by <unknown>
Even after that, he did not hear any thuds.
With that, Chen Chen verified that the memetic effect known as "thuds" was truly purged. What purged it was none other than the dark passage of the USB drive.
This suggested that the USB drive did possess the ability to negate memetic effects, just like the previous observation of it obstructing the entry of living beings.
This was a sort of insurance the USB drive provided for its user.
Finally, a potential threat that may lead to Chen Chen's death was averted. This was very likely the greatest predicament Chen Chen had been in ever since acquiring the USB drive.
Luck may have played a large part in the process, but at the end of the day, it was safe to say that Chen Chen's risky venture was worthwhile.
Ten days after returning to the real world, both Chen Chen and Yoru Kamidera finally stepped out of the quarantine room.
Chen Chen filled his lungs with the fresh air of the Blacklight nuclear power plant and gazed at the warm sun above. He felt the tenseness exiting his sore muscles.
Chen Chen glanced at Yoru Kamidera who came out with him and nodded toward his direction. "Yoru-kun, welcome to my world. This Earth is completely identical to the Earth which you resided in!"
With that, Chen Chen turned around. "X, have a Black Knight prepare a room for him in the Spire laboratory. After implanting him with the ship, give him access privileges of a grade B research staff. While we're at that, give him a week off as well."
Chen Chen turned to Yoru Kamidera again and advised, "Use this week to get yourself some good rest. This is also a chance for you to experience the modern life which you have been away from for so long. After that, I'll need you to start helping me."
"Please don't say that, Your Excellency Chen Chen. You were the one who saved my life and I've sworn my fealty to you. Also, if it pleases you, please address me directly by my first name," Yoru Kamidera responded quickly.
"Excellent."
Chen Chen nodded before turning to take his leave.
Chapter 328: Experiment |
The Black Knight stepped out after stashing the image into the drawer of the table.
After that, another four Basilisk patterns were printed. They were the "Reaper", "Shaker", "Filth", and "Flame".
Each one of these images was put away into their respective drawers in the table, each drawer contained only one image.
"X, we can begin the experiment now."
Inside the laboratory, Chen Chen stood outside the quarantine zone with his arms folded and silently gazed inside the observation window.
"Copy that, dispatching research staff now. Grade Delta researcher codename 'D00189' has arrived at the experimental base."
X-111's (Spire Experimental Base artificial intelligence, one of the copies of Little X) voice was that of a little girl that carried an icy and mechanical quality. Immediately after X-111's quick announcement, the side entrance to the quarantine zone suddenly shuffled open. A black man in his mid-thirties stepped in with a puzzled expression on his face.
As he was one of the Delta level researchers of God's Forbidden Zone, he wore a research uniform of Delta level researchers. It was overall made with special-crafted fiber which kept the wearer warm and absorbed sweat. Its structure was also extremely resilient.
It was a gray uniform with many white stripes laid out horizontally across it and a large alphabet "D" was placed on the chest section of the uniform.
There was a metal hoop crafted with tungsten alloy strapped around the man's neck. The width of the hoop was less than two centimeters, but its toughness and hardness were several times higher than that of titanium alloy.
The hoop was wrapped with a layer of velvet, which allowed the researchers to make any movements without feeling hindered by the device.
These metal hoops were the rightful badge of Delta level researchers. There was a liquid-crystal display on the ring displaying the codename of its wearer. It was also fitted with an electric shock device and anesthesia device. If the researcher disobeyed orders given, the electric shock device would force the researcher.
The anesthesia device made it possible to easily subdue researchers without hurting them.
There was also a GPS built into the metal hoop so even if a researcher went missing from the Spire laboratory, it would be easy to locate the missing member.
Finally, there was a self-destruct mechanism in the metal hoop. It would be triggered in the event that the metal hoop became damaged, whether it was done at high temperature, with a water jet or other forced methods. Its self-destruction would effectively kill the researcher wearing it as well.
At the present, the Ovambo man surveyed the laboratory curiously. He was slightly restless, but not to the point of being in a state of panic. After all, members like him had been well treated for their entire stay here. In addition to the routine physical examinations, there was also a gym set up for them.
Compared to the outside world, this place was almost heaven on Earth, only minus the access to women and freedom.
At last, the man fixed his eyes onto the observation window toward Chen Chen's direction.
This was not his first time being questioned. He approached the observation window and gently grazed it with his hand. From where he stood, he could only see the reflection on the clear mirror, unable to see Chen Chen standing behind the window.
"Excuse me, can I know what department this is? Am I going to be questioned here?"
After inspecting the mirror for a brief moment, the black man suddenly spoke.
"It's not any department. Our company signed a Convict Reallocation Act with the Namibian government, so you're now participating as an experiment subject."
Chen Chen held the voice button to transmit his voice into the quarantine zone through the microphone. "It's the contract that you signed previously. If you cooperate with us in this experiment, you have a chance to receive a reduced sentence."
