Seeing the complex expressions on the faces of these three individuals, it turned out that this research had initially aimed to benefit humanity. But what exactly happened that caused it to ultimately evolve into an unavoidable apocalypse?
Regardless of the circumstances, at this stage, most of the facts were already quite clear.
This so-called Z agent was originally a cancer treatment drug. It was unbelievable that they had used a virus to experiment with combating cancer.
“So, was this disaster an accident? Did Nor BioPharma only intend to develop an anti-cancer drug, and it was the failure of clinical trials that led to the spread of the zombie virus?” Zuo Tiantian’s heart was filled with mixed feelings. Such research was incredibly risky.
“No,” Xiao Muyu, who had been reading the logs, refuted Zuo Tiantian’s words. She put down the log in her hand, her expression serious. “This accident wasn’t accidental; it was a man-made disaster.”
Zuo Tiantian was taken aback. “The virus leak that ultimately occurred was definitely due to human error, but initially, they probably didn’t anticipate such severe consequences. Otherwise, it would be too insane.”
Shen Qingqiu looked at the other three beds and the traces left on the ground, shaking her head. “I agree with Muyu’s thoughts. This was a man-made disaster from the start. For experiments involving such a high-level virus, it’s practically impossible to conduct human trials while the virus still retains its infectivity.”
“In bio-pharmaceuticals, clinical trials are the most rigorous step. Before this, they must ensure that there are no apparent risks. The possibility of causing symptoms of the original virus infection in humans should be zero. Even if there were risks, animal experiments should have revealed them to some extent.”
According to the records of B9527, her symptoms indicated zombification, which means she was infected by the virus.
“I think perhaps this virus could cure cancer, but it would never have been approved for human trials. They were likely conducting unauthorized experiments.”
“I don’t think any company would risk its entire enterprise just to benefit humanity. It’s more likely driven by profit, taking a gamble. Moreover, even if the experiment failed, it shouldn’t have led to a large-scale virus outbreak. There must be more to this.”
“Furthermore, based on speculation, I have immunity to this virus, meaning I’ve been exposed to it. There are only two possibilities: either I was also a subject in clinical trials, or the virus leaked.”
Shen Qingqiu looked at Xiao Muyu, noticing something amiss in her expression. She lowered her head and then took out a document from her pocket. “It’s probably the second possibility.”
Xiao Muyu was puzzled. Suddenly, a scene flashed through her mind. She had discovered two pieces of paper earlier, but because time was urgent, she trusted Shen Qingqiu and didn’t think much about it.
She took a look. It was a traffic accident identification sheet.
The first line on the top of the paper read: “Time: May 2, 2025, 20:31, Location: Jin Yang Road intersection, Qingyun District, G City. Driver Sun Qiniu driving a BMW sedan…”
The time made Xiao Muyu’s nerves tense immediately, and she quickly read down the document.
The accident report indicated that Sun Qiniu hit a pedestrian at the intersection, causing the windshield of the car to shatter, leaving the victim severely injured and unconscious. Sun Qiniu fled the scene, and the victim was discovered the next day.
In the traffic accident identification sheet, the victim mentioned, who was circled in red pen, was none other than Xiao Muyu.
These words made Zuo Tiantian wide-eyed. “Hit and run, Xiao Team, the person who hit you was Sun Qiniu.”
“I was taken to the Central Hospital on May 3, but in fact, the traffic accident happened on May 2. Why didn’t Lin Jian mention this?” Xiao Muyu frowned. Then she thought that May 3 was probably a busy time for Sun Qiniu.
Sun Qiniu had hit and run, but obviously the law did not sanction him, and she hadn’t seen Sun Qiniu in the hospital after she was admitted.
Thinking of something, Xiao Muyu looked at the date on the back of the document, which was May 5, 2025.
There were two possibilities why Lin Jian didn’t mention this incident. First, he really didn’t know, but this was unlikely unless someone deliberately covered it up. After all, based on Sun Qiniu’s identity, it should be easy to smooth over the matter.
Second, Lin Jian deliberately concealed it.
After analyzing it, Shen Qingqiu looked serious. “If Lin Jian did it deliberately, there are two possibilities. Either he was silenced, or he and Tian Jia were on the same side. He knew very well what Tian Jia wanted to do to you.
Let’s clear up the facts. Sun Qiniu’s escape from the scene of the crime is inexcusable. It was found later that he could have smoothed over the situation. Why did he run at the time?”
“Then there is only one other possibility. The car accident was just a coincidence, but something even more terrifying happened during the accident that he had to deal with, leaving him no time to care about me.
Later, I was taken to the hospital. During the accident investigation, he would have known I was still alive and even learned that I was infected.
Maybe having Tian Jia use that reagent wasn’t necessarily meant to harm me; instead, it might have been a last-ditch effort.
However, after my high fever improved and the bleeding points from the internal bleeding healed, there was no way they could hide the fact from me. They must have known about the existence of my immunity.”
“Ding! Congratulations to players Xiao Muyu, Shen Qingqiu, and Zuo Tiantian for successfully completing the research institute exploration mission. The team score increased by 30 points. Congratulations to player Xiao Muyu for unlocking the ‘Chosen One: The Legend’ story, awarding 20 points.
