The DarkStar infiltration team initially thought that the search for the Mutation Source by the forces of Planet Aquamarine was futile, but only a day later, the Mutation Source was found, a fact that left the infiltration team dumbfounded.
The research results had only been used on Planet Aquamarine for a few days, and DarkStar was completely unaware that Goddora had developed various devices to counter the Mutation Source. The infiltrator team thought it was just luck and couldn't help but marvel at the needle-in-a-haystack probability.
"Black Star is fighting the Mutation Source in the Western Continent. The footage shows that the Mutation Source is powerless to retaliate. Black Star's military strength far surpasses that of this planet. There's no doubt that the Mutation Source cannot defeat Black Star," the monitoring personnel said, looking at the screen.
"I know that the radiation response detected by the instruments from the Mutation Source has not yet reached the standard of maturity. The Mutation Source is still in a relatively weak growth stage. Even if the entity reaches its complete form, it may not be a match for Black Star."
The undercover captain said in a deep voice, "However, the Mutation Source is very difficult to kill. Most conventional attacks have no effect on it; instead, they replenish its energy, making it stronger the more it is attacked. Although Black Star is powerful, he cannot kill the Mutation Source."
Although surprised that the Mutation Source had been found, the infiltrator team was not panicked. The Mutation Source was resilient and not so easy to kill. However, this unexpected situation still needed to be reported to the higher-ups.
Just as the captain was about to contact his superiors, the monitoring personnel suddenly changed their expressions and exclaimed, "Wait a minute, what did Black Star just do?! The Mutation Source seems to be injured!"
"What!"
The undercover captain hurriedly rushed to the screen, which showed Han Xiao injecting the Mutation Source. It was clear at a glance that the Mutation Source was in bad shape, and that the attack had caused it real damage!
The captain's face was grim and solemn. The situation suddenly became clear. No wonder Planet Aquamarine was suddenly making a big fuss about finding the Mutation Source. It turned out that Black Star had found a way to deal with the Mutation Source!
He immediately realized that the situation was serious.
"Send the intelligence back to headquarters immediately!"
The massive DarkStar fleet moved through the universe, approaching Planet Golden Gate.
With only two days left until the attack on Planet Golden Gate Planet Golden Gate, the assembled fleet was en route. Degulish focused all his attention on this crucial event, leaving other minor issues to the head of the Intelligence Department. But at this critical juncture, the head of intelligence rushed into his office, clutching a report from a spy team on Planet Aquamarine. As the head of intelligence spoke urgently, Degulish's confused expression gradually turned to astonishment.
"That's impossible!"
Degulish abruptly stood up; the news struck him like a bolt from the blue, his face filled with disbelief.
Black Star is dealing with the Mutation Source with remarkable results, and there is a risk that the Mutation Disaster on Planet Aquamarine may be eradicated!
The organization that sells the Mutation Source showed the DarkStar leadership all sorts of complex parameters, confidently guaranteeing that it wouldn't be cracked for at least a year. But it's only been a few months! How could Goddora possibly have achieved results so quickly?!
The intelligence chief's face darkened. "Goddora's security measures are extremely tight; my intelligence network has no idea about the details of their research."
Bang!
The alloy table was smashed in two by a single punch, leaving Degulish both shocked and furious.
He never expected that the first problem would be with the cornerstone of the plan, a situation akin to a fire breaking out in his own backyard!
If Black Star or Goddora truly possesses the means to eradicate the Mutation Disaster, the organization's entire plan will be affected. Without the constraints imposed by these disaster-stricken planets in terms of military strength, public opinion, and politics, subsequent measures will be impossible to carry out, and this plan, which has been in preparation for many years, may have to be halted midway and become unsustainable.
Unfortunately... unfortunately, the problem arose just when a crucial operation was about to take place!
In the worst-case scenario, the attack plan against Planet Golden Gate may be forced to be terminated, necessitating a significant change in the overall strategy.
"What exactly is this...?"
Degulish gritted his teeth, suppressing his rage that was spiraling out of control, and said fiercely, "Tell the Planet Aquamarine infiltration team that from now on, I want them to report the battlefield situation to me in real time!"
Just outside the door, Ashes happened to pass by, stopped, glanced at Degulish, narrowed his eyes, and looked on with an inscrutable expression, as if he were thinking about something.
Bang bang bang bang!
Han Xiao moved with lightning speed, delivering several powerful straight punches to the face, chest, and abdomen of the Mutation Source. No force was wasted; all of it penetrated the Mutation Source's body through his fists. The mecha's Iron Fist struck the body, which had a non-Newtonian fluid-like texture, and each strike sank deep into it, creating ripples on the surface of the impact, full of impact.
