Chapter 116: Clinical Trial Success

Several months later, the biochemical crisis that had ravaged the United States had spread across the globe. The entire Earth had fallen. Billions of people dwindled rapidly to just a few hundred million.

And that number continued to decline, though no one had statistics anymore.

Across the world, a handful of organizations gathered small groups of survivors, struggling to live in dire conditions. Most others huddled together in groups of dozens or hundreds, seeking warmth amid the endless darkness, waiting for death.

None of this concerned Ma Jun in the slightest; he never bothered to pay attention.

At the Desert Base, within the test zone, a laboratory was arranged with various instruments neatly in place. In the center of the room lay a hospital bed to which a death row inmate, the experimental subject, was strapped. Data monitoring devices were attached all over his body.

Beside him, two large syringes contained a blue liquid. The syringes were fixed to machines, their needles aimed directly at the muscles of the inmate’s arms.

On the left side of the room stood a massive floor-to-ceiling window, its glass specially designed to allow viewing only from the outside in, not vice versa. The glass was reinforced to withstand small explosions.

Beyond the glass was another room—much smaller and comfortably decorated.

Ma Jun sank into a sofa, smoking a cigarette as he gazed through the glass at the laboratory. Beside him sat Old Qian, Qian Bodo, and Qian Xudo, while five fully armed superpowered biochemical soldiers stood guard.

Inside the lab, Qian Yaoduo and Ashford were conducting the final checks of the experiment.

“Is everything ready, Mr. Qian?” Ashford asked Qian Yaoduo.

“Boss, the test has begun!” Qian Yaoduo reported through his communicator.

“Good,” Ma Jun replied tersely.

Seeing this, Ashford wasted no time and clapped his hands to gather the attention of the surrounding staff. “Everyone, monitor the subject’s data closely. Any abnormalities during the injection must be recorded! Now... the seventh clinical trial of the superpower serum begins!”

The syringe between the subject’s arms slowly pushed forward, the blue liquid gradually flowing into his body.

“Ah...” To ensure the test’s effectiveness, no painkillers or anesthesia were administered. The inmate clenched his teeth tightly, sweat beading on his forehead, bare chest, and legs.

Clearly, the process was far from comfortable for the death row inmate.

“Body temperature rising: 39 degrees, 40 degrees, 44 degrees, stabilizing.”

“Heartbeat accelerating...”

The biochemical soldiers acting as lab personnel continuously reported various data.

“Very good, very good...” Ashford stared anxiously at the subject, murmuring to himself, “Everything currently under control, normal.”

“Injection complete!”

“Subject’s vital signs returning to normal!”

“Excellent!” Ashford clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling slightly in his wheelchair. “The seventh trial is a success. Next, we need to test the subject’s combat indicators. Once passed, it will confirm the superpower serum’s successful development!”

“Wonderful, Dr. Ashford!” Qian Yaoduo smiled beside him.

Meanwhile, the death row inmate was released from his restraints. Qian Yaoduo approached him. “Congratulations, the experiment was very successful. You’re about to live in freedom! And in this apocalypse, you’ll have a secure job with no worries about food or clothing!”

“Yes, sir!” The inmate was moved. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’m honored to join!”

Qian Yaoduo maintained a calm demeanor and led the inmate into an enclosed room for further testing. On the other side of the glass, Ma Jun and the others watched the experiment unfold via closed-circuit television.

Inside the enclosed room, the inmate followed Qian Yaoduo’s instructions, testing his punch strength and jumping ability. Finally, he stood before a pile of scattered wooden blocks, his expression focused and motionless.

After a moment, the blocks began to levitate and move continuously.

“Boss, it worked!” Qian Xudo chuckled from the other room. “Our serum is effective. When do you plan to transform into a superhuman?”

Ma Jun felt a surge of satisfaction. The research into the superpower serum had taken a long time, and its success was certainly cause for celebration. He did not answer Qian Xudo’s question but instead picked up his communicator and issued orders to Qian Yaoduo. At once, the five superpowered biochemical soldiers lined up and left.

Inside the enclosed room, Qian Yaoduo said to the inmate, “Excellent, our experiment succeeded. I need to report to the boss...” Just then, five men entered. “They will take you to get familiar with your new job. Your appointment will be formalized soon!”

The inmate frowned, sensing something amiss, but allowed Qian Yaoduo to leave. The next moment, the iron door slammed shut. The five superpowered biochemical soldiers approached the inmate.

Minutes later, the room’s door opened, and the soldiers carried out a humanoid white package. Seeing this, Qian Yaoduo returned to Ma Jun’s room.

“Boss, everything is settled!” Old Qian II pushed open the door and immediately reported.

“Good,” Ma Jun nodded. “The superpowered biochemical serum has finally passed clinical trials. However... to be safe, we’re still testing three more death row inmates to ensure absolute reliability. Also, that guy we have under control will be monitored 24/7 by our superpowered biochemical soldiers, tracking his vital signs for any aftereffects. We’ll deal with him in a month.”

“Yes, sir!”

“In time, if all tests are clear, we’ll inject the serum into the rest of us,” Ma Jun said with anticipation.

“Boss, you really are the boss. Your thoroughness and caution teach me so much!” Qian Xudo laughed.

“Still not enough effort in flattery!” Ma Jun shot him a look. “When you can flatter me without me noticing, that’ll be true mastery!”

...

Ashford had hoped that once the experiment succeeded, he and his daughter would be free from control—or at least gain superpowers and no longer live in constant fear. But Qian Yaoduo informed him that several more rounds of testing were necessary.

Reluctantly, Ashford agreed.

Over the following days, three more death row inmates received the superpower serum injections without complications. The first successful subject showed no aftereffects during testing.

With everything confirmed safe, these inmates were sentenced to death again. Although they had superpowers, facing the battle-hardened five superpowered biochemical soldiers left them no chance to resist.

Afterward, the four Qians and Ma Jun began receiving the superpower serum injections one by one.