Chapter 172: Escaping the Research Institute 17

Chapter 172: Escaping the Research Institute 17

Researcher Edward had not died.

Qin Fei's heart barely stirred; this was entirely as expected. However, he still harbored curiosity about how it all happened.

Could this NPC come back to life after death?

Or did nothing happen to him last night, and everything was just an illusion created by the players?

The young man's gaze swept over the NPC's smiling face, subtly landing on the tray in his hand.

On the tray lay the bone sections of Subject B-6312, which Qin Fei could sense.

Not far away, inside a fully enclosed metal container, a massive skeleton was immersed in nutrient solution.

Qin Fei's arrival had put It in a great mood. The vines stretched out in the nutrient solution, black roses blooming to their fullest before silently withering.

This spectacle was visible only to Qin Fei.

Researcher Edward glanced thoughtfully at the metal container. Through the small window, he could only see a dark interior and the vague outline of the bones.

"Go sit over there."

Researcher Edward passed by Qin Fei.

He placed a lid on the tray and walked out of the laboratory, while Qin Fei silently watched the NPC leave.

Throughout the morning, Researcher Edward did not return.

Qin Fei sat beside the isolation container of Subject B-6312, his palm gently resting on the metal surface, as if breaking through layers of barriers to touch the skeleton itself.

There was no movement from the black crystal ring; the source of contamination seemed not to be inside.

Yet, It appeared in Qin Fei's dream last night.

The source of contamination had reached out to Qin Fei outside the instance.

Or perhaps, the source of contamination was within the instance but not in the black crystal ring.

Of these two possibilities, Qin Fei leaned more towards the latter. He pursed his lips and solemnly gazed at the skeleton entwined by rose vines.

If the source of contamination was not in the black crystal ring, where else in the instance could It hide Its presence?

It seemed there was only one place.

Qin Fei tapped his knuckles lightly against his other palm. After a night apart, he observed the skeleton closely and noticed slight changes.

The surface of the bones was smoother and finer than before. Compared to yesterday, today It seemed to exude a vigorous vitality.

Regarding these changes, Qin Fei found relevant information in the documents Researcher Edward had given him yesterday.

Among the 536 successful fusion cases within the Research Institute, 392 cases involved experimental subjects that underwent certain morphological and other changes after fusion.

Some grew new tentacles, some had their skin change from smooth to covered in spines, and others saw a significant increase in contamination levels.

So, would Subject B-6312 also undergo changes after a successful fusion?

It was already a skeleton, so how could it change?

Thorny vines and roses penetrated the metal container's constraints, growing into the laboratory and wrapping around the chair Qin Fei sat on, turning it into a flower chair.

The skeleton could neither move nor speak, but It liked the young man who had appeared in the laboratory. Thus, It continuously bloomed, expressing Its joy in the most primitive way possible.

Vines extended outward, and roses piled up.

When the lunch break bell rang over the broadcast, the entire laboratory was almost filled with flowers from Subject B-6312, even submerging Qin Fei's ankles.

Qin Fei struggled to pull his feet out of the sea of flowers.

By mid-morning, the changes on the surface of the skeleton became more apparent, with faint pink and light red veins appearing on the outer bones.

Qin Fei finally understood.

Subject B-6312 seemed to be growing new flesh during the fusion experiment.

With a creak, the door to the isolation laboratory opened, and Researcher Edward returned.

All the flower branches and vines instantly shattered and vanished without a trace.

Researcher Edward sniffed. Although he couldn't see the flower vines, as one of the top bosses in the instance, his senses were undoubtedly keen.

"Did anything happen this morning?" he asked casually.

Qin Fei replied calmly, "No, everything was normal this morning."

Their uneventful conversation concealed everything. The NPC urged Qin Fei to go for lunch, and Qin Fei obediently left the isolation laboratory. On his way to the cafeteria alone, he turned and headed towards the ventilation shaft where he had seen Lu Cheng earlier.

The food served in the cafeteria could restore SAN points, which was highly attractive to ordinary players but held no value for Qin Fei.

Rather than going to the cafeteria, he might as well bite into a couple of energy bars, saving time.

Sure enough, Lu Cheng was squatting dejectedly in the ventilation shaft, his eyes red like a rabbit's: "Researcher Edward—"

"He didn't die," Qin Fei interrupted Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng was taken aback: "How do you know?"

