Chapter 23: Lab Rat Reserved
The dazzling golden light blinded Zhang Qian, refreshing his cognition of Headquarters once again.
Zhang Qian glanced roughly; there were at least twenty or thirty boxes in this carriage.
He exclaimed, “I thought Headquarters was short on Fierce Ghosts. It seems I was superficial.”
This was just what Professor Wang could mobilize within a day. Headquarters’ actual stock of Fierce Ghosts was probably countless.
Li Jun explained, “Headquarters acquires Fierce Ghosts for multiple considerations: first, to satisfy research needs and use Fierce Ghosts for experiments; second, to proactively train Ghost Controllers to resolve Supernatural Events; third, to prevent Civilian Ghost Controllers from failing to properly contain Fierce Ghosts, leading to the occurrence of Supernatural Events.”
Of course, stimulating Civilian Ghost Controllers’ interest in resolving Supernatural Events is also an important point. Ghost Controllers generally have short lifespans, and many hope to sell a Fierce Ghost to ensure their family’s worry-free life forever.
“Research Fierce Ghosts? What progress have you made now, like why Fierce Ghosts appear in our world?” Zhang Qian asked with some curiosity.
“Uh… There is no conclusion yet. Professor Wang is not a researcher in this direction, and I don’t pay much attention to these matters.” Li Jun looked somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this.
Although the Supernatural outbreak has been a long time ago, all parties are still debating what exactly Fierce Ghosts are. The only certainty is that they are opposed to humans and pose a huge threat to human survival.
Zhang Qian asked Wang Xiaoming, “If not researching Fierce Ghosts themselves, what do you research?”
Wang Xiaoming explained, “I don’t care about others, but I disregard what the essence of Fierce Ghosts is. I just want to find ways to utilize Fierce Ghosts, just like people in the past utilized fire, steam, and electricity.”
“I believe controlling Fierce Ghosts is just one method. There must be better ways, ones that don’t require becoming a Ghost Controller, giving ordinary people a chance to survive. In fact, I already have some clues now, and it won’t be long before I produce results…”
After this statement, Wang Xiaoming smiled apologetically, “Sorry, I got emotional and talked too much.”
This is about giving everyone hope to survive…
Zhang Qian nodded affirmatively, “A very great ideal. People from the Republic of China Era could build Supernatural Lands; we are no exception in forging our own path.”
Hearing this, Wang Xiaoming’s tone carried a hint of regret, “Headquarters recently discovered a group of Ghost Controllers from the past, but unfortunately most refused to contact us, or we could have avoided many detours early on.”
“Everyone, can we hurry? This thing is really uncomfortable to sit on.”
Zhang Qian looked back and saw Li Yan sitting ungracefully on a pile of skeleton bones, boredly blowing bubble gum.
Wang Xiaoming handed over a list, “Pick two from this. More is beyond my authority.”
“Thanks.” Zhang Qian took the list.
The content on the list was very detailed, including not only the code names of Fierce Ghosts but even their Killing Patterns.
In no time, one Fierce Ghost caught his attention.
【Code Name: Shy Ghost】
【Killing Pattern: Direct eye contact with the Fierce Ghost will trigger an attack. The attacked will rot progressively from the eyes to the whole body. It is undetermined if a Ghost Controller can withstand the attack】
【Casualties: Civilians 14, Experimenters 24】
【Evaluation: Danger】
“This pattern is easy to trigger, right? How was this ghost captured?” Zhang Qian asked curiously.
Wang Xiaoming was concise, “The Ghost Controller sent by Headquarters happened to be blind.”
“What a coincidence.” Zhang Qian sighed, “No wonder the experimenter casualties were so heavy. Was it due to not knowing the pattern after capturing the Fierce Ghost?”
“No, it was to determine the Fierce Ghost’s Killing Pattern.” Wang Xiaoming’s voice was flat, “Not everyone qualifies to live. Rather than waste, better use them where needed.”
“I see.” Zhang Qian nodded and continued browsing the Fierce Ghosts on the list.
【Code Name: Ghost Skin】
【Killing Pattern: Indiscriminate attacks on humans entering a 25-meter radius. The attacked will be wrapped by Ghost Skin until the corpse rots, then it seeks the next target】
【Casualties: Civilians 2, Experimenters 5, Ghost Controllers 1】
【Evaluation: Danger】
……
【Code Name: Ghost Incense】
【Killing Pattern: Inhaling smoke from burning Ghost Incense will trigger an attack. The attacked will burn to death from inside out. It is undetermined if a Ghost Controller can withstand the attack】
【Casualties: Civilians 9, Experimenters 2】
【Evaluation: Danger】
……
Zhang Qian quickly finished the first twenty-plus pages, his gaze lingering on the picture on the last page.
It was a blurry-shaped piece of clothing.
【Code Name: Ghost Clothes】
【Note: This Fierce Ghost possesses a Ghost Domain】
【Killing Pattern（Unconfirmed）: Those entering the Ghost Domain will be restrained by Ghost Clothes, and the attacked will be transformed into dry corpse-like Ghost Slaves】
【Casualties: Civilians 76, Experimenters 0, Ghost Controllers 1】
【Evaluation: Extremely Dangerous】
“The only extremely dangerous one, because of the Ghost Domain? What is that?” Zhang Qian asked curiously.
Wang Xiaoming said, “Yes, Ghost Domain is an ability only a few Fierce Ghosts possess, and it can be called the most terrifying ability. Ghosts with Ghost Domains can teleport instantly within the Ghost Domain range, and people inside basically can’t escape the Ghost Domain. Therefore, Fierce Ghosts with Ghost Domains are very hard to imprison. This is one of the few unique copies.”
“This isn’t the same kind of thing as other ghosts at all…” Zhang Qian was somewhat shocked, “A ghost with unlimited teleportation—there’s no way to attack it. How could it possibly be imprisoned?”
“Ghosts are just ghosts; they are very rigid and will actively attack those who trigger their patterns. The moment they attack is the opportunity to imprison them, but such chances are fleeting.”
Wang Xiaoming pointed solemnly at a Golden Box. The box was over two meters long, almost like a coffin.
“One Ghost Controller wore the Ghost Clothes and held out a bit longer, entering that Golden Box with the Ghost Clothes to imprison it. Now there are two Fierce Ghosts inside. Headquarters has no confidence in imprisoning it a second time, so the box hasn’t been opened to test the Killing Pattern.”
Zhang Qian was stunned upon hearing this. Even Headquarters didn’t dare to open it?
Suddenly he realized, “Wait, if Headquarters doesn’t dare open it, aren’t you afraid of trouble giving it to me?”
“So this thing can’t be given directly to you… If you choose it, I can create a safe environment for you to be alone with it. Then you can do whatever you want; worst case, seal you both into Headquarters’ Doomsday Fortress.”
Wang Xiaoming’s voice remained calm, but Zhang Qian saw a hint of madness in his eyes.
As expected, no one who deals with ghosts is normal.
“Sounds very dangerous.” Zhang Qian said.
“Don’t you want to know what a Fierce Ghost’s Ghost Domain is like?” Wang Xiaoming countered.
“Heh, you don’t think this can tempt me, do you?” Zhang Qian shook his head contemptuously, “Unless these two ghosts count as one.”
Wang Xiaoming was not surprised and smiled faintly, “Deal.”
