NOVEL WEB Chapter 22: Origin of the Zombie Outbreak
None of them spoke, and the only sound in the room was the rustling of the files being flipped through.
The safe was filled with laboratory reports, heavily laden with text, but Lynn and Alice quickly skimmed through them.
Alice was evidently more aware than Lynn of the importance of these records, and upon seeing the key points, she said solemnly, "This secret research of this hospital... Surprisingly, it's a calamity source!"
This was also what Lynn had been searching for, the source of the zombie outbreak. Not only did he see the origin of the [Brawler Zombie], and the [Bone Blade Zombie], but also others possible mutant zombies that he didn’t encounter yet.
But it seems Lynn had been somewhat mistaken in his assumptions.
What this hospital was studying was not the zombies that filled the hospital. Those creatures were merely experimental products of the research and not the main goal.
The true object of this research was the calamity source called [Distorted Flesh]
Lynn's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the nature of the calamity source.
“Although I don't understand what this calamity source is,” thought Lynn. ”But based on the description, it should be some kind of highly dangerous object.”
And according on the behavior of Alice which was still flipping through the file, it was not difficult to deduce that it was something extraordinary.
They didn't exchange a word as they continued to flip through the files.
At that moment, he took another pile of files and found an accident report.
"Confidential File: Accident Report A19”
"Details: On May 21th, abnormal surveillance data from the research experiment were found, and there was a short period of abnormal agitation in each mutant in the laboratory; after careful examination, no suspicious condition was found... Risk: Low | Solution: Strengthen Inspections.”
"Correction to the file: On June 2nd, all mutant showed signs of losing control in the same time. Suspicion of a high-level accident! High risk of pollution, distortion and uncontrollability of the source of calamity and every person in contact with it…"
Seeing this, the puzzle-like clues in Lynn's mind seemed to connect.
Although he was still missing a few pieces, he had roughly reconstructed the original cause of the incident at this hospital.
Someone had obtained a dangerous "calamity source", and sealed it in this hospital and then proceeded to do research on it. But during the research, there was an accident, and every person in contact with the calamity source, from researcher to people who were experimented on, most of them were infected and transformed into a zombie. These creatures then started attacking everyone in the hospital, spreading the disease in the entire hospital.
Lynn inhaled sharply. "This must have been the origin point of the outbreak!"
He shook his head, still trying to process the implications of everything they had uncovered. A dangerous 'calamity source' that could grant abilities but also transform people into monsters. A catastrophic accident that spiraled out of control.
"This is bigger than I could have imagined," Lynn muttered to himself.
As Lynn's mind raced, trying to reconstruct the chain of events, Alice continued diligently searching through the piles of documents.
"I found the building blueprint," she suddenly announced, pulling out a large diagram from the stacks of files.
It was a structural blueprint of the hospital, clearly labeled 'Confidential.'
Scanning the blueprint intently, Alice's finger shot out, tapping one section.
"Here it is - the missing part that we've been searching for. The hidden underground research facilities."
Lynn quickly moved next to Alice to examine the blueprint she was indicating. Just as she had said, the diagram showed a sub-level beneath the main hospital, labeled 'Authorized Personnel Only.'
"That must be where they conducted the experiments and stored the calamity source," Lynn realized. This was precisely the hidden location they had been seeking.
"Yes, this is our destination," Alice agreed. "We need to find access to this underground level. That's where we'll get to the bottom of everything."
Lynn nodded. Having a concrete goal energized him. No more wandering aimlessly through the zombie-infested hospital. Now they had a clear target.
"I also found some other interesting documents," Lynn added, taking out the accident report. "I think they reveal the origin of the zombie outbreak."
He quickly summarized for Alice the accident report.
As Lynn recounted the key details, Alice listened intently, her expression growing grimmer.
"As I suspected, it seems the calamity source became uncontrollable, it’s the most probable reason of the formation of a new forbidden space." she remarked. "Calamity sources can grant miraculous abilities, but they often come with terrifying side effects and a price that outweigh any benefits."
She sighed deeply. "When researching forces beyond human control, tragedy is inevitable."
Lynn couldn't help but agree. He tried to imagine what had transpired - patients injected with a mysterious substance, mutating in horrifying ways. Then an accident releases the calamity source, infecting the entire hospital. Absolute pandemonium must have erupted, transforming the facility into the nightmarish place they found themselves in now.
"At least now we understand the cause of all this," Lynn said. "But we still need to find a way to deal with the current situation. Most importantly, locating access to the underground facilities."
Alice nodded solemnly. "Yes, you're absolutely right. Our top priority should be locating access to the underground facilities, but in the same time we must eliminate the zombies in our way."
She continued, “The most effective and secure way to break a forbidden space formed by an uncontrollable calamity source is to clean it influence weakening it powers, then seal it”
“In our case, cleaning the influence means killing the zombies that are created by the calamity source’s power. The zombies are essentially physical manifestations of the calamity's power. By eliminating them, we purge a portion of its energy. If unchecked, the zombies would continue to multiply, strengthening the calamity's hold on this space.”
Lynn's eyes lit up with understanding. "So by systematically exterminating the zombies, we gradually weaken the calamity source's authority over this place. Almost like starving it of power."
"Exactly," Alice confirmed.
As Alice explained how to solve their situation, they quickly gathered up the most relevant documents to take with them, including the building blueprint. Lynn stuffed the pages into his backpack.