No. 9 Research Institute!
This was one of the ten major research institutes that had already been identified, and it was also believed to be the chief culprit behind the rampant biochem beasts in the wasteland!
Rumor had it that a severe leak had occurred at No. 9 Research Institute back then. Vast quantities of chemical agents had been blasted into the sky, gradually contaminating the entire world as they moved with the atmosphere!
Under the effects of those unknown drugs, animals across the world had begun mutating, turning into all manner of biochem beasts!
Although certain restrictions in the biochemical weapons rendered those agents ineffective against humans, the berserk biochem beasts certainly did not care about that!
It could be said that No. 9 Research Institute bore the primary responsibility for humanity's devastating casualties back then.
After a day and a night of pursuit, the old man finally shook off the pack of Crawlers with his skillful driving.
"Judging by the coordinates, this should be the place!"
The hovercar stopped near a sand dune. Chloe compared it with the electronic map she had recorded and came to a conclusion.
Near the dune was an enormous "sinkhole."
Quicksand still streamed continuously down along its edges, like a golden waterfall.
"We need a fixed anchor point, and ropes long enough..."
Jason surveyed the area and reached a conclusion.
"Over here!"
The old man waved Aaron and the others over. There, they saw iron posts driven deep into the earth, with traces of human activity all around them.
"Looks like... this was where Five-Ring Tower entered last time."
The old man muttered to himself.
Back then, Soren of Five-Ring Tower had led his team in securing ropes here and rappelling into the sinkhole to explore. They had then encountered "Secret." Even