Detective Conan: The System Takes Me to Zero's World

The centrifuge stopped running, and Ai Haibara took out the separated serum and added reagents to carry out a colorimetric reaction.

As the reagent turned pale blue, excitement flashed in her eyes: "Found it! Conan's blood contains an 'inhibitory enzyme' that can prevent metabolic products from eroding cells. This is the key to his stable health!"

"So, as long as this enzyme is added to Ms. Mary's compatibility solution, those flocculent substances can be neutralized?" Conan leaned forward and pushed up his glasses.

“That’s how it works in theory, but we need to control the dosage precisely.” Ai Haibara quickly adjusted the formula parameters. “This enzyme has a very short shelf life and must be prepared and used immediately. I’ll start preparing it now, and it should be ready in about an hour.”

Kudo Yuki's fingertip hovered over the wall of Akai Mary's blood test tube, her gaze fixed on the suspended flocculent matter, her brows furrowing slightly: "Ai, if this inhibitory enzyme is injected into the body, will it only relieve Aunt Mary's superficial symptoms of coughing and fever?"

She inquired, "And what about the profound changes in the constitution that APTX4869 causes when combined with an individual's constitution—such as decreased immunity and abnormal cell activity? Can these only be addressed through gradual conditioning and not achieved overnight?"

Ai Haibara paused for a moment on the keyboard, then turned to look at Yuki Kudo, her tone serious: "That's right. The core function of inhibitory enzymes is to 'block erosion,' not to 'reverse damage.'"

She pulled up Mary Akai's physical examination report and pointed to a page of data.

“APTX4869 has altered her cellular metabolic base. The weakness and immune disorders caused by the drug need to be gradually repaired through subsequent targeted conditioning. Like a dam breached by a flood, we first plug the gaps and then slowly reinforce the foundation.”

"How long will the treatment period take?" Amuro Tooru asked, his fingertips unconsciously tightening around Kudo Yuki's hand, his eyes filled with even more worry.

Kudo Yuki's gaze fell on the test tube labeled "Akai Mary," a layer of worry creeping into her eyes: [Aunt Mary's body has ultimately been weakened to this state due to the repeated erosion caused by the poison of APTX4869. She still needs to cooperate with us in dealing with Rum's conspiracy; her condition makes her far too dangerous to act on.]

“At least three months.” Ai Haibara shook her head. “And during that time, you can’t be exposed to any substances that might stimulate your immune system, including certain chemical reagents from the brewery, or even overwork.”

She added, "As long as the adaptant can stabilize the activity of the metabolites, the subsequent treatment can proceed step by step, and there will be no more emergency situations where the high fever does not subside."

The little mouse clung to his glasses with its chubby paws, looking worried: "Then Akai Mary won't be able to go out for a long time? What if Rum comes knocking on our door?"

"With the protection of the safe house and MI6 keeping an eye on things, there's no danger for the time being." Kudo Yuki's telepathic message was reassuring. She raised her hand to rub the little mouse's head and turned to Haibara Ai, "What medicinal herbs or reagents are needed for the treatment plan? I'll have Mr. Tsutomu prepare them in advance to avoid being caught off guard."

“Most common medicinal herbs can be bought at pharmacies in Beika Town, but there is one that is special and needs to be purchased through the Public Security Bureau to avoid being detected by the brewery.” Ai Haibara pulled up the list of medicinal herbs. “I need Ms. Mary to come to the laboratory once a week to do a cell activity test and adjust the treatment plan based on the data.”

Amuro Tooru took out a miniature terminal: "I'll contact Chief Administrator Kuroda now and have him coordinate the supply channels for the Public Security Bureau."

He quickly edited and sent the message, then turned to Kudo Yuki and said, "I will personally escort Ms. Mary over for the weekly testing. You will also have to deal with Rum's probing, and you need to coordinate with Kidd on the monitoring blind spot map and ventilation duct layout."

Conan interjected, "By the way, Ai Haibara, could this inhibitory enzyme be used to improve the reverse adaptor? If the brainwashing module of the 'ES Dark Amber' project also affects cell metabolism, perhaps adding this enzyme could enhance the blocking effect."

A glint flashed in Ai Haibara's eyes: "You reminded me!"

She pulled up the brainwashing module principle document of the "ES Dark Amber" project.

"According to the information provided by Gin, the brainwashing module controls consciousness by interfering with the secretion of neurotransmitters, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters is closely related to cell metabolism. If an appropriate amount of inhibitory enzyme is added to the reverse adaptor, it can indeed block the brainwashing module's interference with cell metabolism, making the dual blocking effect more lasting."

