My Players Are So Fierce

Stop bringing up the past!

Damn it, I’ve told you, there are spies from other research groups in this base. If they report us, our promotion will be delayed again.

The competition in this field is fierce, my old friend.

Many third-rate research groups are jealous of the results we’ve achieved, those subpar researchers dream of taking credit for our work every day.

The Ratman project is currently one of the most promising projects under Mr. Scholar’s command, we’re going to be incredibly successful soon! In the face of such a future, our past lives filled with failures are not worth reminiscing over.

Damn!

Flynn, look at your face!

You’re thinking about that useless apprentice of yours again, aren’t you? Damn it, if you weren’t so weak, you decided to leave Circle Tower and come to me originally, that was your own decision…”

“I’m not complaining about you, Kant… uh, Explorer, I’m grateful for your mentorship, and I’ve been doing quite well at the base. My research has produced results which I always share with you first. We’ve been friends for decades, why can’t you trust me?”

The white-bearded old man known as Flynn glared at his old friend, chewing tastelessly on a piece of jam-filled bread. A few seconds later, he lowered his voice and said:

“I just saw the battle report from Blackflame Mountain Pass, and among the reports on the Ratman combat results was a piece of footage. There, I saw He Lu… After my fake death, that kid went to Transylvania and joined the Vampire Lord’s army, he’s already donned the Transylvania military uniform.

He’s mixing with the vampires!

He’s using what I taught him to try to gain glory in the war, and it’s all my fault!

If I had brought him with me back then, he wouldn’t have gone down this wrong path.

He’s only a scout, he shouldn’t be on the front lines.”

“Sigh, what do you want me to say, Flynn.”

Explorer snorted, saying:

“You’re always so indecisive and emotionally attached, just like when we were wasting our days at Circle Tower. With your talent, if you could have been a bit more decisive, you would have long achieved the rank of Psychic Master.

He Lu, right?

I met him before my defection, and that kid’s potential was mediocre. I still don’t understand why you valued him so much?

Just because you come from the same place?”

“He’s a lot like me, Kant, haven’t you noticed?

He Lu is reminiscent of us back then, from a poor background, lucky enough to enter Circle Tower, trying with all his might to keep up with the truly talented, yet constantly afflicted by misfortune for various reasons.”

Old Flynn shook his head, saying:

“If it were the classical era, He Lu would have been an excellent traveling mage. But Circle Tower has long changed, and after they launched that Headmaster, everything became sharp, and we were like dogs being whipped, forced to serve specific goals with competition becoming exceptionally fierce and even brutal.

He Lu is a sacrifice, and so are we.”

“Ha, you see your former self in him, right? It’s not too late, Flynn.”

Explorer showed a strange smile, saying:

“Send him an invitation, bring him in, let him work with you on the ‘organ enhancement’ research you’re currently advancing. If he truly has talent, he’ll eventually make a name for himself here.

This place is much better than that damn Circle Tower, right?”

“I… I’ll think about it.”

Old Flynn was somewhat moved.

But he didn’t immediately make a decision, and Explorer didn’t press him. Their faction never forces anyone to join, which is the most notable feature of the Scholar Faction. All researchers join voluntarily.

These folks are talented but frustrated individuals from other organizations who come together to study ‘ancient technology,’ often bursting with unprecedented enthusiasm and passion.

Psychics like Explorer and old Flynn are key members of the Scholar Faction, many of whom come from Circle Tower, Shaldo University of Craftsman, and from the elves’ Castia Great Tree. In fact, these people aren’t really concerned about Apocalyptic desires, what they desire is very simple.

Even terrifyingly simple.

“Alright, stop thinking about it and go finish your experiment.”

After finishing his meal, Explorer said to old Flynn while sipping juice:

“Quickly complete the enhancement of the eye organs for humanoid individuals. I need your research results to push forward the transformation of the second-generation enhanced Ratman. We must create a leader for the current rat horde, just like in the Golden Era, where our predecessors created the ‘Khan’ for the Wolf People.

The example of the King of Bone Biting proves that under the lead of a qualified leader, a new species will explode with endless potential, which is exactly what the big shots want to see… Hmm?

Did you hear any strange noises?”

Explorer suddenly raised his head and looked at the metal ceiling above. His sharp senses, inherited from the elven body, had picked up the weird noises coming from above, sounding as if something had exploded.

“Warning! Warning! Invasion warning! The surface camouflage layer of R-9 base has been compromised, intruders are attacking the main body of the base! Defense mode engaged!”

In the next moment, the piercing warning sounded from the cafeteria loudspeakers, causing Explorer, as the base leader, to jump and shout: