Fantasy Game: Infinite City

Through the recorder video in the terminal, Han Zu observed that after hearing these strange sounds, the members of the research team at that time immediately moved closer to the location where the sounds came from under the protection of armed guards. Through their conversation, it was understood that when they were close to the location where the sounds appeared, the surrounding air temperature fluctuated abnormally. The air might have been hot a few seconds ago, but after moving only a few steps, it would become freezing cold.

"The location they were heading to was a swamp northwest of the temporary camp at that time."

"Swamp? Can there be swamps in the primeval forest?"

"Generally speaking, this wouldn't happen, so this is very strange."

Continuing to observe the recorder video playing on the terminal, the research team has arrived at the edge of the swamp. There is something wrong with this swamp. First of all, there is a large amount of methane in general swamps. However, through the detection of the research team, the concentration of methane in this location is very low, so low that even if an open flame is used in this location, it will not cause any degree of gas explosion or combustion.

The research team at that time sampled and tested the soil and liquid components of the swamp, and found a novel discovery. The two components they extracted were not normal soil and liquid. Those silt-like things were actually a huge aggregation of life forms similar to amoeba. These microorganisms, which are so numerous that their shapes are difficult to observe with the naked eye, have a violent reaction to life forms and various types of body fluids. Under the influence of these microorganisms, life forms and various body fluids that come into contact with them will age rapidly.

The liquid extracted from the swamp is an unknown species that has undergone a large amount of genetic mutation and possesses the characteristics of both bacteria and viruses. This thing will not produce any reaction to any form of life or body fluids, but will cover the skin surface of the organism like water-soluble oils. These things can be washed off with ordinary water, just as the name suggests. Although they have no reaction to life forms, these unknown species can cause serious corrosion to any material except life forms. However, if there are microorganisms like those extracted from the swamp around these unknown species, they will not show any corrosiveness.

"So, this large swamp is actually a settlement formed by two unknown species? Not a swamp?"

"That's right. According to the report from the research team, when they arrived at the edge of the swamp, the strange animal calls disappeared, so they had time to take samples of the swamp. As for the testing of these things, they were conducted after they returned from the primeval forest."

"Grrrrrrrr~~~~"

Continuing to play the video, Han Zu observed that not long after the research team extracted the samples, several different wild animal calls appeared. The sounds can be roughly divided into three types. The first is similar to the call of large cats, most likely a lion or a tiger. The second is the call of a bird of prey. Although it is not clear what it is specifically, the head of the Biological Research Institute told Han Zu that it is most likely the sound of a vulture. The third is the sound made by a snake. Judging from the size of the sound, this snake should be very large and extremely rare.

"The direction from which the sound was heard again was deep in the swamp, and the research team followed it. However, as I said just now, the research base was testing samples from the swamp, and when they went deep into the swamp, the protective clothing they were wearing was seriously corroded, so for safety reasons, they withdrew. However, before they withdrew from the swamp, the armed guard who was walking in front of them used the smart locking system inside his helmet to take a picture of this thing at an extreme distance."

The head of the Biological Research Institute slid the terminal and switched to another video. In the video, a huge but strange shadow could be seen appearing in the depths of the swamp. The armed guard who recorded this scene turned on the night vision device and captured the outline of this thing from a distance.

This strange creature walks on four legs. Judging from the video footage taken at the time, this creature is about eight meters long, with a tail length of about 1.5 meters and a shoulder height of 4.5 meters. Through the correlation between body size and weight, researchers speculate that its weight is likely to exceed seven tons. This creature has three heads, each of which is connected to the body by a nearly two-meter-long neck. Judging from the outline, the three heads are different. One is similar to a large cat, one is similar to a giant snake, and one is the head of a giant bird of prey. Judging from the outline and the large number of protrusions from the neck to the body, this unique giant creature is likely to be covered with scales, or fleshy or bony protrusions. The huge tail also has a rough protruding outline, which is very similar to the tail of a crocodile.

"After filming this video, the research team members heard heavy footsteps. From the vibrations of the surrounding ground and the shaking of the trees, they inferred that they were not hallucinating and that this giant unique creature really appeared there. So after changing into protective clothing and resting for a while, the armed guards escorted the research team from the outside of the swamp to the location where the creature had appeared before. Although the giant creature had left, they found evidence of the existence of this unique giant creature at the scene."

The person in charge turned off the video and opened another file. On it were very clear footprints of giant creatures taken by the research team. There are two types of footprints. The first type is the footprint of a giant primate, with five distinct fingers. If you enlarge the footprint of an ordinary gorilla, you will get a very similar outline. The second type is a giant hoof print, similar to that of a wild yak.

"Based on the size and distance between the two types of footprints at the scene, as well as the outline of the creature seen by the armed guards, it can be basically determined that the two types of footprints came from the same species. In addition, around the footprints, the research team once again found the outline of the surrounding trees that seemed to have been whipped by a tail."

"How are the research team and the armed guards? Are there any casualties?"

"That's not the case. After they extracted the samples and took rubbings of the footprints, they withdrew. Apart from being very excited, there was no other abnormality."

"Have they been medically examined?"

"Well, the results of the examination showed nothing abnormal. Their excitement is normal. It is a normal reaction of researchers to unknown things. Do you want to meet them?"

