Wasteland Border Inspector

Chapter 253 Spark Researcher, a dual-system talent!
hum.

A deep hum suddenly exploded in the room, like the simultaneous flapping of wings of millions of flying insects, carrying some kind of unnatural energy fluctuation, making one's eardrums vibrate.

The figure that was hunched over the sofa a second ago suddenly teleported to the wall without warning. The body collided with the cold wall with a dull "thud," but he didn't react at all.

Those black eyes, now reduced to pinpoint pupils, locked onto me, radiating a chilling aura that seemed to belong to no living being.

Then, something even more horrifying happened.

The bluish-black blood vessels on the whites of his eyes spread like a spider web, and tiny black spiders, each the size of a fingernail, crawled out from the edge of his eye sockets. Their hairy, jet-black legs clung to the pale whites of his eyes, and thin gray silk trailed from their abdomens as they quickly crawled down his cheeks.

Some burrowed into his blackened ear canals, some lingered on his chapped lips, and a few even crawled up his protruding cheekbones toward his sunken eye sockets, as if trying to burrow back into his skull.

In just a few seconds, thousands upon thousands of black spiders poured out from his collar, cuffs, and trouser legs, completely covering his body like a black tide.

The figure's body began to twitch and twist unnaturally, its bones making a creaking sound, before it suddenly collapsed.

It wasn't a normal fall; it was as if all the bones had been removed, turning into a puddle of flesh covered in clothes, with countless spiders crawling out of the flesh and spreading outwards.

The room, which was originally quite clean, was instantly covered by a thick carpet of spiderwebs, a dark and endless expanse.

All the spiders piled up on top of each other and climbed, making a dense "rustling" sound, like countless tiny footsteps moving simultaneously on the ground, walls, and ceiling.

The spider webs in the corner grew at a visible speed, and the legs of the tables and chairs were instantly covered with sticky spider silk. Even through the Happiness Alloy, one could faintly smell a strange odor mixed with putridity and spider acid.

Grass!
The scene before me is the ultimate nightmare for anyone with trypophobia.

Just looking at that writhing black ocean and listening to that ubiquitous crawling sound is enough to send chills down your spine, make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end, and make your stomach churn.

However, having seen countless crab-men and been disgusted by the tentacles of the Magic Eye Sponge, he was still quite horrified.

Cheng Ye had already developed a degree of composure. On the surface, he remained calm, but inside, a storm was raging.

"C35, is he the source of infection that destroyed the C35 satellite city of Firewood?"

“That’s right.” Yu Erlan’s gaze fell on the thousands of spiders in the room, her tone carrying a hint of chill. “The Traveler wasn’t the only one who came here on the mist. C35 also slipped into Happiness City with you and was attached to the supplies that Li Changfeng gave you.”

"What!" Cheng Ye was shocked.

Unexpectedly, the source of infection he was most worried about was only one step away from him.

Furthermore, Da Long and the militiamen who were guarding the supplies even slept on the supplies for one night, which is equivalent to having face-to-face contact with this deadly source of infection.

"Is its true form these spiders?" he asked, forcing back his shock.

"No, it only has one true form, codenamed 'Ghost Spider'."

Yu Erlan shook her head slightly, her eyes darkening completely. "Each of these little spiders you see now corresponds to a human life. They are all transformed from ordinary people who died in C35 Satellite City. It deliberately released these spiders not only to provoke you, but also to provoke our entire research institute."

"Provoking me?" Cheng Ye was slightly taken aback.

Unlike Wudinghu, who trembled at the sight of Yu Erlan, this C35 was indeed terrifyingly arrogant. No wonder even the City of Fire Protection couldn't capture it.

But how did Happiness City discover it?

Numerous doubts swirled in his mind, but Yu Erlan did not give C35 a chance to continue its provocation. She gently pressed the button on the wrist device with her fingertip.

Nourishes—

The sharp, high-frequency vibrations instantly echoed throughout the room.

At the same time, the lighting structure on the ceiling of the room suddenly lit up, and a strong light burst forth.

The black spiders that filled the space seemed to have encountered a natural enemy; when they were illuminated by the light, they instantly turned into wisps of black shadows and disappeared.

