The Gaelic people of the Ultraman Tiga world

Page 257

"..."

Watching Pipa Tank's figure gradually disappear into the burrow, Lu Xuan remained silent for a long time.

Only when Lu Xuan could no longer see the Pipa Tank did he turn around and look at the security personnel who were preparing not far away.

"You all stay here and notify me immediately if you discover anything unusual."

After receiving confirmation from the security personnel, Lu Xuan immediately got into the SUV he had come in and drove towards the largest laboratory on Kurara Island.

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Kurarajima, the laboratory for the research and synthesis of shape memory metals.

Unlike the laxity of the open-pit mines, this laboratory holds the island's top secrets, and is therefore heavily guarded by armed personnel both inside and out.

The researchers working there signed the highest level of confidentiality agreements.

If the experimental content or data is leaked, the relevant personnel will be held accountable, and the lightest consequence will be imprisonment for more than ten years.

Under such strict confidentiality clauses, even if everyone knew that the Victory Team was investigating the truth about the petrification incident on the island, no one dared to report any key inside information.

Of course, the exorbitant salaries and hush money offered by Galvin Corporation were also a reason.

So when Lu Xuan arrived at the laboratory in his SUV, Dr. Yamada, the laboratory's top manager, immediately came out to greet him.

"BOSS!"

From a distance, Dr. Yamada bowed to Lu Xuan in the SUV.

This is a unique cultural tradition in Japan, and it also reflects Dr. Yamada's heartfelt gratitude to the Galvin Group.

From a researcher ignored and even despised by everyone to a leading PhD in the field of shape memory metals, Yamada knows better than anyone the hardships he has endured.

It is no exaggeration to say that without the strong support of the Galvin Group, Dr. Yamada would probably still be a junior researcher at the University of Tokyo.

"Okay, let's talk inside."

Nodding to Dr. Yamada, Lu Xuan got out of the car and headed straight for the central hub of the laboratory.

Throughout the entire process, Dr. Yamada did not show the slightest contempt, nor did he outwardly comply with Lu Xuan's wishes despite his age.

After all, as a member of the Galvin Group, no one understands the value of the "Genius Youth Project" better than Yamada.

He was able to stand out from many talented teenagers and be adopted by President Tony.

The young man before us is far more terrifying than anyone imagines.

"Tell me! What exactly happened this time?"

Once the two had officially entered the laboratory area, Lu Xuan took the initiative to ask a question.

"If I remember correctly, in the report you submitted last time, you assured the group that those two monsters would absolutely not go berserk."

Upon hearing this, Dr. Yamada immediately began to explain.

"Boss, this was an accident..."

"In order to feed those two monsters, the group transported various ores of different materials from all over the world..."

"Their living conditions are even better than they were at the beginning."

At this point, Dr. Yamada hesitated for a moment before continuing to explain.

"However, those two monsters have indeed been acting strangely since three months ago..."

"But given our limited understanding of these monsters, the observers at the time did not take their unusual behavior to heart."

As Dr. Yamada recounted the events, the true situation that occurred on Kurara Island gradually came to light.

The specific details of the incident were actually similar to what the victorious team knew.

What the Victory team didn't know was that the Galvin Group already knew about "Gakuma's" identity.

It was a colossal creature that lived underground—in the words that the GUTS team could understand, it was a monster that lived underground.

Based on carbon-14 dating, this monster is the true original inhabitant of Kurara Island.

Its origins can be traced back tens of thousands of years to when humans had just emerged from barbarism; it is a true living fossil of life.

In fact, as a species that has continued from the ancient era, the race of Gakuma has evolved over a long period of time into modern monsters adapted to the current environment.

It lacked the immense power of the ancient monsters, but gained the reproductive ability that the ancient monsters did not possess.

Through generations of succession, the Jakuma race once reached a peak population of several thousand, and their territory spanned the entire globe.

Unfortunately, a sudden natural disaster nearly wiped out Gakuma.

Only a few survivors managed to reproduce on Kurara Island.

In the modern era, due to the rise of humankind, these few survivors also faced their ultimate extinction.

Thus, when the once-powerful Gakuma tribe was discovered by the Galvin Group, only two newly-adult individuals remained, lurking beneath the surface.

The ores on the island from which memory metal can be extracted are the excrement of the Gakuma, and also proof that they once existed.

When ordinary stones are ingested by Gakuma and excreted, a strange chemical reaction occurs.

Despite not having many changes in appearance, it possesses a more active reaction than ordinary stones.

Perhaps they didn't want this race to become extinct...

Or perhaps it's simply out of self-interest...

The Galvin Group did not report the existence of the two Gakumars to the TPC, but instead kept them a secret.

Through long-term observation and research, Dr. Yamada discovered that Gakuma is actually picky about the types of stones.

Generally speaking, granite is one of the types of stones that Gakuma prefers to eat.

Certain types of special minerals, although also present in the Gakuma's diet, are not favored by the two remaining Gakuma.

