Rust - Chapter 640



Only Krnovel

RUST -640

Na Ju-yeon’s explanation continued.

“A normal cannibal, whether a high-level individual or a low-level individual, has stronger physical abilities and immunity than a normal adult male, but that’s it. They can’t withstand extreme cold temperatures approaching minus 40 to minus 50 degrees Celsius. But slug cannibals can.”

“······.”

“They look like slugs, but they’re actually more vicious. Their mucus, body fluids, and muscles have all changed to be able to withstand both high and low temperatures.”

“······.”

The mucus was also a problem. It wasn’t just that it was slippery, but that the mucus itself was like an organ, and could become more viscous or more lubricating as needed.

“That’s why they can stick to walls and move. The same goes for skin. On the outside, it looks shiny, but in fact, the surface is made up of fine cilia.”

It is said that not only can it stick to various places by increasing the stickiness of the mucus, but it can also move smoothly using the cilia on the skin even when still.

“Fortunately, their intelligence has actually degenerated. I think it’s because when they mutated from cannibalism, their bodies were pushed to the brink of collapse.”

In that case, the danger of the slug-eaters didn’t seem that high. No matter how much they mutated, if their intelligence was low, there would be a limit. In that case, the problem was the slug rats.

Na Ju-yeon also mentioned that part.

“Rats are a little different. Not only are there so many of them that they can take over Paris at once, but if even a few of them turn into slugs, they’re extremely dangerous.”

Even if there is an intelligence problem now, if the generations change quickly, eventually the smart ones will remain.

“The rats are definitely the problem.”

It was definitely a problem. In the tens of thousands.

Yes. If it’s in the 200,000 to 300,000 units, it’s possible to catch it, but if it’s in the tens or hundreds of millions, it’s a different story.

Imagine if Maru were to kill tens of thousands of people while a swarm of rats swept through the area, tens of millions of people would. Maru would survive, but what would happen to everyone else?

“Yes. If we continue like this, rats will be the problem.”

This was during the early stages of the mutant virus outbreak. Some people wanted to move to a remote island to escape the mutant virus outbreak.

The rats that arrived on the human ships began to reproduce explosively on the small island. While the rats were forming groups, the ecosystem that had been balanced with various plants and animals, including small birds, rodents, and small carnivores, collapsed in an instant.

When the number of birds and small mammals decreased, people did not worry because they thought they could solve the problem with mousetraps and rat poison, just like before.

But there was no way to stop the rats from breeding beyond a certain number. The mutated rats were smarter, and the ones with thumbs were able to disassemble human traps and steal only the food.

The same thing happened with rat poison. At first, it seemed to be effective, but they quickly developed a resistance. The rats used the poison to hunt other animals.

Even if you increase the number of cats, which are specialized for catching mice, it is useless. In a small island, a herd of thousands of mice can kill dozens of cats in an instant.

Animals such as horses, cows, and dogs also died. Newborn babies were attacked by packs of rats, and the packs of rats that killed the babies were always looking for their mothers.

No animal could avoid falling asleep, and no animal could withstand the hordes of rats that would eat away at its eyeballs, anus, and genitals the moment it fell asleep.

In the end, the humans who tried to escape the mutant virus outbreak on a remote island met their end.

“It would have been different if the cat on the island had mutated.”

If a cat mutates, it will not only grow bigger, but it will also become smarter, and its skin, fur, and claws will change. If that had happened, it would certainly not have been so defeated by mice.

“That may be true. However, I think it is an undeniable fact that rats, which mutate particularly quickly, are dangerous creatures.”

Judging from the fact that she even mentioned cases like this, I could guess what Na Ju-yeon wanted to say.

“Gene drive technology is dangerous. Mutant viruses are actually created through genetic manipulation. And you’re saying you’re going to reduce the number of mice with gene drive technology? If by any chance a genetic trait that overcomes that is created, it’ll be unmanageable.”

“It is clear that mutations will occur through feeding. We must assume that they are already using the gene drive system, for better or worse.”

“It’s spreading that it’s starting to mutate when eaten?”

“Yes. Slug eaters, it’s not just slug rats.”

Maru knew too. He thought about it too. What Najuyeon was talking about was the story of the acid rats and acid gulls of Newport News.

