The large monitor displayed a fierce battle between the girlfriends and the team leader through the CCTV footage.
They pulled the trigger of the rifle, unsure when the battery would run out, to destroy the approaching robots. They shattered the robots that got too close with their swords and the remains of the destroyed robots.
Esmeralda had provided support, but it was impossible to endlessly endure against the overwhelming number of robots whose duration was unpredictable.
Yubin and Milky Way, who remained in the control room with me, were monitoring the robot heading towards the control room outside the door, while I searched for data in front of the main computer.
I decided not to worry. Each person had abilities far superior to mine, so worrying would be presumptuous.
…But I couldn’t help but worry. What if someone got hurt? The thought came that this operation, started due to my unilateral investigation, might have caused damage to them.
That’s why I didn’t look away from the monitor. Instead of worrying anxiously about those fighting beyond the monitor, I needed to do what I could do.
To do that, I came to this place and reached the most important area.
“The radio signal originates from here.”
The first thing I found was the origin of the radio signal. Although I came here to investigate the hyper-human, this place was not a research facility for hyper-humans but a radio base.
Judging that finding information on the radio signal would be easier and quicker than searching for the hyper-human, I postponed the search for the hyper-human momentarily.
After transferring all data to the hard disk, finding other information wouldn’t be difficult.
The radio base was located at transmission towers some distance from the warehouse. The transmission towers, which emitted the radio waves, were relatively new and seemed designed specifically to emit radio waves.
“Where is the signal?”
I immediately traced the content of the radio signal. I had to confirm the purpose of sending a signal to an unpredictable destination.
And I could find the result after just a few searches.
“There isn’t one?”
There was no reason. The radio signal sent into space was sent without any intention and had no set destination.
“Why did they do such a pointless thing?”
Even after Spacystro arrived on Earth, Earth continued to invest effort in advancing space technology. It was puzzling that such an advanced group would perform pointless actions despite being sensitive and meticulous in responding to space technology, especially when Earth lacked the technology to navigate space.
Next, I searched for other radio signals. This wasn’t the first time Earth had sent a radio signal into space. The reason this particular signal raised questions was because no matter how much I investigated, I couldn’t discern its intent.
Previous radio signals had clear purposes—mostly to gather information about newly discovered galaxies or stars. There were no doubts regarding these signals.
“It’s the first one… first… first…”
What I sought was not the previous radio signal but an older one.
Finding it was equally swift.
“25 years ago?”
The first radio signal similar to the current one was sent 25 years ago, four years before Spacystro arrived on Earth. Since we hadn’t arrived yet, this information was unknown.
“What?”
My monologues kept coming as I sifted through the data. I couldn’t keep my doubts inside without saying anything.
Twenty-five years ago, Earth was obsessed with researching space technology and discovered a life form in space.
This life form was very small, about the size of a small glass bottle, and was successfully retrieved after accidentally flowing into a space station.
There was extensive data on this life form. It grew by consuming other organisms, lacked intelligence, but continuously learned reproduction methods.
How this life form ended up in Earth’s space station was unknown. It was very small and likely drifted there by chance.
Though its arrival was unimportant now, I was speechless at the similarities between this life form and what I knew.
Earthlings named it Bydo, an anagram of “Body,” given its body’s similarity to the life form’s characteristics, and continued investigating.
Eventually, the investigation revealed that Bydo didn’t just consume but absorbed genes from other organisms. This led to experiments aimed at hybridizing Bydo’s genes with existing organisms’ genes.
Finding information on Bydo left me speechless. My usual anxious mutterings ceased, and Yubin and Milky Way, who were waiting at the door, glanced at me.
Despite feeling their gaze, I lacked the mental clarity to inform them of the situation without knowing what was happening myself.
“Successfully combined with creatures like mice, lizards, frogs, etc. To confirm more diverse changes, we decided to broaden the scope of experiments to include rodents, mammals, amphibians, and fish.”
My mouth silently read the report’s contents. Experiments to uncover the genetic characteristics of the named life form, Bydo, were conducted secretly and not publicly disclosed.
Years later, after Bydo’s discovery:
“Successfully combined with human genes for the first time?”
I found that human cells were successfully enhanced using Bydo’s genes. The evolution of organisms combined with Bydo was remarkable.
Cellular vitality increased, surpassing biological limits and becoming stronger in every aspect. However, although gene combination succeeded, injecting Bydo’s genes into the human body presented many issues, leading Earth to expand experimental parameters to solve these problems.
Experiments to create hyper-humans had been ongoing since before Spacystro arrived on Earth.
