Chapter 168: Escaping the Research Institute 13

Chapter 168: Escaping the Research Institute 13

"Hmm?" Qin Fei responded casually, though his tone was filled with interest, there was no fluctuation in his eyes.

The NPC supervisor was busy maneuvering around the road and did not notice anything unusual.

When Qin Fei arrived at the laboratory, it was as bustling as it had been yesterday. Various equipment hummed softly, and researchers and assistants moved about within.

Qin Fei discreetly scanned the crowd but did not find the figure of Researcher Edward.

The supervisor stopped at the laboratory entrance, and an assistant researcher emerged from inside, taking over the supervisor's role and leading Qin Fei further into the depths.

Unlike yesterday, the NPC did not leave Qin Fei in this laboratory but headed straight for a metal door standing in one corner of the wall.

Qin Fei lowered his head, appearing very meek and obedient, and secretly glanced at the NPC's head.

"Preparatory Researcher Beck: Affinity 0% (Preparatory Researcher is busy and has no time to talk to you)"

The busy NPC used his wristwatch to unlock the small metal door.

As soon as the metal door opened, a wave of pollution, at least ten times stronger than in the laboratory, rushed out, accompanied by a blast of cold air.

Qin Fei's body stiffened for a moment, and his eyelashes seemed to be frosted instantly.

He looked inside the door.

This time, Qin Fei finally saw clearly what was inside the small door.

It looked like a cold storage room used for low-temperature storage. Along the wall near the door hung a dozen electronic displays showing the room's temperature, humidity, and precise data.

Currently, the real-time temperature in the cold storage was minus five degrees Celsius.

Like the Research Center and the feeding trough area, the cold storage also contained many pollutants, each stored in special containers to prevent leakage to the maximum extent possible.

Despite this, the confined space was still filled with dense, alarming pollution.

"Put this on." The NPC in front grabbed a mask-like object from a plastic frame beside the door and handed it to Qin Fei.

Saying this, he took one for himself, opened the clip behind the mask, adjusted the position of the breathing tube, and demonstrated how to wear it to Qin Fei.

While Qin Fei was busy putting on the mask, another NPC passed behind them, casting a curious glance at the unfamiliar Qin Fei.

"Good morning, Researcher Beck," the NPC greeted Beck, "Who is this...?"

Beck glanced at Qin Fei.

He wore the mask tightly, squeezing his face and making his eyes narrow into lines.

Even so, Qin Fei still caught a fleeting glimpse of complex emotions in those eyes.

"This is our new colleague," said Researcher Beck.

"Oh?" The new NPC became interested, "Which team is he assigned to? I remember it's not the time for the lab to recruit new members."

Researcher Beck replied in a low voice, "He was recommended by the operation area. Mr. Edward decided to personally mentor him."

The air in the cold storage was already cold, and after Beck's words, it became even colder.

The expression on the opposite NPC's face became complicated. He scrutinized Qin Fei, his gaze filled with surprise, curiosity, and a hint of disdain.

From start to finish, Qin Fei did not say a word, standing quietly aside, looking almost woodenly obedient.

The NPC's disdain deepened, clear enough for the viewers on the other side of the screen to see.

"Huh, what's up with this NPC? Is my wife experiencing workplace bullying??"

"Poor Feifei, the work environment in the Research Institute is terrible. Working from morning till night and being bullied by colleagues."

"By the way, shouldn't the players who died yesterday count as workplace injuries?"

"Is anyone worried about the NPCs? God bless they just dislike the streamer, but please don't cause any trouble for the streamer; otherwise, I can only mourn for them."

"How do you feel?" In the live broadcast, Researcher Beck glanced at Qin Fei.

Seeing the handsome young man's mask neatly worn without any marks, the NPC gave a condescending suggestion:

"You need to tighten your protective mask. The observation room is different from outside... forget it, why am I explaining this to a newbie who knows nothing. How do you feel now?"

The NPC assumed that Qin Fei must be feeling bad.

Even long-term employees working in the Research Institute would not feel good after spending time in the observation room.

Let alone this rookie, who must be dizzy and nauseous by now.

"How do I feel?"

In the center of the live broadcast, the young man tilted his head.

Researcher Beck wanted to give him a warning, to dampen the spirit of this newcomer who had immediately caught Mr. Edward's attention.

But Qin Fei had played along being meek all this time, and now he didn't plan to continue being submissive.

His tone was relaxed and even slightly joyful: "Oh, I feel pretty good. The observation room is indeed different from outside, Mr. Beck. This place exudes the brilliance of high technology. It's an honor to work here. Since I got here, I've felt much better breathing."

Researcher Beck: "..."

