Free Web NovelThose stray beasts were called soldier ants by them.
This Soldier Ant Project was a gene-modification project the research institute had been conducting in secret. They intended to create a batch of controllable biological soldiers with high lethality and a high degree of obedience.
It was said that the inspiration for this plan had even come from the Saint Clan.
The Saint Clan could be considered a very typical race with a pyramid-structured system.
They possessed a strict social form and a clearly divided hierarchy. All Saint Clan members followed collective laws, and internally, they were a complete whole.
On the foundation of this whole, all Saint Clan members were unified under the command of the most powerful Salileno class. The individual obeyed the collective consciousness, and lower-class Saint Clan members obeyed the orders of higher-class ones.
It was precisely under such a system that the strength of the Saint Clan was no longer limited to individuals. They were more like an army perfected from top to bottom, and every soldier in this army was unconditionally loyal to their leader.
Obeying orders, working together, fearing no sacrifice—these most essential elements for an army were all possessed by the Saint Clan, and they were even engraved into their genes.
If such an army were placed in the Starverse, who could look at it and not feel afraid?
What the research institute wanted to create was exactly such a batch of biological soldiers, ones that could be like the Saint Clan.
Thus, they chose stray beasts—this kind of low-level creature with no mind, knowing only how to devour flesh and blood.
They amplified the craving for flesh and blood already present in the stray beasts’ original genes, making them bloodthirsty and vicious, while also making their desire to attack extremely intense.
After that, they performed gene-modification surgery on the stray beasts, fusing the genes of other races into the stray beasts’ gene fragments. The stray beasts created this way combined the strengths of other races, and their physical capabilities were far stronger than those of ordinary stray beasts.
This kind of stray beast, which had undergone one round of gene modification, was also called a Type I experimental subject. They were also the most primitive version in the Soldier Ant Project.
What Wen Yuzhi, Xi Heyan, and the others had encountered on Blackrock Star had been precisely this kind of Type I experimental subject.
Although these stray beasts would occasionally produce special individual cases, such as the kind of stray beasts on Blackrock Star that could breathe fire and spit water, their overall strength was still limited.
This was also related to the genes of stray beasts themselves. Originally, they were merely mutated alien beasts created by cosmic radiation. The upper limit of their genes was simply there, with no way to compare with other races.
But to the research institute, stray beasts like this were clearly not powerful enough. They were still far from meeting their expectations for biological soldiers.
Under these circumstances, they took an even more deranged step.
The research institute chose to switch the two sides of the genetic fusion. In other words, they fused stray-beast genes into the gene fragments of intelligent races, transforming those intelligent races into stray beasts.
This method was undoubtedly insane.
They had completely violated both interstellar law and the bottom line of morality, while also attempting to create an unprecedented batch of monsters.
Yet in the end, the experiment succeeded.
The Type II experimental subjects, which had been transformed into stray beasts, were extremely outstanding. Without genetic limitations, their bodies and strength improved significantly. More importantly, this batch of stray beasts could continuously devour flesh and blood to evolve.
No one knew what they would evolve into.
But given that every evolution made their external appearance increasingly close to a human form,
these researchers guessed that the final evolutionary form of the Type II experimental subjects might be a completely new kind of human race. They called this new humans, modified humans.
If Wen Yuzhi and the others had not killed that giant tumor, then after it devoured all the survivors, perhaps it really would have evolved into the so-called appearance of a new human.
The researchers clearly had great hopes for the potential of that giant tumor.
Unfortunately, they no longer had the chance to see it. The giant tumor they had placed such hopes on had already been blown apart into fireworks.
Truly...
Not regrettable in the slightest.
Just reading this document was already enough for Wen Yuzhi to lose even the tiniest bit of goodwill toward everyone in this research institute.
They did not think there was anything wrong with this experiment either. They had sat here openly and grandly, watching through surveillance as the stray beasts ate the survivors, and even recorded the entire process.
