000020 - The Little Prince in the Ossuary
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#Intermission: Regarding the Fictional Disease 「Morgellons」
The pandemic disease 「Morgellons」, featured in this game, spreads by taking control of its host.
That's why the infected bite living humans. It expands hosts by infecting wounds, much like rabies. Of course, there are other modes of transmission too.
「Morgellons」 controls infected humans. Thus, an infected mutant isn't a walking corpse, but rather a body with a new master.
There, don't laugh. It's not an entirely implausible story!
In Bernard Werber's novel "The Ants," there's a parasite called the "mind-controlling fluke" that controls its host. This is a real parasite. It digs into an ant's brain and ganglia to control its behavior.
There are also other parasites that change a host's biological traits, like altering the color of the host's body to make it more visible to predators, or spores that relocate their host to an environment conducive to sprouting to use the host as nutrients.
Didn't the classic game 「The Last of Us」 take inspiration from this? What was that? You've never heard of the game? Oh, zerglings.
Anyway, it's known that humans, as highly intelligent lifeforms, aren't controlled by pathogens or parasites. However, according to some academic views, this isn't entirely the case.
The 「Toxoplasma gondii」 is a parasite that infects cats. However, it can also infect humans as intermediate hosts. Once the parasite mates in a cat's body, its eggs are excreted through the cat's waste, entering and hatching inside intermediate hosts like mice or humans.
Infected mice move slower and become much bolder. They no longer fear the smell of cat feces. The parasite forms cysts in the mouse's brain, controlling them to be eaten by cats, allowing the parasite to return to its definitive host, the cat.
What about humans, then? Dr. Jaroslav Flegr, a parasitologist at Charles University in Prague, argues that humans also undergo emotional and behavioral changes due to 「Toxoplasma gondii」.
He claims that infected individuals react more favorably to cats, effectively bringing humans closer to them.
There have even been studies suggesting the same parasite might be a cause of schizophrenia. In Europe, up to 71% of people are infected with 「Toxoplasma gondii」.
Hello, cat lovers—are you possibly harboring a parasite? Hahaha.
But don't worry too much. Even Dr. Flegr, who first warned about the dangers of 「Toxoplasma gondii」, owned two cats himself while claiming they were dangerous. Ah, the deadly charm of cats.
Unless you have congenital immunodeficiency syndrome or complications, this parasite should be harmless to you. What's wrong with liking cats a little more than you did before? Cats really are cute. Different from dog lovers, who apparently are the devil incarnate, pouring sauce over sweet and sour pork.
Oh, are you asking if 「Morgellons」 is a parasite? Well, it could be an unknown virus or a highly infectious spore organism, for all we know.
The truth is, I don't know either! Hahaha. The setting can always change with a content update. Haven't you experienced plot holes once or twice before? What matters is money, money.
If you have any complaints, please call the Paradise Group's Virtual Reality Business Unit customer service. We have one consultant on standby to handle the countless complaint calls.
Enjoy your time in the world of 「After the Apocalypse」.
#High Risk, High Return, Paso Robles (7)
The monster was indeed a special mutant.
A soldier testified that the monster ignored heavy machine gun fire and a direct rocket hit.
It was larger than a mid-sized car and reportedly crumpled even a Humvee, which can block rifle rounds, with its fists.
Hearing that, Gyeo-ul thought it was premature. As the number of infected mutants increases and time passes, special mutants will appear. It's a different concept from enhanced mutants. Enhanced mutants are exceptionally superior compared to others of the same kind. Eventually, there will be a real monster that is both a special mutant and an enhanced mutant.
When the soldier's testimony over the radio, mixed with sighs and tears, ended, Gyeo-ul nodded.
"I understand. We'll go rescue you now."
Everyone listening was shocked. Even the soldier who had been testifying about Able Company's destruction stammered.
「Hey, did you understand everything I've been saying?」
"Of course. Thank you for the valuable information."
「What on earth are you thinking... Your life is at risk!」
"I'm human."
A statement with many meanings. The other person was left speechless. As silence settled, three frightened individuals from Gyeo-ul's group stepped forward to stop him.
"Hey, little leader. Your courage is admirable, but this is too reckless! Think it over again."
Ahn Je-jung pleaded, speaking as if comforting a naive child.
"Don't you think about us too? You promised to take us back safely, didn't you? What about the people waiting for us? They'll revert to their old ways without you! The way I see it, courage and recklessness are different!"
