The Black Knight stepped out after stas.h.i.+ng the image into the drawer of the table.

After that, another four Basilisk patterns were printed. They were the “Reaper”, “Shaker”, “Filth”, and “Flame”.

Each one of these images was put away into their respective drawers in the table, each drawer contained only one image.

“X, we can begin the experiment now.”

Inside the laboratory, Chen Chen stood outside the quarantine zone with his arms folded and silently gazed inside the observation window.

“Copy that, dispatching research staff now. Grade Delta researcher codename 'D00189' has arrived at the experimental base.”

X-111's (Spire Experimental Base artificial intelligence, one of the copies of Little X) voice was that of a little girl that carried an icy and mechanical quality. Immediately after X-111's quick announcement, the side entrance to the quarantine zone suddenly shuffled open. A black man in his mid-thirties stepped in with a puzzled expression on his face.

As he was one of the Delta level researchers of G.o.d's Forbidden Zone, he wore a research uniform of Delta level researchers. It was overall made with special-crafted fiber which kept the wearer warm and absorbed sweat. Its structure was also extremely resilient.

It was a gray uniform with many white stripes laid out horizontally across it and a large alphabet “D” was placed on the chest section of the uniform.

There was a metal hoop crafted with tungsten alloy strapped around the man's neck. The width of the hoop was less than two centimeters, but its toughness and hardness were several times higher than that of t.i.tanium alloy.

The hoop was wrapped with a layer of velvet, which allowed the researchers to make any movements without feeling hindered by the device.

These metal hoops were the rightful badge of Delta level researchers. There was a liquid-crystal display on the ring displaying the codename of its wearer. It was also fitted with an electric shock device and anesthesia device. If the researcher disobeyed orders given, the electric shock device would force the researcher.

The anesthesia device made it possible to easily subdue researchers without hurting them.

There was also a GPS built into the metal hoop so even if a researcher went missing from the Spire laboratory, it would be easy to locate the missing member.

Finally, there was a self-destruct mechanism in the metal hoop. It would be triggered in the event that the metal hoop became damaged, whether it was done at high temperature, with a water jet or other forced methods. Its self-destruction would effectively kill the researcher wearing it as well.

At the present, the Ovambo[1] man surveyed the laboratory curiously. He was slightly restless, but not to the point of being in a state of panic. After all, members like him had been well treated for their entire stay here. In addition to the routine physical examinations, there was also a gym set up for them.

Compared to the outside world, this place was almost heaven on Earth, only minus the access to women and freedom.

At last, the man fixed his eyes onto the observation window toward Chen Chen's direction.

This was not his first time being questioned. He approached the observation window and gently grazed it with his hand. From where he stood, he could only see the reflection on the clear mirror, unable to see Chen Chen standing behind the window.

“Excuse me, can I know what department this is? Am I going to be questioned here?”

After inspecting the mirror for a brief moment, the black man suddenly spoke.

“It's not any department. Our company signed a Convict Reallocation Act with the Namibian government, so you're now partic.i.p.ating as an experiment subject.”

Chen Chen held the voice b.u.t.ton to transmit his voice into the quarantine zone through the microphone. “It's the contract that you signed previously. If you cooperate with us in this experiment, you have a chance to receive a reduced sentence.”

When the man heard this, he nodded half-suspiciously and moved to the only table in the quarantine zone. “In that case, officer, in what way can I cooperate with you guys?”

“There's a picture in the rightmost drawer. I need you to take it out.”

Chen Chen gave a short reminder. “Please note that the picture is positioned upside down. You must make sure it stays that way when you pick it up, no peeking. I'll give you further instructions after you do this.”

“Got it.”

The man shrugged and proceeded to yank open the drawer. After he placed the upside-down picture on the table, he put his hands in the air. “Officer, I've done as you asked.”

“Great job.”

Chen Chen said contentedly, “Next, I need you to answer several questions. First question, 189, has there been any genetic history of epilepsy or mental illness in your family?”

“No.”

“Have you ever experienced brain trauma or performed craniotomy?”

“Never.”

“Do you have any heart, liver or other kidney-related diseases?”

“None at all.”

The man frowned a little and stretched his hands out. “I swear, my body is very healthy and I have no underlying illnesses!”

“Alright. Next, I need you to flip over the picture on the table.”

Upon hearing this, the man flipped it over with mild irritation while also instinctively stealing a glance at its contents.

With just a glance, his pupils suddenly expanded rapidly like he had a spell cast on him, holding him in place.

“189?”

Chen Chen asked, “Can you hear me?”

However, this did not generate a response from the man. His head slowly dropped downward until he eventually lost his balance and fell on his back on the cold hard floor.

“His pulse has stopped.”

Little X informed. At the same time, a Black Knight stepped into the quarantine zone and squatted to feel for the person's breath. The Black Knight only felt a tiny whiff of air flowing out of the man's nasal cavity, which was followed by what was eternal stillness.

There was only air pouring out of the Ovambo man, but none flowing the other way around.

“He's dead.”

After performing a series of routine inspections, Little X informed, “The brain wave activity in D00189 has been terminated along with his brain functionality. His heart has ceased to function as well. Even if we try to rescue him now, he can only be sustained in a vegetative state at best. In medical terms, he can be proclaimed as dead.”

“It seems like there's no problem with the Basilisk picture itself.”

Chen Chen nodded. “Then, let's begin the next experiment. Get the fire extinguishers ready. We're going to try with 'Flame'…”

After that, the Black Knight promptly got rid of the body of the first Delta grade research member before bringing in the next one.

Chen Chen performed experiments on each Basilisk picture.

The outcome of the experiments went just as they were expected to. After the research member looked at the picture named “Flame”, he immediately burst into flames. Furthermore, Chen Chen realized that the flames stemmed from inside the body of the subject. No matter how quickly they tried to put out the flames, there was no way for them to save the subject.

“Shaker” went just about as he expected as well. The subject who looked at the shaker image immediately suffered a symptom similar to being electrocuted. His body was trembling all over and he would shriek horribly in between his trembling.

The rate of this trembling effect was so volatile that it caused the subject to quickly experience symptoms of dehydration. Even after he was strapped onto a stretcher and had tranquilizers injected, the trembling still refused to stop. The nature of this symptom was a completely physical one. The subject died in the end due to exhaustion.

The subject who saw the “Reaper” image did not display any visible symptoms initially. It was only after Chen Chen asked what it was that he saw when the effect was triggered, which resulted in the subject dying immediately. It was an effect similar to the “Eye”.

The strangest one had to be the picture known as “Filth”.

[1] A South-African ethnic group