Because they knew exactly why Tarquin had gone to Border City, Elliot and Elijah were now on edge.


    Elijah''s brow was knotted with worry. "Dad left Border City so quickly. Does that mean he found the virus? Or did the trail go cold again?"


    Elliot''s expression was serious. "Let''s ask him."


    Instead of knocking on the door, the brothers sent a text message: [You came to Oceanopolis so suddenly. Is everything in Border City resolved?]


    In the third-floor bedroom, Tarquin was gazing tenderly at the sleeping Elysia. Seeing his son''s message, he replied: [I''lle find you to talk in a bit.]


    Elliot responded instantly: [Okay. Grandpa and Grandma took Evan and the baby out. Elijah and I will be waiting for you in the small study on the second floor.]


    Tarquin didn''t reply. He ced a soft kiss on his wife''s forehead and went to the bathroom. Ten minutester, dressed andposed, he walked into the small study on the second floor.


    Seeing him, Elliot and Elijah immediately greeted him, “Dad!”


    Tarquin entered the room. "How did you know I was back? Did your grandparents tell you?"


    The brothers didn''t hide it. “We installed a tracking system on your phone. We know wherever you go."


    Tarquin was speechless. He''d been outsmarted by his own kids.


    Elliot couldn''t wait any longer. "Did you find any clues about the virus?"


    Tarquin ced the box he was holding on the desk and opened it for them to see. "I found the virus."


    Elliot and Elijah were stunned. The two brothers stared wide-eyed at the red vial. "This is the real 8th-generation virus?"


    "Yes."


    After staring at it for a long moment, Elliot frowned. "We should get this to Great- Grandma immediately. In this world, she''s probably the only one capable of developing an antidote."


    Tarquin nodded. "We need to have someone deliver it to the mountains, and we have to make sure the mysterious figure doesn''t find out."


    "Do you have a n, Dad?” Elijah asked.


    Tarquin''s brow furrowed, his expression grave. "The mysterious figure is always watching me, and he''s been suspicious about ourst trip to the mountains. If I go again, it will definitely attract his attention. He can find out that your great-grandfather and S great-grandmother are living in seclusion there. I can''t deliver it myself. We need someone who knows the mountain environment and who we can trustpletely."


    Hearing this, Elliot and Elijah said in unison, “Great-Uncle Keaton!"


    The two brothers had simultaneously thought of the scarred, formidable man. He was skilled, knew the mountains well, and waspletely trustworthy.


    Tarquin had already thought of him on the way back. He trusted him one hundred percent, but he had one reservation: Keaton hadn''t grown up in that specific forest, and it wasn''t exactly friendly territory for him. The deep wilderness was an unforgiving ce-mysterious unpredictable, and full of hidden dangers. White came from there; who knew how many other beings like White, or


    even more dangerous, lurked within,


    waiting to strike?


    It would be difficult for him to handle it alone. If something went wrong and the virus


    was lost or leaked again, the consequences would be catastrophic. The 8th-


    generation virus was too important to risk any mistakes.


    “Dad,” Elliot said, “Evan and I will go with Grand-Uncle Keaton."


    Elliot had considered the same risks as Tarquin. With him and Evan apanying him, along with White, they could minimize the danger They had grown up in the mountains and knew the


    environment. Elliot could act as the strategist with his calm and steady mind. Evan''s skills would make him a great partner for Grand-Uncle Keaton, both of them serving as bodyguards for the virus And Evan couldmunicate with animals, a skill that would be incredibly useful deep in the mountains. As for White, not only was he a powerful fighter, but he could also lead the way, eliminating the risk of them getting lost.