Chapter 28: The Floating Island Incident (Part 2)

Within the BSAA research facility, Daniel Davis finally had the opportunity to study the T-virus. While analyzing the T-virus with machines, he also used the powers of the Op-Op Fruit to understand its properties.

"Plant virus, huh? I would love to see the origins of the T-virus, the Sun Ladder." Although Daniel didn't know much about the T-virus, he knew about its source. This was one of his main reasons for coming to the BSAA.

In some ways, the Sun Ladder is very similar to the Heart-Shaped Herb—both are plants that can enhance the human body. Daniel had not acted on the Heart-Shaped Herb yet, partly because of Wakanda's advanced technology and partly because he was unsure if it was effective for everyone.

Daniel only remembered that the Heart-Shaped Herb seemed to be consumed exclusively by Wakanda's royal family. If it were truly effective for everyone, it wouldn't make sense for only the royals to use it. They could easily cultivate a special forces unit using the herb.

More importantly, if it were effective for everyone, why didn't other tribes consume it? Such a powerful substance should have tempted someone to steal it.

While Wakanda is a peaceful nation, peace doesn't imply a lack of ambition among its people. There must be a reason why no one has stolen the Heart-Shaped Herb.

The Sun Ladder's exact nature was unknown to Daniel, but based on some characteristics of the T-virus, relying on the virus for enhancement before developing a proper serum was a gamble. Wesker's success was due to him being one of the few survivors of Spencer's virus enhancement experiments.

Daniel managed to escape infection by the T-virus and gained enhanced abilities not because of luck but because of the Op-Op Fruit's powers.

The Op-Op Fruit can extract the essence and discard the waste, which allowed Daniel to avoid detection of the T-virus in his system during S.H.I.E.L.D.'s examinations.

Viruses can alter the human body, and in some ways, so can Devil Fruits. In fact, Devil Fruits could be considered a type of virus.

Despite his understanding of the Op-Op Fruit's abilities, Daniel wouldn't inject any virus into his body recklessly.

He wasn't like Wesker, willing to risk becoming a monster for power.

"Movies like Resident Evil are completely unrealistic." Through his research on the T-virus, Daniel realized that zombies couldn't survive long-term without consuming food, or rather, energy. Without energy intake, zombies would decompose, using their own cells' energy, eventually rotting away completely.

The time it takes for a zombie to fully decompose varies from person to person. Tyrant-level beings might last longer.

"Analyzing the T-virus? I thought it had already been fully analyzed." A fellow researcher, Chad, remarked as he walked by Daniel's workstation.

"Just getting familiar with it," Daniel replied.

For others, the T-virus was no longer a mystery—its vaccine was already developed, and research had shifted to other viruses. Even Umbrella Corporation had moved on from the T-virus, focusing on its evolved forms. But for Daniel, the T-virus was crucial.

Most bioweapons, excluding the parasite series, are derivatives of the T-virus. This is because only the T-virus can alter the human body's structure.

Humans have natural immunity, allowing them to resist most bacteria and viruses. This is why we can consume various organisms without being affected by their biology.

The T-virus changed this, allowing for genetic recombination, such as Marcus's leech virus, which combined T-virus with leech DNA. Although it didn't spread widely, it led to Marcus's resurrection—more accurately, it created a leech queen with Marcus's memories.

Other viruses like the G-virus, TG virus, T-Veronica virus, and Abyss virus all derived from the T-virus.

In theory, one could use the G-virus and combine it with other organisms to grant humans special abilities without side effects.

For most scientists, this would be extremely difficult. Umbrella Corporation, despite its resources, never fully succeeded. The only relatively successful virus was the Veronica virus, but even that required about fifteen years for full compatibility.

The success of Captain America's super-soldier serum doesn't count here, as very few people, including Spencer, knew about the serum's connection to the T-virus.

For Daniel, though, this wasn't as challenging, thanks to the Op-Op Fruit.

Nature is full of amazing creatures. Spider-Man gained his abilities from a spider bite. 

If other creatures were combined with humans, who knows what powers might emerge? For example, combining human DNA with a chameleon could grant invisibility.

Research life was monotonous, with daily data logging. Jill and Chris were rarely on the island, usually fighting on the front lines—a fact Daniel deeply respected.

The BSAA's field team members also highly respected Jill and Chris. Despite Chris leading the most casualty-prone team, many wanted to join him, viewing him as a legend.

After their last meeting, Daniel hadn't seen Sherry again—S.H.I.E.L.D. kept her busy. However, he often met with Rebecca. Living on the same island and being experts in biochemistry, they had much to discuss.

"Seems like something happened." One day, while conducting routine research, Daniel heard commotion outside. Curious, he stepped out to find out that a new bioweapon had been discovered—a white creature.

Every time a new bioweapon is discovered, BSAA suffers heavy casualties due to the lack of vaccines.

"It seems to have fish DNA." While others donned protective gear to approach the white creature, Daniel used the Op-Op Fruit to analyze the new bioweapon, identifying it as the Abyss virus, a T-virus variant combined with marine life DNA.

"Many people are injured. We need to develop a vaccine quickly." Following orders from the chief researcher, all scientists, including Daniel, were tasked with working on the new virus.

The T-virus vaccine had long been developed. BSAA operatives received it before missions, rendering the T-virus non-lethal. However, as a plant virus, the T-virus vaccine could only delay the effects of its variants, not prevent them entirely.

"Chris is infected." Besides the new bioweapon, Daniel learned that Chris had been injured. The constant loss of team members weighed heavily on Chris. His survival was often thanks to his team saving him.

With Jill supporting him and Wesker still a threat, Chris hadn't broken down completely. In the original story, he had a breakdown for a significant period.

"Looks like it's up to me." Developing a vaccine, especially a new one, is typically a long process. Many researchers were already feeling sympathetic towards Chris.

"Daniel, what are you doing? Bring your results over quickly." Typically, Chinese people abroad adopt a local name, like Melinda or Ada Wong. Daniel's name was challenging for foreigners—Fei Shen, pronounced backward. But with the internationalization of Chinese culture and cuisine, Chinese names were becoming more familiar.

"I'm busy. Don't bother me." Daniel pushed aside a few researchers, occupying several instruments alone.

The Op-Op Fruit, combined with the machines, sped up the process considerably.

"Get me the necessary reagents, quickly! Do you want Chris and the others to die?" At Daniel's urging, the researchers quickly brought him the required reagents.

"Done." Daniel soon finished developing the vaccine and, ignoring the others, left the lab for the nearby hospital.

In the hospital, Chris lay on the bed, his expression not fearful but somewhat relieved. Jill, however, looked like she had been crying.

"This is a new virus vaccine I just developed. It hasn't been tested yet." With time running short, Daniel approached Chris, taking out a metal syringe.

"This..." Jill hesitated immediately.

"Do it," Chris said without hesitation.

"Captain, it's too dangerous. Let someone else try it first." One of Chris's team members, who had followed Daniel, suggested.

"Is my life more valuable than theirs?" Chris's reprimand silenced everyone.

"Don't worry, I'm very confident in this." Daniel assured, his confidence stemming from the Op-Op Fruit's power. This incident was also an opportunity to showcase his abilities. Otherwise, he would remain a low-ranking researcher for a long time, given his young age.

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