Shiho, who once firmly believed in science, would never have accepted such incomprehensible things.
But now, stepping from science into the mystical, and finding a being she could truly place her faith in, her former convictions were no longer so unshakable.
Her dazed thoughts quickly calmed.
"So, the ability of APTX to turn an adult into a child is actually caused by the influence of a Beyonder characteristic, not by the so-called effect of APTX itself."
After saying this, Shiho lowered her head, recalling the drug's effect, then smacked her forehead.
"I always thought APTX's properties were strange. While it makes sense in theory, it shouldn't actually work like that. The self-destruction of cells caused by APTX—no matter the degree—should always result in death. Normally, it shouldn't revert adults to juveniles."
The drug's destruction of cells should ultimately behave like a poison.
Most poisons attack proteins, while APTX targeted cells themselves.
But no matter which part it attacked, it should have been the deadliest poison possible to the human body.
"My Lord, what kind of Beyonder characteristic could cause this effect?"
"I once attempted divination on this matter, but that thing actually used corruption to resist my divination. Even so, I can roughly guess what it is."
Shiho perked up her ears and listened carefully.
"The Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristic of the Wheel of Fortune pathway, the Uniqueness of that pathway, or even the Sefirot tied to it."
"Regardless of which, all are extremely dangerous for anyone.
Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristics, Uniqueness, and Sefirot are extraordinary items only those above Demigod can come into contact with.
If ordinary people force contact, the best result is corruption, or becoming a plaything of fate."
"The core ability of this pathway is luck and misfortune."
"For your parents to come into contact with such things can be considered luck, but also misfortune."
For ordinary people, such items were death sentences.
Did they truly think that Beyonder characteristics, Uniqueness, or Sefirot of high Sequences could be touched casually?
Simply coming into contact without immediate corruption was already luck. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novęlfire.net
But their eventual disappearance was the misfortune.
"The lucky part was that, as scientists, they witnessed things they should never have seen.
Exploring the unknown is the destiny and expectation of all scientists.
But that luck also became the root of their misfortune."
"Through research into Beyonder characteristics, your parents created APTX. But the creation of this drug also marked the arrival of their misfortune."
"This is the malice extraordinary items hold toward ordinary people.
Even among Beyonders, most cannot touch such high-level items. For your parents to boldly research them… it would have been strange if misfortune had not struck."
As for containing extraordinary items from within, Ren did not look down on the Miyano couple, but no one could succeed in such a thing.
He could contain Sefirot only because of his own Uniqueness.
For others, attempting to contain Beyonder characteristics was suicide.
They were lucky enough to perform some research, but afterward came misfortune.
If one lacked the strength and luck to resist that misfortune, only death awaited.
Clearly, the Miyano couple's fate was sealed by misfortune.
The sisters listened quietly, understanding at last why their parents had met such an end.
"Ordinary people touching that kind of power… the consequences are obvious."
Shiho could already imagine the outcome.
She herself had only just come into contact with the power of a Sequence, and even at the lowest level, she had experienced immense strength.
If the first step already carried such power, what must higher Sequences be like?
"A scientist's thirst for the unknown is not easily suppressed.
And yet, as our parents, they were capable of conducting research on such a super-standard extraordinary item."
It was hard for Shiho to even picture.
Even as a Beyonder now, from the perspective of an ordinary scientist, it was difficult to study something so mysterious.
But her parents had done so. That alone proved how extraordinary they had been.
"Their talent was truly astonishing."
Ren himself was impressed that the Miyano couple had managed such a feat.
"They were able to study high-Sequence items, and even formed a certain connection with you.
That is what allowed you and your sister to live until today.
Otherwise, with just the CIA undercover incident, the Organization would have had you killed seven or eight times already."
Shiho and Akemi both shuddered at the thought of the Organization's methods.
"So… the Organization never intended to kill us?"
"I don't believe they would. After all, you hold the key elements of the drug's research. Until more results are achieved, you remain useful and safe."
The reason they were spared was because of the research. But once that research advanced far enough, if she became unnecessary, neither she nor her sister would escape death.
Shiho understood clearly.
She did not regret her decision. Instead, she felt fortunate.
"Everything comes down to value. Once I lose mine, my sister's and my fates will be sealed by Gin.
That day, our pasts will be completely erased."
Which was why yesterday had been the best chance for them to leave the Organization.
The fact that they had survived until then, even after the CIA incident, might have been their greatest stroke of luck.
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