Dr. Genus stared blankly.
What had happened exceeded his imagination so thoroughly that his mind simply stopped.
Saitama felt no pride whatsoever over instantly killing Carnage Kabuto.
Instead, devastated by getting the date wrong, he clutched his head and howled toward the ceiling.
“NOOOOO! How could I get the date wrong?!”
“Master!”
Genos, who had been embedded in the wall like a piece of modern art, finally recovered.
Seeing Saitama apparently experiencing absolute despair, he hurried over.
“It was just one supermarket sale.”
Lu Yao attempted consolation.
“Relax.”
“Shut up!”
Saitama snapped.
“A rich bastard like you who spends money without thinking could never understand the pain of poor commoners like me!”
So having money is a crime now?
“Isn’t this good enough?”
Lu Yao sighed.
“I stocked up on ingredients today anyway. And I promised I’d treat you to food.”
“Oh!”
Saitama immediately resurrected.
No. Actually, was he pretending earlier?
Not a trace of sadness remained on his face.
The moment he heard free food was available, his entire body became energetic.
“Score!”
His shameless delight in getting a free meal left Lu Yao speechless.
With Saitama’s strength, if he wanted luxury food, wouldn’t every delicacy in the world be available to him?
Then again—
Lu Yao was somewhat similar.
From humanity’s perspective, the value Lu Yao could create was arguably even greater than Saitama’s.
As previously mentioned, if Lu Yao genuinely participated in social development and guided technological progress, humanity’s future would accelerate drastically.
Some might argue that the amount of Dark Matter one person could produce was insufficient for global civilization.
But there were always solutions.
Humanity didn’t necessarily require genuine Dark Matter.
Secondary Dark Matter would be enough to support civilization’s development—
At least before reaching Type II.
And producing secondary Dark Matter was absurdly easy for Lu Yao.
So limitless honor, fame, and wealth were already within reach.
Yet just as some people couldn’t understand why Saitama possessed unimaginable power without using it to gain status or recognition, Lu Yao ignored those things too.
“All right.”
Saitama clapped his hands.
“Since everything’s settled, let’s go home.”
“Yes, Master Saitama.”
They began walking.
After a few steps, Saitama looked back.
Lu Yao remained where he was.
“Lu Yao, aren’t you coming?”
“You two go first. I still have something to do.”
“Oh.”
Saitama seemed somewhat curious.
But he didn’t ask.
Not because Saitama trusted Lu Yao absolutely or believed he could never go down the wrong path.
Rather—
If Lu Yao ever truly did something unforgivable, Saitama would simply step in and stop him.
Though unless Lu Yao tried causing mass destruction or wiping out humanity, Saitama probably wouldn’t consider it particularly serious.
“Good luck.”
With that casual farewell, Saitama left.
Genos glanced at Lu Yao, then hurried after his master.
Lu Yao walked toward Dr. Genus.
Genus gave a self-mocking laugh.
“Are you here to kill me? If so, do it quickly.”
He had clearly given up.
But the reason wasn’t simply Carnage Kabuto’s defeat.
It was Saitama.
If Carnage Kabuto had merely lost after a brutal battle, Genus wouldn’t have abandoned his dream.
He already considered Kabuto a flawed product.
If Saitama had narrowly defeated him, Genus would have become even more obsessed with Saitama.
But Saitama’s overwhelming power—
Power that seemed to stand above all things— had shattered Genus’s lifelong pursuit.
Now he had entered a state where nothing seemed to matter anymore.
“I’m not a murderer.”
Lu Yao answered.
“And I’m not some righteous hero either.”
“You’ve probably committed countless crimes in pursuit of your ‘new world’ and ‘new humanity.'”
He looked at Genus.
“But that isn’t enough reason for me to kill you.”
“Then what do you want?”
Genus looked up.
“All of your research.”
“Oh…”
Lu Yao crouched.
He spread one hand toward Dr. Genus’s badly damaged body.
White mist flowed into him.
Genus widened his eyes slightly.
“Is this the same ability you used to sever Carnage Kabuto’s arm?”
His body rapidly became lighter.
Pain disappeared.
Wounds repaired themselves.
“You can interpret it as nanomachines.”
Lu Yao explained.
“An enormous number of microscopic machines enter your body and repair damaged regions.”
“That’s all.”
“I see.”
Genus adjusted his glasses.
“Universal nanomachines. They can function as weapons or medical equipment.”
He immediately entered scientist mode.
“If so, you could probably simulate viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms as well.”
His eyes sharpened.
“You could unleash a global plague effortlessly.” This story is hosted at g.com.
“A technology capable of exterminating humanity in moments.”
“Like something from a dream.”
“Why is your first thought so destructive?”
Lu Yao stared at him speechlessly.
“It’s just a conclusion from my brief life experience.”
Genus replied.
“Human technology is always accompanied by malicious applications.”
“No matter how transformative its positive effects are, every technology capable of benefiting humanity can usually destroy it as well.”
“Nuclear technology may solve energy problems, but humanity still fears nuclear weapons.”
He shrugged.
“So viewing your ability first as a weapon is simply habitual thinking.”
Then he sighed.
“Anyway. You want my research, right?”
“Follow me.”
He stood and began leading the way.
“That’s unexpected.”
Lu Yao followed.
“I thought you’d demand something in return.”
“I’m not stupid.”
Genus answered.
“I’m clearly the weaker party. I possess no bargaining position.”
He paused.
“And those things are meaningless to me now anyway.”
“I’m ending the related work.”
Despite his words, Lu Yao could hear faint loneliness in Genus’s voice.
That was all.
Lu Yao felt no pity.
Only delight at obtaining new knowledge and technology.
He could also sense that Genus was telling the truth.
Plenty of other life-signs remained inside this vast underground complex.
If Genus truly wanted to resist, he probably could’ve tried.
“My primary research field is biology, especially genetic engineering.”
Genus continued walking.
“If you want my work, that suggests your nanomachines weren’t developed entirely by yourself. They’re closer to a biological ability?”
He considered.
“Did some organ mutate?”
Then he stopped himself.
“Sorry. Even though I said I was giving up, professional curiosity is difficult to suppress.”
“It’s fine.”
Lu Yao replied.
“Your guess is basically correct.”
“I see.”
Genus nodded.
“Then I hope my research can help you.”
After that, neither spoke much.
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