Chapter 110 – Hell’s Slapstick
There are two videos sent by drone carriers. The central control room screen is divided into two and each plays back.
Two vampire sea anemones are visible. One animal shown on the left screen is slightly larger than a van.
This is also a scary weight class, but it is nothing compared to the guy on the right.
“Does growth variation increase depending on the amount eaten?”
[Maybe. The huge object we encountered may have been made possible thanks to the blood tanks.]
The right side has been enlarged to full screen. This is the guy I encountered in the basement of Bloodtech.
“I thought we would eventually come out of the building, but I didn’t expect this.”
The guy was dead. It stretches out on the road at the edge of the city like a dead whale washed up in the sea. The surrounding area is teeming with a huge number of infectious agents.
“Was it a fatal wound? “I don’t think that was the case.”
We obviously poured a lot of firepower on him, and he suffered like crazy. But he doesn’t know if it was enough to lead to death.
[You don’t know that. A deer that has been pierced through the chest by a bullet fired by a hunter can run away. He might last a few more days. But he dies in the end.]
“That guy is a monster, right? “It looks like a sea anemone, but it has super regenerative abilities.”
[I don’t know either. That’s just what they say.]
Artemis scolded him.
“Please enlarge the sound.”
[Yes.]
The drone got closer to the ground and the sound sensor magnification was increased to the maximum. Then a loud noise is heard.
Tsk tsk.
Wagu.
A meat party is in full swing down there.
Ahhhhh!
Juggernaut ripped off one of the tentacles and placed his mouth on the cross-section.
“Looking at it like this, it somehow looks appetizing?”
[What are you saying? Don’t say anything terrible.]
Artemis was horrified.
However, if you look at the tentacles separately, it feels like octopus sashimi.
At that moment, light green disgusting bodily fluid splashed onto the Juggernaut’s face! And jumped out. Like when Bear Grylls chewed on a plump caterpillar and his body fluid burst.
“Ah…”
My appetite disappeared in an instant.
[Does it still look delicious?]
Artemis enlarged the screen even further, and I quietly admitted that I was talking nonsense.
About 30% of the side of the slug-like body was eaten away, and internal organs the size of an anaconda were spilling out from there.
Numerous walkers cling to its intestines, like a swarm of ants attacking earthworms.
They constantly fall, slip and tear on the slippery and squishy intestines.
Cradangtang!
“Keeeeek!”
Crash!
“Keueeeeek!”
It was a slapstick comedy performed by devils in hell.
[What to do with the other one?]
The screen of the dinner party disappeared and this time the video on the left was converted to full screen.
A vampire sea anemone crawling along a road far from the city. A trace of the grayish-white slime that caused me to slip was left on the asphalt where it passed.
“Do I need to observe more?”
[No. There’s nothing to gain by looking at it more.]
The purpose of sending the drone carriers to scout was to kill the giant vampire sea anemone we encountered in Bloodtech.
This is because the monster that had penetrated the concrete and burrowed underground could not be left alone.
The shelter is designed to withstand a nuclear attack as long as it is not a direct hit. The distance between there and here is sufficiently low that the possibility of it becoming a money threat is very low.
But there is always what if. Moreover, we don’t know about its reproductive ecology.
We planned to finish off the wounded guy, to see if the attack method we had prepared was effective.
“Burn it down.”
The guy I was originally targeting has already become a piece of meat, so I have to deal with even the small guy I find.
The drones waiting for my command changed to annihilation mode.
The drone carrier filming the video is equipped with six aircraft.
The docking bay was released, and six scout drones were launched from there.
These drones, mobilized for special missions, were equipped with something other than a 5.56 mm gun on their lower abdomen.
Tick.
The faint sound of the lock being loosened was heard six times.
The drone carrier’s camera shows the vampire sea anemone below from the air.
Six small napalm bombs were dropped on him.
Sigh!
Surprisingly, it stretched out its tentacles and snatched two bombs just before they collided. It was amazing reflexes.
Kwaaang!
However, the remaining four fell down and exploded. In fact, the two that were caught by hand also had delay fuses inserted, so they would have exploded anyway.
Intense flames engulfed the vampire sea anemone. No, it would be more appropriate to call it a malicious flame.
The sticky mixed solvent contains the flames of hell and bites its flesh.
The vampire sea anemone that has become a ball of fire struggles like crazy. It’s a wriggling thing that’s disgustingly faithful to a mollusk.
The guy instinctively rubbed his body on the ground, but it was no use. The sharp asphalt floor just tears my flesh.
