Plague Doctor

How did the Fat Zoog survive? Even though it had been almost a day since then, the Zoog who was named Babyfat was still shivering when he was asked to repeat the encounter. He did not even show much appetite at the chicken thighs offered him. "It was because of my speed and intelligence. I used words to confuse the monster and while it was confounded, I whipped around and leaped over the river. When I looked back, there was nothing there." 

Gu Jun took Babyfat's words to mean that the Black Billy Goat did not give chase at all. The video recorded by Babyfat verified that. The Zoog was not attacked during his escape. 

They took a private jet to hurry to Eastern State. When they arrived at a temporary camp near the forest in question, it was already noon the next day. So why was Babyfat spared? Wu Siyu had an idea, "Was it possible that since all of the Black Billy Goat's mouths were full so it did not go after a new prey?" That was possible… In the camera, each of the mouths was already munching on a dead body. But Gu Jun thought the chance of that wasn't big. Even though the Zoog was sizable, it could still fit quite easily into the Black Billy Goat's giant mouths. 

Then could this Black Billy Goat be a trap? Gu Jun did not think that was the case either. Unlike Byakee or nightgaunts, this abnormal creature did not feel like it could be controlled by others… 

When Babyfat came back with the news, Eastern State Phecda, instantly worked with many government bodies to lock down the forest. They also sent out drones to circulate the skies. When the drones arrived at the scene, other than some sticky liquid and blood on the ground, nothing was out of place. No live member had entered the forest yet. The thing did not know how to fly or dig underground, there was no channel that led to Dreamlands or other worlds, so it was still inside the forest, waiting to be found. However, the forest was quite large. 15 days might not be enough to locate and capture it. The Action Department tried to use hunting hounds to track the scent from Babyfat. However, the hounds refused to budge once they were 100 metres from Babyfat. When they were dragged to Babyfat's side, they shivered in fear and shut down. This was the same for wolves and even tigers. The lingering presence of the Black Billy Goat was horrifying for normal beasts. 

"Babyfat." Inside the camp, Gu Jun gestured at the Fat Zoog. "Now, you are the one who is the most familiar with the Black Billy Goat's smell. We need you to find it again. When you do that, you'll be awarded another great merit." 

Babyfat's chicken thigh dropped to the ground. He glanced at Lucky and then at the humans. "What about my previous reward?" Babyfat slammed to table to demand, "I want to have it now…" Lucky silently praised the Zoog. In a few more days, Babyfat might not be alive to enjoy his rewards anymore. 

"Based on what I know, the rewards are all given at the end of the mission." Gu Jun answered, "As long as this incident is not over, Phecda will not give out any reward." 

"If it is me…" Wu Siyu grumbled, "I will ask for the longest holiday possible." 

Babyfat was stunned. He wished to cry but there were no tears. He confirmed once more that the Zoogs were tricked by the humans. Even though Babyfat was very unwilling, he was dragged on the journey. He led the Zoogs around Eastern State to help the Phecda members narrow down the siege circle. Gu Jun's group headed towards Eastern State University to check up on the first abnormal baby. 

That afternoon, Yu Chi, Feng Peiqian, Chen Ziyuan and the others came from Mysterium World to Eastern State. Even after comparing the timelines of both worlds, the first abnormal baby was still the one at Eastern State. Things were equally pessimistic at Mysterium World. Mysterium World averaged 380000 newborns each day, the ratio of abnormal babies was about 1 to 10. The ratio of positive, negative and stabilizing selection was similar to Phecda World. In other words, the scale of tragedy was similar for both worlds. This agitated Yu Chi greatly. Every second a new baby was born and every second, a new abnormal baby could be born. The same worry tightened itself around Gu Jun's heart as well. 

Ever since the news broke, at least Gu Jun and Wu Siyu had a small respite on the plane but Yu Chi had not had a moment's rest. He was carrying dark eye shadows and his beard was unkempt. His specialty was archaeology, even if he tore open his mind, he was not going to understand this creature.

"Siyu, how is everything?" When Yu Chi's group arrived at the base's first floor, Yu Chi caught Wu Siyu at the lobby and asked hurriedly. Temporarily all the abnormal babies at Eastern State had been transferred here. Their parents were temporarily quarantined. They were given several hours a day to check on their babies. 

"Dirty-minded Jun has been inside for a long time already." Wu Siyu explained, "He seems to discover something but can't put his fingers on it. He chased us out so he could be more focused." Other than that, as per Gu Jun's request, Deng Ximei was being transferred over from Da Hwa City. This whole incident appeared to be related to the foreign world. 

Through the nursery window, Yu Chi saw that Gu Jun was standing quietly before an incubator. 

Gu Jun indeed sensed the presence from the foreign world at this place, he did the moment he entered the nursery….

He studied Baby Liu. He was only alive for one day. He was swaddled inside the blanket. His eyes were still closed and he was sleeping peacefully.

'This baby…' Gu Jun frowned, why does he feel so familiar? It was like what he felt when he first laid eyes on Deng Ximei. There were 23 abnormal babies inside this nursery but only this one gave him that feeling.

Eastern State, Afterlife Cult, foreign world, the Goddess of Life, Shub-Niggurath…

Gu Jun opened the incubator and slowly reached his hands forward. His fingers touched the baby's soft skin. At that moment, a powerful torrent ravaged his mind.