Inside the BSAA research institute, Shen Fei finally had the chance to come into contact with the T-Virus. While using machines to analyze it, he was also using the powers of the Op-Op Fruit to dissect it.
"A plant virus. I really want to see the Stairway of the Sun, the source of the T-Virus." Shen Fei did not know much about the T-Virus itself, but he knew about its origin. That was one reason he had come to the BSAA.
In some ways, the Stairway of the Sun was very similar to the Heart-Shaped Herb. Both were plants, and both could enhance the human body. The reason Shen Fei had never made a move on the Heart-Shaped Herb was not only because he feared Wakanda's technological level, but also because of another question: was the Heart-Shaped Herb effective on everyone?
Shen Fei only remembered that it seemed only Wakanda's royal family could consume it. No one else seemed to have taken it. If the Heart-Shaped Herb truly worked on everyone, there was no reason only the royal family would use it. They could have trained a special force with extraordinary abilities using it.
More importantly, if it truly worked on everyone, why did no one from the other tribes consume it? With something so powerful, it was far too illogical for no one to be tempted.
Wakanda's people might have been simple and honest, but that did not mean they lacked ambition. There had to be some reason those people had not stolen the Heart-Shaped Herb.
Shen Fei did not know the exact details of the Stairway of the Sun, but judging from some of the T-Virus's characteristics, before a suitable serum had been developed, using a virus for enhancement was purely a matter of luck. Wesker had succeeded because he had originally been one of the survivors of Spencer's viral enhancement experiments.
When Shen Fei had escaped T-Virus infection and even gained enhanced abilities, it had not been because he was lucky. It had been thanks to the powers of the Op-Op Fruit.
The Op-Op Fruit could retain the essence and discard the dross. That was why, when Shen Fei fled Raccoon City and underwent S.H.I.E.L.D.'s examination, they had not discovered that the T-Virus still remained inside him.
Viruses could alter the structure of the human body, and Devil Fruits were the same. In a sense, Devil Fruits could also be regarded as a type of virus.
Shen Fei, who had constantly been studying the abilities of the Op-Op Fruit, had noticed this as well. Even so, he could not possibly inject every virus he encountered into his body.
He was not Wesker. He did not care so little about becoming a monster in his pursuit of power.
"As expected, movies like Resident Evil are completely illogical." Through his research on the T-Virus, Shen Fei came to understand one thing: zombies could not exist indefinitely. Without food—that was, an energy supply—they could not survive for long.
The reason zombies decayed was that they lacked energy and could only draw upon the energy of their own cells. As time passed, they would rot more and more until they finally decayed completely and died. As for how long that took, it varied from person to person.
At Tyrant level, they might be able to last for a very long time.
"You're analyzing the T-Virus? Hasn't this thing already been fully analyzed?" While Shen Fei was analyzing the T-Virus, another researcher named Chad walked over and spoke.
"Just getting familiar with it," Shen Fei said.
For everyone else, there really was nothing left to analyze about the T-Virus. A vaccine for it had already been developed, and they were researching other viruses. Even Umbrella Corporation itself had abandoned research on the T-Virus and turned to studying viruses evolved from it. But for Shen Fei, the T-Virus was the most important one.
Among all biological weapons so far, aside from the Parasite series, nearly all of them were derivatives of the T-Virus. This was because only the T-Virus could alter the structure of the human body.
The human body possessed its own immunity, allowing people to resist the vast majority of bacteria and viruses. The reason humans could eat all kinds of creatures without being affected by them was largely because of this.
But the emergence of the T-Virus changed that. Marcus's Leech Virus had been created by combining the T-Virus with Leech genes. Though it had not spread, Marcus had been revived because of it. Or perhaps it could not be called revival—it had created a Leech Queen with Marcus's memories.
The G-Virus, TG-Virus, T-Veronica Virus, and T-Abyss Virus had all been created by combining the T-Virus with other genes.
In other words, if used properly, the G-Virus could be combined with certain organisms to grant humans their abilities without causing other Side Effects.
This was extremely difficult for ordinary scientists. Umbrella Corporation was proof enough. Since its founding, Umbrella Corporation had constantly researched bioweapons viruses, yet it had still failed to produce a completely successful virus.
So far, the only successful viral enhancement had been the T-Veronica Virus. Poor Spencer had always wanted to use viruses to achieve immortality. He had even searched the entire world for children to use in viral experiments, yet he had never imagined that Alexia had succeeded right under his nose.
Even with the T-Veronica Virus, it took around fifteen years for the body to fully adapt to it.