It was a spectacular sight to see about 20 flaming tentacles dancing fiercely and then stopping one by one.
“It’s incredible vitality.”
The outer skin peels off, revealing the pink inner flesh of the vampire sea anemone.
When the black carbonized body was rubbed against the asphalt, the skin was torn off like a shrimp peeling.
Unfortunately for him, although he was able to take off the skin, he couldn’t even take off the sticky napalm flame.
The fire that had now spread to the inside began to burn the inside as well. I can’t even scream because my vocal cords are already cooked.
There was a long line of carbonized and burnt flesh on the road where it crawled, and the flesh burned like a candle.
[Will you stop watching?]
Is it because it’s such a disgusting scene? Artemis tried to stop regeneration.
“No, is it worth seeing? “I’ll have to watch until it stops moving.”
In the past, I saw conger eel alive on an iron plate at a fish market.
I felt sorry for the conger eels at that time, but for that guy, I felt nothing but exhilaration.
“By the way, you shouldn’t get close just because it’s small. “I can’t believe you noticed and snatched a bomb that suddenly fell from the air without any warning.”
The guy I saw in the Bloodtech basement wasn’t that agile. As his size increased, his power and tenacity increased, but his movements seemed to have become slower.
If I had thought of the same reaction speed and agility when I encountered those guys during my exploration and went into battle, I might have ended up in failure.
[Updated to predator robots completed.]
“I thought I would just pass by, but it was a good idea to attack.”
In the fight against infectious agents, information is life. Even today, a few lines of explanation were added to one page of the infectious agents encyclopedia.
‘Vampire sea anemones have very large growth variations depending on their diet’
‘Small individuals have very fast reflexes’
A black lump of charcoal that has now stopped moving. Nevertheless, the fire of napalm does not go out.
From somewhere, you can see field mice coming in after smelling the barbecue.
One of the returning drones even spotted a pack of wild dogs sniffing around a few kilometers away.
It won’t be long before the bald eagles will fly in.
Although no infected animals have been found yet, it is unlikely that they will miss this opportunity for predation.
The operation ended after the drones were ordered to return to the shelter.
* * *
There is not much that can be done in a situation where exchange transfusion is in progress.
His condition is not good due to the blood that has caused an abnormal reaction, and his movements are limited due to the tubes embedded in various parts of his body.
However, you should not stay locked in your room either.
[Move your body whenever you have time. So that the muscles and organs of the entire body are stimulated and activated. Only then will the advanced blood react to its maximum potential.]
“If stimulation of muscles and organs is important, why not just get a massage?”
I imagined Chrollo carefully touching every part of my body.
She will serve you all day long with a happy smile.
[It is effective only if you move it yourself. Blood interacts as much as possible throughout the body, and in the process, abnormal reactions occur. Because I have to repeat this.]
Artemis said something scary.
[Even if it’s hard, keep walking. I will soon complete the exchange transfusion, but if the tube is removed, it will be difficult to process the blood that has had an abnormal reaction. If we’re going to get hit anyway, let’s get hit quickly.]
So, I am walking all day. Now, I am coming down to the lower area and taking a walk around the artificial lake.
Listening to Kids’ radio broadcast.
It’s a radio broadcast hosted by a girl sitting alone in an empty broadcasting station in a destroyed world. Isn’t it quite charming?
[Hello, residents! This is Kiz, your faithful reminder. Today, I would like to talk about a question sent by a viewer.]
Kids’ voices coming from the PDA were as cheerful as always.
[How did our lives become like this? Why do we have to live underground without seeing the light of the sun?]
Kiz read along in the voice of her questioner. She is not a vocal imitation, but an exact copy of the questioner’s voice.
[Hmm, this is more of a complaint than a question. Great! First, let’s make one thing clear.
Let’s think about the past that all of you miss in your hearts. By the way, that means before you were imprisoned, right?]
The voice over the radio was constant, but I think Kids must have been giggling to themselves.
[A world where everything is abundant. A world where people drink one or two take-out cups at a café every day and throw the remaining contents in the trash.
Dear residents. You must know that this world is now the ‘old world’.
It was not that long ago, but it no longer falls under the category of reality.
Yesterday spent sweating in a shelter, days shivering from cold and hunger in a maritime prison are both reality and the past.
You need to be clearly aware of this. Those who can’t do that will find it increasingly difficult in the future.
Fortunately, looking at the interviewer’s profile and life records, it seems like he belongs to someone who can do it.]
