Chapter 90: Walrider |
"Human experiments?"
"Yes."
"What exactly did they do?"
"That is a matter of the last century. When they were running experiments here, I hadn't even been brought into this world. I can only tell you that the Walrider was born back then, roughly during the last World War. Murkoff's predecessor wanted to deploy the Walrider onto the battlefield as a weapon, which led them to commit unspeakable acts in this place."
Stephen suddenly interjected. "I remember Murkoff being a German corporation. Could this place be... a leftover military research facility from the German army?! Damn it, do these people want to rule the world that badly?"
"Humanity is forever foolish and bursting with hubris," the priest murmured. "They blindly attempt to control God, trying to leash the divine to serve as their weapon, completely failing to grasp their own insignificance. You must have seen the gruesome fate of those arrogant fools. Outsiders, it is not too late to turn back. I believe God will embrace lost lambs, allowing you to join me in welcoming true freedom."
"I will repeat this one more time. We ask the questions, and you answer." Bai Mu gripped the priest's shoulder, applying a bit of pressure. "Beyond that, keep your mouth shut. Understood?"
The priest looked at Bai Mu with a hint of helpless resignation. He was likely too accustomed to manipulating people, constantly trying to use his rhetoric to probe for their hidden fears and weaknesses.
But Bai Mu was entirely impervious to it, refusing to give him the chance to speak. In truth, even if the man babbled in his ear all day long, Bai Mu wouldn't feel a thing.
Bai Mu had long since passed the phase of placing his hopes on others. A person with an impenetrable mind would never be swayed by the rhetoric of an old charlatan.
The old charlatan could also see that this man was utterly different from every believer he had ever duped. Someone who could easily subdue a bloodthirsty Asylum Inmate like Chris Wolf was beyond his reach. Tactfully, the priest lowered his head and muttered, "Understood."
He knew full well that if he failed to read the room, that Baseball Bat would genuinely come crashing down on his body to teach him a harsh lesson.
"Since you don't know the past, tell us about the present," Bai Mu demanded. "What exactly is Murkoff experimenting on here? Why are they transporting so many mental patients to this place?"
"To find an Adapter for the Walrider," the priest whispered. "The current chief researcher of the Walrider project is Rudolf G. Wernicke. The Walrider itself lacks consciousness. Without a human consciousness to influence it, it does absolutely nothing. It won't kill, and it won't move."
"Wernicke believed that in order to control the Walrider, a human's mind had to be pushed to the absolute extreme—the terror of near-death, transcending death itself. He theorized that only through fear surpassing human limits could the test subject fuse and become one with the Walrider."
"Wait, do you mean that Rudolf G. Wernicke?!" Stephen suddenly exclaimed in astonishment. "I remember the news saying he was executed! Is it really that Wernicke?"
"If you're talking about the Wernicke who served the German army during the World War and specialized in human biology, then yes, it is him," the priest confirmed.
"My God, this... Could people from my own country be involved in this madness? Why are there so many criminals appearing in this hellhole?!"
Stephen took a deep breath. After a few seconds of stunned silence, his gaze grew increasingly resolute.
"Bai, what's happening here is bigger than anything I ever imagined. We have to bring the truth out to the light. Otherwise, even more innocent people will suffer in the future. This is horrific!"
"You're right, Stephen." Bai Mu patted Stephen on the shoulder. "As professional Reporters, it is our duty to expose the hidden filth lurking in the dark corners."
"Let's leave now." Stephen turned to look at the priest. "I think we've recorded enough evidence. My car is parked in an isolated corner outside. We'll drag this old charlatan out with us. I'll notify my newspaper to prepare a press conference. Let the public and the law judge these monsters."
[You have obtained new information: The Walrider and the Biological Scientist.]
[You and Stephen have uncovered the true identity of the black phantom.]
[Evidence updated.]
[Side Quest updated]
[Objective Change: Bring the evidence out of Mount Massive Asylum and reveal the truth to the public.]
Following the interrogation of the priest, a massive amount of evidence had been updated.
The video titled "Black Phantom Massacres Soldiers" changed to "The Walrider's Slaughter of Murkoff's Private Military".
The "Unidentified Soldier Corpses" changed to "Remains of Murkoff's Private Military".
Even the basement filled with torture instruments and the pool of blood outside the wards were renamed to "Abandoned Underground Human Experimentation Laboratory" and "Asylum Inmates Brutally Murdered by the Walrider".
It appeared the priest hadn't lied. This place was not merely a mental hospital; it was a research facility dedicated to supernatural forces. However, the optional quest still didn't show as completed. It seemed there was more evidence yet to be collected.
While Bai Mu was reviewing the quest log, Stephen pulled a pair of handcuffs from his jacket—the very same pair that had been used to chain him to the hospital bed earlier. Click. Paying them back in their own coin, Stephen forcibly restrained the priest's hands behind his back.
"It's useless. No one can leave this place." Although the priest hadn't resisted being handcuffed, he spoke up to advise them despite the risk of getting beaten. "As long as the Walrider remains under the control of the Adapter, no one will be allowed to leave."
"Still trying to brainwash me." Stephen yanked hard on the cuffs. "Just wait until we get to court, you old charlatan. I'm going to throw you in prison."
"Since you managed to track me down here, you must have seen that pool of blood," the priest said. "Those were the people who attempted to escape. Wernicke and Murkoff have invoked the wrath of God."
"They have all been reduced to corpses. God brought divine punishment down upon them. At this moment, only by repenting for your sins can you attain salvation."
"We aren't criminals, you old hack."
"Hold on, Stephen," Bai Mu interrupted. "Though I don't buy a single word of his religious nonsense, if we try to leave right now, the Walrider will most likely attack us."
"That makes sense." Stephen paused his movements, looking toward Bai Mu obediently. "What do we do then, Bai?"
Bai Mu stepped in front of the priest. "Old man, according to what you said, since the Walrider has begun taking action, that implies it has currently fused with an Adapter."
"The Walrider is acting according to that Adapter's will right now, isn't it?"
The priest remained silent this time, but he gave a slow nod.
"Tell me where that Adapter is."
The priest quietly raised his head, meeting Bai Mu's gaze. The moment the topic shifted to his "God," the look in his eyes drastically changed.
"The Walrider is your God," Bai Mu said. "Following your own logic, that human Adapter is nothing more than a mortal blaspheming against the divine. Why would a true God ever feel joy or anger over the mere whims of a mortal?"
"You should tell me the Adapter's location. Only then will you be able to welcome true freedom."
Bai Mu stared down at the hunched, bald old man from his commanding height. A bolt of lightning tore across the sky. Bai Mu remained utterly expressionless, but the pouring rain and the sudden flash of light imbued him with a solemn, majestic aura.
Almost as if he were the true priest here.