They called it, quite prettily, an extremely precious data test.
If they were still alive now, Wen Yuzhi would want to use his big hammer to beat this group of people up first.
“The people in this research institute are completely inhuman.”
After reading it, Lottie was furious as well. When she thought of how the missing members of the merfolk race might very possibly have been taken by the people of this research institute to undergo gene experiments, she wished she could tear all these people into pieces.
It could only be said that Blood Shark had acted too quickly.
Otherwise, even if this game ended, what awaited these researchers would still be the fury of the entire Starverse.
They themselves probably had never imagined that they would be killed by Blood Shark.
To a certain extent, this could be considered evil retribution.
But it still felt infuriating.
Too many people had died.
Putting aside the survivors trapped here, just for the sake of their experiments, these researchers had already persecuted countless intelligent races.
Stray beasts were very obviously only one of their plans. Who knew whether there were other things hidden behind the scenes?
The authority these researchers had was limited.
But there was one point they had also written into the documents.
Before the stray beasts, the research institute had conducted some gene-fusion experiments on a batch of experimental subjects. The results were not bad. This batch of experimental subjects was extremely powerful, but the problem was that there were too many uncertain factors in them.
They were powerful weapons, but they could not become qualified soldiers.
It was also out of helplessness that the research institute chose stray beasts, which had no self-awareness and could be controlled through chips, thereby beginning the Soldier Ant Project.
As for that earliest batch of experimental subjects, they were still important property of the research institute. On ordinary days, the research institute would assign them missions.
These researchers privately called them “dogs.”
After all, these experimental subjects had been trained to be more obedient than dogs.
This time, when they came to Blue Luster Star, two “dogs” had come to provide them protection. Aside from that, a batch of bounty hunters had also been hired.
If nothing unexpected had happened, Blood Shark was one of the hired bounty hunters. It was just unknown why he had turned into that monstrous state.
And when he killed these researchers, the “dogs” responsible for protecting them and the other bounty hunters seemed to have been absent. At the very least, they did not—or perhaps could not—stop this “accident.”
Judging by the state of the scene, these researchers probably had not known beforehand that Blood Shark would come kill them.
So what exactly had happened here?
Just as Wen Yuzhi finished recording all the materials in the backend with his light-brain, a set of chaotic footsteps gradually approached.
But these footsteps were also somewhat strange. The sound was messy and disorderly, like the noise of some kind of arthropod stepping on the ground.
Thinking of how those researchers liked creating experimental subjects that resembled monsters...
Wen Yuzhi and the others instantly became alert.
Xi Heyan raised his handgun, the muzzle aimed in the direction of the corridor.
The footsteps came closer and closer.
But when that figure appeared before them, Fatty let out a surprised ah.
Wen Yuzhi was also stunned.
Because the one who appeared before them now was a half-human, half-spider woman.
She looked very disheveled. Half her right arm was gone, and a very deep wound had been cut across her abdomen. At this moment, blood was still continuously seeping from the injury.
Seeing Wen Yuzhi’s group, which was clearly not made up of researchers, the other party also seemed slightly startled.
However, she did not question their identities. Instead, she asked rather urgently, “Where is Blood Shark? Have you seen a red-haired, one-eyed man?”
“We have.”
Wen Yuzhi’s tone was calm.
Seeing the young man before her, the light in Spider Woman’s eyes suddenly flickered. She recognized Wen Yuzhi as the person who had been playing the zither in the square earlier.
She had not expected that they would actually meet here...
However, Spider Woman merely sighed casually in her heart. Clearly, she had something more urgent to do at the moment.
“Where is he?!”
The most important thing for her right now was finding Blood Shark’s whereabouts.
Wen Yuzhi told her calmly, “He’s dead. Before he died, he also turned into a monster.”
Wen Yuzhi said the second half deliberately. As he spoke, he observed the expression on Spider Woman’s face.
“Dead?”