The affinity bar above the NPC's head flickered, fortunately not turning negative. He stared at Qin Fei in astonishment.

Realizing that the person in front of him truly felt no discomfort, Researcher Beck began to feel frustrated.

"You." He spoke in a low, muffled voice. "…Never mind, follow me."

Researcher Beck led Qin Fei to a cabinet in the corner and pulled out a large stack of yellowed old papers.

"These are the codes of the experimental subjects that underwent cryogenic observation and section analysis in the lab over the past ten years. At the beginning, when the internal network of the Research Institute hadn't been established, everyone recorded their experimental data by hand. But a few days ago, a researcher found that the paper had yellowed and deteriorated."

Researcher Beck handed over a laptop along with the stack of papers to Qin Fei. "Mr. Edward is busy with important matters today, so you can start by processing these basic data sets."

Qin Fei took the laptop and the stack of papers, giving the researcher a deep look with his clear, pale eyes, which remained as still as an ancient well.

This kind of work—organizing archives and registering records—could clearly be done outside, but Researcher Beck insisted on bringing Qin Fei into the observation room with high contamination levels, revealing his ulterior motives without any attempt at concealment.

However, Qin Fei didn't care; he wouldn't feel any discomfort from it anyway.

After assigning the task to Qin Fei, the NPC hurriedly walked to a corner of the observation room. He promised Qin Fei that as long as he didn't touch anything, he could walk around and rest in the cryogenic observation room when tired from work.

"Anyway, this will be where you'll spend your time every day from now on," said Researcher Beck pompously. "It's good for you to get familiar with the environment early, as long as you don't cause any trouble."

In fact, Qin Fei knew that Researcher Beck secretly hoped he would cause trouble. Even if he didn't, just wandering around in the highly contaminated environment could make Qin Fei dizzy, which was also satisfactory.

Princess Feifei rolled her eyes in a corner where the NPC couldn't see her, then leisurely walked away with the laptop and papers.

...

The data accumulated over a decade was extensive.

Qin Fei briefly flipped through the records in his hands; there were over a hundred documents, each containing dozens of pages of detailed data.

To finish all of this, he would likely have to work from morning until late at night.

Qin Fei carefully examined each document. The lab's data records were very detailed, providing insight into many aspects of the scenarios he was interested in.

These experimental subjects that had undergone cryogenic treatment seemed to be the key observation targets selected by the Research Institute. The primary purpose of cryogenic experiments was to analyze the cellular activity and structural stability of the subjects, seeking patterns to facilitate cloning.

Cloning.

Qin Fei had wandered around the Research Center and the breeding tanks for over a day, seeing dozens of experimental containers neatly arranged in a square formation, filled with identical contaminants.

So, these were all part of the cloning experiments conducted by the Research Institute.

But what was the purpose of these cloning experiments?

Leaning against an empty table, the young man pondered while continuing to read through the documents.

The Research Institute was built after natural disasters, as a place for humans to seek refuge and survive.

Initially, the researchers claimed that their goal was to analyze the weaknesses of the monsters to defeat and eliminate them completely.

But did analyzing the weaknesses of the monsters require cloning them?

Cloning one monster into dozens or hundreds, stored in nutrient solutions.

According to the ultimate goal of "eliminating the monsters," the next step should be to place them under various conditions for comparative treatment to determine the most effective methods of causing damage.

However.

The young man's slender, white fingers turned another page.

Some of these early records had not been updated for a long time, but the top dozen or so documents still had new experimental records added recently.

These contaminants had survived in the Research Institute for decades, and Qin Fei did not find any records of experiments involving harm, destruction, or deactivation. For decades, the focus of the Research Institute's research on them had been how to ensure their better survival.

Qin Fei recalled the words in the water prison.

"Do not trust humans."

The researchers were no longer human.

At least, not all of them were human.

These non-human, mutated researchers, who had become like the monsters themselves, would hardly help humans fight their own kind.

The background of the scenario seemed to be getting more complicated, shifting from human survival in the end times to monsters ruling the world from the shadows.

Qin Fei's expression remained unchanged as he finished reading another record of the contaminants.

When his gaze fell on the content of the next page, his pupils suddenly constricted.

His eyes were glued to the paper, and his fingers gripping the paper tightened, making the veins on his hand stand out.

"Experimental Subject Code: B-6312"

"Data Encryption Level: SSS"

"Experimental Content: Encrypted"

"Experimental Results: Encrypted"

"Access Permission: Only supervisors level three and above have permission to view the data of this experimental subject"

In the previous documents, each included numerous photos of the experimental subjects in different states.

Alive, dead.

Originals, clones.

Whole, sectioned cross-sections.

But the record for B-6312 contained nothing. The sections that should have had photos were blacked out with a black oil-based pen.

