Chapter 48 Progress on the T-Virus—A Giant Snake in the Amazon

Foundation Base, Science Laboratory.

Ever since Ethan had assigned Dr.

William Birkin his research tasks, he’d been so busy studying anomalies and planning containment operations that he hadn’t had time to visit the laboratory.

When he finally returned, the place looked much the same as before.

Foundation researchers in white lab coats moved rapidly through the facility.

Guided by an assistant, Ethan eventually found Dr.

Birkin.

William looked exactly like a stereotypical overworked research addict.

His face was covered in stubble.

His tie was crooked and disheveled.

And he was continuously gulping coffee from the cup in his hand.

“Dr.

Birkin, how are the projects progressing?” William jolted when he heard Ethan’s voice.

He accidentally choked on his coffee and coughed several times.

Although he looked completely unkempt, his mental state was surprisingly energetic.

“Ah, Boss!

You’re here?” “Perfect timing.

I’ve got good news.” “The projects you assigned me have all progressed well.” “Using the existing data, we’ve successfully reconstructed a practical version of the T-virus.” “We’ve also completed the preliminary development of the T-103 Tyrant, and currently have five prototype specimens.” William adjusted his glasses.

“Personally, I think the T-virus has already reached the limit of its practical potential under our current conditions.” “We’d be better off investing our resources into the much more valuable G-virus.” Then he immediately began rattling off one scientific theory and technical term after another.

Ethan silently accepted the project progress report William handed him and began reading through it.

Leah, who had accompanied Ophelia on the tour, listened from nearby.

She didn’t understand most of the technical terminology William was using.

But she was still deeply impressed.

Ophelia, however, was an expert in poisons and had personally participated in T-virus research.

The moment she heard William claim that the T-virus had reached the end of its potential, she couldn’t help arguing.

“I don’t know what kind of T-virus you’re working with here, but you’re saying its potential is exhausted?” “The T-virus is currently one of the most suitable viruses for human enhancement experiments.” “Its mutations are already among the most controllable!” William curled his lips dismissively and glanced at her.

He simply assumed she was a researcher from another Foundation branch.

William had never been especially polite toward other scientists.

Unless he genuinely believed someone surpassed him academically, he rarely showed much patience.

And when it came to his own scientific ability— William possessed absolute confidence.

“Yes, T-virus mutation is relatively controllable.” “But the problem is that it places extremely high requirements on the host’s physical constitution.” “Unless the virus is specifically customized for the individual host, the probability of uncontrolled mutation remains extremely high.” “Even after all our experiments, we still haven’t found a host capable of achieving perfect symbiotic evolution with the T-virus.” He continued bluntly, “Even relatively stable hosts can lose control after suffering injuries or other forms of physical stress.” “Once that happens, the virus goes berserk and the subject loses their human form.” “Unless we discover a new suppressive material…” “Or find a perfect evolutionary host…” “What’s the point of continuing to pour resources into it?” William had no hesitation about directly refuting Ophelia.

Then he seemed to notice something about her.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Oh.” “So that’s why you’re getting worked up.” “You’re a host enhanced with a customized T-virus strain, aren’t you?” “No wonder you’re so concerned.” Ophelia’s expression darkened.

William’s mocking tone clearly irritated her.

But just as she was struggling to come up with a response, Ethan interrupted them.

“That’s enough, William.” “I’m actually here because I want you to resolve the hidden problems in her body.” “You can regard this lady as the leader of another Foundation-affiliated branch.” “Show some respect.” Hearing that, William toned down his arrogance somewhat.

He studied Ophelia for a moment before saying, “The hidden problem in her body is essentially the same obstacle we’re currently facing with the T-virus.” “There are two possible solutions.” “A new suppressive material.” “Or a perfect host capable of truly adapting to the virus.” “If we can obtain either one, the problem can be solved.” He shrugged.

“But obviously, we currently have neither.” “If we did…” “I could probably use the T-virus to develop a genuinely perfected T-Gene Enhancement Agent.” Ethan fell into thought.

He knew a fair amount about the T-virus from his previous life.

He had watched the Resident Evil movies and played the games.

As far as he remembered, the only individual who had ever truly achieved perfect symbiotic evolution with the T-virus was the film protagonist— Alice.

As for a new suppressive material…

Where could they possibly find something like that?

For the first time, Ethan deeply felt the limitations caused by insufficient intelligence.

The Foundation seemed to possess plenty of combat departments.

But when it came to intelligence gathering, he hardly had any reliable personnel at all.

If he had the opportunity, he absolutely needed to establish an effective intelligence department.

Otherwise, remaining blind to everything happening outside the Foundation would eventually become a serious problem.

Meanwhile, Ophelia had already gained an entirely new understanding of the Foundation’s scientific capabilities.

After Ethan finished reading the report, he handed it to her.

The more she read, the more astonished she became.

The Foundation didn’t merely possess the T-virus.

Its research into the virus was actually far more advanced than that of the Chaos Insurgency.

The composition of the Foundation’s T-virus seemed somewhat different from the one used by the Chaos Insurgency, but the overall effects were broadly similar.

As Ophelia considered that point, a sudden idea flashed through her mind.

“Commander.” “Our intelligence department once discovered something that may be relevant to the suppressive material.” William’s eyes immediately lit up.

“Details?” Ethan also looked toward her with interest.

Bringing the Chaos Insurgency under his control was already paying off.

They had barely become an affiliated force, and they were already providing the Foundation with useful intelligence.

Ophelia thought for a moment, recalling the relevant report.

“About a month ago, one of our teams discovered that a village somewhere in the Amazon rainforest had suffered a terrifying outbreak involving giant snakes.” “During the investigation, the team encountered a species of enormous constrictor.” “After suffering some casualties, we successfully captured one alive.” “The creature was comparable in size to the prehistoric Titanoboa.” “And our researchers discovered something even more interesting.” “Its blood has an extraordinarily powerful stabilizing effect on the T-virus.” As Ophelia spoke, something stirred in Ethan’s memories.

“I think I’ve heard of something similar.” He looked at her.

“Did these giant snakes mutate after consuming some kind of unusual plant?” Ophelia was no longer surprised that Ethan seemed to know things he shouldn’t.

“The Foundation has intelligence on that legendary plant too?”