Three days later, Lodge and Tang Xiao were called to the office by Xiao Bai when they were doing experiments.
There was still some confusion in Lodge’s eyes, but Tang Xiao had already expected it. He calmly walked towards Xiao Bai’s office with the information he had complied with in the past few days.
Both of them knocked on the door and entered the room after receiving a response. Xiao Bai was already sitting behind the desk waiting for them and nodded after seeing them. “Sit down.”
Lodge sat down with Tang Xiao for no apparent reason. Upon looking down, he saw the information laid out on the table.
At this time, he didn’t realize what had happened. Only Tang Xiao recognized it at a glance, but he remained calm on the surface.
Xiao Bai asked softly, “Have you discovered anything in the past few days?”
‘Sure enough, he asks them about their progress ah…’
Lodge scratched his hair. “Isn’t the time too short? We’ve only finished organizing the materials in the previous laboratory, but we already have some clues. Can you give us a little more time?”
Xiao Bai didn’t say anything upon hearing this. He pushed the information on the table to them and said calmly, “Then why don’t I give you some ideas?”
“This is?”
Lodge took the information handed over by Xiao Bai. He flipped through it a few times and asked in shock, “Do you suspect us?”
The information was partly data from 428’s time at Bader’s laboratory, as well as the escape incident on the night when the newcomers entered the institute. It even came with Tang Xiao’s treatment record in the medical room and the surveillance video.
It was also pretty obvious what this meant.
Xiao Bai suspected them, or rather Tang Xiao might have something to do with 428’s changes.
Tang Xiao just calmly looked at the content, not surprised that Xiao Bai would investigate to this extent.
Because if he was in Xiao Bai’s position, he would also have doubts about it.
It was too much of a coincidence that on the very day that the newcomers entered the institute, 428 fled, not directly to the outside, but chose the direction where the newcomers were. Shortly after this, 428’s data began to grow by leaps and bounds. It happened that a new researcher discovered this, and for that reason, insisted on his point of view even at the expense of breaking with the Level 5 scientist.
Coupled with the fact that 428 had once again escaped during the Achievement Conference. Although Tang Xiao had managed to blame the Huigui sect, the fact that 428 had escaped and then abruptly chosen to come back to ‘save’ the infected people present would surely arouse suspicion.
Therefore, Tang Xiao, who was present during both of 428’s unusual actions, was bound to come into some people’s sight.
Xiao Bai said, “I’m just investigating everything that may cause the mutation of the experimental subject 428.”
“Do you think that has something to do with us?” Lodge asked curiously.
“Of course, you guys can refute it, but can you explain your two medical records?” Xiao Bai tapped the top sheet of information and looked at Tang Xiao. “Both times. There was excessive blood loss and abnormal muscle atrophy. This coincided with the characteristics presented by the food when it was fed the experimental subject 428. Moreover, you didn’t submit a formal application both times you entered the laboratory, nor did you have the corresponding laboratory records. Especially the first time you did not even leave any surveillance video. This part really puzzles me.”
Lodge froze at his words. “Didn’t you find out?”
Xiao Bai frowned, detecting something that seemed unusual in Lodge’s surprised expression. “Find out about what?”
Lodge carefully observed Tang Xiao’s expression. Tang Xiao said calmly, “It’s okay, just tell him.”
“... When we first entered the laboratory, Dr. Babbitt from Bader’s laboratory targeted Tang Xiao. He assigned Tang Xiao odd jobs, which included taking biological samples from 428, feeding 428, and so on.” Lodge pursed his lips. “The first time Tang Xiao went to the medical room was when the biological samples were being taken. Babbitt told me that the surveillance was broken and there was no evidence left.”
Xiao Bai: …
He didn’t realize that just a normal investigation would involve bullying in the laboratory.
“Since you’ve already investigated 428’s escape incident, you should know that if Tang Xiao hadn’t seriously injured 428 in the kitchen, it would have probably escaped by now.” Lodge aggravated his tone. “428’s wisdom is not low. It must have held a grudge against Tang. Babbitt clearly wanted Tang to die there without punishment in any way afterward! This is attempted murder!”
The charge of attempted murder would have been serious enough for the inspection office to reopen the investigation. Xiao Bai hadn’t realized that there was such a reason behind those two medical room records and couldn’t help but glance at Tang Xiao.
The young man remained in his seat. His back was as straight as a pine tree. Even after Lodge had uttered such a scandal, he merely fluttered his eyelashes and tightened his lips. The originally light pink lips tightened to the point of turning pale.
‘Hold it back, can’t laugh.’
From an observer’s point of view, this was certainly a rather inspiring story of a newcomer making his debut, being suppressed by the laboratory’s seniors, and almost dying. Then, he discovered an unusual nature of the experimental subject in what could be described as a desperate situation. Finally, he turned the tables with his thesis.
