The Creators: From Night City

Several of the diaries caught Jiang Bing's attention.

Research Log: Progenitor Virus Project

Project Leader: James Marcus (former) / Albert Wesker (later took over)

Location: Dubya Tribal Ruins in West Africa / Acre Research Institute

**Project Background**

The discovery of the Progenitor virus stemmed from research into the ancient legends of the Diya tribe of West Africa. This tribe revered a mysterious flower known as the "Stairway to the Sun," using it as a ritual offering in the "King's Choice" ceremony. Preliminary investigations revealed that this flower contained a viral RNA substance that could significantly enhance human performance and prolong life, but was also extremely toxic. This discovery provided a new direction for Umbrella's biological weapons research.

Virus Source: Stairway to the Sun

The Stairway to the Sun grows deep within the ruins of the Dubaiya tribe. Its petals contain a high concentration of the Progenitor virus. Tribal members ingest the flower extract to test their "qualification." Those who succeed become the tribe's rulers, while those who fail die from the virus's toxicity.

Biological characteristics:

1. RNA characteristics: The RNA of the ancestral virus can combine with the host DNA, promote gene evolution, and thus enhance the host's physical strength, mobility and lifespan.

2. Superantigen Toxin: The virus contains a superantigen toxin that overstimulates the host's immune system, leading to systemic inflammation, necrosis of the skin and outer tissues, fluid loss, and secondary infection. Ultimately, the host will die from sepsis and severe shock.

3. Immune mutation: A very small number of individuals may have their immune receptors mutated, which allows them to resist the stimulation of superantigen toxins, allowing them to survive and show the enhanced effects brought by the virus.

Project Conclusion:

The Progenitor virus holds enormous potential, but its toxicity remains a major obstacle. The superhuman properties exhibited by successful hosts align with Umbrella's bioweapon development goals, but further optimization of the virus's stability and host adaptability are required.

………………

Research Report: Analysis and Speculation of Murals in the Relics of the Dubya Empire

Project Leader: Albert Wesker/Sanlian Pharmaceuticals Research Team**

Date: 2006/1/21

Location: Ruins of the Diya Empire in West Africa / Tri-Union Pharmaceuticals Secret Research Base**

Background Overview:

During an archaeological survey of the ruins of the royal city of the Dubya Empire in West Africa, the research team discovered a series of murals that are suspected to depict the last days of the Dubya Empire before its demise.

Chapter 298: Ancient Secrets of Dubai

The content of the murals shows that a large number of terrifying monsters appeared in the underground world of Dubai. These monsters had human bodies but were covered with tentacles, and were wantonly slaughtering the residents of the city.

In addition, the murals also depict two giant monsters wrestling on the Stairway to the Sun flowerbed. The research team speculates that these murals may reveal the true cause of the demise of the Dubya Empire and provide important evidence for the early application of the Progenitor virus.

Analysis of mural content:

1. Monsters in the Underworld:

It is speculated that these monsters may be individuals who were infected with the Progenitor virus (or the Stairway to the Sun extract) early on and mutated due to the virus getting out of control.

2. Giant monsters in the holy land:

These two monsters may be the heirs to the throne of the Dubai Empire or their supporters, who have mutated due to excessive intake of the Stairway of the Sun extract.

Speculations and assumptions:

Based on the contents of the murals and known data, the research team proposed the following hypothesis:

There may have been a fierce struggle for the throne at the end of the Dubya Empire. In order to gain power, the two heirs had their supporters consume the Stairway to the Sun extract.

Due to the virus's toxicity, most supporters failed to adapt to it, mutated into tentacle monsters and began to attack indiscriminately.

The two heirs may have ingested a higher concentration of the extract, mutating into giant monsters and engaging in a final showdown in the holy land.

These two events together may be the truth behind the sudden decline of the Dubai Dynasty

Remarks:

The contents of the murals have been encrypted and archived for viewing only by senior researchers.

The descendants of the Dubaiya tribe may still have knowledge about the Stairway to the Sun, and further contact with relevant immigrants is needed to obtain more information.

appendix:

High-definition scanned image of the mural (encrypted storage)

Abstract of Historical Documents of the Dubya Empire

Comparative Analysis Report of the Progenitor Virus and the Mural Monster

…………

Of course, these two reports only aroused Jiang Bing's interest. It was another action receipt report he found that really caught his attention.

