The researcher calmly returned the test tube to its place and turned back to face Zane—not to observe him, but truly to see him.
His gaze held no hostility, only a glimmer of curiosity and inquiry.
It was the pure, untainted yearning for knowledge—the kind that belongs to those who pursue truth and the unknown.
"Seeing how calm and composed you are now only confirms my deduction... The pride of a creation born from the world itself is exactly as expected."
"Fire Picker... Based on your traits, that major in the Staff Army gave you a rather fitting name."
The refined researcher smiled, genuinely pleased to see the Fire Picker up close for the first time.
"Heaven and Earth's creation... what does that mean?"
Zane remained composed. Behind his mask, his eyes were sharp and clear. He had come here to find the defectors from the White Star Institute—to learn more about himself.
Xin had reached out to him; she could wait. This situation, however, had proven worthwhile. This man was not only sharp but knew far more than expected.
Though one thing still bugged him...
Where were the other researchers?
As if reading Zane's thoughts, the man chuckled softly.
"Looking for the others? They're likely gone by now. The Ethereals on the front lines... did not come without a price."
He stepped to the side and activated a device that looked like a loudspeaker. The emotions on his face gradually faded into stillness.
"Fire Picker, I know the kind of information you're after."
"I can give you some of it—what little time I have left. But I'll need a favor in return. After all... if I stay silent, you'll get nothing."
He offered a polite smile, voice low.
"Tch... You trying to negotiate with me?"
"You want a favor? Fine. Let me hear how valuable your information really is—because I'm the one holding the cards."
Zane waved dismissively, his tone indifferent. His eyes fell on the active device—though he sensed nothing out of the ordinary from it.
What was this thing even for?
"Indeed. That's fair."
"Ask your questions. I'll answer everything I can."
The researcher didn't refute him. Instead, he gave a small nod and spoke respectfully.
"Everything you can, huh?"
"Yes. For us core members of the White Star Institute, this isn't classified."
He smiled faintly. In the distance, something was racing through the sky toward them.
"I'm curious—where does all this hostility toward me come from?"
"Did you plan to capture me as some rare specimen for study?"
Zane leaned against a nearby supply platform, his gaze steady as he asked with genuine curiosity.
"Capture and study? Hahaha..."
The researcher let out a few soft laughs, shaking his head.
"We don't have the ability—or the guts. Capturing someone and killing someone are two completely different levels of difficulty."
"There might've been some people in the White Star Institute with that fantasy at first, but after the Cretan Hollow incident, most of them changed their minds."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Oh, right. I forgot to answer your first question."
"As I said earlier—you are a child of the world. A creation of heaven and earth, forged to fight evil with evil. Your destiny is tied to confronting the world's corruption..."
"In other words, the Hollows beneath our feet."
"But while I take pride in being human, it's obvious where humanity stands in the grand scheme of this world."
"The world doesn't need humans. Humans need the world."
The researcher hesitated briefly, his gaze tinged with helplessness and worry. But soon, he returned to calm—and a quiet pride.
"You are the future of the world. And your enemies are the enemies of the world."
"But whether that future has room for humanity... we still don't know."
"Whether the world's enemies have room for humanity... we also don't know."
He slowly pulled a sharp knife from his pocket, its blade gleaming coldly—reflecting his current state of mind.
Lowering his gaze, he said softly,
"Your existence is a gamble for humanity. Even though the professor raised the odds... the wager is the future of our entire species."
"Humanity can't afford to gamble."
"We need our own path of hope. We can't place our future in something so uncertain—and we can't leave behind something that might become a threat..."
"That's the root of their hostility toward you."
With one hand, the researcher picked up the knife. With the other, he extended his arm. Then, without hesitation, he sliced open his wrist.
Thick, crimson blood streamed down.
He tossed the blade aside, letting the blood flow freely. Turning slightly, he grabbed a round-bottomed glass bottle and smashed it on the table.
The top shattered, leaving a shallow hemisphere.
He picked it up and placed it beneath his bleeding wrist.
His face paled as the blood continued to pour.
"Fire Picker, I don't know how valuable my information is to you. But now, I'll tell you what I need from you."
He offered a faint smile.
"If I succeed, she'll retreat into the depths of Hollow Zero and leave this place."
"If I fail... she'll attack right here."
"Your strength is great—so please help me clean up the aftermath. If my information is worth your while, I'll be grateful."
His words were courteous. If Zane chose to help, he'd be thankful. If not, so be it.
Just as he finished speaking, a shadow suddenly loomed overhead, covering most of the compound.
Zane glanced up.
Nineveh hovered in the sky.
She had fled quickly earlier, but even so, the damage from that silver bullet had clearly reached her. Her torn flower-like tail confirmed she'd taken a heavy hit.
Zane had sensed her heading this way.
His gaze shifted to the device the researcher had activated.
So this was it.
The thing that drew Nineveh here.
Must've been designed specifically for her. After all, he was an Ethereal too, and it had no effect on him—he didn't even feel the slightest ripple.
Nineveh hovered, circling above as if unsure whether to descend.
She wanted to destroy the noisy thing below—but that other presence... it filled her with an inexplicable dread.
As if... she'd been beaten by that figure before.