"Qin Fei and I worked in the same laboratory," Qin Fei stated truthfully.

Lu Cheng: "…"

Lu Cheng drooped his eyes dejectedly. "Alright, since you already know."

He sighed deeply. "How on earth are we supposed to beat this cursed scenario?"

His tone was filled with confusion.

"Xing Zhuo and the others think that perhaps last night was just an illusion created by an NPC," Lu Cheng said with a frown. "They plan to try again tonight."

Last night's operation could be considered a complete failure.

Not only did they fail to kill Researcher Edward, but they also couldn't force him to reveal his true form at all.

The players still had no idea what kind of monster he had merged with.

It would indeed be hasty to conclude that killing the boss wouldn't end the scenario, so it wasn't unreasonable for Xing Zhuo's group to want to try again.

Although Qin Fei felt that trying again might yield the same result.

"Also," Lu Cheng blinked and looked at Qin Fei. "Mi Yang got some information from the Patrol Team. The Research Institute has another outing planned soon. Do you want to join?"

"The information is reliable; players from the Guard Team have also received notifications. One of the groups will revisit the Sea of Earth and might even leave the underground world and go to the surface."

Lu Cheng continued.

Qin Fei was silent for a moment. "If that's the case."

He paused, then spoke a harsh truth. "Even if we follow the Patrol Team to the surface world, the scenario likely won't end."

So simple, so easy.

Was it possible? Absolutely not.

Lu Cheng grimaced. "Yeah."

The two opposing opinions debated by the players last night seemed to reach dead ends overnight.

"But it wouldn't hurt to go," Lu Cheng thought. "Maybe new clues are on the surface."

Qin Fei squinted slightly.

"You make a good point, but." Qin Fei actually wanted to visit the surface.

Mi Yang had previously told them that there were humans living on the surface who resisted and hated the Research Institute, forming a force over decades dedicated to fighting against it.

At the start of the scenario, the hints Qin Fei heard in the water prison also confirmed this.

Sometimes, those who understand you best aren't your friends but your enemies.

If they could contact the resistance on the surface, they might indeed receive unexpected information.

"But I doubt I can go," Qin Fei said regretfully.

The time required for an outing wouldn't be short. Mi Yang spent two days just walking around the Sea of Earth, let alone going to the surface.

Qin Fei had managed to infiltrate the laboratory and lived under the watchful eye of Researcher Edward, the biggest boss of the scenario. Suddenly disappearing for several days would definitely be noticed.

He also needed to conduct fusion experiments with Test Subject B-6312, which involved fragments of the pollution source, a critical task.

However, Qin Fei didn't expect that the trip he had refused would come knocking again later.

This time, it was Researcher Edward who approached him.

In the afternoon, only Qin Fei and Researcher Edward were in the laboratory. Qin Fei sat idly in front of Test Subject B-6312 all afternoon, doing nothing except having a vial of blood drawn and injected into a metal container.

Meanwhile, Researcher Edward was busy at the workbench, facing away from him.

When the evening bell rang, Researcher Edward suddenly said, "Don't return to your dormitory tonight. Come with me later."

As he spoke, he turned around. Qin Fei saw the experimental workbench he had been hiding all afternoon, now holding a whole tray of bone slices, at least ten or more.

Qin Fei had seen Edward take bone slices in the morning, assuming they were for the fusion experiment. But the NPC left with them and never returned.

Now, he had brought back so many more.

These were probably not for the fusion experiment either. What did Researcher Edward intend to do with them?

Where else in the Research Institute would they be used?

Thinking about these bones being scraped from Test Subject B-6312 made Qin Fei's eyelids twitch uncontrollably.

His gaze flickered away from the tray, and black roses bloomed at his feet.

In the afternoon, Test Subject B-6312 became increasingly active, even with Researcher Edward present. It continued to bloom flowers and show goodwill towards Qin Fei.

From Qin Fei's perspective, the flower vines almost covered the entire laboratory, filling every corner and piece of equipment with roses.

Qin Fei pursed his lips, his fingertips gently brushing the black rose leaves where the NPC couldn't see.

The leaves softly grazed his palm, and the vines boldly wrapped around his wrist, extending upward.

A slight stinging sensation came from his skin, but it wasn't unbearable. The vines slipped under the sleeve of his protective suit, coiling around his right arm and continuing towards his chest and waist.

