"I'm sorry, things here are a bit messy, and the only drink I have is water!"
Just as Morin sat down, Muroto Sumire said somewhat apologetically, while tidying up the cluttered experimental platform, clearing a space among various types of beakers and measuring instruments. At the same time, she picked up a thermos flask from the side and poured water for Morlin.
"It's alright, water is fine~!"
Morlin said very politely to Muroto Sumire's attentiveness.
However, Morlin always felt that something was a bit strange. Wasn't Muroto Sumire's attitude a bit too friendly?
Morlin frowned almost imperceptibly. He could feel that Muroto Sumire was observing him, even though her long bangs covered her eyes, and one wouldn't notice it at all if they weren't paying attention. But Morlin could still sense Muroto Sumire's gaze.
What was going on?
Morin thought carefully. There was absolutely no trace of extensive interaction with Sumire Muroto in his "memory." The relevant memories from ten years ago, apart from the so-called code name representing the experiment, were mostly related to combat with Gastrea.
However, Morin was even more certain of his feeling that Sumire Muroto was observing him.
Hesitating for a moment, Morin decided not to ask presumptuously. After Sumire Muroto sat down and exchanged a few polite greetings, he stated his purpose!
...
"Miss Muroto Sumire, I would like to ask you about the situation with Gastrea and the Gastrea Virus..."
Morin held the seemingly ordinary glass of plain water, took a light sip, and then put down the glass. Looking at Sumire Muroto's scrutinizing gaze, he directly stated his reason for seeking her out: "Especially regarding the Cursed Children who have become Initiators, what is the state of the Gastrea Virus in their bodies? Is there still a way to weaken or even eliminate the negative effects?"
"Is it your Initiator? If infection rate isn't high, the Cursed Children can use suppressive drugs to control it to a certain extent. However, after facing combat as Initiators, every time they use the power of the Gastrea factor, it's equivalent to a further invasion of the human body by the Gastrea Virus. When the Gastrea Virus infection reaches the danger line, even suppressive drugs won't have much effect!"
As soon as Sumire Muroto heard Morin's words, she immediately analyzed the general situation, and the beautiful eyes within her bangs became serious.
When it came to understanding and researching the Gastrea Virus, Sumire Muroto's expression turned serious. However, the answer she gave to Morin's question was undoubtedly very discouraging!
"Is there really no way at all?"
Hearing Sumire Muroto's answer, Morin frowned and continued to ask.
Morin had watched the "Black Bullet" anime and had a sufficient understanding and vigilance regarding the danger of the Gastrea Virus. The entire world order had been destroyed by the Gastrea created by it, and the fact that the remaining humans could only stay within the Monolith range already explained the problem. Moreover, when Morin watched the anime version of "Black Bullet," there was no mention of any related cures or solutions for the Gastrea Virus.
However, Morin did want to know if Sumire Muroto, as one of the "Four Sages," had any way to curb the Gastrea Virus, such as methods to effectively suppress the Gastrea factor in those lolis...
"Currently, there are no effective methods to directly eliminate the Gastrea Virus!"
Sumire Muroto shook her head, directly giving a negative answer to the first question Morin asked. Immediately after, however, the topic shifted, giving a glimmer of hope regarding the second topic Morin raised: "As for the Cursed Children and Initiators... there are still some methods regarding the Gastrea factor in their bodies. IISO's suppressive drugs for the Gastrea factor are one of the somewhat useful methods!"
"But the effect of that drug..."
Hearing this answer, Morin also shook his head, feeling somewhat disappointed.
Morin had seen Kohina use the suppressive drug distributed by IISO once in his "memory." Kohina's expression while using the suppressive drug was completely convulsive, and the effect of the drug could only be described as mediocre!
"IISO's drugs are only limited to suppression and cannot fundamentally solve the problem!"
"Research on the Gastrea Virus has only been limited to superficial levels in the past two decades. Even the suppression and damage of Varanium metal to Gastrea was discovered by chance. There are almost no truly substantial achievements."
"In fact, if it were that easy to solve the Gastrea Virus infection, humanity wouldn't be in this state..."
Sumire Muroto said dismissively in response to Morin's reaction.
Morin wasn't surprised by Sumire Muroto's assessment and knew she was right.
If the Gastrea Virus could be eliminated... well, even if it could be neutralized so that humans injected with the Gastrea Virus by Gastrea wouldn't turn into Gastrea themselves, humanity wouldn't have lost so miserably in the war ten years ago!
If Sumire Muroto had no solution, then how should he solve the hidden dangers in Kohina and the others?