Qin Fei lightly licked his lips. It was such a pity that after finally getting some information about B-6312, it turned out to be almost useless.

He stood there for a moment, pondering, then picked up the experimental record and walked over to Researcher Beck, who was busy at a distance.

Researcher Beck was operating a sophisticated instrument covered in data.

The instrument was connected to an array of glass containers in front of it. This high-tech equipment seemed quite troublesome to adjust, and Beck's temples were drenched in sweat.

Qin Fei did not disturb him and stood silently behind the NPC like a ghost.

In fact, what Qin Fei didn't know was that 90% of the sweat on the researcher's forehead came from stress, rather than the complexity of the instrument's operation mode.

It took Beck more than ten minutes to finish his work. He looked at the adjusted control panel and let out a deep breath, stepping back half a step but bumping into something. He turned around and caught a glimpse of a dark shadow out of the corner of his eye.

!!!

The NPC nearly jumped in fright.

Qin Fei: "…"

The young man blinked innocently.

Sorry, I really didn't mean to scare you. Who would have thought you'd be so easily frightened?

The live stream chat was flooded with "hahaha," as the old fans immediately saw through Qin Fei's little trick.

"Wife, stop pretending; you did it on purpose!"

"You calculated that standing there would make him bump into you, right? Hahaha! The NPC almost screamed just now, thank goodness for the mask covering his mouth."

"Wife is really petty and vindictive, huh? Tsk tsk tsk~"

Researcher Beck did not have the keen eyes of the audience; he couldn't tell whether Qin Fei had done it intentionally or not. He held his breath, feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place.

He glared fiercely at Qin Fei.

"What do you want?" Beck asked irritably, with a hint of mockery in his tone. "Is there a problem with the data? If you can't handle such simple tasks, how will you manage the complex experimental information when you're with Mr. Edward?"

Qin Fei suspected that these underground dwellers had been in the Research Institute too long, where interpersonal relationships were simple, and they had all gone a bit dim. Could they not be so obvious in their favoritism?

The good-tempered player wasn't angry at all and slowly handed over a few sheets of paper. "Yes, I wanted to ask you to take a look at this. It seems different from the other experimental data."

The young man blinked his warm, clear, and pure eyes, looking at the NPC with trust as if he were a senior. "Is there a problem with this data?"

The moment Beck saw what Qin Fei was holding, he became nervous and hastily took the record. "How could B-level experimental subject data be stored in a cabinet... Phew—!"

Fortunately, the record showed nothing; all the sensitive information was encrypted.

It was just a piece of scrap paper.

Relieved, the NPC almost sat down on the ground.

Taking advantage of the NPC's weakened mental defenses, Qin Fei pressed on. "Is the B-level experimental subject very important?"

"Very important, no, extremely, extremely important." The NPC waved his hand weakly.

"B-6312 is the highest-level experimental subject in current experiments. It has existed since the establishment of the Research Institute, and for over fifty years, it has been under the care of Mr. Edward."

Fifty years. A barely perceptible twitch appeared on Qin Fei's brow.

Mr. Edward, the researcher, looked like a handsome man in his early thirties at most.

Indeed, this highly respected researcher, who held an extraordinary position within the institute, was certainly not an ordinary human being.

"Speaking of which," Beck suddenly narrowed his eyes, as if recalling something pleasant, and looked at the young man with ill intent.

"The B-6312 experimental subject has been very unstable recently. Yesterday, two senior researchers were attacked during the experiment."

The NPC stared intently at Qin Fei's face, hoping to see a hint of fear or worry.

"That's why Mr. Edward went into the operation room today himself."

"You are Mr. Edward's chosen assistant. I bet it won't be long before he takes you into that operation room."

Beck's tone carried a barely concealed glee at the misfortune.

However, Qin Fei's attention was focused on "that operation room."

"Which operation room?" Qin Fei's Adam's apple moved slightly.

Yesterday, while he was in the laboratory outside, he distinctly sensed the presence of his own source of contamination leaking from inside that room.

But today, upon entering the cryogenic observation room, he found nothing.

There must be hidden doors in the Research Institute, perhaps even more concealed rooms in the corners of this cryogenic observation room that Qin Fei had yet to discover.

Beck's next words confirmed Qin Fei's suspicion.

"C-level and above experimental subjects each have their dedicated laboratories in the Research Institute."

Educating a newcomer like Qin Fei gave Beck a sense of superiority, so despite disliking him, he remained enthusiastic about answering his questions.

"There has only been one B-level experimental subject for decades, and only the highest-ranking researchers and their assistants can enter that operation room."

Beck's tone was filled with envy.