When the man heard this, he nodded half-suspiciously and moved to the only table in the quarantine zone. "In that case, officer, in what way can I cooperate with you guys?"
"There's a picture in the rightmost drawer. I need you to take it out."
Chen Chen gave a short reminder. "Please note that the picture is positioned upside down. You must make sure it stays that way when you pick it up, no peeking. I'll give you further instructions after you do this."
"Got it."
The man shrugged and proceeded to yank open the drawer. After he placed the upside-down picture on the table, he put his hands in the air. "Officer, I've done as you asked."
"Great job."
Chen Chen said contentedly, "Next, I need you to answer several questions. First question, 189, has there been any genetic history of epilepsy or mental illness in your family?"
"No."
"Have you ever experienced brain trauma or performed craniotomy?"
"Never."
"Do you have any heart, liver or other kidney-related diseases?"
"None at all."
The man frowned a little and stretched his hands out. "I swear, my body is very healthy and I have no underlying illnesses!"
"Alright. Next, I need you to flip over the picture on the table."
Upon hearing this, the man flipped it over with mild irritation while also instinctively stealing a glance at its contents.
With just a glance, his pupils suddenly expanded rapidly like he had a spell cast on him, holding him in place.
"189?"
Chen Chen asked, "Can you hear me?"
However, this did not generate a response from the man. His head slowly dropped downward until he eventually lost his balance and fell on his back on the cold hard floor.
"His pulse has stopped."
Little X informed. At the same time, a Black Knight stepped into the quarantine zone and squatted to feel for the person's breath. The Black Knight only felt a tiny whiff of air flowing out of the man's nasal cavity, which was followed by what
was eternal stillness.
There was only air pouring out of the Ovambo man, but none flowing the other way around.
"He's dead."
After performing a series of routine inspections, Little X informed, "The brain wave activity in D00189 has been terminated along with his brain functionality. His heart has ceased to function as well. Even if we try to rescue him now, he can only be sustained in a vegetative state at best. In medical terms, he can be proclaimed as dead."
"It seems like there's no problem with the Basilisk picture itself."
Chen Chen nodded. "Then, let's begin the next experiment. Get the fire extinguishers ready. We're going to try with 'Flame'…"
After that, the Black Knight promptly got rid of the body of the first Delta grade research member before bringing in the next one.
Chen Chen performed experiments on each Basilisk picture.
The outcome of the experiments went just as they were expected to. After the research member looked at the picture named "Flame", he immediately burst into flames. Furthermore, Chen Chen realized that the flames stemmed from inside the body of the subject. No matter how quickly they tried to put out the flames, there was no way for them to save the subject.
"Shaker" went just about as he expected as well. The subject who looked at the shaker image immediately suffered a symptom similar to being electrocuted. His body was trembling all over and he would shriek horribly in between his trembling.
The rate of this trembling effect was so volatile that it caused the subject to quickly experience symptoms of dehydration. Even after he was strapped onto a stretcher and had tranquilizers injected, the trembling still refused to stop. The nature of this symptom was a completely physical one. The subject died in the end due to exhaustion.
The subject who saw the "Reaper" image did not display any visible symptoms initially. It was only after Chen Chen asked what it was that he saw when the effect was triggered, which resulted in the subject dying immediately. It was an effect similar to the "Eye".
The strangest one had to be the picture known as "Filth".
[ol][li data-annotation-id="fbee6eb9-9f03-e089-ef9c-787d37ff382c"]A South-African ethnic group[/ol]
Chapter 329: Experiment Concluded |
The reason that "Filth" was regarded as the strangest mysterious phenomenon was that after the misfortunate research staff saw the picture, a black spot appeared around his ankle.
The black spot was only around the size of a fingernail. It may have gone unnoticed if not for Chen Chen performing a full body check on the research staff.
It was only after Chen Chen ordered the researcher to strip naked when the member complied unwillingly and discovered the inconspicuous black mark around his ankle.
The reason it was difficult to notice was due to the contrast of skin color. After all, 90% of the research staff Chen Chen hired in Namibia were black people whose skin tones were considered darkest among their peers.
This was not an issue of racism on Chen Chen's part. In truth, Chen Chen could not care less about skin color. As far as he was considered, he just wanted to hire any researchers available on the market whether they were Caucasian, Asian or whatnot as it was all the same to him. It just happened to be that Namibia was a country largely populated by black people.
Back to the main topic at hand. Initially, after discovering the black spot on the Delta grade research staff codenamed D00253, the afflicted did not report any notable sensation. The black spot looked like powdery soot and upon touching it, it felt like a layer of black ash.
As time went on, the surface area of the black spot slowly expanded. At the same time, black spots began appearing on other parts of the subject's body. Furthermore, the black spots seemed to seep through the body. After an hour, the total surface area of black spots on the subject's body had expanded from the original one square centimeter to ten square centimeters.
There were three afflicted locations as well. They were the left ankle, right elbow, and left cheek.
