Chapter 87: Arrival

Chapter 87: Arrival

Jiang Zhendong’s face darkened, and suddenly he raised his palm, sending a fierce gust of wind with three bolts of lightning crackling towards the Level Six zombie behind him. The Level Six zombie opened its mouth and swallowed the lightning, showing no signs of damage.

Jiang Zhendong stood up, looking down at Shenchi. "I hope you can still be as eloquent after today. You guys keep an eye on him."

Jiang Zhendong walked towards the Level Six zombie that Zhao Xiong had distracted, thick blood flowing from its neck. Though not much, the severed neck, cut by Shenchi, still showed dark red flesh inside, healing at an extremely slow rate.

Jiang Zhendong: "Xiao Tian, it’s your turn now."

Shen Tian responded by spreading his arms, and rain began to fall. A water snake hid within the rain, slithering towards the Level Six zombie.

The Level Six zombie showed no reaction to the harmless rain but quickly noticed the water snake, which was swallowed in an instant.

Unfazed, Shen Tian continued to make it rain. Jiang Zhendong approached the Level Six zombie, purple lightning like countless snakes writhing around him, surging towards the zombie like a rising tide—exploding upon contact with the rain!

A massive shockwave, like a fuse, directed towards the Level Six zombie. Jiang Zhendong moved swiftly, changing positions to attack from different angles.

For a moment, the Level Six zombie had no chance to retaliate, trapped in the center of the explosions. Wherever a vortex appeared, Zhao Xiong would appear, using his wind abilities to confine the zombie, cutting off its escape routes.

More high-level ability users were drawn over, perhaps sensing danger. In the midst of the storm, the Level Six zombie summoned several Level Four and Five zombies, which attacked the weakest target, Shen Tian!

Shen Tian was startled and hurriedly dodged. The rain ceased, and the heavily wounded Level Six zombie tilted its head, the few remaining nerves hanging by a thread.

Jiang Zhendong’s body glowed intensely with purple light. "Xiao Tian, hold on a little longer!"

Shen Tian raised his hands again, and two Level Four zombies lunged at him. Zhao Xiong rushed over to help, but as he shielded Shen Tian, Shen Tian stuck a fist-sized object onto him and then stumbled back, creating distance between them.

Unaware, Zhao Xiong was soon overwhelmed by the increasing number of zombies.

Shen Tian struggled, and when he summoned another downpour, a Level Three zombie emerged from nowhere, its sharp claws flinging Shen Tian dozens of meters away!

Shen Tian crashed to the ground, rolling a few times. He spat out blood and coughed violently, feeling as if a sharp blade had been thrust into his stomach, causing intense pain throughout his body.

Shen Tian looked up at Jiang Zhendong, clenching his fists tightly. He wasn’t strong, but he wasn’t foolish either. Shenchi and Ji Kaiwen must have regained their memories after dying in their previous lives; there was no reason he shouldn’t have done the same. His memory only extended to being knocked unconscious by Jiang Zhendong on a bed, which meant he must have died during that period.

Dying under the protection of so many ability users.

Dying right under Jiang Zhendong’s nose.

Who could have done that?

Shen Tian glanced at Shenchi, who was lying in a cage nearby. During those three days, Jiang Zhendong mentioned this person’s name many times, even asking once if he could also have a child...

To hell with having children!

Shen Tian laughed and wiped the blood from his lips, walking towards Shenchi.

"Don’t ignore me. I have good news for you. Do you know where your aunt and uncle are?" Shen Tian smiled. "I picked them up from the street! I wonder how they’ve been surviving; they’re so thin they look unrecognizable."

Shen Tian leaned against the cage, staring down at Shenchi, his small face looking innocent.

"I remember in my past life, you picked them up, right? Tsk tsk, how could they be so heartless? They ate well and lived comfortably with you, yet they turned around and sold you to me?"

Shen Tian’s gaze shifted to Shenchi’s belly. "Oh, and their unborn granddaughter too."

Shenchi never looked at him.

It seemed Shen Tian didn’t expect a response. After venting, his mood seemed to improve. "Let’s make a deal. Give me the design plans for Luoyang’s energy shield, and in exchange, the couple is yours. Whether you want to vent your anger or keep them, it’s up to you. How about it?"

Shenchi’s voice was icy. "I don’t have the habit of picking up trash."

