Chapter 430: New Neighbors, Researchers

Chapter 430: Chapter 430: New Neighbors, Researchers

Hearing Seraphina Sullivan’s words, Paul Payne shuddered, his eyes flaring with disbelief.

It was as if a drowning man had just grabbed onto a final straw.

"What are the conditions?! Tell me! As long as I can do it, I will!"

"First, you’ll work for me.

I need someone inside the Central Base whom I can trust and who is willing to carry out specific tasks.

Of course, I won’t ask you to do anything that goes against your principles. At the very least, our goals are aligned when it comes to dealing with Connor Webb."

"Second," Seraphina Sullivan paused, her gaze sharp.

"I need you to watch Connor Webb.

Figure out his routine, the places he frequents, and the people who are always with him. Pay special attention to which high-ranking officials or factions in the base he’s close to.

Find out exactly which high-level faction he belongs to, or who his patron is."

After listening, Paul Payne was first shocked by the decisiveness and hidden depths in Seraphina Sullivan’s words.

This "Sullivan," who seemed so gentle and kind, was far more complex than she appeared on the surface.

Not only did she have the Ability, but she also had her own plans and methods.

But soon, an intense desire for revenge overwhelmed all his doubts.

’Watch Connor Webb? Investigate his backer?’

This was exactly what he wanted to do!

Even if Seraphina Sullivan hadn’t brought it up, he would have found a way to do it himself!

"I agree!" Paul Payne practically roared, his voice trembling with excitement.

"As long as I can deal with Connor Webb, I’ll do anything!

Watching him, gathering information—I can do all of that!

Sullivan, do you really... really have a way to make me stronger?"

Seraphina Sullivan didn’t answer directly, only stating calmly, "Do the first two things well.

Prove your determination and your ability.

As for Power... once you’ve done that, you’ll find out."

She didn’t make an easy promise, but this "possibility" was enough to make Paul Payne risk his life.

He nodded vigorously, hope and fighting spirit reigniting in his eyes. "I understand, Sullivan!

I’ll definitely do it! I’m going now!"

With that, he gave Seraphina Sullivan a deep bow, then turned and strode away, his back radiating resolve.

Watching Paul Payne’s figure disappear beyond the breeding area, Seraphina Sullivan slowly closed the car door. The gentle expression on her face faded, replaced by her usual calm.

’A blade for revenge, a blade for reconnaissance... I hope you don’t disappoint me.’

She murmured to herself.

The reason Seraphina Sullivan could so easily tell Paul Payne she "could help him gain Power" was not because she was bluffing.

She possessed rare resources like the Power Apple, which could directly or indirectly enhance another person’s Ability, giving her the confidence to make such a claim.

’Next, I’ll just wait for Paul Payne to prove his worth and bring back some useful information,’ Seraphina Sullivan decided.

For now, she needed to rest and observe.

The long journey, combined with the various troubles after entering the Central Base, had been mentally draining.

Arriving at this relatively isolated breeding area finally gave her a chance to catch her breath.

The next morning, Seraphina Sullivan was still resting inside the RV.

Though her constitution was strong, her monthly cycle had started, leaving her feeling a bit tired. She planned to rest well for the day and temporarily put all the turmoil out of her mind.

Even with her Chemotherapy Skill, the pain was only temporarily eased.

However, the tranquility of the breeding area was soon shattered.

The roar of truck engines and the clamor of people echoed from outside.

Sean Chandler and Flora Sullivan cautiously exited the RV to check on the situation.

Although Seraphina wanted to stay in bed, she devoted a sliver of her attention to the commotion outside.

Four or five modified, dust-covered heavy trucks had parked in an empty lot next to them.

The people on the trucks were busy unloading their "cargo," which turned out to be a startling variety of animals!

Some were abnormally large, some had strangely colored fur, and others had extra horns or bone spurs growing from their heads... While not as majestic or as stable in their Energy readings as the Four Seasons Deer, they were undoubtedly mutated creatures.

’Huh? They’re all mutated animals? What’s going on?’

Meanwhile, Flora Sullivan and Sean Chandler had exited the RV.

Flora tilted her head, watching curiously. She felt a natural affinity for and curiosity about these animals.

As the two were observing, a young man who looked to be in his late teens, wearing a slightly sloppy researcher’s uniform with messy hair, walked toward them.

His face showed a mixture of exhaustion, excitement, and a subtle, almost imperceptible sense of superiority.

"Hello!" the young man greeted them proactively, his voice a bit hoarse.

"My name is Frederick Fuller. I evacuated from the Bexley Safe Zone. I just arrived yesterday and was assigned to this area."

Sean Chandler gave a slight nod, his reply concise. "Hello."

Frederick Fuller noticed Sean Chandler and Flora Sullivan staring at the animals they were unloading. The hint of superiority on his face grew more pronounced as he puffed out his chest and spoke in a showy tone.

"These? These are the precious results of our Bexley Biological Research Institute!

Our institute’s experts used special methods to guide ordinary animals through targeted, controllable, and benign genetic mutations to cultivate these new species!

Not only are they more resistant to extreme weather like severe cold and intense heat, but their growth cycles are also shorter, and their meat or fur yields have been significantly increased!

They’re our hope for solving the future food and raw material shortages!"

He gestured emphatically as he spoke, as if showing off some incredible invention.

After listening, Flora pursed her lips, her little face full of disdain. "Tch, they’re just mutated animals. You make it sound so profound. I’m not even proud of my ’Deerie,’ so what are you so proud of?"

"Dee... Deerie?"

Frederick Fuller was taken aback by Flora’s sudden scorn and didn’t immediately register what she’d said. "What’s a Deerie?"

As if in response to Flora’s words, or perhaps sensing the "new neighbors" and the Aura of unfamiliar animals outside, the Four Seasons Deer Herd, which had been resting quietly in the warm greenhouse, emerged. The magnificent Stag Chief, in particular, strode out of the greenhouse with elegant and powerful steps.

Sunlight fell upon the Four Seasons Deer Alpha’s coat, which shimmered with the ambient light. Its long antlers were like works of art, and the stable, powerful Energy Field of a High-Rank mutated creature that it radiated instantly drew everyone’s attention.

Frederick Fuller was about to retort to Flora when he looked up and saw the colossal deer. It was taller than their trucks and possessed an extraordinary presence. His mouth dropped open wide enough to fit an egg, and his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

"Wh-what is that thing? What kind of monster is that?!"

He cried out, his voice cracking.

Compared to this colossal, mythical-looking deer, his "directionally induced" mutated pigs, sheep, and cows looked like insignificant toys.