Chapter 101 – Blood Pack Technology (3)
Reaching the underground clinical testing lab was easier than expected.
This is because the defense commander here has set up the final blocking line on the first floor above ground. Traces of intense battles are spread everywhere.
Looking at the communication records of the dead soldiers, it appears that the commander fought the infection until the last moment and then committed suicide with an explosive.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the elevator, first floor central staircase, and lobby were blown away, and many passageways collapsed. As a result, it has the effect of preventing additional infectious agents from entering from outside.
But there were also drawbacks. Maybe the disadvantages are bigger.
[Thanks to this, I was unable to enter the command and control room and disaster prevention room.]
As Artemis said, access to the disaster prevention room, where the building’s surveillance system could be controlled, was blocked. I entered the basement blind.
We went down to the basement through the emergency stairs and reached the iron gate where the security checkpoint was installed.
[Welcome to visit. Commander Seo Jin-su.]
The heavy iron door rises, revealing a dark laboratory. This is the final destination of this expedition.
* * *
“What the fuck.”
Artemis doesn’t like me swearing.
Every time I say something like ‘fuck’ or ‘fuck’ or something like that, I scold him and tell him to use a dignified tone of voice.
“You bastards.”
But now I just quietly stay by my side and listen.
Until the infection war, clinical testing laboratories only conducted experiments to the extent of walking a tightrope between legal and illegal.
However, after being conscripted during the infection war, it appears to have been used as a venue for heinous biological experiments.
I expected it to some extent, but this was far beyond my imagination.
They were doing more than simply testing drugs or pathogens.
We are currently in the largest room of the laboratory.
In the center, nine operating tables are arranged in a square shape, and the floor has several sloped drains like a bathroom.
There are hoses connected to the wall everywhere, so cleaning with water seems very convenient.
It would have to be that way. Because this place was no different from a slaughterhouse.
There were corpses on each operating table, and it looked like you could believe it was the process of creating a new human body.
There was an operating table where the Blood Eagle punishment seemed to be being carried out, and there was also a corpse sitting with its legs spread out on an obstetrics and gynecology delivery table. The simple table next to it was full of orthopedic surgery tools.
On the wall, dozens of cylindrical glass tubes that can fit an entire person are erected vertically.
Of course, there are actually people inside. Thanks to the naked body and the slightly yellowish preservative liquid, it is a sight that seems to contain human liquor, not snake liquor.
Although there were completely mutated infectious agents, most of them were humans.
Most of the corpses were intact, but there were also some that were only partially deformed.
There are more than a few cases where mutated organs have been removed and floated.
“…”
Among them, there is a tube containing a fetus that has not yet fully grown.
Research data was accessed through a control computer located in one location.
[This is level 1 confidential information. Biometric authentication is required. If accessed through an unauthorized route, data deletion procedures will begin.]
The control computer played a warning sound. This is why I have to come in person.
It may be a simple entrance or exit, but security is very strict in key places such as databases.
If an unauthorized person touches it out of curiosity, the data will be locked and a security alarm will sound, but if they try to access it through methods such as hacking or identity forgery, the security program may be triggered, and the data may be lost.
“Ha!”
I blew on the detector.
Three types of biometric authentication had to be performed simultaneously: breath recognition, eye recognition, and fingerprint recognition.
How much amazing information has been hidden so that it is managed so strictly?
[Verification completed. Permission to view all information has been granted, Commander Seo Jin-su.]
I read some of the experimental notes while Artemis copied the entire material.
Indeed, security had to be strict.
Subject 242
Name: Minsik Kim
Gender: Male
Age: 37
Status: Class 1 cargo
Progress: Can say name and answer simple questions. CT scan results confirmed structural changes in internal organs.
Measures: Removal of mutated organs and then euthanasia.
Subject 243
Name: Private Woojin Lee
Gender: Male
Age: 20 years old
Status: Installation Defense Conscript
Progress: Covered in bodily fluids emitted by a monster during combat. Tissue damage similar to that of being hit with sulfuric acid occurred in the area, but there were no signs of mutation.
Action: No treatment value due to injury that does not allow return to duty. No research value. Euthanasia with permission from military commander.
Subject 244
Name: Kim Aram
Gender: Female
Age: 29
Status: Class 2 cargo
Progress: 7th month pregnant woman. At the time of transport, a penetrating wound was discovered in the abdomen. Although the mother’s life is not in danger, she is in a state of panic due to concerns about the fetus. Administering sedatives to the mother. As a result of the imaging, a penetrating wound was discovered in the fetus’ chest. However, the fetus is still active. The biopsy results confirmed that a mutation had occurred in the fetus.
Action: Perform cesarean section. After specimen extraction, the mother was euthanized. The specimen was named test subject 244B.
Subject 245
Name: Park Ji-hye
Gender: Female
Age: 48
Status: Class 2 cargo
Progress: Progression of serious mutation while in custody. The vaginal wall protrudes long like a snake. According to medical records, menopause occurred 3 years ago, but abnormally active ovarian activity was detected as a result of imaging.
Measures: The head researcher ordered that the subject be kept alive for research, but due to the military commander’s strong request, culling was carried out. The ovaries and uterus were removed and studied separately.