Qin Fei seized the opportunity. "Is there only one B-level experimental subject? What about higher levels? Do we have any A-level experimental subjects in our Research Institute?"

"..." This question stumped Researcher Beck.

"Class A experimental subject. It's said that there is one," the NPC said, "but no one has ever seen it or accessed its files. I suspect it might not even exist."

"Let's not talk about that."

Researcher Beck stood up and moved to the operating platform, which was elevated several centimeters above the ground. He looked down at Qin Fei: "Do you want to go outside the exclusive laboratory of B-6312?"

The NPC's tone carried a deliberately seductive quality: "That's the highest-level experimental subject we can come into contact with. Many researchers touch the door of the laboratory before starting their work every morning."

Of course, this was just the NPC making things up. He wanted to take Qin Fei to the laboratory entrance because the contamination level there was much higher than here.

Researcher Beck had already noticed that when Qin Fei said he felt fine in the cryogenic observation room, he was telling the truth.

Indeed, anyone Mr. Edward took an interest in was extraordinary, but Beck couldn't help feeling a surge of jealousy.

This person was just yesterday selected as a low-level worker from the breeding center, the lowest rung in the Research Institute!

Without any training or exams, he had become someone above others purely through talent.

Researcher Beck thought that even if this newcomer could thrive in the cryogenic observation room, it didn't mean he could live up to Mr. Edward's expectations and coexist harmoniously with the experimental subject B-6312.

Why only the highest-authorized researchers were allowed into B-6312's experimental operation room?

Because ordinary researchers simply couldn't withstand the contamination inside.

Even the most powerful researchers, like those two yesterday, ended up in a miserable state, almost losing half their lives.

Class B experimental subjects were not to be underestimated. Everyone believed that apart from Mr. Edward, no one in the entire institute could match them.

This newcomer certainly couldn't either.

With the intention of embarrassing Qin Fei, Researcher Beck eagerly led him to a short door in the corner of the cryogenic room.

"This is it." From a distance of ten meters away, Researcher Beck stopped, rubbed his hands, and gestured for Qin Fei to approach alone.

"Mr. Edward and a few other researchers are inside now," Researcher Beck said, "you don't have permission to enter, but you can still feel it by standing at the door."

At this point, the NPC, who had been scheming, actually became worried.

What if this newcomer really touched the door and was immediately contaminated, dying on the spot?

Then, he, the one responsible for leading him, would surely face consequences.

Thinking of this, the NPC grew anxious and reached out to grab Qin Fei's sleeve: "Hey!"

But it was too late.

In such a short distance, the young man had already taken a few large steps forward.

His slightly pale hand covered the deep silver-gray metal door.

He stood there silently, staring at the door with a profound gaze, as if something he had long sought after was hidden inside.

Researcher Beck stood behind Qin Fei with his mouth agape.

... Damn! Damn!

The NPC screamed silently in his mind.

He actually touched the door of the Class B operation room, and he actually showed no reaction!!

This newcomer's resistance was truly incredible, almost inhuman.

When faced with someone slightly better than oneself, it's easy to feel jealous, but when the gap becomes infinitely large, that jealousy is compressed to nothingness.

For Researcher Beck, this was exactly the case now.

His sense of injustice had completely dissipated, and he stared at Qin Fei speechlessly.

"How does it feel? Isn't this operation room impressive?" The NPC didn't even know what nonsense he was saying, "The operation rooms for Class C and above experimental subjects are specially built, using materials more advanced than the entire metal shell of the institute. It's said that the storage containers inside are also extremely expensive."

"The ordinary experimental subjects we can access leak some contamination after containment, but the high-level ones don't leak at all."

Yes, the operation rooms for high-level experimental subjects are indeed highly sealed, which is why Qin Fei, in the cryogenic observation room, couldn't detect the source of contamination just a wall away.

But now.

The moment Qin Fei's palm touched the door, everything changed.

From Qin Fei's perspective, the metal wall blocking his view was dissolving, transforming into countless tiny pixel cubes, becoming transparent.

Through the transparent wall, Qin Fei saw the scene inside the laboratory.

He saw countless pipes connected to a huge opaque metal container, with data constantly changing on the display screens.

Several researchers in white protective suits, including Researcher Edward, were busy inside.

Some were analyzing data, while others were adjusting chemical solutions at the operating platform.

Despite Researcher Beck noticing nothing unusual, Qin Fei had already taken in everything inside the laboratory.

Next, the metal container holding B-6312 also became transparent.

Qin Fei saw a massive snow-white skeleton quietly coiled within the nearly ten-meter-high container, surrounded by countless pure black vines that formed a web, tightly wrapping around the skeleton.

Many roses bloomed on the skeleton, then withered and fell.