Emergency Report: Failed Underground Exploration of the Dubai Ruins and Mutant Outburst

Submitted by: Tricell Africa Division/Special Operations Command

Report Date: March 21, 2006

Event Location: Underground area of ​​the ruins of the Diya Empire in West Africa

Event Overview:

Based on previous research into the Dubya Empire murals, we dispatched a 16-member armed research team (codenamed "Deep Divers") into the underground area depicted in the murals on March 19, 2006. The mission was to recover possible samples of the original Ancient Progenitor Virus and investigate any remaining traces of the ancient biochemical disaster. Four hours into the operation, the entire team lost contact. Subsequently, significant biological activity signals were detected at the exit of the underground area, and a large number of unknown mutants emerged and attacked surrounding facilities. After a fierce exchange of fire, all the monsters that emerged from the underground were eliminated. To prevent further attacks, the underground passage has been resealed.

Action record and disaster process:

Initial Exploration (0-3 hours)

The team entered the underground through a secret entrance on the north side of the ruins and found a large number of human bones and remnants of suspected infected tissue along the way.

The underground structure is complex, and the walls are covered with tentacle-like biomass similar to the murals, which are speculated to be the solidified remains of ancient viral infections.

A closed "temple" was discovered 300 meters from the surface. Inside, there was a complete Sun Stairs flower bed that was consistent with the "holy land" royal city garden, but a sarcophagus was placed in the center of the flower bed, and a high concentration of viral reaction was detected in the coffin.

Disaster outbreak (3-4 hours)

When the team tried to open the sarcophagus, an unknown mechanism was triggered, causing violent vibrations in the underground space and activating some dormant infected tissues.

Communication records show that the team members were attacked by a "humanoid tentacle creature", whose appearance is suspected to be highly consistent with the monster described in the mural.

The final communication segment intercepted reads: "They are not corpses... they are alive! The virus is still active--" (the signal was then interrupted).

Mutant Outburst (5 hours)

Surveillance equipment at the underground exit captured a large number of mutants pouring out. Their characteristics are as follows:

Type A: Retains a human torso, but limbs are replaced by tentacles. Moves quickly and is extremely aggressive (similar to █████ primary infected individuals).

Type B: Huge in size (approximately 2.4 meters tall), covered in hardened biological armor, suspected to be a resurrected instance of an ancient "giant monster".

This variant is extremely resistant to conventional bullets, and high-temperature weapons (flamethrowers, incendiary bombs) can effectively suppress its movement.

47 casualties.

Conclusion and Countermeasures

1. The emerging variants have posed a BOW spread crisis, and the Level 4 biochemical control protocol must be immediately activated.

2. Permanently block the entrance to the underground ruins and bury them with permanent fortifications.

3. Re-evaluate the scientific research value and risk ratio of the Dubai Underground Ruins, and give priority to ensuring that the █████ Project is not disturbed.

Looking at this action report that revealed something fishy between the lines, Jiang Bing felt that the waters of this world were really deep.

The Progenitor Virus, the Abyss Virus, the Plaka Parasite, and the Fungus Master, none of these four primitive viruses that exist in nature are simple.

Jiang Bing really didn't expect that there were so many secrets hidden beneath the Dubai Royal City.

After pulling out the portable data board and downloading all the research data that could be found in the database, the group set off again.

With the topographic map of the base, the speed of advancement was significantly increased this time.

This place originally belonged to the inner area of ​​Dubai Yawang City, but it had long been occupied by outsiders. Along the way, Jiang Bing not only saw equipment with the logo of Sanlian Company, but also saw the logo of the bankrupt Umbrella Company.

The latter's equipment were all bulky items from the last century, and each one was in a dilapidated state.

The Dubai Dynasty was once glorious for a period of time, and its ancestors were also wealthy. From the various giant sculptures along the way, a large number of ingeniously structured buildings, interior murals and decorations, we can get a glimpse of the glory of this empire in those days.

Especially when everyone walked out of the building and passed through an open-air passage, they unexpectedly discovered that they could overlook most of the lost ancient city from their current position. Everyone felt inexplicably shocked and couldn't help but stop to appreciate this once prosperous and glorious ancient city.

The product of the combination of time and civilization is incomparable to any other art.

But soon, many tiny crawling sounds were heard from under everyone's feet, attracting everyone's attention.

"clang"

The metal ventilation duct at the back of the passage fell to the ground, and several skinless beasts with sharp claws crawled out from it.

