SCIAW: Chapter 462/464

Chapter 462: "Luck" and "Misfortune"

Shiho, who once firmly believed in science, would never have accepted such incomprehensible things.

But now, stepping from science into the mystical, and finding a being she could truly place her faith in, her former convictions were no longer so unshakable.

Her dazed thoughts quickly calmed.

"So, the ability of APTX to turn an adult into a child is actually caused by the influence of a Beyonder characteristic, not by the so-called effect of APTX itself."

After saying this, Shiho lowered her head, recalling the drug's effect, then smacked her forehead.

"I always thought APTX's properties were strange. While it makes sense in theory, it shouldn't actually work like that. The self-destruction of cells caused by APTX—no matter the degree—should always result in death. Normally, it shouldn't revert adults to juveniles."

The drug's destruction of cells should ultimately behave like a poison.

Most poisons attack proteins, while APTX targeted cells themselves.

But no matter which part it attacked, it should have been the deadliest poison possible to the human body.

"My Lord, what kind of Beyonder characteristic could cause this effect?"

"I once attempted divination on this matter, but that thing actually used corruption to resist my divination. Even so, I can roughly guess what it is."

Shiho perked up her ears and listened carefully.

"The Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristic of the Wheel of Fortune pathway, the Uniqueness of that pathway, or even the Sefirot tied to it."

"Regardless of which, all are extremely dangerous for anyone.

Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristics, Uniqueness, and Sefirot are extraordinary items only those above Demigod can come into contact with.

If ordinary people force contact, the best result is corruption, or becoming a plaything of fate."

"The core ability of this pathway is luck and misfortune."

"For your parents to come into contact with such things can be considered luck, but also misfortune."

For ordinary people, such items were death sentences.

Did they truly think that Beyonder characteristics, Uniqueness, or Sefirot of high Sequences could be touched casually?

Simply coming into contact without immediate corruption was already luck.

But their eventual disappearance was the misfortune.

"The lucky part was that, as scientists, they witnessed things they should never have seen.

Exploring the unknown is the destiny and expectation of all scientists.

But that luck also became the root of their misfortune."

"Through research into Beyonder characteristics, your parents created APTX. But the creation of this drug also marked the arrival of their misfortune."

"This is the malice extraordinary items hold toward ordinary people.

Even among Beyonders, most cannot touch such high-level items. For your parents to boldly research them… it would have been strange if misfortune had not struck."

As for containing extraordinary items from within, Ren did not look down on the Miyano couple, but no one could succeed in such a thing.

He could contain Sefirot only because of his own Uniqueness.

For others, attempting to contain Beyonder characteristics was suicide.

They were lucky enough to perform some research, but afterward came misfortune.

If one lacked the strength and luck to resist that misfortune, only death awaited.

Clearly, the Miyano couple's fate was sealed by misfortune.

The sisters listened quietly, understanding at last why their parents had met such an end.

"Ordinary people touching that kind of power… the consequences are obvious."

Shiho could already imagine the outcome.

She herself had only just come into contact with the power of a Sequence, and even at the lowest level, she had experienced immense strength.

If the first step already carried such power, what must higher Sequences be like?

"A scientist's thirst for the unknown is not easily suppressed.

And yet, as our parents, they were capable of conducting research on such a super-standard extraordinary item."

It was hard for Shiho to even picture.

Even as a Beyonder now, from the perspective of an ordinary scientist, it was difficult to study something so mysterious.

But her parents had done so. That alone proved how extraordinary they had been.

"Their talent was truly astonishing."

Ren himself was impressed that the Miyano couple had managed such a feat.

"They were able to study high-Sequence items, and even formed a certain connection with you.

That is what allowed you and your sister to live until today.

Otherwise, with just the CIA undercover incident, the Organization would have had you killed seven or eight times already."

Shiho and Akemi both shuddered at the thought of the Organization's methods.

"So… the Organization never intended to kill us?"

"I don't believe they would. After all, you hold the key elements of the drug's research. Until more results are achieved, you remain useful and safe."

"…That's true."

The reason they were spared was because of the research. But once that research advanced far enough, if she became unnecessary, neither she nor her sister would escape death.

Shiho understood clearly.

She did not regret her decision. Instead, she felt fortunate.

"Everything comes down to value. Once I lose mine, my sister's and my fates will be sealed by Gin.

That day, our pasts will be completely erased."

Which was why yesterday had been the best chance for them to leave the Organization.

The fact that they had survived until then, even after the CIA incident, might have been their greatest stroke of luck.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 463: The Disappearing Genius Research Girl

"…There's no problem at all?"

