"This..." Everyone in the room could sense Doctor Harvey's favoritism towards the young man, but they remained silent, knowing they lacked the same background and connections.
In this world, having a powerful backer could indeed mean the difference between success and failure.
It was often a prerequisite for navigating any career path smoothly.
With the right connections and support, individuals could expect preferential treatment and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
Some of them had dedicated decades of their lives to this project, but they knew that this young man would be quickly promoted ahead of them due to his privileged background.
What grated on them even more was the fact that he wasn't particularly exceptional in terms of intellect.
While he may have been decent academically, this facility was meant for geniuses in their respective fields.
Each of them possessed multiple degrees, but even with their impressive qualifications, they had barely met the requirements to work for BioGen Main Laboratory ,and was sent to this Tier 4 City instead.
Reign, witnessing the entire scene, struggled to contain his laughter.
It struck him as both ironic and sad that human nature remained consistent across different worlds.
Even in the face of the threat of the Corrupteds and the end of the world, the influence of the Backer System was still going strong.
It seemed that no matter the circumstances, certain aspects of human society were perpetual .
'Now I finally understand why my father implemented the Extreme Merit System,' he thought to himself, recalling the policy in his old world.
It was a groundbreaking and extreme approach enforced worldwide, dictating that performance evaluations relied solely on Merit Points regulated by powerful AI algorithms.
The merit-based approach ensured that everyone had a fair chance to succeed, leading to unparalleled progress across various sectors.
Thanks to this system, his old world had experienced rapid development in technology.
But the flip side of the Extreme Merit System was harsh penalties for those who failed to adhere to its standards.
Under-performance led to automatic salary deductions, warnings, and other disciplinary measures aimed at promoting productivity.
As a result, his father was perceived as authoritarian and tyrannical, accused of enslaving humanity in the name of progress.
Despite the system's effectiveness in driving development, its stringent enforcement had drawn criticism and fueled resentment among the populace.
Reign ensured his movements were silent as he landed on the roof of the elevator, making sure to grab onto the elevator cable to prevent any noise.
As they descended, it became apparent that the viruses were stored underground judging by how long it was taking to descend .
The mere fact that they were kept in such a secure location showed just how deadly this viruses were.
Any breach or leak could have catastrophic consequences, potentially resulting in widespread illness or even fatalities.
When the elevator came to a stop, Reign quickly slipped into another ventilation shaft, seamlessly continuing his pursuit of Harvey and Jonathan.
From his vantage point, he could hear their conversation echoing through the ducts.
It became evident that Harvey was attempting to cozy up to Jonathan, likely to gain favor and influence over him.
The subtle flattery and camaraderie in Harvey's tone indicated his ulterior motives, as he sought to solidify his.
And if Harvey managed to succeed in his efforts, there was the possibility of being transferred back to the Tier 1 City, where technological advancements far surpassed those available elsewhere.
Reign continued to listen intently, remaining vigilant in case Harvey and Jonathan discussed any topics that could be of use to him.
However—
'This feeling...' he paused in his tracks, his senses tingling with a sudden awareness of danger.
It was his instinct, warning him of a threat lurking somewhere within the confines of this underground area
'Weird, is there something else here aside from viruses?' he pondered briefly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his mind.
'Where is this feeling coming from?' he pondered, his thoughts racing as he tried to pinpoint the source if his unease.
But he quickly shook off the thought, brushing aside any doubts that threatened to cloud his mind. He was more than powerful enough to kill anything that tried to confront him.
In addition, regardless of any other secrets hidden within the facility, his focus remained on acquiring the viruses and making his escape without being noticed.
"Doctor Harvey, I heard from my father that this place is conducting some intriguing research beyond just special serums and viruses," Jonathan asked, his tone growing more comfortable as he spoke.
Harvey paused for a moment, taken aback by Jonathan's knowledge of the secret project.
However, after thinking about it, he figured out that as the son of a stockholder, it was only natural for Jonathan to have access to certain information regarding their research.
"Do you want to see the research?" Harvey asked.