Subject 246
Name: Jin Woo-sik
Gender: Male
Age: 31
Status: Researcher
Progress: While attempting to fix the protruding vagina of test subject 245 to the restraint, contact (kissing) occurred between the vaginal opening and the mucous membrane. Vomiting at the scene.
Action: Immediate quarantine and observation. It was confirmed that vomiting occurred due to psychological reasons, not infection. After quarantine for one more week, if there are no problems, return to the site.
The research records were full of content that ignored respect for life.
I was shocked that the word ‘euthanasia’ could be so easily overused in a report on human subjects.
Even though Korea was just in the midst of a war, and I had some inkling of it at the Metacraft Lab, I had no idea it would be at this level.
“Have you secured all the data?”
No matter how shitty it was, I had to achieve my purpose.
[Secured.]
Artemis said.
Her voice was a mix of emotions such as anger, surprise, and sadness.
[These materials contain enormous potential. It will advance Shelter’s biotechnology technology one step further. But…]
Is there something hesitating? The shoulder cam repeatedly moved left and right as if reflecting her thoughts.
[Jinsu, if you want, I will dispose of everything.]
While she was collecting data, she also seemed to be thinking about getting rid of it instead of using it.
“Isn’t it a waste to be a scientist? “It’s probably data you’ll never be able to get anywhere else again.”
Artemis is not an emotionless tyrant AI. She clearly has a morality based on neutrality. But that’s it.
Her true identity is a scientist and pragmatist. She does not care about the rules for excluding illegal collection of evidence, whether during trials or research.
Her original self would have frowned at this unpleasant experiment, but wouldn’t even think about the ‘waste’ of destroying it all.
[It is certainly an incomparably valuable material, but it is not completely irreplaceable. Because nothing is worth leaving an irreversible, negative memory in your mind. So what I want to say is…]
It’s not like she prefers simple, clear explanations. A lengthy explanation followed.
I stroked the shoulder cam, which moved back and forth like the hand gestures of an impassioned orator.
Last time she got angry and shook it off, but this time she stayed calm.
“I take it all and return,” She said. Not only useful tools but even a single piece of data is left behind.”
She took her hand off the cam.
[… Are you going to go back now?]
She asked.
“Of course. There is no reason to stay any longer…”
Kwaang!
At that moment, the bulkheads of the underground laboratory suddenly came down. She didn’t know why, but she felt fucked.
[Level 5 biohazard has been detected. Isolate the laboratory. All researchers must follow the protocol. Disobedience will be dealt with severely.]
A dry announcement was made.
The current biosafety level only exists up to level 4. Viruses that are extremely lethal and highly contagious belong there.
Level 5 appears to be a new level created during the infection war. It’s probably obvious what it means.
“Keeeeek!”
The cries of infected organisms were heard from all directions.
[I think I was in a state of hibernation for a long time because I was trapped all the time due to the collapse. It looks like everyone has woken up now.]
“If you’re going to sleep, why don’t you sleep somewhere visible? It suddenly pops out, and it’s crazy!”
It was the moment when an infiltration operation turned into an all-out war.
All kinds of loud noises pierced my eardrums. Even if you estimate the number, it seems to be dozens.
Tactically, we gathered in a place with the fewest blind spots and formed a shooting formation.
The room we were in had two entrances, but it was structured so that we could monitor it at a glance.
Poop!
In one of them, the head of an intruding walker is split open. That’s how the fighting began.
“Kki-“
“Keueh-“
None of the infected entities could finish their wailing. One of the four parts – vocal cords, lungs, mouth, and head – was destroyed within 2 seconds and silenced.
The infected organisms that had gathered together and flocked through the two entrances were torn apart by the bullets that pierced the one in front.
Whoa!
Kwasik!
Pieces of flesh and blood flew everywhere. The white walls and windows of the laboratory are painted dark red.
12.7 mm didn’t really need a headshot.
This is because all you have to do is insert one shot anywhere on the spinal cord that runs from the head to the back. Those with their spinal cord bundles severed fell to the floor and wriggled.
Even if you hit an arm or leg, it falls off after 2–3 hits, making you a half-sick.
Around the time of the first magazine replacement, a variant appeared.
Pump!
A lamp on the ceiling of the passageway broke, and the area became dark.
When I reflexively looked up, I saw an infectious agent hanging upside down on the ceiling and approaching on all fours.
Like a gibbon, its limbs were elongated and naked, and its entire body was covered with strong muscles.
Not a huge concrete muscle like the Juggernaut, but a muscle compressed to the limit like Bruce Lee.
If something like that is that thick, I can’t imagine how much strength it can exert.
“Grrrr-.”
Every time the guy’s hands and feet took a step, a handful of the ceiling’s finishing materials broke and fell.
There was no need for commands or hand signals. The two crew members aimed at him at the same time. But he moved one step faster.
The long limbs, contracted to their limit, spread out like a catapult and shot at us at the speed of a cannonball.
Finishing materials flew from the ceiling where he was hanging as if there had been an explosion.
– Guuuuung!!!
The world slows down.
