âEveryone has different interests, but as for me, Iâm only interested in research. For instance, you-Iâm genuinely interested in you! Although weâre not getting along very well right now, Iâm really pleased to have met you. Iâm dying to know what has happened to youâ¦â The Researcherâs eyes gradually became more fervent as he looked at Ling Mo. As he talked, he even started to laugh foolishly, âIâve never imagined a day would come when a Zombie would be interested in my research. Itâs incredible!â
âIn reality, thereâs nothing incredible about it at allâ¦â Ling Mo thought to himself.
Lan Lan also looked at her dad in frustration. Her daughterâs neck was still being squeezed by someone, and he was there clapping his hands and laughing hysterically!
This isnât just about not getting along; weâve essentially been captured!
However, even though this Researcherâs behavior and thoughts seemed a bit mad, he did know quite a lot.
According to him, when the disaster struck, he was leading a team to attend a seminar at the Medical University. Lan Lan also accompanied him as family.
Just two days into the meeting, the Cataclysm broke out. Both he and Lan Lan turned out to be among the luckier ones; neither of them mutated nor immediately became food for the Zombies. On the contrary, Lan Lan awakened her Superpower a few days later, which increased their survival chances.
But Ling Mo sharply noticed that when the Researcher mentioned Lan Lanâs awakening, the girl hanging on his arm immediately pouted in discontent.
Thinking about the Researcherâs behavior, Ling Mo suddenly felt some sympathy for Lan Lan.
She hadnât been dissected; it must be because of the father-daughter bond!
However, arm pulling and eyelid checking must have happened without exceptionâ¦
âMaybe itâs because Lan Lan and I are both quite resilient, so we not only saved ourselves but also found many teachers and students, as well as another Scholar who was there for the seminar,â the Researcher sighed and remarked.
âClearly, itâs because you two are denser than others!â thought Ling Mo.
âEveryone was quite desperate, and Lan Lan was the only superhuman among us, so surviving was incredibly difficult. However, about ten days later, things took a turn for the better. A squad of fully-armed Survivors appeared. They found us and even had a list of names, with mine being the first. I felt something was unusual about them, so I paid special attention afterward,â the Researcher continued.
Searching for people with a list? And just ten days after the disaster broke out? Ling Mo immediately became interested.
If there were no surprises, this group of Survivors was likely the early formation of Niepan.
âThey were a small squad at the time, not many people, but very disciplined. I later realized it was actually a form of fear. I asked them why they had this list and why they specifically sought me out, and they said it was for the future. I didnât quite understand then, but soon Niepan was established, the Experimental Group was formed, and I knew what they wanted from me. The teachers and students rescued at that time were also assigned to the Experimental Group, and I became the Deputy Team Leader. That Scholar who attended the seminar with me became the Team Leader,â the Researcher explained.
âWhy werenât you the Team Leader?â Ling Mo asked curiously.
âBeing the Team Leader is a hassle. I couldnât be bothered to compete with that old rogue who only chases after fame and fortune,â the Researcher said disdainfully.
âYouâre quite the pervert yourselfâ¦â Ling Mo rolled his eyes. How could he self-righteously condemn othersâ¦
The Deputy Team Leader was essentially a nominal position. After joining the Experimental Group, the Researcher became fully immersed in his research and was not very clear on Niepanâs developmental process.
âBut I think the Big Boss of Niepan must be a very capable person. Think about it: from just over a dozen people initially, to hundreds later, and now possibly even thousands. Anything I need, they can find-from mutation snakes to Senior Zombies, and even the Progenitor! Just considering that they were able to find firearms and ammunition at the onset of the disaster and risk their lives to find me shows that the Big Boss has connections and is very determined. He is focused on future development, not just short-term survival.â
The Researcherâs eyes shifted from fervor to a rare hint of dread as he continued, âI later heard that the Big Boss sacrificed seventeen people to come find me. These were the original Survivors who had been with him from the start, but they all died one by one on the way to the Medical University. If he werenât a Superhuman himself, he likely wouldnât have been able to keep them under control. Sadly, those people had no choice but to follow him; without him, they would have been dead anyway.â
His tone became eerie, and he spoke with a mysterious air, âBut even so, those people had weapons and could have easily killed him. So, tell me, how did he manage to keep them in check?â
Ling Mo felt a chill in his heart and shook his head.
âWell, I donât know either⦠Donât be mad at me. What I mean is, it shows that heâs a ruthless person,â the Researcher concluded.
Seeing Ling Mo remaining silent, the Researcher suddenly rolled his eyes and said, âIf he found out about your existence, heâd definitely dissect you. But if I keep you hiddenâ¦â
âWouldnât you still dissect me?â Ling Mo asked, rolling his eyes.