“That’s killing two birds with one stone,” Kudo Yuki laughed. “It solves Aunt Mary’s compatibility problem and also improves the blocking strategy against 'ES Dark Amber'.”

The reagent tubes next to the centrifuge made a slight "sizzling" sound.

Ai Haibara went over to check and discovered that Conan's serum had reacted unexpectedly with a certain reagent, which instantly turned dark purple.

"What's going on?" She frowned and pulled up the reaction log. "The parameters were definitely correct just now..."

Amuro Tooru also leaned closer, his gaze fixed on the screen: "Was the serum sample contaminated?"

“Impossible, the blood collection and separation process was strictly aseptic.” Ai Haibara shook her head, searching for the source of the problem. “Wait! In Conan’s serum, in addition to the inhibitory enzyme, there is also an unknown trace protein that was not detected in previous tests.”

She magnified the molecular structure of the protein, explaining, "When this protein binds to the metabolites of APTX4869, it triggers a chain reaction that enhances the activity of the inhibitory enzyme, but also shortens the shelf life of the adaptor by half."

"Unknown protein?" Kudo Yuki bent down to examine the diagram, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes. "Could it be related to the antidote Conan took before? Last time he took the semi-finished antidote, although the recovery time was shortened, his body produced some kind of antibody."

Conan nodded: "The antidote that time was something Haibara concocted on the spot, and it was later discontinued because of the severe side effects. I never expected that it would leave behind this protein."

Ai Haibara quickly calculated: "If we keep this protein, the aptamer's blocking effect will increase by 30%, but the shelf life will be shortened from 72 hours to 36 hours. If we remove it, the effect will return to normal, and the shelf life will remain the same."

She looked at everyone and said, "We need to make a choice: do we pursue stronger effects, or a longer shelf life?"

Amuro Tooru pondered for a moment: "Choose the former. The core module of the 'ES Dark Amber' project could be activated at any time, and we need the strongest blocking effect. As for the shelf life, I will coordinate with all the infiltration points to ensure that the adaptant is injected into the ventilation system before it expires."

Kudo Yuki chimed in, "I agree. Besides, Aunt Mary's compatibility is prepared fresh for immediate use, so a shortened shelf life won't affect her."

“Okay.” Ai Haibara no longer hesitated and adjusted the formula parameters. “Then I’ll re-mix it. This time, I’ll add this protein to enhance the activity of the inhibitory enzyme.”

The instrument restarted, and only the sounds of keyboard typing and the hum of the instrument remained in the laboratory.

The mouse squatted in the corner of the lab table, its chubby little paws supporting its chin, its eyes fixed on the constantly changing data stream on the screen, its little head nodding as if it were tapping along to the rhythm.

"These winding lines look so complicated, Yuki. Can Haibara Ai's formula really prevent Akai Mary from getting a fever?"

Amuro Tooru heard the mouse's question but didn't interrupt. He just kept his eyes on the instrument that Haibara Ai was operating, paying close attention to the changes in parameters.

Kudo Yuki turned her head and chuckled silently at the mouse, reassuring it with telepathy: "Ai's calculations never go wrong. And with Toru's connections with the Public Security Bureau, the necessary medicines for the subsequent treatment can be prepared in a timely manner."

Her gaze drifted to the night outside the lab window: [Now we just need to wait for the adaptor to be ready, and Aunt Mary's condition will stabilize, allowing us to focus more on dealing with Rum's situation.]

"Parameter calibration complete, peak inhibitory enzyme activity meets the standard." Ai Haibara pressed the pause button on the instrument, and the pale blue liquid in the test tube shimmered with a delicate luster. "The adaptor is ready. If used immediately after preparation, the blocking effect can be maintained for twelve hours."

The laboratory instruments were still humming softly when suddenly the sound of tires rubbing against the ground came from outside the window, followed by the approaching sound of two footsteps.

The wooden door to Professor Agasa's house was gently pushed open.

Akai Tsutomu helped Akai Mary in, both of them still damp from the night dew.

"We followed the car all the way here, did we disturb you?" Akai Tsutomu's gaze first fell on Akai Mary's pale face. After confirming that she was in a good condition, he turned to the group of people by the lab table. "We heard you say outside the door that the compatibility agent had been prepared?"

Conan put away the miniature syringe in his hand, smiled and nodded: "Mr. Wuwu, Ms. Mary, you've come at the right time. The compatibility test kit is just ready, and we're about to give you an injection."

With Akai Tsutomu's help, Akai Mary sat down on a lounge chair, coughed twice, but her eyes were full of expectation: "Thank you for your hard work, especially Shiho and Kudo Yuki."