Upon hearing the news of Blood Shark’s death, Spider Woman’s first reaction was a dazed one. Then, as if she realized something, she sneered.
“Good that he’s dead.”
Spider Woman also saw the corpses all over the floor. She did not say anything, but there was a mocking smile on her face.
She seemed to lower her head and quietly appreciate the deaths of these researchers for a while. Only when she had appreciated them enough did Spider Woman raise her head again and look in Wen Yuzhi’s direction.
“You’re survivors. Why did you come here? Are all the stray beasts outside dead?”
Unexpectedly, the young man who had obediently answered her before was no longer willing to cooperate this time.
Wen Yuzhi tilted his head slightly and looked at her. “I’ve already answered two of your questions. As repayment, shouldn’t you answer our questions too?”
“After all, only then would it be fair, wouldn’t it?”
Wen Yuzhi’s voice was still soft, carrying a young man’s clear brightness. It did not sound aggressive in the slightest.
Yet after he finished speaking, Xi Heyan aimed the muzzle of his gun at Spider Woman’s heart, Lottie smiled and raised the sharp claws in her hands, and needless to say, the Saint Clan royal guards were all coldly watching Spider Woman.
Spider Woman, who sensed countless killing intents at this moment: “...”
For an instant, she suspected that the young man before her was not the pure little angel Se’an had spoken of at all, but a little devil with horns on his head and a pointed tail swaying behind him!
How exactly did the other party say such threatening words with that adorable face?
Spider Woman wanted to light herself another cigarette.
She raised an eyebrow and said, “Fine. For fairness, ask whatever you want. But I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to answer everything. After all, I only accepted a bounty to come protect these researchers.”
When she said the last sentence, Spider Woman very obviously gave Wen Yuzhi a provocative smile.
Wen Yuzhi, however, did not look angry at all. His attitude remained extremely polite.
“Then I’ll ask the first question.”
Spider Woman curled her lips in a smug smile.
Yet in the next moment, that smile froze on her face.
“You should be an experimental subject too, right? Is your lower half like this because spider genes were fused into you? Mm... it’s actually pretty cool.”
When ordinary people saw Spider Woman, it was hard for them to avoid looking at her lower half with strange eyes.
But Wen Yuzhi had seen exoskeletal mutations emerge on Saint Clan members when they became emotionally agitated, so he was not particularly frightened by Spider Woman’s condition. He even looked at it a few extra times out of curiosity.
To be honest, Spider Woman’s spider body was not actually ugly if one looked closely. It did not have that layer of fuzzy short hair that would make people feel disgusted.
On the contrary, its color was very beautiful. It was the legendary colorful black; its smooth, sharp arthropod limbs carried a somewhat metallic texture, and under the bright lights, they even reflected a jewel-like luster.
This was also why Wen Yuzhi said Spider Woman looked cool.
Spider Woman did not take Wen Yuzhi’s praise to heart. She had experienced far too much malice.
They were both half-human forms, yet merfolk received everyone’s amazement, while Spider Woman could only ever see fear in other people’s eyes.
No one would like a monster.
This spider body had always been Spider Woman’s taboo.
If the person asking today had not been Wen Yuzhi, Spider Woman would have cut out the other party’s tongue long ago.
There was no longer any smile on her face.
“I can only count as half an experimental subject. Strictly speaking, an existence like me should be called a tool instead.”
“A tool?”
Wen Yuzhi asked subconsciously.
“Yes...”
Spider Woman dragged out her tone. That hoarse female voice became distorted in the elongated syllable, revealing a bit of cold, venomous resentment.
“A tool that can be upgraded and modified however they like.”
At this point, Spider Woman waved her severed right arm. “That’s the second question. But if you’re willing to bandage me up, I can tell you a story.”
Anyone who was not blind could see that Spider Woman was currently in poor condition.
In just the time it took to exchange these few words, a pool of blood had already gathered beneath her. If she still did not receive treatment, she would probably be able to go downstairs and see Blood Shark very soon.
