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墨書 Inktalez
What annoys me most right now is that everything is blamed on me, and it's all so mysterious. But I actually don’t know anything, so I’m taking advantage of the standard. I suppressed the dissatisfaction in my heart, but I couldn't suppress the dissatisfaction or even angry expression on my face. "What do you mean? Is she a female? My attraction has transcended races? Has it crossed species and even the largest phylum and realm in biological taxonomy, and even insects have feelings for me?" Jack had an ugly look on his face smile. "Of course not you. Each of us is very attracted to it. I think it must be very excited now. Such a large amount of food is enough for it to eat for a while." I couldn't understand Jack's words more and more. "What do you think? It will eat us~∞, with its Mouthparts the size of mung beans, or tentacles thinner than reeds. I believe it is poisonous, even highly poisonous, but we can avoid it It, but you, it’s going to eat us, ho ho.” The fact that I used ‘ho ho’ as a concluding sentence does not mean that I value Jack’s words. On the contrary, I feel fear. Jack is a serious person, he will not lie to scare me, especially at this time. I pretend to be relaxed. More to hide fear. But the fear still made me vent it out after the 'ho ho'. "What the hell is going on! Come out happily." Jack took a deep look at the bug and turned back: "Do you know Zombie Ant?" "You have watched too many zombie movies. What, you Americans? The zombie movie, the one called Resident Evil. Virus infection, right? Do you have a Zombie Virus in this Underground Cavern?” I was a bit incoherent. It's terrible. The creatures in Underground Cavern, whether they are Giant Bat or Long-Tailed Monster, if they are really the mutations of Hakka People, then Zombie Virus will make sense. Then the possibility exists that we become monsters. "No, it's not Zombie Virus. It seems that you need to make up for a biology lesson." Jack stood up heartily, retreated to the stone and sat down. To Tang Yumo who is still in front of the bug: "Although it doesn't matter anymore, it's best not to touch it. It will make you feel better."
Then he smiled at Tang Yumo. "Don't you want to hear about a mystery that has puzzled the Hakka People for thousands of years? I might have an answer for you."
I sat down next to Jack. The two of us faced the ugly insects not far below us, illuminated by two glow sticks, their grotesque forms glowing in vibrant colors.
"In the Brazilian Rainforest, there is a type of Zombie Fungus that can infect ants, taking over their brains and exerting 'mental control.' Once the ants move to an area suitable for the fungus to grow and spread its spores, they are compelled to kill themselves."
"However, this fungus can only target one specific host, and its control over the nervous system is limited. The largest organism we know of that can be controlled by Zombie Fungus is the cricket. It seems there is a limit to the number of neurons it can control; it cannot exert influence over organisms with more complex nervous systems."
"You mean this insect is controlled by Zombie Fungus and was killed by it? That antenna on its head is the growth of the Zombie Fungus?" I pointed at the insect on the ground, asking in disbelief.
Jack nodded slightly. "That's about right. Terrifying, isn't it?"
"But you said that the control of Zombie Fungus over neurons is limited. By your logic, the complexity of the human brain far exceeds that of a Zombie Fungus; even a colony of them couldn't control it. What are you worried about? What are you afraid of?"
"If we were outside," Jack looked up at the ceiling, "the destructive power of this fungus wouldn't be something to fear. But here, in this Underground Cavern, many things can't be judged by common sense.
Do you remember when I mentioned that Hakka person who ran off to Europe? Regarding the Secondary Mutation among the Hakka People, we suspected it might be caused by a fungus or virus. However, he provided too little information for us to make a solid judgment; at that time, we thought it was more likely due to a Zombie Virus since we knew that Zombie Fungus had too weak a control over organisms to affect human brains.
But what we see here is undoubtedly a fungal body. Although it's quite different from the Zombie Fungus I've encountered before, their method of killing hosts is exactly the same. It just can't control a dead host and move it where it wants; it can only keep its host fixed in place. However, perhaps this is precisely where it intends for its host to end up."
I still looked confused; Jack hadn't answered my most critical question.
Seeing my expression, Jack sighed with a wry smile. "I know what you're puzzled about: how could Zombie Fungus have such strong control? That's what baffled us initially as well. I believe that once we entered this Underground Cavern, many things that were inexplicable outside became reasonable.
The Underground Cavern enhances or amplifies the control of Zombie Fungus, allowing it to dominate larger organisms with more neurons, including humans. It can secrete substances that alter human physical characteristics, making hosts better suited for survival here. It might even delay aging in hosts, giving creatures in the Underground Cavern an appearance of immortality."
"You mean we've been infected by this damned Zombie Fungus and will soon turn into Long-Tailed Monsters or Giant Bats? Is that what you're worried about?" My voice trembled uncontrollably, sending chills down my spine.
"Do you think we would be the exception? Even the Giant Bat and Long-Tailed Monster far from here have been affected. The Secondary Mutation is caused by the Zombie Fungus carried by this bug. But don't be too disheartened; after all, we can trade our brains for a longer life. Moreover, we still have time to fulfill our wishes and see the end of the Underground River, which would give our thoughts a perfect conclusion."
"Don't listen to his nonsense, Qiangzi."
Becoming a puppet of the Zombie Fungus would be a choice harder than death for me. I was already contemplating how to end my life when I heard Fatty making a commotion. Looking up, I saw Fatty standing in front of me, wearing a disdainful smirk.
"His remarks are purely those of a radical. They sound horrifying on the surface, but once analyzed, they fall apart. That thing growing on that bug's head is indeed a fungus; I believe that. But if that thing could turn us into monsters, that's just ridiculous.
Think about it—when did the Long-Tailed Monster and Giant Bat in the Underground Cavern come into existence? According to the Tang Family Girl, these monsters have been around for thousands of years. Her words aren't reliable, so let's not delve into that. But at least you all saw it last time we were here, right? No matter how those monsters in the Underground Cavern came to be, they have nothing to do with this fungus and that damn bug.
Got it? American Guy is just trying to play tricks here."
After hearing Fatty's words, my eyes lit up, but darkness surged within me. (To Be Continued...)
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