Shen Tian chuckled softly, appearing easygoing. "Then let’s change the terms. I’ll set you free, and you kill Jiang Zhendong. Not a bad deal, right?"

Without hesitation, Shenchi said, "Open the door."

As soon as the cage’s iron door opened, Shenchi tried to rush out. Shen Tian stopped him. "Wait, I need your elixir too."

Seeing everyone focused on the Level Six crystal core, Shen Tian gave A’Jie a nod. A spatial ability user released a fighter jet, and the group boarded without hesitation, fleeing.

The Level Six zombie was eventually beheaded, and with fire and ice ability users present, the crystal core inside its head was quickly exposed.

It was a blood-red crystal core, as if nourished with blood for a long time. Some vision ability users could even see the threads of blood inside, making it look almost alive.

Before the crystal core hit the ground, someone lunged forward to grab it. However, the next moment, the crystal core passed through their hand, and they screamed in agony, revealing a corroded hole in their palm!

A strength ability user pushed aside those trying to snatch the crystal core, while a speed ability user darted forward, his face filled with madness.

But as soon as he touched the crystal core, his hands were rapidly corroded, and before he could think, the corrosion spread along his wrist, consuming half his body in mere moments. Soon, all that remained was a puddle of blood and flesh.

The ground was burned, forming a shallow pit that grew larger.

Despite this, people kept rushing forward, driven by greed.

The glowing red crystal core was repeatedly tossed and caught. Just as it was about to fall into a puddle, a whirlwind swept it towards Jiang Zhendong—

Zhao Xiong, covered in wounds, lay on the ground, his hand raised, breathing heavily. His eyes were unfocused, but he stubbornly sent the crystal core towards Jiang Zhendong.

Jiang Zhendong reached out to catch it, but Shenchi suddenly lunged forward, biting the crystal core. Instantly, the crystal core corroded Shenchi’s teeth and lips, exposing white bone.

Shenchi swallowed the crystal core and, before entering the space, gave Jiang Zhendong a bloody smile.

Jiang Zhendong clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth. He looked down at Zhao Xiong, who had closed his eyes as a low-level zombie gnawed on his leg.

More zombies and people from the Luoyang base rushed towards him!

Jiang Zhendong looked behind him, but there was no one there.

When Shenchi woke up again, he had already been lying in bed for two days, and the Level 6 zombie wave had also passed two days ago.

In the end, humanity won this battle. Due to the appearance of the energy shield, the losses within Luye City's safe zone were minimized. However, only a fraction of the heroes who fought outside the city returned. Nearly half of the psychics were sacrificed, and ammunition supplies were almost depleted. Any sudden combat at this time would put the safe zone in peril.

Shenchi's face was wrapped in white gauze, stained with blood. As soon as he woke up, the nurse by his side immediately rang the bell to call the doctor.

Xia Yi, with his scruffy beard, rushed over and carefully examined Shenchi before sighing in relief, "Are you okay?"

Shenchi closed his eyes, took a moment to compose himself, then opened them again.

"I know you're in pain right now. I gave you a little anesthesia but didn't dare use too much. The effects should wear off in about three hours."

Xia Yi sat down beside Shenchi's bed. "Your arm has been reattached, but your mouth, esophagus, respiratory tract, and stomach have all been corroded to some extent. If you were an ordinary person, you'd probably be dead by now. Even for a psychic, it's tough. Fortunately, there was still some water left from what you left outside. I used it to maintain the integrity of your vital organs to prevent further deterioration. For the rest, I suggest you soak in the Spirit Spring."

Xia Yi shook his head disapprovingly. "You came out too quickly. If you had stayed inside one more day, your injuries might have healed already. Why suffer like this?"

Shenchi stared blankly for a while, then suddenly reached out his hand to Xia Yi.

Xia Yi frowned.

Shenchi just looked at him.

Xia Yi sighed, "Do you want to see Cao Kun? I'll take you there."

On the way, Xia Yi told Shenchi about what happened after he was captured by Jiang Zhendong. He mainly talked about how Cao Kun was scratched by zombies and then fought Jin Shufan to a mutual defeat. Jin Shufan was now being kept under watch in the isolation ward. As for Cao Kun:

"Although you both received vaccinations before the expedition, the fifth-generation vaccine was administered to him forty-three hours ago, and antibodies have formed. However, the risk of infection is still high."