Qin Fei's body stiffened slightly.

...It's so itchy.

The vines seemed oblivious to this and continued to do even more outrageous things, probing into increasingly sensitive and private areas.

Feeling something climbing down from his waist to his lower abdomen, Qin Fei's composure finally broke.

The young man gritted his teeth, pressed his hand against his waist, and stood up with the help of the chair back.

In the barrage comments, keen viewers had already noticed something was amiss.

"What's going on? My husband's expression looks so strange?"

Viewers, like Researcher Edward, couldn't see the vines extending outward from B-6312, but they could see Qin Fei's unusual expression and his slightly flushed face.

"Could it be that something went wrong with the fusion experiment? My husband looks uncomfortable."

"By the way, in this game, there seems to be more than one player who got the researcher role. Did any other researchers choose to fuse with the experimental subjects?"

"No, the other two researchers were selected through normal channels in Group Three; they're still assistant researchers and not at a level where they can participate in such matters."

"My husband sat down again... He really looks strange. His eyelashes are trembling. Is he running a fever?"

"Doesn't anyone want to hear what Researcher Edward was saying? He left his sentence halfway, which is driving me crazy. What are we supposed to do tonight?"

Qin Fei's gaze swept over the rapidly scrolling barrage comments. Taking a deep breath, under the watchful eyes of the hundreds of thousands of viewers in the live stream and Researcher Edward, he raised his hand as if by chance and, unable to bear it any longer, pressed firmly on the vine wreaking havoc on his body.

"Ahem." Clearing his throat, Qin Fei spoke, his voice still slightly hoarse, "Mr. Edward, sorry, you mentioned earlier, what are we doing tonight?"

"A field mission," the NPC said, gazing at the player with a meaningful expression. "We might be gone for a few days, depending on the situation. This is also part of the fusion experiment, and you'll understand when the time comes."

"Mm-hmm." Qin Fei responded obediently, his usually clear eyes now darkened like honey syrup.

...

Qin Fei followed Researcher Edward out of the laboratory.

The thorny vines reluctantly chased after them, growing rapidly along the corridor as they walked. Qin Fei glanced at the vines and then looked away.

In the afternoon, the changes on the surface of B-6312's skeleton became even more noticeable. The veins and blood vessels were beginning to form. Judging from the barely concealed excitement on Researcher Edward's face every time he looked through the observation window, the fusion experiment seemed to be progressing exceptionally well.

If the experiment were completed successfully, would B-6312 truly transform from a skeleton into a complete life form?

What would It become then?

Qin Fei blinked, his long lashes casting fan-like shadows on his cheeks, concealing the contemplative look in his eyes.

Perhaps because these experimental subjects had crawled out of the ocean onto land many years ago, most of them took on the forms of marine creatures. The most common were soft-bodied creatures with tentacles, similar to octopuses but not quite.

There were many others too.

Ordinary and extraordinary fish; starfish; transparent jellyfish, and even seaweed...

Which form would B-6312 take?

Qin Fei felt that It would likely grow into a completely new form, different from any existing experimental subject in the Research Institute.

But with just that straight piece of bone, Qin Fei found it hard to imagine what It would look like once fully formed.

The rose vines followed their footsteps, weaving a thorny web around wherever they passed.

Researcher Edward strode forward, leading Qin Fei through several corridors into an extremely spacious factory. On both sides of the factory were many identical black transfer vehicles. Many NPCs moved between the vehicles; some appeared to be staff members, while others were NPCs within the scenario, boarding the vehicles. Researcher Edward's exceptional status within the Research Institute was evident here; when he appeared at the entrance of the factory, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to greet him.

"Mr. Edward!"

The greetings were uniform and loud.

Researcher Edward pressed his hands down, signaling everyone to continue their work.

He led Qin Fei inside, and they boarded the same vehicle.

The structure of the transfer vehicle was peculiar, resembling a square black box. Although Qin Fei and Researcher Edward were in the same vehicle, they were in separate enclosed compartments.

There were no windows in the compartment, so Qin Fei couldn't see outside. He could only sense that the vehicle had started moving based on its vibrations.

"Go check the situation outside." Qin Fei pulled out the ghost infant from his domain, and the moment he moved, the rose vines appeared again within the transfer vehicle.

