Clown Game
Chapter 259 - 246: The Return of the Dark Realm

Chapter 259: Chapter 246: The Return of the Dark Realm

Dark Realm...

Everyone must have guessed by now that this is an S-level anomaly.

However, this anomaly differs from those we’ve previously encountered; it’s not fixed in any specific location, nor does it have a physical form, and it certainly doesn’t exhibit any regular patterns of appearance... The only way to detect it is through a type of "wavelength" that only those old heads in the "Research and Development Department" can comprehend... Of course, even if they explain it to you face to face in the most elaborate terms, you wouldn’t understand. In any case, according to them, the greater the variability of this wavelength’s frequency, the higher the probability of this anomaly’s invasion.

Beyond that, there are no other methods.

Some may ask, aren’t anomaly detection satellites effective? The answer is, they are! But detection alone is not enough; the most critical aspect is to know in advance! As everyone probably noticed in the last mission, any sentient life form within this range will mutate. Imagine if it appeared in a densely populated city; by the time you realize and rush over, the inhabitants may have already been taken over by the "original entity."

Dark Realm is a peculiar space, where all the familiar rules we know change within its range. Light distorts, timelines become chaotic, all signals fail to transmit, and unless clad in specially-qualified protective suits, any exposed flesh in this environment will be transformed beyond recognition.

Nobody knows why, but it’s more likely that the Foundation’s higher-ups already do, but it’s been kept secret; because the method to handle the ’Dark Realm’ has become quite clear—just sprinkle some unknown liquid at a fixed location, and all anomalies within the Dark Realm will vanish.

It’s that simple.

However, given its global spread, unpredictable timing and location, and lack of clear precursors, it’s not feasible for the Foundation to deploy A-level field agents for every "Dark Realm" incursion. Therefore, after higher-level deliberations, the decision was made... Large-scale "Dark Realms" are to be alternately stationed by Omega Team, while smaller "Dark Realms" are to be dealt with by whoever is nearest at the time.

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Item Level: S

Special Containment Procedures: Given the extensive area of the S-009 "Infection" zone, all containment strategies are deemed impossible. Currently, the most effective measure is to preemptively enact area lockdowns, most commonly by establishing a region declared a military operation zone to prevent people from approaching these areas.

If any organic entities displaying characteristics consistent with S-009 are observed in the vicinity of that area, they should be immobilized from a safe distance (keeping as far outside of the anomaly’s range as possible) in accordance with prescribed protocol, followed by the enactment of disposal measures.

Current disposal methods include: acid dissolution, high-temperature carbonization, lead layer isolation, and rapid evacuation from the anomaly’s range.

However, no method to date has been found that can reverse the mutation of infected organic entities.

...

Infection Confirmation Standards

First: Any living being that physically contacts an S-009-infected organic lifeform should be considered infected and be disposed of immediately.

Second: Any individual exposed within the S-009 infection range for more than two minutes is considered an infected entity, irrespective of position, contribution, or the importance of current operational responsibilities. They must be isolated immediately from other teams and disposed of without discrimination.

Third: Under no circumstances, whether the protective suit has suffered damage or whether they have exited the anomaly area or not, if the S—009 standard indicator turns red, the person is to be considered an infected entity.

Description: S-009’s initial report originated from a small village near the ███ region of South Africa. The Order Foundation’s Non-European Union immediately dispatched two A-level field agent units to investigate. Upon reaching the anomaly, all personnel signals vanished, and there was no report within 5 hours.

Subsequently, the Foundation sent a member of the Omega Team, ███, to the site. After gaining preliminary understanding of S—009, they made contact with the Foundation’s Anomaly Response Research Team and gradually deciphered the characteristics of the anomaly.

S-009 seems to be an intermittently occurring spatial mutation. Its times and locations of appearance are random, and both the reasons for its emergence and the principles behind its mutation effects are unclear.

The specificity of S—009 shows that all organic lifeforms exposed to its interior (mostly animals, regardless of whether they show signs of life) are affected by an unknown force that gradually divorces them from their original state, ultimately mutating into the "infected" form.

The specific stages are as follows:

About 2 minutes after exposure, human lifeforms (hereinafter referred to as targets) will experience auditory and visual hallucinations, along with inexplicable abnormal tactile sensations. Most commonly reported sensations include: perceiving an intangible gaze watching them, hearing indescribable sounds, and feeling their skin in contact with a sticky, writhing unknown substance.

Between 3 to 5 minutes of exposure, the psyche of human lifeforms becomes affected, they become anxious, irritable, uncontrollable, unable to communicate, and begin to experience itching, pain, and a sense of being burned or even chewed upon. It’s during this period that most volunteers started to scratch, bite their bodies, scream, roll around, and talk nonsense. Meanwhile, the target’s muscles and skin tissues become fragile, swell, and suffer from widespread necrosis. The wounds do not heal and easily detach.

After 5 minutes of exposure, targets become quiet and exhibit strong curling behavior. Muscles start to spasm violently, crushing the bones and internal organs, until they are pulverized. During this period, the target retains consciousness. Within the next few minutes, the target transmutes entirely from its original form to form a spherical, fleshy mass (the infected entity). Several tentacle-like muscle tissues protrude from the surface of the infected entity, with their volume and number dependent on the amount of flesh present, and they possess significant mobility.

███ claims that from a biological perspective, the behavior of these fleshy tentacles should be in a "searching" state. However, what they are searching for remains unknown.

Records indicate that all flesh-based organisms within the range of S—009, including animals, insects, humans, corpses, and canned meats, will become infected, but so far, no plants have been observed to be affected.

...

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This S-level file appeared on Chen Xiao’s mobile phone. Since the woman with the book had not given Chen Xiao any contact information, nor did she disclose her position or name, and simply left the café after giving Chen Xiao a task, he knew nothing about her except for her appearance. However, Chen Xiao wasn’t currently interested in pursuing her identity, assuming she was a kind of administrative personnel similar to Mrs. Liu.

The Dark Mirror task’s response waves are growing more intense, and it’s likely to invade again soon. Chen Xiao also thoughtfully reported all members of his own team.

Now, the task at hand is to retrieve the soon-to-be-modified gun, and to await the return of the "Dark Realm."