After Being Parasiticized By A Monster - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: I Said It Was Bait.

Cheng Ming, who was currently being “baited,” was completely oblivious.

The cramped passage widened as the elevation decreased. The hundreds of layers and thousands of transport pipes crisscrossing the building gradually converged. The hyphae climbed the walls of the shaft, which were densely covered with metal hinges, extending infinitely forward like a fishing line.

She did not follow the target closely, consciously leaving room for error once the direction was confirmed.

Noises of indiscernible origin occasionally reached her ears. They could be from the operating pipeline facilities or from rooms behind the walls.

This place felt like another world hidden behind the wall structures. Cheng Ming felt like she had transformed into an animal living in the sewer, every step taken on a tightrope, the tension and excitement constantly stimulating her cerebral cortex.

It was truly a brand new life experience.

The air was stagnant, and she needed ventilation. Whenever she encountered a vent, she would have Xiao Ming extend the hyphae, taking the opportunity to scout the passing area.

“Sometimes I feel like you’re not an employee here…” Xiao Ming murmured, a hint of emotion in its voice. “You’re more like a spy embedded within.”

That was a surprisingly accurate description. Cheng Ming lowered her eyes, focusing on discerning her surroundings, and smiled noncommittally.

It was true; she didn’t have much sense of belonging to the institute. Therefore, she had to be fully prepared to ruthlessly sever ties with it at any moment.

The place she once longed for, since the bizarre disappearance of Cheng Ran and Cheng Jin, had become a heavy stone in her heart, a massive object pressing down on her: unknown, uncontrollable, terrifying, yet the only breakthrough point. She had to face it.

The last section of the side passage ended, and the space ahead opened up suddenly.

Clank, she stepped on a protruding riveted structure, crouching down to observe. Rollers drove the chain, the transport box approached the ground, the output gate opened, and more clamorous sounds poured in, echoing loudly in the long shaft.

Judging from the echo, the space outside was quite large, similar to an underground parking garage.

The final destination was not inside the institute, but to be transported out. Where to?

Cheng Ming stared at the height below, conservatively estimated at ten stories, then looked at her minimal clothing, simplified for ease of movement, and hesitated about whether to continue.

That is, she hadn’t brought any weapons or worn any disguise. Running into someone would be trouble.

But, having come all this way… The phrase flashed through Cheng Ming’s mind as she pressed one hand against the metal wall beside her.

Then, she stood up and jumped down.

…

10:53 PM.

In the darkest, most secluded corner of the basement, beyond the thick dividing wall.

Seeing that the experimental materials had been successfully received and escorted out of the warehouse, the person who had been waiting for a long time suddenly tilted her head, her gaze piercing through the multi-layered structure of the transfer channel. She let out a soft single syllable: “Hmm?”

The little girl beside her was knocking on the container to check the goods, and looked up at the sound.

“Someone actually took the bait.” She leisurely lifted her hat, revealing a chilling smile, and her long, bundled hair spilled down. “Little Yang Mei, this is all yours.”

The gate was about to close.

Separated by a wall, it was an epic scene of a two-way journey between the fish and the fisherman.

After repeatedly using the well wall for cushioning, Cheng Ming was about to land on the flat ground below. Before her feet even touched the solid surface, a biological sixth sense prompted her to dodge sideways, but due to the limited space of the passage, poor lighting, and chaotic visibility, she still plunged headfirst into the trap.

Like a mollusk carefully moving along a reef on the seabed, confident in its caution, yet unaware that the cunning predator had long been integrated with the environment.

Thus, as soon as she emerged, she was hit.

The nearby exit was completely sealed. Darkness surged like ink. An invisible enemy instantly pounced on her, its latent tentacles violently wrapping around her, firmly pressing her against the hard metal wall.

Her bones vibrated painfully, and the air was squeezed from her lungs.

As the world spun, Cheng Ming heard a low scoff, cold and chilling, yet the tail end of the voice slightly uplifted and vaguely familiar—

“Move again, and you’ll die.”

Separated by a thin layer of cloth, a damp, slippery, cold sensation encased her skin. Something hard and cold was pressed against her neck, its sharp point intensifying the pressure, spreading a stinging pain.

She was also half a marine biology expert.

