As soon as he stepped into the room, Morin was greeted by a strange mix of mint and formaldehyde in the air. However, this odd scent hardly compared to the truly disturbing sight that awaited him in the dimly lit room.
Corpses of Gastrea Animals, preserved in formaldehyde, lay sprawled across the space, each in grotesque poses that seemed more monstrous than their living counterparts. These incomplete remains—some with only heads and partial torsos—looked like the kinds of demons and ghosts that haunted nightmares. The eerie lighting added to the effect, making the room feel like something straight out of a horror movie. Just five meters from the door, a man's corpse, covered in deep cut marks, stood facing the entrance. His pale, grotesque face made anyone who dared step inside want to scream or flee in terror.
Even Morin couldn't help but frown. His gaze quickly shifted past the standing corpse and across the various other preserved bodies, eventually settling deeper into the room.
"I say, Madam, is this kind of arrangement meant to be interesting? Or is it just to scare people?" Morin muttered, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
Behind a white curtain, a slender black figure could be seen moving. Morin's curiosity piqued as he wondered just what kind of person would design such a disturbing space. The setup felt like it was straight from a supernatural horror movie, and considering that Muroto Sumire—one of the world's most brilliant scientists—chose to live here, it was a small miracle that she hadn't lost her sanity.
As for why Morin was unfazed by the horror-themed environment... well, he had seen far worse in the floors and boss areas of Sword Art Online. The eerie atmosphere didn't faze him one bit.
"Tch! Not scared? How boring..." came a dissatisfied murmur from behind the corpse. A moment later, a woman in a white lab coat emerged from behind the curtain.
It was Muroto Sumire.
Her first impression confirmed Morin's expectations—she was an unconventional woman. At least 1.7 meters tall, she had an alluring figure wrapped in a purple top and a gray skirt. Black stockings highlighted her slender legs, accentuating her natural beauty. Yet, despite her attractive appearance, her unhealthy pallor—likely from spending too much time underground—dampened her appeal. Her long hair was untamed, and the bangs hanging over half of her eyes gave her an eerie, fish-like gaze. The faint stains of blood on her white lab coat only added to the disheveled impression.
"Miss Muroto Sumire, it seems your interests are quite unique," Morin commented dryly, taking in her unsettling appearance.
Muroto Sumire froze upon seeing him, her body shuddering as if she'd just seen a ghost. Her expression shifted from one of confusion to shock as she clearly recognized him.
"Do you recognize me? Miss Muroto Sumire, it's been a long time!" Morin said, a small smile tugging at his lips. He gave a slight bow and added, "The special individual of the Mechanical Soldier Project, Prototype No. 3, greets you..."
"Special Prototype No. 3 of the Mechanical Soldier Project!" Morin continued, referring to the identity he had acquired after inheriting "Hiruko Kagetane's" memories. Ten years ago, during the rise of the Gastrea Animals, top scientists from various countries had proposed several plans to increase combat power. The Mechanical Soldier Project, aimed at enhancing soldiers' abilities, was one of the results. Morin had been one of the first test subjects, designated Prototype No. 3.
It was thanks to this identity that Morin could now engage Muroto Sumire in conversation. Muroto Sumire's reaction to Morin's words was immediate—her body visibly trembled, and her gaze turned ghostly as she stared at him.
"Miss Muroto Sumire?!" Morin called out, noticing her unsettling response.
"Ah?!" Muroto Sumire jolted out of her stupor at his call, shaking her head sharply to clear her mind. Her expression gradually returned to normal, though her eyes still held a strange look as she spoke. "I'm sorry... I was just a little excited! My name is Muroto Sumire. May I ask your name, No. 3?"
"My name is Morin," he replied, sensing something odd in her behavior but choosing not to dwell on it for now.
"Morin... Morin..." Muroto Sumire repeated the name as if trying to commit it to memory. Her face remained confused, but she soon regained composure. Turning toward a work platform, she gestured with her hand. "Morin, please, have a seat. It seems you came here to speak with me about something, didn't you?"
"Excuse the intrusion," Morin said, nodding in acknowledgment. He followed her to the work platform, sat in an empty chair facing her, and prepared to discuss whatever had brought him here.
The room's eerie atmosphere persisted, but for Morin, it was just another step in his mission. What he had to uncover was more important than any fear.
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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