Chapter 20: Backstab Crisis (1)

As soon as Lee Kyungbok hit Play, the scene from the latter part of the trailer played out on screen: John trying to shake off Jessica’s grip.

“Jessica? I need to find Sandra…”

But he couldn’t finish his sentence because the wall suddenly opened with a loud rumble.

–Ohhhh, look at this!

–What’s got you so spooked?!

–I-m-m-e-d-i-a-t-e-l-y c-o-n-f-i-r-m

Viewers were unable to hide their curiosity.

“What is that…?”

The camera panned over to show rows upon rows of test tubes just big enough for a single human. Inside them were actual humans—or rather, what used to be humans.

–Haah… Something seemed fishy all along.

–Dead bodies in a laboratory—it’s a given.

–I kind of expected this. LOL

The corpses were submerged in translucent green culture fluid. The viewers weren’t particularly shocked by this sight, as it was a common trope in zombie movies.

However, the camera zoomed in for a closer look at the interior.

“What?”

“Are they still alive?”

“Whoa, that’s creepy…”

Despite their decomposing bodies, certain organs such as hearts, livers, lungs, arms, legs, and eyes appeared oddly vibrant, almost lifelike.

“You’re not the only subject of the elixir experiment,” Jessica revealed to John.

He turned toward her at her words.

“The elixir doesn’t work on just anyone; specific genetic factors are required. These individuals possessed suitable genes, but…they became contaminated along the way, resulting in imperfect immortality.”

“Suitable genetic factor…?”

“Yes, but their sacrifices were not in vain. Based on this data, Lifenem improved the elixir formula. And to test the results, they needed another large-scale experiment.”

Jessica spoke calmly without any visible emotion.

“You mean all of this is part of Lifenem’s experiment?”

“That’s right. Lifenem mixed the elixir with various common medications and distributed them. Not just hospitals, but anyone who purchased over-the-counter painkillers or cold remedies was exposed to the elixir.”

-Wow;;; Giving me chills.

-Jessica saying it so nonchalantly gives me even more goosebumps.

-[Message deleted by moderator. (Warning: 1)]

-Ha… I used to love her!

-Cica Clan fans heartbroken now, huh?

The viewers intuitively realized that she wasn’t an insider whistleblower after all.

Instead, she seemed more suited to be the villain, as judged by her malevolent aura.

“The experimental subjects transformed into elixir hosts instinctively crave the blood of other creatures. They’re searching for compatible factors within it.” Jessica turned with a faint smile. “This is what’s contained on the USB drive. However, there’s still more you need to know.”

Frowning, John distanced himself from Jessica. ”…No, I don’t want to hear any more. I must go find Sandra.”

“It’s related to her story too.”

His steps halted abruptly, and Jessica’s smile widened.

“You two have already been intimate together, haven’t you?”

”…What do you mean?”

“From a biological standpoint, conceiving a child involves the exchange of DNA, aiming for the offspring generation to surpass their parents.”

She adjusted her glasses and continued, “In other words, the elixir within your body has already been transferred to Sandra.”

“What…!”

“John, you’ll be fine. But what about Sandra? Are you certain she possesses the compatible factor?”

John’s eyes widened at this question.

“Woah, that stings a bit,” Lee Kyungbok echoed, expressing similar sentiments as the viewers.

-The bed scene was just a red herring?!

-Without the vaccine, Sandra might turn into a zombie too.

-Scenario writer? Remember when I said it’s my gift to you? Just give me your address, okay? ^^

-Watching with blood dripping from our backs ᄏᄏ Starting with me ᄏ

–What?! John and Sandra will become hamboes?!

–Why would you do this?!

–That’s so outdated! LMAO

–I never loved you! ㅋㅂㄴㅇ

As the chat window descended into shock, Jessica continued her plea.

“The vaccine can only be extracted from a suitable candidate here. John, please think carefully.”

“Sandra…” John clenched his trembling fists. A conflicted expression crossed his face before he eventually bowed his head.

