Chloe's blood froze for an instant.
"...What did you say?"
The Black Robed Man leaned against the table, arms folded across his chest, regarding her with a leisurely air:
"Is it so hard to understand? I said you've been by the group leader's side all this time. Is there a problem with that?"
He tapped his finger, then let out a derisive chuckle:
"But I must say, you're quite impressive. To get so close to the boss in such a short time, and even gain his trust. I hear he's even given you access privileges?"
The Black Robed Man raised an eyebrow: "It seems you're even more capable than I imagined."
Chloe: "..."
So, it was Professor Sotos.
...
In the laboratory.
"According to our latest research, K1003 has shown initial signs of consciousness. We estimate it will awaken in approximately forty-five hours."
"It's the ultimate weapon we've developed. While maintaining large-scale destructive capabilities, it also incorporates a function to block Vampire perception. It's our most perfect work of art to date."
"Boss, do we need to stay in the lab any longer? This experiment should be... finished."
Sotos sat in his chair, his withered old fingers tapping on the armrest. Finally, he asked an odd question:
"Where's my assistant?"
Everyone was taken aback.
"Assistant?"
"Do you mean that young person who's been by your side recently?"
"I think I saw him leave earlier. Has he not returned yet?"
"That can't be right. I remember the boss always seemed fond of him, and he was very efficient in his work."
"Could something have delayed him?"
As the crowd discussed amongst themselves, Professor Sotos, who had lost his assistant, remained silent.
After a long while, something seemed to occur to him:
"Alright, that's enough talk."
Professor Sotos stood up:
"This research and development plan has gone well. Keep up the good work next time."
"I want to see the finished product in forty-eight hours."
"Yes, sir!"
Having received an affirmative response, Sotos turned and returned to his office.
His gaze was heavy as he entered, and the first thing he did was pull open a drawer.
Sure enough, the order of the files had been disturbed.
After a long silence, Sotos let out a chuckle and muttered:
"Ah, a little mouse has snuck into our group."
Meanwhile, Chloe, who had just learned the truth, was on the verge of a breakdown.
She grabbed the Black Robed Man by the collar:
"You knew the group leader was right by my side all along, why didn't you tell me!"
The Black Robed Man, thoroughly disheveled, turned his head and coughed twice before responding with difficulty:
"I thought you knew!"
"Everyone in the lab was following Sotos' orders. How was I supposed to know you'd infiltrated without realizing who he was!"
Chloe was furious: "You don't know anything! What use are you!"
The Black Robed Man grew angry: "I've been undercover for years, risking my life. How dare you dismiss me like this!"
Chloe calmed down and quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, it's my fault."
The Black Robed Man, who had a thousand curses ready that he now had to swallow: "..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing," Chloe said. "It's just that things have taken a turn for the worse. I need to let them attack now."
The Black Robed Man was stunned: "So soon? Are you properly prepared?"
"I've found and transmitted the layout plans, defense diagrams, and information on guard concentrations to them. It shouldn't be a problem," Chloe said calmly.
She couldn't be blamed for acting rashly. When the Black Robed Man revealed that Sotos was the leader of the Viper Group, a strong sense of unease had risen in her heart.
Chloe's instincts had never been so intense before. Now, there was only one thought in her mind —
Strike first.
Whether or not Sotos had truly discovered her identity, she had to seize this initiative.
With this in mind, Chloe sent the message through her terminal.
The next instant, the earth shook, and deafening battle cries could be heard in the distance.
The Black Robed Man hurriedly urged Chloe to leave:
"Go, quickly! I need to maintain my cover a while longer. Leave now, don't implicate me!"
Chloe obliged, turning and leaping out the window in one swift motion.
To avoid detection, her first instinct was to jump onto the rafters.
Landing silently, she darted from rooftop to rooftop within the Viper Group compound, like a parkour expert. It was almost enjoyable.
Meanwhile, due to the outbreak of battle nearby, the Viper Group's internal operations had fallen into chaos.
Their first priority wasn't to engage the enemy, but to escort their professional researchers to safety during the evacuation.
This included Professor Sotos.
But how could Chloe let him escape first?
The principle of capturing the leader to defeat the enemy was something even a three-year-old would understand.
So, Chloe quickly located the experiment's position, broke through a window, and began tearing off her face mask as she moved.
This time, luck was on her side. She soon spotted Sotos among the crowd.
Chloe spread her wings and descended like a bolt of lightning in front of Sotos, her large, dark red bat wings encircling them both.
Chloe flashed a smile:
"Professor, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"
It could be said that he truly lived up to his reputation as the leader of the Viper Group.
Even though he was now trapped in the enemy's grasp, he maintained the calm demeanor of one unmoved by even the collapse of Mount Tai.
"What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Chloe seemed somewhat surprised. "You've allowed your subordinates to commit countless atrocities for years, and you're asking me what I want? Isn't that a bit ridiculous?"
Sotos' time-worn, elderly face showed no expression:
"This is a sacrifice for science."
Chloe's fingers twitched, nearly laughing at his statement:
"A sacrifice for science? Did others willingly sacrifice themselves for your science, or did you force them? Damn, you monster."
Sotos remained unmoved.
People like him had long since developed their own set of principles.
These principles had nothing to do with law or morality. As long as it benefited him, it was right.
Sotos coughed twice:
"It's a pity. I quite admired you."
Chloe thought to herself, isn't that right? She had almost naively begun to see this foolish old man as a grandfather figure.
The anger wouldn't subside. She just couldn't let it go.
Chloe's dark red pupils turned towards the researchers gradually approaching in the distance.
In the next instant, her aura exploded outwards!
That heart-pounding pressure materialized, instantly sending the nearest researchers flying!
Sotos spoke in a deep voice:
"What are you waiting for? Open the gates!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Chloe immediately sensed something was amiss.
She swiftly restrained Sotos, holding him tightly in her arms, then flew towards the researcher about to press the button in the distance!
But she was still a step too late.
The button was pressed, and alarms blared throughout the entire experimental base. Red lights flashed, and terrifying roars of monsters could be heard from within the sealed warehouse.
Sotos began to laugh. Despite being restrained, he didn't appear the least bit flustered:
"What do you think? Will those monsters win, or will you and your naive little friends?"
