**Chapter 157: Dr. Fritz's Astonishing Conjecture!**
"Amazing, simply amazing. I still underestimated this Kabaneri Virus. This is definitely not a naturally formed Virus; it was artificially developed!"
Inside the Stargate World Base in Star Gate World No. 0001.
In the Research Room specifically constructed for the Biochemical Research Institute, Dr. Fritz excitedly observed the Kabane whose hands, feet, and neck were shackled with Seastone and who had been injected with a powerful Sedative. The Blue Light blooming from its Heart reflected on his face, appearing extremely eerie.
They had already conducted Experiments.
This Kabane, referred to as the 'Core', could indeed attract surrounding ordinary Kabane, which would then attach to its Body Surface.
Once attached, the ordinary Kabane would lose their own Will and completely become a part of the 'Core''s Body. Subsequent Kabane, even if separated by the Kabane in between, would produce the same Effect as being attached to the 'Core''s Surface, that is, also lose Consciousness.
Then, it was a process of continuously growing stronger.
Interestingly, when the Kabane attached 'on its Body' were destroyed, the 'Core' would actually feel pain and anger.
It was as if the outer layer of Kabane had truly become its skin and muscles. Furthermore, it could secrete Black Mucus to completely combine the surface Kabane together, giving them a hardness comparable to Rock Formation.
"Using Mental Fluctuation filled with Negative Emotions to attract other Kabane, then using stronger Mental Fluctuation to suppress the Will of other Kabane, completely controlling their Bodies, manipulating them at Will..."
While muttering to himself, Dr. Fritz's Brain was rapidly turning.
"No, no, if it were just pure suppression, it shouldn't have such strong Mental Power. Could it be temporary absorption? Through this method, amplify the 'Core''s Mental Power, so it would have stronger Mental Power to attract more Kabane..."
"In other words, the greatest Value of this 'Core' Kabane is not eliminating the Human Body Self-Protection Mechanism, nor those messy little Functions, but rather its Ability to absorb and strengthen the Strength of the 'Heart'. It's just that the components of the 'Heart' absorbed are mixed with too many extreme Negative Emotions, making it easy for people to completely become Fallen amidst Fear and Brutality..."
The reason he said 'temporary absorption' was because once the Kabane attached to the 'Core' were forcibly separated, their Consciousness immediately recovered, turning back into Living Dead with independent Consciousness and Bloodthirst.
This was enough to show that the 'Core' did not completely digest the absorbed Consciousness or rather, Spirit!
"Dean, it's feeding time."
Just then, two Researchers walked over, carrying a white Box together.
"Oh, is it its meal time? Quick, quick, don't let it starve. This little thing's appetite is much larger than ordinary Kabane!"
Dr. Fritz straightened up, quickly walked out of the Prison Cell specifically cleared out to hold it, and then stood behind the Glass wall, continuing to observe the Situation inside.
"Alright."
Receiving the reply, one Researcher opened the Box lid. Inside was freshly collected Blood. Because the Temperature was a bit too High, he specifically wore heat-resistant gloves to avoid burning his hands.
This Blood was not ordinary Human Blood, but High-Temperature Blood from within Kabane. Therefore, this Blood was still emitting bright 'Gunfire Flash'.
Didn't expect that, did you? This Blue Light 'Core' Kabane actually feeds on the Blood of its fellow Kabane.
The process of foraging is to find crowds of people, then use the Kabane 'on its Body' to turn the former into new Kabane, and then absorb them 'inside' or 'outside' its Body, and then use the secreted Black Mucus to absorb the Blood nutrients from within their Bodies little by little.
But it doesn't suck them dry in one go. Instead, it tries to choose the Strong and healthy Kabane with a lot of Blood to absorb from. Those with less Blood inside their Bodies are controlled by the wriggling of every inch of 'muscle', pushing them to the Body Surface to become front-line Warriors to devour Human Blood.
For this Experiment, they specifically found a large open space outside the Base last night, sent all the ordinary Kabane in front of it to be absorbed, and then conducted various Tests.
Although the number of Kabane wasn't large, this 'Black Smoke' could only be considered a mini-type, but it was fine for observation and Experimentation.
After the Tests were completed, the newly appointed Army Lieutenant General, Crocodile, personally took action, using Sandstorm to separate and recover it again.
After this troublesome busy period, the Biochemical Research Institute finally gained a basic understanding of the 'Black Smoke' formed by this 'Core'!
"Alright, hurry up and go!"
These two Researchers did not pay attention to the strong bloody smell that overflowed as the lid was opened, but quickly walked out of the room and then tightly closed the Gate made of Steel.
The next moment, the Blue Light Kabane, which had originally fallen into a coma, twitched its nose instinctively. Its eyes suddenly opened, revealing its deep blue Pupils and pitch-black irises inside.
"Guh~"
Looking at the steaming, fiery red Blood in the white Box, its expression became ferocious and crazed. But no matter how it struggled, the Iron cuffs made of Seastone remained completely still.
Multiple failed attempts later, it finally remembered its other Ability.
Swish swish swish!
The next moment, from its arms, Legs, and Heart, streams of Black Mucus shot out, accurately hitting the Box four or five meters away, then pulling it to a closer Position by contracting, and then shooting out Slime again, immersing it into the boiling Blood.
Just then, the pitch-black, elongated Slime actually wriggled like a Straw, sending the Blood towards its own Body!
"It's too beautiful, every time I see this Screen Feed, I feel it's so beautiful. This is simply a work of art in the biochemical field..." Dr. Fritz was incredibly happy at this moment.
"I should give it a Name. Yes, a Name. How can a work of art not have a Name? Let me think what to call it... What do you think of 'Blue Heart'?"
Although he didn't turn his head, just stared while pressed against the Glass wall, the two Researchers beside him also knew he was asking them. The two exchanged a helpless glance.
"It's very good, Dean."
"Okay, then from now on, it will be called Blue Heart!" Dr. Fritz was very satisfied with this Name and said softly, "Next, I want to try and see if I can awaken its Consciousness back..."
These words stunned the Researchers. They only heard the Director of the Biochemical Research Institute continue speaking while thinking.
"Since we already know its Consciousness is filled with extreme Negative Emotions such as Fear, Brutality, and Bloodthirst, then the solution is to target these. However, this is already beyond the scope of biochemistry. I need to submit a Report to the higher-ups to see if they can come up with a method."
"Also, I need a Test Subject with a firm Will, preferably one who has mastered the Strength of Haki, but whose Combat Power is not too High, to see if, after injecting 'Blue Heart''s Blood into their Body, they can use Haki to resist the invasion of Negative Emotions and successfully Control the Strength of the Virus within their Body..."
(End of this chapter)