Chapter 276: Don’t ever reach beyond your means
Victor’s gaze glinted with calculation. His plan was simple: to gain a perfect dose of bronze cells from Seth, enough to curate an ascension as near flawless as Kylie’s.
After all, he couldn’t settle for the false state they were planning to implement on the soldiers. Second, he would also have to get Seth’s assistance for ascension.
"Well, let’s have it. What will it take? I don’t have all the time in the world," Seth asked, even though he had a rough idea of what requirements Victor might ask for.
The genetic engineer was upfront, expressing his requirements, but surprisingly something he said last caught Seth off guard.
"Of course, you will also have to provide me with samples when you undergo further evolution."
Further evolution... this guy wasn’t talking about the evolution of life but racial upgrades. How did he know there would be more?
With the wonder the bronze genes could provide, not everyone would think far enough to factor the possibility that the human gene could go even further.
This was intriguing, but also ridiculous. "Are you kidding me? Do you take me to be some sort of sample bag or something? Do you have any concept of how valuable the bronze cells I will be providing for you are?" Seth scoffed, eyeing Victor like he would a fool.
"Bronze genes can push your body further than you can ever imagine. They increase your senses, bolster your will quality, heck, they even multiply the effectiveness of each stat — yet you want something more?"
Victor refused to give ground. Gritting his teeth, he replied, "Yes, and that’s the same gene you’re providing these soldiers for free."
Seth’s brows furrowed. "It’s for the sake of humanity. That’s different."
And Victor, wearing a faint grin, rebutted, "And I’m telling you to do that. This is the price. Honestly, it’s a good deal. We don’t even know if you will be able to evolve these fascinating genes further."
Seth stared at the scientist coldly. How would this guy know that he had a guaranteed one‑time racial upgrade serum?
And even without it, Seth had full confidence he would be able to achieve further racial upgrades.
But would he let this leech feed off him? Especially when his existence alone annoyed Seth so much?
Seth remained silent for a few long seconds, blinked, then turned to Kylie. "Do you have to work with him?"
Kylie startled at the sudden question, but she didn’t need to think to respond sincerely. "I was planning to let him in on the project out of formality since he helped me the first time, but if you just ask it, I can do it without him."
She finished, her gaze on Seth serious. While the workload might be a little overwhelming, she didn’t mind as long as she was doing it for Seth.
Victor’s heart skipped a beat. The footing he assumed he had was suddenly pulled from beneath him.
His head whipped toward Kylie, pupils quivering, reflecting the pain of betrayal he felt.
But she didn’t even give him a glance. His heart shook as a sudden realization hit.
Indeed, this was the Kylie he knew — cold, arrogant, and uncaring of what others felt or thought. That was the woman he was infatuated with.
And somehow before Seth she seemed to have become another person. For one, he couldn’t remember the last time she was this ready to work for anyone except herself.
Heck, to become her partner for this project he had to prove his worth and show her that he was an indispensable ally.
Yet she was ready to throw that all away in a heartbeat... It hurt him more because she was doing it for a man.
He tried to deny it earlier, but it couldn’t be more clear that Kylie seemed to have an interest in this Seth.
His jaw clenched hard, but he refused to give up. He believed he had a better chance to make her happy.
He was the best match she could ever get...
Seth didn’t make a choice yet. Instead, he turned back to stare at Victor, as though offering him the last chance he would get.
Reluctant but in the end compliant, Victor squeezed through his teeth. "Fine, the bronze cells will be enough."
His words brought a grin to Seth’s face. He reached and patted Victor’s shoulder as though consoling him. "See? That wasn’t so hard, was it? Next time do not try to reach beyond your means."
Veins bulged across the scholar’s head, his fists clenching so tight his knuckles went white. Seth’s words were provocative and humiliating.
And he felt the sting harshly, but he could only grit his teeth and bear it. This was an Awakened rank evolver — getting on his bad side would be stupid.
Plus, it clearly wouldn’t please Kylie, and he wanted to stay on her good side, winning her heart by remaining by her side.
That he would do, even if he had to swallow this humiliation.
Seeing Victor’s silence, Seth couldn’t help but feel a surge of wicked glee. There was something about putting a snake in its place that brought satisfaction.
As he released his grip on the poor man’s shoulder, Kylie walked over, her worry clear in her eyes. "You know this plan would need a huge supply of blood samples. Will you be able to handle it?"
Seth turned her way, smiling. "It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about me. With my regenerative capabilities, I should be fine."
Kylie shook her head, taking his hands. "It’s not that. The more blood you shed, the thinner the bronze cells in you become. While they can divide, all progress you’ve gotten as a result will be dissolved."
Indeed, he hadn’t thought this far. Seth almost face‑palmed himself. Did he think donating so much blood wouldn’t come at a cost?
And as for the consequences of losing all progress on the bronze cells’ growth... he would just have to bear with it.
It just meant that his next racial upgrade would be delayed...
Closing his eyes, he came to peace with this fact, and nodded. "I can bear it. We just have to win this war!" Seth sighed.
This wasn’t like him. He was inherently selfish, but in the end, for the sake of humanity, for the sake of the ones he loved, he had to do it.
Kylie stared at him for a moment, a small smile growing on her tender lips, and she nodded gently, respecting his choice.
"Let’s begin right away then..."
Victor observed this exchange from the side, and there it was again — the feeling like these two were in their own world and he was just a third wheel.
In the end I just have to bear with it... he thought, recalling a project he was working on under wraps. His gaze glinted with confidence.
"Once I complete it, my qualifications will be undeniable! And then..." his gaze focused on Kylie. "You will be mine."