Jin-seok Park argued, asserting his promised rights.
"..."
Yura silently shook her head, holding Gyeo-ul's arm with desperate eyes.
Among the gathered Americans, Amalia Flemmens and Stuart Hamill also tried to stop the young man. They believed it wasn't a risk someone his age should take.
The bystanders split into two groups: those who were genuinely worried about the boy, and those who were displeased and frightened by the loss of an armed member. The line between good and evil.
The rescue target felt the same.
「...are you still listening?」
Gyeo-ul was still holding the receiver.
"Yes, go ahead."
「I'm grateful. Really, thank you. Honestly, I'm touched. Even after Markert acted like a jerk, you still want to help... But I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me. I'm a soldier, and it's my job to protect civilians. Just stay put. That's the best for both of us. Who knows? By the time the rescue team arrives tomorrow, I might still be alive.」
"Are you sure your current location is safe?"
「...yes.」
"You're not very good at lying."
「Shut up, you banana.」
While intended as a derogatory term, it came across more like an affectionate nickname.
It's as if black people were calling each other the N-word. Given the slang in his speech, he likely was black. He must have had a hard time under a racist.
Gyeo-ul responded.
"I'll still come to rescue you, anyway."
「Hey.」
"You said you fell down the stairs, right? Sounds like you took refuge inside a building. Can you pin down your location? Or at least give me a recognizable landmark."
「I told you not to come...」
"I'm going out regardless. I'll be lost. The odds of me dying will be higher."
「Are you serious?」
"Yes, I am. So stop crying. I don't want to hear an adult whine."
「I wasn't crying.」
As the conversation went on, notifications of changes in affinity popped up numerous times.
While there were fluctuations up and down, Jin-seok and Jeong-jae's affinity decreased significantly.
Jin-seok even attempted to grab the receiver, but failed. Gyeo-ul's high-level 「Combat Sense」 predicted his movements.
With his arm bent from being twisted, Jin-seok grimaced in pain. Tears welled up in his glaring eyes.
「Hey, is something wrong? I think I heard someone scream.」
"Don't worry about it. Someone stubbed their toe on a door frame. It must hurt. Sounds like they hit it pretty hard."
「Really? It didn't sound like that...」
"Never mind. Any information you can recall, share it quickly."
「Impressive how Koreans like to rush... Okay, give me a moment. I'm sore and numb, so I can't think straight.」
The soldier's voice suddenly carried a hint of hope. Gyeo-ul thought it felt like a genuine AI response.
Deep down, people want to live.
Jin-seok struggled, yet Gyeo-ul managed to effortlessly subdue him with one hand. It was more instinctive than intentional.
At 10th level, the skill reaches the apex of the expert domain, a peak one might reach after a lifetime of training. The synergy between 「Close Combat」 and 「Combat Sense」 allowed Gyeo-ul's intent to manifest in the most optimal actions possible.
The radio only transmitted sound when the sender pressed the button. Disregarding the commotion, Gyeo-ul forcefully slammed Jin-seok to the ground.
He intended to leave a strong impression on the onlookers.
"Didn't you acknowledge me as your leader?"
Jin-seok sprayed saliva as he retorted.
"Being a leader doesn't give you the right to make such crucial decisions on your own!"
"Does it? Then I don't want to be the leader. I'll just go alone."
Momentarily speechless, Jin-seok quickly became upset.
"And what about those who remain if you leave? How much more dangerous would it be? There's one person we might not even save, versus 34 we definitely can save, plus two of our comrades! Damn it, there's no dilemma here! If you leave, you're an irresponsible bastard!"
Gyeo-ul released him. Muttering curses, Jin-seok took a few steps back, his eyes sharp.
Meanwhile, the radio received another transmission as he placed the receiver to his ear, signaling silence with a finger to his lips toward the group, particularly targeting Jin-seok.
"Listen for now. Let me hear from this person."
He added provocatively.
"If you interfere, I'll be mad."
Silence ensued. The threat level worked its magic.
From the receiver, a voice emerged.
「It came back to me. The last place where the squad was together was at the intersection of Creston Road and Walnut Drive. It was supposed to head your direction, but in the panic, I fled north. I remember seeing a county health center on the way...」
Gyeo-ul unfolded a map. Using the clues, he traced with his fingers and posed another query.
"Anything else?"
