Chapter 374: Iron Hide!

Veyne stood before the container, studying the readings as if examining an ordinary laboratory sample. His silvering hair, lined face, and neatly maintained beard made him look more like a distinguished university professor than someone running a secret laboratory and conductinv human experiments beneath a cathedral.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. Veyne didn’t turn around immediately. His research assistant had worked with him long enough to understand that interrupting him during an experiment was never done without a valid reason.

"Dr. Veyne, you might be interested in this."

The assistant handed him a tablet.

Veyne accepted it and watched the video playing on the screen. It appeared to be a replay of a live broadcast covering a terrorist attack at a hospital.

At first, he showed little interest. Terrorist attacks were hardly relevant to his research. However, he trusted his assistant’s judgment, so he continued watching.

Then the footage showed a young man in a hospital gown charging toward one of the terrorists and striking him with his backside.

Veyne’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

The next moment, the other two terrorists raised their weapons and fired at him.

The barrage of bullets flew directly toward the young man.

Then, halfway through their trajectory, something completely impossible happened.

The bullets curved midair.

They changed direction as if an invisible force had seized them and deliberately redirected them away from their target.

Veyne’s expression changed immediately.

"Plat it back."

The assistant replayed the footage.

Veyne watched carefully before reaching over and dragging the video back himself. The scene played again.

He watched the movement of the bullets frame by frame, his eyes narrowing as his scientific curiosity gradually replaced his previous indifference.

There was no visible device, no obvious physical obstruction, and no conventional explanation for what had happened.

The bullets had simply changed direction. He looked at his assistant and asked seriously.

"Tell me what you know."

"Dr. Veyne, this is footage from the terrorist attack that occurred in Jiangnan City, Longyan Country. The victims were saved by this young man. The public has started calling him their superhero, with the title of Lord Lavatory."

Veyne’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the photograph displayed beside the video. He replayed the footage once more.

"As I thought. This is not a trick."

His voice carried a faint excitement.

"It appears to be a naturally awakened superpower rather than the result of genetic modification. The bullet trajectory suggests some form of telekinetic influence, although the available footage isn’t sufficient to determine the exact mechanism."

He paused, staring at Lin Fan’s image.

"Could he be a Psychic? No, I can’t be sure yet."

For the first time since the assistant had entered the room, his indifferent disappeared and genuine excitement appeared in the old scientist’s eyes.

"A naturally occurring superhuman ability..." His gaze became fascinated. "Remarkable."

The assistant watched silently as Veyne continued examining the footage.

"I want him."

The assistant wasn’t surprised and asked, "Should we hire mercenaries from the dark web to capture him?"

Regarding the test subjects, they usually send commissions to the dark web. So he suggested it like always. However, this time, "No." Veyne immediately rejected the suggestion without hesitation. "I don’t trust those rabble. They are useful for ordinary work, but against someone possessing an ability like this is beyond their capabilities."

His attention shifted toward the huge container behind him.

"Besides, I already have someone who can handle it." He walked toward the control panel.

"It’s time to see the results of my latest experiment."

A nameplate attached to the container became visible beneath the laboratory lights.

MARCUS VALE — IRONHIDE

Veyne entered several commands.

The machinery surrounding the container immediately activated, and the green liquid slowly began draining away. As the level dropped, the figure inside gradually became clearer.

The assistant curiously looked at the file of this test subject lying on the table.

Marcus Vale, thirty-four years old, a former private security contractor who had suffered severe injuries during an operation. Rather than accept a life limited by his damaged body, Marcus had volunteered for Veyne’s experiment.

His skeletal and muscular systems had been reinforced with artificial biological tissue and lightweight composite materials. Artificial muscle fibers had been integrated throughout his body, giving him extraordinary strength, reinforced bones, enhanced durability, and tremendous grip strength.

From the looks of it. This experiment was a success. At least, so far it is. The liquid finally disappeared, and the container opened with a hiss.

Marcus stepped forward. He slowly clenched his fist, feeling the unfamiliar strength running through his body. His movements changed from awkward to controlled, reflecting the training he had received during his years as a security operative.

He looked toward the scientist who had given him another chance at life.

"Dr. Adrian, thank you."

Veyne smiled politely.

"Don’t thank me yet. You have a mission."

He picked up the tablet and displayed Lin Fan’s image.

"Bring this person to me."

Marcus studied the photograph.

"No matter what means you have to use," Veyne continued calmly, "I want him alive."

Marcus remained silent for a moment before giving a firm nod.

"I will."

Veyne watched as his newest creation left the laboratory.

His gaze remained on Lin Fan’s image for several seconds.

The NSRA had discarded his research because they considered his experiments unacceptable.

They had made the mistake of believing that removing him would stop his work.

Now, Veyne had discovered something far more valuable than any laboratory specimen he had created himself: a human being who had apparently achieved what science was still struggling to reproduce.

A naturally awakened superhuman. For Adrian Veyne, that wasn’t a threat. It was an opportunity.

Right then, Marcus who had suddenly returned, looking embarrassed, scratching his cheek. "Um, Dr... Where should I find this person?"

"..." Assistant.

"..." Adrian.

For a moment, they both reconsidered whether to recruit mercenaries from the dark web.

Adrian let his assistant give him all the information they knew.

Seeing that Marcus still look troubled he suggested. The assistant advised.

"Since they call him their superhero. Then become a supervillain. I believe he will appear."

"I see," Marcus nodded with enlightenment and left.