“I understand…”

“That’s wise of you. Let’s start by taking a blood sample.” Jessica smiled brightly while holding up a syringe.

–What kind of last-minute twist is this?!

–Soda, I need a big glass of soda…

-It’s bear soup! Domhwangcha~!

-Ugh? Is this the storyline?

The viewers expressed their strong disapproval. But just then…

“John!”

A scream followed by rapid gunfire echoed through the room as Jessica collapsed to the ground bleeding profusely.

Shocked, John turned his head to see Sandra panting heavily nearby.

“Woah, that’s why I love Sandra.”

-Sandra Punch! Sandra Punch! Sandra Punch!

-I knew it! She’ll protect her man!

-Yeah, yeah, yeah, perfect timing!

-Open wide! Here comes some soda pop!

-Sob The soda Sandra gave me…I will never forget it.

Lee Kyungbok’s enthusiastic praise was echoed in the chat window.

“Sandra?”

“I’ll explain on the way! This way!”

John looked back at Jessica’s fallen form. Her white gown was gradually turning red from blood. With concern etched on his face, he followed Sandra.

She led him to the inner part of the laboratory. When she pressed a button on the wall, an elevator appeared.

“What is this?”

“It connects directly to the director’s office.”

There was a reason it continued operating despite the lockdown. As Sandra explained the situation while pressing buttons, John listened intently.

“I discovered this when searching for a way out after the entrance got blocked.”

“Sandra…”

John turned with a grateful expression toward her, and the viewers felt similarly moved.

-Look, that’s true love right there.

-Mm, so heartwarming.

-Great job, Sandra! Her stock is skyrocketing day by day!

-Two Bark heroines? What does that mean?

-Olly olly oxen free! There’s only one heroine, and it’s Sandra!

The scene then shifted to a flashback, tinted slightly gray as if from Sandra’s memories. As soon as she arrived at the director’s office, she realized something was amiss and tried to leave.

“I saw a picture of the director.”

On the wall hung a photograph of a middle-aged woman with a determined expression.

“That face looked familiar. So I started thinking…”

The screen changed again, showing the moment Jessica opened her pendant to hand over the USB drive. Standing cautiously behind Jessica, Sandra had been able to see inside the pendant, which contained a photo of the laboratory director.

-Jessica confirmed as villain!

-Is she the director’s daughter?

-But why did she blow the whistle?

-It was all an act LOL

-Got caught red-handed! Loser!

Sandra had reached the same conclusion as many viewers and immediately contacted the military using her communication device.

“I told them to send helicopters since we have evidence now. They’re on their way… And you know what happened next.”

“Thank you, Sandra, but…” John tried to explain what Jessica had shared with him, but there was no time.

The elevator windows began vibrating, accompanied by the sound of approaching helicopters.

L-Look, they’re already here?!

Finally, those soldiers are doing something useful.

Is this the endgame?

Viewers naturally assumed it was the army’s choppers, but Lee Kyungbok knew better.

This can’t be over so easily if it’s the final chapter.

His ominous feeling soon became reality. Outside the window, he spotted not a military helicopter but one emblazoned with Lifenem’s logo—a model equipped with a mounted machine gun.

“Take cover!”

Holding Sandra protectively, John hastily rolled on the floor as bullets shattered the windows around them. At the same time, the elevator abruptly stopped with a jolt.

“Argh!”

“Oh no!”

John and Sandra didn’t take this lying down. As they returned fire, the helicopter swiftly maneuvered away.

-Like hell…!

-Armed helicopters after armored vehicles?! LOL

-What kind of security force is this?!

-Mercs are relentless (not even trying to hide anymore)

The scene transitioned before viewers could fully vent their anger. Regaining control, Lee Kyungbok gripped his handgun tightly.

“It seems we’re at a bit of a disadvantage here.”

-How do you shoot down a helicopter with just a pistol and shotgun? HHH

-Plus, there’s a strong wind blowing.

