Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 276 Hidden Rule Fourteen
Post-Apocalyptic Rules and Countermeasures Research Lab.

After the new rules were released, Gao Liangwei immediately convened a meeting to discuss countermeasures.

"As you all have probably noticed, the rules this time are a bit strange."

At the start of the meeting, everyone expressed their doubts.

"The rewards include a survival chest, indicating that this is a survival-related rule. However, the penalty for failure is not 'none,' but rather 'surviving as a parasite.' What does this mean?"

In the past, survival-related rules stipulated that the penalty for failure was "nothing," but in reality, the opposite of survival is death.

But this time it was different.

"The key question is: what form does the parasite actually take? Is the host alive or dead? Does the host still have self-awareness at that time?"

"I think we don't need to consider this issue. We should just control it at the source and prevent people from inhaling spores."

"That's right. Can we take out the protective suits we used during the Blood Plague rule era and reuse them?"

“Spores and viruses are probably not the same, especially since this rule states that these attachable spores can attach to any physical object… Doesn’t a protective mask count as a physical object?”

As the experts and scholars discussed the matter, one of them remarked, "What I'm more concerned about is the addictive potential after absorption. The rules specifically mention that humans can resist this addiction through willpower, which means that even if spores are inhaled, as long as the willpower to resist is strong, the rules will not fail."

"It's not as easy as it sounds. These spores must be highly addictive, and humans find it very difficult to quit alcohol and nicotine addictions..."

"That's right. Moreover, the reward for this rule is 1000 Ascension Coins, which shows that it is not easy. Once you get addicted, it will be hard to resist."

"Based on the current addictive nature and the punishment for failure, if resistance fails, humans will become spore parasites. I wonder where the dividing line is? Is it only after inhaling a certain number of spores that complete loss of control occurs?"

"It's impossible to know this without conducting experiments."

At this point, someone asked curiously, "Didn't any of you notice the Fire Stealer's notes? These spores are actually a best-selling product in the universe. Why is that? Shouldn't this stuff be harmful to intelligent life?"

"It's probably because of its addictive nature. It's the same principle as drugs. Drugs are so harmful, but aren't they best-selling products in some poorly regulated countries?"

"Don't forget that the note also includes the word 'used to be,' which means that this spore is no longer a best-selling product. Everyone should take note of this."

People are analyzing the rules word by word, but based on the current intelligence, it is still difficult to make an accurate and detailed judgment.

However, the participants unanimously agreed that prevention is more important than treatment.

Therefore, the proposed countermeasures will adopt some of the rules from the "Deadly Plague" era, requiring everyone to stay indoors and not go out unless necessary.

In addition, the large amount of protective equipment that was previously stockpiled will be delivered to each person by the official transportation department.

Further suggestions require observation and experimentation.

To observe what changes occur in humans who inhale spores, and to understand the true nature of parasitism.

The experiment aims to determine whether, with current medical technology, drugs or other means can be used to forcibly control the special addictive properties of people who inhale spores.

There's also the question of whether the stationmaster of the House of Ascended will release or sell this information this time, given that this mysterious person has always had access to hidden information about the rules.

……

The rules this time are really strange.

After hearing the rules, Guan Tong felt that everything from the rules themselves to the notes about the fire thieves was rather inexplicable.

Especially the notes.

"A best-selling product in the universe... This suggests that multiple intelligent civilizations do exist in the universe, and there seems to be a concept of a 'cosmic market'."

Although this was already an open secret since the appearance of "The Chronicles of Yahoo!," the fact that the Fire Stealers are now mentioning it directly in the notes suggests that there may be more and more rules involving extraterrestrial beings and civilizations in the future.

Whether this is good or bad for humanity is uncertain.

"The penalty for failure isn't direct death, but rather surviving as a parasite... I guess that counts as death too?"

Guan Tong couldn't help but think of a plant from her hometown on Earth, dodder.

