Chapter 147

Chaos was controlled, Aberrant Species were killed; although modern firearms are useless against Aberrant Species, fortunately melee weapons can still be used.

Those selected for the Security Team basically all excel at melee weapons, and have trained for years; dealing with this low‑level Aberrant Species is no problem.

Because the official arrangements were reasonable, players suffered no casualties from the sudden appearance of Aberrant Species.

As for the bodies of the unfortunate victims, they were properly handled, and the frightened players were transferred to a safer zone for psychological counseling and Observation Key.

Messages from everywhere were quickly consolidated in the Shoudu.

After a full day of busyness, the people who drafted countless policies and response plans returned to the conference room, where the lights lit up again.

Some of them had just taken a break, even some who had just closed their eyes, yet they hurried back here to convene the meeting again.

The projection screen displayed the preliminary analysis reports of the recent Mutations occurring across regions, as well as new intelligence compiled from the surviving players.

A middle‑aged man with a star‑adorned shoulder insignia spoke in an extremely low voice.

"According to preliminary statistics from various regions, this 'Return' confirmed 17 deaths, with 3 on‑site Mutations; one of those has been contained, and the other two... were killed during the Mutation process due to excessive aggression."

He paused, his tone heavy; a life that was vibrant a moment ago, fighting together to survive, was a world apart in just a second.

"It is worth noting that, according to feedback from other players, these three Mutants were confirmed dead within seven days in the game world, and the causes of death were highly consistent."

"They all experienced a rapid surge in Mutation Value after being attacked by Aberrant Species, ultimately resulting in death, execution by companions, or being eliminated by local forces due to complete loss of control."

A biologist wearing gold‑rimmed glasses adjusted his spectacles and said.

"Combining our previous research on Mutation, we are inclined to propose a hypothesis:"

"'Mutation' is not merely a physiological or genetic alteration; it resembles a 'contamination' or 'distortion' that acts upon the soul."

He pointed to the abstract models displayed on the projection screen—results they had rushed out through overtime—and this player Return undoubtedly confirmed the conjecture.

"The player's soul traverses into the game world, where, under that world's rules, it becomes 'contaminated'; when the Mutation Value exceeds a certain threshold, even if the soul returns, it is already highly distorted."

"A distorted soul can no longer be compatible with its healthy body, may even trigger a severe graft‑versus‑host reaction, ultimately causing irreversible Mutation in the body in the real world."

This inference sent a chill through everyone present.

If the contamination occurs at the soul level, it means conventional medical methods are virtually ineffective.

After all, before this, everyone present had been steadfast practitioners of science.

It was still the spokesperson biologist, Fang Zhiyan, who nudged his gold‑rimmed glasses on his nose and, in a tone almost coldly calm, raised a sharp question.

"We boldly hypothesize that if the essence of 'Mutation' is soul contamination, then only players become carriers of Mutation; thus, from the most extreme and effective 'stop‑loss' perspective..."

"... does this mean that as long as all players are eliminated, we can fundamentally sever the channel through which Mutation infiltrates our world?"

The moment his words fell, the air in the conference room seemed to solidify instantly.

Everyone fell silent, their gazes turning to Fang Zhiyan with complex expressions.

This proposal struck at a cruel logical core—

Sacrificing a few 'infected' for the safety of the majority.

An elderly general with graying hair slammed the table, his voice tinged with anger.

"Nonsense! They are our compatriots! Victims! Our purpose is to protect the people, not to treat them as viruses to be eradicated!"

The other several officials also nodded, their faces full of dissent.

They could not accept such an inhumane solution.

Facing the angry stares, Fang Zhiyan showed no change on his face, merely adding lightly.

"Just presenting a theoretical possibility; after all, this plan is fundamentally unsound—who can be sure they are the only batch of 'players'?"

"If all of them perish, could new 'players' be selected? We know nothing about the selection mechanism of this 'game'."

"Hey! Fang Zhiyan!"

The person beside him, who seemed more lively and was probably his colleague, couldn't help but elbow him and mutter in a lowered voice.

"I know your mind works fast, but don't propose such terrifying conjectures... I know you mean no harm, but don't say everything out loud."

Fang Zhiyan finally seemed to come to his senses, smiling a bit awkwardly, the smile adding a hint of warmth to his cold face.

"Sorry, it was a sudden whim, a professional hazard."

Just as the meeting grew more oppressive due to Fang Zhiyan's chilling proposal, the conference room door was knocked.

A staff member hurried in, his face urgent.

"Report! Player Ye Lin from the isolation Observation Zone contacted us through the Security Team, stating she has extremely important intelligence to report and requests a meeting with the highest authority."

"She says she brought back highly confidential information about the Church in that world!"

"Ye Lin?"

A security department head in charge of player files recognized the name and immediately pulled up the relevant data on a tablet.

"Is it the... female streamer who was originally paralyzed in the lower limbs due to a car accident, but whose legs miraculously recovered after returning from the 'game'?"

She was also among the first batch of players they discovered.

"Yes, that's her!" the staff confirmed.

"She and another player, Lin Hao, because Lin Hao's Mutation Value remained in a high‑risk state within the game, were placed in the highest‑level solitary isolation chamber for safety."

Everyone in the conference room immediately recalled these two special cases.

Ye Lin's recovery itself is an unsolved mystery, and Lin Hao's high Mutation Value has kept them on edge, exhausting all medical means to preserve his life, yet with little effect.

"How is Lin Hao's condition?" the elderly general asked immediately.

"Player Lin Hao is currently stable, still asleep, vital signs steady; after the Return, the Mutation situation seems to have improved."

Hearing that Lin Hao was fine, even showing improvement, the group relaxed slightly, then their faces lit with excitement.

But everyone's gaze focused on the name "Ye Lin."

She survived that perilous world, brought back a miracle of disability recovery, and now claims to possess crucial secrets?

"Arrange it immediately!" the elderly general ordered without hesitation.

"Top‑secret level! I will personally hear what intelligence Ye Lin has brought back."