Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

Everyone knew the Black Market had a vast selection of goods.

While you couldn’t say it had *everything*, it was rare not to find what you were looking for—unless, of course, it didn’t exist in this world.

Jovitas claimed it could satisfy a customer’s every need—for the right price.

The middle-aged man had tried it before, and the results had certainly been satisfactory. But the cost... it wasn’t something an ordinary person could afford. The required payment in High-level Crystal Cores was measured by the bagful!

If someone else hadn’t been footing the bill, a man like him—who poured everything he had into his experiments—could never, ever have afforded it.

Speaking of which, one of his other experiments was still missing an ingredient.

’If I could just get it from the Black Market, maybe... just maybe, that medicine could finally be a success!’

The middle-aged man was instantly conflicted.

But just then, a cold voice cut through his hesitation.

”She must not be released!”

The middle-aged man and his student turned their heads in unison. Seth Walsh pushed the door open and strode in, his face cold.

”Professor Warren, I’ve said it before. This woman must die! If you hadn’t insisted on using her for an experiment and promised she would suffer to the fullest, I would kill her right now!”

”No, no, no!” Professor Warren—the middle-aged man—hastily stopped him. ”We were just talking! How could we possibly send her away? She’s a once-in-a-millennium test subject!”

His student, Justin Jensen, had already lowered his head, not daring to look at Seth Walsh, but he was still swept by the man’s cold gaze. The look was practically tangible, as frigid as ice. Even without meeting his eyes, Justin Jensen felt a chill on the crown of his head and didn’t dare make a sound.

Seth Walsh gave a slight nod. ”Good. The experiment is at its final, critical stage. There can be no mistakes.”

After a pause, he added coldly, ”Silas poured so much effort into establishing this lab, all for this medicine. He may be gone now, but I will see his wish fulfilled! If you succeed, I’ll not only guarantee your safety here in Central City, I can also pull some strings to improve your position at The Research Institute. But if you fail, or if any of you get any funny ideas, then don’t blame me for my ruthlessness when I make all of you follow him to the grave.”

”You should know I’m capable of it.”

Professor Warren forced a bitter smile. ”I understand. I worked with Silas for a long time. You don’t have to tell me—I’ll see the medicine completed. As for following him to the grave, don’t bother trying to scare me. I plan on keeping my life to continue my research!”

Seth Walsh grunted, then turned and left.

Justin Jensen didn’t let out a silent sigh of relief until the door was shut, feeling as if he could finally breathe again.

Professor Warren glanced at him. ”You heard him. Even if all hell breaks loose outside, it has nothing to do with us. Can’t you see what kind of man he is? If he hadn’t been willing, how could the Walsh Family have fallen? He’s only like this because Silas Dudley is dead; he’s lost interest in everything. He’s just using us to torture this woman to death and to get his hands on that medicine.”

Justin Jensen meekly agreed, not daring to say more. Inwardly, however, he was skeptical.

’Silas Dudley was scared to death of dying; that’s why he invested countless Crystal Cores and rare resources to build this lab to research a youth-restoring medicine. But no matter how useful it might be, it’s too late for him now. The man is dead, so what’s the point of restoring his damn youth! In the end, it’s that Walsh guy who’s also afraid of dying. He’s just using the dead man’s name to pressure the professor!’

’Walsh talks a good game, but what happens if the medicine is actually a success? He’ll just take it, dust off his hands, and leave. What about the rest of us?’

’If The Government finds out, we’ll all face a world of hurt!’

’Besides, the medicine has never worked before. Every single person who took it died violently! The professor is just caught up in his usual optimism, always thinking we’re close, that the next one will be the one. It’s nothing but a load of crap.’

’Sigh...’

’Looks like this woman is the next one to draw the short straw.’

After Professor Warren left, Justin Jensen stared blankly at the monitor for a long time. He turned it over and over in his mind, but he didn’t have the guts to try anything under Seth Walsh’s watch. He was torn between lamenting the astronomical reward that had just flown out the window and worrying that he’d be discovered and end up dead.

In the end, all he could do was pray for a miracle.

Meanwhile, after leaving, Seth Walsh went straight back to his room.

This was an unassuming laboratory building tucked away in a corner of The Research Institute in Central City.

No one would have ever guessed he was hiding here.

And so, no matter how much chaos erupted outside, he could still enjoy the tranquility he craved.

Entering the room, he picked up a jacket from a chair and draped it over his shoulders. He then opened a side door and walked out, crossing a hallway that led to a cold-storage room.