Compared to the artificial sun, the mechanical tentacles—which were just auxiliary experimental equipment—hadn't been given much priority by Dr. Otto. What he cared most about was his life's work, the artificial sun that could change the world.
He was busy in the laboratory supervising the equipment transfer, making sure nothing got damaged.
"Be careful—this is equipment related to the future development of the world. There must be no problems."
Dr. Otto's attitude made everyone more cautious. The workers who were originally moving the equipment handled the laboratory gear with extra care, loading these expensive devices onto trucks.
Even though they didn't know what world-changing equipment would look like, they understood very well how expensive this stuff was. A random component from any of these machines might be worth more than all their possessions combined.
Faced with this situation, the workers could only carry everything carefully and cautiously, terrified of the slightest mistake.
Wild Dog, who had also been sent out to scout, was looking at the mechanical tentacles in the laboratory through the window.
"So these are the claws the boss wants? If I steal them back, wouldn't that make me Boss Hyena's right-hand man?"
For any gangster, becoming the boss's confidant was the only way to get higher status. Don't let his small leadership role fool you—there were plenty of other lieutenants, but the ones who really mattered were those who'd earned their way into the boss's inner circle.
After all, he was tired of being cannon fodder. He wanted to be someone the boss truly trusted.
Looking at the mechanical tentacles in the laboratory, Wild Dog turned and left. This was a laboratory funded by the Osborn Group, and the security guards at the entrance carried shotguns. He knew that trying to steal the machine right now would be suicide.
Besides, he needed to plan how to actually get the device out.
Back in the laboratory, work continued as half the room was gradually emptied. All the most important research equipment had been loaded onto trucks.
"Mr. Otto, we're about to clock out, and it'll take another day to move the rest of this stuff."
A supervisor approached Dr. Otto and pulled out a list covered in items.
"This is today's delivery manifest. We'll see you tomorrow."
Dr. Otto had no objection to the supervisor's words. He knew very well that even if they moved everything today, he'd still need time to prepare materials for creating another artificial sun. The materials were extremely rare, which would require the Osborn Group to spend considerable time collecting them.
"Next time, my artificial sun will never fail!"
Dr. Otto was full of confidence. He had optimized his experiment, accounting for every possible variable. There would never be any accidents in his next experiment.
Dr. Otto looked at his wife beside him, holding her hand tightly. The two smiled at each other and left the laboratory together.
Meanwhile, members of the Hyena Gang were making their move. Their target was the mechanical tentacles stored in the laboratory, and the sound of their footsteps grew clearer as they approached.
Hyena had personally come to Dr. Otto's laboratory for these tentacles. He'd prepared extensively—not only bringing his crew, but also ensuring all his men were armed. If the tentacles couldn't be stolen, he didn't mind switching to a more direct approach to snatch the mechanical arms.
But for now, stealing was still the best method. After all, he didn't want to conflict with the Osborn Group or get forced out of New York.
"Tell everyone below—be smart about this. If anyone screws up, I'll personally throw them into the meat grinder!"
Hyena spoke calmly, but his cruel words made the gangsters around him shudder.
Soon after, a few thugs crept out toward the laboratory. They were all skilled lock-pickers, and everyone wanted to show off in front of the boss.
Inside the lab, the security guard on duty was sitting in his chair, bored out of his mind. There was obviously nothing valuable left here, but he'd still been assigned to guard the stuff that hadn't been transported yet.
"All the valuables have been moved, and the rest is junk. Even if you threw it at homeless people, they wouldn't bother picking it up."
The security guard looked at the remaining items in the laboratory and muttered, but his eyes kept drifting to the mechanical tentacles sealed in a glass case by Dr. Otto.
"I remember Dr. Otto wearing this thing on the news. Haha, looked like a human octopus."
The security guard talked to himself. He really wanted to open the glass case and take out the mechanical tentacles to play with them, but he'd seen Dr. Otto personally seal everything in the laboratory to prevent the movers from tampering with various equipment out of curiosity.
After staring for a while, the security guard returned to his post, bored, ready to take a nap.
What he didn't know was that the laboratory door had already been opened by several gangsters.
"Boss Hyena, the door's open!"
"Excellent. Send in a few clever guys to steal those mechanical tentacles. Anyone who pulls it off gets a ten thousand dollar reward!"
The moment those words left his mouth, the Hyena Gang members erupted with excitement. Just for stealing one thing, they could earn ten grand—that was a massive reward for them.
"Listen up—I want this stolen, not fought for. If there's any commotion, don't blame me for turning on you!"
Hyena glanced at everyone with a menacing look. He didn't want trouble. If these guys did something they shouldn't, he'd personally put them in the ground.
Wild Dog was confident he could steal those mechanical tentacles.
"Is this finally my chance to become the boss's right-hand man?"
Wild Dog trembled with excitement. He slipped through the laboratory door, avoiding all the security cameras as he crept toward where the mechanical tentacles were stored.
"Haha, here I come, metal claws!"
It had to be said that Wild Dog's thieving skills were much better than his fighting abilities. In combat he just relied on intimidation, but stealing was clearly his specialty. Those monitors didn't affect him at all—in the blink of an eye, he'd reached the mechanical tentacles' location.
"I really don't know why the boss wants this thing. This stuff isn't as good as a gun."
Looking at the mechanical tentacles in the glass case, Wild Dog curled his lips. In his opinion, firearms were the most powerful weapons.