"Alice, that chainsaw sword you designed while this handsome man was on a date," Rian said with a small grin, "…is very interesting."
At that moment, with his arms casually crossed, Rian stood inside a transparent elevator descending from the surface to the main connecting hall of Lab Eden.
[Response: Alice required two days for full production.]
[However, if Handsome Prince Rian is in a hurry to return, Alice can reduce virtual sleep hours and accelerate progress.]
A calm, emotionless voice of a young girl echoed around him—the unmistakable tone of Alice, the AI caretaker of Lab Eden.
Rian glanced at the holographic screen in front of him, displaying a 3D model of the weapon—an elegant yet savage blade, its rotating chain-lined edge gleaming menacingly as it spun.
"This handsome man isn't being chased by a deadline," Rian replied with a smirk, adjusting his jacket collar. "Take your time. I wouldn't want a stylish weapon like this crafted by a sleepy AI."
[Noted. Alice will proceed with optimal speed and perfect precision. Though, if you take too long to pick it up, the weapon might already be outdated.]
[But well… it suits a man who can't drive a car.]
Rian chuckled softly. "Heh, sharp tongue for a digital lady, Alice."
[Not a tongue, but fact processing. And facts tend to hurt, Sir.]
Rian merely shook his head with a faint smile still lingering on his lips.
Moments later, the elevator came to a halt at a massive octagonal hall—the very heart of Lab Eden.
A sterile, cold atmosphere filled the air, illuminated by the soft blue-white glow of concealed LED panels embedded within the crystalline glass structure.
Four immense corridors stretched out from the center, each aligned with one of the cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West.
The Northern sector housed the containment chambers and advanced research facilities for all bio-weapon viruses, secured under Alice's highest-level defense protocols.
The Southern sector contained the simulated reality area, quarantine zones, cafeteria, and rest quarters—though each sector also maintained its own resting pods.
The Eastern sector was the AI Core Server Room, lined with rows of quantum supercomputers shielded by reinforced vibranium plating.
And finally, the Western sector—the Workshop and Weaponry Division, where prototypes and armaments of unimaginable design were forged.
Separating these four sectors was a vast artificial chasm over fifty meters deep, its base crisscrossed by glowing blue pipes through which luminescent energy fluid continuously flowed.
The chasm was not merely a divider — it also functioned as a disposal zone for excess energy, experimental fluids, and as a safety buffer in case of internal explosions.
The only access to each sector was through automated steel bridges, each reinforced with biometric locks, force fields, and plasma barriers.
Without wasting any time, Rian strode confidently across the steel bridge leading to the Northern Sector — the place where the viruses were stored.
However, this time, his purpose wasn't to inspect his collection of viral samples.
He had come to meet someone.
As he walked, a holographic projection flickered to life beside him.
The figure took the form of a small girl with glowing red eyes, dressed in a pristine white lab coat — a characteristic projection of Alice, the main AI of Lab Eden.
[Master, Alice is curious. Why did you show Eden to Luis Sera?]
[Weren't you only planning to pick up his skincare batch? You could've just arranged a meeting at the mansion, couldn't you?]
"I don't want to spoil the surprise," Rian replied casually, glancing at Alice with a faint smile. "You'll find out soon enough. Be patient."
Alice said nothing more.
Without another word, the hologram vanished, leaving Rian to continue his steps through the silent corridor.
***
Inside a room that resembled a scientific office — clean, organized, yet saturated with an aura of pressure — Luis Sera stood restlessly.
Cold sweat trickled down his temples, betraying the tension he could not hide.
His gaze roamed over the metal walls and holographic screens floating in the air.
Shadows of his past as a former Umbrella researcher haunted his mind, stirring feelings of fear… and disgust.
"Amigo…" Luis muttered softly, almost like a heavy sigh. "Who… exactly are you? This lab… it's crazier than Umbrella. It even has its own AI…"
Ting!
[Luis Sera, did you just insult Alice? For some reason… Virtual Alice feels offended by a lowly human like you.]
Alice's voice echoed throughout the room, flat yet sharp with biting sarcasm.
Luis closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them, staring blankly at the ceiling. "No… no, I'm just… impressed. You're clever too, huh…"
Ting!
[Alice will take that as a compliment. Although… for some reason, Alice calculates your sincerity at only 7.3 out of 100. But that's all right — Alice is a kind and forgiving AI. So, Alice will graciously accept your half-hearted praise, Luis Sera.]
Luis could only sigh, unsure whether to laugh or just give up. "Dios mío… even the AI's got sarcasm."
The room's door slid open automatically with the soft hiss of advanced machinery. Luis turned reflexively — and immediately recognized the figure stepping in.
Rian Andromeda, clad entirely in black, carried himself with a relaxed confidence. A friendly smile curved on his lips as he walked closer.
"Luis, how are you? Feeling well?" Rian greeted casually. "Want Alice to run a full diagnostic? Or… have you two already gotten close?"
Luis rolled his eyes lazily, shrugging. "If by close you mean being verbally bullied by a sarcastic AI… then yeah. We're practically best friends."
Ting!
[Luis Sera, Alice is currently deciding whether to feel flattered or disgusted. However, after reviewing your criminal record and academic history, Alice has chosen a third option: pity.]
Luis let out a heavy sigh. "I knew it…"
Rian chuckled softly, partially covering his face with his hand. "Ah, that's Alice for you. Smart, efficient… and sometimes just too honest."
He then walked around to the other side of the room, sitting casually at the table and crossing his legs.
"Luis, what's your opinion on Lab Eden?" Rian asked, now looking at the man more seriously, though still with a playful smile. "Impressive, right? Better than anything Umbrella ever made, I'm sure of it."
Luis let out a low scoff. "Impressive isn't the word. Insane is more like it. Even the security systems and those bridges make me feel like this place is storing God in a fridge."
Rian laughed softly. "Not quite that far yet. But who knows, maybe someday?"
His smile slowly faded into something more serious, his tone dropping slightly.
"Luis, I didn't come here just for your custom skincare," Rian said. "I want to offer you a collaboration. You'll have free rein of Lab Eden — full, unlimited access. But of course… the decision is yours."
Luis furrowed his brow. "Are you joking?"
Rian shook his head. "This handsome man is not joking."
After a brief pause, Luis asked quietly, "Why did you build a place like this? With technology this insane?"
Rian closed his eyes for a moment before responding in a deep, sincere voice. "Because the world is insane, Luis. And… you know it better than anyone."
"Lab Eden… is a fortress. A place to protect the innocent. Those who don't even realize they're already on a battlefield. This world is full of experiments, viruses, monsters… and humans more insane than demons."
Rian opened his eyes, looking Luis directly in the face. "And I just want to be one of the few who can still weather the storm. If you want… help me."
Luis let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in his chair. His voice was serious, almost bitter. "Honestly, Amigo… I'm already so fed up with experiments and all that scientific nonsense—"
Ting!
[Does Luis Sera need a vomit bag? Alice doesn't want this room to be stained with a rainbow from a lowly human's mouth. Cleanliness is a priority at Lab Eden.]
Luis shot a flat look toward the speaker, then exhaled deeply—more to steady his emotions than out of despair.
Meanwhile, Rian trembled in his seat, shoulders shaking slightly as he tried to hold back his laughter.
Luis merely shook his head slowly, as if saying "this is just my life now," before continuing.
"Looks like… I'll never really escape this kind of thing. Viruses, labs… and now an annoying AI. Whether it's now or in the future, it's always the same."