Wen Yuzhi gave her a simple bandage.
However, it was only enough to temporarily stop the bleeding. As for the severed right arm, Spider Woman would probably have to find a treatment pod to repair it after she got out.
But even this already satisfied Spider Woman.
“The research institute also had external business. Have you ever thought about why these researchers conducted these kinds of gene experiments?”
Fatty silently said, “I’ve heard a saying before. Only things with demand have a market.”
“Yes. Only demand creates a market. There are always some rich and powerful people in this world who, with money and the power in their hands, can do many things ordinary people can’t reach.”
Spider Woman smiled mockingly.
“I’m guessing you probably can’t imagine just how disgusting these so-called nobles can be.”
“Can you imagine? You have a toy you’re very fond of, but one day, this toy accidentally gets broken. But please don’t worry, because there’s a place that can help you repair it.”
“They can even modify this toy according to your every demand. You can keep modifying it forever. After all, that place has plenty of spare parts, and you aren’t short on money either. You only need to pay a reward, and you can obtain a work that satisfies you.”
Spider Woman spoke with a smiling expression. She was talking about a toy, but everyone knew what she meant.
In her words, that toy could be modified however they liked.
Modified how?
Thinking of the appearances of those stray beasts, everyone fell silent for a moment.
“So you were sent to be modified too?” Wen Yuzhi asked her.
Spider Woman nodded.
What was even sadder was that, in truth, she did not even count as a toy. She was only a tool—a tool used to earn money for those bosses.
“I was a mining slave.”
Wen Yuzhi had clearly never heard the term mining slave before, but from the literal meaning, he could more or less guess.
People like Spider Woman, who had been captured to become mining slaves, were not uncommon in the slums. Those places were not protected by law, and human lives were cheap.
The local powerful looked down on the poor, but when it came to making money, they often thought of the “cost-effectiveness” of the poor as well.
After squeezing dry the labor of the poor, they would even think about squeezing out the final bit of value from these slaves.
They sent these useless slaves to the research institute, wanting to transform them into useful tools.
They said spiders had eight legs and could climb deep underground in caves, which fit their need for high-efficiency mining very well. frёeωebɳovel.com
And because of that one sentence, Spider Woman was forced to undergo a nightmare-like “modification.”
Among those slaves, only she survived.
But she also became this half-human, half-spider monster.
This was the research institute’s external business. They could complete certain special customizations for those nobles.
The research institute also used this kind of business to form an enormous network of relationships with many powerful and influential people.
These nobles would provide help to the research institute and cover up the institute’s illegal experiments.
After Spider Woman said everything, the viewers in the livestream room also fell silent.
Wen Yuzhi said, “I still have one more question.”
Spider Woman frowned. “There were only two questions total. I already answered you...”
“The stray beasts outside are all dead.”
Wen Yuzhi interrupted Spider Woman. He blinked and said obediently, “All right. Now you owe me another question.”
Clearly, Wen Yuzhi had answered the question Spider Woman had asked earlier. According to fairness, Spider Woman should answer one more question in return.
Spider Woman narrowed her eyes. Just as she moved slightly, she saw the young man before her take out an inflatable hammer.
“I forgot to tell you. This question of mine is mandatory. You can only answer. You can’t stay silent, and you can’t refuse.”
Wen the Tyrannical Zhi said so.
Spider Woman: “...”
In the end, she still chose to yield. It could not be helped. In her current state, she could not beat the bodyguards beside him.
“Ask.”
“What happened here? Also, aside from you, where are the others who were protecting the researchers?”
...Wasn’t that two questions?!
...Yes. You asked two back then, so I’m asking two now.
Wen Yuzhi had an obedient expression.
Spider Woman...
She took a deep breath. However, before she could say anything, she seemed to sense something, and her expression abruptly changed.
“Damn it! Those ghost things got out again!”
