? Who else could it be? Bai Mu chuckled inwardly and followed Thorn into the laboratory.
Without the bio-mutant, the remaining zombies were just weaklings. Perhaps the bio-mutant here was stronger and more intelligent; it didn't indiscriminately attack the zombies in the laboratory.
After clearing out the remaining zombies, the manager of Laboratory Six finally spoke: "I'm coming out. Don't hurt me."
"If you come out, I'll definitely beat you up!" Thorn's face darkened as he stared at an isolation door, his tone fierce.
"No way, I have vaccines on me... What are you going to do!?" Seeing the explosives Bai Mu took out, the manager panicked and quickly opened the isolation door and ran out.
He was genuinely afraid that the other party would blow up the isolation door. A door that the bio-mutant couldn't open didn't mean that explosives couldn't.
The manager who rushed out glared fiercely at Bai Mu, holding a metal briefcase in front of him: "The briefcase has a combination lock, don't hit me!"
Seeing Thorn approaching with a dark expression, the manager quickly took two steps back: "And your health! I checked the surveillance footage; you were injured by a bio-mutant. Its virus is much stronger. Are you sure you'll be alright?"
Thorn stopped, his brow slightly furrowed. His injuries had already healed; there were only a few faint red marks on his arms, left from the rapid healing. Unused skin is always pinkish; it would return to its normal color in a couple of days.
"And you guys, the virus initially spread through the air, and now the concentration has decreased to a negligible level. However, the places where bio-mutants die will increase the virus concentration."
Matt and the others' expressions changed, suddenly feeling uneasy. They all looked at the briefcase the manager was holding, wanting to snatch it, but the combination lock made them calm down.
"The high temperature from the explosion should have been enough to evaporate those viruses, right?" Bai Mu walked towards the administrator, who gave him a mocking look.
"The explosion didn't evaporate the bio-mutants." He glanced back at the isolation door, which still bore scratch marks. The bio-mutants were far stronger than ordinary people.
Ordinary people would be blown to pieces in some explosions, but bio-mutants, even if hit, would be left with large, uncooked fragments—those fragments being the virus carriers.
"Fine, then we'll just have to let you share the virus-filled air with us." Bai Mu rephrased.
The administrator scoffed: "I've already been vaccinated. Unless it's the original virus solution, those viruses won't affect me at all."
Damn it!
Bai Mu couldn't control the muscles on his face, his expression turning ferocious: "Let's kill him!"
"Don't rush, let's see what he's trying to say." Matt suppressed a laugh. Since this administrator had been rambling on for so long, he must have other ideas.
"The equipment here still works. I can check your health. If anything happens, I'll provide a diluted vaccine, which can temporarily counteract the virus's effects. After you take me out, I'll give you the regular vaccine.
If everything's fine, we can have a normal deal: you take me out, and I'll provide the vaccine, okay?"
The administrator said, pulling open his shirt to reveal a device strapped to his chest with an indicator light. "Don't even think about stealing the vaccine. There's a small bomb in the box. It will explode if I die or go out of range."
Bai Mu admired him: "You're really going all out to survive."
No wonder he's a bastard who's reached the administrator position.
The administrator gave a helpless look: "I didn't want this either. I still don't know if the higher-ups just slipped up or if there really is a mole. But either way, I don't plan to go back."
"We'll protect you when you get out, but besides the vaccine, I also need the vaccine's manufacturing data." Thorn's brows were still furrowed. If he could, he really didn't want to save this bastard.
"Just the vaccine?" The administrator was a little confused. Shouldn't he need the whole set?
"This virus shouldn't exist! We have a way to make vaccines to deal with any future viruses that may appear."
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"Ah, this..." The manager was speechless. What kind of lowly soldier was this? He nodded: "You want the vaccine manufacturing data? No problem. Anyway, I'm leaving the organization. I can take the vaccine and its manufacturing method to the government.
You can send me there. If I'm guilty, let the law punish me."
Matt wanted to roll his eyes at this. This guy was fearless, relying on his technology to find a new backer. How could he directly confront the government with an organization?
The vaccine manufacturing method and the virus manufacturing data—the moment this guy 'died,' a new account would be created.
"Pack your things," Thorn said irritably. He wanted to beat this bastard up even more.
The manager's gaze fell on Thorn's arm: "The examination hasn't started yet. I don't want you guys suddenly mutating and biting me on the way. It won't waste too much time; a blood test will suffice."
He placed the box on a nearby table and rummaged through the lab, finding an unopened blood collection device: "Let's begin."
Bai Mu suddenly said, "We won't leave this city until tomorrow or the day after."
The manager nodded: "As long as we leave the day before the nuclear launch, it'll be fine. Let's start with you."
"This feels awful."
"How can it be awful? We're survivors working together now. Don't worry about the environment here. If you get infected, multiple needle marks won't matter; if you're not infected, multiple needle marks won't infect you." The manager smiled and said, "My name is Wilfer Lawrence."
"Bai Mu."
Wilfer took out a small, unopened packet of alcohol swabs and asked, "You do it yourself or should I?"
"Of course, I'll do it myself." Bai Mu walked into the safe house where Wilfer was hiding. The ventilation system was still running. He drew blood from himself and tossed the blood collection device to Lawrence.
Matt and the others hesitated for a moment, then followed Bai Mu's example and completed the blood collection.
Finally, it was Thor's turn. He didn't go to the safe house; he did it right there on-site. He was one of the least afraid of the virus.
"Give me some time," Wilford said, using the intact equipment in the lab to analyze the blood samples.
Not long after, Wilford returned with a smile: "Everyone, you're all in great shape, especially Thorne Reis. Your antibodies are incredibly strong and unique. If you had been exposed to the original viral fluid initially, you would have been even stronger."
"I wish this virus had never existed in the first place,"
Wilford said sheepishly. "Actually, this virus is beneficial to all of humanity, but ordinary people can't withstand such powerful enhancements.
Solving the virus's side effects would be the greatest breakthrough of the century. Imagine, everyone could have a healthy body and live to their theoretical maximum lifespan. Strong physiques would directly impact all walks of life; for example, astronauts could significantly reduce their reliance on aerospace equipment..."
Thorne glared at Wilford: "Shut up! All I see is a city destroyed by the virus!"
The white screen showed the birth of a group of super-powerful beings who wouldn't have to worry about sudden death. Even if the side effects of this virus were solved, it wouldn't be usable by everyone.
(End of Chapter)