Xia Yi pushed open the door to the intensive care unit. Shenchi walked over, and the man on the bed lay motionless, pale-faced, with many small cuts on his face, clearly caused by sharp objects. His eyes remained tightly shut, and Shenchi couldn't even hear his breathing in the small room. Everything was eerily quiet, almost frightening.

Xia Yi watched Shenchi bend down to caress Cao Kun, knowing that this person had long harbored feelings.

After a while, Shenchi wrote a message using water from the bedside cup: "I want to remove the bandages."

Xia Yi frowned.

Shenchi wrote again: "Want to see Ping'an."

Xia Yi knew he was afraid of scaring the child: "You can see the child anytime. There's no rush."

Shenchi wrote: "Kun, space."

Xia Yi understood immediately, "You want to put him into Ping'an's space? What are you planning to do?"

Shenchi wrote: "Kill Jiang."

Xia Yi: "Reckless! The zombie wave just passed, and there are countless zombies lurking outside. How many more tricks does Jiang Zhendong have? Even if you're now a Level 6 psychic, you're not invincible. Do you even know where he is?"

"I know," Shenchi's voice was hoarse and rough.

Xia Yi was taken aback.

Shenchi looked up at him: "If I don't act now, he'll run away later."

Xia Yi: "Must you go alone?"

Shenchi nodded.

Xia Yi: "How will I explain to Cao Kun when he wakes up?"

Shenchi looked at Cao Kun, his voice soft: "He can't come out."

Xia Yi sighed, "Fine, there needs to be a resolution. Putting Cao Kun in the Spirit Spring isn't a bad idea. It won't make things worse anyway."

Xia Yi removed the bandages from Shenchi. The lower half of his face was terrifying, with skin torn from nose to neck. When the bandages were removed, they stuck to the healing flesh, and Xia Yi carefully separated them, suctioned the blood, reapplied medicine, and replaced the thick mask. Throughout the process, Shenchi did not make a sound or even flinch.

Ping'an had been staying with Zhaungzhaung these past two days, and Xiao Yu was also there. As soon as Shenchi entered, the two children froze, staring wide-eyed at him, even Zhaungzhaung stood still.

Shenchi instinctively touched his face, worried something was wrong.

The movement instantly woke the two children. Little Ping'an twisted and cried, crawling towards Shenchi and pushing aside Zhaungzhaung.

Xiao Yu, being an adult, reached Shenchi first, hugging him and crying, "Baby, baby, I missed you."

Shenchi's nose tingled as he hugged Xiao Yu back, soothing her thin back, his voice hoarse, "I'm here."

Little Ping'an crawled to the edge of the fence, crying, "Daddy, hug... hug..."

Shenchi hurried to pick up Ping'an.

But calming the little one made the big one cry, and calming the big one made the little one start fussing again. Even Zhaungzhaung began crying, wanting a hug. Shenchi was overwhelmed, trying to manage everyone.

Xia Yi, concerned about Shenchi's condition, helped ease the chaos. Although the injuries weren't life-threatening for Shenchi, they were painful.

With Xia Yi's help, ten minutes later, the two children and the adult were calm.

Shenchi sat with them for a while, then carried Ping'an to Cao Kun's ward. Ping'an started babbling and reaching out to Cao Kun.

Shenchi comforted her briefly and placed her by the bed.

Xia Yi said, "Don't worry. Once you're inside, I'll take little Ping'an back."

Shenchi: "Thank you!"

Shenchi held Ping'an's and Cao Kun's hands, coaxing Ping'an to let them sleep in her space. Ping'an happily allowed them in, then fell asleep on Xia Yi's shoulder.

Ping'an's space had more things than the first time they entered. Some were prepared by Shenchi, others were gifts from several uncles and aunts.

Cao Kun was unconscious, and Shenchi supported him as they stepped into the Spirit Spring, letting Cao Kun's head rest against the pool wall. He then lifted Cao Kun's shirt to reveal his midriff wrapped in bandages.

A flash of metal piercing Cao Kun's body flickered before Shenchi's eyes—

The image vanished, and Shenchi left the space.

He went straight to Jin Shufan in the intensive care ward next door. On that day, Jin Shufan had been tightly embraced by the berserk Cao Kun, trapped in temperatures reaching thousands of degrees Celsius. The subsequent examination revealed extensive burns, multiple fractures, and a broken spine due to Cao Kun's kicks.

