"Report, we've reached the bottom of the experimental subject. Please indicate the next step."
Noel came to report on the work. The entire nest had been dug out, becoming collapsed and flat, with a thick layer of flour covering its surface, just like a pie waiting to be baked.
From the crimson nest beneath the flour layer, tremors and hissing sounds emanated intermittently—the sounds of Hastar.
"Good. Now confirm whether this can be moved. Develop a plan for attempting a relocation."
"Yes, sir."
Benjamin nodded.
The plan was half successful. If the nest couldn't be moved, another method would have to be used.
He felt like he'd forgotten something after a long day.
Thinking back, he took a few steps closer to the nest, pulled out the monitor, and turned it on.
The screen flickered a few times, then the image gradually became clear.
The right half of the screen was blocked by the red inner wall, and only the left half of the lens captured the scene inside the nest.
The camera had clearly fallen to the ground.
Through the left-hand screen, on the filthy, crimson ground, was a circle of flour less than a meter in diameter—just big enough for one person to stand in.
A foot-wide opening was missing from the flour circle, and no one was inside.
The flour at the opening fanned outwards, seemingly created by someone crawling outwards.
Benjamin noticed the remaining fragments of flesh, blood, and bones on the ground, which clearly belonged to more than one person.
"What happened?"
Benjamin tentatively asked a question to the monitor.
Hiss~, hoo!
The monitor showed that the inner wall of the nest's edge suddenly began to writhe.
A fleshy, mangled figure, fused with the fleshy wall, struggled to lift its rotting head.
Benjamin was genuinely worried that if it lifted its head any further, it would detach from its neck; the decay was simply too severe.
"Raghaf...for the sake of friendship...please kill me!"
Vinayak's hoarse voice came from the rotting body.
"I left enough flour, how come you all died so quickly?"
"Hiss! It was infighting."
Vinayak roared angrily.
"Those two thought the flour circle for three people was too big, and the flour was limited. They didn't know when you would be back."
"ShaHu said that he had attended school for a year, and that if the diameter of a circle is reduced by half, it can save half the flour, which meant doubling his survival time."
"He and Hakob together pushed me out."
Vinayak laughed mockingly as he said this.
"Hahaha, do you know what happened next?"
"While Shahu was drawing the circle, Hakob pushed him out too."
"Shahu's hand was injured and he couldn't resist Hakob at all, but Shahu pulled away the flour bag..."
"After Hastar bit me, he tore Shahu to pieces. Hakob had no flour to resist Hastar and was also torn to pieces."
Vinayak finished speaking and cried out in agony, trembling.
"Save me, Raghaf, there's still hope for me… Give me some food, I'm so hungry. You have endless wealth, all I need is a little food… I need to eat…"
Vinayak screamed madly, his voice hoarse with rage:
"Yes, you damned coward, thief, villain, you didn't even have the guts to come in! Come on, kill me… please~!"
He continued his frantic screams, expressing his agony.
"Sleep, Hastar is coming for you!"
Benjamin softly uttered these words.
In the movie, this phrase was specifically used against undead bitten by Hastar.
Saying these words would put the rotting undead to sleep.
As soon as the words were spoken, Vinayak fell into a deep sleep, snoring softly.
"Human nature is truly terrifying!"
Benjamin silently turned off the monitor.
Although he wouldn't specifically rescue these three, he didn't intend to kill them completely either.
If they could hold out for two more days, they might have a glimmer of hope when the subsequent plans unfolded.
If they were lucky enough to survive, Benjamin would be willing to offer them salvation. Unfortunately, they perished together within just a few hours.
As the saying goes, survival of the fittest. Those who can't endure deserve no pity!
He had already died once, barely managing to gain a foothold, a feat fraught with hardship. He had no right to pity others yet.
Inside the sinkhole of the temple, a group of soldiers were using shovels to dig a tunnel beneath the experimental subject.
"What is this…!"
"Is it its tail?"
