Chapter 215
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Chapter 215: Dead End
The humanoid figure was purely composed of fragments from the shells of insect-like extraordinary beasts and bound together by mycelium, resembling a form of postmodern abstract art.
However, none of the humans present had the ability to appreciate such avant-garde art.
The humanoid gradually rose before them, only to be met with a searing ray of energy.
"Boom!"
The humanoid was reduced to half its size; its upper body shattered into countless worthless fragments that scattered in all directions.
Yet, from the retreating swarm of insects, several volunteers emerged, either willingly or unwillingly. Like the previous insects, they allowed their bodies to be consumed and overtaken by the mycelium, ultimately restoring the humanoid figure.
“Useless.”
Under the influence of the mycelium, fragments of the shells began to rub against each other, as if a gentle breeze carried multiple sounds, merging them into a version that the humans could comprehend.
"Your abilities are quite fascinating. That’s a description I learned from another brain.
“At my current stage of growth, I cannot directly perceive your abilities, so are you willing to cooperate with me?"
By now, the members of Zheng Gaoya’s team had a basic understanding of the situation—
The entity communicating with them was not the will within that broken humanoid body, but rather the collective voice of every strand of mycelium and every life form around them.
Compared to the beast tide that blotted out the sky, this will seemed even more terrifying on another level.
Gangfeng wanted to argue, but Zheng Gaoya raised a hand to stop him.
The Captain stepped forward, taking two strides to the front, and gestured with one hand behind his back.
At this moment, he no longer cared whether the opposing will could detect his actions; he merely aimed to record as much valuable information as possible within human capability.
"What do you mean by cooperation?"
"It refers to the special anomalies that occur in beings like you."
The humanoid quickly replied, its voice slightly muffled and sounding somewhat ethereal as it came from all directions.
"Why do you exhibit such random anomalies? Why do most individuals hiding behind that wall not show these anomalies? Why haven’t we experienced anomalies?
"These questions have puzzled us for a long time, and we want to know, so we hope to cooperate with you special individuals."
Zheng Gaoya frowned and said, “I want to know where superpowers come from too, but why should I cooperate with you? Those bookworms in the research institutes seem a lot more reliable than this non-human being.”
"By cooperating, you can become one of us."
The voice in the air remained somewhat ethereal, but everyone understood the meaning the being wanted to convey.
"Since we chose to leave the city, we are already prepared for death. You wouldn’t understand what that means."
"We do; we just don’t comprehend it."
The will of the mycelium seemed not to have learned how to deceive, or it found no point in deceit and simply provided an answer.
As it continued to speak, Zheng Gaoya made a new gesture behind him.
The words of the will of the mycelium had already revealed much information, indicating that it could read certain contents within the human brain to some extent.
This was truly terrifying.
If this were true, then no matter how resolute their will, they could not prevent the other from extracting what it desired from their memories.
Upon realizing this, the individuals behind Zheng Gaoya exchanged knowing glances and prepared themselves for the ultimate sacrifice.
The exploration team differs from the typical superhero team in their standard equipment. As explorers who might never return, both the researchers who prepare the gear and the informants who venture into the field must confront a singular truth.
That truth is death.
By this point, each of them had grasped a concealed bulge hidden within the folds of their sleeves.
A mere squeeze with two fingers would release a lethal toxin into their bodies.
A brain ravaged by toxins would surely be rendered useless for any form of extraction.
This subtle maneuver did not go unnoticed by the opposing will. The humanoid figure, mimicking human mannerisms, let out a theatrical sigh:
"It seems you have chosen to refuse."
"Because we are human."
"An intriguing response. Perhaps, in time, we will come to understand."
The trees stood motionless, and the forest was enveloped in an eerie silence, as if time itself had come to a standstill.
Just as they were about to carry out their grim resolve, a powerful, foreign will surged into their minds, stirring chaos and tempting their deepest instincts for survival, causing them to pause their fatal actions.
In that instant, each person’s will began to clash fiercely with the intruder in their minds, struggling to regain control.
"Ah, this is precisely why we avoid this method; individuals like you, who exhibit random anomalies, are exceedingly difficult to influence in a normal state of being."
The voice returned, a murmur like the wind, but no one had the strength to discern its meaning.
The body, composed entirely of shell fragments, advanced step by step until it stood before the extraction.
"Your anomaly is quite fascinating; it can detect the influences we impose.
"Please, enlighten us. Why is this so?"
The limbs, formed from shards of the humanoid body, pierced the throat of the superpowered individual at extraction.
Simultaneously, the murmurs in their minds reached an unprecedented crescendo. Under the overwhelming pressure of the external biological field, their brains instinctively activated self-protection mechanisms, causing several of them to collapse into unconsciousness.
"Let us begin anew; there are many questions yet to be explored."
The will’s command propagated through the biological field, traveling along the mycelium to every plant within its reach and into the minds of every creature subservient to the Supreme Will.
The forest seemed to awaken, as trees swayed their branches and the white fog, rising tens of meters high, appeared to boil in an instant.
The retreating swarm of insects converged once more from all directions.
Some used their sharp front paws to tear through the sleeves of the superpowered individuals, removing the switches that could inject them with neurotoxins.
Others set about restoring the environment, filling empty nutritional paste containers with the bodily fluids of fallen extraordinary beasts and using branches or other readily available materials to replenish the team’s equipment.
Among the five, the most unique at extraction rose to her feet once more, unbeknownst to the others.
The puncture wounds on her neck began to heal, and her once-clear, innocent eyes now seemed veiled by a thin, fibrous haze.
