"To avoid affecting gene fusion, this time we developed a gene that can self-expand human muscle cells. This technology was successful and quickly showed effects in rats."
"The physical fitness of the experimental rats was significantly several times stronger than before, and there were no adverse reactions in their bodies. This result made everyone very happy. We thought we had succeeded, that we had done it."
"Finally, when experimenting on subject number seventy-six, we first injected the body-strengthening agent, and then injected the modified jellyfish gene."
"The experiment process was very smooth, no problems appeared in the human cells, the subject's condition was very stable, and the fusion was also perfect. But... we were all wrong. This was just the beginning of losing control."
The record ended here; there was no further content about the experiment.
However, it can be confirmed that at this point in the experiment, something definitely went out of control, leading to the outbreak of the zombie virus.
'Thump! Thump! Thump!'
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Inaba Tsukiyo sharply raised her head and saw a man in a white robe standing at the entrance.
The man was in his thirties, wearing glasses, and had a strong smell of disinfectant about him.
"I didn't expect to have an unfamiliar guest in my humble abode. The lab's security personnel actually didn't notice you."
The man looked at Inaba Tsukiyo curiously, checked that no security guards were passing by outside, then closed the door, trapping himself and Inaba Tsukiyo inside.
Inaba Tsukiyo watched the man warily. If she wasn't mistaken, this person was the owner of this room and the owner of this diary.
"Although I don't know how you appeared here, this place might be even more dangerous than outside. Out there, if those monsters don't see you, you might survive, but if you're discovered here, you'll be killed."
"According to the research institute's break schedule, in the morning, security personnel gather in the cafeteria to monitor the Researchers. You can leave here at that time, unknown Miss Miko."
"I'm not a Miko, nor did I stumble in here by mistake. I came because I discovered the situation here. Since you are a primary Researcher, you should be aware of the dangers of this virus, right?"
Not sensing any hostility from the other party, Inaba Tsukiyo hesitated for a moment, then spoke tentatively.
According to the diary's description, this person felt very guilty about his actions. If he truly felt remorse, then he should have developed a so-called antidote, right?
"How could I not be clear? I've been here for several months. We Researchers aren't allowed to have any contact with the outside world. If I'm not mistaken, my family might have already turned into man-eating monsters."
After speaking, the man seemed to have all the strength drained from his body, collapsing weakly onto the bed, his right hand covering his eyes.
"I'm not a good person, and neither are any of the others involved in this project. This disaster is global in scope. This virus spreads through blood, bodily fluids, and air. Everyone in the world is infected with this virus. As long as a carrier dies, the virus in their body will rapidly invade the host's brain. When the host's heart stops beating, their body can still move, attacking and infecting others."
"That sounds very dangerous. However, humans will get used to fighting these monsters, even if many people die in the initial stages. But once they understand how to fight these monsters, humans will organize. An antidote is essential, though. If there's no antidote, the government will only resort to nuclear strikes on the affected areas, and then it will truly be useless."
Inaba Tsukiyo grabbed the man by his collar and lifted him up. This guy was beyond saving, but he had to let the research continue just to stay alive.
"Since you're the one researching this virus, you must have a way to solve all of this, right?"
"...Yes, an antidote has indeed been developed. An antidote researched using cells extracted from the remains of Subject Seventy-Six, but these antidotes are all controlled by the higher-ups of the research institute."
"Besides, even if an antidote is developed, what then? Those who have already turned into monsters can no longer become human again."
Even if an antidote is injected into someone who has become a zombie, they cannot revert to human form. They might even die because the virus in their body is killed by the antidote.
Unless the antidote is injected before they turn into a zombie after being bitten, the antidote cannot save everyone.
"Really... I hate guys like you who drag their feet. Forget it, you probably have useful intel anyway. I just need to get rid of everyone else besides you."
Throwing the man onto the bed, Inaba Tsukiyo walked out of the room. Feeling the footsteps of the patrolling personnel, she rubbed her shoulders, relaxing her body.
"First, let's destroy this base. Besides some useful things, nothing else is needed."
She snapped her fingers, and a large Imaginary Space appeared behind her. Numerous Death Soldiers emerged from these Imaginary Spaces, bypassed Inaba Tsukiyo, and charged into the interior of the research institute.
These Death Soldiers had only one thought: to eliminate all personnel within this research institute, except for a few Researchers.
The Researchers didn't expect anyone to enter the laboratory, so by the time they discovered the Death Soldiers, there was no turning back.
The soldiers' weapons couldn't inflict much damage on the Death Soldiers; they couldn't even touch their bodies.
