Of course, before they headed to meet Michael's teammates, they stopped beside the unfortunate researcher that had discovered them.

'Here we go.' Michael thought, instantly using Bypasser. Since he didn't know if the android contained self-destructive capabilities, it wasn't wise to delay.

"!!!"

Upon the activation of the Mythic technique, a large amount of spiritual energy left his body. It appeared that he had gravely underestimated how many times he could use the technique. Though in hindsight it made sense, even Masters as himself couldn't afford to abuse such a powerful ability considering that most of them would die just by attempting to use it.

However, Michael wouldn't have it any other way. While the cost to use the technique had increased, so did the information he received. Even better, after letting go of the android, the knowledge still lingered in his mind. He was able to retain it much more efficiently than before.

'This place is like a maze… And sadly the lab is as big as I thought. There are thousands of humans here. Worse, there is mention of other similar places scattered through Venus, but there aren't any coordinates.'

Aside from that, he also took a glimpse of where the main computer was located. He doubted he would be able to learn much even if he used Bypasser on it, since the mastermind of the whole ordeal had clearly limited the available knowledge to its subjects. Still, it was better than nothing.

While he stood unmoving, slightly hunched over, processing the information that had flowed into his brain. Ruby hesitantly studied the lying android with a mixture of emotions.

That indecisiveness didn't last long. Her tail locked upright in a prideful manner, her palms opening wide as her nails suddenly extended by her sheer will.

"DIE!"

She proclaimed in fury, pouncing on the heap of metal. Quite fortunate for Michael, since he was still processing the newly learned information, leaving him incapable of dealing with the robot.

Clang!

By a single glance it was made apparent that Ruby didn't possess real capabilities to harm the metal veil of the soulless creation. Yet she remained unwavering, making use of the damage Michael had inflicted; she quite literally began to tear the android apart, stopping only when it didn't bear any resemblance to a human.

"I killed it!" Ruby's eyes glimmered with delight. Living under the tyrannical reign of these beings had scarred her greatly. But today she tasted victory for the first time in her life!

These beings weren't immortal; they could be killed!

"Michael, did you see me?" Clearly proud of herself, Ruby expected to receive praise. Unfortunately her celebration was cut short as she noticed how Michael was hunched over.

Of course it was the side effect of using Bypasser, though there was no way Ruby could know about that.

"Are you okay?!" She approached him with hurried steps.

"Y—Yeah, just give me a few minutes to sort my mind." He muttered.

It was something that he had gotten through before, and this time wasn't going to be any different.

A reasonable person would have taken Michael's word… But Ruby wasn't one.

Bringing her face just a breath away from his, she stuck out her tongue and gently licked his cheek.

"..."

Understandably, Michael was so flabbergasted by the abrupt wetness he felt on his face that he genuinely didn't know how to react.

Meanwhile, Ruby considered his change of behavior proof that her plan had worked and proceeded to lick him a few more times for good measure.

"Better now?" She asked, her tail back to her usual relaxed state.

"Yes… thank you." As ridiculous as it sounded, her actions had indeed alleviated part of his struggle.

On the way to the crew, Michael observed the incubation tanks more closely. Each of them held an entity that bore some kind of resemblance to humans. Some had wings, multiple heads, or were simply disfigured in unnatural ways.

'The AIs have been doing experiments on humans for reasons that still elude me.' He thought grimly. 'Without more information, I can't draw any conclusions, and all my theories seem too far-fetched.'

In a timely manner they reached the entrance of the lab where the crew waited. Truthfully some of them had wanted to join Michael on his expedition, but he had refused, knowing that they were pushing themselves.

"Boss, are you back—"

Richard was the first one to greet Michael, but when he noticed Ruby behind him, the Grandmaster had to rub his eyes, making sure that he wasn't hallucinating.

"The hell?" Richard murmured, realizing that he was actually staring at a cat person.

"Is Michael—" Ava reacted in a similar manner, finding Michael with another woman.

One by one the crew noticed the commotion, only to freeze in place, observing Ruby with awe.

HISS!

Feeling threatened by the unfamiliar gazes, Ruby discreetly slipped behind Michael. Her head peeked from the side cautiously.

"Boss, forgive me for my lack of manners… What in the fuck? Is this a hybrid between a human and a cat hiding behind you?" Richard blurted out.

"Yes, it indeed is." Michael answered nonchalantly.

"How did you meet?" Victoria asked, getting her bearings under control.

Michael shrugged. "I just found her."

"..."

Wordlessly, the crew exchanged uneasy glances before turning their attention back to Michael. Was their leader perhaps even more unhinged than they had initially believed?

"Guys, stop! Don't you see that you are scaring her?!" Ava pouted, her hands resting on her hips.

After lecturing her teammates about their lack of tact, she neared Ruby slowly.

"Hello, forgive the lack of manners from the crew. I am Ava." She said with a smile.

"Ruby."

Coming to the realization that these were the people that Michael wanted to show her, Ruby gradually revealed herself and neared Ava since she seemed the most reasonable.

With a quick sniff, Ruby realized there was nothing to worry about, her tail beginning to sway from side to side.

Noticing that Ruby had become more comfortable, Ava shifted her gaze to her fluffy ears.

"Even if I risk offending you, I have to try my luck… Can I pet you?" She asked, her eyes glimmering in anticipation.

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