Chapter 1117: Search And Destroy

[System Alert: You have destroyed «Head Lab Assistant, Zitra The Cruel>> research! A temporary debuff will be applied![]

[Battle Alert: Player Izroth has been affected by <<Slow Learner»>! Magic will be reduced by 50% for 2 hours.

‘Ah, right. Destroying his research does apply a debuff. Since it’s just my magic, it should be fine. Plus, with the recovery effects of my Ring of the Primordial Colossus and Might stat, it should not last anywhere close to two hours.’

“The contents of that notebook were quite troublesome,” Izroth muttered to himself.

Zitra’s Research Notebook contained the trials and errors of the chimera creation process. One key point was that chimeras made using only monsters, no matter how intelligent the monster, always perished within a few days. However, by adding a lifeform like a human, skounae, trephasia, and so on, it improved the chimera’s stability rate and lifespan hundreds of times over.

According to Zitra’s Research Notebook, all the components to create a true chimera were there except for one-a stable chimera core. But, Izroth was not surprised after seeing the Failed Chimera Core for himself.

‘If a Failed Chimera Core is already at the mythical rank, that means a complete core needs to be at least at the pseudo-divine or even divine rank. To successfully create such an object is no different than glimpsing into the divine realm. If perfect chimeras can be produced, there is no telling what kind of destruction will be spread throughout the Mortal Realm. This Polkentin… Is it scientific curiosity that drives the Mad Alchemist or something more sinister? Just what does he hope to accomplish?’

“I will have someone look into it. Whatever the case may be, this kind of research cannot be allowed to continue unobstructed.”

For the time being, Izroth placed those thoughts in the back of his mind. He lacked too much information about Polkentin or any potential organizations that may be backing the Mad Alchemist. Until he knew more, there was not much to do.

“I still have to destroy the base along with the rest of Zitra’s research, but before that…”

Izroth looked around the spacious room filled with containment units, research materials, tools, and other various things. Multiple pathways and separate room entrances lined up along the walls in the nearby distance. Some of the pathways led back to where Izroth came from; however, Izroth did not know where most of the others led.

At the moment, Izroth was looking for two things. The first was a way to destroy Polkentin’s Secret Underwater Base.

‘Perhaps I should have kept him alive to question him a bit. Though I doubt he would have been cooperative.’

Given the nature and secrecy of their research, Izroth believed there was a good chance that a self-destruct feature was built into the underwater base. What supported this thought was that one of the tasks listed under the S-ranked quest To Dream of Being Divine to destroy the underwater base.

Even if it was an S-ranked quest, it was too unreasonable to expect a player to destroy a massive place like Polkentin’s Secret Underwater Base with their own hands. Forget eight hours, even several weeks would not be enough. Therefore, Izroth concluded that there must be a more feasible way to destroy the underwater base in its entirety.

The second thing Izroth needed to find was Test Subject #9,999 from the SS-ranked quest, An Essence of Madness. That being said, he did not see or detect any life signs in the room.

‘Could the test subject be in a different room? Even if that’s the case, it should be close by since Zitra would have likely wanted easy access. There is also a possibility that my thinking is too shallow. After all, Test Subject #9,999 could refer to an item or something similar that is in danger of being destroyed.’

‘It will take too long to search through this place alone. Not to mention, the longer I take, the greater the chances that more players will flood into this place. In that case, I should get a few helping hands.’

…

A few moments later…

“Split up and search the different pathways. Report anything suspicious before taking action and try to avoid any battles if possible. You will stay by my side so that I can communicate with the others.” Izroth said calmly.

“We, the Great Lightning Army, shall carry out your orders without fail, my lord,” Sagarus responded respectfully as he remained kneeled before Izroth along with the Lightning Soldier.

He then stood to his feet and said, “Everyone, you have your orders.”

Woosh! Woosh!

In a flash, the Lightning Soldiers rose to their feet and dashed toward the pathways and separate room entrances to carry out their orders.

Not long ago, Izroth activated the Great Lightning Army skill attached to his Sword of the Storm to summon Storm Commander Sagarus and 26 Lighting Soldiers.

Izroth planned to use the Lightning Soldiers to help in his search for Zitra’s research, a potential self-destruct method, and locate the test subject for his quest.

The reason Izroth kept Sagarus by his side had to do with the way the Lightning Soldiers functioned. While they could receive and carry out his commands, Izroth had no way of communicating with the Lightning Soldiers when they were out of sight. However, as a Storm Commander, Sagarus was capable of communicating with the Lightning Soldiers even over long distances. Izroth speculated that it was similar to something like Mind Link or telepathy. Regardless, because of that, as long as Sagarus was by his side, Izroth would be able to immediately learn if the Lightning Soldiers found anything suspicious or not.

“The Lightning Soldiers can only stay out for thirty minutes. Hopefully, they can find something useful within that time.’

“Then, shall we also get moving?” Izroth said as he made his way over to one of the unexplored pathways.

“As you wish, my lord,” Sagarus replied as he followed behind Izroth.

…

Fifteen minutes later…

System Alert: 5/5 Erase all traces of «Head Lab Assistant, Zitra The Cruel»>> research in <<Polkentin’s Secret Underwater Base>>.[]

[System Alert: «<Lightning Soldier» has destroyed «Head Lab Assistant, Zitra The Cruel>> research! A temporary debuff will be applied!

[Battle Alert: Lightning Soldier has been affected by «<Brute Weakness>>! Attack will be reduced by 50% for 2 hours.

“That’s the last trace of Zitra’s research,” Izroth commented as he watched the Lightning Soldier destroy and scorch a table filled with research notes.

Every time a Lightning Soldier found something suspicious, Sagarus would inform Izroth, who would then go over to their location. By doing this, Izroth was able to find and erase the last few traces of Zitra’s research in the secret underwater base. Also, by having the Lightning Soldiers take care of the research’s destruction, Izroth did not have to worry about the debuffs affecting him. But, there was still a problem.

“The Lightning Soldiers have been searching non-stop for the past fifteen minutes, but there are still no traces of the testing subject.’

Izroth had already uncovered the method to self-destruct the secret underwater base and erased traces of Zitra’s research thanks to the lightning soldiers. However, he could not find a

single trace of Test Subject #9,999.

‘I thought it would be nearby… Was I mistaken?’

Just as that thought entered Izroth’s mind, Sagarus’ voice sounded from behind him.

“My lord, one of the Lightning Soldiers has found something of interest,” Sagarus informed.