Like the receding tide, the spider retreated even faster than it appeared, disappearing completely in the blink of an eye, leaving only a single black spider near the screen.

It wasn't very big, only about the size of a human fist, but a lifelike human face was stuck to its back, staring intently at the two of them with a sinister gaze.

"Yu Yong, you're supposed to be a researcher, yet you're still resorting to these low-level tricks."

Yu Erlan scoffed, her tone full of disdain.

As soon as he finished speaking, the fist-sized black spider trembled and its form transformed back into the hunched human figure it had been before.

He wasn't very tall, about 1.7 meters. If you ignored the strange state of his eyes and his dark complexion, he looked like a down-on-his-luck scavenger.

"Yu Erlan, if you want what I have, you'll have to give me something of equal value in return! Otherwise, you won't get anything!" Yu Yong's voice was hoarse and dry, revealing a sinister edge.

"Is that so?" Yu Erlan raised an eyebrow noncommittally, took a small step back, and made room for her.
“Prosecutor Cheng, interrogating infected individuals is one of your specialties. The reason I brought you here today is to let you try to extract the information we need from the extraordinary mother source.”

Cheng Ye's eyelids twitched as he traced back to the previous conversation: "He's a researcher from the City of Fire and Fire?"

“That’s right.” Yu Erlan nodded. “His condition is actually somewhat similar to yours. Both of you are rare individuals who, after coexisting with the Mother Source, still retain the ability to think independently. But the difference is that the Mother Source in your body evolved under the catalysis of external forces and was originally a benign source of infection. He, on the other hand, completely endured all the impacts of a malignant supernatural Mother Source, which is why he has become what he is today.”

As she spoke, she picked up her defense communication device and tapped it twice.

The next second, Cheng Ye's defense communication device vibrated. He took it out and saw a brief intelligence report about the C35 on the screen:
[Infected being: Yu Yong (extraordinary mother source)]

[Code Name]: C35 (Originating from: City of Fire and Protection)
[Current Status]: Wanted Personnel by the "Spark" Red Notice

[Resume]: Level 4 Researcher at Xinghuo Research Institute, specializing in: source induction technology and source track technology.

[Symbiotic Infection Source]: Ghost Spider
[Infection Method]: It can parasitize and infect through biological shadows. Once the shadow is possessed, the host gradually loses its autonomy and becomes a puppet controlled by the shadow, acting according to predetermined instructions; the maximum number of people it can control is 25.
[Containment Method]: Eliminate all clones (infected entities) of the Ghost Spider lurking outside its main body.
[Annihilation Condition]: Simultaneously erase all clones and the original body.

"Is it gone?"

Cheng Ye pointed to the resume section on the screen, his brows furrowing tightly.

This intelligence report is far too brief. It only indicates that the researcher is a Level 4 researcher and his research direction. It completely lacks crucial information about Yu Yong's life experiences, family and relatives, place of residence, personality traits, and so on.
These are precisely the key points for breakthrough in interrogation. Without this information, are we left with only torture to extract confessions?

But Yu Yong in front of us is a being that coexists with the abnormal extraordinary mother source. Would ordinary punishments have any effect on him?

“The City of Fire and Protection has extremely strict information control over researchers, especially for Level 4 researchers. We cannot obtain more detailed information; we can only investigate this general information.”

Yu Erlan explained, "In addition, he is a defector of Xin Huo. We must hand him over once Xin Huo sends someone to complete the transaction. So in principle, we do not have full interrogation authority, but Xin Huo does not restrict us from conducting some inquiries now, consider it a reward for capturing him."

It turned out to be the case.

Cheng Ye immediately understood. This was equivalent to assisting in an arrest case. The arrested criminal could not be handed over temporarily, so it was reasonable to question him and obtain some information while he was on their side.

"So our current goal is to obtain information related to the source track and source attraction technologies he possesses?" Cheng Ye said thoughtfully, a barely perceptible glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Opportunities to get up close to the extraordinary mother source with the assistance of the research institute are rare.

Each of these entities could be a threat on the level of "city annihilation".

Yu Yong is clearly the most vicious of all. If he were to unleash his full power, he could easily destroy a sanctuary city. Satellite City C35 is the best example of this.