Before him, the Mutation Source had no ability to resist at all. It was beaten so badly that it staggered and fell repeatedly, like a giant human punching bag. Not only was it durable, but it also felt great to hold. Every punch landed with a visceral impact. Han Xiao was reluctant to use ranged weapons. It was simply the best punching bag ever. He had actually fallen in love with the feel of the Mutation Source.
How satisfying it would be to punch someone a couple of times when I have nothing to do!
Unfortunately, the Mutation Source must be killed. Putting aside Goddora's resolute stance, the Mutation Source itself is a bio-weapon capable of controlling living beings. For the vast majority of species in the universe, its existence is a threat, and the many civilizations of the Order will not allow such a sensitive weapon to be controlled by outsiders.
The scene of Black Star brutally beating the Mutation Source was seen by hundreds of thousands Planet Aquamarine players watching the broadcast. Most of them had mixed feelings. A main storyline boss was being taught a lesson by a familiar NPC character. It felt like Black Star was the boss more.
Keep going, don't give up!
"Run! You can't beat the Black Star Demon King!"
Seeing the Mutation Source being beaten so badly, many players couldn't help but feel sorry for it and cheered it on in the forums Mutation Source, mostly in a joking manner.
Brush!
Han Xiao's elbow strike landed on the head of the Mutation Source, but instead of the expected impact, it sliced Mutation Source in two. To be precise, the Mutation Source actively split its body, causing Han Xiao's attack to miss.
Immediately afterwards, the two black halves suddenly spewed out a large amount of viscous black substance, like a fountain. This black substance fell into the muddy water and swam around like small snakes, fleeing in all directions.
Although the Mutation Source's thinking was still immature, fear was an instinct of life. In the short time that they fought, it was being crushed and ravaged. Han Xiao's strength made it feel that it was invincible. The Mutation Source did not want to continue fighting, so it panicked and fled. It took the initiative to use energy to proliferate the slime, split its body, and confuse the enemy, while its main body hid in it and escaped.
The torrential rain provided the Mutation Source with an excellent place to escape. The surrounding beast hordes and mechanical legions were fighting, and the chaotic scene also helped with the escape. Among the countless puddles of slime, only the original body was visible.
"Trying to run? Do you think you can escape?"
As soon as he said those words, Han Xiao suddenly felt like he was the villain.
With thrusters propelling him from his back and feet, Han Xiao took to the air, locking onto a rapidly moving mass of black slime. During the fight, Phillip had been recording the Mutation Source's data, and the radar clearly showed its location.
The Mutation Source, which was in the shape of a long snake, sensed that Han Xiao had locked onto it and hurriedly split its body, turning into a water-like substance that seeped into the soil, trying to burrow underground and escape.
Splash!
Han Xiao waved his hand, and two giant mechanical hands scooped up the soil in this area, pulling out the Mutation Source in the process.
The Mutation Source hurriedly reverted to its slime form, launched itself away, and landed on a Windhawk, quickly taking up residence within its body.
With a flap of its wings, the Windhawk hurriedly flew away into the distance.
Rat-a-tat-tat!
The next moment, the dozen or so flying turrets around it turned around at the same time, locked their cannons on the Windhawk, and unleashed scorching light cannons, concentrating their fire. In just an instant, the Windhawk was turned into a pile of charred minced meat.
With a thud, the Mutation Source fell to the ground again, splashing mud and water. It tried to escape again, but the mecha's giant hand suddenly appeared, grabbed its body, and held it in its hand.
"You can't escape, no matter where you go. Stop struggling, just obediently get your shot."
Han Xiao clenched his fist, and the needle extended from his fingertips again, piercing into the slime-like Mutation Source. He injected the second vial of destruction agent, giving it another injection.
Snap!
The explosion was the same as the first time. The panel information showed that the weakened state of the Mutation Source had worsened again, and its various abilities had been weakened once more. This time, it took even longer to recover its human form.
The beasts around them regained their senses once more, for a much longer period than the first time. Even after being brought back under control, their Berserk was significantly reduced, and many beasts could be clearly seen shrinking back and retreating.
The mechanical legion was like a meat grinder, tearing thousands of beasts to shreds with these metal monsters, turning the dark brown mud into a deep red. Faced with this cold, silent, and seemingly tireless terrifying enemy, even though the beasts were controlled by the Mutation Source, they could not suppress their instinctive fear.
At that moment, a strange commotion arose.
Han Xiao turned his head and looked over. In the distance, hundreds of players entered the battlefield, heading straight for his side.
Without much thought, Han Xiao could tell at a glance that these players were simply attracted by the BOSS quest and wanted to steal his kills.
The player's intentions were too obvious: he wanted to slip over during the gap created by the mechanical army's fight with the beasts, essentially using his mechanical army as cover.
