Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

59: Chapter 59: Trust Me, This Is Just a Live Exercise 59: Chapter 59: Trust Me, This Is Just a Live Exercise Yang Yu’s lips curled into a crazed smile as he ran at breakneck speed, terrified that Bu Yao would see the expression on his face, which he’d be damned if that led him not to press the alarm device.

Upon reaching the first level, Yang Yu saw Bai Jin waiting to one side.

Here, the frequency of the shining “Charm” marker on Bai Jin was much slower than above; there was no longer a need to administer the medicine.

The lighting equipment here was all installed in the circular dome, allowing him to move freely without worrying about damaging the lights.

The only thing Yang Yu was worried about was that the old geezer would hesitate and ultimately fail to press it, and then he’d have to run back and do it himself.

By then, his presence on the first underground level wouldn’t seem quite so natural.

If things turned out that way, Yang Yu could only regret not running away quietly earlier, instead of getting so excited that he blurted out what was on his mind.

…

On the second underground level, the Secret Weapon Research Department of Silver Orchid Commerce, researchers in white lab coats shuttled back and forth between neatly arranged incubators, observing and recording the “Status” of the specimens.

The incubators, transparent and cylindrical, standing 1.9 meters tall and filled with green nutrient liquid, incubated Steel-furred Wolves cloaked in “Armor” that were slowly growing.

“Number A-711, ‘Status’ good, nearing maturity, ready to transition to the next stage.”

Several tall movers lifted the incubators off the apparatus, passed through the iron fences surrounding the research area, and delivered the incubators into a breeding room reminiscent of a prison.

There, different sizes and shapes of Steel-furred Wolves, their pairs of red eyes extremely conspicuous in the dark, could be observed on closer look to have pupil’s like a snake’s.

They let out low growls as the movers brought in new kin, and claws like steel struck against the bars, emitting a “Bam” sound.

Some Steel-furred Wolves remained quiet in the depths of their cages, silent, closing their eyes in rest, using their forked tongues to sense everything around them.

These “Synthetic Beasts” were collectively known as “Steel Dragon Wolves,” created using a mix of the blood from Steel-furred Wolves, Earth Armor Snakes, and Armored Dragon Lizards in varying proportions, inheriting the Steel-furred Wolves’ razor-sharp claws, the Earth Armor Snakes’ agility, and the defense of Armored Dragon Lizards.

Though these Synthetic Beasts were only slightly larger than average wolves, their strength far surpassed that of ordinary Beastman Soldiers, and they could replenish their energy by devouring their enemy’s flesh and blood, eliminating concerns for military rations.

Furthermore, since the three types of Magic Beasts that made them up all had nocturnal traits and high “Endurance,” they could traverse long distances silently in the “Dark Night,” striking sleeping enemies, leaving them never to awaken.

They could be considered exquisite instruments of war.

The downside was that they were difficult to control and transport.

The whole institute’s plan was to use the incubators for transport, time the maturity properly, and upon arrival at the destination, the Steel Dragon Wolves could be “Engaged in Battle” directly.

As for the issue of control, what they did was select the more docile Steel Dragon Wolves to clone, letting them produce multiple offspring, then selecting even more docile ones from those to reproduce multiple times.

After several cycles of selective breeding, they’d already seen preliminary success.

Incidents of Steel Dragon Wolves breaking out of their cages were becoming increasingly rare.

Success was only a matter of time.

Those who cultivated did so accordingly, those who recorded carried on with their records, and those who trained continued with their training; the whole Secret Weapon Research Department operated with precision and order.

Suddenly, a discordant alarm rang out.

Normally, an alarm would sound if a Steel Dragon Wolf escaped control, but this alarm was different; it was a sound they had never heard before.

And it wasn’t just them; the entire institute was hearing this alarm for the first time.

The loud sound even woke up Asuna from her sleep.

Upon hearing this sound, the Manager of the Secret Weapon Research Department first flipped through the employee handbook to confirm the next steps before issuing an order.

“Researchers, enter the emergency shelters, handlers open all cages and let the Steel Dragon Wolves head to the first level, we must at all costs, prevent the infiltrator from escaping underground!”

At the same time, the three managers guarding the first-floor entrance of the underground immediately made their judgment.

“Close the gate, and do not open it without Asuna’s command under any circumstances!”

“But Carillara is still in the basement!”

“Do not doubt the instructions!

This alarm has the highest priority and must be executed at all costs!

Carillara knows this as well.

After the door is closed, then seek further instructions from Slarate and Asuna.”

The managers immediately mobilized the black workers to seal the entrance to the first floor of the underground.

Meanwhile, the black workers on the first floor were completely baffled as they had never heard such an alarm before, and the employee manual they received upon hiring had not prepared them for this; they stood around at a loss, not knowing what to do.

Seeing that the time was right, Yang Yu walked to the center of the first-floor underground area with a serious demeanor and shouted loudly,

“Everyone, I am the new guard officer, sent here under direct orders from Asuna to guide you!

Although this is unexpected, we are about to begin a real combat exercise.

Asuna wants to see your loyalty and fearless bravery!

Now, assemble!

If we successfully complete this exercise, Asuna will reward you all!

Everything is for Asuna!”

Originally, most of the black workers were skeptical, but hearing Yang Yu repeatedly invoking Asuna, their doubts gradually dissipated.

When they heard about the reward from Asuna, they all gathered in front of Yang Yu and cheered long live for Asuna.

Indeed, this Charm wasn’t just simple enticement; it had brainwashing effects.

But precisely because the Charm had a certain brainwashing effect, Yang Yu could easily control the black workers there.

However, it was also because these workers were afraid of dying that if someone knowledgeable in managing troops had been there, Yang Yu would not have succeeded so easily.

“Our time is limited, and there’s no time for acclimation.

Those I point to, you have ten seconds to tell me your area of expertise and your Skill, starting with you!”

Yang Yu pointed at Bai Jin, having her set an example.

“I specialize in Control Magic.

My main skills are…”

“Good, you’re designated Control Number One; stand at the back.

Next, you!” Yang Yu pointed randomly at a magician.

“I excel in single-target powerful spells.

My main skills are…”

“Good, you’re designated Finisher Number One; stand on the right.

Next.”

…

Using the time during which the alarm sounded, Yang Yu quickly assigned a number to everyone present, dividing the thirty-some black workers into four groups: Defense, Control, Assistance, and Finisher.

These four groups formed a sharp arrowhead formation with Yang Yu setting the example by standing at the forefront of the team, facing the exit of the Secret Weapon Research Department.

It was a smooth and flat wall that, on any normal day, blended seamlessly with the entire first-floor underground, eluding detection.

In the event of an emergency, the wall would crack open, revealing a door deliberately designed to lead the uncontrollable Steel Dragon Wolves into the first floor of the underground, leaving them to be dealt with by the black workers.

This kind of processing disregarded loss.

In the past, the black workers fought individually and were utterly unprepared when the wall cracked open, resulting in countless deaths and injuries.

This time, however, they were firmly united by Yang Yu and had made full preparations before the Steel Dragon Wolves even emerged.