However, conversely, the more area-of-effect the infection source, the weaker its ability to contaminate a single target. Since the research institute already possesses intelligence on the Ghost Spider, perhaps they can allow it to get close and potentially gain some...traits?
"Stop dreaming! No one in this world has the right to judge me!"

Yu Yong suddenly chuckled sinisterly, his tone full of lewdness and provocation, "Want the technology? You'll have to pay the price! Yu Erlan, if you spend one night with me, I'll teach you a B-level source track technology. How about it? Isn't that a good deal?"

“That’s the current situation.” Yu Erlan seemed not to have heard his foul language, her expression remaining calm. “We’ve tried all the methods we could during this period. He himself is actually a spineless coward, but the Ghost Spider, this malignant source of infection, has been restricting him, preventing him from revealing any crucial information to us.”

The moment the words "spineless coward" left his lips, Yu Yong's expression changed drastically, and he was about to roar in rebuttal.

Before he could lash out, Cheng Ye interrupted him curiously: "Can we go in and talk to him face to face?"

"Theoretically it's possible."

Yu Erlan nodded, "The terrifying aspect of the infection source lies in its unknown nature, but for an infection source with known characteristics, even if the Ghost Spider has reached a state of reversal, the risk is still manageable. Its infection method is through shadow parasitism; as long as you wear special equipment to eliminate your shadow, face-to-face contact will not result in infection. However…"

"Then let me go in and talk to him."

Cheng Ye interrupted her again, and a smile finally appeared on his face, which had been filled with surprise ever since he entered the Extraordinary Mother Source Containment Room.

Great, finally I've encountered a situation that matches my major.

Thinking about it carefully, how long has it been since Prosecutor Cheng dealt with an "infected person" during an interrogation?

The last time was with Mu Shuang, who managed to pry out a 'Hundred Martial Arts Student,' which was a great help.

Perhaps we can uncover more valuable characteristics and intelligence from the mother symbiote that has reached the anti-state level?

Just thinking about it made him feel a little excited.

"Alright, I'll have someone fetch the protective gear. Do you need me to come in with you?"

"Need not."

Cheng Ye shook his head, half-squatting down to meet Yu Yong's gaze in the containment room. "I have my own way. Let me try it first."

Though he said that, he was already secretly planning something.

If we can extract valuable information from Yu Yong this time, wouldn't he be qualified to participate in the interrogation whenever the research institute captures a supernatural mother source in the future?
He could even take the opportunity to participate in the research on the mother sources that were being held down downstairs?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Collecting the characteristics of the source material from the outside world is extremely difficult, since no one can predict whether the source material encountered is known or unknown.

The mother source that can be kept in the research institute, let alone anything else, has at least maximum security.

"The three extraordinary states, the constant control, and the way to utilize resources—this world is getting more and more interesting!" Cheng Ye thought to himself.

The two men locked eyes in a silent confrontation, Yu Yong's gaze revealing an indescribable ruthlessness.

He secretly compared him to Garcia, and the conclusion he came to was somewhat amusing.

Yu Yong's ruthlessness carries a naive simplicity, like a child threatening someone with a gun—all show and no substance.

Garcia, a mangy character, is more like someone covered in a porcupine's armor, sticking to you and pricking you if you're not careful. To deal with him, you have to remove those thorns first.

Suddenly, Cheng Ye broke the silence: "Yu Yong, you're very afraid of me."

"Heh." Yu Yong paused for a moment, then chuckled. "You're afraid of an insect?"

Cheng Ye shook his head, his expression now serious. "But you are indeed afraid of me."

"Fine, then tell me, what am I afraid of you for?" Yu Yong looked him up and down with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot, his tone full of sarcasm. "Just because you're that so-called prosecutor from Happiness City? I'm telling you, it's already 35 years into the new era. Have you been dealing with scavengers too much and made yourself stupid?"

"You're afraid I'll find your secret." Cheng Ye slightly curled the corners of his lips, his face exuding composure.

Seeing his confident demeanor, Yu Yong's face suddenly darkened. "Then feel free to come in and try. But in terms of factions, you and I are both Source Binders without conviction, unlike them. If you can rescue me, I can help you find that powerful force and grant you the ability to live forever!"