âWhy would I dissect you? Youâre not physically mutated, right? A brain dissection would be a waste too, so we could talk about life instead⦠I could introduce myself first; you can call me Old Lanâ¦â
Old Lanâs tone made Ling Moâs skin crawl. This personâs interests were definitely off.
âWell, you are a rather creative and capable pervert,â Ling Mo said.
âIs that supposed to be a compliment?â Old Lan asked.
Ling Mo stared at Old Lan, with a slight smirk forming on his lips.
While sneaking into the Experimental Group, he had only intended to look at some experiment Reports and find the Progenitor.
But upon discovering this Researcher, Ling Mo had other ideas.
The crazy plan that had already formed in his mind now floated to the surface.
âActuallyâ¦â Ling Mo decided to go all out and chose the most outrageous thing, âIâve regained some of my humanity.â
âWha-what?!â As expected, Old Lan jumped up immediately at those words.
âI didnât hear that wrong, did I?â Old Lan looked like he was about to pounce. âIâve been researching this for a while and have only scratched the surface. How did youâ¦?â
âScratched the surface!â Ling Mo immediately caught that term.
So, he had also been researching Zombies regaining their humanity!
Even a mere breakthrough would be better than making no progress at all!
âLook, I didnât eat her, nor did I eat what you gave me,â Ling Mo said calmly, trying to keep his composure.
âRight⦠right! And Zombies donât lie!â Old Lanâs expression grew more excited, constantly rubbing his hands together. âWhy didnât I figure it out before? Was it because those Zombies were too weak? Were they just too stupid?â
âWhy are you blaming the Zombiesâ¦â Ling Mo replied, speechless.
âNo, you must stay with me⦠Hereâs the plan! Iâll secretly hide you here. Iâll give you food, and⦠I can even teach you research! I can help you become stronger, understand yourself better!â Old Lan said urgently.
âAre you crazy? Heâs a Zombie!â Lan Lan shouted.
âLan Lan, do you know how rare this opportunity is? Iâve always wanted to research this; it might help me understand the nature of Zombies! Donât worry, Iâll move you to another building. Youâll be safeâ¦â Old Lan hastily reassured her.
Ling Mo hadnât expected Old Lan to be this insane, but it showed his dedication.
This person had truly gone mad in his pursuit of researchâ¦
âThatâs impossible!â Ling Mo rejected firmly. He wasnât some lab rat sent for dissection. âBut we can come up with a compromise.â
âWhatâs that?â Old Lanâs face lit up with renewed energy after a moment of disappointment.
âWhy donât you come with me?â Ling Mo managed to force a smile.
Old Lanâs expression froze instantly. A few seconds later, he awkwardly twisted his mouth. âThatâ¦â
Ling Mo wasnât in a rush. He was convinced that this maniac couldnât resist the temptation.
Just like some people love money so much that theyâll jump off a cliff for it without hesitation.
And to Old Lan, Ling Mo was a gold mine, something he couldnât ignore.
âTake your time to think about it. By the way, what was that thing that slowed my reaction down?â Ling Mo asked.
Old Lan was still in a daze. Upon hearing the question, he merely raised his hand and pointed.
Ling Mo, carrying Lan Lan, walked over and opened the cabinet, revealing a semi-congealed blood-red gel.
âWhat is this?â Ling Mo examined it closely, turning it over in his hand.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Lan Lan, feeling somewhat frustrated, replied, âIt was extracted from a mutated Zombie. It lasts a long time but needs to be stored for a while before it takes effect. Even if you take it now, the Interference wonât immediately go away.â
Ling Mo felt a slight tingle in his palm and was glad it wasnât his main body handling this stuff.
âGot it,â Ling Mo said, putting the gel into a small bag, wrapping it a couple of times, and then tucking it into his pocket.
Although Lan Lan hadnât turned around, she noticed Ling Moâs actions and appeared conflicted. âI mean, what kind of humanity have you actually regained?â
âJust the usual,â Ling Mo replied calmly.
He positioned Lan Lan to the side and mentally connected with the master ball.
At this point, the master ball was already on the Fifth Floorâ¦
The master ball hid in the shadows while Flashlight beams swept back and forth below.
Two guards were searching each side of the Corridor with their Flashlights.
Not far away were two Lab Assistants. One of them, looking anxious, asked, âHave you found anything?â
âNot yet!â one guard replied and couldnât help but mutter under his breath, âThat damn kid was right about something being up. How did I get so unlucky? But someone breaking in⦠thatâs completely impossibleâ¦â