Chapter 117 The Second Contact in the Black Market
Xiao Ran walked into the black market. The air was filled with the smell of diesel, decay and cheap cigarettes.
Compared to his hasty investigation a few days ago, this time he did not hide his purpose.
He needed supplies, information, and to prove himself. He walked straight to the merchant he had met before, a middle-aged man called "Old Crow".
Old Crow is short and fat, always wearing a greasy leather jacket, with a face full of weather-beaten and calculation.
"Hey, Xiao Ran, I didn't expect to see you again so soon." The old crow grinned, revealing a few yellow teeth.
A few thugs surrounded him, staring at Xiao Ran in silence. "It seems that you are quite satisfied with my goods."
"Satisfied or not is not important, the key is whether it can meet my needs."
Xiao Ran's voice was cold and hard, with a hint of impatience. "I need more supplies related to virus samples, and..." He paused, his eyes sweeping around, "information about sample storage and diffusion patterns."
Lao Ya's smile froze. He originally thought that this special forces soldier was just trying to improve his strength, but he didn't expect that he would actually be interested in the virus itself.
"Are you sure you really want to know this? This is no joke. Knowing too much can sometimes be a burden."
"I don't need to listen to your advice." Xiao Ran said coldly.
"I took it at my own risk. You should remember what I brought with me, right?"
Lao Ya waved his hand, and several thugs immediately brought out a pile of weapons and ammunition, as well as some commonly used medical supplies.
The supplies that Xiao Ran brought before were enough for Lao Ya to make a fortune.
But for Xiao Ran, these things are just bargaining chips.
"These are just the first batch." Old Crow said slowly. "Regarding the information you want, I have an encrypted map with a special coordinate point marked on it. That place is very likely to contain extended information about the virus sample, but going there will cost you a certain price. The risk is high, so you must be prepared."
Xiao Ran's eyes lit up slightly. "What's the price?"
"I need you to provide information about the abandoned laboratory." Old Crow asked back.
"You followed Su Wanqing, so you should know something about that laboratory, right? About the formulas they were researching, about the mutant samples..."
Xiao Ran frowned. Su Wanqing had concealed some information about the abandoned laboratory from him.
She only told him some basic information, and she remained secretive about the details inside the laboratory.
But he knew that Su Wanqing must have her reasons for doing this.
"All I can provide is some basic geographical location information. I don't know anything else."
Xiao Ran said. "Besides, I need your detailed guidance. Where are the coordinates on this map? What equipment do I need? What are the potential dangers?"
The old crow narrowed his eyes. "Decrypting the map takes time and requires special tools. I have a decoder here, but it will cost some credits. As for the coordinates, they are located in an abandoned mining area on the outskirts of the city. There is a group of mutant creatures lurking there, and they are quite powerful. You need to prepare sufficient weapons and enough patience."
Xiao Ran was silent. He knew that Lao Ya was asking for an exorbitant price, but he had no room for bargaining.
Time was running out, and he had to get this information as soon as possible. He took out some remaining weapons and ammunition from his backpack and handed them to Old Crow.
"Is this enough?"
Old Crow took the weapon, examined it carefully, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Almost. I'll let you know as soon as my decoder finishes decrypting it."
The old crow turned and left, leaving Xiao Ran standing there alone. He took out the map and studied it carefully.
The coordinate points on the map are marked with a special symbol, which looks very mysterious.
He tried to crack the code, but made no progress. He vaguely felt that this coordinate point had some connection with the environment of the sample area.
He recalled the geographical location of the abandoned laboratory and the surrounding terrain.
Suddenly, he realized that the abandoned mining area where this coordinate point was located was not far from the area where Su Wanqing and his team were active.
In fact, that place is likely to be located in the core of Su Wanqing's chieftain's territory.
An unsettling thought came to his mind. Did Su Wanqing already know this coordinate point?
Did she deliberately lure him here in order to use him to obtain sample information?
Xiao Ran shook his head, trying to dispel these unnecessary suspicions.
The most important thing now is to find the weaknesses of the sample and prevent the spread of the virus.
He cannot be swayed by personal emotions, he must stay sober and make correct judgments.
Just as he was thinking, Lao Ya came back with a decoder in his hand and handed it to Xiao Ran.
"Decoding completed. The coordinates have been decrypted, look carefully."
Xiao Ran took the decoder and enlarged the map according to Lao Ya's instructions.
A three-dimensional image appeared on the map, showing the topography of the abandoned mining area.
He studied the map carefully and found a huge underground space inside the mining area, which seemed to be an abandoned arsenal.
"After the map was partially decrypted, it was revealed that there was a special signal frequency near the storage area of the virus samples."
Old Crow said, "That frequency is connected to the path of action of the evolved zombies. It seems that someone is using this frequency to control the actions of the zombies."
Xiao Ran frowned. "Who?"
"I don't know." The old crow shook his head. "But I can be sure that this is definitely not a natural phenomenon.
Someone is using virus samples to conduct some kind of experiment, or... some kind of control."
"Control?" Xiao Ran repeated the word in a low voice. He vaguely realized that the black market merchant seemed to know some inside information, but he deliberately concealed it.
"Businessmen don't like to get involved in too much trouble." Old Crow seemed to see the doubts in Xiao Ran's heart.
"I can only tell you this much. As for the truth you want to know, you still need to find it yourself."
He paused and continued, "I suggest you not to act rashly. The area related to the sample is currently very dangerous. It is full of mutant creatures and some unknown traps. It is best to cooperate with your team and go together."
Xiao Ran ignored Lao Ya's advice. He knew that Su Wanqing and Lin Che would never trust him.
He must solve this problem on his own.
"Thank you for your information." Xiao Ran said. "I understand."
He turned and walked towards the exit of the black market, his heart filled with anxiety and uneasiness.
He knew that a dangerous adventure was waiting for him.
"Remember, it is not advisable to approach the sample area rashly." The old crow's voice sounded behind him.
"There is a huge crisis hidden there. If you are not careful, you will be doomed."
Xiao Ran did not answer. He quickened his pace and disappeared into the darkness of the black market.
He knew that he needed to find the sample's weakness as soon as possible to stop the spread of the virus.
In order to achieve this goal, he is willing to pay any price.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
