serum

Oh right, Doctor.

There's something we have to talk about.

Thank you, Doctor!

We were simply doing what had to be done.

Oh right, Doctor.

There's something we have to talk about.

...Alright.

Oh right, Doctor.

There's something we have to talk about.

So, during the research on the corrosive agent, I indeed made a mistake in the amount of a key ingredient.

I am willing to accept any consequences for my error.

......;Why didn't you tell the truth earlier?;Were you worried about Astgenne?

Hmm?

You do know what my area of expertise is, right?

Corrosives science.;Anti-corrosion protective coating tech.

That's right. From the day I joined Engineering, I've been constantly going back and forth between corrosion and anti-corrosion in my research, encountering no shortage of setbacks and breakthroughs.

But I never paid attention to my own protection, nor did I consider that the reagents were silently eating away at me.

Until one day, I realized that the things known as dreams, passions, and ideals are not so corrosion-proof after all.

So... Why not let Astgenne keep believing in her work, Doctor?

Speaking of which, it's almost six o'clock.

May I clock out now?

One final question.

Ask away.

Be honest. Was it really a mistake?

You know, Great Yan has an old adage about the spear and the shield. Mister Lee told me the story a while ago.

I know.;Never heard of it.

When you hold the strongest shield, there will invariably be someone who wants to challenge it, to break through its limits. And from that was born the sharpest spear.

And when the sharpest spear becomes undefeatable, there will invariably be someone who seeks to challenge its deadly strength. And from that was born the strongest shield.

It is a never-ending cycle, one in which nobody can predict the end result.

Unless...

There is nobody left to pick up a spear or shield.

Ah... I didn't mean to go off on a tangent. In any case, I made a mistake in my work, and I'm solely responsible for it.

But we can talk about this more at work tomorrow.

After all, I'm off-the-clock.

(Takes a deep breath)

(Stretches)

(Takes a deep breath)

Corroserum, what are you doing?

Hmm?

Do you really want to know, Doctor?

I'm asking you, can it cause obvious damage to the target?

Absolutely. After all, that material was made with the same formula I experimented with once before.

Though I'm not sure how it made its way out into the wild.

Son of a gun...

And what's the current safe service life of this weapon?

Around thirty allowances of ammunition.

Can you make a bulk delivery in time?

No, because we haven't finished testing. Those soldiers would be marching off to their deaths.

Is there something wrong with you? Do I have to beat some sense into you?!

Our clients can't wait forever, and we have the stuff on hand right now! This is a business! This is how we put food on the table!

People want something that works, meets their needs, and doesn't cost too much! That's all that matters!

As for what happens to the soldiers, does any of that affect you in any way? Does it?!

Isn't thirty ammunition allowances' worth good enough? Who knows if the main forces can even use up that much.

You're still young, so would it kill you to use your head and think outside the box for once?

I'm seriously disappointed in you.

(Is this really worth getting mad over?)

(Of course it is.)

(That said...)

(This is just work.)

(Why take it so seriously?)

What's with that look on your face?!

Sorry, sir.

In that case... I'll head back to work first.