When Inaba Tsukiyo left the office, the Death Soldiers had already dealt with the Research Institute's guards.
The Researchers had no idea what was happening when they were subdued by a group of girls wearing matching uniforms (fuhai: Death Soldiers' clothes all look similar).
Although these girls looked very cute, from the look in their eyes, the Researchers felt that in their opponents' eyes, they were just creatures that could be killed at any time.
This feeling was similar to a human stepping on an ant, but without any guilt whatsoever.
"Are you the Researchers who study the virus? There are fewer of you than expected."
There were about a dozen Researchers, far fewer than the expected large team of fifty-odd people.
The reason she hadn't ordered the Death Soldiers to eliminate these people was so they could research an antidote for the virus and resolve the danger it posed.
If these people cooperated, she could ensure their safety. If they tried to cause trouble, then she wouldn't be to blame, would she?
The Researchers looked at Inaba Tsukiyo somewhat bewildered. They didn't understand the identity of this young girl, but she was very likely the leader of these people, or the head of some organization.
As Researchers, their intelligence was certainly online; they weren't like those troublemakers in TV dramas who would cause problems based on Inaba Tsukiyo's appearance.
"Hehe~ Don't panic. Although you've researched a world-destroying virus, you still have a chance for atonement. As long as you develop an antidote, this world can return to normal."
"However, until you develop the antidote, I will have these Death Soldiers be responsible for your safety, to prevent any danger to you. After all, you are the future of all humanity."
"..."
This person is so terrifying.
This was the thought in all the Researchers' minds. Even though it had only been a few minutes, Inaba Tsukiyo's aura had intimidated all of them.
These Death Soldiers were for their safety? Don't be ridiculous. They were probably there to monitor them.
Once they made any suspicious moves, they would be cut down like those guards, wouldn't they?
"Excuse me, where is Researcher Takagi? As the main Researcher of the Institute, we all follow his orders."
A female Researcher mustered her courage and asked, under the gaze of numerous Death Soldiers.
"Takagi... He's in his room. Is there a problem?"
The Researcher's expression struggled for a moment, as if she didn't know whether to say it or not.
Other Researchers nudged her and nodded, and only then did the female Researcher speak her mind.
"Researcher Takagi is the most skilled Researcher among us. Originally, our project did not involve injecting a virus to fuse human and jellyfish genes. It was Researcher Takagi who proposed injecting the virus to alter these two genes. Afterward, we discovered that this virus was brought by Researcher Takagi himself, and the other Researchers had no idea of the virus's origin."
"Exactly, exactly. In the past, our Research Institute had other Researchers. These Researchers were very close to Takagi, but in the end, they all disappeared. One might be a coincidence, but for all of them to disappear is too suspicious."
Perhaps realizing that Inaba Tsukiyo had no intention of harming them, the other Researchers also shared the secrets they had discovered with Inaba Tsukiyo.
The secrets these people revealed made Inaba Tsukiyo frown, and a bad premonition grew in her heart.
According to these people, this Takagi definitely had a problem. After all, all the Researchers said so, and it was impossible for them to have conspired before she arrived at the Research Institute.
Moreover, the virus that could create zombies was brought out by Takagi. Where exactly did this guy find this virus? She didn't believe one person could research such a thing.
"What kind of guy is this Researcher Takagi you speak of? Is he very enthusiastic about virus research?"
"Enthusiastic? Takagi's attitude has reached a fanatical level. A few days ago, he set up a new research project, which was to create a strengthening agent suitable for human use by studying this virus. He wants to create New Humans."
Creating New Humans and eliminating Old Humans—this was Takagi's idea, and it was why the Researchers called him fanatical.
The Researcher's words stunned Inaba Tsukiyo. Wasn't that person repenting for what he had done? Why would he fanatically research the virus project?
What was going on? Was the situation far more complicated than she had imagined?
If the Takagi they spoke of was the same Takagi she had seen, then the only explanation was that this guy had deceived her.
Just then, a reconnaissance Honkai Beast came to her ear and told her that Takagi in the room had disappeared.
"Indeed... The old fox, a guy who doesn't even blush when lying, actually tricked me."
