Under a sky thick with dark clouds, Chen Zhe, Lin Qifeng, and Yu Qiang stepped into the outskirts of a town that had been contaminated by nuclear pollution for years. The abandoned buildings lay in ruins, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of decay, as if all life had long been swallowed by an unfeeling force.
"This place is a real ghost town," Chen Zhe broke the silence with a hint of mockery in his voice, "If there were ghosts, they'd probably be scared away too."
Lin Qifeng shot him a cold glance, "Be careful, the radiation levels here aren't low."
Yu Qiang remained silent, walking behind them with his eyes warily scanning the surroundings.
They entered a narrow alleyway, the walls on either side covered in cracked and peeling paint. Suddenly, a low growl echoed from ahead, sounding like some kind of beast. Instantly alert, the three exchanged glances, readying themselves for the danger ahead.
"Looks like we're in for some trouble," Chen Zhe said softly, though a smile played on his lips. He raised his hand, his fingertips glowing faintly.
At that moment, several twisted mutants emerged from the shadows, their bodies deformed by nuclear pollution, eyes burning with savage intent.
"Reverse Flow Phantom!" Chen Zhe shouted, and time seemed to warp around him. The mutants' movements slowed as if trapped in invisible mud.
"Black Double Void." Lin Qifeng swiftly attacked, two long black whips sprang from his side, striking from the left and right. The whips sliced through the air, precisely hitting the mutants and smashing them against the walls.
Yu Qiang stood behind, his eyes flashing coldly. "Swift Meteor." With a wave of his hand, hundreds of tiny metal shards, gleaming like stars, shot out, piercing the mutants' bodies and pinning them to the ground.
"Nice work," Chen Zhe clapped, "These guys weren't too tough after all."
Lin Qifeng nodded slightly but remained serious, "Don't get complacent, this is just the beginning."
Yu Qiang glanced at the twitching mutants, "Let's keep moving. We have a long way to go."
As they ventured deeper into the core of the gene research facility, the decrepit corridors and rooms revealed more secrets and horrors. The lights on the walls had nearly all gone out, with only occasional flickers casting eerie shadows. The doors along the hallway had been corroded by time, some even collapsed, making passage more difficult.
"This place looks like a scene from a forgotten horror movie," Chen Zhe muttered, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.
Lin Qifeng's gaze swept over the ruins and remaining equipment, "We need to stay alert until we find our target."
Yu Qiang nodded silently, ready for any sudden attacks.
They came to a spacious laboratory filled with the heavy smell of chemicals and decay. Large lab tables were cluttered with unknown equipment and test tubes, while dim screens and notebooks lay scattered.
"This must have been a high-level genetic research lab," Lin Qifeng said quietly, "We need to find the key clues."
Chen Zhe approached an old computer, attempting to power it up. "Hopefully there's some data left."
Lin Qifeng continued searching, his eyes landing on a disorganized pile of files. "These documents might tell us something."
Yu Qiang focused on examining the various devices and pipes, trying to decipher their functions.
Suddenly, a faint sound came from a corner of the lab, like someone whispering. The three immediately became alert, cautiously moving towards the sound.
At the end of the hallway, they found a half-open door with a faint light shining through the crack.
"Over there, someone's inside," Chen Zhe pointed. They could feel the tension and anticipation mounting.
Lin Qifeng gripped his whip, "Be ready, we don't know what's in there."
Yu Qiang spoke in a low voice, "Let's check it out."
The three moved together towards the door. Inside was another lab, dimly lit, with a figure moving in the depths of the room.
"Who are you?" a voice asked, trembling with a mix of fear and hope.
"We're here to investigate," Lin Qifeng replied calmly, "Who are you?"
"I... I'm one of the researchers here," the voice trembled, "You... you shouldn't be here. It's dangerous."
Chen Zhe stepped forward, "Tell us what happened here."
The researcher was silent for a moment before speaking, voice shaking, "Our experiments went out of control. The mutated test subjects escaped... they turned into those... those mutants..."
The three exchanged looks, realizing the horror and secrets hidden within this abandoned genetic research facility. Their mission was not just to investigate but to uncover the truth behind this apocalyptic wasteland.
"What is your connection to the Foundation?" Lin Qifeng asked.
The researcher paled further, his eyes filled with fear and unease. "We... we have ties with the Liberation Foundation. They funded our research, hoping to create super soldiers through genetic modification..."
Lin Qifeng's brow furrowed, "Super soldiers? Are these mutants your attempts at creation?"
The researcher continued, his voice shaking, "Yes, but the experiment went wrong. We lost control of the subjects. They became violent and deformed, uncontrollable... They either became empowered or turned into mutants..."
The researcher paused and added, "The Liberation Foundation conducts such experiments worldwide... leading to over a million people possessing these abilities..."
Chen Zhe sneered, "You scientists always think you can play god."
Yu Qiang asked in a deep voice, "What is the Liberation Foundation? Why are they interested in such research?"
The researcher swallowed hard, continuing to tremble, "The Liberation Foundation is a secret organization dedicated to exploring and utilizing abnormal abilities, hoping to win the war from a hundred years ago... They provided funding and technical support for these high-risk experiments..."
Lin Qifeng's eyes flashed with anger, "They are not just sponsors; they are the masterminds."
"And now they're surely sending cleanup teams," Chen Zhe calmly assessed the situation, "We need to get out and expose these crimes."
Suddenly, heavy footsteps and growls echoed from the hallway, signaling more mutants approaching. The researcher turned even paler, "They're coming. They won't let us leave."
Lin Qifeng made a quick decision, "We have no time to think. We must find an exit."
Yu Qiang gripped his metal shards, ready for an attack.
The three stood together, ready for the upcoming battle. Their enemies were not just the out-of-control subjects but the dark forces orchestrating everything. In the ruins of this genetic research facility, their fate and the future of this post-apocalyptic world were tightly intertwined.