The Perverted Scientist Targeting Ran Jiuyi

After this exchange, Ran Jiuyi finally understood: Cheng Ya’s way of thinking was miles apart from a normal person’s. The woman was an absolute freak.

The service at the cafe was swift; within a few sentences, their coffee and assorted snacks had arrived.

Cheng Ya took a slow sip of her coffee. “The taste is passable. You should try it.”

Ran Jiuyi took a small sip as well, but she didn’t care for the bitter notes. “I’m not a coffee person, and I rarely drink it. So, when are you going to tell me about the potion and Ken the Werewolf?”

“Here? Are you sure?”

“You picked the location. What’s there to hide?”

Cheng Ya glanced toward the table where the “Three Little Ones” were sitting. “I mean, those three Magical Girls staring at us—are they your subordinates? If so, I’ll talk.”

Ran Jiuyi had known the trio was tailing her all along, but she hadn’t expected Cheng Ya to notice them so easily. Using her immense mana, Ran Jiuyi enveloped a two-meter radius around them in a specialized barrier. By slightly adjusting the same mana she used to jam wireless signals, she could create a soundproof screen.

“They’re more like friends. Just speak.”

“Fine, then listen up.” Cheng Ya spoke while leisurely savoring a piece of cake. “That potion is a type of enhancement serum. By accelerating cellular proliferation, it massively boosts physical attributes—especially regenerative abilities, which can be enhanced by over ten times the original rate.”

It sounded standard enough. Ran Jiuyi followed up, “I assume there’s a side effect? Otherwise, the world would be full of super-soldiers by now.”

“The side effect is a drastically shortened lifespan. According to my research, users will suffer multiple organ failures within six months and likely die from severe systemic collapse within a year.”

“The side effect sounds typical for this kind of thing. Why are you so insistent that I eliminate the users?”

“Because the potion also accelerates the proliferation and mutation of various microorganisms within the body. If used for too long or by too many people, it might spawn some kind of mutant plague.”

It sounded a bit absurd, yet strangely logical. Recalling the two muscle-bound giants she had first encountered, Ran Jiuyi believed most of what Cheng Ya was saying. “Did you participate in the research of this potion?”

“I created it.”

At this, Ran Jiuyi sized Cheng Ya up once more. This woman, who looked about the same age as her, was the developer of such high-end biochemistry? That meant Cheng Ya was either a peerless genius or an “old monster” whose age was anyone’s guess. Neither was a simple prospect.

“Then do you know why Ken the Werewolf stole it?”

Cheng Ya continued her cake. “That, I really don’t know. This potion was just a failed byproduct I whipped up on a whim. It was scrapped ages ago. God knows what he wants with it.”

“…A failed byproduct?”

Ran Jiuyi was certain that if any world government got hold of this, they would immediately use it to churn out batches of disposable suicide squads. As for the short lifespan or the risk of a mutant virus, those high-ranking officials wouldn’t give a damn.

“Why wouldn’t it be a failure?” Cheng Ya countered. “Leaving the side effects aside, the physical enhancement didn’t even meet my standards. The Institute has plenty of things far more powerful than this. Of course it’s a failure.”

Fine. It seemed the Institute’s strength was far beyond what Ran Jiuyi had imagined.

She moved to the next question: “And Ken? What do you know about him? Do you know why he came to this city?”

“Don’t be in such a hurry; let’s take it slow,” Cheng Ya said. “No matter where he goes, Ken the Werewolf has only one goal: to complete his ‘Evolution.'”

“Evolution? Like a Pokémon?”

“Exactly. Once the evolution is complete, he’ll become stronger and more ‘whole.’ But just as a Pokémon needs experience points, Ken needs a massive amount of mana. I suspect that’s why he’s in this city.”

Cheng Ya continued, “As you guessed, he likely used the potion to strike a deal with some unknown local faction, probably in exchange for items containing high concentrations of mana. In other words, he might already be in the middle of evolving.”

One piece of bad news followed another. Ran Jiuyi frowned. “How long does the evolution take?”

Cheng Ya tilted her head. “Probably one to two weeks. That’s an estimate based on previous experimental data; it might not be exact.”

“Wait… was Ken the Werewolf also made by you?”

“Yes. He was a decent result. If only he were a bit more obedient.”

Ran Jiuyi stared speechlessly at the woman across from her. “So, all these messes were caused by you.”

“Logically speaking, yes. That’s why my colleagues ‘invited’ you here.”

Cheng Ya’s tone shifted suddenly. “Actually, I have another reason for this trip. Miss Ran, would you be willing to give me some of your body tissue? Bone marrow or brain tissue would be best. I will compensate you handsomely.”

The atmosphere around them instantly turned icy.