-This situation is insane! DDD

-I think it assumes they have access to rocket launchers?

-Ewwk, seems like that might be true.

-With a rocket launcher, one shot should do it.

[‘CapCompany_kor’ has sponsored 10,000 won.]

[Yep, that’s correct. All future progress is based on having access to a rocket launcher.]

The developer chimed in with sponsorship, seemingly acknowledging the viewers’ accurate deductions.

-But isn’t it impossible?

-Haha, this is entirely the developer’s fault.

-Who designed these levels?!

-Purple has every right to complain here.

-The devs should cry! Another apology letter incoming!

-Haha, easy on them now.

-Did you really believe they’d give us one? LOL!

However, the audience wasn’t siding with the developers. Lee Kyungbok checked the chat window’s mood and quickly responded, “There indeed seems to be a need for a rocket launcher. This will be quite challenging.”

His contractual obligation had been fulfilled as he had met the required broadcast time, but he couldn’t just abandon his viewers at this juncture.

His words distracted the trolls, and they quickly changed their tune.

–If Purple says it’s necessary…

–Ha, is this impossible then?

–I guess we’ll have to load chapter four for the rocket launcher.

–Rite? Longer airtime isn’t so bad.

Lee Kyungbok smiled as he read these comments. The streamer hadn’t finished his sentence yet.

“So please make sure you bring along a rocket launcher.”

As if on cue, the helicopter reappeared from behind another building. As soon as it did, Lee Kyungbok aimed his pistol at the cockpit like he had been waiting for this moment. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.

The glass shattered with the gunshot.

“Crap.”

Unfortunately, the pilot wasn’t killed.

-What is this?

-Huh… He hit it?

-With that wind? How did he hit it ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Unknown: Hey, it’s bulletproof glass!

-Is he letting them live just this once?

-Catch a helicopter with a pistol?

The viewers were amazed by his shooting skills and filled with anticipation. Lee Kyungbok didn’t want to disappoint their expectations.

“First, I’ll take out the gunner.”

As soon as he declared this, he aimed at the machine gun operator who had turned towards him. Before the gunner could adjust their weapon, Kyungbok pulled the trigger. With a single gunshot, the gunner collapsed backward.

-Gunner down!

-Tango Down! Tango Down!

-It feels more natural now ㅋㅋㅋ

-Pilot: Hey! Is this a game?!

As if it was natural, Lee Kyungbok immediately turned his gun towards the fuel tank located behind the helicopter. With a slight frown, he pulled the trigger. There was one spark before flames erupted, causing an explosion that shook the elevator.

-It exploded?

-Exploding a helicopter with a pistol ᄏᄏᄏ

-Such a badass ᄏᄏ

-???: We need a rocket launcher. (Or not)

-Only kings use such things

-I’ve done it ‘perfectly’ again…

Lee Kyungbok smiled broadly but then quickly looked around.

‘Why isn’t there a cutscene?’

In other words, there were still tasks left to complete. He immediately knew what they were.

“Sandra!”

The atmosphere itself felt ominous. It was certain that the elevator would soon plummet. He helped Sandra up and quickly opened the ceiling hatch.

-I think it will crash soon.

-Soon…what do you mean?

-Haha, don’t overthink it!

-Wow, his judgment and decisiveness are insane.

-I bet he would have asked Sandra first. Haha!

-Yeah! Trusting Sandra with everything while being lazy himself!

While viewers were relieved and chatting, Lee Kyungbok stood atop the elevator with Sandra. He grabbed onto a cable and looked back at her.

“Hold on tight.”

“O-okay!” Initially hesitant, Sandra followed his instructions promptly. Finally, control was relinquished, transitioning to the cutscene.

With a loud clanging noise, the elevator plummeted down and quickly disappeared from view.

-DracarysL: Whew!

-Okay, that was close…

-Why didn’t Sandra move sooner?

-Maybe because she’s heavy?

-ROFL! She’s self-conscious about her weight, huh?

-Haha, there’s more to it than just that.