This is a plant that has no roots of its own but can parasitize other plants. It obtains nutrients by sucking the sap of its host, causing the host plant to suffer from nutrient deficiency, reduced yield, and death. Guan Tong remembered seeing news reports before about how some farmers in rural areas would secretly scatter dodder on the crops of their rivals as revenge when they had conflicts with each other.

If these special alien spores also survive by absorbing nutrients from human hosts, ultimately leading to human death, wouldn't everyone have a strong will to resist? Who would willingly become nourishment and die?

How did this weird thing become a bestseller in the universe?

"Something feels off... Let's check the hidden rules first."

Guan Tong couldn't figure it out, so she decided to open the panel and check the hidden rules first.

[Hidden Rule Fourteen: Dosage Control]

[Hidden Rule Content: The alien spores in this rule possess the special ability to deeply develop physical functions and improve mental state. Utilizing them within the established boundaries is a way to rapidly enhance the strength of intelligent beings.]

[Note: Discussing toxicity without considering dosage is not rigorous. Achieving a balance is the mark of a wise person.]

"……I see."

After reading the hidden rules, Guan Tong suddenly understood.

These spores can strengthen organisms themselves and improve mental well-being... It's like a fusion of "enhancing injections" and "psychological tranquilizers" from the movies!
With such powerful functionality, it's no wonder this spore has become a best-selling product in the universe.

However, this stuff reminded Guan Tong of morphine.

Using it as a powerful pain reliever after surgery or during periods of severe pain is beneficial. However, if it becomes addictive due to overuse, the benefit can quickly turn into a harm, enough to drag a person from heaven to hell.

Toxicity cannot be discussed without considering dosage... This note is absolutely correct.

"Such hidden rules..."

Guan Tong frowned, hesitating for a moment about whether to go public.

If it's made public, what if many people are confident that they can control the balance and actively seek to inhale spores in order to become stronger?
Like many gamblers, when they first start playing, they are all confident that they will not get addicted and can control themselves, but eight out of ten will eventually lose control.

And the addictive properties of these spores must be far more potent than those of ordinary gambling or drugs!
Will choosing to go public harm many people?

But if it's not made public...

As with some previous rules, sooner or later, no, very soon someone will inhale the spores and feel their body and mind strengthened.

Once the news spreads, will people get carried away and forget the consequences of failing the rules, rushing to inhale it in order to become stronger?
After hesitating for a moment, Guan Tong made a decision.

"It still needs to be made public so that the authorities are aware of the dangers and give the public a serious warning... But unfortunately, the hidden rules still don't mention what it would be like for humans to live as parasites once addiction gets out of control."

Will humans turn into monsters? Or will there be some other change...?

Guan Tong sighed softly.

He knew he didn't need to think too much, because with such a large human group, no matter how much prevention was done, someone would inevitably become completely addicted and out of control after inhaling the spores very soon.

The changes that occur in him at that time will naturally become a case study and be made public by the authorities.

So, back to myself, what is my own strategy for dealing with these rules?

Guan Tong wondered if he should stay in the shelter for a whole month, just like he did during the Blood Plague incident.
The Book Page Shelter possesses an absolutely sealed characteristic; since it was able to isolate viruses in the past, there's no reason why it can't isolate alien spores now.

Doing so is undoubtedly a way to seek absolute stability.

Moreover, he is not interested in using spores to become stronger. He is already a strong person and is steadily improving every day. Why should he take the risk and gamble that he will not become addicted?
This is for the same reason he didn't eat that piece of demon flesh in the first place. He didn't want to pay a completely uncontrollable price just for some enhancement.

"Let's play it safe."

Guan Tong decided not to leave the shelter unless necessary during the rule period. Although he was curious about how alien spores could make people stronger, his curiosity was quickly dispelled when he thought about the risks involved.

However, this meant that some of his original plans would have to be modified. His plan to go to Banzhen to find Orochi would have to be delayed.

However, Guan Tong didn't have a good feeling about this rule. He had a premonition that this month would probably be full of unexpected twists and turns, and he wouldn't be able to get through it smoothly like last time.

(End of this chapter)