So-called firearms were completely useless in front of the Death Soldiers.
The Death Soldiers continuously purged the resistors inside the research institute, while Inaba Tsukiyo went to a room inside the research institute. There, she found a person in a wheelchair with a tube in their nose, possibly a respirator.
This person's body was too old to move freely, only able to control the wheelchair's movement via keys on their right hand.
"Heh heh~ It seems the research institute's oversight isn't strict enough. I didn't expect even a little mouse like you to get in unnoticed."
The aura of a superior was palpable; even though he was on his last breath, the scent of a superior was very distinct. This old man must be the superior mentioned in the man's notes.
"Can you tell me how you evaded the research institute's surveillance cameras and other detectors, Miss?"
"...No comment. I don't want to tell anything to someone who wants to destroy the world."
"Destroy the world? Heh heh heh~ You're quite a joker, Miss. I want to destroy the world? I just want to live. If this world is destroyed, what's the point of living?"
The old man let out a soft chuckle, controlling his wheelchair to the desk. A screen behind him displayed a scene: a certain experiment.
"Did you see? The ones destroying the world are those scientists. Using jellyfish genes was indeed a good idea, but the mutation resulting from the fusion of human and jellyfish genes will only lead to human death. The other thing they researched is the real weapon of mass destruction. This is the true culprit behind the birth of the monsters."
The screen's image changed again, showing a mouse, specifically a mouse that had been experimented on.
This mouse displayed a very clear aggressive desire. Its skin continuously peeled off, its eyes turned red, and its body began to rot. Finally, the mouse was shot dead by a guard.
"This is the virus they researched. A very perfect virus, isn't it? If there were truly humans who could adapt to this virus, an old man like me would also become young again."
"However, the destructive power of this virus is simply too strong; no human can possibly adapt to it..."
The old man continued to reveal various secrets. Inaba Tsukiyo stood there indifferently. Although this was valuable intelligence, in her view, it was merely a tactic for him to buy time.
Presumably, he was waiting for the guards to come and help, intending for them to apprehend her, the intruder.
But he wouldn't have that chance. Those guards couldn't even protect themselves, so how could they come to save him?
This old man clearly wanted to push all the blame onto the Researchers, wanting to prove that this matter had nothing to do with him.
But was that truly the case? If it weren't for his orders, how could these people research such an illogical thing? He was the mastermind behind everything, along with that collaborator.
Inaba Tsukiyo wanted to kill the old man, but a pane of glass blocked her, preventing her from getting close.
"Did you really think I would do nothing and just stay in a place like this? Little girl. Heh heh~ Don't underestimate me too much."
"This glass is made of the latest materials. Forget bullets, even cannon shells couldn't destroy (fuhai: Let's just assume that's the case.) this layer of glass."
A cold glint flashed in the old man's eyes. Originally, he had planned to use this information to delay Inaba Tsukiyo.
Although he didn't know how Inaba Tsukiyo had entered here, she knew too many things, to the point where she had to be silenced.
Inaba Tsukiyo reached out and tapped the glass. It was indeed as the old man said, very rigid, to the point where even bullets couldn't damage it.
Since she couldn't get in, the old man shouldn't be able to get out either.
Thinking of this, Inaba Tsukiyo's lips curved into a smile.
"Although I have a way to get in, it's not a bad thing to keep you in there. You can't escape from inside anyway, can you?"
"In that case, let me show you the consequences of your actions, shall I?"
An Imaginary Space appeared on the other side of the glass. This time, what emerged from the Imaginary Space were not Death Soldiers, nor Honkai Beasts, but the zombies roaming outside.
Inaba Tsukiyo had casually found a wandering zombie outside and brought it here through the Imaginary Space.
Besides these zombies, Inaba Tsukiyo also found about two more zombies, letting these three zombies play hide-and-seek with the old man.
With three zombies as the 'ghosts,' if the old man was caught, it wouldn't just be about being the ghost; it would be about becoming food.
The old man could only move with this wheelchair, so it was only a matter of time before he was caught by the zombies.
"No! You can't do this to me!"
The old man watched the approaching zombies in horror; how could he not know their identity?
The Research Institute had captured several zombies for study, and he had seen them through monitors.
However, he had always observed these zombies through monitors and had never imagined being in the same room with them.
Death was terrifying, but worse was a fate worse than death. He knew exactly what these zombies would do to him.
"...Added to the KFC deluxe lunch, hmph!"
With a cold snort, Inaba Tsukiyo turned and left the room. She had no interest in watching zombies eat people.
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