A few minutes before the turning incident unfolded, a tense atmosphere filled the room as the team discussed their next steps. Anastasia and the other researchers had just finished reading the detailed report on Arthur's current health status, past experimental results, and blood analysis. Now, they entered a heated discussion about which project should take priority.
"We should consider starting with an antibody vaccine before moving on to another project, since we're close to the blood sample, as we need to prevent the potential spread of the virus in the mansion."
Avlyn suggested, emphasizing the urgency and importance of early intervention. She proposed an idea that could help keep everyone safe, developing a vaccine to prevent the virus from spreading further within the mansion. However, Angella raised a hand, her expression stern.
"Ahem, Dr. Avlyn, could you phrase that more kindly? You're speaking to my child as if he were merely a material source."
Angella points out that Avlyn's blunt words might be inappropriate for a child's ears.
Avlyn quickly apologized, covering her bluntness.
"Sorry for my wording, Dr. Angella. I was speaking honestly, but if I offended, I will rephrase to put your mind at ease."
Avlyn responded in her usual straightforward manner, emphasizing honesty, which created an awkward moment in the room.
Suddenly, a cough broke the silence.
"I'm with Dr. Avlyn," Anastasia interjected, trying to steer the conversation back to the main subject.
"But, Director Rafael, do you plan to release the vaccine to the public if we succeed in developing the prototype?"
Rafael shook his head slowly. "Actually, I've already discussed this with Angella. She recommends delaying public release if Arthur is the only source of the cure. Her plan is to switch to a more reliable method involving genetically modified plants."
Amelia, eager to lighten the mood, chimed in cheerfully. "I totally agree! With our advanced medical technology, we can genetically modify plants to produce safer, infection-free compounds for human use."
Viviane nodded enthusiastically."Relying solely on Arthur's blood isn't enough; we need to filter the blood to isolate the virus and extract mutated cells, but that isn't feasible right now. However, if we focus on building our antibody, it might be possible."
Rafael nodded in agreement.
"Renaline, what about the lab and equipment? And is everything ready?"
"Almost there," Renaline replied, showing footage on her laptop from the robot's camera.
"I am just reinforcing another room with a steel wall to prevent leaks into the mansion, adding extra support to contain any accidental releases."
Angella looked impressed. "I'm still amazed at how well you control the robots, are there more than twenty? They move so perfectly in sync, it's more efficient than human labor or other machinery."
"Renaline is the inventor of the Neurolink Cortex system," Rafael explained proudly.
Immediately, Arthur exclaimed, his face lighting up like a fan who had met his idol. "Whoa! That's the brain technology I read about, which helps humans connect directly to the internet without being overwhelmed by data. So, you're the inventor? Amazing!"
The Neurolink Cortex system, developed by Teshub Coil Electronics Corporation, a company of Renaline's parents, is groundbreaking technology. It acts as a second brain, enhancing learning, critical thinking, and movement efficiency. It also connects humans to virtual reality through an artificial cortex integrated into their bodies, inspired by how androids adapt and transport their own identity, data, and memories to other machines.
Renaline nodded appreciatively, smiling cutely. "Thank you very much, your thoughts make the surgery worthwhile."
" Truly honestly, that was one of the most challenging surgeries I've ever performed, implanting a tiny chip into the cerebellum without damaging the whole brain," Rafael said, reminiscing
Renaline looks at Rafael with gratitude. "That's why I'm thankful for you, Grandpa."
"Even though it's my most successful invention...It's incomplete, still vulnerable to hacking, which is dangerous to the brain."
Rafael looked serious. "Then why go through with the surgery if it's not completely safe?"
"Because I'm a genius!" Renaline declared confidently.
"I'm different from everyone else. Even if they try to hack me, I can counter them easily."
"Whoa—
Just as Arthur was exclaiming, a sudden sensation enveloped him. His body felt an intense hunger and was beginning to transform inexplicably. His eyes flickered to the blinking floating screen in front of him, and he immediately understood what was happening.
[Virus assimilation complete]
[WARNING!!]
[Due to the virus devouring the cell to stabilize]
[The body will enter a berserk hunger state to compensate]
[WARNING!!]
[Symptoms of the berserk hunger state include extreme hunger, visual hallucinations, and lack of physical limitations]
[Entering into berserk hunger state...]
"grrr...ikkr...!"
"Arthur?" Angella asked with concern, quickly noticing her son's pale and pained expression.
However, Arthur was not paying attention to his surroundings as he struggled to control his impulses, resist the urge to bite others. With every muscle tense and his eyes flickering into crimson red with primal hunger, his body quivered as he underwent a terrifying transformation into a flesh-eating monster.
Grr...ack...!!"
"ARTHUR!" Angella exclaimed with urgent concern and immediately rushed to his side, her heart pounding as she tried to assess his condition.