Please note, here is the overall task progress report. Mission 1 of Sub-scenario 005: Survive for 10 days, progress: 4/10. Mission 2: Obtain Sub-scenario 005 pass. Mission 3: Investigate the source of the zombie virus and the cause of the apocalypse. Progress: Xiao Muyu team 90%, Qi Hongyue 75%, Lin Shuang and Jiang Wei 65%, Lin Shuang 45%. Sub-scenario 005 hidden task progress: all unlocked! Current progress is confidential.”
This was the most comprehensive reminder so far, and the information revealed in this announcement was quite substantial. Xiao Muyu and her team didn’t care much about the progress percentages.
Lin Shuang’s team had the worst progress, which was obvious since they couldn’t complete the Nine Linked Rings task, thus hindering their exploration progress.
Xiao Muyu and her team’s advantage was opening the doors in this research institute.
However, there was one point that Xiao Muyu and her team were very concerned about. Upon hearing it, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but speak up, “Our hidden mission is ‘The Chosen One: The Legend’, directly related to Muyu’s antibodies. The system implies that other teams also have hidden tasks. What are their tasks?”
Closing her eyes, Shen Qingqiu felt very agitated. They still didn’t know how true the news about Sun Qinian developing a vaccine was. However, one thing was clear: Sun Qinian couldn’t save G City. Even if there was a vaccine, it would either be a new dangerous product or couldn’t be mass-produced, or else the current situation wouldn’t be as it is.
The loss of four key experimental subjects would undoubtedly make the people from Norovirus Biopharmaceuticals desperate to find them.
If one experimental subject was valued so highly, what would Xiao Muyu, who possessed antibodies that could resist the virus, mean to them?
“Muyu, we need to leave. We can’t stay here long.” With this thought, Shen Qingqiu’s face darkened, and she pulled Xiao Muyu, ready to leave.
Xiao Muyu shook her head, “A biological virus lab of this level must have a generator to prevent power failures, so the computers here should still work.”
Shen Qingqiu hesitated, looking at Xiao Muyu with some disapproval. However, Xiao Muyu was clearly determined. Shen Qingqiu turned away, reconsidered, and calmed down.
Since Xiao Muyu decided to do it, she must have her reasons. Shen Qingqiu needed to ensure her safety.
So, she turned and left the room. Xiao Muyu was a bit stunned. Seeing this, Zuo Tiantian was also puzzled, “Vice-captain, where are you going?”
“To find the power distribution room and see where the generator is.”
Xiao Muyu chuckled softly. Hearing her laugh, Shen Qingqiu turned around, flicked her hair, and winked at Xiao Muyu, “I’ll let you have your way this time. Remember to think about how to compensate me.”
Xiao Muyu glanced at Zuo Tiantian, who had an amused expression, and then looked at her meaningfully, “Look for a computer.”
Zuo Tiantian quickly left. Xiao Muyu continued looking around the room, noticing four beds and four zombies.
Soon, Shen Qingqiu found the generator and activated the backup power. The lab’s power was restored.
There was no computer in this isolation room, but shortly, Shen Qingqiu returned, holding a computer in her left hand and a CPU in her right, placing them in front of Xiao Muyu.
Zuo Tiantian was not present. Seeing Shen Qingqiu tilting her head and pouting slightly, Xiao Muyu’s eyes softened, and she smiled warmly, “You did a great job.”
Shen Qingqiu suppressed a laugh and snorted arrogantly, “So perfunctory, just verbal praise.”
Xiao Muyu gave her a sidelong glance, “Be serious.”
“Yes, yes, Captain Xiao is the most serious. That’s why she can sleep with her girlfriend without letting her know and then abandon her when she wakes up.”
Xiao Muyu’s ears turned a bit red. She cleared her throat, glanced at the increasingly smug Shen Qingqiu, and remained silent, focusing on setting up the computer.
Shen Qingqiu might have a cheeky mouth, but she was very dependable when working. Soon, she helped Xiao Muyu get the computer running.
Xiao Muyu noticed that the network here was wireless and had a separate line, still functional despite the large-scale power outage not yet starting.
She quickly recalled the email she had seen before, which reminded her of Sun Qinian. Using software, she began to crack the password.
Sun Qinian’s password wasn’t complicated. A few minutes later, Xiao Muyu successfully logged in. However, Sun Qinian was very cautious, with most emails deleted.
In the sent box, Xiao Muyu found three emails, two of which were sent to foreign research institutes. One was to Sun Qinian’s former overseas mentor, dated April 30th and May 4th.
Zuo Tiantian came over to look closely. The April emails were in English, which Xiao Muyu found easy to understand and explained.
“He was subtly asking his mentor about a special drug for a virus called Z and mentioned the symptoms of B9527.”
The May email mentioned antibodies and my name while asking about the serious consequences of a virus leak. It seems we guessed correctly; Sun Qinian’s research had issues, and the virus leaked.”
As for the other email, it was sent to the chairman of Norovirus Group. Seeing the words car accident and leak made Xiao Muyu’s face darken. Sun Qinian carried this virus while driving. Xiao Muyu couldn’t understand how Sun Qinian could make such a low-level mistake, transporting a virus container by car personally!
Author’s Note: What is little Shen worried about, and what are the other teams’ secret missions?