Unsure whether this was a racial trait or an individual difference, Dr. Yamada chose to only deliver ores to the Gakuma that suited their tastes.

Thanks to this, Dr. Yamada gradually developed a subtle relationship of trust with the two Gakuma.

——Monthly Tickets/Recommendation Tickets——

Chapter 410 Taming Monsters

Normally, the Galvin Group would transport granite to the underground community of Gakuma through a tunnel in the laboratory that led directly underground.

As their co-keeper, Dr. Yamada had naturally become familiar with the two Gakuma long ago.

However, just three months ago, the two normally docile Gakuma suddenly became aggressive, with one of them even leaving its original nest and venturing deeper underground.

The workers responsible for mining the ore angered Gakuma during this process and were subsequently turned into stone sculptures by him.

The other one, though it did not venture deep underground, gradually expanded its range of activity.

The unusual heat source detected by the Pipa Tank was Gakuma, which had initially headed deep underground.

The other Gakuma then returned to the original cave.

The Galvin Group had long ago deployed various advanced instruments in the cave to shield itself from external detection and reconnaissance.

Therefore, the Victory Team did not notice the presence of the other Gakuma.

"How did those staff members offend Gakuma?"

After listening to Dr. Yamada's explanation, Lu Xuan keenly grasped the key points.

Under the Gailvin Group's manipulation, Gakuma had long been familiar with the existence of humans and knew that they were "cat servants" who provided him with food.

Therefore, theoretically speaking, the possibility of Gakuma actively attacking humans is not high.

"Actually... saying it offended might not be the right word..."

He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately did not hide the truth from the matter.

"Gakuma's reaction was more like fear than anger."

"Driven by fear and dread, Gakuma kept expanding his territory..."

"Because of fear and dread, Gakuma began to become sensitive..."

Dr. Yamada didn't continue speaking at this point, but the meaning behind his words was already quite clear.

Although Gakuma attacked humans, its subjective intention was actually just to protect itself.

“I don’t care about any of that. All I know is that these two monsters are showing signs of going out of control.”

Lu Xuan glanced at Dr. Yamada indifferently, not believing that the other party was unaware of the seriousness of this incident.

If Gakuma hadn't harmed any humans, the Galvin Group could easily have kept this secret hidden.

The key issue now is that humans have already suffered casualties because of Gakuma.

In this situation, the Victory Team will definitely investigate thoroughly, and TPC will absolutely not allow Gakuma to continue to exist.

A wild beast that hurts people and a domesticated wild beast are two completely different concepts.

"I know……"

Dr. Yamada clenched his fists tightly and couldn't help but lower his head.

He knew the Galvin Group's position and also knew Gakuma's ultimate fate.

That's why Dr. Yamada withheld crucial information from the GUTS team and was so eager to end the investigation.

As for whether he has other intentions?

At least Lu Xuan hasn't figured it out yet.

"Take me to see that runaway Gakuma..."

Without giving Dr. Yamada a chance to refuse, Lu Xuan started walking towards the underground of the research institute as he said this.

"If we can find out something else, we might be able to save this Gakuma."

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Meanwhile, on the other side, in the Pipa tank...

"Don't you guys think that Galvin Corporation might be hiding something from us?"

As the massive rotating head continued to spin, the Pippa Tank was plunged into complete darkness, with only the rumbling sound of gravel breaking out.

Perhaps it was to liven things up, or perhaps it was just simple confusion...

As Xincheng drove the Pipa tank, he asked his three teammates the questions that had been on his mind.

"They must be hiding something."

Before Munakata and Rena could speak, Daigo gave an affirmative answer first.

This positive attitude stemmed not only from Daigo's understanding of Lu Xuan, but also from his underlying sense of unease.

"I knew it! You guys felt the same way!"

When Shinjo looked at Munakata and Lina, the two of them couldn't help but nod.

"Indeed, the Galvin Group's response this time was far too slow."

Having collaborated with the Galvin Group so many times, Munakata is arguably the GUTS member who knows the company best.

The Galvin Group has always pursued efficiency, and is even willing to sacrifice costs for it.

This can be seen from their previous projects.

This time, however, it was the GUTS team that first received the report of the Kurarajima incident, and only then did they request the Galvin Group to actively cooperate with this operation.

This is clearly inconsistent with the Galvin Group's previous performance.

If the Gailvin Group's internal response speed were truly that slow, it would be impossible for it to become one of the world's leading technology giants.

Now that you mention it, I do have that feeling.

Lina, who had been pondering what was wrong, finally realized what was happening.

"Given the power of the Galvin Group, it's rather strange that they failed to investigate the whole incident before we arrived."

Just then, Daigo took over the conversation again.

"So, the Galvin Group has actually investigated the whole incident, but for some reason, they've hidden the inside story and the truth from us?"

Daigo felt that given Lu Xuan's personality, he wouldn't do such a thing.