Injecting Bydo’s genes into humans failed. But a method to increase success rates was discovered.
“Results from particle accelerator studies show that Bydo emits unique gamma rays. These unique gamma rays accelerate Bydo’s growth, and grown Bydo can generate thrust capable of nuclear fusion.”
The research results matched what I already knew. Bydo, like the Predator, accelerates its growth by consuming foreign substances, making it impossible to clearly define its growth limit.
Unrestrained growth could make Bydo as large as a star and, in extreme cases, cause terrifying nuclear fusion reactions within its body.
While such Predator instances were rare, they weren’t entirely unheard of.
“By injecting humans with unique gamma rays and fusion-compatible gamma rays, we concluded that human-Bydo fusion was possible. Using tokamak for nuclear fusion experiments, we created new gamma rays… crazy bastards.”
A curse involuntarily slipped out.
All life forms on planets are vulnerable to gamma rays, a universal trait. Therefore, blocking gamma rays and various radiations is prioritized when venturing into space.
However, Earth, having concluded that gamma rays must be injected into the human body based on research results, decided to proceed with this dangerous experiment.
Gamma-ray exposure leads to numerous side effects and ultimately death.
“Canceled, right?”
Since the experiment posed a threat to human life, the hyper-human experiments were canceled, and Spacystro arrived on Earth a year later.
Initially, hyper-human experiments were initiated due to the discovery of Bydo. Recognizing the potential threat of extraterrestrial life, Earth aimed to develop a superior defense system.
However, the risky experiment was canceled, and Spacystro’s invasion forced the resumption of these experiments.
“Huh… hahaha…”
In disbelief and despair, I sat down and laughed dryly.
It was incomprehensible that humans conducted experiments using Predators to cause death.
Who? Why? For what purpose did they conduct such experiments?
Was it truly to counter threats from outer space? With countless solutions available, was it necessary to pursue such a risky path?
“Hold on…”
Yubin and Milky Way watched me with worried eyes. As our eyes met, another thought flashed through my mind.
I knew that hyper-humans were born from experiments involving Predators. So, where were the countless hyper-humans that had disappeared over the years?
Despite carrying dangerous elements, why were current hyper-humans, including the HunterKiller Team, seemingly problem-free?
I stood up, staggering, and returned to the computer.
I couldn’t even guess what keywords to use to find the data, so I searched for “Bydo.”
The first small Predator discovered on Earth, Bydo, was also the name of the youngest hyper-human from a few years ago. He currently operates under the name Gainesboro.
“Regeneration ability of Bydo?”
Predators possess extraordinary regeneration abilities. Since Bydo is a type of Predator, it also has regenerative capabilities. Upon finding a report on regeneration abilities, I clicked it with the mouse.
“Combined genes rapidly consume radiation. We confirmed Bydo’s ability to regenerate when damaged, suggesting this applies to hyper-humans born from combined genes.”
Anxiety began to rise again from deep within.
“While damaged genes show a tendency to recover, recovery speed is slower than damage rate. Combining damaged genes improves recovery speed…”
Damage progresses faster than recovery. Thus, combining damaged genes was decided to enhance recovery speed.
“!”
It felt like nausea was rising. In my empty stomach from not eating for the mission, I felt a wave of nausea.
“Older Brother? Are you okay?”
Yubin and Milky Way approached me, noticing my continuing dark expression. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them what I had realized, nor did I have the courage to verify if it was the truth.
“Are you alright? Did you get hurt anywhere?”
I lacked the courage to meet their eyes as they examined my body.
From an alien perspective, I couldn’t call myself a humane person. Yet, the acts of Earthlings were inhumane and incomprehensible.
Why did I believe there was plenty of time and act so nonchalantly?
Inside the girlfriends’ bodies, the genes causing harm continue to collide.
“I’m fine. I’m okay.”
Unable to let them worry, I said I was fine, sighed deeply, and tried to clear my head. Showing my bad mood and nausea wouldn’t change anything.
The only thing to do was to verify the truth and take action.
More data was needed. How were the experiments conducted, and what medications were used? Finding the hyper-human research facility would surely yield more data.
Just as I reached for the keyboard to search for new data, a loud rumble echoed from the hallway.
My gaze shifted from the hallway to the monitor ahead, showing the ongoing battle with the robot swarm.
The colleagues who were engaged in combat at the intersection moved to avoid the pursuing robots and entered a large space. While the location was unknown, the problem wasn’t the large space itself.
A huge robot, large enough to fill the entire space, awaited them there.