Unfortunately, Jin Shufan’s recovery abilities were remarkable; as a metal-type ability user, he could temporarily mend his broken spine.

When he saw Shenchi, Jin Shufan was surprised. He had assumed Jiang Zhendong would have handled the situation, but Shenchi's presence confirmed their plan had failed.

Shenchi: "I'm here to settle a debt."

As soon as he spoke, Shenchi pierced Jin Shufan's body with eighteen ice spikes. It hurt, immobilized him, yet kept him alive.

Shenchi acted swiftly, finishing the job and leaving, leaving the guards staring at each other in shock.

Back in the space, Shenchi entered the water and lay beside Cao Kun. The space was quiet.

Shenchi lifted Cao Kun's arm and placed it under his head, lying there for a while before he couldn't resist looking up at him. His fingertips brushed over Cao Kun's rough but clean face.

Shenchi's thumb caressed Cao Kun's pale lips, and he gently kissed them.

"Ah Kun, I miss you."

After soaking in the Spirit Spring overnight, Shenchi's face looked less terrifying when he emerged, and he could speak without issue, though his stomach still ached faintly.

But he couldn't worry about that now; he needed to find Jiang Zhendong quickly.

To kill him and eliminate any future threats.

Shenchi kissed his daughter, who danced joyfully upon seeing him. "Sweetheart, Daddy has put a big treasure in your space. You need to watch over him, okay?"

Shenchi had received permission from his superiors yesterday to go out, despite the risk of sending the only level-six ability user on a revenge mission.

Yes, Shenchi had absorbed that level-six crystal core, and his space had advanced to level six.

Ming Jing had suggested prioritizing the upgrade of his space after analyzing its potential directions, believing that a level-six space should do more than just evolve "time."

Perhaps "time" would grant Shenchi teleportation abilities or allow living beings to enter. Other functions might also emerge, but Ming Jing's intuition told him otherwise.

Indeed, Shenchi's space evolved with the ability to "devour," capable of swallowing living beings into a black hole, erasing them from existence.

Upon learning this, Ming Jing recited a Buddhist chant. Two days ago, he had fainted from overusing his abilities and woke up to find Ah Kun in the ICU and Shenchi missing. After searching for two hours, they found Shenchi drenched.

Since then, they did what they could and left the rest to fate. Ming Jing knew he couldn't help much, so he spent a night chanting scriptures outside the city. Later, he was caught by He Chang and used as a human radar to search for survivors, including Ji Kaiwen.

By the time he learned Shenchi had awakened, Shenchi had already taken Ah Kun into the space. This morning, he heard Shenchi was planning to leave the city.

Ming Jing recited a prayer: "Amitabha, may you and Ah Kun overcome all dangers."

Shenchi: "Thank you for the good wishes."

Shenchi didn't tell anyone else about leaving the city. He simply requested a helicopter from the safe zone and flew alone to Hongshan Base.

Of course, he knew where Jiang Zhendong was. That arrogant man, never admitting defeat, would go nowhere else after his plan failed.

He would stay in the place of his former glory.

To reminisce, to regret, to torment those who betrayed him, or to realize how he once held power and regret not keeping it from the start.

Days had passed, and Hongshan Base was now desolate, with snow-covered corpses scattered everywhere, and a few zombies dragging their entrails around.

Shenchi walked through the city gate, past familiar buildings.

In his previous life, he lived in this base for months, finding his parents at the gate. He thought it would be a new beginning, but instead, he was imprisoned in a research lab and eventually killed in an explosion.

The medical building and the hidden research lab had been destroyed, and Jiang Zhendong had built a new workshop nearby, filled with parts for energy guns.

Shenchi searched and found a basement entrance in one of the warehouses.

The basement was dark and long, with dripping water echoing off the walls and floor.

Shenchi took out a flashlight from the space and walked for a long time until he reached the end, where a large glass sphere filled with liquid contained a naked man.

The man was covered in tubes, half his skull removed, his eyes wide open with some semblance of consciousness. The bright light from the flashlight made his pupils constrict, and he struggled toward Shenchi, bubbles escaping his mouth.

Around him were scattered mutilated corpses.

Shenchi paused briefly before stepping closer.

