Chapter 762: Samples, [Mechid Crystal] and [Mechid Latcher] (1/2)

Day 160 - 5:32 PM - Riverside, Agos River, Base of Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Province of Quezon

While Mark held the cracked capsule containing the radioactive green crystal, the [PsyCrystal] began to glow.

Mark could not help but stare at the crystal embedded on his right wrist, trying to comprehend what was going on.

Of course, this was not the first instance that the [PsyCrystal] glowed.

The first reoccurring time was when the [PsyCrystal] was creating a [Mental Crystal] yearly ever since Mark got it.

The second time was when the [PsyCrystal] reacted to a pair of [Mutagen Stone] creating the first [Physical Crystal] that fell unto Mark's possession.

The third time was when there was a heavy concentration of paranormal energy in the surroundings that the [PsyCrystal] could absorb.

This situation was the fourth and new instance that the [PsyCrystal] released this kind of glow.

And this glow should indicate that the [PsyCrystal] wanted to absorb this radioactive crystal.

At this point, Mark started to gather and put the pieces of the puzzle.

[PsyPathogen] from Eriellis and [Mutagen] on Earth. The [PsyCrystal] reacted the same to both pathogens with the very same origination.

And right now, the [PsyCrystal] was giving out the same reaction to this radioactive green crystal.

Mark looked at the capsule and then to the dead body of the half-robot half-organic creature.

”So... This is a concentration of the [Mechid Pathogen]?”

Mark surmised.

However, why was a concentration of the pathogen inside this battery-like capsule? It was also placed in a compartment filled with wirings. Anyone that saw this could tell that it was some sort of power source.

”No, that's definitely it...”

Mark murmured.

As strange it might be, it was not that surprising.

Weaponizing a virus or pathogen was not a new concept. Not to mention using these things as tools.

Even in Eriellis, Freed and Keeper used the [Mental Crystals] as the power source to the things they called [PsyWeapons]. The [Crystal Converter] that Mark managed to recreate was one of such things.

Here on Earth, the scientists were also trying to use [Mutagen Stones] for scientific purposes. For example, the [Regeneration Medicine] from the already destroyed Real Military Settlement.

This capsule that Mark found might be created by the survivors in CS-11, trying to harness this crystal as a power source. And by the looks of it, they succeeded.

Mark stepped back, looking at the space debris in front of him.

”This might be a broken part of a space pod or something.”

It was a reasonable assumption. There was no way that a small compartment like this would be a power station of a big spaceship. It was even more impossible for it to become the artificial planet's main power grid.

Unfortunately, Mark could only assume. The hollow interior of the space debris in front of him was mangled to an unrecognizable degree. Even the compartment where the capsule was installed would be hard to find if Mark did not melt it off.

While Mark was thinking, the glow that the [PsyCrystal] exuded blinked several times.

”It's getting impatient...” Mark sighed. ”Alright. Here you go.”

Mark them shattered the capsule. The green crystal inside then flew towards the [PsyCrystal] and was absorbed into it.

That scene made Mark even more sure that the green crystal might be a high concentration of the [Mechid Pathogen]. It was absorbed into the [PsyCrystal] without resistance, pretty much like a [Mutagen Stone].

After absorbing the crystal, the light on the [PsyCrystal] waned and brightened at fixed intervals. Without a doubt, it was doing something to the green crystal.

In any case, Mark could only shrug. As time went by, the [PsyCrystal] was getting more and more complex. Even back in Eriellis, it was showing faint signs of sentience. It was rather strange since even Keeper, the person that created the [PsyCrystal] with her Psychic Ability, did not know why or how it happened. She just knew that it seemed to have a mind of its own, even capable of choosing its master.

Well, it was not like it was the only time Mark saw a crystal that had sentience. Both the [Oracle] ability of the tribe's elder and the [Stormcaller Crystal] from the King of Merpeople seemed capable of choosing their owners.

In any case, the dead were already roaming the Earth. There were also the magical races. And now, the mechanical zombies appeared. It was not strange to see a magical ability choosing its owner.

”It looks like it will take time.”

Mark said, watching the [PsyCrystal]. It gave out the same feeling when it absorbed the demon in Cebu several days ago.

”I wonder if this thing had a crystal.”

Mark turned to the dead body. Nonetheless, he was also skeptical, even though he was the one that said it. The [PsyCrystal] did not react to the dead body, after all.

At this point, Mark was already thinking of going home. It was almost dark already. It was enough scouting for today, considering he got a good find.

However, Mark frowned as he suddenly turned his head to the side.

It was a feeling as if someone or something was watching him. As someone with heightened senses, Mark knew that there was no mistaking it. However, he could not detect anything, well, anything alive.

Mark was already thinking that it was an [Infected]. After all, Mark could not detect them unless they were highly mutated and started to form consciousness or if they were [Monarch Types].

As Mark got ready to fight, a shadow rushed at him from behind.