C8 He Had Killed Him, Injured Him, and Infected Him.

"Intelligence: Follow the instructions precisely!"

As Urlan conversed with the system, the mutated black cat stirred once more.

"Intelligence: Step left and thrust the steel pipe at a 45-degree upward angle. Keep thrusting, no matter what happens, don't stop!"

Urlan followed the visual cues provided by the intelligence. Whenever he faltered, the system was quick to correct him.

The black cat lunged, but Urlan's steel pipe, as if anticipating its trajectory, pierced its underbelly.

In mid-air, the black cat was helpless to change course, frantically contorting its body!

"Come on, Urlan, you've got this! Don't give up!" someone cheered in the live stream.

"Puchi!"

The once blunt steel pipe tore through the black cat's abdomen. Urlan didn't hesitate, slamming the cat against the wall!

"Amazing, Feather God has done it! Who else among the trial challengers could take on an agility-type mutant in the Chaotic Space?"

"Who's next? That Moskieso brat, come see how it's done by your elder, Urlan!"

"If only Urlan's physical condition were a bit stronger, he'd be unstoppable!"

While the live stream viewers celebrated, the critically wounded black cat began a desperate struggle.

Shua! Shua! Shua!

Its claws raked Urlan's arm, leaving trails of blood.

This all unfolded in a flash. The audience, once jubilant over Urlan's victory, now watched in shock.

Though the wounds weren't lethal, one must remember that all mutated or zombified creatures carry the zombie virus.

A scratch could mean zombification, with only a minuscule chance of evolving into a new human.

According to native intelligence from this space, the odds were one in a million, virtually negligible.

After letting go of the steel pipe, the black cat collapsed, the pipe still embedded in its body.

The hollow center of the pipe acted as a channel, draining the cat's blood until it lay motionless on the floor.

"Intelligence: You've contracted the zombie virus. It is advised to ingest the black cat's blood. Since it's mutated but not zombified, it may contain antibodies. Consumption could trigger antibody formation in the host. The success rate is 20.53%."

"Heh, down to the decimals, huh?" Urlan swiftly finished off the black cat, hoisted its body, and resumed his climb to the 18th floor.

"Such a shame, Urlan was one of the most capable challengers. Just bad luck, I guess."

"Why is Urlan climbing again?"

"Maybe he doesn't want us to witness his transformation into a zombie."

"Could he be contemplating suicide?"

"Urlan, please don't! Believe in yourself, you'll make it through!"

"Stay strong, Urlan!"

In the chaotic office, silence reigned, punctuated only by sighs.

Urlan found a secluded spot, away from the camera's eye, and began to drink the blood spilled by the black cat.

Then, the system alerted him, "Intelligence: The host is infected. The virus has been detected in Osmistan's chaotic office, in Nicole's water cup!"

"Damn it!" Urlan dropped the cat and immediately connected with Ollie.

Ollie answered right away. Seeing Urlan's bloodstained mouth, he sighed and began, "Urlan, you should—"

Urlan cut him off, "Tell Nicole not to drink the water!"

Ollie paused, realization dawning, and he called out, "Nicole!"

"What is it, Director?" Nicole inquired, setting down her water cup.

"It's too late! She drank it already!" Ollie said, resigned. "You're not suggesting the virus has a counterpart in the real world, are you?"

Urlan nodded grimly, "Exactly. Ensure isolation. The virus I've contracted is in her cup! Bring her here, let me see her!"

"Got it!" Ollie grasped the gravity of the situation and commanded, "Get the hospital here in protective gear. We've got a zombie virus situation. Alert the lab, too!"

"Huh?" The office was in disbelief.

"Director, you mean Urlan's infection could replicate in the real world?" Nicole's eyes widened in alarm.

Ollie nodded, "No need to panic. Urlan has located the virus clone. As long as we isolate properly, we'll be fine. Nicole, bring your water cup and come here."

Despite Ollie's reassurances, anxiety rippled through the room.

Nicole, summoned by Ollie, seemed to grasp the implications, her face turning ashen.

Before Ollie's computer, the screen showed Urlan, blood at his mouth's corner.

"Intelligence: Nicole has ingested virus-contaminated water and is infected. We recommend using the mutated black cat's blood to extract antibodies for direct injection. The chance of successful antibody production is 62.31%. Virus remnants remain in the water cup."

In the real world, the medical facilities are far superior, which means the chances of success are significantly higher than here in Urlan!

"And the real-world duplicate of the black cat's corpse?" Urlan inquired.

"Intel: The duplicate is located in the southeast corner of Merton's waste disposal center!"

Urlan nodded, offering Nicole a reassuring smile. "There's no need to fear. It's just a virus. We'll be fine. Us Osmistanians are resilient. Just focus on getting some rest!"

Seeing Urlan, wounded yet still offering encouragement, Nicole felt her fear subside. "I'm not scared," she asserted.

"That's the spirit!" Urlan exclaimed. "Chair Walsh, dispatch a team to the southeast corner of Merton's waste treatment center immediately. Locate the mutated black cat I killed. Make sure they're suited up in protective gear and that the area is promptly sanitized!"

"Right away!" Ollie, recognizing the gravity of the situation with the black cat's corpse as a significant contagion, promptly affirmed.

"Additionally, have the lab extract antibodies from the black cat's blood and administer them to Nicole. The odds of it working are high. After that, it's in the hands of fate," Urlan instructed briskly.

"Got it. I'll send out the orders now. But what about you?" Ollie asked, concern etched on his face.

"As for me, I'm at the mercy of fate as well!" Urlan said with a helpless shrug, feigning nonchalance.

"I've located Tommy. I'll ensure he's taken care of from here on out," Ollie declared solemnly.

"Thanks!" Urlan flashed a smile. "But don't be so gloomy. I'm not a goner yet. Actually, let's drop the subject. Your gloomy faces are bringing me down. Take care!"

With that, Urlan decisively ended the call.