Chapter 162 What is Real?
K: "To be precise, there's nothing here except for those soldiers and survivors."
"The strangest thing is that you can see people coming and going outside, but inside there is nothing but empty tents."
" He Liang, can you hear me?"
" Yu Miaomiao, I'm really impressed. Are you guys alright? I've finally managed to get in touch with you."
He Liang finally heard Yu Miaomiao's familiar voice through his communicator. His brows relaxed slightly, and his tense mood eased a little.
"We're fine. We encountered some communication interference, but it's resolved now. How's the situation on your end? Have you discovered anything new?"
"We have entered the Nineteenth Institute, and the situation here is not quite what we expected."
He Liang looked around and described what he saw: "Everywhere was overgrown with weeds, with some military tents scattered among them. They didn't look particularly remarkable, but strangely, it was unusually quiet here. You couldn't even sense a trace of life, let alone the legendary beasts."
K added, "My analysis shows that, as you said, there is indeed no evidence of biological activity here, apart from signs of military personnel and a few possible survivors. Perhaps the rumors about the monsters are wrong, or perhaps they are deliberately avoiding this area."
After a moment of contemplation, Yu Miaomiaoreplied on the other end of the communication: "It sounds like the secrets hidden by The Nineteenth Institute are much deeper than we imagined."
Continue your investigation, but try not to attract attention. We are also trying our best to find more background information, hoping to provide you with more clues. Stay in touch and be careful.
He Liang nodded. Although Yu Miaomiaocouldn't see, he knew that this tacit understanding was enough to convey his feelings.
"Understood, we will proceed with caution. We will notify you immediately of any discoveries."
After hanging up the communication, He Liangand K continued their exploration, becoming more cautious with each step.
They walked through rows of abandoned laboratory buildings and discovered some equipment that seemed to be related to biological research, which deepened their doubts.
What secrets does the Nineteenth Institute, a place that doesn't even appear on a map, hold?
Are those legends about strange beasts really just baseless rumors?
As the exploration deepens, the answer seems to be gradually emerging.
He Liang and K followed the overgrown path, avoiding the military tents, and continued deeperinto The Nineteenth Institute.
Every step was taken with extreme caution, for fear of triggering any possible traps or alarms.
An indescribable silence filled the air, a stark contrast to the outside noise, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.
"Why do you think this place was abandoned? It looks like important research was once conducted here," He Liang said to K in a low voice.
K's optical lens rotates, analyzing the surrounding environment.
"Judging from the remaining equipment, The Nineteenth Institute may have been involved in high-risk biological experiments, or perhaps some projects went out of control, leading to its abandonment."
Those rumors about strange beasts may be related to this.
They bypassed an abandoned laboratory and, through broken windows, could see a jumble of experimental equipment inside. Some test tubes and containers still contained unidentified liquids that emitted a faint glow.
Everything here seems to tell a story of a interrupted scientific research history and unfinished tales.
"We need to find the key clues; there must be a key to uncovering the truth hidden here."
As He Liang spoke, he suddenly stopped. He noticed a half-open metal door in front of him, with some safety warning signs faintly visible on it, and a faint light shining through the crack in the door.
"There seems to be someone here, or something they don't want us to know."
He Liang whispered to K, and they exchanged a glance, deciding to find out what was going on.
They approached slowly, trying not to let their footsteps give them away.
He Liang gently pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit room. In the center of the room stood an old computer terminal, its screen flickering as if running some kind of program. The surrounding walls were covered with charts and research reports, marked with complex gene sequences and biological models.
"This might be what we're looking for. It's a pitySister Miao isn't here, otherwise we might be able to take it back and investigate it slowly."
"It's okay, I can try to intervene if you can get a little closer."
"That's no problem."
He Liang whispered, then controlled the shadowy figure. He and K approached the computer together, preparing to delve deeper into this forgotten secret.
At this moment, they were unaware that this action was about to uncover the secrets of the origin of the entire Post-Apocalyptic World, as well as the deeply hidden truths.
He Liang carefully reached out and gently touched the keyboard. The screen then changed, displaying a directory of encrypted files.
He secretly rejoiced that the equipment was still running and didn't seem to have an immediate alarm system. This gave them a valuable opportunity.
K's processor rapidly analyzed the filenames scrolling across the screen, searching for any potentially valuable clues.
"These documents involve bioengineering, gene editing, and ecological simulation experiments. It seems that The Nineteenth Institute's research goes deeper than we thought, and may have touched on some taboo areas."
He Liang focused on opening several seemingly related files, and as the pages loaded, charts, research reports, and experimental records gradually appeared before his eyes.
One document caught their attention. Titled "Xenotrophic Adaptability Enhancement Project," it detailed how gene editing technology could be used to enhance an organism's adaptability to extreme environments, including harsh post-apocalyptic conditions such as radiation and toxic gas pollution.
"These... these experiments are in preparation for the apocalypse?"
He Liang whispered in disbelief, a chill running through him.
These studies may have been intended to save humanity, but they have undoubtedly opened Pandora's box, and it is possible that these experiments indirectly led to some catastrophic consequences.
K calmly analyzed: "Based on this information, it can be inferred that The Nineteenth Institute's research may have unintentionally released some kind of mutated creature, or that the experimental subjects escaped, leading to the rumors of a 'gathering place for alien beasts' in the outside world."
The site was likely abandoned because researchers were forced to evacuate after the experiment went out of control, in order to prevent the situation from escalating.
No wonder, the Mutated Beast gathering place is also nearby.
Just as they were immersed in a sea of information, trying to piece together the whole picture of The Nineteenth Institute, an ominous premonition suddenly struck them.
He Liang quickly pressed the power button, grabbed K, and slipped out of the room.
