Cells
Hesta saw the laboratory classification marked with an S, beneath the three-crescent emblem. By the time they reached this point, even someone who knew nothing about biological hazards would instinctively sense the danger.
Whenever Victoria fell silent, the whole world seemed to contain nothing but the sound of wind inside their protective suits. Hesta followed close behind, the subtle discomfort growing stronger, as though Death lurked in the darkness, in every silent corner. Anyone passing through here might be cut by its scythe, left with a wound that would never heal, and neither she nor Victoria could do anything about it.
The Quicksilver Needles' speed, strength, and combat experience meant nothing here... Their only weapon was this clumsy, heavy protective suit.
"Do you know NDM-1?" Victoria suddenly asked.
Hesta's gaze shifted slightly—Did she know NDM-1? Of course she did. It was Boheng's code name in the Pious Front. And Victoria clearly knew that she knew—after all, they had met and talked together before. Hesta did not understand why Victoria had suddenly brought him up now, and in such an obviously rhetorical way.
"I know," Hesta answered cautiously.
This time, it was Victoria's turn to be shocked. She looked at Hesta with some surprise. "...Oh, you know? How do you know?"
"...What exactly are you trying to say? Go on."
Victoria laughed twice and began gesturing as she usually did when explaining something. "An enzyme like NDM-1 cuts away a key fragment of an antibiotic molecule, rendering the antibiotic ineffective. Its activity depends on zinc ions..."
Hesta was confused again, until she finally realized that the NDM-1 Victoria spoke of was its original identity: an enzyme capable of rendering many antibiotics ineffective.
"By the same principle," Victoria continued, "the reason Quicksilver Needles are immune to Chelating Fungus is because we