Thinking that she had actually been deceived, Inaba Tsukiyo's face flushed with anger. As someone who had lived for hundreds of years, to be so easily deceived, Inaba Tsukiyo felt she had lost face.
Sure enough, the hearts of those who like to play strategies are dirty.
Since he dared to play her, then he shouldn't blame her for being ruthless.
[Bang!]
A violent tremor made the Research Institute's floor shake, and dust continuously fell from the ceiling.
The Research Institute was built underground. Although it was built quite sturdily, with such strong tremors, if they happened a few more times, everyone would be buried alive.
The source of the tremor was not far away, possibly in some part of the Research Institute, and it was highly likely caused by that old fox.
The issues with these Researchers were not urgent. First, she needed to resolve that unstable factor.
That old fox certainly couldn't have researched such a potent virus on his own. The only explanation was that he created this virus through external forces.
Based on past experience, what she was looking for must be on that guy, or perhaps he had hidden it in some secret place.
Thinking this, she hurried towards the source of the tremor, which was the lower level of the Research Institute, a very deep place.
With each floor Inaba Tsukiyo descended, she felt something connecting with her, and this feeling grew increasingly stronger.
By the time she reached the lowest floor, that sensation was higher than ever before, as if she were in direct contact with this energy.
[Thump! Thump! Thump!]
Heavy footsteps echoed, and a tall figure emerged from the depths of the passage.
The entity was at least two meters tall, with muscles fully exposed, no skin, just muscle tissue.
Its right hand was a massive claw; in short, it was a grotesque monster. If it weren't for a human head, one couldn't even equate this thing with a human.
"Isn't this the Shrine Maiden? Thank you very much for eliminating the Researcher's research personnel; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to reach the lowest area of the institute."
The monster seemed to retain human consciousness, using its left hand to adjust its broken eyes as it spoke.
"You lied to me. You don't regret what you did at all."
"No, you're mistaken. Before leaving that secret diary, I did indeed repent for what I had done. But that was only when I hadn't discovered this power. After discovering this power that transcends humanity, everything changed."
"Do you know? Humans are simply too fragile. Even a piece of paper, under specific conditions, can cut skin and cause bleeding. Even if you walk on the street, you could be killed by something falling from the sky."
"Humans are at the top of the food chain, but their bodies are too fragile. This power is the key to changing all of that."
After speaking, the entity even displayed its body to Inaba Tsukiyo. This body had already transcended the human realm and become a monster.
Although it still retained its sanity, its mind was completely crazy, or perhaps its mind had been altered by that power.
"Because of that power, you have completely lost your humanity."
She understood why this entity had developed that virus. It was probably under the influence of that energy, which strengthened its genes, but the organism's genes couldn't withstand such powerful energy. In the end, under the energy's transformation, it became an out-and-out monster.
When he left that diary, he hadn't yet injected or come into contact with that energy.
After coming into contact with that energy, his mind was transformed, becoming more rational but also more crazy.
"Humanity... Hehe~ If I turn everyone into this, who will care about such things?"
"But who would want to become this inhuman, ghost-like appearance? I originally thought you were a good person, but it turns out you were planning such a thing."
She sighed. There was nothing more to say to a person like this. It was time to end this battle quickly.
The other party saw Inaba Tsukiyo drawing her sword and walking towards him, and he curled his lip in disdain.
"Not even bullets can harm my skin. Do you think this toy knife can hurt me? Hehe~ Since you helped me deal with the institute's guards, I can spare your life. I'll let you see how I transform this world, what kind of... will be born under my hand..."
"So noisy! Die!"
Her ability activated, and the position of the death point clearly appeared in her eyes, located at the heart, with numerous death lines connected to it.
This entity had no idea what powers Inaba Tsukiyo possessed, and thus watched as Inaba Tsukiyo plunged her sword into his death point.
With the death point pierced, no matter how sturdy his body was, it became as fragile as cotton.
"This... how is this possible..."
His massive body crashed heavily to the ground. Feeling life constantly draining away, he looked at Inaba Tsukiyo in confusion, unable to comprehend how such a fragile weapon could have brought him to this state.
Clearly... clearly he was invincible, he... he... "Hmph! Villains die from talking too much! I don't have that much American time to discuss ideals with you here."
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