"Quick! Call the nurses and have them get a stretcher ready, while others prepare the room for immediate treatment!" Rafael commanded briskly, standing up decisively and issuing orders with authority.
"Right away, sir!" The maids responded promptly, scattering to carry out his commands.
"AAHHH!—
"Arthur! Mama is here. Don't lose yourself!" Angella shouted, her voice trembling with fear as she desperately tried to soothe him.
Arthur felt an overwhelming sensation, as if countless tiny ants were crawling beneath his skin, each nerve and cell painfully transforming. His body seemed to turn into a zombie-like version of itself, more terrifying and dangerous than anything he'd ever known. Amidst his panic, he heard his mother's calming voice helping to clear his mind, a fragile lifeline as he fought to keep control.
The chaos of Arthur's transformation reached a fever pitch. Suddenly, Anastasia appeared, swiftly injecting a sedative into his neck. The needle pierced through his skin as her hand moved with precision, the drug seeping in to paralyze him and induce sleep.
[WARNING]
[Unknown sedative injected]
[Proceeding into sleep state...]
Arthur immediately felt a heaviness washing over his body, as if a weight was pressing down on every limb. His arms and legs grew limp, losing all strength and becoming too soft to move. His eyelids fluttered as he struggled to stay awake.
"It's okay, Angella. It seems the sedation is taking effect. There's still a chance for recovery," a calm voice reassured her.
"Thank you, sob... Dad," Angella whispered with tears streaming down her face.
"Sir, the nurses have arrived now." A maid announced that just returned.
"Good. Now, deliver Arthur to the lab room immediately." Rafael ordered firmly.
"Right away, Director," the nurse responded, gently lifting Arthur's unconscious body to prepare for transport.
This was the last thing Arthur heard, yet his eyes caught a levitating screen, an ominous warning before losing consciousness.
[WARNING!]
[Due to entering sleep state, an unknown memory was found]
[Unknown memories inbound]
As Arthur's eyes fluttered open, he found himself floating and flickering in a strange space resembling an abandoned church. His ghostly form passed through solid walls as if he were a benign spirit, drifting around the eerie, empty interior. His gaze shifted to his own body, which was intangible, and he observed the surroundings with curiosity.
"Why are you fighting your cancer?!"
Suddenly, he heard a loud, angry voice echoing down the hallway. Peering over, he saw two teenagers embroiled in a heated confrontation, a boy shouting fiercely at a girl sobbing on the floor.
"You should not be alive! Sister Anis is tired of your cancer! You should be dead and not a burden to her!"
Arthur's vision shifted as he blinked, and he witnessed another scene. A woman in her sixties was crying tearfully, kneeling before a Christ statue, clutching her rosary tightly as she mourned.
While he saw a sobbing girl hiding in the back of the door,
"God, give me strength, despite all the fundraising, her rising medical bills still drown us."
"Please forgive me lord, for I am exhausted from my sick child."
Next, a shadowy figure appeared in a back alley, a hooded man speaking to a confused young girl, offering a sinister and suspicious solution.
"I've heard about your situation, little girl."
"If you want to be cured, come to this location, payment can be made after your recovery."
A disturbing vision followed, a grim, bloodstained operating room where a pale girl lay exhausted on a bloodied stretcher bed. The hooded man stood beside her, delivering a terrifying message.
"Congratulations on your recovery. Here's your bill… Kill this person, and your debt from your surgery will be paid."
The scene shifted again to a rainy street, where a girl in revealing lingerie, far too young for such attire, stood over a trash bin containing a bloodied, lifeless body. She held a bloodstained knife in one hand and was dialing a phone with the other.
"Good work, your next target… oh, I forgot to tell you, the cancer was never treatable in the first place, idiot."
"So your work and debt will never end… It's a pleasure working with you, Plague."
Another vision unfolded, the girl now a woman, sitting tear-streaked before a cracked mirror in a bathroom, exhausted and full of sorrow.
"Sob… sob… I'm sorry... Sister Anis...sob... I should be dead already...sob... I should...sob... not have listened to that man...sob... please Save me, sister Anis"
Another chilling scene showed, the woman feeding on the hooded man's body, biting and tearing as the sound of gnashing teeth filled the place.
CRUNCH! CRUNCH! SQUISH! GNASHING!
Arthur observed this with an emotionless face, feeling nothing as he watched the horrific scenes, as these were the everyday events in Hawaii's zombie outbreak.
But suddenly, he sensed an arm wrapping around his ghostly neck. He was trembling, as he was remembered, he felt no sensation in his body of the past vision, yet the presence was undeniable.
A gentle, sweet voice whispered in his ear, yet its presence was oppressive.
"Revive... me, DaRliNg...~♡"