Crimson Spore
"This experiment..." Yuri forced a bitter smile. "We actually tried it long ago."
"Oh? What happened?"
"The strains didn't kill each other. Instead, they fused together, evolved together, and ultimately became an entirely new strain adapted to the 'new seedbed,'" Yuri said.
"In that regard, they're better than people," Sun Hang commented.
"Based on our years of observation, Crimson Spore doesn't possess self-awareness. The reason it does this may still be driven by survival instinct..." Yuri said.
"I think it might be because the 'new seedbed' provides too much nourishment," Sun Hang added. "If nutrients were severely lacking, would they kill each other to compete for the limited resources? For example, letting several kilograms' worth of strains parasitize a little finger?"
"We've conducted similar experiments. The weaker strains would voluntarily sacrifice themselves, allowing the strongest strain to monopolize the living space," Yuri said. "Even strains with vastly different forms followed this rule... They gave people the impression of being one whole, the kind of whole where a hive mind dictated the actions of each individual."
"So it all comes down to instinct?" Sun Hang said.
"Yes."
"Then it seems it doesn't matter which strain I devour... Let's go with Number Seventeen."
The containment chamber prepared for devouring Crimson Spore was far simpler than those used for the previous two anomalies—though Crimson Spore was deadly, its means of transmission was much like that of an ordinary virus. As long as the chamber was completely sealed, that was enough; it did not even need to be kept at low temperatures.
The metal cylinder containing Seedbed Number Seventeen was brought before Sun Hang. When the lid was opened, a blast of cold air immediately surged out from inside.
"We're warming the container. During this process, the dormant Crimson Spore