Superintendent General Hakuba frowned as he read the report Toshiro Otagiri handed him.

"Yes.

Although I also find this dispatch situation very strange, there really isn't any problem with the dispatch itself.

From the start, the dispatch was sudden, so our Police arranged emergency missions based on the nearest available resources."

When Otagiri had first confirmed this through his investigation, he too had been doubtful. But after reviewing the entire process, he verified that the dispatch was not the result of human manipulation, but simply proximity.

He even conducted a thorough review, confirming there were no issues at all.

Most emergency missions were dispatched based on location.

As for the one who dispatched the unit, it had been Matsumoto Kiyonaga, who received intelligence from Officer Sato. The dispatch was issued while Matsumoto was returning to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department after contacting her.

The entire process showed no signs of external interference.

"Hmm…"

Even after hearing that, Hakuba still looked unconvinced.

"So, the reason for such heavy losses in our action unit was… an accident?"

"No."

Otagiri shook his head, his expression grave.

"The root cause of our severe personnel losses this time is the series of frequent incidents.

The Metropolitan Police Department's action units are already operating at full capacity. That is why this hastily assembled temporary unit suffered so greatly."

The implication was clear: the Police were understaffed.

And indeed, for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, this was a major problem.

"The bombing case a while ago, and yesterday's 60th anniversary of the Suzuki conglomerate, both required large-scale Police deployments. That created a vacuum in our forces."

The shortage of manpower was obvious, leaving Hakuba with a pounding headache.

Especially after breaking down the cause, he could only sigh helplessly.

"Indeed, far too many things have happened lately.

We are tasked with keeping Tokyo safe.

Drug traffickers, the bombing case, and just yesterday, Kaito Kid. Too many incidents have stretched us thin."

"All officers below Inspector rank in the Metropolitan Police have been sent out on patrols, yet even that is not enough."

"The ten action units are already tasked with patrols and maintaining order in different districts. Some areas are too complex to reassign units from. That has left too few Police available for emergencies."

Hakuba leaned back in his chair as he spoke.

"This temporary unit suffered such severe losses because their mobility was poor. Their lack of experience working together slowed them down, leading to heavy casualties.

They weren't really an action unit, just a group of scattered individuals with no cohesion."

The shortage of elite Police was indeed severe.

But rapidly cultivating elites was no simple matter.

What the Police lacked was not ordinary patrol officers, but properly trained and experienced specialists. That was not something solved by simply expanding the headcount.

"What we need are elites."

Otagiri agreed completely.

He knew well that action unit members required long training, plus shared operational experience to develop the necessary teamwork.

Meeting such strict standards would take time. It was impossible to achieve overnight.

Hakuba shook his head slightly, dropping the unpleasant topic and moving to the next.

"Have those detained researchers been questioned?"

"Yes.

Questioning was completed last night.

They are all scientific researchers recruited by the Organization, and the ones in this stronghold were all recruited from Japan.

Their job was drug research. However, one researcher is missing."

Hakuba wasn't surprised. The third party that had caused such chaos yesterday clearly hadn't acted just for revenge. They must have had an objective.

"So, the third party did have a target. Who is missing?"

"She is an 18-year-old girl named Shiho Miyano.

Reportedly a genius in biology and pharmaceuticals, she completed her university studies abroad at a very young age and even holds a doctorate.

Her codename is Sherry. She is one of the Organization's core members."

"An 18-year-old genius, already a core member with a codename, and responsible for the research of that miracle drug.

Have we identified possible third party members?"

"Yes.

Through this girl, we found a close relative, her elder sister, Akemi Miyano."

Otagiri placed both files on the desk.

Hakuba opened them. On the first pages were their photos, followed by detailed records.

"Unlike her younger sister, who has extraordinary talent, the elder sister has no aptitude for scientific research.

Because of her sister, she was kept only on the Organization's periphery, serving as an ordinary member.

But according to the confessions of those researchers, and our own deductions…"

"The reason the elder sister joined the Organization was because they used her younger sister to threaten her. And for the younger sister, they used the elder sister as leverage."

Such methods were hardly surprising.

To control a talented younger sister, of course additional pressure was required.

Hakuba could easily see why the elder sister had become the instigator of the third party. The reason was clear.

She wanted to rescue her sister from the Organization.

"In addition, money boxes stolen from a bank were found in the stronghold."

Hakuba instantly pieced it together.

"That must have been a mission assigned by the Organization to the elder sister.

But she was clever enough to see through the mission, which pushed her to reach out to the third party. That eventually led to yesterday's incident."

