Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 308. Experiments

Chapter 308. Experiments

When Charles groggily woke up again, he found himself still in the infirmary, but he wasn't sure how much time had passed since.

His gaze shifted downward, and saw that a significant portion of his left side was missing. His left arm and part of his left chest were gone, and the amputation wound was tightly wrapped in white bandages.

Hearing movement, Lily, who was curled up beside an oil lamp, opened her eyes. The moment she saw that Charles was awake, she leaped up onto her feet in excitement.

"Mr. Charles! You're awake! Are you feeling better?"

"How long has it been?" Charles asked.

"It's been a week. We were so worried about you. Sister Linda said if you don't wake up soon, you might never wake up again," Lily replied.

Hearing Lily's words, Charles leaned back against the soft pillow, but the moment his head touched the pillow, he quickly sat up again.

He urged Lily, "Lily, bring me that thing that I brought back. Quick," Charles instructed.

Pink Lily's ears drooped in reluctance. "Mr. Charles, why don't you rest for a bit more? You've only just come around."

A trace of anxiousness appeared on Charles' face. They were temporarily safe now, and he didn't want to wait another second to find out about the information Aaron planted in his head.

"Go quickly, Lily. That thing is really important to me. Be a good girl."

"Stop calling me a good girl. I'm not a child anymore," Lily retorted. She then squeaked to the mice under the bed, and several of them scurried out of the room. It didn't take long before they returned, swiftly dragging 319 in and placing it on the bedside table.

Charles stared at 319 with a trembling gaze. Just as he was trying to figure out how to use it, a sudden clicking sound interrupted his thoughts.

The brass printer abruptly started on its own and spat out a paper with written text.

How does this thing work?

That was what Charles was thinking earlier, and 319 had typed that out. After all, it was a relic capable of retrieving what was stored in one's mind.

"I don't want my current thoughts. I need the thoughts in my subconscious. My subconscious, do you get it?" Charles tossed the paper aside and stared at 319 for its next output.

Click! Click! Click!

I don't want my current thoughts. I need the thoughts in my subconscious. My subconscious, do you get it?

319 started again. This time, it printed out what Charles just said.

Just as Charles was about to get up and find Tobba to ask the latter how to use 319 properly, his hand moved on its own. The Wailing Graffiti could be seen on the back of Charles' hand.

The Wailing Graffiti controlled Charles' index finger to gently press a button on the side of the 319. Then, it disappeared.

Before Charles could celebrate over the terrifying graffiti detaching itself from him, the nearby 319 started clattering away. Sheets of paper filled with text were constantly being printed. It seemed like much data had been stored in Charles' subconscious.

Charles pulled out the first sheet.

To whom it may concern, I am Aaron Lee Hotchner, data manager of the Foundation's Database 9.

I don't know how much time has passed outside, nor who is currently in charge on the main island. But whoever it is, please take note that the following data is very important. It concerns the true reason behind our disappearance in the last era.

Firstly, immediately activate the Mobile Task Force to detain the man delivering this message. He has the mark of 003 on his neck, and I strongly suspect that he's under the influence of the D4 meme. Please capture and eliminate him immediately.

The corners of Charles' eyes twitched slightly. He then let out a scoff before a sardonic smile appeared on his visage. He tossed the paper aside and reached out to the next sheet. It detailed a complete experimental record.

Experiment Title: K393

Location: Containment Site V3

Involved Personnel: Dr. K9, Dr. E5, Dr. A2, Commander of Task Force 3

Test Materials: 3000 human subjects, Project 177, Project 1488, Project 013, Project 079, 15 individuals with severe D4 memetic infection

Risk Assessment: High-risk category. All personnel within the Foundation are required to maintain Level 3 Alert status.

Experimental Protocol: The directive for the group infected with the D4 meme was to utilize the 3,000 human subjects in a sacrificial ceremony termed "Summoning His Holy Will," targeting Project 003. Throughout the ritual process, Project 1488 and Project 013 were employed to extract the target material concurrently from the etheric plane and physical reality plane.

Outcomes: The experiment resulted in failure. Project 1488 became unresponsive. Project 013 deceased. Total loss of human subjects. Dr. E5 deceased. Sinking of Containment Site V3.

Evaluation: Despite the experiment's failure, the hypothesis proposed by Professor Satsuma has been substantiated. Dr. K9, the principal investigator of this study, is preparing to submit a proposal for a second experimental trial to the Foundation's headquarters.

Charles' eyes narrowed as he read the printed contents. While reading, his eyes continuously alternated between narrowing and widening, a clear indication of his inner turmoil.

"My guess was right! Those mad scientists are indeed dabbling into the forbidden territory of the Divinities! They're researching them!" Charles exclaimed to himself. He then swiftly discarded the paper he was holding and hastily grabbed the next one.

Experiment Title: K393/2

Location: The Primordial Site

Involved Personnel: Dr. K9, Commander of Task Force 3

Test Materials: 3,000 human subjects, Project 177, Project 3474, Project 094, 20 individuals with severe D4 memetic infection

Risk Assessment: High-risk category. All personnel within the Foundation are required to maintain Level 3 Alert status.

Experimental Protocol: The directive for the group infected with the D4 meme was to utilize the 3,000 human subjects in a sacrificial ceremony termed "Summoning His Holy Will," targeting Project 003. Throughout the ritual process, Project 3473 and Project 094 were employed to extract the target material concurrently from the etheric plane and the physical reality plane.

Outcomes: The experiment resulted in failure. Project 3474 deceased. Project 094 contracted the D4 memetic infection. Total loss of human subjects. Sinking of the Primordial Site.

Evaluation: Despite the memetic infection of Project 094 due to contact with the target material, the feasibility of material capture from the etheric plane has been noted. Dr. K9, the principal investigator of this study, is preparing to submit a proposal for a third experimental trial to the Foundation's headquarters.

Charles crumpled the paper in his hand and threw it to the ground with force before he moved on to the next sheet.

The subsequent sheets were filled with records of the various attempts of the experiment K393. Despite the slight variations in the experiment execution, they all ended up with the same outcome: failure.

Just as Charles wondered how many experiments it would take before these scientists sealed their own demises, a strikingly different experimental result caught his attention.

Outcomes: The experiment was a success. We have effectively captured a portion of 003's power! Despite the inherent difficulty for humans in perceiving or approaching this entity, we successfully captured it using the sonorous emissions of Project 134. Dr. K9 has termed this extraordinary material "Divine Blood."

Evaluation: This is Dr. K9. This is an exhilarating moment. The apprehensions of the naysayers are no longer significant. I've finally succeeded! Against all odds and skepticism, I've finally succeeded!

Once we thoroughly analyze the Divine Blood, we will then be able to fully comprehend the power of Project 003! With this power, we can even alter the law of physics! I must immediately—

No, we should not be merely labeling them as "projects". Entities 002 to 009 possess the power to change the physical laws governing our world. They are deities, true gods! All hail God Fhtagn!