Hero For Lust

The creak of the wooden stairs faded as Caspian reached the bottom, the greasy aroma of takoyaki replaced by the sterile bite of antiseptic.

He rounded the corner and paused. I hardly recognize it from when I came down here for the first time.

The basement stretched wider than the shop above, its flat ceiling lined with glowing panels that cast an icy blue sheen over the room. Holographic screens flickered midair above a large desk, displaying scrolling data streams and rotating schematics of biomechanical parts. Machines of unknown purpose hummed along the walls — some cylindrical and pulsing with coolant, others bristling with probes and wires. Padded surgical tables dominated the center, their surfaces cluttered with tools and syringes filled with iridescent fluids.

Mosquito Girl lay unconscious on the central most padded surgical table, her bosomy form still and unblemished. Her skin held its usual pallor, smooth and flawless, save for a metallic patch the size of a coin embedded just beneath her collarbone. The device glinted under the ceiling lights, its surface etched with intricate circuitry that pulsed like a heartbeat. A transparent tube ran from the metallic patch to a sleek machine beside the table. A radiant green liquid flowed through the tube into her.

Another aspect of Mosquito Girl grabbed his attention that being that her nipples and vagina had disappeared. Reverting to their original smoothed over, non-existent appearance.

Hmm? So, she can control whether they appear, or maybe it's based on arousal. No clue…

Caspian made his presence known as he stepped forward. "Hey, what exactly is all this?"

Dr. Genus, who stood next to the table, turned back.

"Ah, Caspian. You didn't waste a moment getting here." Dr. Genus' fingers danced across the machine's screen. "Here, let me show you what I believe to be one of my greatest accomplishments to date."

As Dr. Genus' hand moved away from the screen, a 3D model of Mosquito Girl's body materialized in the air. Surrounding the 3D model were various labels floating above the spot they marked. Two of which were titled 'Hemodynamic Adaptation' and 'Symbiotic Integration.'

Caspian hadn't an idea what he was observing, but hell if he'd show it.

Dr. Genus broke the silence as he stepped to the side, revealing behind him a tray which held three glass vials. One held a viscous red liquid. Another shimmered like molten metal. The last was a crystalline liquid that crackled with tiny arcs of gray electricity.

"I discovered a method to synthesize unlimited quantities of blood." He gestured to the tray of vials. "Organic, synthetic, even the blood of Mysterious Beings. All replicable."

This man's a bit too smart…

Dr. Genus continued. "This metal chip I've embedded in her is merging with her biology. Once the process completes, she will ascend to the level of the Mysterious Being whose blood the chip continuously produces. Of course, the blood can replaced eventually with an even stronger Mysterious Being's allowing her to reach greater heights."

"I must say I'm impressed. But does this mean she'll change appearances based on the monster?"

"Not at all." Dr. Genus tapped the hologram, and the model shifted fluidly into a combat stance, sparks of crimson light arcing around its fists. "She will assimilate all attributes—strength, durability, intelligence, speed, senses, even cellular regeneration—without altering her form. There is far more I could list off, but in short there will be no crude shapeshifting or grotesque mutations."

Obnoxiously perfect.

"What type of blood is flowing from that tube into her?"

Dr. Genus' lips curled into an odd smile as he answered, "You should know it well… Carnage Kabuto's blood. After you left the combat experimentation room, I collected as many vials as I could off the floor. Fortunately, filtering out impurities and revitalizing his blood proved simple."

The sheer number of surprises today had far exceeded Caspian's expectations. It seemed as if Dr. Genus had removed the limiter on his mind, pushing the boundaries of science with ease. He may have discarded moral restraints long ago, but with results like these, why should Caspian care?

"You're telling me she'll have Carnage Kabuto's might as soon as she awakens?"

Dr. Genus nodded. "In fact, she will be greater." He raised a hand to the machine's screen, tapped a single icon, and the 3D model vanished. "However, she'll need time to adjust to her newfound capabilities.

Moreover, with her humanoid robotic arms and legs, her stature now closely resembles that of a human female of average height. It may be beneficial for her to learn how to wield a weapon. Or better yet, train in martial arts."

"I have some ideas in mind in regards to that. And If I didn't thank you before, I am now," Caspian said as he moved closer, stopping beside the lying Mosquito Girl.

Dr. Genus' stern expression thawed, a spark of fervor igniting in his eyes. "With your continued support," he said, voice low and deliberate, "imagine what we might achieve."

Hmm… Genos' rent money won't last forever, and I'll need a bigger place eventually too. Not to mention my six future wives and the large number of children I'll have with each of them… Damn. I need a lot of money!

Caspian waved his hand. "No need to sell me on it. We work well together and get along. No reason to stop that. In fact, I've been thinking we should find a way to create a sustainable income source. Don't worry about the legality of it. If there are any issues, I'll handle them."

"I admit, the House of Takoyaki only affords us to live in relative comfort. With the Hero Association breathing down my neck, I had to abandon nearly everything from the House of Evolution's underground facilities. It took the rest of the wealth I had salvaged to get this basement fully operational. As I said, with your support, I can implement several methods to generate more capital than we could possibly spend."

"Perfect. I'll send you a list of names. Make sure none of them are negatively affected by your methods. By the way, how much longer will Mosquito Girl's treatment take?"

"Understood. Given this is the first time, and the considerable gap between her current capabilities and Carnage Kabuto's, I would estimate a few days to up to a week." Dr. Genus adjusted his glasses. "But you will be the first to know when her metamorphosis concludes. You have my word."

Caspian smiled as he took out his phone and said, "Great. Here is Genos' number. If you can't get in touch with me, you can contact him instead."

After giving Dr. Genus the number and casting another affectionate glance at Mosquito Girl, her medium-length silver hair glistening under the overhead lights, he said his farewells and headed toward the stairway.

When he reached the stairway, he stopped. "By the way, where is Armored Gorilla?"

"He's out handling the troublesome task of getting supplies for the shop."

"Troublesome?"

Dr. Genus frowned. "Armored Gorilla has had to resort to wearing a hooded sweatshirt whenever he goes into the city."

"Because he's a gorilla?"

"No. Because people keep accusing him of being a monster apologist when they see him."

"…"