Chapter 462 - 411: The Out-of-Control Third Scarlet Experiment

Chapter 462: Chapter 411: The Out-of-Control Third Scarlet Experiment

Since its founding, the Human Federation has dwindled to only nine member states.

In terms of power, the nine nations were divided into a structure of two superpowers, one major power, and six minor nations.

The two superpowers were, of course, North Star Country and the Soloma Empire. The major power was the Sisiya Duchy, and the remaining six were minor nations.

There was also a huge disparity in power among these six minor nations. Sakura Prayer Country, for example, had once been relatively prosperous. But its attempt at a nationwide relocation after the earthquake Rule broke its back. The country was weakened completely after its rulers, led by the Mizusawa Clan, were purged.

Now, the country was left with only two cities, and its armed forces had been reduced to a Public Security Department tasked with maintaining street-level order. It was considered a success if they could simply manage their own affairs.

The third exploratory experiment on Crimson Terra was about to begin. Following the ones in Soloma and North Star, it should have been Sisiya’s turn, as the "major power." Yet, the Human Federation ultimately chose Lu Rui.

Although one of the six minor nations, Lu Rui was the strongest among them in terms of overall national power.

The supercity project proposed by the Six Small Countries at a recent Human Federation conference had been spearheaded by Lu Rui Country.

While the country’s technology was not highly advanced, its people were united and numerous. It had managed to avoid catastrophic losses during the previous Apocalypse Rules.

Especially during the earthquake Rule, Lu Rui Country’s territory was far from the epicenter, so its population losses were relatively low. It still boasts a population of nearly ten million. Among them are several hundred thousand Ascenders, who serve as the nation’s backbone.

It was because of this solid foundation that Lu Rui volunteered to host the third joint exploratory experiment, and even proposed using special patients as test subjects.

Sisiya raised no objections. Yelena had just eliminated the last of Rijeka’s forces and was busy consolidating her power at home; she had no desire to divert her focus.

Meanwhile, at the Lu Rui Test Center, preparations for the experiment were in full swing.

Finch, the expert from Soloma, wore a strange expression as he looked at the astronomical telescope set up in the room.

He had been told by the Lu Rui representatives that the experiment would take place indoors, in a room with a skylight, where test subjects would use a telescope to observe Crimson Terra. Even so, seeing it in person was still odd.

He asked the Lu Rui official in charge of the experiment, "What’s the difference between observing with the naked eye and using a telescope? They’ll trigger the Crimson Fear either way. Won’t the latter just be more of a hassle?"

The Lu Rui official in charge of the experiment was a man in his forties named Meren. He was also the country’s Vice Premier and had the characteristic Lu Rui features of dark brown skin and green eyes.

Meren said, "We have a saying in Lu Rui: ’You have to get up close to see things clearly.’ We believe observing Crimson Terra directly through a telescope might yield a more detailed experience."

Finch scoffed at the explanation. He turned to the expert from North Star. "And you agree with this?"

"If Vice Premier Meren is proceeding this way, I assume he has his reasons."

"Hmph, what logic? We have a saying in Soloma too: ’You can’t see the forest for the trees.’"

No one responded to Finch. The bearded man’s confrontational nature was clearly irritating to many present.

Just then, the test subjects provided by Lu Rui entered the room.

Some of the test subjects were clearly unwell. You could tell several had mental issues just from their expressions.

The experts all knew these were the people Lu Rui had described: individuals "unable to perceive fear due to mental or physiological illness."

In the past, these individuals would have just been patients. Now, they had the chance to be heroes. This was evident in the bright, proud expressions on a few of their faces; they seemed honored to be part of the test.

Finch stood to the side, arms crossed, observing with a cold eye. ’He didn’t believe using a few patients would accomplish anything. As he’d said before, the fear induced by the Apocalypse Rules was irrational and not so easily overcome.’

However, plenty of people disagreed with him. Their reasoning was that during the first Apocalypse Rule, some people had survived the 72-hour sleepless period by relying on stimulants and other drugs. If such "unorthodox methods" worked then, perhaps they could work now.

Lu Rui had provided twenty test subjects in total, more than in the previous two experiments. Half were patients, and the other half were High Spirit Users.

Once everything was ready, Meren announced the experiment would begin.

The caps were removed from the telescopes in unison. Through the high-powered lenses, the test subjects stared fixedly, their eyes drinking in the eerie red light radiating from Crimson Terra.

"AH, AAAAAH!"

Barely three or four seconds passed before someone screamed. It was one of the High Spirit User Ascender test subjects.

This took everyone by surprise. Based on the previous two experiments, High Spirit User Ascenders could typically endure for a significant amount of time.

"Quick, get him out!"

Seeing the man already foaming at the mouth, Meren immediately ordered the staff to remove him.

With the first one down, a second and third quickly followed.

At this, Finch unconsciously lowered his arms, his expression turning serious.

’He realized Meren might have been right: observing Crimson Terra through a telescope dramatically shortened the onset time of the Crimson Fear compared to using the naked eye!’

It wasn’t just the High Spirit User Ascenders. Several of the patients who had been diagnosed as "incapable of fear" also started showing symptoms.

They were affected far more severely than the Ascenders. Two of them died on the spot from shock without making a sound. Another clutched their chest and collapsed from a heart attack, while a fourth fell to the ground, convulsing from a seizure.