Transcendent Gene
Chapter 173: Moving Forth [3]

Chapter 173: Moving Forth [3]

It took a bit longer to convince Klyde to lay low and focus on research, but he eventually calmed down and accepted reality.

He also knew that the only way to reach the end of his path was to tread it in silence.

More important than his freedom was his research. As such, to take his attention off his circumstances, Gio changed the topic and told him about the traits of the doppelganger he faced.

Klyde listened with a newfound sparkle in his eyes, paying particular attention to the replication ability of the doppelganger’s body.

Ideas were already swirling through his mind rapidly, begging him to bring them into reality.

"It’ll take a while to get anywhere meaningful," he said, his eyes glued to the sample.

"But I’ll get somewhere no matter what it takes."

"Should I come by to check on the progress?"

"No need. I’ll text you updates when I have them. The lab will be chaotic for the next few days if Anastasia stops showing up."

Gio nodded.

’The death of a doppelganger will hit hard when that Adjudicator and other high-ranking monsters find out about it. They’ll be on the move to find out who did it and silence them. If they check the lab and I, as a stranger, happen to be there as well...’

Klyde was trying to protect him, but he himself would be unable to avoid suspicion.

"How are you going to deal with it?"

"I won’t," Klyde responded, shaking his head.

"They can think whatever they want to think. Even if they take me in for questioning, I genuinely didn’t do it. You don’t have to worry about information spilling from my mouth."

Gio didn’t respond, giving Klyde a certain look.

"Haa..."

The man finally sighed.

"If ’they’ come for me, there’s nothing I can do. I already know that, but even if you help me, what changes?"

"Everything changes," Gio returned.

Gio looked around the lab, rubbing his chin.

"Say, Klyde..."

He needed a safe space to do his research. It couldn’t be a place connected to Anastasia at all.

"...how do you feel about moving?"

’Lunos will be mentioned in the incident report since Moon Rabbit was there, but Lunos is also in an incredibly safe position.’

Unless someone decided to use satellite technology to scan the Helix metropolitan area and the ground below it, how were they supposed to find the bunker?

’Moon Shadow didn’t fall because their enemies were better. Moon Shadow was taken down because of an internal informant.’

Klyde’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Move...?"

Gio smiled.

"Yeah."

With Klyde’s reputation, he had the perfect out. He could absolutely play the part of a stalker who’d lost his "stalkee" and leave mournfully after a few days or weeks.

Sure, he would be taking his reputation to a new low, but he’d also acquire a safety he didn’t have in the lab.

The equipment could be moved with him. There was more than enough space in the bunker...

Really, the only thing he needed was approval from two people.

***

After some thought, Klyde agreed to move. Gio told him a little bit about where he’d been going, which helped a lot.

Hearing about the environment of Lunos, Klyde felt like he’d have much more freedom than he did in even the underground research society. The upper echelon were the only ones who respected his research. Nobody around him felt the same.

He would still receive funding from them, naturally, but that didn’t mean he had to operate out of their labs. It was an easy enough decision to make.

Gio stayed for a little longer to help Klyde get his story situated before leaving.

’It’s been a long few days,’ he thought to himself as he stood on the quiet city street outside.

He called his driver out of curiosity, only to find that his father paid for a suite so he could stay in the city for the duration of Gio’s absence.

Gio only told his father that he was going to explore for a few days and would be back. With Moon Rabbit’s permission, he took pictures around the city after completing his assassinations. His father had been receiving those pictures that guaranteed his safety, yet, he still kept someone in the city out of worry.

’There were a few unexpected things, but it all ended well.’

Barely any time had passed since he came to Arcadia, yet he’d already met many people and experienced many things.

His true adventure in this Stratum hadn’t even started yet. It was still a year away.

’One year...’

One year of training, checking up on Klyde, and working with Moon Rabbit and Lunos.

It would be a short and mildly eventful year.

Whoosh!

Gio snapped out of his thoughts as a rush of wind hit his face. He looked out into the street to find a car approaching. It parked in front of him and his driver got out, opening the back door for him.

"I already told you not to do these kinds of things."

"I’m afraid that’s not possible, Young Master. This is my duty as your chauffeur."

"Yeah, but I’m not someone important enough for this kind of trea..."

Gio stopped and shook his head.

"I prefer to stay lowkey, so try not to do this kind of thing unless you have to."

"I understand, Young Master."

With a short conversation to preface the journey, they finally left the city. They drove slowly and smoothly, arriving back at the estate in forty-five minutes.

Kyrian was waiting at the mansion’s front door when they pulled into the driveway. When Gio stepped out of the car, he rushed up and hugged him.

He looked him up and down, searching for anything different about his son.

However, everything different had already been hidden away in his Storage Hole.

"How are you? You’re not hurt, are you?"

Gio shook his head.

"I’m fine. I’m sorry for leaving abruptly. I just felt the need to clear my head and really let things settle in before we start training more intensely."

The look in Kyrian’s eyes changed as he realized which son he was talking to.

He and Gio...

They were not yet close enough for him to be this affectionate. Of course, the child must’ve needed some time to process the changes he experienced.

Kyrian sighed, stepping away from Gio.

"It’s fine as long as you’re okay. You didn’t leave Helix, so I didn’t have to be too worried. When you sent the first message, though, I almost had a heart attack."

A wry smile rose up Gio’s face.

"Yeah. I was in the city and it happened a little spontaneously. I didn’t expect it to happen either, but I felt like it had to."

Kyrian nodded in understanding. He could clearly remember his own days as a teenager. Back then–

"Ah!"

Kyrian gave Gio a sidelong glance and grinned mischievously.

"I get it now. Did you meet a girl?"

"No. I don’t know anyone in the city yet."

"Eh? Don’t lie to me, Gio. I know how it is. You didn’t expect it to happen but you felt like you had to, huh? Don’t be shy..."

The teasing continued as they walked into the house. Gio tried his best to ignore it, but even he had no chance to fall for the bait and rage.

A life like this, filled with laughter and kindness...

It truly would be a short and mildly eventful year.