"Ms. Hellcraft and Miss Niva Hellcraft, we've been expecting you." Through the small crowd, a middle-aged man in a white lab coat stepped forward and

greeted them respectfully.

"I'm Dr. Eliot Vance, and this is..." He introduced himself, then motioned to the young lady beside him, also wearing a white coat. "She is Nina, my assistant; we've both been assigned to coordinate your preparation and recovery."

This doctor and nurse were the very same people who had taken care of Adyr when he first joined the division and began using the game pods.

Since Adyr had later found another way to remain inside the game, these two had lost the duty of monitoring him; of course, they were not fired but had been working in different departments until now.

Once Player Headquarters learned that Adyr's close relatives were coming for their mutation operations, they chose these two, who were closer to Adyr and a better choice than most researchers, to take care of his family.

The reception looked modest by government standards, but Niva and Marielle still felt a little tense and surprised, especially with a detachment in full STF uniforms nearby, long-barreled weapons in hand, as they tried to acclimate to the moment.

This small welcome already unsettled them. If they had known that, on Henry's orders, a special unit had been stationed around their home and workplace for days, quietly watching and ensuring their security, their shock would have been far greater.

But there was no need for them to know this minor detail, because no one would want their lives made any more uncomfortable than they already were. "Hello, Doctor. Sorry for the trouble we caused," Marielle said with a gentle smile, while Niva also thanked them for their special care.

"No, no, please, it's our pleasure. We had the honor of personally taking care of Mr. Adyr, and now having the chance to look after his family is a great delight for us," Dr. Vance said warmly.

"Where is my brother? Can we see him?" Niva's eyes searched the crowd for the familiar face she had been hoping to see.

To answer her, an STF officer who was clearly the leader of the group stepped forward from the unit. "Mr. Adyr is currently in an important meeting," he said, "but he asked me to convey that he will meet you shortly."

Marielle and Niva were a little sad they couldn't see him right away, since it had already been a few days. Even so, they kept it to themselves and held on to his promise to see them later.

"Then please allow us to escort you upstairs. Our lab is already prepared for you," Dr. Vance said, gesturing toward the elevator.

The mother and daughter began moving toward the elevators, with two STF officers joining them to accompany the ascent.

As the small group entered the elevator, the rest moved toward another elevator to join them later, since the car was not large enough to carry everyone. The doors closed, and as they began to rise, Dr. Eliot looked at the two and said, "If you wish, you may tour the building before we proceed to the operating room."

This was not something they would offer to just anyone, as Player Headquarters was mostly restricted to personnel only, but it had been Adyr's special request for them.

Especially now that his new job could be considered quite dangerous, he wanted at least his mother and sister to see where he worked and to meet his colleagues so that even a little of their worry might ease.

At that offer, Niva brightened immediately. "Really?" she asked, excited.

It was not only the thrill of seeing inside the most important building on the planet, but also the knowledge that the brightest minds were housed here, the researchers within these walls.

Her university exams were approaching, and she had already decided on the department she wanted to study. A small glimpse of her future field would be a perfect preview for her.

"Of course," Dr. Vance said. "We also heard you want to major in military engineering. There are researchers available whom you can meet and from whom you can take some pointers, if you like."

Hearing this, Niva's blue eyes shone; this was not an opportunity many could get, not even with money.

She did not ask how they knew her intended department, because she could easily guess it was her brother's doing and his request to the researchers.

He was, in his way, using his connections to pull a few strings for his sister, arranging a high-level favor, but who could blame him?

Either way, it showed he was still human, a good brother who cared for his little sister, and seeing that was a relief to many

With the decision made and Marielle offering no objection, the two, under the guidance of Dr. Eliot and Nurse Nina, began their tour inside the massive building.

After their tour, mostly Niva speaking with the researchers, peppering them with questions, and showing relentless determination to learn, time flowed quickly. A little more than 4 hours had passed when the pair finally arrived at the floor where the lab for their operations was located.

"This is the place," Dr. Eliot said, scanning his hand on a digital panel. After a soft beep and a mechanical click, the door to the private laboratory opened. Inside, it looked like any operating room: bright white lighting, an incredibly sterile environment, and many high-tech machines and instruments visible all around.

It was not empty. A man stood inside wearing a face mask, protective goggles, and a headband, dressed for surgery beneath a white researcher's coat.

Seeing the insignia on the coat, Niva and Marielle understood that this was not just any researcher but one of the department heads.

As soon as the group entered, the man noticed them, turned, and began to

approach.

While he approached, Dr. Eliot spoke respectfully, introducing him. "This is Dr. Lucian Cure. He is the head of the genetic engineering department and will personally serve as the lead doctor for your operations."

As his words faded, the doctor removed his goggles and mask, revealing a broad smile to his two patients.

Marielle and Niva, however, could not help feeling a slight discomfort and tension as they looked at the man's face and smile.

He was smiling, yet the shaved scalp and the long scar that began at his forehead, crossed his thin brown brows, and ran down to his chin, as if a blade had once split his face and someone had stitched it in a hurry, left them faintly

uneasy.

Then, as if noticing their slight nervousness, Dr. Cure spoke, his tone slow and gentle. "Hello, Ms. and Miss Hellcraft. There is absolutely no need to worry. I can promise you that you are in safe hands here."

For some reason, the gentle tone and the words spilling from his mouth only made the atmosphere feel even more strained.

"Sorry." Realizing she'd been a bit rude, Marielle steadied herself and softened her tone. "Thank you for taking the time for us."

She reassured herself with a simple thought: Player Headquarters had to be the safest place they could be. Holding on to that, she felt it was all right to entrust herself and her daughter to the unfamiliar doctor in front of her.