Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 383: Chapter 382: A Calm Daily Life and an Unstable World (Part 2)

”Ugh...”

It was unclear how much time had passed when the once unconscious prisoners began to open their eyes one by one. Only then did they realize that the shadowy tentacles that had been binding their bodies had disappeared, and they were now sprawled haphazardly on the cold concrete. As for the young man, he was sitting leisurely on a couch, holding a pocket watch, observing them.

”Three hours? That’s a bit long...”

What the hell do you want to do?

Looking at the young man before them, one of the prisoners wanted to roar in anger, but in the next moment, he was horrified to discover that his own voice was gone, replaced by a ”ha... ha...” sound, like the howl of a wild beast!

”The language center system has been damaged again?”

Watching the prisoners who could only open their mouths and emit howls like wild beasts, Fang Zheng helplessly pressed his hand to his forehead and shook his head.

”Such a headache, well, let’s check the other conditions... Stand up!”

Following Fang Zheng’s command, the prisoners were surprised to find that their bodies rapidly stood up as if they no longer belonged to them and stood motionless.

”Spin! Squat! Reach out! Strip off your clothes! Dance the Jiangnan STYLE!”

Obeying Fang Zheng’s orders, the prisoners carried out each action one after another, until the last command, when they collectively got stuck...

”Good, the motor nerve system is properly connected this time, and other aspects seem to have integrated well too, which means only the thought and language center systems need to undergo another integration experiment...”

Pleased with the results before him, Fang Zheng mumbled to himself and casually picked up a pen to tick off on a piece of paper next to him.

”Now, come out.”

”Huh? Ah? Ah?!”

As Fang Zheng’s voice trailed off, the prisoners felt something writhing inside their heads, akin to an octopus squirming over the smooth surface of their brains. Soon after, their heads were cracked open like a can, and tentacles emerged from their nostrils, mouths, and the tops of their heads...

”Aaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!”

The intense pain forced the prisoners to scream involuntarily, shaking and shrieking, unable to move at all, just feeling their brains being torn, devoured, and then... the once screaming prisoners lost their voices, their eyes blankly staring ahead, appearing like emotionless dolls devoid of self-consciousness. And those tentacles that were trembling all around had disappeared without a trace at some point.

”Hmm...”

Fang Zheng set down his pen and stepped forward to examine the prisoners carefully before shaking his head.

”No, that won’t do. This level of disguise may pass for a homeless person under a bridge, but to impersonate their actual selves... it’s still lacking.”

”So, further adjustments are needed?”

As this voice emerged, Lulana, the assistant to Mirune, soon stepped out from another passage next to Fang Zheng.

”Maybe switching the mode would do.”

Fang Zheng snapped his fingers.

”Separate the memory and the thinking parts. Read the memory and set the mode of thinking and action, at least make it look unchanged on the outside.”

”Does that mean we need to further experiment on the human brain?”

”We’ve got plenty of test subjects here, take your time.”

As Mirune’s assistant, Lulana’s focus was not on a comprehensive quality enhancement for the Swarm but on improving certain specific traits. In fact, a long time ago, Lulana had used the Swarm Network to suggest to Fang Zheng that the Swarm lacked means of surveillance and infection control over enemies; even the Amoeba could only mimic forms. Therefore, Lulana hoped that Fang Zheng would allow her to refine the Swarm’s ”Scout Soldiers.”

Since the plan was not very humane, Fang Zheng had been hesitant to agree. After all, he had no grievances with the humans of the Ironblood World and experimenting on the Ironblood Race seemed pointless. However, in this world, Fang Zheng suddenly realized that sometimes being ”inhumane” could actually be an advantage. So, he eventually agreed to Lulana’s proposal and used the humans from the Pitch Black World as test subjects to adjust the ”Scout Soldiers.”

Lulana’s adjustment was based on the ”Facehugger,” a part improved from the Alien. Originally, the Facehugger would implant an ”egg” into a human body and convert it into an Alien larva. But for the Zerg, the Alien had already separated from this arrangement and stood alongside the Jumping Bug, the Hydralisk as part of the Swarm, making the Facehugger’s ability redundant.

Logically, according to Zerg’s rules, useless parts should be discarded. Later on, Fang Zheng felt that the Alien, being a classic from his own world, should be preserved along with a few Facehuggers and Alien Eggs as a commemoration. Now, it seemed they were coming in handy.