The acid gulls ate the rats, and the rats ate the acid gulls. And the two species influenced each other. The acid gulls got smarter, and the rats got acid saliva and became acid rats.

Slug eaters ate not only humans, but also bugs and rats, and when rats ate slug eaters, slugs became rats.

“What the hell is this mutant virus? Has it not been analyzed yet?”

“It has mutated so much that it is difficult to confirm its identity because it is unclear what its original form is.”

The high level of instability meant that it was artificial. The information we have so far suggests that it was a virus created in a Chinese facility with Japanese technology and American capital.

“Ah- yeah. Anyway, killing rats with a gene drive. As I said last time, don’t do it until the success rate is close to 100%.”

“I understand. But I want you to know that genetic mutations have already begun to occur in humans.”

“······.”

“You guessed it. Eating bear meat makes you strong. Eating moose and buffalo seems to improve your physical strength. That’s right. In fact, soldiers who ate it got rid of minor illnesses and their physical abilities improved.”

“······.”

“It’s a small change, but what’s changed is changed, and what’s changed is a mutation.”

Na Ju-yeon smiled meaningfully at Maru’s silence.

“Change and mutation are not necessarily considered bad things. It would be strange if the world were to change but humans were not.”

“······.”

As Maru kept his mouth shut, Na Ju-yeon quickly changed the subject.

“And there are quite a few basic modules that will form the foundation of the floating city. I would like to start moving the completed modules now.”

“Because of the weather, we can’t use large airships.”

Even if it was a small module, it easily weighed at least 200 tons. It was a weight that was difficult to move unless it was a large airship. It was not impossible if 4-6 small airships could carry one module, but it was inefficient.

“If the weight distribution is good, it might be possible to move it using frozen lakes and rivers. It would be convenient to move it closer to the site.”

“I delegated the task of building a floating city. If possible, do so.”

Was it because she thought she had Maru’s trust? Na Ju-yeon’s face lit up.

“Okay. Then I’ll organize additional slug-eater samples and upload them to you.”

“okay.”

As Na Ju-yeon was being sent out, the PD and Hood barged in.

The yellow glow in the eyes of the two men seemed to indicate that they were curious about how much gold they had brought. Maru told them the results first, as they were curious about how much they had brought.

“The amount brought in is roughly 1,200 tons.”

“Oh, that’s really fortunate.”

“That’s enough.”

PD and Hood looked relieved. It had only been a week since they had returned, so why were they all yellow?

“Wasn’t there enough money in the bank?”

Maru was puzzled.

“Isn’t there an economic conference that the Empire is calling for?”

The PD answered with a dejected face.

“Yes, it was.”

Before leaving for France, President Den Brown had called for an economic conference. Maru had decided to give full authority to Ki-sun and run the place.

“The Empire has reportedly invited other states, the Confederacy, and the Mexican Confederacy to this economic conference.”

“······.”

Maru’s thoughts became complicated by the unexpected story.

Called?

So, you’re saying that we’ve been talking about something related to the economy for a while now?

And that was done by bringing together the independent states, the Confederacy, and the Confederacy in Mexico.

“···I guess you’re talking about a means of transportation that can travel even in extreme cold. Or you asked us to provide you with transportation.”

“Yes, you saw it correctly.”

Maru’s thoughts continued elsewhere.

‘The problem with the Holy Kingdom currency is one thing, but that’s not all.’

That was the agenda that President Dan Brown had wanted to address. But he brought in the Confederacy and Mexico?

‘Even if that’s not the case.’

It was a structure that could have been reached up to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The Confederacy, while militarily strong, was essentially a return to feudalism, with a new race of nobles and cannibalistic werewolves safely raising a large number of commoners.

Naturally, the quality of life would gradually decline, and as discontent built up, problems were bound to arise. If the accumulated discontent could not be resolved, armed resistance movements might emerge.

But if they were to take back their guns, they would be unable to stop the monsters in remote villages. If the Empire were to make the first move to resume trade, the Confederacy would surely comply.

The situation was similar in Mexico, which was divided into several cartels. Although the country retained the name Mexico, it had long since degenerated into a confederation of competing and hostile cartels.

On one side there was a home appliance factory, on the other side there was corn farmland, and in some places there was only drugs, so people were killing each other and no trade was taking place.