It was around this point when something abnormal started to happen to the research member.
The skin around his ankle was already undergoing a state of carbonization, where the gentlest touch would yield a shallow layer of black ash. Simply by poking its surface with a finger, the subject could produce a piece of black ash from it.
After scooping out the black ash, a half-centimeter pit could be observed appearing in the region of the member's ankles, leaving the flesh and bones underneath that have not yet been carbonized exposed.
However, there was no end to the carbonization effect. The process could not be contained even by washing away all the black ash around the afflicted region. Its spread could only be hindered slightly by carving out the flesh around the afflicted carbonized region, which would result in black spots eventually appearing on other parts of the body.
What was rather unusual was that the subject afflicted with this carbonization effect did not feel anything, not even the slightest tinge of pain.
At last, after fifteen long hours, the carbonization effect had spread all over the subject's body. All of his limbs had broken off. The black spot had invaded into the deepest crevice of his brain as well. By then, the research member was pronounced dead and his life came to waste.
Yet, the carbonization effect did not cease just because the researcher was dead.
Twenty-four hours later, every single part of the corpse was completely carbonized. The entire body had turned into a loose pile of black ashes. If this was moved outside, the slightest breeze of wind would reduce it to nothingness.
Chen Chen did not stop even after concluding the experiment on the "Filth" Basilisk image. Based on the information compiled by Yoru Kamidera earlier, this "Filth" was different from the other Basilisk patterns. The symptoms it produced appeared to be contagious.
Therefore, Chen Chen had another research member A look at the "Filth" picture. After the member was infected, he had another research member B enter the quarantine zone to be in close proximity with research member A.
Chen Chen noticed that under the circumstance where the two do not make any physical contact, the black spot phenomenon did not seem to infect the other member.
The contagious effect could not be transmitted even if research member B touched the black ashes falling off of research member A's body. It would appear that the only proper method of infection is by direct physical contact.
Additionally, this effect appeared to be sporadic. This meant that there was no guarantee that the "Filth" could be transmitted even if the healthy member made direct contact with the infected. There was what seemed to be a certain chance to negate the corrosive effects of "Filth".
As the frequency of direct contact between the two people went up, the chances of being infected increased proportionally as well.
Little X conducted several experiments to tabulate the rate of infection caused by direct contact with "Filth" and concluded the infection rate was approximately 30%.
"Unlike the other patterns, the 'Filth' Basilisk pattern has a determined rate of infection. The characteristics it displays is closer to that of a 'mysterious phenomenon' than that of a Basilisk pattern."
At the moment, Chen Chen was seated on the sofa, quietly observing everything going on behind the observation window. His expression was rather remote. "If we interpret the Basilisk patterns as the earliest form of manifestation of the memetic effect and the 'mysterious phenomenon' as the later stages of its manifestation, this places "Filth" right in the middle of this process. It has both the characteristics of the Basilisk pattern and the 'mysterious phenomenon'."
"That's right, that's what I think too."
Little X responded, "Sir Godfather, how do you suppose we should break down these memetic effects? I can't seem to find any relevant information in my database of human civilization that may help provide an insight into the memetic effect. This appears to be a completely unexplored field for humanity."
"I would
n't go as far as to say it is completely unexplored, doesn't the book The Selfish Gene written by the famous American scientist Richard Dawkins describe memetic concepts?"
Chen Chen smiled. "For now, we can only form surface-level hypotheses concerning memetic technology as mankind's current understanding of this field is almost a completely blank slate. Still, we wouldn't have to start from zero if we intend to study it, don't forget we brought back the blueprint of the Gantz server machine as well as a language known as Everlasting, simply known as E language. Couldn't we gain control over the Gantz server machine if you mastered the E language?"
"We can give it a shot!"
Little X became enthused upon hearing this. "You're certainly right. I've gone through the data you returned with. The E language is far more sophisticated than any other programming languages while also being more refined. If I can rewrite my program in E language, I might even be able to make the Gantz server machine my new home!"
"That's right, that's what I was thinking as well."
Chen Chen nodded. "If you can get a handle on the operational procedures of the Gantz to sever machine, our research of memetic effects will be made that much easier. At the very least, we won't have to wander around cluelessly in the dark like this trying to find the right path."
This conversation between Chen Chen and Little X marked the end of the first Basilisk pattern experiment. As for the more volatile experiments on the mysterious phenomenon, Chen Chen decided he was better off keeping his distance for now.
There had been no mysterious phenomenon occurring in the real world yet. Considering Chen Chen's current understanding of memetic technology, he would prefer making sure things remain that way for now.
For Chen Chen's current situation, there was no chance of him successfully combating any memetic effect. Should any memetic effect outbreak occur in the world, it would be as good as a death sentence for all of the world.
Chapter 330: Ambition and Transformation |
Instead of leaving the Spire Experimental Base after wrapping up the Basilisk pattern experiment, Chen Chen went into another laboratory.