"That's a real shame. It seems that if I want to solve the problems of my partner and those children, I'll have to look for other ways..." Morin hesitated for a moment, not asking anything further, preparing to say goodbye to Sumire Muroto first.
After all, this was essentially Morin's first real meeting with Sumire Muroto. Asking about the Gastrea Virus so presumptuously was already a bit out of line, let alone asking about the [Repulsion Barrier] or the war ten years ago... Putting himself in Sumire Muroto's shoes, Morin felt that unless Sumire Muroto suddenly became a saint-level good person, someone with normal intelligence wouldn't tell others about these confidential matters.
But to Morin's surprise, before he could get up and say a few words of farewell to Sumire Muroto, her leisurely words made his expression freeze!
"Heh heh~! I say, are you just going to leave like that? Too impatient, aren't you?"
Seeing Morin's actions, a glint flashed in Sumire Muroto's eyes. She somewhat unhappily reached out, picked up the water glass on the side, took a slow sip, and then said leisurely, "I didn't say there was absolutely no way... At least, I can make IISO's suppressive drugs, and the optimized effect should be much better than ordinary suppressive drugs!"
"You're willing to help?!"
Hearing Sumire Muroto's words, Morin was even more surprised. He looked at Sumire Muroto with a somewhat strange gaze, wondering if he had missed some plot points while watching the "Black Bullet" anime, or if his understanding of Sumire Muroto's personality was wrong.
"Not help... cooperation! You at least have to offer something that interests me. Gastrea specimens, high-precision experimental equipment, and some rare medical materials and raw materials will do!"
Seemingly noticing the change in Morin's gaze, Sumire Muroto was a little unhappy and turned her head, dropping a stiff sentence.
"No problem! Just give me a list of what you need, and I'll try my best to get it for you!"
Morin's attitude didn't change due to Sumire Muroto's tone. He nodded and said very readily.
Although Morin didn't currently have the confidence to say, "Problems that can be solved with money are not problems," for a scientist of Sumire Muroto's level, problems that could be solved with money were actually the easiest to deal with as a national treasure-level scientist, how many people could force them to cooperate if they didn't want to? Moreover, using forceful means might lead them to set a trap for you at a crucial moment!
Therefore, seeing Sumire Muroto wanting to cooperate made Morin feel more at ease, and at the same time, he became more curious about her attitude.
If Morin wasn't mistaken, Sumire Muroto's attitude towards him seemed more inclined.
However, Morin didn't understand and didn't immediately ask Sumire Muroto. Instead, he proactively conversed with her, confirming the materials that needed to be exchanged!
"Miss Muroto Sumire, thank you very much for your help. Next time, I will bring my Initiator and try my best to bring over the things you need!"
After about ten minutes, Morin stood up and said to Sumire Muroto with a face full of gratitude.
"Alright..."
Hearing Morin's words, Sumire Muroto, whose demeanor had been impeccable all along for some reason, put down her water glass. The gaze hidden by her bangs carried a slight hint of anticipation, but her words were exceptionally calm: "Also, you can just call me Doctor Sumire!"
"Uh... understood, Doctor Sumire!"
Morin looked at Sumire Muroto somewhat surprisingly. Seeing that she seemed exceptionally calm, he nodded and directly changed his way of addressing her.
After saying goodbye to Sumire Muroto again, Morin directly left the room and closed the door behind him!
...
Morin didn't know that after he left and closed the door, Sumire Muroto, who had maintained the air of a refined young lady the entire time, sat blankly in her chair. Her whole body seemed to have lost all its strength, relying entirely on the chair to avoid falling to the ground. However, the expression on her face was constantly changing, as if carrying sweet memories, mixed with a trace of sadness and reminiscence.
After a long while, Sumire Muroto, whose expression finally returned to calmness, slowly raised her head to look at the closed door. She didn't look at the corpses and Gastrea specimens that she usually studied or used as decorations. Instead, she slowly took out a necklace from her chest. After carefully opening the locket on the necklace, she carefully examined the photo inside.
It was a photo of a girl and a boy standing under a tree in a park, leaning intimately against each other and smiling!
The boy and girl in the photo were at most college age. The girl was clearly Sumire Muroto, and the noticeably younger Sumire Muroto was close to the boy. If one looked closely at the boy, his appearance was almost identical to Morin's current appearance. If one wasn't careful, they might directly assume he was Morin.
Sumire Muroto tightly held the locket in her hand, her beautiful eyes gazing intently at the figures in the photo, her mouth involuntarily murmuring softly:
"Really... have you come back..."
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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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