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墨書 Inktalez
I pushed aside Fatty, who was blocking my view, and took a serious look at the fungal strain that had sprouted from the insect's head on the ground. I clearly told Jack, "I don't remember."
"Well, your memory is really poor. It almost swallowed me and even rooted itself into my back. I won't forget it."
After hearing Jack's words, I jumped down from the rock and then turned around to jump back up, unable to stay still like an ant on a hot pan. I leaped off the rock from the other side and squatted down to vomit, but there was hardly anything left in my stomach; all that came out was bile.
I felt incredibly unlucky. What had I eaten during that trip to the Underground Cavern? It was either Mutated Human Flesh or Zombie Fungus. Just thinking about those things in my stomach sent chills down my spine. But at least I could boast about it; while Zombie Fungus consumed humans, I had eaten both humans and Zombie Fungus.
As soon as Jack spoke, I realized he was referring to the Emerald Light Barrier that had nearly taken our lives. Initially, I couldn't accurately identify it; I thought it possessed characteristics of both plants and fungi, a species caught between the two. Now that I think about it, that sweet fruity flavor has turned bitter beyond belief.
After vomiting for a while, I felt empty and started dry heaving—purely psychological... Jack's mental fortitude has really strengthened; last time when we heard that Giant Bat was a mutation of the Hakka People, he vomited alongside me. This time, he seemed so calm.
I wiped my mouth and staggered back. Unable to resist, I asked Jack, "You've eaten that thing too; aren't you disgusted?"
Jack shook his head. "It has eaten me too."
Upon hearing this, I realized this guy had quite a strong sense of revenge.
Counting everything I've eaten in the Underground Cavern so far, aside from Giant Bat meat and the jelly-like meat from the Green Light Wall, all that was left was fish. I was genuinely worried that these big fish might also be problematic.
I sat down next to Jack and asked, "Is there any chance the fish we've eaten are also mutated?"
Jack looked at me with sympathy. "How would I know? Just eat it and don't think too much."
"That's true. Otherwise, we would starve to death." I sighed, the foul smell of stomach acid escaping my mouth. "How can you be sure that the Green Light Wall is Zombie Fungus? Don't fungi all look like this?"
I pointed at the fungus growing on the head of the insect.
"Stop making excuses for yourself. There are many types and shapes of fungi; this one and the Light Barrier type are both rare. You just haven't realized they are fungi. I can't prove it to you right now; that requires a lab. But I'm fairly certain they are fungi, including the fleshy Light Barrier we've eaten."
I adjusted my thoughts and turned to Jack. "There’s still a problem. If the Giant Bat and Long-Tailed Monster in the Underground Cavern are products of Zombie Fungus, let's not discuss whether the fleshy Light Barrier is Zombie Fungus for now; let's assume it is.
What is the purpose of the Zombie Fungus controlling the monsters in the Underground Cavern? In the Brazilian Rainforest, the Zombie Fungus controls the Wood Ant to move it to an environment suitable for its growth, providing nutrients for itself.
But in the Underground Cavern, the Giant Bat and Long-Tailed Monster have gained prolonged life due to being infected by Zombie Fungus. Even in the eyes of the Hakka People, they are considered immortal. Just like you. The monsters in the Underground Cavern don’t die. What benefit does that bring to the Zombie Fungus that parasitizes them? Surely it’s not just for a free vacation."
"Yes, they won't die. What I mean is that here, the Zombie Fungus doesn’t easily kill its host, just like it hasn’t with this one." Jack pointed at the insect before us, and I knew he was referring to the fungal strain growing inside its head. Based on Jack's assessment, it seemed that the Anti-Zombie Fungus didn’t easily kill its host because it simply lacked that capability.
"But we saw something even more disgusting at the Light Barrier. There were monster corpses inside it. My judgment is that when the main body of the Zombie Fungus needs nutrients, it will control a single monster to sacrifice itself, providing nourishment for its main body."
My thoughts began to clarify, and I felt that Jack's analysis had some validity and credibility. Of course, primarily, I was too unfamiliar with this information to explain everything from a more reasonable perspective. However, I still had many doubts.
"Then why did the presence of Anti-Zombie Fungus cause such panic here? Not only did the local Giant Bat and Long-Tailed Monster become frenzied, but even the Hakka People forced us into this place because of it. Could it be that the Anti-Zombie Fungus poses an even greater threat here? Also, you don't seem as frustrated anymore; do you have a good idea?"
"Yes, I think we might not die so tragically; we might even make it out alive." A hint of a smile finally appeared on Jack's face. "I believe that Anti-Zombie Fungus is a dual parasite. It first parasitizes on Zombie Fungus, then through it, it parasitizes larger hosts. They lack the ability to control their hosts or kill larger ones.
Let's use the example of the Zombie Ant from the Brazilian Rainforest. A single Wood Ant gets infected by Zombie Fungus, which is then infected by Anti-Zombie Fungus. At this point, instead of acting according to logic, the Zombie Fungus neither controls the Wood Ant to move to a suitable environment nor kills it; instead, it chooses to lie dormant."
However, the Anti-Zombie Fungus will not wait; it will first kill its primary host, the Zombie Fungus. We know that the Zombie Fungus controls the behavior and thoughts of its host by releasing alkaloid chemicals, rather than physically acting on the host's neurons.
Once the Zombie Fungus is killed, the alkaloid chemicals affecting the Wood Ant's neurons will disappear, and this Wood Ant will awaken."
I asked incredulously, "Are you saying that the monsters in the Underground Cavern will regain normal human thoughts because of the Anti-Zombie Fungus? But the reality is that they attack us and the Hakka People even more crazily. Do you think that's how normal people behave?"
Jack furrowed his brow in difficulty and shrugged, "This is my analysis based on known clues; you could say it's a guess as well. But I believe this is getting close to the truth of the matter. It's also possible that they damaged their brain cells while mutating into Giant Bats and Long-Tailed Monsters, which would be irreversible. You should be able to see that these monsters have become more organized in their attacks against us; this indicates a tendency towards logical thinking.
Especially the Giant Bat, which acts in unison and even employs certain strategies to drive Piranhas to attack us. I think it was fortunate that we didn't follow their plans; rowing to the opposite shore was a lucky decision. There must be greater dangers waiting for us on the other side of the river."
I fell into deep thought, staring at the insects beneath my feet for a moment. "Burn it."
(To Be Continued...)
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