Xiao Bai said in a deep voice, “Tang Xiao, is what Lodge said true?”
“...En.” The young man responded in a low voice with a slight hoarseness, as if he was remembering the dark time in the past.
“I know. I’ll apply to the inspection office.” Even if Xiao Bai was indifferent. He also had some embarrassment of setting off someone else’s black history, so he coughed lowly.
He silently set aside the medical records, skimming over them in an attempt to get the conversation back on track. “So, did you discover anything unusual about 428 while feeding it?”
The young man took a deep breath and seemed to be rearranging his emotions before saying, “Yes. To save my life, I go in with a high-temperature type of weapon hidden on my body. In the process of confronting it, I found out that 428 has a whole different level of wisdom from that of the records. It produces mood swings and holds grudges, just like humans, remembering that I was the one who prevented it from escaping. Thus, it has been targeting me. It did not kill me directly, but resorted to torture similar to that of a cat tormenting a mouse.”
“That’s why I speculated in my thesis that 428’s wisdom may have exceeded our imaginations, but it has been hidden. Unfortunately, I was unable to write that experience in the thesis to prove it.”
Thanks to Lodge, Tang Xiao was still thinking about how to make up the report about 428 coming to him. After all, if he simply needed human DNA information, wouldn’t there be many people around? But now, there is a ready-made excuse to come to the rescue.
“Are you trying to say that 428 didn’t escape toward the entrances at the first time and also at the Achievement Conference just to get revenge on you guys?” Xiao Bai asked.
“I think it’s part of the reason, but it’s not limited to that?” Tang Xiao replied cautiously, “That’s why my thesis was written as ‘guesses’ rather than conclusions. But now, we have some new ideas after you’ve assigned us this topic. It hasn’t been formally written into a thesis… we can show it.”
Xiao Bai: “... Then, let me see it.”
Tang Xiao stood up and pulled a whiteboard from the side, listing a bunch of information on it.
“What are these?”
“The feeding of 428 previously studied in Bader’s project.” Tang Xiao said, “It’s similar to the current cocooned 428. It’s usually fed the blood and flesh of large animals or alien beasts. According to Bader’s and the other’s data, 428’s preference for food is inorganic plants, animals, and alien beasts. Feeding different foods will lead to a different growth rate for 428. Everyone thinks it’s a difference in the nutrient content in the food.”
“Is there any problem with this?” Xiao Bai said.
“The question is, why does 428 no longer need that kind of food after reaching a certain stage?”
Lodge cooperated as a cudgel. “It can’t be because it’s tired of eating.”
“As mammals, we humans, have to input a certain amount of nutrients over some time, such as the vitamins contained in fruits, the proteins in meats, and the sugars in carbohydrates. There’s no such thing as eating a certain amount and then we no longer need to consume them. So, from another perspective, are 428’s food really these nutrients?
Xiao Bai was lost in thought. “Plants, animals… alien beasts.”
“The order is the same as when the mushroom invaded a hundred years ago.” Tang Xiao said, “Oh, it might be a little different. There weren’t so many alien beasts back then.”
Xiao Bai: “No need to sell the story, just tell me your guess.”
“What 428 needs may be what is contained in the food, such as DNA information. When it fully obtains this information, these ‘foods’ lose their value to it.”
Xiao Bai thoughtfully said, “It’s very interesting. If you’re right, it may answer one of the three big questions we have about mushrooms.”
The three major questions humans had about mushrooms were What, Why, and How.
What exactly was a mushroom (King of Mushroom)?
Why did mushrooms invade other species?
How to stop the mushrooms?
It could be said that the entire existing human academic community had centered its research on these three questions.
The purpose of researching 428 was also to solve these three major questions. Xiao Bai thought that it would take at least a few months before he could get some clues. Who would have thought that Tang Xiao would give him such a big surprise today?
“DNA…” Xiao Bai stood up from his seat and couldn’t help but walk back and forth. Tang Xiao had only said a few words, and that information drilled into his mind, hovering around. They hadn’t tested this in any way, but his intuition was already telling him that the conjecture was valuable.
“If it’s true. The purpose of those mushrooms invading other species is indeed to gain information about the DNA of other species. There have been similar speculations in the academic community before, but unfortunately, none of them could be proved. But now, we have the King of Mushroom’s spores.”
Tang Xiao picked up his medical report again at this time. “I think it’s very likely to be true. The way to prove it is very simple, just try to infuse 428 with food that contains DNA information without nutrients.”
“Both of your records showed excessive blood loss, coupled with the decomposition of blood and flesh cells…” Xiao Bai’s mind was still wandering over the speculation Tang Xiao had put forward. “If your guess is true. Its purpose may be the DNA information of ‘humans’, which is a much more nutritious food for it.”
