49 Apocalypse Rules

Chapter 301: Chapter 280: The First Stage of Parasitism

"So, the first stage—host addiction and spore parasitism—has already appeared," Gao Liangwei said during a Strategy Research Room meeting, questioning the analyst who had come to report the data.

"Yes," the analyst said. "According to reports from various regions, a large number of people began to exhibit cognitive changes starting this afternoon. The most significant trait is that they’ve become extremely protective of their own lives, refusing to remain in any dangerous environment or engage in any risky behavior."

"Furthermore, without exception, all these individuals have adopted an optimistic and open attitude toward the spores. We can determine that they abandoned all caution the moment the rules were announced, completely accepting the spores’ modifications to their bodies."

Someone in the conference room asked curiously, "Why is being so protective of one’s life the universal sign of the first stage of parasitism?"

"Would a Parasite want its host to die?" Zhang Minglu countered before the analyst could speak.

The questioner’s face lit up with understanding. "Ah... so that’s it. If the host dies, the parasitic spores naturally lose their source of nutrients and die as well."

"Correct," the analyst said. "We believe the spores possess a certain intelligence, or perhaps it’s simply biological instinct. So, the first stage after the host becomes addicted is likely when the spores have established themselves as parasites and have begun to influence the host’s cognition."

Gao Liangwei spoke up. "Is it possible to reverse the effects at this stage?"

The analyst replied, "I’m afraid it’s extremely difficult. We’ve attempted conventional methods like isolation and psychological counseling, and even conducted some forced cognitive recalibration experiments... but they all failed."

"However," the analyst’s tone changed, "there are a few test subjects who haven’t completely succumbed. They still exhibit signs of a psychological struggle. And without exception, all of them are Ascenders."

No one was surprised to hear this.

An Ascender’s physical capabilities were superior to an ordinary person’s in every way, and that naturally included their mental and psychological fortitude.

But according to the analyst, such cases were a minority.

Most Ascenders, once they entered the "life-cherishing" stage, would succumb just like anyone else.

"The situation is very troubling," Zhang Minglu said, his expression grim. "Despite the government’s continuous public awareness campaigns, a large number of people are still accepting the spores on a psychological level. What’s worse, even if we prohibit them from going outside, they can still ’practice the technique’ indoors."

Someone couldn’t help but curse, "Damn it all, who the hell came up with that ’Cosmic Divine Spore Technique’? Look how many people it’s screwed over!"

"I’m more curious how so many people could believe something so obviously ridiculous..."

"It’s a case of the fish biting the hook willingly. Many of them probably know it’s fake, but they’re just deluding themselves, unable to face reality..."

The analyst interjected, "I’m afraid you’re mistaken. According to our Hypnosis Inquiry experiments, some of the people practicing the technique have indeed received anomalous cosmic information."

The room erupted in shock, the color draining from everyone’s faces.

Even Gao Liangwei was taken aback. "They’re really receiving information from an Alien Civilization?"

"Yes. We initially believed it to be hallucinations or psychological suggestion. However, our experiments show that multiple subjects who have never met or communicated with each other have received similar information. Their descriptions of the Alien Civilization share a high degree of similarity."

The conference room fell deathly silent.

The analyst’s words sent an inexplicable chill down everyone’s spine.

"Then what is this Alien Civilization like, based on the information they received?" Gao Liangwei asked after a moment, breaking the silence.

The analyst paused before continuing. "According to their descriptions, they saw many magnificent, palatial structures. There were also intelligent alien beings with indistinct faces, speaking to them in gentle voices with a kind demeanor. Aside from messages about accepting the spores, there was one phrase that was repeated over and over..."

Everyone stared intently at the analyst, desperate to know what it was.

"’Join our great family,’" the analyst said. "Almost every person who received the information heard that exact phrase."

...

In the special investigation unit of the Antu City Public Security Bureau, the words "Case 11.28: Major Bombing" were displayed clearly on a large screen.

Yoshino, the lead investigator on the case, was gathered here with the numerous other officers on his team.

"It’s already been almost a week since the bombing, and the Director only gave us two weeks. I don’t need to tell any of you how tight our deadline is."

Yoshino changed the image on the screen, bringing up personnel data.

"According to the DNA analysis, this is a list of everyone we could identify at the scene. Most of them were victims. Except for this man."

Yoshino enlarged a photograph. The investigators below saw the name and began to murmur amongst themselves.

"Is that name pronounced ’Wu Wang’?"

"Is he one of the North Star People?"

"Quiet," Yoshino said, then continued. "This man’s DNA was recovered from Steel Balls found at the scene. Our investigation determined that those Steel Balls acted as the explosive medium."

"Because both our nation of Sakura Prayer and North Star are member states of the Human Federation, North Star agreed to run a comparison for us in their genetic database. Once they found a match, they sent us this individual’s information."

"With a photo and a name, the investigation proceeded much more smoothly. We soon learned from other sources that this man was a dark web vendor who sold videos related to explosions. Based on all available intelligence, we can conclude he possessed the ability to detonate metal objects."

The investigators listened, their faces a mask of shock.

"Using metal as an explosive? An ability like that actually exists?"

"Then why would he blow himself up? Don’t tell me his ability went out of control."

"He was probably trying to take his enemy down with him," offered the female investigator with the [Profile] ability, giving a unique perspective. "Because when I Profiled him, I saw an embracing motion."

Yoshino nodded in agreement. "I believe so as well. Wu Wang intended to take his enemy down with him, so he detonated a massive bomb."

"What a lunatic..."

"Chief Yoshino, who was this enemy?"

Yoshino shook his head. "Unfortunately, that person left no DNA at the scene, so we can’t run a search."

"No DNA... Could it be because they were at the epicenter of the blast, so everything was vaporized?"

"No. My gut tells me this person is very likely still alive." Yoshino looked at the female investigator. "You think so too, don’t you, Suzuki?"

"Yes, Chief Yoshino."

The other investigators found it unbelievable. ’Could someone really survive being at the epicenter of such a massive explosion?’

Yoshino continued, "Can you get a Profile on that person?"

Suzuki frowned in concentration for a moment before shaking her head. "I’ve tried using my ability to Profile the person several times, but all I get is a vague silhouette in my mind, with no distinguishing features."

"That’s a problem." Yoshino’s expression was grim. "The city-wide search over the past few days has turned up nothing. If we can’t find this person, this investigation will be a complete failure."

The room fell into a grim silence. With no clues and a target lost in a sea of people, even a master detective would be helpless.

"What if we start with his social connections?" a veteran officer who was a former detective suggested. "We could look into Wu Wang’s past for any enemies. That might be one avenue. But with only a week left, we’d never have enough time."

"That’s a good suggestion." Yoshino made a decision. "Alright, here’s the plan. Suzuki, you and I will take a trip to Banzhen to request an extension from the Director in person. The rest of you, start investigating Wu Wang’s social connections."

"Yes, sir!"

After the meeting was dismissed, Yoshino asked Suzuki to stay behind.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, his tone tentative. "Suzuki, if all else fails... we may need you to make a sacrifice."

Suzuki froze. "Chief Yoshino, what do you mean?"

"Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m talking about the spores... I hear they can enhance a person’s abilities. If we really can’t find our target, we need to be prepared to do what it takes to justify the trust our superiors have placed in us."

"...You’re saying I should voluntarily accept the spores to try and enhance my Profile ability, so I can find Wu Wang’s enemy?"

"Only as a last resort."

"...I understand."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!