The man lunged at Shenchi, hitting the glass wall, the liquid inside the sphere swaying. The tubes restrained his movements, and he seemed too weak to break free.

Shenchi touched a mole on the man's nose, causing him to stiffen and then struggle frantically. At that moment, a hoarse voice came from behind.

"Does he look like him?"

Shenchi turned around to see Jiang Zhendong, dressed in black, standing behind him. He looked thinner, his usual smile gone, but otherwise unchanged.

Shenchi: "Did you dig out his crystal core?"

Jiang Zhendong: "Yes, impressive, isn’t it? Even Dr. Li didn’t think he could survive. Do you think both of you have something special?"

Shenchi looked away. "Disgusting."

Jiang Zhendong laughed, circling Shenchi with a heated gaze. "You dared to come alone, so I assume you’ve absorbed that level-six crystal core. Tell me, why do you and your lover both enjoy taking things from others?"

Shenchi remained indifferent. "Only the capable can take."

Jiang Zhendong's face darkened, and after a moment, he said, "Indeed. I heard that your lover gave you that Level 4 crystal core after snatching it. Not only that, but he also raised the child you had with another man. Your skills are truly unmatched."

Jiang Zhendong looked at Shenchi as if he were a fly. He had only learned a few days ago that the father of Shenchi's child was not the man named Cao Kun, but another fat, corrupt client who had drugged and raped him!

Jiang Zhendong thought his words would provoke the other, but unexpectedly, Shenchi laughed. This was the first time Jiang Zhendong had seen Shenchi laugh, and it was a genuinely happy one, free from any impurities.

Shenchi asked, "Do you believe in fate?"

Without waiting for Jiang Zhendong to answer, he continued, "I didn't used to, but now I do."

As he spoke, a military knife appeared in Shenchi's hand, and he swung it at the other man!

Jiang Zhendong dodged backward alertly, but the tip of the blade suddenly extended an inch longer. He leaned back again, but the ice blade still cut through his shirt. At the same time, a black hole slowly materialized behind Jiang Zhendong, and he stumbled straight into it!

The corner of Jiang Zhendong's mouth curled up. He spun around rapidly and reappeared behind Shenchi.

The black hole followed him, and the powerful suction forced him to teleport to another location.

"So this is the power of a Level 6 spatial ability."

Jiang Zhendong's body crackled with electricity, and the dark ground became wet with water. Suddenly, sharp spikes emerged from the electric currents. "Come on, let me show you my new abilities after fusing with other powers!"

The spikes lengthened abruptly, like countless hands stabbing madly at Shenchi!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Metal struck the ice shield but couldn't penetrate it. The water splashed down with electric currents, shattering the ice shield into ice shards.

Jiang Zhendong spread his arms, and a dark cloud rose above Shenchi's head, unleashing a thunderous strike that formed an absolute domain, trapping Shenchi within.

Shenchi had no choice but to retreat into the spatial realm, but the domain was filled with metal bars that crisscrossed, dividing the space into numerous smaller spaces. Water flooded in, blocking all of Shenchi's exits.

Jiang Zhendong raised an eyebrow. "What good is hiding in a spatial realm? You'll die the moment you come out. Can you even escape?"

Jiang Zhendong wandered around in the quiet space for a while, losing his patience more quickly than before.

"Boring," he muttered.

He used a piece of metal to break through a wall, dragging out a large cage adorned with golden phoenixes. Jiang Zhendong bent down and opened the cage. "I caught you so easily; this cage was specially designed for you."

Jiang Zhendong covered his absolute domain with the cage, intending to close the door and activate the ability-blocking mechanism when he suddenly sensed danger. He lunged to the side, narrowly avoiding the black hole behind him!

Jiang Zhendong's face darkened. Before he could control the metal to speed up, a black hole suddenly appeared under his hand, swallowing it whole!

With determination, Jiang Zhendong severed his arm and teleported to a safer spot, but another black hole appeared there!

Jiang Zhendong stared at the three black holes, finally recognizing the terrifying nature of this ability.

He took out a crystal core to replenish his energy, using his speed ability to teleport away from the black holes repeatedly. Once the crystal core was absorbed, he spread his arms, attempting to create another absolute domain.

However, fate did not favor him. As the domain formed, his eye twitched uncontrollably, weakening his power. The absolute domain trapping Shenchi was partially erased, like a piece of paper being rubbed away.

