The immense pressure within Carnage Kabuto's body dissipated.
Green viscous fluid—insect blood—gushed across the arena floor in spreading pools.
The once-invincible beetle tyrant lay in two perfect halves.
Dead.
[Fate card draw count +1]
F-boy materialized on schedule, ever-diligent. The Stand reached down and shoved Carnage Kabuto's shocked soul into card form with practiced efficiency.
From the Stand user's perspective—visible only to Jordan—golden light blazed behind him like the rising sun at noon.
The alarm ceased. High-frequency red strobes stopped flickering. The battle arena's automated systems detected the rampaging bio-weapon's vital signs had flatlined and shut down emergency protocols.
Aside from two extra corpses on the floor, the space looked almost peaceful.
Jordan stood among the trembling clones, gaze sweeping from right to left.
"Alright. Now let's talk about cooperation."
Silence.
"I've finished my demonstration. Who agrees?" He paused. "Who disagrees?"
"Ahem."
Dr. Genus stepped forward reluctantly. Raised his hand weakly.
"I... agree."
The clones remained behind to clean the battlefield. Jordan knew they wanted to salvage Carnage Kabuto's cells and tissues for analysis—maybe attempt reconstruction later.
He didn't bother stopping them.
The thing's quite powerful, Jordan mused. I used a colorless instant-kill technique this time for intimidation purposes. Next time I'll have him clone an enhanced Plus version. Definitely worth testing properly.
One minute later.
Dr. Genus pressed his fingerprint against the access panel. Heavy alloy doors slid open with pneumatic hisses.
He immediately bowed, gesturing inward.
"Please, come in, sir. This is my office."
Jordan nodded and stepped through.
A massive bookcase dominated one entire wall—floor to ceiling, packed with theoretical texts spanning multiple modern disciplines. Many bore Dr. Genus's name as author. His life's published works.
The desk sat positioned before the shelves. A blackboard covered one wall, surface dense with calculation formulas. Classic researcher aesthetic.
More books piled in various corners. The space felt cluttered, lived-in, obsessively academic.
Vintage wooden furniture throughout—like an antique showroom from the last century. Apart from the office computer on the desk capable of projecting holograms, almost no modern technology visible anywhere.
Dr. Genus noticed the mess the moment they entered.
How did I never realize my office was in such disarray?
"Uh... I'm used to working alone. Haven't tidied much. My apologies..."
Jordan walked straight to Dr. Genus's desk.
Sat down in his chair.
Dr. Genus: "..."
The behavior didn't suggest cooperation discussion. More like hostile takeover.
But the weaker party lacked the ability to resist.
Suffering in silence. Unable to voice complaint.
Ten minutes later.
"Do you mean..." Dr. Genus's voice rose in surprise, eyes wide behind his glasses. "For me to serve you personally?"
Is secretly exploiting an evil scientist considered heroic behavior?
"Hey, hey, hey!" Jordan set down the research manuscript he'd been reading. "I can hear you even when you're just thinking it!"
Dr. Genus flinched.
"It's not about you serving me," Jordan continued. "It's about the entire House of Evolution organization serving a greater purpose."
"Ah... to be precise, the House of Evolution is just me working alone..." Dr. Genus trailed off under Jordan's sharp look. "I apologize!"
The glare promised consequences. Dr. Genus fell silent immediately.
Jordan tapped the desk.
"However. There are conditions."
"From this moment forward: No kidnapping or arresting ordinary people as experimental subjects. For any projects involving human experimentation, you may only use your own clones as research materials."
"But that would drastically reduce genetic diversity in the sample pool—"
"Shut up. I haven't finished. Don't interrupt."
Dr. Genus's mouth snapped closed.
"Where was I... Right. Subsequent experiments must not cause damage to cities or result in civilian casualties. Period."
Jordan leaned back in the chair—his chair now, apparently.
"Furthermore: Establish a charitable foundation in the House of Evolution's name. Compensate the ordinary people you've harmed in the past. Participate in post-disaster city reconstruction. Provide free medical care to civilians. Etcetera."
"Consider this your atonement for past crimes."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
"If you fail to comply, I'll personally deliver you to that particular prison where Puri-Puri Prisoner is held. Let my S-Class colleague give you some... specialized training."
Jordan's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Which path will you choose?"
Dr. Genus: "..."
A horrifying image flashed unbidden through his mind: A naked, stubble-faced muscle-bound convict throwing heart-shaped winks. Blowing kisses. Flexing.
He shuddered. Cold sweat beaded instantly on his forehead.
Although a scientist's understanding transcends species and gender boundaries, THAT particular scenario remains absolutely unacceptable!
"I accept!" The words came out fast. "The foundation matters can be settled today. Immediately."
Dr. Genus swallowed.
"But... what else would you need me to do? Specifically?"
Jordan held out his hand.
F-boy—perfect understanding as always—materialized two SR-rank cards and placed them in Jordan's palm.
"Compound V Warehouse #5!"
"Compound V Laboratory Storage Server!"
The fantasy cards transformed into physical objects with cheap special effects—reality rippling, matter coalescing.
Dr. Genus stared.
A row of industrial-grade freezers displaying blue liquid vials appeared from nowhere. Beside them, a black server rack nearly as tall as Jordan materialized simultaneously.
The equipment instantly filled the already-cramped office space.
Dr. Genus nearly jumped backward.
He'd known "Super Cop" possessed superhuman abilities—that much was obvious. But this level of matter creation from thin air...
Truly the first time I've witnessed such a phenomenon!
"What..." His voice came out strangled. "What are these?"
"This," Jordan gestured at the freezers, "is Compound V. A drug capable of granting humans superpowers."
He provided a brief overview of Compound V's properties.
Dr. Genus listened, utterly bewildered.
It sounded superficially similar to his human evolution theory—but operated more like highly randomized genetic mutation. Excessive proportion of uncontrollable factors. Unpredictable outcomes.
Though Compound V had its own advantages, he admitted reluctantly.
Besides unleashing various superpowers, it avoided the loss of original human form that occurred when fusing with animal genes. The recipients remained... mostly human-looking.
"Could you tell me which scientist invented this substance?" Dr. Genus adjusted his glasses, genuine curiosity breaking through the fear. "I've never encountered research of this caliber before."
"No idea who originally invented Compound V. Not the point."
Jordan patted the server rack—nearly as tall as himself.
"All the past research and development data is stored here. Complete archives. I assume cracking a server isn't particularly difficult for someone of your capabilities, Doctor?"
"No problem whatsoever."
Dr. Genus adjusted his glasses again, confidence flooding back when discussing his field of expertise.
"It sounds conceptually similar to my current research. This might genuinely open an evolutionary pathway for a new kind of human."
His eyes gleamed behind the lenses—the look of a scientist presented with an irresistible puzzle.