped out, and headed toward the Command Headquarters Detection Team's station.

Inside the Medical Department's tent, the Department Head and two Vice Department Heads were indeed furious.

This old coot, after all, is an old comrade who's shared life and death for over a decade.

Since becoming the head of that lousy Pharmacy Department, he's been nothing but a nitpicker, his nose not a nose, his mouth not a mouth.

Do they really think that striking it rich by snagging Linke Grand will let the Pharmacy Department turn things around?

Don't even think about it.

No way!

However, Linke Grand claims to have made major progress in fairy mutation research, so we ought to take it seriously.

This kid is quite uncanny; we can't take him lightly.

We need to hurry up and urge those responsible for fairy mutation research.

Dragging their feet, what a bunch!