As if proving the viewers’ speculation, Sandra whispered into John’s ear.

“Thank you.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t too late.”

”…I’m not too heavy for you?”

“Not at all.”

Her response prompted Sandra to press closer against John’s back. As they ascended the cable, their vision went dark momentarily.

-What a sap LMAO!

-How do you guys know these things? I had no idea!

-AHAHA! Looks like I’m the only one out of the loop again.

-Ban reason Influencer.

—(Influencer Exclusive): Damn, they took everything.

There was a brief flurry of activity in the chat window, but viewers quickly refocused when the scene changed.

Lee Kyungbok and Sandra arrived at the principal’s office.

Huh?

But control didn’t immediately returned to him.

“The stairs leading to the rooftop are over here.” Sandra urged him forward, but Lee Kyungbok hesitated.

“It seems like we need to find something first.”

Viewers agreed with his quiet assessment.

–Is there something behind the principal’s photo?

–Do we need to contact the army again?

–We should check the computer first.

–Maybe there’s a hidden item?

Lee Kyungbok had similar thoughts. After giving the room a quick once-over, he turned toward the computer.

“This is password protected.”

A word suddenly popped into his mind, so he typed it in.

[Elixir]

Lifenem had mentioned something about their ultimate pursuit, hadn’t they? Lee Kyungbok hit Enter, and the screen changed.

-drake: LOLLOLLOL

Sandra: Could it be some of Lifenem’s dirty secrets?

Jongyeol: Maybe related to the director and Jessica’s relationship?

Haein: Let’s check quickly!

Lee Kyungbok swiftly scanned the desktop. There were numerous folders and documents, but…

“Oh, all these files are encrypted. The elixir won’t open them either.”

Unfortunately, none of the files could be accessed. However, he did spot one that wasn’t encrypted.

“I’ll take a look at this.”

It was a folder labeled ‘CCTV,’ containing various video files. When Lee Kyungbok played one, the view abruptly shifted like a camera cut.

-Look?

-Ha ha ha, seems like you found it properly.

-The CCTV footage from the director’s office.

Instead of the elevator door, someone entered through the entrance to the director’s office. With an urgent expression, they scanned the area before rushing towards the communication equipment.

-“This is it. If I plug the USB here…”

He muttered while inserting the USB device.

-Huh?

-Wait, this…

-Oh?

Some viewers recognized the video content and commented accordingly. Lee Kyungbok decided to watch the entire clip first.

The man in the footage requested rescue assistance from the military using the communication equipment.

“<Thank you for your cooperation. We’ll send troops soon, so please stand by.>”

“<Yes, thank you.>”

After the communication ended, did his tension relax? The man sat on the sofa and leaned back.

“I can finally get out of here…”

The chat window quickly filled with comments after this line:

-This…isn’t it the ending from the previous route?

-Huh? Why is this showing up now?

-Wait… It’s getting scary again.

It was revealed through the CCTV perspective that they were watching the ending scene from the original route. However, the video didn’t end there. The man’s body slowly slumped over and stopped moving. Then, shortly afterward, the elevator doors opened, and mercenaries wearing gas masks entered.

Behind them was Jessica, also donning a gas mask.

“Clear.”

“We have secured the test subject.”

The mercenaries effortlessly grabbed hold of his body as Jessica retrieved the USB drive and gave instructions:

“Transfer the test subject and switch back to the external network.”

With just those words, viewers were able to deduce what was happening.

LMAO, they fell for it

LOL, classic move from the original protagonist’s route

Is this how she ties everything together?

Does plugging in the USB switch the connection internally?

This ending was familiar to gamers who had played Bio Crisis before. They thought they’d achieved a happy ending with their successful escape, but…

LOL, instead of contacting the army, she reached out to mercenaries

Ta-da! It’s Jessica’s magic show!

Wow… So the previous route led to becoming the test subject?

Look at those fools getting screwed over LMAO

It was indeed the bad ending where one got kidnapped as a test subject.