I walked along the lakeside listening to Kids’ radio.
[Some people may not be sure about the future.
The exterior footage our brave robot army secures every day is full of destruction, monsters, ruins, and downfall.]
Residents are fully aware of the outside situation.
This is because everyone has seen the extensive reconnaissance videos brought by drones and robot exploration teams.
In particular, the final expedition destination, the Ruined City, ranked second in views.
Although these were miserable images, they did not only have negative effects such as sadness or fear on the residents.
Recently, Kids and I noticed a big change in the reactions of residents watching external videos.
At some point, women began to appear as if they were enjoying videos of expeditions and explorations outside the country.
They cheered during the battle scene where they wiped out the infection, and at first I thought it was because they were hungry for entertainment.
But that wasn’t it.
We applauded and hugged each other when we saw the robots collecting supplies and technology.
The robot screamed as it was damaged during the battle.
They formed a strong sense of belonging to the shelter. As a clear example, women began to call the shelter ‘home’.
‘The outside world is a terrible place, but this is my safe home.’
With this clear boundary drawn in their minds, they were able to view external images without hesitation.
[But residents! The chaos out there will never, ever surpass our city.
We have a strong military, superior technology, and vast supplies. We are forming a completely self-sufficient society. Our leadership is wise, decisive and always prepared for the future.
These are difficult times. There may be sacrifices in the process of maintaining our city.
But the sacrifice you must pay is not blood or life. That’s being paid for by an army of robots out there fighting and exploring.
The only sacrifice you will have to make is breaking up with your old habits.
And this is very cheap in today’s world. I’m sure none of you will refute this.]
I waved my hand lightly. This is because women walking down the promenade from the opposite side greeted me.
At the lakeside a little further away, there are groups of people gathered in small groups chatting, and there are also women soaking their feet.
I walk around there while listening to the radio.
Some of the daily life I took for granted in the old world has returned to me. Although the scale is a bit smaller.
[Dear residents, We are survivors of the old world and pioneers of the new world.
Each of you is lucky, and you must have faith that you are on the right path. Thank you for listening.
There are many more stories and questions you have sent, but I will stop here today.
You will wake up in a warm bed tomorrow and next year, and my broadcast will continue to be with you.
See you again on the next broadcast.]
After Kids’ broadcast, music started playing.
* * *
Kids weren’t the only ones doing broadcasts.
[Dear residents, curfew is in effect. Please go to your accommodation.]
Rose’s neat voice, in contrast to the lively Kids, echoes throughout the lower area. Then the women leave the lakeside and head to their lodgings.
There is a curfew in the shelter. It was because of security issues.
This city implements day and night with lighting like the outside world in order to maintain a healthy biorhythm of its residents.
When the lights are turned off at night, and it gets dark, security vulnerabilities naturally arise.
Even if it is a high-end camera that can see through the darkness, it is not as good as looking under a bright light.
If an intrusion occurs in any form, confusion may arise in identification if residents are moving around.
On the other hand, what if there is a curfew?
If a camera catches movement during curfew, but no activity is reported at that location, it’s an intruder. Discovery and pursuit become much easier.
“It’s pretty.”
A small woman sitting by the lakeside said. Sitting next to her was a woman with a rather large physique and her hair cut short.
The two hold each other’s hands and look at the lake together. A lake burning with orange light.
During the 30 minutes of the curfew transition, the lighting changes to dusk.
This system was recently introduced at the suggestion of Life Manager Kids, and has been well-received by residents. After watching it some more, I will decide whether to keep it or not.
[Dear residents, curfew is in effect. Please go to your accommodation.]
Rose’s second announcement came out.
The women who had held out until then slowly got up and started heading to their dorms.
“Oh?”
There were people saluting me. It appears that he is probably a trainee receiving police training.
In an instant, the lakeside becomes empty. If the third broadcast comes on, you will have to rush to it.
The two women holding hands still remained.
The smaller of the two who was talking quietly began to sob. The large woman gently hugged her and patted her back.
A few minutes later, they both got up and left for their dorm.
I don’t know if it’s the sadness of losing a family member, or some other problem.
But time heals everything. They can be together in front of the lake tomorrow or the day after tomorrow if they want. I will guarantee that.
[Administrator, please return to the residence now. I will take care of you.]
Rose called in her personal communication.
“No, I’ll just be grateful. There will be a little more.”
I sat near the lakeside.
[… Will the twilight last longer?]
“Huh. Thank you.”
The final curfew notification rang.
I was the only one listening to it on the empty lakeside.