「Any other details? During the escape, things were so hectic that... Oh, right. There was one more thing. Before entering, I remember a FEMA vehicle was flipped over.」
"FEMA? The Federal Emergency Management Agency? You acted like you didn't recall, but you've remembered a lot. You didn't want to die, did you?"
「Well, you're really an annoying kid, alright.」
"I'll take that as a compliment. I'm heading out now, but please hold your tongue unless I'm transmitting. We don't want mutants drawn in by any unnecessary noise. But of course, don't just stay quiet if something urgent arises."
「Hey, I'm a professional soldier. I know that better than you do.」
"No harm in being cautious. Speaking of which, I don't know your name yet. Could you provide your ID and rank?"
From the other end of the transmission, the soldier chuckled inanely.
「Sergeant Matthew Cohen, reporting in.」
"Excellent, Sergeant Cohen. I'll see you shortly."
Gyeo-ul checked the time. There's still half the day remaining. If the distance isn't too far, it's manageable.
He needed to prepare a means of communication. The radio was cumbersome. Given the estimated distance, he attached a hands-free device to his combat vest.
Facing Jin-seok again, Gyeo-ul quipped.
"You appear to have many complaints."
"Are you really going?"
Since a while ago, 「Insight」 had been activated. Augmented Reality strings had been weaving around. The control AI suggested keywords and phrases for persuasion. Gyeo-ul efficiently ignored them.
"There are parents out there who sell their children, you know."
"What?"
Caught off-guard, Jin-seok listened as Gyeo-ul proceeded without hesitation.
"When families believe they can survive by selling one child, they justify it as a way for the majority to live. They sell their child under the guise of remorse, saying, 'I'm sorry, but since we're family, your sacrifice is only right. Understand?'"
Even beneath his smiling facade, his heart was cold. The stone inside was still heavy.
"Abandoning the few to save the many—yes, that's valid. Jin-seok, you're not wrong. But I don't think I'm wrong either. Personally, I can't stand people who leave others behind just to save themselves. Because when necessary, I'll be the one getting abandoned."
"..."
"I wish to be with those who would stand by each other till the end. So I'm not going to force you to follow me. In fact, I hope you stay. It's important to guard this place. But I also hope you reflect on yourself until I return. Whether I'm truly being irresponsible. Whether my actions are truly wrong according to you, Jin-seok, and others besides those two."
Having said that, Gyeo-ul inspected his weapons and ammunition, picked up a duffel bag, and headed for the door.
Among those with high affinity, only Yura almost followed him but halted. She wished to live.
Though unable to understand Korean, the Americans could guess the reason behind the group's disagreements based on the previous exchange.
With conflicted expressions, they began speaking.
Was he really going out?
Would he be alright?
They respected him. Some whispered not to do it, some warned about the danger. Was it not his duty to protect them?
Various expressions came forward as adults wished him well or prayed for him. Their divided sentiments seemed mirroring the reactions of his group.
Meanwhile, Yura gripped his shoulder with difficulty and spoke.
"I never thought our little leader was wrong. It's just that..."
"Just what?"
"... I'm too scared."
Gyeo-ul felt content at that.
People observed from beyond the barricade. As the emergency exit opened, three loafing mutants rushed in, causing small, stifled screams.
Gyeo-ul grabbed the leader by the collar. It was shoved back.
Thud.
Its back hit the barricade. Gyeo-ul held firm. Waiting for the others to pile up, he tripped them with his foot. Like a chain reaction, they all fell over.
As they sprawled out, he wielded his knife, swung it three consecutive times with added snap for a half swing, bringing the last one nearly halfway up before it flopped back down.
It was over.
Gyeo-ul cleaned up the pile. With a firm grasp on their necks, he dragged them outside. Before leaving with the last corpse, he glanced back one last time.
"Stay as silent as possible. I'll see you all shortly."
It would be safe. As long as there were no attracting factors like light or noise.
The young boy began to review the newly updated task information and journal.
The control AI warned that if his return was delayed, the fear of the masses might increase causing mission failure.
—————————= Author's Note —————————=
Please wait a bit longer for Sealbreaker.
Clacky's Corner:
Author-nim at the time of writing The Little Prince in the Ossuary was also writing Halkeginia Sealbreaker(할케기니아 씰브레이커). Unfortunately, author-nim discontinued Sealbreaker at 184 chapters due to internet backlash.