She might not usually be able to identify a form by touch alone, but in this moment, experiencing the attacking organ at zero distance, a flash of insight made her realize what it resembled—

The chitinous beak of a cephalopod.

It contained a neurotoxin.

The scouting hyphae rapidly retracted from all directions, burrowing into the gap between the two bodies, covering a layer, shielding the throat and other vital areas, separating them.

Her choked breath finally released. Cheng Ming gasped for air. The air was murky and stagnant, but the proximity was enough for her to belatedly catch a familiar scent.

She opened her mouth, but before any words could leave, the barbaric tentacles in the lightless chaos stopped moving. Clearly, the opponent had also sensed something.

The restraining force slowly loosened.

The darkness blurred all contours. She couldn’t see the expression of the person opposite her, but she coughed with difficulty and called out, “Sister Ying Ying…”

It was a perfect case of friendly fire.

A silence as thick and oppressive as seawater submerged the shaft, seemingly suffocating one’s internal organs. The person opposite retracted all her terrifying means but gave no response.

After a long, unsettling silence, a hand radiating coldness pressed down on her head, applying some force.

One knock wasn’t enough.

At the second knock, Cheng Ming stumbled two steps, barely steadying herself.

The relief of a narrow escape lasted only a second. She stood meekly before Qu Ying, cold sweat pouring out.

“Ying…” She wanted to say something to alleviate the atmosphere, but found herself speechless, every word feeling like a feeble excuse.

Oh God, how was this any different from sneaking out to play during school and getting caught red-handed by your parents?

The pitch black and dead silence felt like a mountain pressing down on her. The woman’s voice opposite was like the mist enveloping that mountain, infused with coolness and gritting through her teeth:

“Not only have your wings hardened, but your head is hard too.”

…

The gate reopened, letting in light from outside.

The visibility was still dim, but it was better than nothing.

Qu Ying was so annoyed she pulled out a cigarette. Concerned that the internal space was too enclosed, she thoughtfully kicked a button, opening the warehouse door to let Cheng Ming breathe some fresh air.

Click, a spark flashed.

Seeing the gently rising white smoke, Cheng Ming instinctively opened her mouth: “Sister Ying Ying—” Not a single word of her intended warning came out. A cool, resentful look from the other party made her reluctantly clamp her mouth shut.

She was behaving now.

Knowing that Qu Ying was very busy, and this was a rare meeting, they didn’t talk much.

After one cigarette, Cheng Ming showed excellent remorse, accepting all criticism. She also successfully asked for the key information she wanted, and then quietly prepared to return the way she came.

Just as her hand touched the wall, a voice behind her barked, “Come back!”

She turned around blankly. Qu Ying irritably snatched off her own work helmet and heavily pressed it onto Cheng Ming’s head. “Do you have to go that way?”

Cheng Ming glanced at the infinitely deep shaft above. She really wanted to say that her wall-climbing skills were now exceptional and unparalleled… but considering how every parent inevitably dislikes their child doing anything dangerous, she swallowed her words.

Seeing the other party take off her camouflage dark-blue employee jacket, she understood the hint and silently took it, putting it on.

Then, Qu Ying led her to an even more obscure corner, kicked open a steel plate. Light seeped through the tightly connected metal wall, and with a rumble, a small door opened in what she had thought was a solid spot.

Bending to pass through, she found a freight elevator.

“This elevator is reserved for Security Department operations. It connects to all cargo channels and can reach up to the 200th floor.”

Cheng Ming understood the other party’s implication.

This was a back door for her, reserved for when she wanted to go anywhere without being discovered by the institute.

Qu Ying saw through her thoughts and gave her a warning glance. “Don’t push your luck. It won’t work without door access authorization.”

Cheng Ming replied with a humble, “Yes, ma’am,” and took the lesson to heart.

Stepping into the car, before the door closed, Qu Ying jammed her foot into the elevator sensor area and gave her head one last pat. “I’ll be busy these two days, so be careful. Don’t cause any major commotion while I’m gone.”

Having seen off this unexpected “fish,” Qu Ying raised her hand to check the time, waited two more minutes, and then turned back toward the transport vehicle.

The cargo box was loaded, and Yang Mei was already in the car. It looked like they hadn’t encountered any other surprises.

She glanced at the cab, pulled the door open, and got into the driver’s seat.

