In the underground laboratory, Ethan silently observed the screen projected by AION. Three graphs floated at the edge of his vision: anatomical representations of a wolf, an ape, and a snake. Each displayed active biological data lines, molecular activity curves, and estimated levels of Compound D.
Ethan precisely adjusted his black leather gloves and walked toward the three steel tables aligned before him.
On the first lay the corpse of a large wolf, identified by AION as Canis daemonis. The second body belonged to a muscular black-furred ape, classified as Pan daemonium, a provisional name for what the locals called Black War Ape. And on the last table rested a venomous snake with a single front horn, registered as Vipera monocrinis.
Ethan stood before the wolf.
With efficient movements, he cleaned an area of the torso and made an incision. Using forceps and a scalpel, he extracted samples of skin, muscle tissue, glands, and bone fragments. He then inserted a thick needle to collect remnants of Compound D. He also collected fur, teeth, and claw fragments.
He moved to the ape. The Black War Ape exhibited dense, almost hypertrophied musculature.
Ethan opened the ape's chest, exposed the heart, and extracted direct samples from the spinal cord. Finally, he collected skin fragments and complete hair follicles, ensuring the root was preserved.
In front of the snake, Ethan cut behind the skull between the scales, removing the venom glands. He extracted blood, scale samples, tissues from the venom sac, and fragments of hollow fangs. AION recorded the chemical properties of the toxins in real time.
Once the extraction was complete, Ethan observed the tubes in his steel tray.
At a glance, all three contained the same dense liquid, with a faint internal glow rippling under the light. Compound D looked identical.
Ethan activated AION's analysis and projected the visualizations into his field of vision.
Under mass spectrometry, molecular MRI analysis, and fluorescence microscopy, the patterns remained the same. Same molecular mass. Same microscopic crystalline arrangement. No evident distinctive markers.
Ethan took the three tubes and carefully placed them inside a padded, insulated case. He closed the lid, secured it, and turned toward the door.
"Clean the place and store the rest of the samples. Someone bring the blood and follow me," he ordered without stopping.
As he exited the lab, two armed Vespers awaited him on the other side. He moved forward without looking at them.
The mystery persisted. Although Compound D was chemically identical under all instruments, the anomalies of the D-Serum varied depending on the species of origin. Subjects injected with compound derived from wolves had lost all humanity. They had become uncontrollable beasts, irrational.
As he walked, AION projected new graphs into his vision. Physiological comparisons between the three beasts.
"AION, cross structural, enzymatic, and protein trace data from the samples. Repeat by species."
[Full analysis. Result: no significant difference. Samples are identical at all measurable levels.]
Ethan frowned.
"That can't be..."
Theoretically, every living organism, even within the same class or genus, presents a slightly different biochemical composition. Differences between species should be even more noticeable: unique proteins, specific enzymes, cellular structures adapted to their environment. Even genetically similar humans have different metabolites in their blood.
But here, Compound D was... perfect. Uniform. As if the substance conformed to a fixed mold.
Ethan frowned.
As he walked down the oil-lamp-lit corridor, his steps led him near the laboratory where the last experiment had taken place. He was ready to try again. Every failure brought him closer to the answer. That was the logic of the method. Cold. Impersonal. Efficient.
At an intersection of tunnels, he heard voices. He immediately recognized the Hu brothers. They were chatting in front of the experimental lab's metal door. Clearly, they were waiting for him.
"I saw old Gao's group brought a black ape," said Hu Zhao, his voice poorly concealing laughter. "I almost thought it was you when they were carrying it in the cart. Ha-ha-ha!"
He burst out laughing, slapping his thighs as if he'd told the joke of the year.
"Silence! Shut up, idiot!" snapped Hu Jian, a vein bulging on his forehead, restraining the urge to hit him.
"But look at you... even your arms are long. If you grew your hair out, you could pass for a Black War Ape in heat," Hu Zhao continued, now openly mocking.
Hu Jian clenched his fists. His brow was furrowed with fury. At that moment, the sound of footsteps made them straighten.
Ethan appeared from the tunnel, the case still in hand. The two brothers saw him and immediately stood rigid. They saluted with discipline, as if nothing had happened.
But he had heard them.
The corner of his lips briefly curved into a dry smile. However, something in his mind clicked. He stopped in his tracks.
The smile vanished.
"Wait..." he murmured quietly, his eyes drifting into the void for a moment. "What did you say? Ape that looks like Hu Jian? Ape... primate..."
His pupils dilated slightly.
"Of course... primates..."
He turned his head, looking at Hu Zhan as if he had just found a loose thread in the pattern.
"AION, confirm genetic similarity between humans and other primate species. Percentage, compatible structures, relevant data."
[Confirmed. Humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) share between 95% and 98.7% of genetic material with higher ape species such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), bonobos (Pan paniscus), and gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). There is also high structural compatibility in cellular receptors, mitochondrial sequences, and metabolic processes.]
Ethan nodded slowly. He needed no more.
"Then that's the breaking point… Compound D tries to integrate into the host, but there's rejection with wolves or reptiles... but with an ape..."
He looked at the briefcase he carried, as if it weighed more than before.
"If there's something in Compound D we can't see, something that resonates with the species of origin... then an ape, a Black War Ape, so genetically close to humans... might be the answer."
He turned to the Hu brothers.
"Prepare everything for the next experiment."
And without another word, he crossed the laboratory door.