In this situation, what if we resumed trade centered around the Empire? At least, we could draw a picture of exporting to the Empire and importing from the Empire, even if we couldn’t trade directly with the hostile cartels.

‘If only that could happen, I’d be able to breathe a little easier.’

The situation was similar for the remaining states that were independent.

‘Let’s say that’s true, but what is the empire’s true intention?’

Are you saying that we should all huddle together and divide up the labor again because we have a hard time making ends meet? It’s good that we can save money and time by making the most of the existing infrastructure.

What about distribution?

How do you plan to distribute it and what?

‘So we’ll use the airships of the Holy Kingdom to transport it, and since the sea route is still intact, we’ll use the sea route?’

‘The bigger picture is probably the recovery of trade itself.’

It may be limited to North America, but it can be seen as an attempt to restore the capitalist market economy.

“Are you going to restart trade centered around the Empire?”

“Almost certainly so.”

The PD stated with certainty.

“There will be talk of using the airships and crows of the Holy Kingdom.”

“I thought so too.”

As Maru was thinking about what to do, Diana’s voice rang out.

[Analysis data on the slug cannibal has been uploaded.]

Maru briefly apologized to the artificial intelligence Diana’s report.

“Let’s check this first.”

Na Ju-yeon analyzed the sample and put it into a virtual reality and ran it over and over again. The result of the mutation acceleration experiment was a bizarre one.

The fact that it can move using its ciliated skin means that it doesn’t necessarily need legs. As a result, its two legs are fused together, and its lower body becomes like a snail.

Anyway, in order to freely move through walls, ceilings, mud and ice, it would have been advantageous to have a form that could move silently rather than on two legs.

The predicted appearance of the slug-eating mutant as a result of the simulation was that of a snail with a lower body and a human upper body.

“What is this?”

The PD’s voice shook.

======

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Gasp-gasp-gasp-

“What? Did you see it?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know!”

“FUCK! Shut up and run!”

The ones that King Vladimir had caught were human, even though they were covered in slime. They were hairless and had gray skin, but they were human. But what is that thing stuck to the ceiling?

Can that be called human?

The cannibals also had human form. But what on earth should we call them?

Churak-

With the sound of a rubber band snapping, one of the people running next to me was dragged to the ceiling. There was no scream or warning. It just suddenly disappeared as if it had never happened.

“Dog shit!”

“Get out! Everyone get out!”

“It’s an attack!”

“Get out!”

The mercenaries lying here and there ran out of the building in a hurry.

The lantern was kicked away, scattering the light on the floor. In a moment of patchy darkness and light, one person was dragged into a corner of the shadows.

“What the fuck- what is that?”

Churik-

The sight of being sucked into something without anyone knowing.

I don’t know what it is, but is it something that paralyzes you the moment you get hit?

Where’s that? Whether it’s anesthesia or poison, it takes a few seconds.

Chuuruk-

As one of the mercenaries thought so, something red was embedded in his spine.

‘Ugh-‘

The excruciating pain heated up, and he could not scream. As he was dragged into the darkness, his eyes reflected the images of his comrades being caught like fish.

‧

‧

‧

The seven mercenaries, led by Dick Herold, arrived near Nantes.

“Whew- That’s right.”

“You came here without being caught by monsters.”

“So, you’re the captain.”

At Dewey’s words, the other mercenaries looked at Dick Herold with renewed eyes. Dick’s decision to run at full speed was right.

It was worth running the 140km distance in 5 hours at a speed of 25~30km per hour, and it was also worth running in the bitter cold of minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Despite the relief, Dick Herold did not relax.

“Rest here.”

“It’s a vast plain, is that okay?”

“If you go a little further, you’ll reach the outskirts of Nantes. I think it might be better to grab a sturdy building.”

At Dewey and the mercenaries’ words, a vein popped out on Dick’s forehead.

“In a situation where there is no information like now, an intact building is more dangerous. There could be something there, whether it be cannibals, rebels, or government forces.”

It’s a bitter cold of -40 to -50 degrees. If there’s a building that’s still intact despite a civil war breaking out nearby, isn’t it likely to be bait or a hunting ground?

“······.”

“That’s right. I guess so.”

“If that’s the case.”

Dewey and the mercenaries nodded their heads.

As expected, the one who lined up here was Bingo.