Furthermore, Fang Zheng drew fully on the experience from various bioterror movies in his own world and set specific requirements for these ”Scout Soldiers.” To avoid them being easily uncovered by the protagonists as in the movies, through things like X-ray, CT, or blood tests, Fang Zheng suggested that after the Facehugger implants the ”egg” into the body, they should use Zerg genes to assimilate and transform the capillaries, gradually taking control of the brain.

However, it now seemed that achieving complete control over another intelligent being’s brain was too difficult, so he had no choice but to retreat and seek the next best option.

”Then, I’ll leave the rest to you, Lulana.”

”Yes, Master.”

After leaving the laboratory, Fang Zheng returned to the Heavenly Dao Palace. The advantage of having a personal space was exactly this; no matter in which world he adventured, he could always return home to recuperate.

”Click.”

”Ah, Brother Zheng, you’re back.”

”It’s Natsuyo.”

As he pushed the door open and saw the girl in front of him, Fang Zheng paused for a moment and then smiled as he nodded to her.

After these children arrived at the Heavenly Dao Palace, Tilia devised a system known as the ”Maid Squad.” Simply put, it required the Cursed Children to take care of Fang Zheng’s daily life, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, serving tea, and other daily chores. With Black Katie and Tilia’s strong support, and Nymph not objecting, Fang Zheng had agreed.

After Tilia’s first round of ”selection,” Senju Natsuyo, Tina, and Fumie Busei were ”appointed” as Fang Zheng’s personal maids. Natsuyo and Midori were responsible for the daytime, while Tina more often managed the night-time security—after all, owls are nocturnal.

This arrangement ended up bringing Tina and Nymph closer together. The two often hung out at night since neither slept. Fang Zheng was pleased with this development, for Nymph, as an Artificial Angel, couldn’t dream or sleep, and it was somewhat lonely for her to be alone. Having Tina’s company was quite nice.

”I’m back.”

As he greeted Natsuyo, Fang Zheng sat down in a chair, and she dutifully handed him a cup of tea.

”Please have some tea, Brother Zheng.”

”Thank you.”

Taking the fragrant cup of tea, Fang Zheng sipped the hot beverage, and as he observed the girl in front of him, he felt the fatigue of the day’s troubles washing away—this must be the feeling of home.

But the next moment, Fang Zheng noticed that Natsuyo was silently watching him, and then—the girl actually sat down right next to him.

”Natsuyo...?”

In response to Fang Zheng’s question, Natsuyo didn’t reply. Instead, she leaned forward and rubbed against him like a small animal, then twitched her little nose. After that, she opened her eyes and gazed quietly at Fang Zheng.

”Brother Zheng, there’s a scent of blood on you.”

”Is there? It seems that the first thing I need to do when I get back is to take a bath and change clothes.”

Hearing Natsuyo’s comment, Fang Zheng’s heart skipped a beat, but he soon smiled slightly, trying to move past the topic. However... the girl clearly wasn’t willing to let it slide so easily.

”We all know, Brother Zheng has done a lot for us...”

As she spoke, Natsuyo reached out and grabbed Fang Zheng’s sleeve, her pure eyes unwaveringly fixed on him.

”We also want to contribute our strength for Brother Zheng. Ever since Brother Zheng rescued us, our lives and strength have forever belonged to Brother Zheng. Therefore, whatever Brother Zheng asks of us, we will do it, even if it means killing...”

However, before Natsuyo could finish her sentence, Fang Zheng extended a finger and placed it on her mouth to stop her from continuing.

”Thank you for your intentions, but... you don’t need to do this. Everyone has their own tasks to do, and you’re still just children. Maybe in ten or twenty years, I might ask you to make a choice. But for now, all you need to do is to live a normal, peaceful life every day. Honestly, if possible, I didn’t even want you to fight the Intestinal Creatures. You’ve seen the Swarm; when it comes to fighting and killing, they are the real professionals. With them around, I don’t need you to be stained by these things. I appreciate your determination, but I hope you understand, for you, all of this is still too early...”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng reached out and gently touched Natsuyo’s head.

”...What you should be doing now is enjoying a stable daily life here. That’s the life children your age should have.”

”...Brother Zheng...”

Feeling Fang Zheng’s caress, Natsuyo’s cheeks flushed slightly, she closed her eyes, and then leaned her head against Fang Zheng’s chest.

”Thank you...”

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