Read Novel Full Chapter 520: Explosion
Chapter 520: Chapter 520: Explosion
Without hesitation, they immediately contacted the researcher responsible for administering the dose.
When all the researchers were brought in, Ivy immediately ordered a full investigation.
"I want every detail examined," she declared, her voice cold and unwavering. "I will not allow negligence of this kind inside my base."
The sharp smell of disinfectant still lingered in the air, mixed with the faint, burnt-metal odor left behind by the earlier incident.
Even as the investigation began, Ivy’s thoughts remained fixed on Zuzu.
’This was exactly why I ordered capture instead of execution,’ she thought, her jaw tightening.
She had stopped the soldiers from killing zombies on sight for two reasons.
One was to reduce unnecessary loss of life.
The other... was hope. Hope that even an enemy could be given a chance to choose, to live as a human again before deciding their own path.
Who would have thought that before she could even begin negotiations with the half-zombie, he would start transforming into something uncontrollable?
Time passed as Ivy monitored Zuzu’s condition through the reinforced observation window. The machines beeped erratically, their rhythms unstable, like a failing heartbeat.
Then she noticed it. Zuzu’s body was swelling.
Not healing. Not stabilizing. Expanding.
A dreadful premonition crept into her mind.
’This is wrong... his body is destabilizing.’
Without hesitation, she turned sharply.
"Everyone evacuate immediately!" she ordered. "Clear the entire area!"
Silas, who had been watching silently, understood at once. His expression darkened as realization set in.
"There’s no saving him anymore," he muttered.
They exited the underground cellar, sealing the containment zones behind them. The tension in the corridor felt suffocating, as though the building itself were holding its breath.
Moments later... An explosion tore through the apartment.
The blast echoed like thunder trapped inside concrete walls, followed by a violent shockwave that rattled windows and sent dust raining from the ceiling.
Everyone froze in horror.
Some stared in disbelief. Others instinctively stepped back, fear spreading across their faces.
Ivy immediately raised her hand.
"Calm down!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
"Panicking will only make things worse. This is the time to support each other, not lose control."
People slowly steadied themselves under her authority.
"First," she continued, already shifting into command mode, "sanitize the entire area. No one goes within ten meters of that room without a full protective suit. I want contamination protocols activated immediately."
Teams rushed to carry out her orders. The base moved like a machine forced back into motion, controlled, efficient, tense.
Eventually, operations were relocated to another office space.
All the researchers were lined up.
Those who had earlier believed Ivy was exaggerating now stood pale and silent, finally understanding how grave the situation had been. Their earlier arrogance had nearly caused a catastrophe.
Yet a few still held stubborn expressions, their chests puffed up as though they had done nothing wrong.
They were brought into Ivy’s office.
Ivy looked at them, her gaze sharp enough to make even seasoned scientists uneasy.
"Who tampered with the antidote?" she asked.
There was a pause.
Then Vincent stepped forward.
"It was me."
Ivy stared at him.
"Good," she replied. "You are expelled from the base. Effective immediately. You will never conduct research here again."
Vincent frowned. "You’re not even going to ask why?"
Ivy’s eyes hardened.
"What were my instructions?" she demanded.
Vincent hesitated.
"You said that none of us were allowed to apply personal theories without authorization..."
"Correct," Ivy cut in. "That half-zombie was to be treated as a potential human subject. The goal was to restore his humanity first so he could make his own decision."
Her voice dropped, each word deliberate.
"You took that choice away from him."
Vincent scoffed. "I didn’t inject anything different. I only diluted the antidote."
Ivy’s brow arched.
Vincent continued defensively, "I wanted to observe whether a slower transformation would yield better results."
He shrugged, as though discussing a failed experiment rather than a death.
"Who would’ve thought it would cause such an adverse reaction?"
Ivy felt her chest tighten.
She looked at him steadily.
"What if Zuzu had been someone related to you?" she asked quietly. "Would you still speak so casually?"
Vincent’s expression hardened.
"They’re zombies," he replied bluntly. "Whether you want to sympathize or not, the reality is that they’re destined to die at human hands. Since the antidote is unreliable, it’s better to let us research freely."
Ivy’s gaze turned icy.
"And what exactly is your ’method’?"
Vincent’s eyes lit up, as if finally given a stage.
"Going forward, you should provide us with zombie specimens," he said eagerly.
"And preferably a few human subjects as well. We need to observe the transformation process directly to create a proper cure, or even a vaccine to prevent the virus."
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Vincent continued, utterly unfazed.
"It might require some human sacrifice at the start. But if we succeed, humanity could be saved. Even the infected could be restored."
Ivy shook her head slowly.
"You’re speaking nonsense," she said. "No one would willingly accept such experiments. And I will never allow them in my base."
Vincent frowned.
"The base can compensate the volunteers," he insisted. "If they’re paid enough, they won’t object. I don’t think it is wrong anyway."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Ivy looked at him, disappointment far outweighing anger.
’This is exactly how humanity loses itself,’ she thought
She slowly shook her head.
"It’s not about whether it feels wrong," she said, her voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of anger.
"Do you even realize what would happen if I announced a price for becoming an experimental subject?"
She took a step forward, her gaze piercing straight into Vincent.
"There would be families desperate enough to sell their own children. Some would sell their parents. Others would sell themselves. Human trafficking rings would form overnight just to supply ’test subjects.’"
The room fell silent.
Several researchers who had opposed Vincent’s proposal earlier now felt a chill crawl up their spines as Ivy voiced the long-term consequences they had not even dared to imagine.