Chapter 163 Spread
Siberia, Altai Krai.
Barnaul, A012 control zone.
"Everything is normal, sir."
"Yes, the contamination levels are still within a controllable range, and we have not entered the infected area without authorization."
"Understood, awaiting your instructions."
The soldiers stationed here were all prepared to die; everyone knew that, it was common sense.
No matter what kind of hell these people are in, they always force themselves to stand firm and refuse to show their weaknesses and pain, which is why they have been able to survive in this bloody world until now.
Officially, they were on a supervisory mission. It had been two months since the Gospel of Heaven was discovered, and they should have been due for a break long ago. But Eoubs and the military they were working with didn't care about leave. You had to be there when they needed you—after all, this was a mission issued to protect all of humanity, and the guys felt a sense of honor about it.
Although Eoubs and official agencies have tried various ways to appease their employees over the years with their welfare policies, well... according to the tireless analysis of those who were involved in control missions and survived by chance, it's not entirely impossible for you to escape halfway through—it's just a matter of whether you die a horrible death or leave with a complete corpse.
For example, this outpost's influence is mainly concentrated in Irkutsk. If the soldiers stationed around it are lucky and particularly clever, they may still survive.
"Damn... what time is it now?"
As the soldier put on his thermal clothing, he crawled out of the tent and saw that it was still dark outside. He wished he could stay in bed for a few more hours, or even die in his dreams.
"It's three in the morning, and you've slept for three hours."
The sentry on duty had bloodshot eyes. They didn't make eye contact for even a second. The replacement was stunned for a moment, then turned around and went to the tent to get a first-aid kit. Before long, he pulled out a bag of top-quality medicine and threw it to him, clearly having been prepared.
"Have something to eat, bro. You look like a vampire right now."
The other person took it, their hands covered in frostbite, and they couldn't tear open the packaging bag no matter what they tried.
He yawned as he walked over, grabbed the bag, tore it open, and nudged the man, signaling him to open his mouth.
"I can guarantee that the amount of illegal drugs and cigarettes we applied for during this period was the highest."
The sentry glanced at him, expressionless, swallowed the pill dry, and replied, "Thanks."
"There's only one hour left anyway, you can go and rest, I'll take over."
The soldier took out a handful of raw tobacco from his pocket, threw it into his mouth and chewed it. Staring at the desolate surroundings, he shivered: "Damn... this place is fucking cold."
"Does anyone actually sleep? At this rate, I might as well be transferred to the core area and do missions with those operatives. Even if I die, it would be more honorable. Instead of being stuck in this freezing weather, standing in one spot like an idiot."
"Eoubs-2407? Just thinking that there are thousands of such absurd things in the world... is enough to make me nauseous."
To be precise, Eoubs sent more than two B-class members to carry out the retrieval operation, but so far, only two have been confirmed dead and their bodies seen. The number of members deemed missing... cannot be released casually.
To be honest, at this level, people aren't stupid. Each individual operative is a top-notch performer. To get them to work their lives away, you have to hide some facts. After the first steadfast action, the higher-ups spent a lot of time controlling the mental fluctuations and contamination. By the time the next reinforcements arrive, the missing operatives will probably be frozen solid in the Siberian wilderness.
But what can you do? If you live in Eoubs' shadow, you have to do the work you have to do. Even the most corrupt and powerful know that they need to recover the forbidden items before they can continue their indulgences, let alone those operatives who risk their lives.
"Hey, look over there..." The sentry's gaze suddenly turned to a certain spot.
"Don't worry, this isn't some kind of diffusion zone. We can go back to headquarters and collect our salaries in another year."
Before he could finish speaking, the soldier suddenly smelled a putrid odor emanating from the other man.
He recognized the smell; he had smelled it up close before, during a mission to finish off a forbidden item, and he would never forget it.
The altered odor at the peak of mental pollution.
The mutations caused by consciousness contamination were extremely terrifying, and he remembered them vividly. At the time, there were nearly two hundred people working on the body recovery, and the process... well, let's not go into details. In the end, the place became a warehouse full of chunks of flesh, and no one could tell which limb belonged to whom. Life became worthless.
However, at this moment, a deafening roar swept across the sky above the Siberian wilderness. The waves, which seemed to shatter one's eardrums, seemed to be mixed with the roar of some monster, which sent chills down one's spine just by hearing it.
Without any hesitation, the soldier raised his hand and shot the man in the back of the head.
The attack was swift and decisive, without warning. The infected sentry's head exploded instantly, splattering blood all over his face.
The comrade standing guard next to them was stunned. Just as he was about to raise his gun, the soldier also shot him in the head.
To be precise, everyone at the base was stunned. A string of curses came from inside the tent. Only the person involved wiped the blood from his face and said, "I really cursed Eoubs' whole family."
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"He's infected." The perpetrator didn't care at all; at his feet—the corpse was beyond description.
"Or rather, we were all infected."
"Sigh... Damn it, I told you I didn't want to come here to die. If it weren't for that little bit of money... Oh well, what other choice do I have?"
The soldiers met their gazes, laughing mockingly, their faces still bearing traces of blood, which looked even more eerie against the backdrop of the icy landscape.
Given the current situation, they certainly can't resort to the idea of "since everyone is infected, why not rebel collectively and seek the gospel of heaven?" It's obvious they don't believe in such an idiotic approach, and... everyone has a gun.
Moreover, since Eoubs has created this image for them... in other words, this group has always been the ones who are ready to die, and they've been playing that role for far too long. That quality is ingrained in their bones, so they have to act like they love the world enough, and if necessary, they also have to portray the resoluteness and fearlessness when they sacrifice themselves.
It's infuriating to think about, but what can I do?
The soldier instinctively wanted to chew some more tobacco, but suddenly felt a sharp pain in his fingertips.
It felt like something had bitten it.
He let go of his hand and looked closely, and saw tiny human faces growing out from between his fingers.
They are smiling at themselves.
He paused for a moment, then sighed deeply and said in a deep voice.
"Everyone, while you're still conscious, send the intelligence to the higher-ups, then shoot yourselves and commit suicide."
"We have no other choice."
"That damned thing has already started to spread."
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