Qin Fei: "..."

He was somewhat speechless due to B-6312's extraordinary energy. It was hard to imagine that a 10-meter-tall giant skeleton could be so clingy, as if it would wither and die in the metal container if separated from Qin Fei for even a minute.

"Behave."

Qin Fei pressed his fingertip against the tip of the vine creeping up his leg, silently issuing a warning.

The rose leaves swayed up and down, curling down in a dejected manner.

Qin Fei could feel that the energy of the B-6312 experimental subject was increasing.

When he first arrived in the scenario, the reach of the rose vines was limited, but now It could appear anywhere Qin Fei went. This was likely related to the ongoing fusion process.

Was this the normal energy level of a fragment of a pollution source?

Would the main body of the pollution source possibly appear in the scenario once the experiment was completed and B-6312 was fully restored?

Qin Fei closed his eyes, leaning against the slightly hard and uncomfortable leather seat of the transfer vehicle, his thoughts swirling.

The transfer vehicle drove for nearly half an hour within the Research Institute before finally stopping. The doors opened automatically, and the vines hooked onto Qin Fei's fingers, tugging gently as if making a promise before disappearing into the air.

Qin Fei stepped out onto the ground and saw rows of tall armored vehicles parked neatly.

"Hello, Researcher," an NPC who had been waiting there greeted him, leading him to one of the vehicles. "Mr. Edward asked me to wait for you here. The convoy will depart soon, and your spot has been reserved."

There were five armored vehicles here in total. The NPC led Qin Fei to the largest one, which was nearly twice as tall as the others. Qin Fei climbed into the vehicle using the steps.

Inside, two rows of people were already seated facing each other. Judging from the favorability bars above their heads, most were NPCs, and six were players. Qin Fei had seen all of them at the meeting in the sewers last night; two were members of Starlight.

Qin Fei walked towards the only empty seat, which happened to be opposite a player from Starlight. This player was the same one Qin Fei had encountered in the corridor on his first day infiltrating the operational area, who had since become an official member of the Research Institute's Guard Team. Upon seeing Qin Fei board the vehicle, he merely glanced at him indifferently before closing his eyes again to rest.

In stark contrast, another person in the corner of the vehicle reacted differently.

Upon seeing Qin Fei, the familiar face broke into a wide smile.

Everyone was sitting quietly in their seats, so he couldn't make too much noise. Instead, he kept winking at Qin Fei.

It was Mi Yang.

The poor "sheep mom" had been fighting alone in the instance for three days. Finally, with Lu Cheng's help, he found Qin Fei but could only exchange a few words before leaving. Now, they could finally act together.

Qin Fei smiled at Mi Yang. In the next moment, he felt a slight, tickling pain on his ankle. Looking down, he saw the rose vine of B-6312 once again.

...What is this thing trying to do? It doesn't even allow me to smile at others now?

Qin Fei raised an eyebrow slightly and chose to ignore the experimental subject that had chased him here.

"Hehe, you really did come!"

In the enclosed cabin, Lu Cheng's voice sounded in Qin Fei's ear.

Qin Fei discreetly searched the cabin but didn't see Lu Cheng.

Where is this guy?

Lu Cheng noticed Qin Fei's confusion and explained, "I'm under the chassis of the vehicle!"

Qin Fei: "...?"

What?

"Miyang taught me. Two days ago, he hitched a ride like this to the Ground Sea," Lu Cheng said proudly, as if learning how to cling to the underside of a vehicle was a significant achievement. "This vehicle is huge, so it's not tiring at all. I just lie between the steel frames."

"I wanted to get an identity as a Patrol Team member, but there wasn't enough time," Lu Cheng continued. "Besides, I thought being an unofficial member might sometimes be more convenient."

As for what exactly he planned to do...

That would have to wait until the armored vehicle reached the surface.

While they were talking, the rose vine started acting up again.

It seemed unhappy with Qin Fei's neglect and kept entangling itself around him.

The soft vine, covered in tiny thorns, wrapped around the young man's waist, then coiled around his neck, and slid down to brush against his cheek with its softest leaf side, creating a warm sensation akin to a lover's intimate kiss.

Qin Fei frowned slightly and turned his head slightly to avoid the vine's touch, but his body suddenly stiffened when the leaves curled around his earlobe.