In the kitchen, Chen Ye tossed glass shards into the amphora. The glass dissolved instantly, leaving a transparent liquid.
"Glass likely induces invisibility... but clothing won’t vanish. Uncontrolled transparency could be problematic."
"Ah, there’s one chameleon left from last time."
He retrieved a barely alive chameleon from a cage and dropped it into the vessel. The creature dissolved into colorless fluid.
Chen Ye poured the liquid into a cup and headed downstairs.
"Drink this."
Wang Haonan stared at the viscous, water-like substance. "W-what is it?"
"You’ll see."
Gulping it down, Wang Haonan grimaced—tasteless but slimy. Suddenly, his hands vanished.
"My... hands?!" He touched his face. "Wait, they’re still here?!"
The fish-man blinked. "Your head... disappeared!"
Soon, Wang Haonan’s clothes also faded. He became fully invisible.
Chen Ye recorded: *Glass + chameleon. Colorless liquid induces full-body transparency, including clothing.*
He grabbed the air, feeling solid mass. "Physical presence remains. Sensations?"
"Bright... too bright! Even with closed eyes!" Wang Haonan hissed.
Chen Ye pulled open curtains.
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"ARGHH!! Light burns my skin! Eyes!!"
Chen Ye closed them. "Photophobic. Try reverting."
"Revert... how?"
"Visualize color."
Wang Haonan concentrated, reappearing—entirely green.
"Focus on natural tones: skin, hair, clothes."
Moments later, his normal appearance restored.
"Now imagine transparency again." He vanished.
"Other anomalies?"
"Feeling... detached. Like I’m not myself anymore."
The fish-man nodded. "That voice... telling us to obey unconditionally. Or die."
Wang Haonan shuddered. "Yes! And... my body feels foreign. Am I still *me*?"
Chen Ye noted: *All subjects develop absolute obedience toward me. Disobedience triggers perceived mortal threat.*
"Fascinating. New designation: No.003—The Invisible One."
...
The next day, after extensive testing:
"Master Os, can I control transformations like No.003?" the fish-man asked.
"With proper materials, yes. Evolution never stops."
Chen Ye dismissed them. "You’re experiments, not subordinates. Stay alive—or be replaced. Contact only for results."
The raven hesitated. "Do I leave too, Master?"
"Go."
...
Alone, Chen Ye checked his dwindling bank account.
"Nearly bankrupt. Need funds... quickly."
*If subjects obey unconditionally... target a wealthy donor.*
"Time for... *special* ingredient combinations."
...
Outside, the trio convened.
"Master gave no orders. What does that mean?" the raven-girl said.
"It means we must prove our worth," she continued. "Find rare ingredients to fuel our evolution. Become indispensable."
"But how?"
"Use your instincts! Master seeks the unknown. Discover what even *he* can’t predict!"
"Right!"
...
Back in his café, Chen Ye sipped coffee.
"Perfect."