Of course, Captain America's successful case was not included in this count. To this day, aside from Spencer and a handful of others, no one knew the connection between the Super Soldier Serum and the T-Virus.
But while this was difficult for others, it was not particularly hard for Shen Fei, who possessed the Op-Op Fruit.
Nature contained far too many organisms with incredible abilities. Just look at Spider-Man. He had merely been bitten by a spider, yet he had gained a spider's abilities.
If other organisms were combined with humans, what wondrous abilities might result? Take chameleons, for example. Perhaps humans could gain the ability to become invisible.
Research life was tedious. Every day consisted of recording all kinds of data. Jill and Chris rarely appeared on the island, as they were usually stationed on the front lines. Shen Fei especially admired them for that.
The BSAA Strike Team members admired the two of them as well. So even though the Strike Team led by Chris had suffered the heaviest casualties, plenty of people still wanted to team up with him. To them, Chris was a legend.
After that meeting, Shen Fei never saw Sherry again. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s work was extremely busy. However, Shen Fei often met Rebecca. They were on the same island and were both experts in biochemistry, so they had plenty to talk about.
"Looks like something happened." One day, while Shen Fei was conducting routine research, he heard a clamor outside. Curious, he went out to investigate and learned that a new type of biological weapon had been discovered—a white monster whose entire body was pale.
Whenever a new biological weapon was discovered, it was when the BSAA suffered the greatest casualties, because there was no vaccine.
"It seems to be fish DNA." While the others put on protective suits and approached the white monster, Shen Fei had already used the Op-Op Fruit to roughly analyze the characteristics of this new bioweapon virus. It was a virus formed by combining the T-Virus with marine life: the T-Abyss Virus.
"A lot of people are injured. We need to develop a vaccine quickly." Under the chief researcher's assignment, every researcher received a related task, including Shen Fei.
The T-Virus vaccine had long since been successfully developed. Strike Team members received injections before missions, and under the vaccine's effects, the T-Virus was no longer fatal.
However, because the T-Virus was a plant virus, the vaccine could only delay the onset of its variants. It could not provide immunity.
"Chris has been infected." Besides the new bioweapon virus, Shen Fei also heard another piece of news: something had happened to Chris. With his team members constantly getting into trouble, Chris was under tremendous pressure. The reason Chris had survived all this time was not because he was overwhelmingly powerful or blessed with protagonist luck, but because his teammates had always saved him whenever he was in danger.
Jill had always been at his side to support him, and his great enemy Wesker had not died. Otherwise, Chris might have collapsed long ago. In the original work, Chris had indeed broken down for quite some time.
"Looks like I can only rely on myself." Developing a vaccine for a virus, especially a new one, was impossible in a short time. Thus, many researchers at the institute looked at Chris with sympathy.
"Shen Fei, what are you doing? Hurry up and bring over your analysis results." Generally speaking, Chinese people abroad would take foreign names. Like Melinda and Ada Wong, Shen Fei's name was actually quite awkward to pronounce overseas. Following foreign naming customs, it should have been pronounced Fei Shen.
But thanks to the globalization of the world, along with the spread of Celestial Dynasty culture and food, Chinese names were now generally no longer pronounced according to standard foreign conventions.
"I don't have time. Don't disturb me." As he spoke, Shen Fei shoved several researchers aside and occupied several instruments by himself.
The Op-Op Fruit was powerful, but its effects were much faster when paired with instruments.
"Prepare the reagents for me, quickly. Do you want Chris and the others to die?" At Shen Fei's rebuke, several researchers beside him quickly brought over the various reagents he needed.
"Done." Shen Fei quickly completed the vaccine. Then, ignoring everyone else, he left the institute with it and headed for the nearby hospital.
Inside Chris's hospital room, Chris lay on the bed without a trace of fear on his face. There was even a hint of relief. Jill, on the other hand, had cried so much that her eyes seemed red and swollen.
"This is a vaccine for the new virus. I just made it. It hasn't been tested." With time running out, Shen Fei went straight to Chris's side and took out a metal syringe.
"This..." Jill immediately hesitated.
"Do it." Chris, however, spoke without the slightest hesitation.
"Captain, this is too dangerous. Let someone else test it first," one of Chris's team members who had followed Shen Fei in said.
"Is my life more important than theirs?" At Chris's rebuke, all the team members immediately fell silent.
"Don't worry. I'm very confident in this." Of course he was confident. This had been formulated using the Op-Op Fruit. Chris's infection was also an opportunity for Shen Fei to demonstrate his abilities. Otherwise, who knew how long he would have to remain an ordinary researcher? After all, he was too young.
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