Chapter 257: The Hidden Origins

Human origins!?

Apocalyptic origins?

It seems that the biggest secret behind this copy world is indeed hidden in Krock!

“Keep talking!”

“What exactly was the Original Plan? And how long has it been running?”

Taking a deep breath, Krock looked at Yenir with a troubled expression. Under Yenir’s relentless questioning, he had no choice but to continue:

“The project has been underway for roughly seven years.”

“In essence, it involves studying the development process of human embryos to pinpoint the stage most receptive to genetic modification…”

“I’m not sure if you know, but in our genetic modification experiments, soldiers often hit a ceiling with their physical limits. This is largely due to introducing too much genetic material, which ends up hindering proper development.”

“So we wondered: while the genes of adults may be set in stone, could embryonic genes be more susceptible to change?”

“Much like molding a tree during its sapling phase—we can even train a giant tree to grow into the shape of a chair.”

After that brief explanation, Krock gave a bitter smile:

“But the research hasn’t been smooth sailing.”

“Although we’ve made some progress, modifying embryonic genes is like groping in the dark. We never know which gene we’re tweaking until we try them all. Sometimes, we end up with abnormal humans…”

As soon as Krock finished his nonchalant comment, the entire team exchanged glances and blurted out:

“Abnormal humans?!”

“Did you save any of the experimental subjects?”

Incoming!

Listening to Krock describe them as potential disaster scenarios, the team’s faces lit up with excitement; even Yenir clenched his fists slightly.

Could it be that our endless attempts at tweaking human genes have inadvertently produced humanoid monsters?

And then what happened?

A lab leak of these subjects? A monster outbreak triggering an apocalyptic disaster?

This plot sounds just like a sci-fi movie—it actually makes sense!

Krock glanced nervously at Ming Luo and the others. He couldn’t understand why the question had sparked such a fierce reaction. Swallowing hard, he quickly nodded.

“There were some…”

“But most were rendered harmless…”

Before he could finish speaking,

Yenir immediately grabbed his arm and dispelled the psychic shield without hesitation.

“Prepare the fighter jets! We’re heading to the lab now!”

The secretary waiting in the conference room paused momentarily, but when faced with Yenir’s command, she dared not delay.

Six minutes later.

“Vroom—whoosh–”

A hovering fighter jet shot out of Federation Headquarters like an arrow from a bow, speeding toward the Military Research Institute.

………….

“Yenir, if everything goes as planned, we should wrap up this mission very quickly!”

Inside the jet, Ming Luo’s expression was alight with excitement as he pored over the documents in his hands.

These files, pulled from the internal network, contained images that were nothing short of shocking.

The so-called failed experimental subjects Krock described looked nothing like humans—they were grotesque mutants.

Multiple limbs, extra appendages, twisted bones… mere child’s play compared to what they could have been.

Many of the failed experiments barely even maintained a basic human shape.

Nodding thoughtfully, Yenir examined the experimental project with a pensive look.

At the current pace, it doesn’t seem too challenging…

If the Human Origins Project is truly the source of this world’s apocalypse, then stopping it wouldn’t be too hard.

We could halt the project, or even blow up the entire lab, nipping the disaster in the bud. Ruthlessly, we could eliminate all the researchers and even Krock, effectively sealing off any further experiments.

Without a source, there can be no apocalypse…

Yet something about all this seems too simple.

“Is it really that straightforward…”

“Or is there another issue?”

He murmured these words to himself.

Yenir kept replaying memories from his past life, comparing clues across two timelines.

The creatures and mutants in the Zombie Realm still seem a bit different from those in the real world.

On one hand, they possess few special abilities and are more like brute beasts.

In contrast, most real-world mutants retain a semi-human form, unlike the bizarre creations here.

Half-human, half-spider; half-human, half-insect…

Meanwhile, the mutants in the real world are as grotesque as they come, and far more difficult to handle than those in this copy world.

“Have I underestimated how hard it is to control the Federation?”

“Whether it’s tracking down the Professor or later shutting down the lab to end the project, neither task is simple.”

“Only because I hold the nuclear codes—and can thus intimidate the entire Federation—can I pull this off so easily.”

“Under normal circumstances, without our grip on the Federation, stopping the disaster wouldn’t be so simple…”

After rethinking the logic, Yenir’s doubts eased slightly.

He was used to the system handing him insane challenges, so an unexpectedly easy one felt off.

The notion that his means of completion are almost like cheating is, in a strange way, acceptable…

After all, how could an Awakener entering the copy world possibly threaten the entire Federation?

Even employing tactics like assassination, intimidation, and coercion wouldn’t be enough against an entire civilization.

And even if it were possible, it would require an immense amount of time…

By then, the apocalypse would have already erupted…

Lost in thought, as the jet shuddered, it slowly began its descent.

Lifting his head, Yenir forced aside the chaotic thoughts and instinctively glanced out of the floating window.

Below them lay a heavily guarded Military Research Base—a facility as vast as an industrial complex. With its dark gray exterior, the building resembled a giant cage.

“Move out! Get down!”

At Yenir’s command, the team leapt to their feet and hurriedly followed him.

Meanwhile, Lin Rui—who Yenir had specifically brought along—watched the research facility nearby with curious eyes.

For some reason, although he’d never been here before, a nameless sense of dread welled up inside him.