As soon as I stepped outside, I heard hurried footsteps and voices in the distance. Not knowing whether they were friend or foe, I could only hide for the time being.
"We must leave, now."
He Liang whispered to K, and the two of them retreated silently under the cover of night and weeds, their hearts filled with shock and worry.
They realized that this exploration not only unveiled the mystery of The Nineteenth Institute, but may also have touched upon the truth behind the apocalypse, and this was just the beginning.
After leaving The Nineteenth Institute, He Liangand K found a secluded spot, pitched their tent, and immediately began organizing and analyzingthe data they had obtained from The Nineteenth Institute.
They don't plan to go back yet; the Nineteenth Institute still has too many secrets waiting to be discovered.
The dim, yellowish light inside the tent illuminated their serious and focused faces.
The amount of information far exceeded their expectations.
Each report and each experimental record is like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, gradually outlining a vast and complex picture.
"These experimental data mention a gene modifier called 'X-34',"
K's electronic eye flashed rapidly as it analyzed the data. "It was designed to enhance the survival ability and environmental adaptability of organisms, but the side effects seem to be extremely unstable and can trigger unpredictable mutations."
He Liang frowned as he flipped through the printed documents, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. "If I understand correctly, the leak or misuse of X-34 is very likely the direct cause of the appearance of those alien beasts."
But why is The Nineteenth Institute in such a hurry to develop such biotechnology? What is their ultimate goal?
"The bigger mystery is," K continued, "that all the research was abruptly halted five years ago, all personnel were evacuated, and the facilities were abandoned."
What emergency occurred during this period that caused such an important research institution to be deserted overnight?
Just as the two were engrossed in their discussion, a sudden alarm sounded, indicating that someone or something was approaching the area.
He Liang and K exchanged a glance and immediately realized that something was wrong.
"We have to go back and take a look," He Liangsaid decisively. "It could be that the owners of those military tents have returned, or it could be… those creatures that came into this world because of the experiments."
The two quickly prepared their gear and, using the cover of the shadows, sneaked back into The Nineteenth Institute.
The abandoned buildings looked particularly eerie, and this time, they were not the only visitors.
In the distance, faint lights flickered among the ruins, accompanied by faint growls and the clanging of metal.
Upon closer inspection, they discovered a group of bizarrely shaped creatures besieging a partially destroyed laboratory entrance. These creatures possessed unusual sizes and characteristics, clearly a product of X-34's side effects.
Inside the laboratory, it appears that someone is trying to defend against the invasion of these creatures.
There were no more soldiers patrolling outside, and apart from the low growls of monsters, there was nothing else around.
"I want to go in and see who it is," He Liang said firmly. He then worked with K to devise a rescue plan that aimed to uncover the identity of the unknown survivor while avoiding provoking the creatures affected by the experiment.
On this forgotten land, a battle for survival, responsibility, and morality is about to begin, and He Liang and K are ready to face the unknown.
Using the terrain as cover, He Liang and K silently approached the chaotic battlefield. By the moonlight, they could see the outlines of the strange beasts more clearly. They were enormous, with strange scales covering their skin. Some had sharp claws and teeth, while others had illogical limbs. Clearly, these were the result of genetic mutations.
The mysterious survivor in the laboratory seems to be more than he or she is; he or she is using some kind of technology to deal with those creatures, but the situation is clearly becoming increasingly unfavorable.
Outside creatures cannot enter, and the internal protective net also prevents He Liang from entering.
"K, we need to find a starting point." He Liangwhispered, his eyes scanning the surroundings, trying to find a path that could get close quickly while minimizing direct conflict.
K quickly analyzed the surrounding environment, calculating every possible course of action and its consequences.
"There's a hidden ventilation opening on the east side; we can enter the lab through there, but we need to act quickly." K's suggestion was concise and clear, and He Liang immediately nodded in agreement.
He Liang manipulated the shadowy figure to silently approach the ventilation shaft on the east side.
The shadowy figure tried several times but still couldn't get in. Fortunately, He Liang came out of the shadowy figure and tried to enter the ventilation duct directly. This time, he succeeded.
He Liang carefully passed through the cover, trying not to make any noise.
The ventilation ducts were narrow and dark, forcing them to crawl forward, but they were extremely careful with every step to avoid triggering any possible traps or attracting the attention of any strange beasts.
Upon reaching the bottom of the vent, He Liangmade a gesture, and K nodded in understanding.
With a slight pry from He Liang, the vent cover slowly opened, and they peered into the laboratory.
A researcher wearing protective clothing was seen with his back to them, operating an instrument that seemed to be emitting sound waves of a certain frequency, temporarily driving away some of the alien beasts.
"We're here to help you," He Liang said softly, slowly approaching the researchers. The researchers turned around in surprise, but quickly recognized that they were friends, not enemies.
"Thank you. How did you find this place?" The researcher's voice carried a hint of disbelief.
"It's a long story, but the most important thing right now is how to evacuate safely," He Liangreplied briefly, his eyes scanning the laboratory for an exit.
K had already connected to the lab's system and quickly analyzed a safe evacuation route.
They acted swiftly, and the researchers activated the final defensive measures, creating a brief period of chaos. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the three of them followed the route planned by K, traversing numerous obstacles, and finally broke out of the laboratory before the alien beasts could reorganize their attack, rushing towards the stronghold.
This encounter not only rescued a key researcher but may also reveal more clues about the secrets of The Nineteenth Institute and the truth behind the disaster.
What they didn't know was that this operation would become a crucial turning point that would change the course of their lives.
Having escaped the Nineteenth Institute's laboratory, He Liang, K, and the researcher sped away until they were far out of the threat of the alien beasts before stopping to catch their breath.
They looked at each other, a strange tacit understanding flowing between the three of them.
The researcher removed his protective helmet, revealing a tired yet determined face; he was a middle-aged man.