After putting the item away, there wasn't the slightest hint of disappointment on Ruan Mei's face.
"So, what's next? You're going to keep drawing 1-point prizes?"
"I'm not that stupid."
"The only reason I drew a 1-point prize earlier was because I wanted something to study. Those low-tier items with negative effects are perfect research material."
"If I spent all my winnings on those…"
"Wouldn't that be no different from losing?"
She inserted all nine remaining coins and pulled the lever.
Thunk… Thunk…
A box dropped out.
"No special effects."
Ruan Mei looked slightly disappointed.
"It seems my luck isn't very good."
"Don't be disappointed."
"This one's actually useful to you."
"Oh?"
"Tell me."
Her interest was instantly piqued.
As a researcher, anything that could benefit her naturally caught her attention.
"This is a Random Gene Box."
"It can generate all kinds of genetic sequences."
"And the available gene pool changes once every month."
"Genes…"
Ruan Mei's eyes lit up.
Then she suddenly thought of something and turned toward Valerius.
"Does it contain the genes of anything?"
"It does."
"Any kind of gene."
"If you're lucky enough…"
"It could even generate the genes of an Aeon."
The moment those words fell…
Not only Ruan Mei, but Herta and Screwllum were visibly excited.
"As long as we obtain an Aeon's genes…"
"As long as we obtain an Aeon's genes…"
Herta murmured to herself repeatedly.
A bold idea emerged in her mind.
If they used an Aeon's genes…
To cultivate another Aeon…
What would the result be?
An Aeon?
Just imagining it made her heart race.
The Simulated Universe would become even more interesting.
"Ruan Mei."
"One person's abilities are limited."
"You know what I mean."
"Hehe."
"Same condition as before."
"Prepare a laboratory for me."
"No problem."
Herta agreed without the slightest hesitation before immediately turning toward Asta.
"…Again?"
Asta pointed at herself in disbelief.
She wanted to cry.
Whenever work needed to be done…
Herta was nowhere to be found.
But the instant money was involved…
She appeared immediately.
Watching Herta and Asta, Jade stepped forward.
"Ladies."
"Our company is willing to finance the construction of the laboratory."
"Heh."
Herta rolled her eyes.
"As if you aren't after something in return."
"No need."
"Our Asta isn't short of money."
Pfft!
Asta nearly spat out blood.
Easy for you to say.
It's not your money you're spending!
My allowance…
Ruan Mei didn't care who paid for the laboratory.
As long as she had somewhere to conduct her research, that was enough.
After carefully storing away the Gene Box, she looked back at Valerius.
"Will your genes ever appear inside it?"
"They won't."
Valerius shook his head.
Nice try.
How could he casually hand out his own genes?
What if she mass-produced him?
"I see."
Ruan Mei sounded slightly disappointed.
"I was hoping to combine your genes with mine."
"I wanted to see what we'd create."
Only then did Valerius remember…
This woman's moral boundaries were frighteningly flexible.
If she really got hold of his DNA…
She'd probably start experimenting without hesitation.
Then something suddenly felt…
Wrong.
"My genes… your genes…"
Why did that sound so strange?
Combining two people's genes…
Wasn't that just having a child?
Holy crap!
Ruan Mei wants to have my baby?!
That's not happening!
He instinctively checked his shoulder.
Thankfully…
No loose hairs.
He was genuinely worried that one day Ruan Mei would somehow obtain a sample of his DNA…
Then show up carrying a child and tell him it was his.
"Hiss…"
"Don't mess around."
"You have to be responsible for the next generation."
"Hehehe…"
Ruan Mei rolled her eyes at him.
"You certainly have quite the imagination."
"I only meant combining genetic material."
"And you've already jumped straight to having children."
"'Be responsible for the next generation'…"
"Honestly…"
Yet…
A new thought quietly surfaced in her mind.
If her genius genes…
Were combined with Valerius's miraculous abilities…
Would their child inherit both?
For just a brief moment…
She was genuinely tempted.
She had always pursued one of two goals.
Either become an Aeon herself…
Or create one and become its mother.
But now…
Being the mother of Valerius's child somehow sounded even more appealing.
Looking at Valerius again…
There was now a faint warmth in her eyes.
"Y-What are you trying to do?"
"…Want to give it a try?"
"No thanks."
Valerius immediately refused.
"Your moral standards are way too low."
"I can't get too close to someone like you."
He waved her away.
"You've spent all your points."
"Now it's punishment time."
"…Alright."
Ruan Mei didn't argue.
She simply hugged the Gene Box and walked off to one side.
Within the crowd…
Cocolia quietly pulled Bronya aside.
"See that?"
"That woman doesn't look trustworthy."
"You'd better keep an eye on her."
"I know."
Bronya sighed helplessly.
"Valerius already rejected her."
"What do I have to worry about?"
"Besides…"
"He's always treated me well."
"I don't believe he'd ever abandon me."
Meanwhile…
Valerius took out the punishment machine once more.
"Your turn."
"The three of you."
Sushang looked ready to cry.
Everyone else entered the games and came home with rewards.
She had participated twice…
And received punishments both times.
"…I'm not drawing."
"M-Me neither."
Sucrose looked utterly distressed.
She was already socially anxious.
If the punishment forced her into some embarrassing behavior…
She'd never be able to face anyone again.
Since both girls flatly refused…
Kujou Sara took a deep breath and stepped forward alone.
The Shogun was watching.
She couldn't disgrace Inazuma.
She pulled the lever.
A small card dropped out.
[Personality Shift: For the next week, your personality will change to its opposite.]
"…Personality shift?"
Sara frowned.
She didn't understand.
A person's personality was already formed.
How could it simply change?
The card dissolved into countless particles before entering the bodies of all three participants.
"I have to stay calm."
"I absolutely cannot do anything embarrassing."
Last time, Sushang's Version T0 punishment had nearly caused her social death.
This time…
She had already decided.
No matter what happened…
She absolutely would not do anything outrageous.
"Sushang."
"Are you alright?"
"Huh…"
"I actually feel fine."
She patted herself all over.
Nothing seemed different.
"That's good."
Guinaifen relaxed, though she looked slightly disappointed.
"Sushang."
"This week we're staying home."
"We're not going anywhere."
"As long as we stay inside…"
"The punishment can't do anything to you."
"And stop wandering around town helping everyone."
"Helping?"
Sushang looked confused.
"Helping who?"
"Huh?"
"You've been helping people all over town every day."
"Aren't you going to keep doing that?"
"Tch."
"Am I crazy?"
"Why would I help them?"
Guinaifen blinked.
Something was definitely wrong.
Normally…
Sushang was ridiculously kindhearted.
She spent all day helping strangers.
But now…
She sounded like a completely different person.
Still…
Maybe this wasn't entirely bad.
Sushang had always been too nice.
"Fine."
"Don't help them."
"You're a Cloud Knight."
"You belong on the battlefield."
"Running around town doing odd jobs all day is beneath you."
"The battlefield?!"
Sushang's voice suddenly shot up.
"Why would I go to the battlefield?"
"That's just asking to die!"
"I'm still young!"
"I don't want to fight!"
"I've already made up my mind."
"If I ever end up on the battlefield…"
"I'll find somewhere to hide and play dead."
"If we win, I'll still get military merit."
"If we lose…"
"I'll just run away with everyone else."
Jing Yuan: "…"
Feixiao: "…"
The two Xianzhou generals were completely dumbfounded.
Good grief…
So that's what she'd been thinking?
If they hadn't known she was under the effects of a punishment…
They would've charged her with desertion on the spot and sent her straight to military court.
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