"It's a licker!" Xiewa immediately shouted a warning.

But because of her voice, the licker, who had no eyes but was extremely sensitive to sound, instantly locked onto her position, exerted force on his limbs, and jumped directly from the ground like a frog, crawled backwards a few steps on the ceiling, and leaped down towards Sheva.

Chapter 299 Lickers and Hyenas

In the air, the Licker has already raised its sharp bone claws that are several dozen centimeters long, waiting to tear the target's flesh and blood apart.

However, what greeted it was not soft and delicious flesh, but a roaring chainsaw sword.

Feiying raised his chainsaw sword high and met the opponent's attack from a distance. With the help of the forward momentum of the opponent's jump, he successfully used the chainsaw sword in his hand to smoothly cut the opponent into two.

But as the two clashed, the Licker's sharp claws had already scratched a shallow dent on the chest of his power armor in his desperate struggle.

Although there was only a trace so tiny that it was almost inaudible, this was the first time that the defense of the world [Heat Death Type 1] was broken.

As louder noises came from the ventilation duct in front, more Lickers crawled out from the front and rear ventilation holes.

Needless to say, this batch of B·O·W is what Wesker calls the "surprise".

There was no other possibility, and gunfire suddenly broke out in the passage.

The 12 apostles quickly changed their formation, blocking the opponent's offensive space one after another.

The Licker bounced up and down to avoid some of the bullets, and rushed to the front of the crowd in the hail of bullets, suddenly ejected its sharp tongue, and then returned empty-handed in front of the thick armor of [Heat Death-1 Type].

The tongue, long enough to penetrate the human body, seems weak in front of steel.

The powerful firepower blocked the Lickers in front of the crowd, but these biochemical "Spider-Men" that can crawl freely on the walls are not like other B·O·Ws. They are rare all-terrain combat biological weapons.

Several lickers suddenly climbed up from the walls on both sides, clinging to the edge of the passage, roaring and screaming at everyone, their exposed brains were particularly disgusting.

"careful!"

A fishy tongue suddenly popped out from the licker's mouth, piercing the BSAA female sniper Cat's Eye with a fishy wind, who had no time to react.

But the next moment, this deadly 'flesh spear' was cut off by a staff sword.

Jiang Bing drew his sword, not wanting to have any contact with these virus-ridden creatures.

The armors of the 'Apostles' were all fully covered. Before the armors were damaged, there was no risk of infection at all. However, before [Power-Chiyou] was deployed, he was practically running naked.

He didn't want to use his own body to test whether he could resist the invasion of the T virus.

Fortunately, although the Licker is known for its strong jumping ability and speed, it is still not good enough when facing Jiang Bingshi.

Jiang Bing held the staff sword in one hand and chopped it down easily and comfortably, but the result was even more terrifying than that of a chainsaw sword.

The tongue-severed Licker leaped up in a bloodthirsty frenzy triggered by the pain, and as if arriving first after being attacked later, he collided with the staff sword swung by Jiang Bing, and was easily cut into two even halves, falling off the cliff on the side of the passage.

Chris didn't have so many concerns. He quickly predicted and dodged a licker's 'wet kiss invitation', and when the other party withdrew his tongue, he shot the other party's exposed brain with a precise shot.

The bullet penetrated the opponent's brain, but the damage it caused was not painful. Although the brain of the licker modified by Sanlian Company was exposed, it was not an absolutely vital point.

The heart underneath it is the main thing.

"go ahead"

Fighting against the Lickers in this three-dimensional terrain was undoubtedly a matter of using short attacks to gain long ones. Several apostles cleared the way and rushed into the passage against the advancing Lickers. Without any threat from the sides, attacks from the left and right alone would not threaten the unarmored crowd at all.

This group of lickers were like hyenas on the African grasslands. They surrounded and harassed everyone for a while, but when they saw that there was no opportunity to take advantage of them, they suddenly retreated, which was uncharacteristic of them.

You know, the biochemical monsters' heads are filled with desire for flesh and blood, and there is no such thing as fear or terror at all.

Unless they are driven by someone.

Following the instructions on the map, the group made many twists and turns and soon arrived at a stone door.

The stone door was surprisingly large, with a total height of six or seven meters. It was made entirely of rock and looked very heavy. Chris walked forward and pushed the door, then bumped it with his shoulder, but the stone door did not move at all.

It seems that this door is not prepared for ordinary people.