"Well, call all the members of the research team over. Maybe we can get more information out of them. The excitement of seeing an unknown species at the time may have made them temporarily forget some of what they saw."

"No problem, let's go."

Under the guidance of the head of the Biological Research Institute, Han Zu soon met all the members who participated in the investigation, not only the research team, but also the armed guards who were responsible for their safety at the time. After detailed inquiries, he actually got new information from one of the researchers.

"I remember... when we were evacuating the primeval forest, we avoided the swamp, but we did pass the outer edge of the swamp. I don't know if it was an illusion, but the swamp was a little smaller when we evacuated than when we first discovered it."

"Do you think the swamp is shrinking because it's drying out, or is it shrinking inward on its own?"

"I'm not sure about that. After we brought back the samples, we have been conducting research and have not entered the primeval forest again in the past two days."

"I understand. Go ahead and get busy."

After chatting with the research team and armed guards at that time, Han Zu and the director of the Institute of Biology returned to the director's office.

"Do you have any idea?"

"I think it's very strange for such a giant creature to appear here. If it is native to the primeval forest, why have we never heard of it? Even if this is not the point, I think it's not safe for an unknown giant creature to appear near the biological research institute. Of course, the most important point is that I am also very curious about this creature."

"So what are you going to do, γ?"

“What about the blockade around the native forest?”

"The armed forces of the institute have blocked the perimeter of the primeval forest along the way. No one except our own people has the permission to enter. At first, some new immigrants or tourists wanted to go in and take a look, but they were persuaded by our people to go back. Knowing that it was the Infinite Company here, no one would dare to act recklessly."

"That's fine. How about this? I have nothing to do recently, so I plan to go in and take a look. Maybe I can see this strange giant creature with my own eyes."

"Do we need to bring a research team?"

"I'd rather not go there for now. After all, none of the deserters survived. I don't know if they committed suicide, but this unique giant creature should be quite aggressive, so I plan to go by myself."

"Then I will notify the researchers below and ask them to go to the teleportation laboratory. If you find any interesting samples, you can teleport them back to the institute at any time. There is no energy interference in the primeval forest, so our teleportation system can cover the entire primeval forest. However, since we have not fully explored the primeval forest, after all, the area of ​​the primeval forest is not small, so the accurate anchor point of the teleportation needs to be set by you."

"no problem."

"So when are you going to leave? I'll let the people below prepare. If there's anything you need me to do, just tell me directly."

"I'm ready anytime, as long as the equipment is ready."

"So what equipment do you need? I'll notify the people below to make it now."

"First, the communication equipment, and then the personal terminal. There are no special requirements for these two things. There are only two basic ones. The first is that they must be sturdy, because I might fight that giant creature, and the second is stability."

"No problem, any other requests?"

"Let me think... Oh, by the way, let the armed forces prepare some firefighting equipment. If a fight breaks out, it will probably be necessary to put out the fire. It would be bad if the forest caught fire."

"No problem, then shall we go to the Armed Forces Department now?"

"Walk."

Entering the armed department of the Biological Research Institute, Han Zu selected suitable equipment, and taking various considerations into account, Han Zu chose various devices composed of nanorobots. This kind of equipment allows Han Zu to take them into his body, so their safety and stability are greatly guaranteed.

After everything was ready, Han Zu came to the teleportation laboratory of the Biological Research Institute, where he met the research team he had just talked to. When they learned that Han Zu was going to look for that unique giant creature, the members of the research team were very excited. Han Zu calmed their excitement and took the initiative to ask them for a list of samples that needed to be extracted.

"But let me make this clear first. Although I will try my best to send back all the samples on the list, if a battle breaks out between me and that giant creature, the samples may be damaged, so I can't guarantee it."

"We understand! We'll bring back as much as we can. Thank you very much for your help, Mr. γ!"

"What are you thanking me for? I'm actually quite interested in this, so I'll just treat it as a zoo tour. We're all family, so why be polite?"

"That's great!"

"Okay, by the way, call the armed personnel and biochemical processing personnel over. After all, I don't know whether the samples brought back are dangerous."

"Don't worry, γ, these people are all experienced researchers, and they all know how to treat unknown samples."

"Okay, I'll go get ready and leave soon. What time is it now?"

"Um, noon... around eleven."

"Then let's have lunch first."

After making preparations for the investigation, Han Zu left the Biological Research Institute first and arrived at Gemere, the united urban area that was originally the headquarters of the "Night Owl" organization, through the teleportation device. Now it has become the capital of Q City. After being managed by Infinite Company, it has become a prosperous big city.

Walking out of the Unlimited Company's building in Gemere, Han Zu came to the entertainment and leisure center street of Gemere, where he found a busy restaurant and prepared to go in and try the food. As there were so many people in the restaurant, Han Zu could not find a private room this time, so he just found a seat in the lobby. The cooking skills of this restaurant were not bad, and Han Zu ordered a lot of dishes. After eating and drinking, Han Zu returned to the Unlimited Company's building in Gemere again and returned to the Institute of Biology through the teleporter.

After getting his equipment, Han Zu said hello to the research team and the head of the Biological Research Institute, and was then sent to the Infinite Company outpost at the outermost edge of the primeval forest via a teleportation device.

"Our last route was from..."

Listening to the communication from the previous research team on the communication device, Han Zu followed their route and walked into the primeval forest.