Wasteland Border Inspector - Chapter 565
Chapter 565: Chapter 201: Living Water Essence, Pioneering Challenges! (Part 2)
This feature is disabled on his Firewood Communication device.
Unexpectedly, the version distributed by Happiness City allows for the query of the corresponding infection source.
The page transitions, and lines of text are displayed one by one.
[Code name: Ghost Water Cave Crab (Extraordinary Creature)]
[Classification: Freshwater Type, Biological Type, Fixed Territory Type]
[Strength: F+]
[Description]: The Ghost Water Cave Crab was originally a small crab species residing only in deep freshwater cave systems. After being infected by the S3 virus, some individuals acquired extraordinary abilities, transforming into extraordinary creatures.
Once becoming extraordinary, its form shows no significant change, only a noticeable enlargement in size. Its shell appears bluish-gray, with fluorescent blue glands scattered on the inner side of its claws. These glands serve as a mediating symbol of water veins and terrestrial life force, earning the Ghost Water Cave Crab the reputation of “Water Series Balancer” and attracting the admiration of multiple extraordinary factions.
When pollution occurs in the cave water system (such as mineral toxins, sediment depositions, malicious energy residues from other extraordinary creatures, etc.), Ghost Water Cave Crabs gather collectively at the source of the pollution. They release resonant waves through the fluorescent blue glands on the insides of their claws. This fluctuation can directly reconfigure the molecular arrangement of water, decomposing pollutants into their most primitive hydrogen and oxygen particles, while simultaneously producing “Living Water Essence” imbued with healing energy.
According to effective records, a large-scale conflict among the extraordinary occurred in the Old Era’s Roder State, leading to the collapse of multiple cave systems. During subsequent rescue operations, over a hundred individuals buried in the debris were soaked in water pools where Ghost Water Cave Crabs gathered overnight. Not only did their wounds heal on the spot, but even internal organs blocked by sediment recovered to their original state, with some individuals thereby gaining special, weak extraordinary abilities.
As for the water body itself, Living Water Essence is considered a “Life Seed Machine.” A single drop of essence falling into dead water will spawn special algae within three days, which can independently purify the water quality. These algae never overpopulate, maintaining a “sufficient yet spared” balanced state according to the needs of the organisms in the water.
[Current status: Extinct]
…
“Water Series Balancer?”
Cheng Ye exhaled, his tense nerves slightly relaxing.
In fact, when the panel showed the strength of the Ghost Water Cave Crab as only F+, he already felt more confident.
The strength of infection sources is often influenced by the “parent extraordinary creature.” The stronger the parent, the more terrifying the nourished infection source becomes.
The previously searched Horned Starfish had a strength of C+, so by this calculation, the parent strength of the Ghost Water Cave Crab would be three whole levels lower.
Of course, after becoming an infection source, the threat level of the Ghost Water Cave Crab rose to B-, just one level lower than the Stand-In Starfish’s B+, but this is likely due to its bizarre parasitic method, which elevated its rating.
“A bit tricky, judging by this stance, they are still social creatures…”
Cheng Ye scanned the description of the Ghost Water Cave Crab’s abilities in his Firewood Communication device, his gaze narrowing slightly.
The page included several illustrations.
Even as an extraordinary creature, the Ghost Water Cave Crab’s size doesn’t match the afternoon’s mutated water leech, with only its two eyes exposed in the muddy water.
Except for the first image that is a close-up, the other images showed the Ghost Water Cave Crabs in groups of three or five, with the final image displaying a cluster of more than ten of them.
Compared to the solitary Scorching Eagle, this social mode is evidently more terrifying.
However, when he read that “Ghost Water Cave Crab can release Living Water Essence, altering the natural environment of the water region,” Cheng Ye suddenly had an idea.
This Living Water Essence sounds like a good thing; I wonder if its special qualities can be collected?
Upon this thought, the panel activated, and the image guide feature opened with a transition.
[Ghost Water Cave Crab]
[Description]: Formed when ordinary cave blue crabs are infected with a mutation virus… The host directly parasitized by the creature will mutate into a foul water claw in a short time. If one consumes poison crystal fragments and is parasitized, early symptoms include prolonged vomiting, a sharp rise in body temperature, and bodily mutation begins to appear 24 hours later, with skin hardening and keratin growth at fingertips, leading to an outbreak period after 168 hours.
[Current Parasite Probability]:
Consumption of poisonous crystal fragments (life level reduction; slight amount riskless, large amount parasite probability: 5%)
Direct contact with poisonous crystal (parasite probability: 100%)
[Currently Recorded Traits]:
Living Water Essence (0.007%)
Water-Avoidance* (0.005%)
…
“Living Water Essence can indeed be collected!”
Cheng Ye paused, unable to suppress a moment of surprise.
It should be noted that he had just dealt with a parasitized human, not the original infection source of the Ghost Water Cave Crab, yet could indirectly extract traits, obtaining skills, items, and information.
“What on earth is the principle behind this Collector?”
Cheng Ye was somewhat bewildered.
If this thing fell into the hands of a schemer, it would be disastrous.
If one intentionally uses infection sources to parasitize humans, then uses the “clean up infected” method, one could indirectly collect traits of extraordinary creatures from the old era.
As long as there is enough energy supply, one could “farm” for any desired ability, and by then, no one would be able to contend with them.
“Fortunately, it is in my control; otherwise, the harm from this thing could rival that of the S-series virus.”
Cheng Ye took several deep breaths, closed the panel, and his gaze returned to the Firewood Communication screen.
Now knowing the infection method and source of the Ghost Water Cave Crab, only two thorny issues remain:
Firstly, infected individuals in the camp need to be found quickly, and a way to rid them of the parasite must be devised.
This is not only a primary responsibility for those on field assignments, but it is also a core task of the Inspector’s Great Pioneering Era.
No matter the means, the infection must not spread among the populace, nor trigger large-scale chaos.
Secondly, the investigation of the traces of Ghost Water Cave Crabs’ activities beneath the White Water River must be conducted.
In general, the legion and research center will handle such natural disaster-type infection sources, but only if adequate information supports it. This information is typically the responsibility of the inspection stations, and will be taken over by a High-level Inspector for on-site investigation and information reporting.
Now with both Cheng Ye and Luokuke under evaluation, it’s unpredictable whether the higher-ups will “test” them, making them the “High-level Inspector” to initially gather intelligence.
“And tonight…”
Thinking of the two missing people, along with the disturbances behind him, Cheng Ye felt a headache coming on.
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night.
The legion support, no matter how fast, will only arrive by tomorrow morning, and through this long night, he must endure alone.
Thinking of this, Cheng Ye quickly browsed through the “Ghost Water Cave Crab Purification Method” on his Firewood Communication, becoming increasingly relieved as he read, and finally exhaling a long breath.
Thankfully, no wonder this infection source hasn’t triggered a large-scale outbreak over the years, as humanity has already mastered a complete purification method.
Unlike the uncontrollable spread of the Stand-In Starfish once it breaks out, the spread of the Ghost Water Cave Crab is peculiar but relatively singular, not transmitting between humans, which buys time for humans to research countermeasures.
“Dehydrate to exhaustion, then repeatedly hydrate to replace body fluids…”
Cheng Ye stared at the words on the screen thoughtfully, and soon came up with an idea.
…