Chapter 80: The X - gene serum
As soon as the two-horned alien vanished, Leo lowered the Glock in his hand.
The adrenaline that had been supporting him finally gave out.
His legs trembled violently, and his vision gradually became blurry.
He knew he had reached his limit.
Without saying a word, he turned toward his truck and staggered forward.
Not far away, Rex had just stepped out of his vehicle when he caught sight of Leo.
Only after taking a closer look did he notice the blood soaking through the back of Leo’s tactical armor.
His expression changed.
Looking toward Nina, he asked,
"Is he going to be alright?"
"That wound looks serious."
Nina pursed her lips, struggling to find the right words to explain everything that had happened.
Everyone’s gaze unconsciously shifted toward Leo.
His footsteps became increasingly unsteady.
As he walked, he quietly slipped a card from his belt and tucked it into his pocket.
A faint emerald glow briefly seeped through the fabric before fading away.
No one noticed.
At last, Leo reached the truck.
He raised a trembling hand and knocked on the door.
A moment later, Danny opened it.
The moment he saw Leo’s pale face, his expression changed drastically.
Before he could ask anything, Leo spoke in a weak voice.
"Take your wife and daughter outside."
"It’s safe now."
Danny immediately nodded.
Soon, Linda emerged from the cargo compartment with Lily sleeping in her arms.
After both of them climbed down, Danny was about to follow.
Suddenly, Leo grabbed his wrist.
He quietly pressed something into Danny’s palm.
Leaning closer, he whispered,
"If you want to protect your family..."
"Become stronger."
"So you never have to hide in fear again."
Before Danny could react, Leo released his hand, climbed into the truck, and shut the door behind him.
Danny stood there silently.
Then he slowly opened his palm.
Resting there was a glass vial filled with a shimmering golden liquid.
Attached to it was a small label.
X-Gene Serum.
His breathing stopped for a moment.
...
Inside the truck, Leo dragged his battered body toward the bed.
Every step sent waves of burning pain through his chest.
The moment he collapsed onto the mattress...
Darkness swallowed his consciousness.
Outside the truck, Nina finally finished explaining everything that had happened.
After hearing the entire story, Rex fell silent.
For the first time since meeting Leo, genuine respect appeared in his eyes.
In times like these, someone willing to take a blade through the chest to protect another person was almost unheard of.
Valentine frowned slightly.
"Will he be alright?"
"He was stabbed through the chest."
"Shouldn’t he receive medical treatment immediately?"
Rex shook his head.
"Leave him."
"Knowing that guy..."
"He probably has a plan."
Valentine looked at him curiously.
"What makes you so sure?"
Rex shrugged.
"I don’t know."
"But he’s not as simple as he looks."
"And that truck of his..."
"It’s not ordinary either."
Valentine raised an eyebrow but chose not to ask any further questions.
Instead, her gaze shifted toward Danny and his family, who were busy setting up their tent nearby.
"What about them?"
"Are they traveling with him?"
Rex shook his head.
"Not exactly."
"But for some reason..."
"He’s been protecting that family ever since they met."
At that moment, the silver-haired young man stepped forward.
"Enough talking about other people’s affairs."
"Let’s discuss the convoy."
"Were there any problems while we were away?"
Rex rolled his eyes.
"If you were so worried, Mr. Captain..."
"Why did you disappear in the first place?"
The silver-haired youth scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Valentine smiled helplessly before speaking.
"Everyone has had a long day."
"We’ll hold a meeting tomorrow morning."
"Cyrus..."
"Increase the night patrol."
"We don’t know if they’ll return."
The silver-haired youth nodded respectfully.
"Understood, Aunt."
...
Meanwhile, Danny and Linda had finished setting up their tent.
After comforting the terrified Lily until she finally fell asleep, Danny quietly signaled for Linda to come over.
Careful not to wake their daughter, Linda walked over and sat beside him.
Danny slowly reached into his pocket.
Then he opened his hand.
A golden glass vial rested quietly in his palm.
Linda stared at it curiously.
A second later...
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Is that...?"
Before she could finish speaking, Danny immediately covered her mouth.
"Shh..."
"Keep your voice down."
"This thing is incredibly valuable."
"We don’t know who’s listening."
Linda quickly nodded.
Only then did Danny remove his hand.
She lowered her voice to a whisper.
"Is that really what I think it is "
Danny nodded slowly.
"I think so."
Linda looked at him in confusion.
"Where did you get it?"
A frightening thought suddenly crossed her mind.
Her expression changed.
"Danny..."
"You didn’t take it from Mr. Leo’s truck, did you?"
"You can’t do something like that."
"Go return it immediately and apologize."
Danny gave a bitter smile.
"Silly..."
"Do you really think I’d steal from the man who saved our lives?"
"Do you think I have no conscience?"
He gently looked at the vial.
"Sir Leo gave it to me before he got into the truck."
Linda fell silent.
Danny stared at the golden liquid for a long time.
Finally, he spoke.
"What do you think I should do?"
"This thing is priceless."
"But..."
"I don’t want to remain helpless anymore."
"I don’t ever want to hide and pray for my family’s survival again."
Linda looked at him seriously.
"If Mr. Leo entrusted it to you..."
"Then don’t waste this opportunity."
"But no matter what happens..."
"We’ll never forget the kindness he’s shown our family."
Danny nodded firmly.
Then Linda asked,
"How do you use it?"
Danny reached into the small package Leo had handed him.
Inside was a syringe made from an unfamiliar transparent material.
"I think..."
"We’re supposed to inject it."
"He gave me this together with the serum."
Taking a deep breath, Danny slowly drew the golden liquid into the syringe.
He looked at Linda one last time.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Let’s do this."
Without another moment of hesitation...
He plunged the needle into his arm.
And slowly pushed the plunger down.