"So cunning."
Han Xiao's lips twitched, and he instructed Phillip to withdraw the mechanical legion ahead as soon as the players advanced. This tactic was highly effective. The players' plan to gain an advantage collapsed immediately. Without the cover of the mechanical legion, the players were suddenly in Danger at Every Turn. They tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead. Their deaths were incredibly varied and extremely gruesome.
Want to steal kills? You must be dreaming.
Shaking his head, Han Xiao withdrew his gaze. Before the Mutation Source could act again, he instantly rushed forward, stepped on its chest, and shot the last tube into the Mutation Source's body.
After using all three injections, the Mutation Source was on the verge of collapse, showing signs of melting. However, his guess was correct; the Mutation Source was indeed not directly destroyed...
Goddora's teammates are seriously terrible!
"Fortunately, the Mutation Source's abilities are reduced to less than one-tenth, making it easy to kill."
Now that the Mutation Source is at its weakest, Han Xiao doesn't want to be outmaneuvered. With a wave of his hand, he releases the Halo Array floating shuttle, constructing a golden polygonal shield to protect him and the Mutation Source. The energy shield of the Halo Array cannot be broken by the attack power of beasts or players.
The Mutation Source is transforming, but this time it can only transform into the upper half of a human body. Drops of slime are secreted from the original body and evaporate, indicating that the original body is slowly collapsing. Even maintaining a human form has become very difficult, and it is already on the verge of death.
"I don't want to die..."
The Mutation Source suddenly spoke, and although its tone remained unchanged, Han Xiao could hear the pleading in its voice.
After a pause, Han Xiao opened his mecha helmet, revealing his handsome face, and sighed slightly, "I'm here to destroy... uh, no. I'm here to kill you. Talking to me like this is useless."
"I don't understand... I just want to live like you..."
Han Xiao shook his head. "You have already caused great disaster to this planet. Perhaps it wasn't your intention, but your life form clashes with too many species. If you live, others cannot survive. Even without me, others would kill you."
The life form of the Mutation Source is to treat other organisms as its own "sensory organs" and assimilate them, just like the hierarchy in the food chain. Carnivores hunt only to fill their stomachs, and in their world, controlling these "sensory organs" is a natural instinct.
From another perspective, the Mutation Source can be considered a kind of collective life form. The "sensory organs" it controls are part of its body, and constantly expanding its "body" is its instinct, thus naturally placing it in opposition to most living beings.
When Mutation Source grows powerful enough, it can completely control the life forms of a planet. The entire planet's inhabitants become its body, meaning it unifies all life and becomes the "consciousness" of the planet.
If any outsiders come to this planet and enter its range of influence, they will be assimilated into the group.
At this level, the Mutation Source is no longer a virus or a weapon, but... a nature god similar to Gaia's consciousness!
Therefore, for most species, the existence of the Mutation Source is the original sin.
"Why... why is this happening? Why... why am I the only one who can't survive?"
"The Mutation Source murmured."
call--
At that moment, Nagokin's spaceship appeared on the horizon, rapidly approaching the battlefield. They arrived at the last minute, displaying a style reminiscent of police officers in movies, quite flamboyant.
"It's time for you to get going." The mechanical components activated, Han Xiao's arm transformed into a giant cannon barrel, aimed at the Mutation Source.
The Mutation Source stared intently at Han Xiao, its lips moving slightly, "You really can't let me go?"
Han Xiao shook his head; the cannon barrel gathered energy and gradually brightened.
Will I die...? What is death like...?
Knowing that its life might be coming to an end, the Mutation Source couldn't help but recall its birth, when it had no senses, couldn't observe the outside world, and the world was shrouded in darkness, like chaos. Death... would it be the same as its birth?
For some reason, the Mutation Source suddenly remembered that before it learned to control its "senses," it could only share the vision of the infected. Back then, it could often see different individuals smiling, but now it sees them less and less.
In the final moments of his life, the fear seemed to vanish suddenly. Instinctively, the Mutation Source altered its facial features, transforming them into the smiling face from his memories. "Thank you for telling me all this... thank you for talking to me..."
In fact, the Mutation Source is very simple, like a blank sheet of paper, and Han Xiao knows this.
Boom!!
The light cannon exploded, dust flew everywhere, and the Mutation Source's body turned to ashes, leaving nothing behind.
Han Xiao retracted the cannon barrel, exhaled, and the mecha transformed back into a compressed sphere.
"I'm sorry, I understand you, but you are my enemy."
Han Xiao retracted the protective shield and looked around.
The beasts regained their senses, fear flashing in their eyes. The next moment, the herd disintegrated and scattered, leaving behind only corpses and the earth stained dark red.
The Rainstorm continued, growing heavier and heavier.