Chapter 748: A Cannibal as Neighbor
Translator: _Min_ Editor: Caron_
More than two decades ago, the war broke out.
The first nuclear bomb exploded in Europe, followed by Wanghai. NATO declared war on Pan-Asia Cooperation. All this happened suddenly, although both the economic crisis and the energy crisis were foreseeable problems, no one had ever thought the two would lead to a war.
Human civilization had been peaceful for too long since the Cold War.
Like other parts of the Pan-Asia Cooperation, this resort in Datun received war alarms within an hour after the collapse of the Holy Shield in Wanghai. However, it was almost impossible for people at a resort far away from an urban area to go to an urban fallout shelter within an hour.
A feeling of despair overshadowed everyone.
Faced with inevitable death, everyone was helpless. They couldn’t do anything except cry and pray.
At that point, one person stood up.
He claimed to be an intelligence officer of the Pan-Asia Cooperation and guarded the secrets of the underground nuclear power plant. As one of the strategic reserves, the design of Clearwater Nuclear Power Plant was a quasi-fallout-shelter. Although there were no reserves of living necessities, it wouldn’t be difficult to resist nuclear strikes.
“… Then, under his leadership, people moved the entire resort’s food, medicine, tents, and other living supplies into Clearwater Nuclear Power Plant.” Zhao Tianyu told them.
“What does this have to do with that Fog Demon?” asked Jiang Chen.
“After that, something unbelievable happened.” Zhao Tianyu shrugged then said, “You must’ve heard of genetic vaccines.”
“Yes.”
“The lucky ones can unlock special abilities through genetic vaccines; more common ones are fury, rapid healing, visual enhancement, etc., There are some more special abilities that even cannot be explained by science…”
“Such as that Fog Demon?” Jiang Chen scowled. “…I thought it was a different species.’s
“No, he’s a person, and he was once a great man. Between his responsibilities and human nature, he made the right choice, but in the end, people weren’t able to forgive him for some reason and he was forced out by the survivors.” Zhao Tianyu laughed.
“What unforgivable thing did he do?” asked Jiang Chen.
“Thirteen years ago, the seawater pipeline that provided food for the survivors of the nuclear power plant was invaded by Mud Crabs. The survivors, who had never seen these creatures, were beaten by hungry Mud Crabs and fled. Not only did they lose the deuterium refinery, but they also lost the workers’ dormitories. In order to drive away these Mud Crabs, he injected illicit drugs that didn’t pass clinical trials, forcibly unlocked the hidden genetic code, drove away the Mud Crabs occupying the pipeline, and destroyed their nests.”
“What was unforgivable about this?” Jiang Chen laughed.
“The unforgivable thing is what happened after. The illicit drug wasn’t without its side effects. While unraveling the genetic code, that drug also caused a mutation in his V127 gene.” After a pause, Zhao Tianyu smiled, lowered his voice and said, “The V127 mutation, also known as a cannibalism gene.”
“He ate people?” Jiang Chen was slightly caught off-guard.
“No, but do you think a group of weak and pathetic people would allow a potential cannibal to live next door to them? What’s more, the sneak ability he unlocked made him a natural killer. And in day to day life, he did show a desire for human flesh and blood.” Zhao Tianyu smiled, but his smile was brutal.
At that point, Jiang Chen could’ve guessed what happened next.
The hero who originally saved everyone was expelled by the people he saved. He was expelled from the nuclear power station, disheartened by what happened, and faced the empty ruins outside. He exiled himself in the dust of radiation and became a true cannibal, hunting everyone who broke into this place or humans who intended to escape from there.
“I know that much. If you want to find out more about him, you can go to Doctor Mike at the clinic. The illicit drug that was injected by the Fog Demon was made by him. He’s a Portuguese foreigner, but his Chinese is quite good. He is also very easy to get along with,” Zhao Tianyu said with a smile.
“I will.” Jiang Chen nodded.
“It’s getting late. I’ll arrange a room for you.”
“I have to go back as soon as possible. There are still people waiting for me under the mountain.” Jiang Chen shook his head.
“It’s very dangerous at night. During the day, the Fog Demon is just a ghost, but at night, he’s the devil reincarnated,” Zhao Tianyu said seriously.
After weighing all the pros and cons, Jiang Chen eventually accepted his offer. Although he was unable to communicate with the outside world through radio in the underground facility, he and Lin Lin didn’t need radio; they could use the Klein particle wave that could even transmit between timelines.
When Jiang Chen entered the room provided by Zhao Tianyu, he checked all corners of the room and confirmed there was nothing spying on him. He immediately contacted Lin Lin. As soon as the call was connected, Lin Lin’s anxious face appeared as a holographic image.
“Where are you now? Why have you not come down yet?”
“I’ve already entered the nuclear power plant… The situation on the mountain is a bit strange. I won’t be able to explain it to you in a short time. In short, it’s dangerous here. You shouldn’t come up.”
When Lin Lin heard the mountains were dangerous, her face immediately turned pale.
“Wait, are you in danger?”
“No, I’m more worried about you… Well, you and Chen Guangning should return to the base first, and when I solve this issue, I’ll come looking for you.”
After explaining the situation to her, Jiang Chen turned off the hologram and ended communication before heading outside the room.
The people who lived there were very pale as they lived in the ground all year round without any sunlight exposure. This kind of paleness didn’t look aesthetically pleasing, but rather, it was an unhealthy, morbid state. Walking in the hallway of this underground residence, Jiang Chen noticed that the people around him were watching him with vigilant eyes.
There was curiosity and temptation, but there was almost more distrust.
There was only one clinic in the entire Clearwater Nuclear Power Station. Jiang Chen found it without much effort and met Mike.
When Mike saw Jiang Chen, he immediately recognized he was from the outside and he certainly looked surprised.
“I guess you’re not coming to see the doctor. But before you ask me any questions, I want to ask you first – how did you get in here?”
Jiang Chen repeated the previous remarks he made to Zhao Tianyu.
After listening to him, Mike nodded, dropped the pen he had been spinning in his hands, and sighed.
“I see … looks like not all hatred fades with time.”
“Compared to hatred, I think it’s more like a beast’s instinct that’s driving him.”
Upon hearing Jiang Chen’s words, Mike looked genuinely surprised for a moment before his expression was replaced by intrigue.
“Oh? Can you explain in detail?”
Upon hearing Mike’s words, Jiang Chen smiled helplessly.
[It was me who came to inquire about intelligence. How did I eventually become the person being questioned?]
Jiang Chen selectively repeated his encounter with the Dog Demon. After listening to his story, the expression on Mike’s face also gradually turned stern.
After a moment of silence, he said slowly:
“If my guesses are correct, he should’ve unlocked the third stage of the genetic code.”