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"Click—"
The gleaming silver handcuffs bound Miyano Shiho's slender wrists to an arm-thick iron railing.
Though she had already resigned herself to death, Shiho instinctively tugged at the cuffs.
But these handcuffs, designed for restraining criminals, were not something she could break free from.
The door of the gas chamber-like room was shut, leaving Shiho alone in the empty space.
A few researchers passed by outside, glancing through the narrow glass window on the door. One mocked:
"What's with Dr. Miyano? Why does she insist on protesting against the higher-ups by refusing to cooperate? When the organization sends someone over, who knows what kind of punishment she'll endure."
"Hmph. She graduated young from an American university and climbed straight to the top, making us think she was some kind of genius. Turns out, she's just a fool."
"If only she'd obediently followed orders. The organization treated her well, trusted her completely, gave her money, anything she wanted—but she didn't know how to appreciate it."
"Yeah, I thought our Dr. Miyano was above worldly desires. But look at those bags of hers—Hermès, Chanel. Clearly, she cared about money more than she let on."
"Still, Dr. Miyano is young and beautiful. Do you think we might…?"
"Shh! Don't even think about it. We do exactly as the higher-ups say. You know what happened to those who didn't obey."
The researcher shivered at the thought of the organization's punishments and quickly clammed up. He didn't dare linger near the gas chamber any longer and hurried away.
The gas chamber wasn't soundproof, and the loud voices of the researchers carried easily into the room. Shiho heard every word.
Her head hung low, her chestnut bangs falling loosely around her face as she laughed bitterly inside.
The organization treated her well?
If they truly treated her well, they wouldn't have taken away her freedom. Her entire life had been controlled and monitored by them.
If it were just that, she might have endured it for the sake of her sister's safety.
Even though she despised using her talents to develop poisons, she had been willing to become a demon if it meant her sister could live a normal, happy life.
But… they killed her sister. They actually killed her sister!
At the thought of her sister's death, Shiho's expression twisted in anger and despair. She pulled violently at the handcuffs, the sound of metal clanging against metal echoing in the room.
Her pale wrists soon turned dark red from the struggle, and only when she was too exhausted to continue did she finally stop.
As a prodigy who had earned two doctorates at a young age, Miyano Shiho forced herself to calm down and consider what punishment awaited her.
Death would likely be the most merciful outcome. The organization still found her useful, so they wouldn't kill her outright.
But her fate would be far worse than death. Knowing the organization's methods, Shiho suspected they might inject her with drugs—drugs that would erode her will until she became nothing more than a compliant tool for their research.
Would the drugs damage her brain? The organization wouldn't care. Once she was no longer useful, they'd dispose of her without hesitation.
Thinking this far, Shiho reached into her sleeve and pulled out a red-and-white capsule.
She stared blankly at the pill in her hand—it was her own creation, APTX-4869.
This drug had been developed based on her parents' earlier research.
The organization had demanded a poison that could cause sudden death without leaving detectable toxic traces. Despite her reluctance, Shiho had been forced to develop it.
Ironically, the very poison she had created now seemed like the perfect blade to end her own life.
But as she thought about the data on her computer, regret gnawed at her.
During the experiments, there had been unexpected results—some lab mice that ingested the drug shrank in size. Using her authority, Shiho had concealed these findings.
And according to human trials, there were cases where bodies were never found after being administered the drug. Take Shinichi Kudo, for example, or the missing clothes from his childhood room!
Though she had erased many experimental records, the raw data still existed. If the organization conducted an audit, they would inevitably uncover the drug's "side effects."
If the organization discovered that the drug could shrink a person's body, the consequences would be catastrophic. They would intensify their research, and if they succeeded in stabilizing the effect, the organization would become an unstoppable monstrosity.
Shiho understood that the chemical components she used couldn't possibly cause such effects. The shrinking mechanism must stem from the foundational compound her parents had been researching.
Could it be that her parents had been studying immortality all along?
Her mind swirled with chaotic thoughts, but mostly regret for not deleting all the data.
"What's the use of thinking about it? Even if I delete the files here, there are cloud backups. With my clearance, I can't erase everything completely."
Shiho stared at the pill in her hand. Without hesitation, she swallowed it.
Within seconds, the chemicals took effect.
Pain—unimaginable pain.
It felt as though her heart was being torn apart. The excruciating agony forced a strained groan from her lips. She opened her mouth wide, wanting to scream, but her throat burned, unable to produce a sound.
Yes, that was one of the drug's requirements: the victim couldn't cry out, ensuring no one would discover their suffering.
Is this what death feels like?
Is this the torment those poisoned by this drug experience before they die?
How ironic. Truly, poetic justice.
So much pain… so unbearable…
Sister, I'm coming to you.