I'm trapped in a block

Chapter 20 Anti-Cell

Stationmaster Liang sighed when he saw Li Luo's confused expression, and explained: "These are Theseus cells, and some people call them anti-cells."

Theseus cells?
  Anti-cell?
  what is this?
  Hearing the name, Li Luo picked up the electronic screen and started to search.

Mo Ling also quickly looked at the information on the screen.

……

Theseus cells.

This is a creature that was discovered only recently.

Why did it take so long to explore the abyss before discovering it?

Because it's so hidden.

It had always existed but had never been discovered, until something strange happened at Monitoring Station 7.

For a while, researchers discovered that in a certain area of ​​the abyss, the biological samples brought back by hunters all turned out to be the same species.

At first, the researchers thought the hunters were faking it and even produced evidence.

They think the hunters are fooling them.

But the hunters were not convinced, argued hard, and took out all their own image data.

In the video, these hunters did kill these creatures.

After discussion, they concluded that the sample had been transferred.

So I checked the monitoring at the monitoring station and found nothing unusual.

Later, they suspected that it was a relic phenomenon, but after a large-scale investigation, it was found that this area was extremely normal.

No one who used relics to cause trouble was found at the monitoring station.

The investigation stalled.

So the Seventh Monitoring Station dispatched a special team, including researchers and hunters.

Together they delved into the area and hunted several creatures.

These biological samples were sealed at all levels, watched under the noses of researchers, and transported from that area to the institute's microscope.

However, even so, the organisms detected were still the same species.

This strange phenomenon brought the investigation to a standstill.

Until a researcher discovered that even if it is the same kind of organism, the cells of individuals in this area are completely different from those of the same kind outside the area.

With the breakthrough point in mind, the researchers continued to study this area.

Finally figured out the reason for this strange phenomenon.

It's because of a type of cell.

It will imitate any kind of living thing, from birth to death, and the offspring produced normally in this process are also composed of this kind of cells.

That's why the organisms in that area all have this kind of cells.

There is nothing abnormal about the organisms composed of such cells. They should eat and drink and live a normal life.

They also cannot infect other normal organisms.

It's just that individuals composed of this kind of cells will be mixed in the population and gradually spread.

After producing offspring with a normal individual, this type of cells will appear in the body of the offspring.

Then, cell by cell, it replaces the normal cells in the individual.

Until this offspring individual is completely transformed into the living thing it is composed of.

When these cells are alive in an individual, even the most sophisticated instruments cannot tell the difference between them and normal cells.

They will not change back to their original form until they die.

After learning about this kind of cells, the monitoring station was in danger, and the researchers almost wanted to slice the entire population of the monitoring station. In the end, in order to prevent panic, the monitoring station took blood from everyone on the pretext of a general physical examination.

Fortunately, no one on the site has been replaced by such cells.

Because of this strange characteristic, the researchers named them Theseus cells.

All the cells of an organism are replaced with another type that can still perform all functions without affecting the organism's self-awareness.

So is it still the original creature?
  Theseus cells are harmless, which makes them highly concealable. This strange characteristic makes everyone feel scared.

When all members of a race are replaced, is that race considered extinct?
  If people of a race find that their entire race is composed of Theseus cells, their own population will continue only so that these cells can survive.

How desperate will they be?

Seeing this, Mo Ling felt chills all over his body.

He looked at the slowly moving cells on the screen that looked extremely normal, and suddenly he could understand why the researchers were panicking.

Stationmaster Liang walked to the screen with his back to Li Luo.

His tone was also trembling:
  "Theseus cells, some people call them anti-cells."

"You can imagine if one day, a world is filled with creatures composed of Theseus cells, and you, who only have normal cells, are discovered by them."

"They just grab you, study it, and come to a conclusion."

"You are an alien!"

When anti-cells dominate, normal cells become alien.

What will be right then? Why the opposite?
  Li Luo was so shocked that he couldn't speak and froze on the spot.

Stationmaster Liang comforted Li Luo: "Fortunately, this kind of cells can only spread among the population."

He stared at the screen, his face full of worry.

"Initially, some researchers planned to use this kind of cells to study drugs."

"We extracted these cells from newborn offspring that have not yet begun to be replaced."

"It can replace various organs, regenerate broken limbs, and even replace the brain."

"Do you know what this means?"

"Humans can use those relics with powerful abilities at no cost!"

"You should know about the 'enchanted pickaxe', right? That pickaxe can dig out the minerals you want anywhere. The cost of it is the user's hands."

"Theseus cells allow this relic to be used indefinitely!"

"However, the use of this kind of cells is still strictly prohibited. No one dares to bear the consequences of human beings being contaminated by Theseus cells."

Stationmaster Liang sighed.

"That area has also been sealed off, and now Theseus cells have actually appeared elsewhere."

At this time, Mo Ling realized that he had underestimated the seriousness of the matter.

Outside the sealed area, in the habitat of the Shock Beast, Theseus cells appeared!
  No wonder Station Master Liang confirmed it repeatedly when asking Li Luo.

"I will send people to re-explore the habitat of the shock beast. You should go back first." Station Commander Liang sighed tiredly: "I have to thank you, Li Luo, for discovering such a big hidden danger."

"It's ok."

After saying a simple goodbye to Station Commander Liang, Li Luo returned to the room, but she seemed to have not recovered from the information on Theseus Cells.

Mo Ling was full of doubts at this time.

The biological samples they brought back were obtained just after entering the valley.

Molin didn't see any difference between the red string worms in other shock beasts.

Moring didn't know exactly how many of the red string worms were composed of Theseus cells, but regardless, all the red string worms had dissipated.

However, why did Theseus cells, which never change biological habits, suddenly replace the red string worms and then cause large-scale infections that violate the rules?
  (End of this chapter)