She could feel the heat surging within her body again, and subconsciously tightened her grip on Akai Tsutomu's hand.

Akai Tsutomu patted the back of her hand to comfort her, took out a silver box from his black briefcase, and handed it to Kudo Yuki.

"This is a slow-release needle specially modified by MI6 for those with shrunk physiques. It allows the medication to penetrate slowly and reduces irritation. We originally wanted to send it over as soon as possible, but it took a while to arrive."

Kudo Yuki took the box, opened it, and saw the needles inside gleaming with a soft silver light. A warm feeling flashed in her eyes: "This is just in time, Mr. Tsutomu. We were worried that ordinary needles might make Aunt Mary uncomfortable."

Amuro Tooru stepped forward, took the box, and carefully checked the needle's seal and sterility markings, his movements as meticulous as if he were handling an important task: "Let me inject it; my technique is more stable and will reduce the pain."

He looked at Mary Akai and said, "Ms. Mary, could you please extend your arm?"

As instructed, Mary Akai stretched out her arm, gently rolling up her sleeve to reveal her slender but slightly pale wrist.

The little mouse, perched in a corner of the lab table, rested its chin on its chubby paws, watching the scene unfold. It nodded slightly, saying, "Good luck, Akai Mary! The fever will stop after the injection. This needle looks shiny, it definitely won't hurt!"

Amuro Toru heard the corners of his mouth curl slightly, but his hands did not stop moving at all.

The skin was gently wiped with a sterile cotton swab, the slow-release needle was gently inserted, and the injection of the medication was performed smoothly, with almost no sound throughout the entire process.

Mary Akai felt only a slight sting, which then disappeared. She raised an eyebrow in surprise: "This needle is really different; I hardly felt anything."

“MI6’s technology is still reliable.” Akai Tsutomu stood aside, his eyes fixed on the injection process, until Amuro Tooru pulled out the needle and pressed the injection site with sterile cotton. “I have already asked MI6 to prepare the follow-up conditioning medicine in advance, and it can be delivered at any time.”

Kudo Yuki tilted her head and responded telepathically: "See, I told you it wouldn't hurt. With Ai's compatibility agent and this needle, Aunt Mary will get better soon."

The mouse wagged its little tail and patted the lab table with its chubby paws: "Great! Aunt Akai Mary won't have to cough and have a fever all the time anymore, and she can fight the bad guys with us!"

Amuro Tooru put away the syringe and placed it in a specially made disposal container. He then turned to the Akai couple and said, "We need to observe the drug's effects for the next three hours. I've already asked Kazami to prepare monitoring equipment in the next room. Ms. Mary can go and rest first, and Akemi can come along too, so we can communicate promptly if anything happens."

“I’ll go with Mary.” Akai Tsutomu helped Akai Mary to her feet, his tone full of concern. “I will inform you immediately of any reactions.”

Akemi Miyano quickly stepped forward and supported Mary Akai's other arm: "Slow down, the next room is quiet and suitable for resting."

The three of them had just entered the next room.

Ai Haibara then brought up the connection interface of the monitoring device, and Akai Mary's various physiological data quickly appeared on the screen: "Currently, the adaptation is working normally, the activity of the inhibitory enzyme is very stable, and the rate of erosion by metabolites has begun to decrease."

Conan's eyes flashed with relief: "That's good. With Ms. Mary's health stabilized, we can focus more on dealing with Rum's situation."

Kudo Yuki's gaze fell on the fluctuating data stream on the screen, then drifted towards the next room, her eyes filled with determination: "Next, we just need to wait for the drug to take full effect, and then proceed with the plan step by step."

The curves on the monitoring screen gradually flattened out, the rate of metabolic product degradation declined visibly, and data such as body temperature and heart rate slowly returned to the normal range.

Ai Haibara clicked to save the data, then turned to the others and said, "The drug is taking effect faster than expected. The inhibitory enzyme is precisely blocking the metabolites, and Ms. Mary's vital signs have stabilized."

The green light from the monitoring screen reflected the relaxed expressions on everyone's faces.

Mary Akai's body temperature curve remained steady at 36.5°C, like a smoothed-out ripple.

Ai Haibara exported the data to the encrypted terminal, and suddenly stopped when her fingertip swiped across the screen: "The activity inhibition rate of the metabolites reached 92%, which is five percentage points higher than expected. The enhancement effect of that unknown protein is beyond imagination."

Conan leaned close to the screen to compare the parameters, his glasses reflecting the faint light of the data stream: "In this way, Aunt Mary can at least get through the first half of her recovery period safely."

To be continued...