“Belief.” Cheng Ye grinned, then suddenly raised his hands, revealing the backs of his hands.

"Come on, open your eyes wide and see what I have in my hand?"

"Ok?"

Yu Yong subconsciously turned his gaze over, and his already gloomy expression suddenly changed drastically.

He took a few steps back in disbelief, his face filled with a look of utter horror as if he had seen a ghost!
"You're not just a Bound Source Holder, you've also inherited the beliefs of others! You...you've gone mad!"

"Surprised?" Cheng Ye slowly lowered his hand, his expression still calm.

"Haha! An accident? You little bug won't live much longer, how ridiculous!"

Yu Yong stopped in his tracks, staring at him with an indifferent gaze as if he were looking at a dead man, his tone full of sarcasm, "The Source Binders use their bodies to seal off the source of infection and gain power through symbiosis. This path is certainly dangerous, but as long as there is a continuous supply of resources, they can eventually reach the other side and become the strongest. But you are taking on the beliefs of others and abandoning the greatest advantage of the Source Binders. This is simply a dead end!"

"No! You are not a true Bound Source Master, but a laughable puppet, a tool cultivated by Happiness City!"

"A tool of belief. Hahahaha! You pathetic creature! You are ten times, a hundred times more pathetic than me! At least I once possessed real power, while you will be a lowly tool for the rest of your life, until death! Your life will be given to the schemers of this sanctuary city, becoming their stepping stone to the other side!"

He became increasingly agitated, shouting incoherently, "You probably don't know, do you? Those elders behind you, they are also Source Binders! They are the real lunatics, a hundred times more insane than us! You..."

Yu Erlan stood aside, making no attempt to stop them.

Noticing Cheng Ye's gaze, she explained, "When I was explaining the three states of transcendence to you earlier, I forgot to tell you about the role that belief plays in this process."

"Belief is your coordinates in the real world. Without this coordinate, in the process of coexisting with the source of infection and supernatural beings, you will fall into irreversible self-dissolution, be completely assimilated, and become a monster without self-awareness."

"But don't worry, Tan Ming has already marked your coordinates. It will help you always remember who you are and what you are supposed to do."

"What about Shouyuan Chaofan?" Cheng Ye nodded gently.

“The Guardians of Wish have gone to the other extreme. They imprint their coordinates in other places, and as long as the coordinates remain, they cannot be truly killed. But correspondingly, their consciousness becomes chaotic, and they can only rely on instinct to complete the remaining tasks. I think you should understand what this means.”

"A carrier?" Cheng Ye realized instantly.

“It seems that ‘he’ did tell you a lot.” Yu Erlan didn’t elaborate, but changed the subject: “Even the extraordinary ones who guard the will are divided into strong and weak. A strong person like Tan Ming has almost achieved the same lifespan as Shi Sheng. Unless this continent collapses and his coordinates are completely annihilated, he will be immortal. He is just sleeping in another way and there is always the possibility that his mind body can be awakened by a living being.”

"As for the Wish-Keeping Extraordinary like the Traveler, his coordinates are still very shallow. Humans can see his vessel by using extraordinary objects, and can even cause his vessel to collapse, that is, to completely annihilate him. It's just that extraordinary objects are basically exhausted in the wasteland now, which is why he can rampage around so arrogantly."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the stairs below.

More than a dozen researchers rushed over and together carried an unusually heavy alloy box.

Yu Erlan's gaze fell on the alloy box, then she turned to Cheng Ye, her tone becoming solemn: "Prosecutor Cheng, to this day, Happiness City has indeed tried many ways to break through, but still has not found an effective breakthrough in the source of infection."

"When Station Chief Cheng Wu first established the checkpoint research institute, he once said: 'To uncover the true secrets of the source of infection, simple research is far from enough. Someone must step forward, skilled in both outbound containment and inbound research. Only by possessing both can this inspection and research model be stabilized, forming a positive cycle of benefits and bringing hope for the next era to humanity.'"

She stared at him intently, a hint of expectation in her eyes: "I think you are the most likely person in the checkpoint to become that kind of person right now."

(End of this chapter)