Seizing the opportunity, Shenchi, despite the remaining attacks, emerged with an icy armor surrounding him.

Shenchi's ice ability was still at Level 5, while Jiang Zhendong's lightning ability had been forcibly boosted to Level 6. Even though Shenchi was prepared, he was still left battered by the lightning strikes.

Outside the spatial realm, Shenchi's devouring ability became more adept, while Jiang Zhendong's side effects from forcibly fusing four abilities began to show. Other abilities occasionally refused to obey him, and his body seemed to be experiencing problems.

Shenchi spread his arms, releasing countless ice blades. Jiang Zhendong tried to dodge, but wherever he went, the black holes followed, increasing in number and speed.

Seeing him stumble into another black hole, Jiang Zhendong suddenly shouted, "Shenchi! Do you still want your parents alive?!"

As Jiang Zhendong spoke, a wall suddenly disappeared, replaced by a glass panel. Inside, two emaciated elders were desperately pounding on the bulletproof glass that trapped them.

Jiang Zhendong used his absolute domain against the black hole consuming him, but his hand trembled again, weakening his power.

Damn! Jiang Zhendong's eyes widened. "Shenchi, let's make a deal. Your parents are in my hands. If you voluntarily enter the cage, I'll release them and let them live out their years in peace. You wouldn't want your elderly parents to suffer and die for you, would you?"

Shenchi lowered his head. Jiang Zhendong thought he was hesitating, but unexpectedly, Shenchi suddenly froze the elders with ice and then charged towards him.

Five black holes appeared around Jiang Zhendong simultaneously, their powerful suction leaving him nowhere to run.

Another absolute domain descended, this time without any issues, effectively reducing the black holes' suction. The two forces clashed, and in a flash, Jiang Zhendong's claws transformed into blades, lunging at Shenchi. Shenchi, however, lifted his gaze—

Jiang Zhendong's pupils contracted as Shenchi suddenly "transformed" into a black hole, diving directly into it!

The black hole gradually vanished, and Shenchi reappeared in the same spot. He glanced around the empty surroundings, blinked, and slowly exhaled.

Finally dead.

Though he didn't know what lay on the other side of the black hole, he knew there was no life there, only darkness.

Shenchi wiped the blood from his face and approached the bulletproof glass. When he had frozen the two elders, Jiang Zhendong remotely activated the destruction device inside. If Shenchi hadn't been a Level 5 ability user and hadn't frozen them in time, they would have been shredded by the blades inside.

Shenchi gently tapped the bulletproof glass, which shattered. The two ice statues inside remained intact, with only some scratches.

Shenchi ignored them, storing the cage in his spatial realm, changing his bloodstained coat, and drinking half a bottle of Spirit Spring water. Some minor wounds on his body slowly healed.

He approached the glass sphere, where the man inside was stunned. Seeing Shenchi approach, he mouthed three words:

"Kill me."

"I had planned to," Shenchi replied. "But now I've changed my mind."

Shen Tian's eyes blazed with fury.

In the empty basement, a snap echoed, and the ice statues shattered. The two figures inside collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

Shenchi faintly heard a shout from behind him. He pushed open the warehouse door to find a large crowd of zombies gathered outside, an unusually large number. Fortunately, the materials used here were solid, so the zombies couldn't get in for the time being.

The scent of blood on Shenchi attracted even more zombies. He tossed out a black hole, which instantly sucked in dozens of zombies.

Shenchi didn't have much trouble dealing with these zombies; occasionally, he would use ice abilities to kill higher-level ones and extract their crystals.

After all, he had a family to take care of.

Shenchi pushed aside a corpse and found a skull underneath, filled with artificial patches, and a crystal embedded in the center. He threw it far away, and the zombies swarmed toward it.

Shenchi then stored it in his space.

He looked around; it was very quiet, with no one in sight. But Shenchi knew that Zhong Botao was in one of the rooms, perhaps observing him or continuing his lifelong research.

Under Zhong Botao's supervision for half a year, Shenchi had heard a lot about his experimental studies, including how his first human experiment was conducted, who the subject was, and what the results were, as well as details about the second subject.

After each experiment, he would brand the subject with a unique mark, like pigs in a pen—some were deemed qualified, others not—and numbered accordingly.

He wouldn't remember the names of the subjects, but he remembered the numbers.

Those numbers represented his experimental achievements.