A clear child’s voice from the back seat asked, “Sister Qu, did you run into a friend?”

Qu Ying paused, then smiled as she looked back. “Little children shouldn’t talk nonsense. I’ll buy you candy next time.”

…

Cheng Ming finally returned to her apartment and could get a good night’s sleep.

Although the trip was a bit thrilling and dangerous, it was definitely worthwhile.

She learned that it wasn’t the institute purchasing the Wave-Born Floating Flower Algae-Fungus; it was the Security Department. In fact, it might even be Qu Ying’s department—though she still didn’t know what they were using it for.

The place that cultivates “monsters” to fight monsters.

She recalled asking tentatively, “Does this thing really need you to watch over it?” At the time, the other party had given her a profound smile: “Of course. There are many ‘people’ who want it.”

She also learned that the Security Department was indeed looking for her, but at least for now, she hadn’t been exposed. The other side was preoccupied with the fungal monster and didn’t have much time to deal with her.

Regardless, Cheng Ming felt at ease.

Moreover, since Xiao Ming had just eaten its fill, as long as there wasn’t another major consumption, she thought staying quiet and avoiding attention for a week or two would be fine.

But the facts proved that heaven does not grant human wishes.

Cheng Ming didn’t get to enjoy many peaceful days.

November 4th, 12:29 AM.

When the alarm suddenly blared across the entire defense zone, she was fast asleep in her apartment bedroom.

Beep—Beep—

Her wristband vibrated incessantly, and the screen flashed with a red warning dot.

Cheng Ming woke up, groggily raised her wrist, and glanced at it.

Had the fungal liquid concentration reached its limit?

She reached out, fumbling for her clothes, preparing to get up and rush to the institute.

No matter how advanced the instruments and how precise the culture conditions, life is ultimately uncontrollable. Any accident could happen in microbial growth. Since she took over the cultivation and management of the Wave-Born Floating Flower Algae-Fungus, working overtime at any time had become routine.

“Cheng Ming.”

The hyphae nudged her wrist. Xiao Ming suddenly spoke, “Look again.”

Huh?

She looked down blankly, then sat up straight immediately.

The external sounds belatedly flooded her senses. Not even the drawn curtains could block the flashing red light that intermittently swept across the room.

Cheng Ming got out of bed and opened the window, finding that the light was coming from the direction of the institute building. A circle of warning lights lined the facade. At hundreds of meters high, it was enough to illuminate all the surrounding buildings from top to bottom.

And accompanying the sirens piercing the night sky, a simple line of text on her watch:

Underground protection stations are open. All personnel, please take emergency shelter.

…

Security Department Confidential Area.

The entrance to a breached underground bunker was sealed again, isolated from the outside. The flickering light created a perfect horror movie atmosphere amidst the chaos.

The glass wall of the central experimental area was shattered on the floor. Most of the culture medium simulating the marine environment had spilled out. The entire base, built from specialized materials, had a non-permeable floor, resulting in knee-high standing water.

Although the situation was under control, water occasionally sprayed from the glass cracks. The electronic screens were affected, light bulbs scattered, wires were exposed, and sparks flickered intermittently.

Members of the Investigation Department, dressed in full combat gear, waded through the standing water. Waterproof, anti-electric, and anti-radiation from head to toe, they held various advanced weapons, surrounding the experimental area.

The leader, Kang Ming, head of the Internal Security Team 4, wore a smart full-field-of-vision helmet, intently monitoring the status of the hyphae in the half-collapsed emergency containment module. At the same time, based on the information relayed by his scattered team members, he summarized and reported:

“A portion of the experimental materials is missing. MF204 has been recovered. The target did not escape.”

Compared to their full armament, the woman stepping into the debris in tactical boots appeared far more casual and unrestrained.

She wasn’t even wearing a helmet, still in her casual shirt and vest. Compared to her usual attire, the only addition was a black glove on her right hand.

The material was indiscernible, the color so deep it was as if it could absorb all light like a black hole.

She walked step by step toward the little girl squatting on the ground opposite her.

“Little Yang Mei, I told you, it was bait.”

Qu Ying’s facial features were sharp, her brow bone distinct. When she smiled and subtly raised an eyebrow, the sharp arc extended an aggressive sense of oppression—

“Where were you planning to take our reserve teammate?”