Chapter 65: Acquiring the Progenitor Virus and the Stairway to the Sun
Chang Wei not only obtained the source code he sought from the Red Queen's database but also discovered coordinates suspected to lead to the Stairway to the Sun within this movie world.
The Stairway to the Sun is connected to the progenitor virus.
The Stairway to the Sun refers to an ancient species of asteraceae flower that contains the progenitor virus capable of enhancing organisms. Those who can adapt to the virus are strengthened, while those who cannot will succumb to it. The flower matures every three months.
This highly primitive progenitor virus grants superhuman strength, speed, terrifying regenerative capabilities, and lifespans spanning hundreds of years, with extremely potent enhancement effects.
The virus's strongest feature is its variability and adaptability. Through mutation and evolution, it has spawned powerful derivatives like the T-Virus, G-Virus, C-Virus, and T-Veronica Virus, among others.
The most well-known of these, the T-Virus, was developed by combining the progenitor virus with leech genes through experimental research.
If Chang Wei wanted to locate the virus, he needed to head to West Africa. This was because Umbrella Corporation had discovered that the Stairway to the Sun could not grow or reproduce outside of West African soil, which the plant uniquely recognized.
As a result, Umbrella Corporation established a research base in the Ndipaya tribe's territory in West Africa to specifically study and extract the progenitor virus from the Stairway to the Sun.
Upon arriving, Chang Wei discovered that everyone in the area had already died, and the T-Virus had spread to this location. However, the T-Virus King, which Chang Wei had released at the Hive base, had not yet propagated to this region. Soon, though, the T-Virus King's influence would overtake the infected area, resulting in all T-Virus carriers undergoing brain evolution.
Casually, Chang Wei tore open the alloy doors of the base. Inside, beyond the floors and ceilings filled with modern technological designs, Umbrella Corporation had preserved the Ndipaya tribe's original appearance to the greatest extent possible. The base was built to enclose the tribal ruins, which remained largely untouched.
Using telepathy, Chang Wei detected no living beings or active organisms. Cautiously, he deployed an invisible assassin, which spread across the entire ruins. Yet, the assassin found nothing amiss, prompting Chang Wei to finally proceed underground.
With memories of Umbrella Corporation's executives, Chang Wei knew the layout clearly and easily navigated his way to the core of the underground Ndipaya Empire ruins. There, he encountered the flowerbeds of the Stairway to the Sun.
"Just like in the game…"
Chang Wei observed the flowers of the Stairway to the Sun for a moment before plucking one. The Blacklight Virus absorbed the flower.
[Unknown virus detected… Activating Super Virus System!]
[Virus analysis complete: Progenitor Virus from the Stairway to the Sun…]
[Virus evolution pathways analyzed. Please select…]
Chang Wei's eyes widened. Among the evolution pathways offered by the Progenitor Virus from the Stairway to the Sun, he noticed not only options for super strength, super speed, regeneration, and extended lifespan but also the G-Virus!
Although the pathways lacked options for the C-Virus, Ouroboros Virus, T-Veronica Virus, or the Mold, the inclusion of the G-Virus excited Chang Wei immensely.
This was the G-Virus!
As a long-time fan of Resident Evil, Chang Wei's favorite virus had always been the G-Virus. To him, none of the other viruses—be it the Ouroboros, C-Virus, or T-Veronica Virus—compared to the awe and fascination that the G-Virus inspired.
However, the G-Virus's function is often misunderstood. Unlike what some new players might think, it doesn't necessarily promote evolution. Official documents categorize the G-Virus as inducing uncontrollable mutations. The "evolution" concept is an imaginative addition by fans of the G series. These mutations are unpredictable, capable of leading to positive or negative outcomes.
For instance, William Birkin's case demonstrates this unpredictability. His transformations from G1 to G4 were relatively successful. However, G4 could also be seen as a regression. If G4 is considered the most terrifying form, then G3 is the most perfect form. By the time the transformation reached G5, higher biological traits were entirely lost, illustrating a negative evolutionary direction.
The G-Virus's lack of structured mutation is both its strength and fatal flaw. Its inability to be refined or controlled means that as technology advanced, T-Virus-based creations became increasingly powerful and refined. Meanwhile, the G-Virus, being uncontrollable and resistant to technological modification, was gradually rendered obsolete.
In essence, the G-Virus intensely accelerates cellular division and mutation within the host, resulting in the creation of bizarre new cells. The end result is the emergence of a completely new organism.
The most significant and credible explanation is that the G-Virus operates on principles of genetic biology, employing advanced technology to alter the host's genes, thereby inducing significant physical changes.
When the host's genetic structure is altered in an instant, the interaction between proteins, enzymes, and DNA within the individual results in countless unpredictable outcomes. This explains the strange physiological transformations seen in William Birkin after he injected the G-Virus.
Such alterations, modifications, and replacements—even to the extent of completely consuming an existing lifeform—make the G-Virus a material that desecrates the dignity of biological existence and flagrantly violates the natural laws of survival.
For these reasons, the G-Virus is often referred to as "the ultimate abomination that infringes on the domain of the gods." This designation is by no means an exaggeration.