Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 475 - 119: Bandits in the Mountains

Chapter 475: Chapter 119: Bandits in the Mountains

"The Ichigo Infection Incident" was indeed a term that did not exist during Xiang Shan’s lifetime.

In Xiang Shan’s memories, there was indeed an incident that caused... severe consequences because of genetic weapons.

But that incident... perhaps could be called an "extinction event", as it indeed caused widespread extinction of species, but it was not beyond reversal by human effort.

For Xiang Shan, this was not a point from history books that required special memory. For him, the "Hero War" was an ongoing process, and what later generations called the "Ichigo Infection Incident" was just a part of this continuous process.

Perhaps it had a profound impact on later generations. But at the time, it was just a negligible part of a series of major events.

Moreover, Xiang Shan was very sure that while he was alive (or rather when Martial Ancestor Xiang Shan himself was alive), this was an event that could be reversed by human effort.

"But you have to admit, it must have had an extremely far-reaching impact." Xiang Shan’s expression wavered for a moment; "Eight" actually emerged on his own from behind Jader. He rested a hand on Jader’s shoulder, speaking words audible only to the native: "Listen to this naive little brother’s words. This is even more excessive than the Cambrian extinction."

"Is that so?"

"The Cambrian extinction wiped out ninety-six percent of Earth’s species, but at least four percent completely and utterly survived." Eight pointed to the ground, "Look beneath our feet, another me, now even the fungi internally have widespread alien genes we brought."

"But in my day... tsk, incomplete memories are really troublesome." The native sighed, "Indeed, there were some idiots who used genetic weapons, causing terrible consequences. But it was clearly reversible."

"A natural disaster that was originally preventable and controllable met human calamity, thus becoming irreversible. How novel." Eight said, "Why do they say there’s nothing new under the sun."

Xiang Shan again looked bewildered for a moment.

The native asked, "Until the Hero War ended, even into the period of the Sublimation War, this matter was reversible... um..."

—No, that’s not right.

"This is actually a very strange thing." Eight analyzed, "The Usurper of the State had no need to use genetic weapons, because Heroes are completely cyberized Martial Artists. This also holds true the other way around. The external ’terminals’ of the Usurper of the State are either completely cyberized or outright robots. Until the end of the Sublimation War, Heroes were unable to confirm the true identity of the Usurper of the State, let alone develop targeted genetic weapons."

"Neither Heroes nor Usurper of the State would use such weapons, there’s no reason." The native nodded, "And people like Yawgmoth and Niyaguti would surely be aware of the risks of such things. Nothing is more prone to mutation than genetic information."

Biological weapons are developed based on pathogens such as Rickettsiales, viruses, chlamydia, and fungi, targeting the local population, livestock, and crops. Due to their low cost, wide area of contamination, and lethal effectiveness, in the distant past, they were considered "the nuclear weapons of poor nations."

But this is fundamentally nonsense.

Poor nations do not have per capita medical resources or overall mobilization capability that surpasses those of wealthier nations. And countering this stuff requires a research foundation—something poor nations cannot provide.

And human genes are too similar to each other. Human genes come from a small tribe two hundred thousand years ago. Non-Africans even more so, all their genes come from a few small branches that left Africa within a ten thousand year period.

Finding a pathogen that is deadly to one racial group but ineffective against another is nothing short of a fantasy.

And yet... even if such a thing were truly found, it would be dangerous.

Because pathogens mutate.

Viruses have a simple structure and can rapidly recombine. Although bacteria and fungi are more complex, they can transfer genetic information horizontally between individuals. A massive release of pathogens initially provides a numeric foundation.

Once mutation occurs, you can no longer control how events will develop.

Oh, right, Yawgmoth also said that there was a time when he had to painstakingly educate some "big shots" who could actually secretly make such things, telling them not to mess around with things that might just blow up in their faces.

"If not released by the Usurper of the State... then who released it?" The native pondered this question.

"Could it be a third party? Like..." Eight considered, "Aliens? Say, from the Olorun Civilization that created Argon..."

"While I can’t deny the possibility..." The native almost wanted to roll his eyes, "but remember what we dug up on Argon? Besides, you should feel it too. Moreover, any alien civilization capable of crossing the stars without being detected by our human society could just roll right over us."

"Having such a definite enemy, like aliens, would make things a lot easier." Eight sighed, "Sometimes you do wish for such an ’enemy.’"

"After all, with robbers around, you can put off dealing with the robber inside your own heart." Xiang Shan shrugged his shoulders.

"But still, it’s the same old saying, racking our brains here won’t help. Let’s just make an effort and load up Nine’s backup."

Eight disappeared again.

At this moment, Solo Kill King Jader had already squatted down, accessing the stored data inside.

And a few of the younger generation were chatting about something else.

It seemed like they perceived the Old Senior to be reminiscing and did not want to disturb his mood, so they remained silent.

It was probably because Jader had just talked about "utilizing modified organisms" that the youngsters were discussing another matter.

This seemed to be from over twenty years ago. In Africa, a group of Heroes introduced a mixture of Evolu cells, specially modified anaerobic bacteria, and fungi into a corner of an underground nuclear power station.

The special anaerobic bacteria could accelerate the oxidation of elements such as iron and copper, obtaining some of the resources. The fungi, in turn, could recycle the metabolic wastes and remains of the anaerobic bacteria and Evolu cells.

Evolu cells are cancer cells, and moreover, they come from a standard metal-based organism that can sustain itself on electrical energy.

After special modulation, Evolu cells could even derive other necessary nutrients from symbiotic fungi.

This mixed community was growing at a visibly rapid pace. Although this process emitted a strange smell, modern humans seldom had a specifically installed olfactory prosthetic body.

By the time it was discovered, that nuclear power station was almost ruined.