This could also explain why 428 didn’t run away before, when it was clear that it could. Perhaps acquiring DNA was more of a priority for it than running away.
The conjecture Tang Xiao presented was so shocking that Xiao Bai automatically refined the inference in his mind without even needing him to explain it.
“The cocoon vaguely reveals a humanoid object. Perhaps the result of it having ingested some of the human genes.”
“Me, and the newcomers who died when 428 escaped for the first time,” Tang Xiao said, and then asked, “If the value of alien beasts to 428 is better than animals, then is the genetic value of superpowers better than ordinary people?”
Xiao Bai couldn’t help but nodded. “You can give it a try.”
Tang Xiao smiled. ‘It’s done.’
As long as his ‘individual’ specialness was transferred to the group, it would be less conspicuous.
Besides, he wasn’t lying. This was indeed a very possible direction.
During the Achievement Conference, 428 used three words to describe superpowered people: powerful, dangerous, and fragrant. The last one was most likely because superpowered people were equally valuable to it. Tang Xiao managed to persuade Xiao Bai and the other party’s execution was far more than imaginable. He directly decided to try to experiment.
Originally, this experiment would have been simple, requiring only the replacement of the blood and flesh that was routinely infused into 428 in a nutrient-free, pure liquid containing DNA.
The researcher responsible for recording the data said, “There has been a slight reduction in the energy fluctuations inside… However, the solution is being continuously absorbed and is effective.”
“Should we switch to human DNA and try again?” Tang Xiao suggested. “If the attraction of human genes is superior to alien beasts, there should be a reaction soon.”
Hearing this, Xiao Bai hesitated for a moment.
Tang Xiao added. “Don’t forget it’s already acquired human genes.”
Yes, if 428 could extract the necessary genes from food, there was no need to worry about human gene leakage because it had already occurred.
There were even so many mushroom-infected zombies in the wild every year.
Xiao Bai no longer hesitated and initiated a request to the higher-ups. An hour later, the staff brought a cart of special solutions.
“All of them from ordinary people,” the masked man in charge of escorting the blood bags explained, “For genetic experiments on superpowers, you’ll have to file a report to request them.”
“I know. Thank you for your hard work.” Xiao Bai nodded to the masked man and told the researcher to start injecting the special solution.
Success or failure, it all depends on this.
Tang Xiao stared at the screen displaying the data within 428’s cocoon, feeling a little nervous.
Even if he was confident in his guess, his heart still beat faster than expected at the moment of verification.
The blood flowed slowly down the tube into the cocoon. Within five seconds, the data on the screen suddenly surged.
“The energy within the cocoon is fluctuating. The injected solution is being rapidly absorbed!”
“The signs of vital activity are evident.”
Success. A smile appeared on Tang Xiao’s lips.
This proves that humans were more valuable to 428. It explained why 428 didn’t escape and gave priority to attacking humans.
Most importantly, his specialness to the little monster wouldn’t be so easily exposed.
The researcher's eyes gradually changed as he stared at the screen, looking startled. "Wait, I've detected a heartbeat inside.”
“The cocoon is starting to hatch!”
Tang Xiao: ???
‘Wait ah. That’s too good to be true, right?’
Xiao Bai’s expression also changed. He obviously didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. Originally, the cocoon’s expected hatching time should still be two or three days away. Was it because of the injection of the human genetic solution?
He cast a glance toward the lab assistant by his side. The assistant skillfully activated the laboratory alarm.
The scientists, who had planned to take a snack break during lunch, suddenly halted. Xiao Bai used the in-experiment radio to give calm instructions. “Everyone, go back to your posts. Repeat, go back to your posts. Start filming with the camera and record the data.”
The researchers, who hadn’t eaten a single bite of their meal, returned to their posts and recorded the data, while Xiao Bai walked down the steps to stare at the cocoon that was slowly fluctuating.
Tang Xiao had originally wanted to return to his desk as well, but Xiao Bai said to him without looking back, “Come with me to the front and take a look.”
“...Okay.”
Tang Xiao had no reason to refuse. No scientists would not want to witness this moment with their own eyes. He had no choice but to follow Xiao Bai boldly.
Be sure not to make any unnecessary reactions… 428.
He finally got rid of the suspicion of being 428’s evolutionary ‘variable’.
Once the little monster’s attitude was different, all the previous efforts would be in vain.
Tang Xiao thought to himself as he stared closely at the human form within the cocoon.
Regardless of what those present thought, the hatching process continued.
Everyone could see that the original blood-red cocoon was gradually turning pink as if all the ‘nutrients’ inside had been absorbed. The humanoid figure inside was becoming clearer and clearer.
Visual height of about one meter nine, skin color was dark, with perfect muscle distribution on its body. There was no connection with the monster from the appearance. It had deep eyebrows and eyes, superior features. All the hairs on its body were snowy silver-white. It was that kind of pure color that human beings couldn’t grow out of innately. There was a link to what looked like blood vessels like mycelium around its body, which were supplying him with nutrients.