You can see the iron grips moving the thick muzzle of the combat rifle towards him. However, the timing is slow.
It will reach us faster than the muzzle can move.
It’s extending its abnormally long arm towards us.
But there was someone who was half a beat faster than all of this, and that was me.
5.56 mm chunks of lead were dug into the hideous face.
The bullet passes through the muscles of the face. After a while, blood spurts out and the vibration causes the surrounding facial muscles to tremble.
The last thing I saw was the bullet-filled eyeball exploding and white juice spraying everywhere.
In this world of high speed, all of this was clearly visible, scene by scene.
– Wooooo!!!
When we released the acceleration, it fell down in front of us just as it had been running.
However, he struggled to get up, wondering if he was dead. His long arms reached in front of our feet.
Poop!
It came to a complete stop when the two 12.7 mm shots passed straight through its head.
“Kiyaaaaa-!
Infectious agents from the white leech colony seen in the upper-floor bathroom also appeared. That’s two.
I don’t know what the purpose is, but the sight of the swollen breasts, belly button, and even the vagina is disgusting.
He approached us shakily, with his wriggling arms outstretched towards us.
But we had two shotgunners.
Hua Aak-!
For two years, the dragon Brestan was engulfed in flames.
Hundreds of larvae had transparent mucus flowing all over their bodies, which seemed to be a substance that helped them to stick together organically. Luckily it was flammable.
Praise was given to the tactical algorithm that tested the possibilities by looking at the slime surface.
The two leech bitches performed the fire dance of death and fell over into a lump of charcoal.
Even though we killed a significant number of them, they kept coming.
Good!
One of the members who was firing stepped back. The battle rifle was jammed.
Cheeeeek!
While pulling out a shell stuck in the chamber, white smoke rose when the heated shell came in contact with the plastic part of the robot.
Sigh-!
A shrill sound was heard from somewhere.
One of the members who was firing at the front stumbled, and his posture collapsed.
On his face, a larva that looked similar to a lamprey was fluttering violently.
This is the guy I encountered at the Metacraft Lab. The slippery mucus flowing throughout the body was still present.
But this time I was prepared. Artemis does not neglect complements.
“Kirik-!”
A hand-sized awl protruded from the back of the robot’s hand, and pierced the lamprey’s body.
Because the stab was so strong, the awl even scratched the robot’s face, sparking brilliant sparks.
The female infectious agent that fired the lamprey prepared for the next shot.
Something round moves from the protruding uterus to the snake-like tentacles protruding from the vagina.
Quang! Quang!
The two shotguns spewed fire, and a high explosive bomb flew and exploded, tearing the mother’s uterus.
A few lamprey eels survive and swim on the blood-covered chunks of meat.
It tried to escape from its mother’s body by jumping around, but was soon crushed by dozens of flying iron balls.
Good!
Another 12.7 mm shooter is jammed, and the muzzles of other shooters’ guns are turning red.
But now the situation has been resolved. There are 6 infected animals remaining. That’s just an ordinary walker.
Perhaps because they were concerned that if they fired any more than this, the gun would be damaged, the crew stopped shooting and engaged in close combat.
Kwasik!
One walker, which was running towards me with its mouth wide open, was kicked in the snout.
The robot’s weight-bearing flying kick didn’t end with shattering its jaw and teeth. The neck bone was broken and the back of Walker’s head was attached to his back.
Poop!
Walker collapsed after being punched in the jaw.
A sharp awl was sticking out of the fist of the retrieving agent. This is a secondary weapon used when killing lamprey eels.
Whisk.
Walker, who had been pierced straight from under his chin to his brain, gulps brain fluid out of his mouth.
“Keeeeek!”
One guy was pulled out with both arms grabbed by two crew members.
Pushy.
A huge amount of blood spewed out from the cross-section of his shoulder, and before he knew it, his head was turned 360 degrees in the hands of Daewon, who had turned backwards, and he died.
Next to him was Walker, who collapsed after receiving another punch from the chin to the brain.
The intense, yet organic movements of the crew felt like watching a group of fighters who had practiced martial arts for decades.
Kwadang!
The battle ended with the last walker falling.
There is blood everywhere. A fog of blood was rising from the entire room, as if it were a steam bath.
“I think I’ve sorted everything out, but it still doesn’t open?”
The containment bulkhead toward the emergency stairs is still down.
That thing can withstand mortars, so our equipment can’t penetrate it.
[Wait a moment.]
Artemis accessed the lab control computer and diagnosed the situation.
[Blood culture facility. Level 5 pollution is being detected there.]
In short, it means that an active infectious agent remains there.
Looking at the PDA map, the location is one floor below. The entire floor is a production facility that cultivates blood and supplies it to research facilities.
“Can you see what’s going on inside?”
[I’m sorry, but it all worked. A message is being sent repeatedly that there is level 5 contamination that has not been removed.]
Crash.
There was no need to hear more. I led the crew downstairs.
There are not only infected corpses around, but also human corpses spilling onto the floor as glass tubes break.
A gray corpse staring into space with its mouth open and empty eyes. Our eyes met that.
“…”
I wanted to leave this awful place quickly.
Go down the dark basement stairs. The time has come to end this expedition.
