Chapter 1815 Live Wire <TOC> Chapter 1817 Onion Head
Previous page password is bold portion: 6i9LrerApA2=&
Translator: SumTLMan
The Puppet Hospital was transformed from an abandoned stone processing factory. As one enters the hospital, shattered rocks can be seen everywhere. Some of these stones are raw and unpolished, while others have been processed. However, even the processed stones, scattered throughout the hospital, do not make for a pleasant sight. Together with moss-covered gray stone buildings, the place appears like a congregation of decrepit, abandoned structures.
Ruins enthusiasts might find joy in such a place, but for the average person, the scene merely invokes feelings of desolation.
Angel swiftly moved within the hospital and soon followed Lord Rhine into a three-story building.
In the long and cold hallway, numerous rooms were sealed off with metal grills. Through these grills, one could see the rooms filled with patients afflicted by madness.
Most of these patients were silent, sitting dumbfounded on their iron beds, appearing like regular people lost deep in thought.
It wasn’t until they heard footsteps echoing in the corridor and turned their heads in response that one could notice their abnormality.
Each patient had a distinct expression: some appeared numb, others crazed, some eerie, and some naïve. They resembled actors on a theatrical stage, each showcasing a unique facial demeanor.
With eyes filled with bizarre emotions, they stared intently at the people passing in the corridor.
No words were spoken, yet this unusual silence sent chills down one’s spine.
“Their ability to perceive information hasn’t diminished due to the infection,” said Rhine, leading the way. “Moreover, their sensitivity to sound and perception of heat surpasses that of ordinary people, as if they’ve suddenly acquired an extraordinary sense of awareness.”
As he spoke, Rhine walked, gently tapping the ground with a cane.
Upon tapping the ground for the first time, energy ripples began to emanate from the tip of the staff. As the waves spread out, all of their forms became hidden from sight. Yet, the patient within the room still intently fixed their gaze in the direction of their movement, revealing that the invisibility couldn’t prevent them from detecting living beings.
Upon the second tap, not only were they made invisible, but an overwhelmingly powerful barrier instantaneously blanketed the entire puppet hospital. At that very moment, nobody could hear any sounds. Even Sanders and Angel, within Rhine’s Silence Barrier, were utterly powerless to resist.
But even with their forms and voices hidden, the patients’ gaze remained unbroken.
Only when Rhine tapped the ground a third time with his staff, blocking out all the surrounding thermal energy, did the group of patients turn their heads away, reverting back to their contemplative states.
This perfectly aligned with Rhine’s statements: these patients’ abilities to detect biological information were far superior to ordinary people.
Rhine said, “According to current research, they don’t have the capacity to think. Their sole purpose is to infect other living beings.”
In other words, their desire to infect others is extremely strong. Coupled with their innate powerful perception, one can predict that if these individuals were to enter a regular city, it wouldn’t take long for the entire city’s populace to fall under their sway.
“So, what provides them with the energy to sustain their existence?” Gloria inquired.
Even if they had turned mad, their bodies were still those of mortals. Thus, they would still need to consume food for energy to maintain bodily functions. However, this group of madmen didn’t seem like the type to eat regularly. This was where Gloria’s confusion lay.
Rhine glanced at Gloria, simply saying, “Live Wire.”
“As for what Live Wire is, you’ll find out shortly.” Rhine didn’t offer further explanation, continuing to lead the way forward. Soon, they arrived at a room with an open door.
Inside, the room was as cramped as the one they had seen earlier holding the insane patients. There were no windows, only a bed, a chair, and clusters of luminescent plants on the ceiling.
Rhine signaled them to lock Iva away.
After Iva was secured, they continued to the next vacant house. Using the previous method, they detained Old Ham. Rhine then led them to the central hall of that floor.
After they settled down, Rhine said, “If you have any questions, feel free to ask now.”
Sanders was the first to speak up: “Why did Lord Rhine suddenly come here? Was there another incident at the ruins?”
Rhine responded, “There was an incident yesterday, a massive eruption of the Live Wire. However, with the help of the tree spirits, everything is still under control. Based on previous experiences, I estimate it won’t erupt again within a week, so I returned.”
Of course, another reason Rhine came back was for Angel.
He knew Angel would return to the Savage Grottoes in the next few days and made a point to be back. There were matters he needed to discuss with Angel. Moreover, Angel’s value had fully manifested, not just in personal capabilities but also as a member of the Research Institute. This identity was crucial for the future development of the Savage Grottoes. Angel’s achievements, capabilities, and future growth weren’t highly dependent on the Savage Grottoes. Thus, Rhine also wanted to take this opportunity to understand Angel’s attitude towards the Savage Grottoes to make some future decisions.
However, Rhine kept these thoughts to himself, choosing not to vocalize them.
“So, does the Live Wire eruption have a time cycle? Does this mean this has been going on for a long time?” Sanders continued to inquire.
Rhine nodded, “Yes, it started two months ago.”
“Then, what exactly is this Live Wire? I remember the last time we went to that ruin, we didn’t encounter any Live Wire?” Sanders had been to the ruins where Rhine had been trapped before. Many people had disappeared there, but there was no issue with any Live Wire.
Where did this Live Wire come from? Not only was Sanders curious about this, but so were everyone present, except for Rhine.
Rhine Mute pondered for a moment, stating, “The Live Wire, in reality, doesn’t have much to do with the ruin itself. The Source comes from the creatures that invaded from the Eternal Night Kingdom.”
Sanders inquired, “Creatures from the Eternal Night Kingdom? Are they beings from the Nightmare Plane?”
Rhine Mute nodded gravely, “Exactly.”
Sanders didn’t show any evident surprise. The peculiar ruin was located on the edge of the Paramjit Plateau, close to the Eternal Night Kingdom. Hence, he was aware of the invasion of creatures from the Nightmare Plane at that time.
Moreover, Sanders was also aware that the said ruin was the first stronghold the Nightmare Plane creatures occupied on the Paramjit Plateau.
But if Sanders remembered correctly, the creatures from the Nightmare Plane in that stronghold were mainly the colorful dragonflies. Even if there was something like a central nest capable of releasing the parasites that once wreaked havoc in Shadow Demon City, the parasites were significantly different from the Live Wire Rhine Mute mentioned, weren’t they?
At that point, Angel chimed in, “Lord Rhine Mute, are the current infected all due to this Live Wire?”
Rhine Mute nodded, “Yes.”
Instead of specifically asking what the Live Wire looked like, Angel furrowed his brow, posing a new question, “If you claim the Live Wire arose because of the creatures from the Nightmare Plane, then why haven’t I sensed any aura of the Nightmare Plane from these people?”
Previously, those parasitized individuals in the Night Demon City also had a faint aura of the Nightmare Plane.
However, having wandered around this hospital for a considerable time, Angel didn’t sense any trace of the Nightmare Plane’s aura, which left him puzzled.