But when those eyes opened, no one would even think of it as the same kind.
It had no white in his eyes, all black except for the orange-yellow, ice-cold vertical pupils. Its eyes swept through the glass across the entire laboratory as if patrolling its territory and then stopped its gaze in Xiao Bai’s direction.
Humans within the range of its gaze could not help but feel a sense of danger in their hearts. They felt like being stared at by a natural enemy on the food chain in nature. Their throats tightened and a few weak-willed people even had the impulse to run.
Tang Xiao, who was standing right behind Xiao Bai, was also a little nervous and hid himself behind Xiao Bai.
Luckily, almost everyone in the laboratory was focused on 428 at this time. No one saw his small movements.
Xiao Bai forced himself to endure the coercion of that gaze, staring persistently at the scene that defied biological common sense.
The last bit of blood inside the cocoon became transparent and the outer layer of film ruptured, turning into a transparent mucous membrane that stuck to the man’s skin. Soon, the huge cocoon in the petri dish disappeared, replaced by a monster cloaked in human skin.
The monster… stared straight at the young man, who was covered by Xiao Bai’s figure with an almost greedy gaze.
The corners of his clothes, his wrists, and his calves that showed just a little were all licked over with his gaze.
Xiaoxiao…
The name was on the tip of its tongue. The little monster reached out and placed its hand on the glass of the petri dish with its forehead touching the cold wall as it stared straight in that direction, tempted to wrap its mycelium around this prey that it thought about day and night.
Its nose was twitching slightly, catching the slightest hint of flavor in the air.
The researchers outside the petri dish who were observing its moves couldn’t help but shiver.
“What is it sniffing?”
“It can’t be sniffing us, right?”
Although the researchers hadn't heard the discussion between Tang Xiao and Xiao Bai in the conference room, they had guessed something from Xiao Bai’s experiment just now.
Looking at 428 now, there was an unspeakable fear in his eyes.
It was an instinctive human reaction to being treated as prey.
Little did they know that 428 simply had little interest in ordinary humans. Its eyes, its nose, and every bit of its tactile nerves were trying to catch Tang Xiao’s traces.
During its evolution, its consciousness was always awake. It was just trapped in a cocoon and unable to move. It could occasionally sense what was going on outside.
Every time Tang Xiao walked in, it wished he could break out of his cocoon immediately and hold the person in its arms to confirm that he was still alive, instead of fading into unconsciousness like before.
The little monster didn’t know the meaning of ‘losing something and regaining it again’. It only felt that every time it gazed at Tang Xiao, an unfamiliar emotion arose in its heart. It felt elated and uneasy. It had an urge to build a nest to lock him inside.
‘But why is Xiaoxiao so close to another human being?’
Xiao Bai frowned, feeling extremely uncomfortable with 428’s almost substantive sight and movements. However, because of his experience, he couldn’t tell the source of this discomfort. He didn’t even notice Tang Xiao sticking to him.
At this time, the incubation process was over. He reminded the stunned researchers around him in an icy tone. “Everyone, get moving and upload the data!”
This voice seemed to break some kind of deadlock. The stunned researchers around gradually came back to their senses from their inexplicable fear, only occasionally still looking at 428, whispering when Xiao Bai wasn’t paying attention:
“Looks about 1.9 meters tall.”
“Male?”
“Why does this thing have a gender?”
“Fuck! Eight-pack abs??? I don’t even have eight-pack abs!”
“Hey, why does it grow to fit human aesthetics? Don’t you think it’s terrifying?”
“That’s right. It fits my aesthetic perfectly. It’s actually quite big down there… Let me check the specific size…”
“Ahem!”
“What are doing?! This is for science!”
“Really? What kind of science?” Xiao Bai, who was passing by and listened for a while, asked coldly.
Several researchers immediately looked down, no longer daring to look in the direction of the experimental subject.
Tang Xiao followed closely beside Xiao Bai. He intentionally or unintentionally avoided 428’s scorching gaze.
Luckily, 428 didn’t do anything stupid like staring at him all the time. After a few minutes, he withdrew his gaze and sat blankly in the petri dish, gradually closing his eyes under the influence of the inactive agent released by the petri dish.
After that, there were armed men came up and moved 428’s position back to a new place, similar to the previous cell in Bader’s laboratory, retaining the glass wall for observation. Unlike the one in Bader’s laboratory, the Third Eye treated 428 with significantly more caution, configuring not only electronic surveillance but also various infrared, real-time data monitoring. There were high-sensitive touch alarms at all the entrances and exits.
Tang Xiao knew that 428 might not be able to come out so easily this time.
‘But will he give up on that?!’
----------
No comments:
Post a Comment