Night of March 14, 2011
In the medical room of the secret base beneath Taiwan, a group of American professors were busy examining 13's body.
Anne, waiting behind the glass window for three hours, finally received the report she was anticipating. It was handed to her by George, a renowned American biology professor.
"It's terrifying!" George clearly couldn't contain his excitement. "Is this even human?"
Anne flipped through the report, which consisted of a full ten pages.
"His heart rate is twice that of a normal person, and his blood flow is three times faster. His red blood cells' oxygen-carrying capacity is also three times higher. This circulatory system is just to meet the oxygen demands of his body tissues during normal activity. In high-intensity combat, these numbers would multiply."
"Do you know the reason for his coma?" Anne remained composed, unlike George. She understood Nie Yun's capabilities better than anyone.
"Preliminary diagnosis suggests organ damage due to the body exceeding its limits." Fear crept onto George's face. "To push a body like this beyond its limits... his opponent must not be human either!"
"That's not for you to speculate." Anne continued reading the report. Her casual remark made George realize he had overstepped, and he quickly changed the subject.
"His DNA analysis is complete. The double helix structure is fundamentally the same as a human's, but there are several unique points within it. Unless he's a naturally born genetic mutant, he's undoubtedly the highest masterpiece of artificial synthesis, a leap forward in genetics. China has some fearsome geniuses too!"
"Do you know the limits of his body?" Anne closed the report and asked George.
"Based on his metabolic system, his maximum running speed is estimated between 50 to 60 meters per second. His normal punching force should be enough to pierce 10mm steel plates, but limited by his flesh and blood, it's only equivalent to the strength of two boxing champions." George sighed, looking at the unconscious 13 on the bed. "But he has a fatal weakness..."
"Spit it out!" Anne's tone became slightly impatient.
"No matter how strong a cellular organism is, it's still a cellular organism. Overly active cells die faster than normal ones. It's essentially burning his own life force for superior combat power. If he fights at full capacity, he probably won't live past 14. Even maintaining his current normal state, he'll only live to 30." George shook his head repeatedly. "What a waste of this great achievement in genetics!"
"Based on his current condition, how long until he wakes up?" Anne asked.
"His recovery ability is also one of his characteristics. Since the coma was caused by organ failure due to overload, five days of intravenous nutrition should be enough," George said with a smile.
Relieved, Anne started walking towards the door. As she left, she couldn't help but glance back at 13. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Can his abilities exceed his physical limits by several times?"
George replied with a hint of mockery, "That's impossible. Let me explain it this way. Our normal bodies automatically restrict our power to ensure longevity, meaning we only utilize a fraction of our potential. Athletes are stronger than average people because they continuously develop their potential. We call this 'God's Curse'. However, in special circumstances, humans can temporarily break this 'curse'. The adrenal glands become hyperactive, allowing people to achieve the impossible. For example, in the 90s, an ordinary woman, seeing her child fall from a building, managed to run 100 meters in just 5 seconds to catch him. An earlier example from World War II: a man in his 70s, seeing his wife about to be crushed by falling debris, lifted an object weighing nearly two tons to allow her to escape..."
"So, does he have 'God's Curse'?" Anne stopped in her tracks.
"I wasn't finished..." George continued, "Later, the woman fell into a coma for two years due to exerting her limit, and the old man fared worse, dying instantly from heart failure. That's why it's called 'God's Curse'. Humans can break the limit with intense willpower, but lack the body to withstand it. Even with muscles hard as steel, the internal organs remain fragile."
"Get to the point! Does 13 have 'God's Curse' or not?" Anne became agitated, grabbing George's collar and asking in a cold tone.
"I was just about to say!" George explained fearfully. Anne, realizing her outburst, let go.
"In principle, everyone has it, but he exists outside that principle. Artificially synthesized genes escape this predetermined fate, removing the shackle, allowing him to easily exert his maximum strength. Often, a strong emotional fluctuation can trigger it. But because this is already his baseline, trying to exert power beyond that limit is as ridiculous as trying to milk a bull. The main reason lies in the internal organs. Even if the body's cells are trained to perform at 120% intensity, the organs cannot be significantly enhanced. When attempting to exceed the organs' limits, they act like an engine out of fuel, immediately stopping work. Without a functioning engine, even the fastest car comes to a halt."
"So, no one can exert power beyond 100%?" Anne translated George's explanation.
"Yes, that's correct. Didn't his attempt to break the baseline result in his current state?" George pointed towards 13 behind the glass.
