Plague Doctor

When the tank was 64 metres into the cave, it suddenly lost signal. Even though the camera was blurred out by the white liquid, the signal was stable. But suddenly, the monitor died. It was as if the tank had crossed the line to enter a no-signal zone. The technicians tried everything but could not rebuild the signal. The cave was still as quiet as before. Facing this situation, the frontline did not have much choice. Considering the drone might have coincidentally broken down, the frontline sent the second tank into the cave but similarly it lost signal at 64 metres. Thus they could confirm that the signal would be lost after that mark. 

A third tank was sent in to collect samples of the tissue and liquid on the wall. It was placed into bottles and then immediately into isolated chambers once it was brought out from the cave. The tank did not cross the line so it was fine. Then it was time for the Mysterium Team to do something. Yu Chi volunteered. He summoned 3 nightgaunts. Thanks to his 3 mental pillars, mental corruption had little effect on him. And due to their connection, Gu Jun could see the mental state of all PM members. Yu Chi's face reddened as he summoned his mental energy. He commanded the 3 nightgaunts to fly into the cave in a formation where they were 3 metres from each other. 

"Be ready," Gu Jun said. Wu Siyu and Feng Peiqian readied to sign the ancient seal, no one knew what would happen next. There was a mental connection between nightgaunts and their summoner, they could influence each other. 

"Be careful, captain…" Feng Peiqian was worried. Sometimes the damage caused by summoned creatures could be very serious. As Yu Chi controlled the nightgaunts, he gave them updates about his feeling, "Life force is abundant inside the cave. It is like a big fireplace, many things are boiling. Am I a spore, or an animal? The life source, it is so fresh here…" No one understood him, Yu Chi barely understood himself. Soon Yu Chi's first nightgaunt reached the mark and then flew past it. Suddenly, Gu Jun saw Yu Chi's eyes reddened. Blood streams snapped. Yu Chi grabbed his head and screamed. Babyfat and the other Zoogs retreated further, yes, this scream, it was what they heard….

"Use the Ancient Seal now!" Gu Jun ordered. He signed the ancient seal with the rest of the PM Unit. The light glowed and the blood in Yu Chi's eyes slowly dimmed. 

"It's… no good. All 3 nightgaunts are dead…" Yu Chi said with difficulty. Gu Jun and the other Medical members rushed forward to inspect him. Yu Chi's heart rate was too high at 195 times per minute. His lips were purple. He was suffering from a lack of oxygen. Yu Chi was given the respirator and after a long time, he finally managed to speak again, "My third pillar has cracked…" The group was stunned. Yu Chi's third pillar was to witness the relic in the Qin Dynasty tomb, which was a very firm desire.

"The twisted energy inside there… Captain Gu, it's even more dangerous than the one inside the maze…" Yu Chi croaked. Gu Jun knew the maze in question was the underground altar at City of Angels. It was where Nyarlathotep appeared to them. He frowned. Looks like this Black Billy Goat was not a simple abnormal creature… it might carry some divinity with it. 

"I believe it's unwise to send anymore people in there." Gu Jun shared his thoughts with everyone present as well as the command central. The autopsy mission was a bond between Gu Jun and the City of Dusk, sky would not fall if he missed it. As long as the foundation was willing, Gu Jun would have other chances. Of course, the earlier he gained their help, the better. It would stop the dark forces from spreading. But… sending people into the cave would cause instant death. After Gu Jun shared his thoughts, he listened to others. 

Wu Siyu nodded with agreement, "Dirty-minded Jun's thoughts told me that one shouldn't ever go into places like this in a horror movie, blow it up."

'Wait a minute… Dirty-minded Jun's thoughts?' A question mark rose in Gu Jun's mind because he was indeed thinking that very thing. 

"Blow it up, we need to blow it up!" Feng Peiqian agreed too. She was afraid that Captain Yu might volunteer to enter the cave in person if they did not. Humans were braver than Zoogs. To blow such a precious thing up was wasteful to some. Lou Xiaoning volunteered to enter the cave, she was not afraid. But her offer was rejected. Everyone's life was important, especially since they were all elites. Back at the command central, Elder Tong left the decision to them, "The frontline knows this better than we do, we'll leave the decision to Ah Jun."

Gu Jun stared at the dark cave and narrowed his eyes. "Blow it up!" 

With the decision made, the frontline moved into action. Every human and Zoog retreated. The many cameras posted around the forest continued to record, the cave was still silent. 

"Run, quick!" Lucky summoned Babyfat and the other Zoogs. Lucky had seen many military documentaries, he knew how dangerous human explosives were. They would not want to be caught in the fray. When the frontline had retreated a safe distance away, they were already out of the woods. They had to look at the cave through the surveillance shots. The technician tried to trigger the explosives that were already in the previous 2 tanks. As expected, there was no response. 

Before they dropped the bombs, the frontline was ready for a possible counter attack by the Black Billy Goat. They were prepared with rocket launchers, missile launchers, and heavy artillery. The tanks, ancient seal stones, cleansing stones, everything was set. 

"Drop em bombs." Gu Jun gave the order. The bomber craft took off from the base carrying penetrating bombs. Its target was the location after the mark inside the cave. The giant penetrating bomb could drill for 60 metres underground before it exploded. It was used to destroy bunkers and underground bases.

Soon, following a loud explosion, all the surveillance monitors turned black. The birds flew away in panic. The mountain as well as people's hearts shook. The satellite sent in live pictures. The first missile hit the target. The woods became a sea of fire. A large crater was made out of the cave. At that moment, everyone heard the sound that the Zoogs described. It was horrifying, pitiable but also carried a trace of anger with it. 

"Keep on going! Keep the bombs coming!" Gu Jun shouted.

'Even if there are only broken bones left, I can still dissect them. If there is nothing that remains, then,' Gu Jun turned to study the shivering Zoogs… 'I'll have them look for more.'