Number 008: Three Corpses

The first experiment for the Vampire No.2 Potion was set within the abandoned Minami port factory area. The test subject, a sixteen-year-old boy, had been recently deceased.

The potion's concoction included grim ingredients: the severed body parts of his parents. His father had succumbed to leukemia, his mother to cancer two years prior, while only the boy had been untouched by illness.

Upon resurrection, the boy's reanimated form, now referred to as 008, exhibited peculiarities. His father's death had occurred over twenty-four hours before, while the boy's had been recent, less than twelve hours. The Potion's influence seemed to have an unsettling effect on his psyche, likely due to the inclusion of his parents' brains, resulting in a fragmented personality with three distinct facets.

Adult Male: In this state, 008's abilities were at their peak, showing the full extent of vampiric powers.

Teenage: This form allowed for only half of his potential abilities, presenting only a partial vampiric appearance.

Adult Female: In this state, 008's powers diminished entirely, and the individual exhibited symptoms akin to those of an ordinary person.

008 possessed a range of formidable abilities:

Control over blood flow within a sixty-meter radius, limited flight capability, emission of sound waves exceeding 200 decibels, enough to incapacitate normal hearing, rapid cell division and regeneration, with theoretical limitless potential for cell replication.

Even if its limbs were severed, they could regenerate given time. If reattached directly, the limbs would reconnect instantly. This indicates a form of immortality concerning its physical existence.

Additionally, 008's blood possesses highly aggressive, almost infectious properties. Contact with a normal person's blood or body results in immediate corrosion and transformation. This transformation is somewhat akin to 002 Fish-Man's ability to create familiars but with distinct differences. Those transformed by 008's blood gain only partial abilities of 008, though they inherit the potent corrosive property fully.

However, if the transformed individuals attempt to further transform others, the effectiveness of the transformation diminishes progressively. After approximately nine successive transformations, the cells lose their transformative capacity.

008's form also dictates its vulnerabilities:

Adult Male: Highly sensitive to positive light, akin to 003 Hollow Man, likely due to the absence of black pigments in its skin.

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Teenage: Experiences weakness in sunlight but remains pain-free.

Adult Female: Exhibits no particular sensitivity to sunlight.

Further details are pending and will be incorporated as they become available....

...

In the Minami Port factory, Mei meticulously documented the details of 008's experiment.

The success of the Vampire Potion had also validated Mei's biofactory experiment, resulting in an individual capable of infinite cell division, although this being was not 008.

"In essence," Mei mused, "the Vampire Potion's success was primarily influenced by the cancer cells from that woman's body."

"Of course, the father's leukemia may have had some effect on the potion as well."

Chino had claimed to find excellent ingredients for the experiment—three bodies, a family of three. According to Chino, the deaths were accidental: a car crash for the parents and a fall for the teenager.

But Mei knew the truth: Chino had orchestrated their deaths. She didn't care; what intrigued her was why these bodies were considered rare ingredients. Queen Bee had previously provided a recently deceased individual, and now Chino had supplied three.

"Regardless, the experiment's success is undeniable," Mei noted, marking the document with a satisfied nod. "It's clear that the failure of Reagent No.1 had its reasons."

"The complexities of living organisms, such as bats which embody sound waves rather than vampiric traits, were problematic. Combining 002's blood with salamander DNA, and integrating bat-derived sound waves to create a mermaid, is indeed feasible."

Mei glanced at the document for 007 Siren, noting the lack of recent developments.

"Why is there still no news from Siren? Was she captured?"

With a thoughtful shake of her head, Mei marked an X on 007's file.

...

Somewhere at sea, Siren floated on a reef, chewing on seaweed and gazing up at the sky. Exhausted, she mused, "Why does it feel like the more I swim, the further I get? I must be going in the wrong direction."

Her energy waned, and she slumped onto the reef, feeling the weight of her fatigue. Despite her transformation into a mermaid, swimming still left her drained. She clung to the hope that one day she would see the mainland, though when that would be was anyone's guess.

The dim sea around her offered no compass or guide, and it was possible she had been circling in place for the past half month. Once, she had spotted a boat and sang to attract attention, only for the vessel to sink soon after.

Unbeknownst to her, that sinking was not in vain. The wise crew had transmitted footage of Siren's song to nearby boats before their vessel went under. This footage showed the chaos that followed Siren's call—crew members turning on each other, destroying the ship's engine, and eventually causing the hull to collapse. The boats that received the footage were terrified and turned back, leading to immediate reports to their respective countries.

In response, several nations dispatched fleets and submarines to search for the mermaid, but their efforts were stymied by a video from an Asian organization. The message was clear: "If you value your lives, do not seek out the mermaid. You are safer not encountering them. We know them better than anyone."

Despite the warning, the search continued, driven by a relentless pursuit of truth. However, their efforts were largely unnecessary.

008, currently en route to North America, was drawn to the freedom offered by the country. A white-haired teenager on a flight looked out the window with a smile, eager for his first overseas adventure.