Chapter 31: Evolution Once Again
This structure resembled a beehive or an ant colony, where the queen bee or queen ant issued commands, and all other individuals followed unconditionally.
However, since humans infected by the virus were once intelligent beings, this was not an absolute suppression like that of arthropods. Instead, the degree of infection and mutation determined their characteristics and hierarchy.
Simply put, the higher the fusion with the Veronica Virus, the higher the status within the group.
It seemed that this evolution would truly decide the direction of future advancements.
Lucius recalled the original depictions of both viruses.
The T-Virus was the most frequently appearing and most powerful virus in the Resident Evil series, responsible for the creation of horrifying creatures such as Lickers, Tyrants, Nemesis, and the Pursuer.
On the other hand, the Veronica Virus was developed by Alexia, the cloned daughter of a high-ranking Umbrella executive. After numerous experiments, she used herself as a test subject, attempting to evolve into the perfect being, ultimately becoming one of the most formidable bosses in the series, capable of overpowering Wesker.
Strictly speaking, the Veronica Virus could be considered a divergent evolution of the T-Virus.
Reflecting on this, Lucius couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. If it weren't for the massive casualties from this incident, which allowed him to rapidly level up to Lv10, he would have likely chosen to evolve into the T-Virus at Lv5, missing out on this powerful virus that originated from the Resident Evil spin-offs.
Without further hesitation, Lucius allocated his evolution points into "Progenitor Virus - Queen Ant Form."
The T-Virus was undeniably powerful, and future evolutionary paths would surely make it even stronger. However, for Lucius, the Veronica Virus was the more suitable choice, especially for his next mission.
As a virus himself, was there any infected host that could achieve a higher fusion rate than him?
Thus, if he established an organization using the Veronica Virus as its foundation, he would inevitably be the absolute "Emperor" within it.
This evolution did not take long. In terms of physical changes, the previously linear virus transformed into an abstract, gelatinous substance, signifying significant mutation.
Unlike before, when his virus swarm all looked similar, after this upgrade, Lucius could distinctly sense the emergence of core virus strains. His mental influence now radiated outward from these core strains.
The sensation was remarkable.
Lucius found his mind sharper than ever. For a fleeting moment, he felt a mysterious connection with all the lifeforms he had ever infected. He could even sense their locations and the distances separating them from him.
After the evolution was complete, his system information underwent a significant transformation:
Host: Lucius
Virus Type: Progenitor Virus - Queen Ant Form
Hosts: 1/1
Level: Lv1
Vitality: 2485 (Base: 2172, Host Bonus: 313)
Adaptability: Level 5 (Can permanently survive in most environments, endure extreme cold, and remain dormant within a host)
Evolution Progress: 1%
Abilities:
Can enhance infected hosts' physical attributes by 247% based on their DNA structure (Exceeding the host's tolerance limit may lead to collapse or unpredictable mutations).
Accelerates metabolism, boosting self-healing capabilities by 500% (Overuse leads to accelerated host degradation).
Can induce the formation of hardened biological armor based on host DNA structure.
Infection can spread via bodily fluids; the virus can be transmitted through waterborne transmission; infected hosts continue to generate bioelectricity even after death.
99% genetic compatibility, rendering the host immune to all negative side effects.
Active Skills:
Venomous Plague: Inflicts 10-50 HP damage per second based on infection level; the Emperor strain can nullify this at will.
Mental Corruption: Causes varying degrees of mental infection based on the infection level.
Paralysis: Induces paralysis for 1 to ∞ seconds based on infection level; the Emperor strain can nullify this at will.
Heart of the Emperor: Grants control over infected beings with a lower compatibility rate.
Toxic Flame: Allows the host to ignite virus-infused blood, creating toxic fire explosions.
Mission: Establish an organization with more than ten members.
Available Evolution Paths: None.
Available Evolution Points: 2.
Upon reviewing his evolved status, Lucius became even more convinced of his choice's correctness.
The previous Leech Form was like an unfinished version of the T-Virus—it aggressively modified all infected beings. Those who adapted became superhumans like Alice, while those who failed devolved into the countless failed mutations of the undead.
Now, however, the virus demonstrated greater adaptability, modifying infected beings based on their unique DNA structures. This significantly reduced the risk of losing control while allowing hosts to retain some level of rationality.
In terms of adaptability, this evolution had almost completely freed him from dependence on a host, granting him increased mobility. As long as he wasn't incinerated by extreme heat in one go, he was practically immortal.
However, there was one limitation: he could now only have a single host. This was tied to the hierarchical structure of the Veronica Virus—because an "Emperor" needed only one vessel.
The newly acquired skills were relatively straightforward, though the last skill was unique—it was the first ability specifically granted to a host.
This meant that even if he possessed an ordinary human as his host, that person would gain the power to manipulate fire.
Since half of Lucius' virus swarm within the Police Department lacked hosts and was exposed to the open air, the portion of the virus residing within Ophelia had now fully evolved into the "Emperor Strain," becoming the new viral core.
Meanwhile, the portion inside the police headquarters had lost the ability to switch hosts. Once they infected a being, they would fully integrate and could no longer separate.
...
"Peyton, look! The barrier is shrinking!" shouted a man wearing a gas mask.
The massive dome of trees and foliage began rapidly contracting, producing a deafening rumble. The overwhelming pressure felt as if the sky itself was collapsing.
Crack—Crack—
The thirty-story building, unable to withstand the immense force, started cracking like a brittle toy made of biscuits.
As the pressure intensified, the building trembled violently, debris tumbling down. Total collapse was imminent.
"Damn it! What the hell is going on? Are the people at Cerulean Gym and the Investigation Unit just sitting on their asses? How have they not destroyed it yet?!" Peyton roared in frustration, his anger boiling over.
Inside the barrier, the survivors panicked like ants on a hot plate, desperately commanding their Pokémon to attack the barrier, but their efforts yielded no effect.
...
"It's completely sealed," Ash exhaled as the red glow on his instrument faded.
This was a future-developed device capable of detecting viruses within a specific range.
Now that the red light had vanished, it meant that the virus had been entirely sealed away by the power of nature's blessing.
"Are we really going through with this?" Violet asked, her face pale, lips trembling slightly.
Daisy, Lily, and Oliver Doyle remained silent.
Misty, who claimed to be from the future, had just told them a story—one that described a terrifying future world.
-----
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here for advance chapters: patreon.com / madbot635