As he said this, Hakuba's lips curved slightly.

"Our Metropolitan Police have been busy enough already. We can't spend all our attention on them.

Otagiri, our good neighbors should also take some responsibility. It can't always be us doing the dirty work while others only know how to take credit."

Otagiri nodded, instantly understanding.

"I understand."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 464: Public Security Intervention

With the Police deliberately releasing information, Public Security also stepped in to investigate the Shirohato Pharmaceutical case.

At the factory site, the floor was stained with dark red, almost black blood.

Judging from the amount, there had been a large-scale struggle inside.

"This scene has already been cleaned up."

Assistant Inspector Kazama Yuya of the Public Security Department participated in the second search after receiving information from the Police.

"The situation is worse than I imagined."

Kazama had not expected much from this investigation.

The incident had taken place yesterday, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department had already completed the first round of investigation. Public Security was now conducting a follow-up search.

Any useful information had already been secured by the Police.

It was unrealistic to expect more detailed evidence now.

After confirming the condition of the site, Kazama quickly reported to his superior.

"Mr. Furuya, the scene is just as you said. It's been almost completely cleaned up by the Police."

Well, that was to be expected.

The information the Police threw at them was obviously a trap. They only dragged Public Security into this because they were short on manpower. Otherwise, would they really have called for help?

Kazama sighed. This was clearly a troublesome situation.

But just like the problem the Police had passed to them, the case was closely tied to Public Security's jurisdiction. With such a dangerous international assassination organization operating domestically, they could not stand by and do nothing.

If they did, the Police would certainly escalate to higher authorities and accuse them of negligence.

This was both a political maneuver and a mission that Public Security could not refuse.

On the other end of the call, the superior leaned back, chin resting on his hand.

His youthful features gave him a baby-faced appearance. His darker skin and light golden hair often made people question his ethnicity.

Within Public Security, his name was Furuya Rei, an investigator. He also had another name: Amuro Tooru, his alias as the undercover agent Bourbon within the Organization.

As Bourbon, Amuro had only learned of the Shirohato Pharmaceutical incident after it happened.

The Police's strike had exceeded Public Security's expectations, directly hitting the stronghold, capturing the researchers, and seizing crucial data.

Amuro was deeply curious about that data, but the higher Police officials would certainly keep it confidential.

Still, even the portion made public was dangerous enough.

"Kazama, continue investigating there. Contact me if you find anything. I'll request the Police to cooperate with Public Security afterward."

Public Security could not casually intervene now. The Police had seized control too quickly, and most evidence was already in their hands.

They now also possessed the special research data. Who knew what else was hidden? In short, the secrets behind Shirohato Pharmaceutical could no longer be concealed, even if Public Security wanted them to be.

Therefore, cooperation with the Police was the only option.

After hanging up, Amuro chuckled bitterly.

"This time, we really walked right into their trap."

He did not know the exact nature of the drug being researched, but the existence of human experimentation already proved APTX was not ordinary.

Amuro could imagine the scale of what lay behind it.

"No wonder Gin personally oversaw that project.

"And then there's that missing young scientist, and her equally missing sister.

"Miyano Shiho… Miyano Akemi…"

When he recalled the two names, his memory stirred. Only then did he realize who had drawn the Police, Public Security, and the Organization into this storm.

Still, he believed Akemi was not the true mastermind, only a pawn of someone else.

The third party had to be thoroughly investigated.

To destroy an Organization stronghold and draw both the Police and Public Security into it, they could not be small.

He never expected to hear Akemi's name again after all these years, and at a time like this.

For Amuro, the disappearance of the sisters was not a bad thing. It was far safer than remaining in the Organization.

He now saw more clearly than ever.

As long as the sisters retained value, they would fare better with the third party than under the Organization's control.

Even so, Public Security needed to investigate.

They had to determine who this third party truly was.

Neither the Police nor Public Security were overly anxious. No matter how powerful the third party was, their enemy was the Organization, not them. There was no need to rush a massive investigation.

By simply watching the Organization, the truth would eventually surface.

But the Organization itself could not endure this.

The moment they learned the missing scientist was Shiho Miyano, they immediately sent people to Akemi's residence.

But no one was there.

Not only were the sisters gone, all traces had vanished.

It was as if they had been erased from the world.

Even with their extensive informant network, the Organization was baffled.

This disappearance was not metaphorical but literal.

No matter how many surveillance cameras they checked, not a single trace of Shiho or Akemi could be found.

It was as if they had gone to another planet.

This left the Organization completely at a loss.

(To be continued.)