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Translator's note: The author compared the infected subjects to "processors" in the original text. I changed it to "sensors", as processors aren't for collecting information. If there has to be a processor, I think Adam is the one who's handling that position.
Ten days later, the devil gleefully looked at his new ride, showing Adam a goofy smile. "Master, is this mine now?"
"Yep." Adam handed over a dozen test tubes filled with the virus to the infected subjects, instructing, "Do as I taught you, command them to carry out the mission."
Nodding eagerly, the devil launched himself towards his new mount, merging into its form. The infected subjects' eyes, sparkling with purple, began to whirl rapidly, and they ran out of the underground lab through the tunnels, running towards all directions
"How is it? Any delay?" Adam queried, shutting off the tunnel, and viewing the images provided by the monitors he had placed around the lab.
The devil was having a blast with his new toy, making the infected subjects perform one ridiculous action after another, and he answered, "None at all, I can perfectly control them, it feels like I have many extra bodies."
"Master, I seem to be able to extend my thoughts to them, making them appear less dull than they are now."
Adam nodded in acknowledgement. This was an unexpected gain, but it was insignificant. He then said, "The task is up to you now. Shatter the virus tubes near the city."
The devil's new mount was modified by Adam, and they are like sensors, with the devil as the control program. Through this combination, all the infected creatures would fall under the devil's control. Once the virus spread, all the information seen by countless infected subjects would be gathered on the devil. In this way, Adam effectively gained endless spies, solving any intel problems. Moreover, when infected bodies evolved by devouring each other, they could possibly pose a threat to ordinary antimage apprentices.
After setting the mission directives, the devil disengaged from the fusion state, half of his body "growing out" from the shoulder of the infected body, looking bizarrely eerie.
"Master, I love this thing. Can I keep it after the trial ends?"
Adam pondered, thinking that it would be fine to spread the virus wantonly on Ceylon Island, but once they reached the mainland, the mages would never allow that to happen. Thus, he said, "You can, but once we leave Ceylon Island, it won't be of any use."
The devil shook his head vigorously, "No, no, no. Even though I can't spread the virus later, they are my flesh and blood. I can use it in the future." The devil suddenly stopped speaking, realizing the body would indeed be useful for many things. For example, in the future, he could really do something to pique other's interest when flirting. However, he decided not to voice this thought to Adam.
Adam glanced at him, too lazy to expose his thoughts. After warning him again not to impersonate him, he tossed over a small knife. Adam had found the secret of the knife - it was a container, but it could only store mutated creatures without souls. It was perfect for the devil now.
The devil accepted the knife with a mischievous grin, losing himself in his fantasies.
A day later, the devil pushed open the door to Adam's room, announcing, "Master, the infected have all entered the town."
Nobody would be safe.
After the wind carrying the virus blew over, every creature without extraordinary energy inside was infected instantly. The immune system had no chance to react. The mutations observed in the lab trials were now happening at every corner swept by the virus-laden wind.
Different people reacted to the virus in different ways. Among the infected, most perished immediately, while the remaining became puppets of the virus, losing their sanity and voraciously devouring the other infected around them.
Adam had not programmed a dormant period for the virus; it took effect immediately. He didn't care if it would be discovered because even if every antimage made an all-out effort, they couldn't possibly eradicate billions of infected in a short time.
And it was not just humans. Even insects and animals were infected, and they were even better at gathering information than the human infected.
As the virus-infected wind swept across Ceylon Island, numerous towns fell one after another. Society plunged into chaos, and a biological crisis loomed over every antimage.
There were far more apprentices in the coastal fortress than when Adam had left.
"The Aum family, the Bani family, the Polly family have all retreated inland. There are no remaining apprentices in the outskirt cities. Four lone antimages carrying out tasks from the three major families have been eliminated. We can consider joining the alliance members from the other two divisions to discuss initiating a full assault on the antimages," Lilith explained to the nearly ten apprentices gathered in the command center, pointing at a map displayed on the screen.
"The other two fortresses share the same idea with us. The peripheral families are weak in their resistance, and the authority of the alliance has been established. So far, all apprentices are under the control of the alliance. Therefore, continuing on the outskirts is a waste of time."
"If there are no objections, within three days, we will join the members from the other two divisions, pushing the battlefront a thousand kilometers into the island."
Several voices agreed in response. As the wisest of the division, Lilith's decisions were rarely opposed.
Lilith nodded satisfactorily, "Are there any other questions?"
Just then, the command room door burst open, and a panicked apprentice rushed in, "The common people in the cities we've conquered have gone mad!"
All the alliance members turned in unison. The apprentice handed Lilith an information box, panting, "This is the footage."
Lillith inserted the information box into the optical projector, and the footage displayed left everyone breathless.
"Is this the antimages' counterattack? It seems to be some kind of infectious potion," an alliance member who studied potions commented, "What about the apprentices?"
The messenger hesitated and replied, "It seems to have no effect on us, but the mutated commoners possess physical abilities far beyond themselves."
"Only for common people? Have the antimages lost their minds? Apart from destroying their own foundation, what good does this do?"
Lilith stared at the screen, replaying the footage several times before saying, "No matter what, we must regroup. Notify everyone to abandon all towns, abandon the common people. If necessary, kill them."
The room fell silent. While they might not mind killing or accidentally harming a few commoners, the prospect of a massacre still posed a moral obstacle. More importantly, one apprentice questioned, "What about our mission evaluation?"
"We can't care about the evaluation now. I have a very bad hunch." Lilith murmured, "What if the antimages aren't behind this?"