Ran Jiuyi asked tonelessly, “Was this your main objective for coming here today?”

Cheng Ya nodded. “Indeed. The info on the potion and Ken could have been sent in an email. But ‘that person’ at my place insisted I see you in person and collect some tissue samples. That’s why I’m here.”

“Why?” Ran Jiuyi pressed. “In terms of pure power, there are plenty of people stronger than me. Why me?”

“I don’t know; my partner didn’t elaborate. She only said your abilities are very similar to mine and that you might help catalyze my own evolution. Her scientific level is on par with mine, so I trust her judgment.”

Upon hearing this, Ran Jiuyi’s gaze turned completely cold. She had been using her powers in public for six years; for them to only target her now meant they likely had the research results to finally act.

Sensing the mood was souring, Cheng Ya quickly added, “We haven’t experimented on you before. My colleagues and I prefer to have the subject’s consent before diving into the research. We’re just curious.”

“Curious? And what would be the result of your ‘curious’ experiments on me?”

“A fair point,” Cheng Ya admitted candidly. “But don’t worry, they would be controlled experiments. we rarely do the uncontrollable ones.”

“Was Ken the Werewolf ‘controlled’ in your eyes?”

“That doesn’t count. He was just a sudden spark of creativity. I was watching a lot of Western fantasy movies back then and suddenly wanted to make a werewolf. The result was okay, so I didn’t pay much attention to him afterward. Who knew he’d run away?”

Looking at Cheng Ya’s nonchalant expression, Ran Jiuyi shuddered to think what an “uncontrolled” experiment would look like to someone who considered human modification a casual pastime. If she gave her tissue today, an army of Ran Jiuyi clones might be marching tomorrow.

Ran Jiuyi watched the mad scientist, her body slowly shifting away from the table, ready for combat.

Cheng Ya didn’t seem to care about the movement. After all, what she had requested was difficult for any normal person to accept. Given the information gap, she could have easily tricked Ran Jiuyi into giving up samples, but Cheng Ya didn’t like that. A deal should be fair and square.

Besides, if she really wanted them, there were plenty of ways to get them. There was no need for deception.

“So, have you made up your mind? I’ll give you a very generous reward. Your current commission is five million, right? If you agree, how about we add two zeros to the end of that?”

The offer was astronomical, but Ran Jiuyi remained unmoved. “It’s not about the money.”

“Not money?” Cheng Ya pondered. “Do you want something else? Power, status, strength? Or perhaps companions? I can provide all of those. You need only speak the word.”

Feeling she lacked persuasiveness, Cheng Ya added, “If it’s strength, I have numerous body enhancement protocols you can choose from. Power is even easier; making you an official is a breeze—it’s only slightly troublesome if you want to be the president of a major nation.”

“Or if you want beautiful men or women, I can get you a dozen. Though, if you want me, I’ll have to pass—I don’t have that much free time. However, I could make a clone of myself, or have someone undergo plastic surgery to look like me to satisfy you.”

Murderous intent flickered in the depths of Ran Jiuyi’s heart. This mad scientist clearly possessed immense power and was utterly irredeemable. She had already fixed her sights on Ran Jiuyi; letting her walk away might mean never knowing peace again.

But on second thought, even if she killed Cheng Ya, the Institute behind her remained a massive problem. Ran Jiuyi didn’t have the confidence to take on the world’s largest illegal organization of supernaturals.

With that thought, Ran Jiuyi stood up and said deeply, “I won’t give you anything of mine. Thank you for the intelligence. I’m leaving now.”

“Don’t be like that. If the price wasn’t right, we can negotiate.”

Cheng Ya tried to persuade her further, but Ran Jiuyi had already walked out of the cafe.

“Hey! You haven’t paid!”

Cheng Ya shrugged. It didn’t matter. Did Ran Jiuyi really think that a simple refusal would stop her?

Looking at Ran Jiuyi’s unfinished cake and coffee, Cheng Ya pulled them over and began eating them slowly. The food here was actually quite good; it was Ran Jiuyi’s loss. Besides, she was the one who had to pay the bill anyway, so she might as well enjoy it.

Once she was done, she’d try negotiating one more time. If that failed, she’d resort to more… violent methods.

But first, there was something to take care of.

After finishing the cake and draining the rest of the coffee in one gulp, Cheng Ya walked over to a corner. She spoke to an empty table and three vacant chairs: “You’ve been watching for so long, you must be hungry. Shall I buy you a meal? The food here is quite nice.”

A long silence followed. No response.

“Suit yourselves. Your loss. I’m heading out. Bye-bye!”

With that, Cheng Ya turned and left the cafe, leaving the “Three Little Ones” sitting in their chairs, frozen in absolute terror.