220: Chapter 220 The Frontline of the Resistance

The company's briefing described the virus's terrifying characteristics: airborne transmission, a short incubation period, rapid onset, and most crucially, it transformed living human bodies into stone statues.

"Therefore, we have named it the Medusa Virus..."

"What the f*ck?" Everyone who saw this warning was unsettled. This has to be fake news, right? How could such an outrageous virus exist? It only ever appeared in science fiction movies.

It is worth noting that after Third-Party Technology released this news, the most sensitive reaction did not come from the public, but from the research teams of various countries that were in the know.

In a sea area designated as a restricted zone by various countries, several modified freighters had been joined together, and a large number of Research Institutes had been established on the decks.

At this moment, in the largest Research Institute, a group of researchers wearing strict protective suits were looking at the information on the screen. Professor Vanossi, who had first discovered the virus, was also among them.

They were the Joint Strategy Group established to tackle the Petrification Virus, a team secretly led by several major powers that had pulled together top experts in virology and biochemistry. Even Professor Vanossi, who held multiple World-class honors, was just an ordinary person among them.

After reading the news released by Third-Party Technology, the reactions of these scientific elites varied.

"Absurd! We aren't prepared yet; this will cause chaos."

A middle-aged man was furious. "And how did this company know? They actually beat us to making this virus public, and what right do they have to name this virus!"

They had already been arguing over the naming rights for the virus, and now, someone had basically just walked all over them.

Someone hesitated.

"The virus is spreading; perhaps they just happened to discover it."

"But this..."

The middle-aged man wanted to say something else, but an elderly man frowned and said, "Elton, calm down. It's just a name; it won't be recognized by our country. Once our team has made progress in researching this virus, we will naturally release its official name and a detailed report."

"This commercial company seems quite capable to have discovered the virus so early."

The latter dared not disobey. "I understand, Teacher."

The communications officer responsible for liaising with the outside World walked over and said, "Professors, I have received news that because of this report, the higher-ups are planning to make the virus public ahead of schedule."

"They are requiring the strategy group to provide a sufficiently substantial scientific endorsement and situation report within 12 hours."

"12 hours?!" Elton retorted. "That's simply impossible! We are still in the verification stage regarding the virus's infection mechanism; what can we use to provide scientific endorsement? Do you want us to tell the whole World, 'Yes, there is a very terrifying virus, but we know almost nothing about it'?"

The communications officer shrugged.

"This is the decision from the higher-ups; there's nothing I can do..."

Facing this difficult problem, a few of the scientists with the most authority stepped forward and gave a definitive answer: "Please reassure the higher-ups; we will provide it."

"Then I won't disturb you Professors any further."

After the communications officer left, the elderly man looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, please pull yourselves together. This severe test requires our concerted efforts. Remember, we are the future of humanity!"

——

Outside, things began to stir up because of the Petrification Virus. Some believed it, while others did not, dismissing it as a scam. Related topics were frequently debated across major social media platforms.

This was also thanks to the fact that the publisher was a company that had solved cancer and had also introduced several revolutionary technologies. If it had just been some random person on the street, people would only have considered it a joke or the complete ramblings of a madman.

It was precisely the brand name of Third-Party Technology that gave this shocking news some credibility.

This state of anxiety continued until the next day, and since most people hadn't slept well, in the morning, they heard another shocking piece of news: Third-Party Technology would be holding a press briefing regarding this virus at the World Health Organization.

It immediately attracted the attention of the public.

At the headquarters of the World Health Organization, a large crowd had gathered in one of the conference halls. They were media organizations from countries all over the World. Camera flashes were going off with a snap, and a beautiful woman sitting on the stage was the center of attention.

This Central Continent woman was about 20 years old. She was wearing a well-tailored dark professional suit, and a faint, elusive smile played on her face.

This was Xu Anqing, the CEO of Third-Party Technology. In the past two years, she had appeared in the public eye quite often, and her figure could be seen on many important occasions.

At this moment, Xu Anqing said to the media below, "I believe everyone has seen the news released on our official website. What we said is not empty talk. In some island nations in the Pacific Ocean, an unprecedented infection is sweeping through. These are photos we took with drones..."

A few high-definition aerial photos appeared on the screen.

In an open space in front of a few adobe houses, dozens of stone statues maintaining human poses were scattered about, their shapes terrifying, as if they had been struggling just a second before.

There was an immediate gasp from the audience below.

One could only hear the even more frantic "click" of camera shutters and the sound of some people gasping for air. The impact of these few photos was far stronger than any linguistic description.

"According to information investigated by Third-Party Technology, only five days have passed since this virus was first discovered. In countries like Tuvalu, Tonga, and Nauru, there are already nearly ten thousand infected people. The number of countries where the virus has appeared has increased to eight, and these infected cases are growing exponentially."

Xu Anqing's tone was heavy. "After we first discovered the Medusa Virus, the entire company attached great importance to it and was the first to analyze the virus. As we stated on our official website, this Petrification Virus is a highly virulent virus that can spread through the air. Its threat to humanity exceeds any known virus in human history. If we let it run rampant on Earth, our humanity will face the risk of extinction."

"I can guarantee that this is absolutely not alarmist!"

Xu Anqing raised her hands, speaking with compassion and unparalleled enthusiasm, "Ladies and gentlemen, as well as everyone in front of the screens and all leaders, humanity has reached the edge of disaster. Therefore, I call upon all of you: the new viral war has begun. Please set aside your differences and work together to face this crisis regarding the survival of humanity."

"We at Third-Party Technology have solved cancer, and we have solved most diseases. This time, we will also stand on the front line of the struggle without hesitation!"