Chapter 462: Hyper-Beast

Chapter 462: Chapter 462: Hyper-Beast

Dr. Ford quickly stepped aside.

He introduced Chet Lucius, Seraphina Sullivan, and the others to the old man.

"This is Chet Lucius, Sullivan, her sister Flora, and the child we rescued on the road, Sharon."

"If they hadn’t fought desperately to protect me this whole way, forget my research—there wouldn’t even be a speck of my bones left!"

The old man, whose name was Beau Soto, was the current director of Shelter No. 3’s "Blight Beast Countermeasures and Biotechnology Research Institute."

He was also Dr. Ford’s old colleague and friend.

Only then did Beau Soto turn his gaze toward Seraphina Sullivan and the others.

He looked especially at Chet Lucius and Seraphina Sullivan, his eyes holding a mix of scrutiny and a hint of gratitude.

He nodded. "Thank you for escorting Ford here. The journey must have been incredibly perilous."

"Ford is a talent we desperately need. His safety is of the utmost importance."

After the pleasantries, Dr. Ford couldn’t wait to ask the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Beau, what on earth is going on with the Shelter?"

"The moment I got to the gate and stated my identity and purpose, those soldiers acted like they were facing a mortal enemy. They practically shoved their guns in my face. Do we look like enemies?"

This was also what Seraphina Sullivan and Chet Lucius most wanted to know.

They looked at Beau Soto, waiting for an explanation.

Upon hearing this, Beau Soto’s expression immediately darkened. He sighed and gestured for everyone to sit down first.

He lowered his voice. "Ford, you’ve come at a... difficult time."

"Or rather, a turbulent time."

"Lately, some... very troublesome and strange things have been happening inside the Shelter."

He paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "About half a month ago, we discovered a... completely new, never-before-seen type of monster."

"We’ve temporarily named it—the Hyper-Beast."

"Hyper-Beast?" Dr. Ford frowned, unfamiliar with the name.

"That’s right."

Beau Soto’s expression was grave.

"They’re completely different from the massive, incredibly destructive Blight Beasts we’ve dealt with in the past."

"Individual Hyper-Beasts... are very small."

"The smallest one we’ve observed so far is only the size of a grain of rice."

"And the largest is no bigger than an adult’s fingernail."

Hearing this, Sharon Lynn couldn’t help but chime in, "Huh? That small? Then... then aren’t they really weak?"

"Like a bug. Can’t you just step on them and kill them?"

Beau Soto glanced at the innocent little girl and shook his head with a wry smile.

"You’re right, little one. Physically, they’re very fragile. An ordinary person could easily destroy one if they’re paying attention."

"But..." His tone became extremely serious.

"The truly terrifying thing about the Hyper-Beasts isn’t their individual combat strength, but their extremely bizarre and dangerous Ability: parasitism and Control."

Hearing the words "parasitism and Control," Seraphina Sullivan felt a jolt.

She immediately connected it to the soldiers’ unusually wary and hostile attitude from before.

Chet Lucius’s gaze also sharpened instantly.

Beau Soto continued to explain, "These Hyper-Beasts seem to be able to parasitize living organisms, including humans, through some unknown means."

"Initially, the host might show no abnormalities. But over time, the parasite will gradually influence and even manipulate the host’s central nervous system."

"It changes their behavior, making them aggressive and highly deceptive, until they ultimately become nothing more than a puppet for the Hyper-Beast."

"What’s even more terrifying is that a parasitized individual might show no obvious external changes and can even pass a standard medical examination!"

He took a deep breath, his voice laced with lingering fear. "Just a week ago, a group of survivors claiming to have escaped from some research base applied for entry into the Shelter."

"They passed the initial inspection and were allowed into the outer zone."

"But then... that very night, they suddenly went on a rampage, attacking the guards in the research district. They tried to steal key samples and data and attempted to release an unknown neurotoxin."

"It was later discovered that all of them had been parasitized by Hyper-Beasts and were in a state of advanced Control!"

"The incident caused considerable casualties and panic."

"Since then, the higher-ups have issued a strict, unbending order."

"Any survivor claiming to have special countermeasures, major discoveries, or to have come from an unknown laboratory must undergo the most stringent quarantine and biological screening."

"Only after they are confirmed to be absolutely safe can any further contact be made."

"Especially... those carrying research materials."

Beau Soto looked at Dr. Ford, his expression complicated.

"Ford, when you were at the gate, you shouted about having key technology to fight the monsters and were carrying unknown samples. You walked right into the crosshairs."

"It’s no wonder they reacted so strongly."

After hearing the explanation, Dr. Ford sucked in a sharp breath, finally understanding just how "reckless" and "suspicious" his actions had been.

Seraphina Sullivan and Chet Lucius also fully understood why the Shelter was on such high alert.

’Parasitism, Control, Disguise... This new threat, the Hyper-Beast, is far more insidious and impossible to defend against than those tangible, giant monsters. No wonder the atmosphere in the entire Shelter is so tense.’

"So, what about us now...?" Dr. Ford asked worriedly.

Beau Soto waved his hand. "Don’t worry. The fact that I’m here means your identity has been preliminarily confirmed."

"As for the samples and data you’re carrying, I’ll arrange for completely trustworthy personnel to test and analyze them in a top-level biosafety lab."

"As for the rest of you..."

He looked at Seraphina Sullivan, Chet Lucius, Flora Sullivan, and Sharon Lynn.

"You’ll also need to undergo mandatory quarantine, observation, and a biological scan. It’s regulation, and it’s for everyone’s safety."

"As long as we confirm there are no issues, you, Ford, and your research will immediately receive the highest level of attention and protection."

"And these young people who escorted you will receive the treatment and rewards they deserve."

He turned to Seraphina Sullivan and Chet Lucius, his tone sincere. "Thank you for your efforts and for escorting him."

"Now, please cooperate with our screening procedures."

"This is for your own good, as well as for the good of the tens of thousands of survivors inside the Shelter."

Seraphina Sullivan and Chet Lucius glanced at each other and nodded.

’The process had been convoluted, and they’d even encountered a new threat, but they had finally arrived at their destination and met the key person. As long as they were "clean" during the upcoming screening, they should be able to complete the main quest.’

"We’ll cooperate with the screening," Seraphina Sullivan said, speaking for the group.

"Also," Beau Soto added, looking at Sharon Lynn, "little one, about finding your parents—after the quarantine, we’ll immediately help you search the Shelter’s resident registration system."

"Don’t worry."

Sharon Lynn nodded emphatically, hope rekindling in her eyes.

Although quarantine and screening still lay ahead, they had at least captured the attention of the Shelter’s key figures. Completing their mission seemed to be just one step away.

’However, it seemed this instance world had another hidden layer of crisis... The parasites known as Hyper-Beasts were perhaps even more unsettling than those colossal monsters.’