"Continue your work," Anne's anxiety subsided. "Notify me immediately when he wakes up." With that, she left the medical room and headed towards her office.
George remained alone, continuing to gaze at the unconscious 13 as if admiring a perfect piece of art.
He seemed to recall something and muttered to himself, "Such an outstanding genetic creation, surprisingly a product of ideologically backward China. Feels like a bit of a waste. I remember they even had scientists publishing papers claiming it's possible to break 'God's Curse' and exert more than 100% of human potential. Can internal organs be controlled by consciousness too? What a joke! Breathing, heartbeat, gastric motility... these are all instinctual, automatic functions. Even if consciousness can briefly control them, it can't overcome instinct. I think that scientist was called Yun Nie? What a strange name, just like his ideas!"
George chuckled involuntarily.
Back in her office, Anne dialed Chen Bian's number.
"The US has a new order for you. If you accomplish it, you'll become the first Chinese mayor in American history." Anne's calm words sent Chen Bian into ecstasy.
"Anything I can do, Lady Anne, just give the order. Even if it requires mobilizing all of Taiwan's manpower and resources, I will definitely complete it," Chen Bian guaranteed, patting his chest.
"Good. Your mission now is to cease all military activities and request peace talks with China. Meet their conditions as much as possible, but you must buy me five days," Anne stated, another incredibly calm sentence that nonetheless agitated Chen Bian.
"Peace talks? You want me to bow down to China? Are you kidding me? I've supported Taiwan independence this far, and now you want me to negotiate with them? Isn't that slapping my own face? Anything but this! I swear I'll never bow to China!" Chen Bian's tone was firm, with a faint hint of heroic spirit.
"It doesn't matter," Anne's voice remained calm. "If you don't want to negotiate, I can find someone willing. Disobedient pawns can be discarded. Prepare your coffin! Oh, sorry, I forgot, if the mechs handle it, you'll probably just become a pile of mush. A bucket should suffice..."
"Lady Anne! Everything is negotiable!" Understanding the murderous intent in Anne's words, the hero turned into a coward. "Isn't it just peace talks? I'll immediately contact their Taiwan representative, hold a press conference, and announce the news..."
"Very good. Only those who adapt are truly wise. Go make the preparations! By the way, I forgot to inform you, Black Dragon has defected to the US, and the entire Special Ops Team 7 has been captured. You can withdraw the soldiers you've had waiting in ambush all day." Anne added with a smile, "That Black Dragon kid is quite interesting. He asked me to pass a message to you: he'll remember this incident..." She then hung up lightly. Chen Bian, however, slammed the phone against the wall.
"Damn it! After all I've done for you! You told me to push for independence, and now you tell me to negotiate! Do you people think with your asses?!" Chen Bian's curses were clearly audible to the guards outside the door.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Taiwan...
Just as Liu Tao returned to his office at the Kaohsiung base, Nie Yun was already waiting for him.
Seeing his livid face, Liu Tao was about to explain, but Nie Yun gave him no chance, punching him to the ground. The angle was sharp, the force immense. It was hard to believe the fist belonged to an old man.
"It was you who suggested sending 13 to Taipei! Now his signal is gone! Do you realize how your decision has changed China's future?" Nie Yun roared at Liu Tao on the floor, his voice cracking.
"You think I wanted this?" Liu Tao leaped up, grabbing Nie Yun's collar. "13 is important to you, isn't he important to me too?"
"Then why did you let him go!" Nie Yun swatted away the hands on his collar.
"There was no choice! Wasn't all this forced by that bastard Chen Bian!" Liu Tao roared back, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"You must take responsibility for your actions," Nie Yun suddenly calmed down. "If he dies, even dying ten thousand times won't be enough for you..."
Liu Tao didn't retort.
"I'll die with you too, because I actually agreed to let 13 undertake such a dangerous mission..." Nie Yun continued.
"That won't happen." Liu Tao remembered the invincible 13 on the battlefield four years ago. "Even if the mission fails, he won't die so easily. He must still be alive, hiding somewhere in Taipei..."
Liu Tao's words snapped Nie Yun out of his pessimistic thoughts. Thinking carefully, with the Sacred Beast armor, and the others similarly equipped, the worst case would be the entire Special Ops team wiped out, but they would ensure 13's survival.
Nie Yun's thoughts were abruptly interrupted. Secretary Chen burst in without knocking.
"Commander Liu! Quick..." He was panting from the run. "Look at the TV!"