Chapter 377: Car Theft
Chapter 377: Car Theft
"Miss Monica."
"Professor Karl?"
"It's me."
"Why are you calling me at this hour? Is there something urgent?" Monica's voice over the phone sounded drowsy, as if she had been woken from a deep sleep.
Karl glanced at the window, where the sunlight shone brightly. For vampires, this kind of weather was probably only suitable for staying indoors and sleeping.
Speaking of which...
Monica had been able to go out during the day yesterday, though she seemed rather listless. What was that about?
Could it be that some vampires weren't affected by sunlight?
"There's a small matter," Karl said.
"Some data in the lab requires authorization from Bito Corporation. I'd appreciate your help with that."
"Hmm..." A rustling sound came from the phone. "Hold on."
A short while later, Monica replied, "Alright, reset the password on your end, and remember to inform the corporation afterward."
"Will do."
After hanging up, Karl didn't rush to check the data on the computer. Instead, he headed into the interior of the lab.
"Beep..."
The alloy door slid open to the sides after verification, revealing the high-tech equipment within.
The most valuable items in an independent lab were all here.
'How peculiar,' Karl thought. 'The phone can't even handle basic video calls, yet the machines for observing and editing genetic genes are so advanced. It's incredible that a university lab can conduct such complex genetic research.'
'Could it be...'
'That the technology here has made such progress because of certain special requirements in the field of genetics?'
Shaking his head, Karl, along with a few others who had changed into clean suits, stepped inside.
"Professor," Barrow greeted.
"Here are Professor Jim's previous experimental samples, biological data, and culture fluids."
"Bito Corporation participated in the Federal Genome Project, so we have genetic data of various organisms here. This is a tiger, this is a pig, this is a mouse..."
"Genetic combination technology?" Karl stroked his chin and nodded slowly.
"Professor Jim wanted to create an all-powerful organism?"
"Yes," Barrow nodded, a hint of embarrassment on his face. "We always thought his idea was unreasonable and unrealistic, but Professor Jim never gave up."
"Actually..."
"A slight change in the genes would suffice; there's no need to set such a grand goal. It's meaningless."
Karl nodded in agreement.
It made sense and was feasible to turn a black-furred mouse into a white-furred one, but to make a mouse that could fly and swim would be considered crazy even in the eyes of scientists.
Speaking of which...
Genetic scripting and enhancement techniques for animals were already quite mature, and many had been applied, generating significant profits for various companies.
For instance:
Fast-growing chickens, livestock pigs, and higher-yielding cereal grains were all beneficial applications.
Karl extended his hand and lightly brushed the preservation cabinet in front of him, sensing a faint trace of extraordinary power.
Hmm... His eyes flickered, and he somewhat understood Jim's choice.
Professor Jim must have encountered or witnessed certain beings that were hard for ordinary people to comprehend, which led to his obsession.
"That's all for today!"
Karl nodded, with no intention of inspecting the contents of the cabinet. He turned and headed out.
"Barrow, since you're willing to stay in the lab, continue with the previous research, but Professor Jim's research direction needs to be adjusted."
"My research isn't about giving one organism the abilities of others, but rather to discover its own potential to resist diseases..."
"Do you understand?"
"Yes, I do."
"Barrow, I'm counting on you."
Karl patted his shoulder, a satisfied expression on his face. "You're the only apprentice of Professor Jim who's staying. No matter the outcome, I'll help you out after graduation."
"Thank you, Professor Karl!"
Barrow's face lit up with excitement.
In the evening, Barrow, who had just finished his part-time job, parked his bicycle at the entrance of the bar and carefully locked it to a utility pole before rushing inside.
"Barrow!"
"Keynes!"
"Annie!"
The two friends waved at each other, and Barrow took off his backpack, pulled over a stool, and sat down, panting.
"Am I late?"
"It's fine today, not too long of a delay." Keynes smiled, "Your lab stipend increased, so there's no need to keep working odd jobs outside."
"It's not the same." Barrow shook his head, "I want to gain work experience for after graduation; otherwise, it's like being unemployed as soon as I graduate."
"It's much better now. At least you don't have to do those physically demanding jobs, and you can take on some part-time work related to your studies."
"Forget about that..."
6◇9◇Book◇Bar
"Did you come to see me for something?"
"I wouldn't come if it wasn't important." Annie rolled her eyes, "Do you remember the last time we all got together? It's been a long time since then."
"..." Barrow paused, feeling helpless, and sighed, "I'm different from you guys."
Yes, he was different.
As a child from the lower levels, he needed to exert far more effort than ordinary people to establish himself in this city.
Barrow had endured enough torment from his birth family, so no matter what, he was determined to find a way to stay.
"Forget it."
Both friends understood his family situation, and Keynes sighed, "Does your lab still need people?"
"Yes." Barrow nodded, "Right now, I'm the only one in the lab, and although Professor Karl doesn't have many research requirements, he's still very busy."
"Did someone ask you to inquire?"
Keynes wasn't in the same field as Barrow.
"Yes."
Annie interjected, "Before, they didn't have much faith in the new professor, but now, after hearing about Professor Karl's achievements, they've been coming to him."
"That's quite interesting."
Barrow smiled.
His 'colleagues' had all found other jobs with Monroe after Professor Jim's accident.
But he,
Due to a lack of connections in this field, could only continue working in the lab.
When he heard that a person without a senior title and from an ordinary university was accepted into the lab, he also felt a sense of despair.
Unexpectedly,
Within just two months, Professor Karl had published several papers, becoming a star in the field of biological genetics, and his status had also risen. Those who had left the lab at that time must have regretted it.
"Professor Karl is mainly doing theoretical research now, and the lab doesn't require much. I'm still doing the work Professor Jim left behind..."
"If you want to join, I can introduce you to Professor Karl..."
After the gathering, Barrow walked out of the bar and was about to reach for the keys in his pocket when he saw someone sneaking around the utility pole.
"What are you doing?"
His heart skipped a beat, and he shouted anxiously, "My bicycle!"
"Whoosh..."
The person, dressed like a vagrant, turned around at the sound of Barrow's voice and pushed the unlocked bicycle, rushing forward.
"Stop!"
"Halt!"
Barrow shouted, this bicycle was something he had spent a 'hefty price' on, and he couldn't let it be stolen.
He immediately quickened his pace and chased after the thief.
(End of Chapter)
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