"No, this looks like an excretory passage. Does this thing need this function?"
...
The soldiers were digging horizontally in the middle of the tunnel, intending to create a cross-shaped tunnel at the bottom of the experimental subject.
After only a few digs, they unearthed a three-meter-thick strip of flesh, resembling an intestine, its upper end connected to the experimental subject, the lower end buried at an unknown depth.
Benjamin stepped forward to examine the situation closely.
The connection between the pipe and Hastar's nest was solid, which meant that Hastar could not burrow out from this spot.
He tried placing his hand on it, activating his absorption ability, but there was no reaction.
He couldn't absorb anything.
"Keep digging, see how deep it is," Benjamin said coldly.
He only intended to waste another hour, and if the result was still uncertain, he would implement the second plan.
The soldiers, upon hearing the order, continued digging in shifts.
A staff officer hurried over.
"Commander, the 255th Tank Brigade you dispatched will arrive in 10 minutes."
"Excellent!"
"Once the tank brigade arrives, surround the entire temple. All gun barrels are aimed at the sinkhole. If any unexpected situation arises, open fire immediately."
Benjamin stepped out of the tunnel and issued the order.
Meanwhile,
In the Pune Government Building, inside the office of Minister of the Viceroy of British India.
Viceroy Darren Frey, his face flushed red, was roaring, veins bulging on his neck. Surrounded by a group of silent government officials.
"That damned Camille, that warmonger should be hanged! What is he trying to do? Where are the intelligence? Where is the information?"
"Oh my god, look at this… damn it! 152 Shenier M4A4 tanks, all fully loaded and armed!"
"Has he gone mad? What other enemies are around?"
"Is he going to attack a Fadrean colony? Does he want to start another war between the two countries?"
Viceroy Darren was furious. This was the final year of his five-year term.
He was currently running for re-election, and if something happened at this crucial moment, his campaign would be severely affected.
This Camille had never supported his "divided line" policy, and they had irreconcilable differences on political views.
Now, without submitting an application to the domestic government cabinet, he had directly mobilized armored troops, their destination unknown.
"What are you all standing around for? Call Camille right now, find out exactly what this bastard is up to, and get the troops back immediately!"
Viceroy Darren roared at the crowd.
Several officials, spurred on by the outburst, rushed to the phone, frantically handing over the receiver and dialing.
...
"Commander, an urgent telegram from the Viceroy's office, asking what we're doing, saying..."
A staff officer approached Benjamin, stammering halfway through his sentence.
"Says what? Speak freely!"
Benjamin asked calmly, seemingly unconcerned.
"He says that if you don't immediately withdraw the tank brigade, he'll protest to the cabinet and send you to a military court."
The staff officer said somewhat helplessly.
Being caught in the middle relaying messages between the two high-ranking officials was far too provocative.
"Alright, tell him it's just an exercise, a training sprint. We'll just circle around Tumbbad village. I'll go find him in a bit."
Benjamin waved his hand, signaling the staff officer to go and relay the message.
He didn't consider himself a violent person, and he believed that resolving matters peacefully and through negotiation was the best approach.
Unfortunately, some people were oblivious, mistaking gentle methods for compromise and forcing him to use violence.
Take Hastar as an example. If it were willing to communicate and willingly die to complete the mission, it would be so much easier.
But it insisted on staying in its lair, attacking anyone it could, showing no intention of negotiation whatsoever.
And that young soldier, Cooper Huck, I already said I would tell him about the Tumbbad's treasure.
I already told him the whole truth and even showed it to him enthusiastically, but he wanted to shoot me.
And then there was Commander Camille. I gave him a box of gold, asking to borrow some troops from him, and promised to give the soldiers generous rewards afterward.
But the old man not only refused but also confiscated the gold and planned to have me executed.
I was absolutely a gentle and refined person; it was these people who were forcing me to use violence!
Yes, that's it!
Benjamin nodded to himself.