V3/Chapter 14: I knew no man could refuse.
"Super-Transformation Armament?"
Su looked confused and slightly weirded out by the term: "What is that? It sounds like something from... uh, a children's cartoon."
Before joining the Fire Moths, he'd often comforted children suffering from Honkai diseases by watching animations with them. He'd seen plenty of similar terms in those shows.
But hearing it from one of the world's top scientists felt utterly bizarre.
Come to think of it, Ai Yue's boastful attitude earlier also made him seem like a child showing off a new toy...
"What nonsense are you talking about? They're completely different!"
Ai Yue glared, cutting off Su's train of thought. "This is actual, implementable technology!"
"Alright, alright,"
Su replied in a placating tone. "So what exactly is this supposedly groundbreaking technology?"
Though Su sounded like he was humoring a child, Ai Yue ignored it and pulled up schematics and data. "To understand Super-Transformation Armament, you must first grasp the fundamentals of MANTIS."
He pointed to the first diagram—a human silhouette overlaid with intricate biological data more complex than meridian charts. "Su, from your perspective, what is a MANTIS?"
"From my perspective..."
Su pondered. "A genetically modified human created by fusing Honkai Beast DNA with human genes?"
"Superficial, but expected given your background."
Ai Yue nodded. "However, despite the name 'fusion warrior,' human and Honkai Beast genes never truly 'fuse.' Even our most advanced techniques only allow coexistence within one body."
"Just coexistence?"
Su frowned. "So Super-Transformation Armament achieves true fusion?"
"You could say that,"
Ai Yue agreed. "Though Super-Transformation Armament is artificially induced. You've seen natural fusion cases, correct?"
"You mean—"
Su recalled the files Dr. Ai Yue had shown him, his expression darkening. "Those who became monsters from the surgery?"
"Exactly. Normally, combining human and Honkai Beast genes creates abominations."
Ai Yue tapped the screen. "Biologically speaking, human genes are too weak compared to Honkai Beasts'."
Survival of the fittest applies even at the genetic level.
"So Super-Transformation Armament solves this?"
Su recalled the earlier footage. "But Mobius still turned into a monster?"
"That's just her aesthetic preference. She's always been like that."
Ai Yue waved dismissively. "More importantly, Super-Transformation Armament allows switching forms freely. The monstrous appearance is irrelevant."
"Meaning users retain self-awareness?"
Su remembered Kevin's accounts of the Australian War. "But what's the underlying principle?"
If true fusion created monsters, how could MANTIS retain sanity? Had their bodies adapted to the Honkai Beast DNA?
"Simply put, biological adaptation."
Ai Yue zoomed into a genetic strand. "As a doctor, you're familiar with the concept?"
Su nodded. Adaptation wasn't complicated—birds grew wings to fly, beetles developed elytra for protection, and cacti evolved spines to conserve water.
But these were gradual processes spanning generations. How could it apply to MANTIS when the technology was barely a year old?
"The human body is miraculous, no?"
Ai Yue laughed at Su's bewilderment. "Though technically, both humans and Honkai Beasts are extraordinary."
"Elaborate, please."
Su shifted into research mode. "What's the specific mechanism?"
"MANTIS are essentially chimeras. The coexistence of human and Honkai Beast genes alters their physiology—and consequently, their minds."
Ai Yue highlighted neural pathways. "But since Honkai Beasts lack conventional consciousness, human cognition remains dominant."
"Mental changes..."
As a psychic-type MANTIS, Su understood this intimately. "All MANTIS exhibit altered psyches. But how does this enable Super-Transformation Armament?"
"The simplified version: Honkai Beast DNA modifies the human spirit, which then learns to control those alien genes. They influence each other—that's the foundation."
Ai Yue adjusted his glasses. "We know little about the mind's depths, but conquering the Honkai Beast genes enables further evolution."
"Evolution?"
Su's frown deepened. "Can we truly call it that?"
"For MANTIS, absolutely."
Ai Yue switched slides. "It also involves emotion. Extreme feelings trigger physiological changes—illness from negativity, adrenaline surges from stress. But Honkai Beasts lack this feedback loop."
"Because without conventional minds, they don't experience emotions, so no mutual influence occurs..."
Su's eyes widened. "But MANTIS has both!"
Honkai Beasts fought at fixed capacities—never weakening from despair nor strengthening through desperation. A locked ceiling.
Yet MANTIS, being fundamentally human, allowed their Honkai Beast DNA to be affected by mental states, creating new possibilities.
"Correct. Mental fluctuations induce Honkai Beast gene mutations—the basis of Overload Transformation, Super-Transformation Armament's precursor."
Ai Yue displayed a MANTIS's genetic breakdown. "Extreme emotions trigger violent Honkai Beast gene activation. They rapidly replicate until human genes are suppressed, manifesting non-human traits."
"Hence, becoming monsters?"
"Initially, yes."
Ai Yue brought up Mobius' data. "But the adapted human mind doesn't break. It harnesses this runaway power, creating rational monsters—human in spirit, however altered their forms."
"Your perspective on humanity grows more Mobius-like."
Su sighed in reluctant relief. "Yet hearing you still call them human... comforts me somehow."
"I refuse to even say 'rational monsters.'"
Ai Yue shrugged. "It's evolution, plain and simple."
To him, all paths led to the same destination. If the soul remained human, the journey, whether through flesh or steel, was irrelevant. Detours were acceptable if they smoothed the road.
"Back to Super-Transformation Armament."
Su steered the conversation. "How does it differ from Overload Transformation?"
"Simpler in theory, trickier in practice."
Ai Yue pulled up genetic editors. "Honkai Beast genes are more malleable than human DNA. By pre-editing them to respond to artificial triggers, we can dictate transformation outcomes."
The screen showed Mobius' serpentine form shrinking, her tail bifurcating into legs until she resembled an armored Kevin.
"So it converts Overload Transformation into bio-armor?"
Su observed. "The name fits."
"Right?!"
Ai Yue beamed, nearly slipping up. "This technique took me... ahem considerable effort to develop. Flawless!"
He'd almost revealed his "inspiration" from the Great Shocker Human Modification Technology.
Super-Transformation Armament channeled Overload Transformation's chaotic mutations into standardized bio-armor—more stable, energy-efficient, and mentally safe. No more "I am snek" identity crises from prolonged use.
Though he'd kept the original Overload Transformation as a hidden trump card. Because who didn't love a second transformation sequence?
"I grasp the theory."
Su nodded. "But why choose me? You have countless test subjects."
"Three reasons."
Ai Yue raised his fingers. "First, data collection—you're the ideal psychic-type candidate. Second, greater power for greater responsibilities. Third, I want to see if your abilities evolve post-transformation."
Mobius' combat capabilities had skyrocketed after her transformation, rivaling Kosma's. If Su experienced similar growth, humanity might gain a psychic equal to Aponia.
"Understood."
No further hesitation. "When do we begin?"
Ai Yue's smile said I knew you'd agree. "We can start immediately."
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