Dragon Raja 5; Chapter 170: Leviathan’s Song (7)

Dragon Raja 5

The name “Oklo Nuclear Reactor” comes from a uranium mine called “Oklo” in the Gabonese Republic. In the 1970s, a French engineer was surprised to discover that the uranium ore produced by this mine had already been burned, and that this burning had begun 2 billion years ago. Prehistoric enthusiasts, based on this discovery, claim that a super civilization on Earth had constructed nuclear reactors as early as 2 billion years ago. However, this was a misunderstanding, as the existence of naturally occurring nuclear reactors has long been theoretically established, but their efficiency was far lower than that of man-made nuclear fission facilities. The Oklo uranium mine is precisely this unique natural nuclear reactor. For hundreds of thousands of years, it has been operating silently, steadily releasing heat energy and transforming the environment of the entire region.

During World War II, both the United States and Germany were researching nuclear weapons. The Americans had the Manhattan Project, and the Germans had the Uranium Project. Nazi Germany did not develop an atomic bomb that could change the course of the war, but it did develop this mild nuclear reactor, which was probably why they established a base in the Arctic Circle.

“That means there may really be survivors,” Caesar said.

A tiny shadow flashed in the flashlight’s spotlight. It must have been an Arctic hare. In fact, from the moment they entered the well, they had sensed a strong sense of life. Plants rarely seen in the cold grew here, from the cascading vines on the walls to the slippery moss beneath their feet. More than once, they had stepped on fur-covered bones. A distinct, fishy odor lingered from the bottom of the well, the scent of fox or bear urine.

This well was likely one of the entrances to the underground nuclear facility. There were other entrances, and while humans don’t know about this space, animals do. During the Arctic winter, nearby animals come here to escape the cold, reproduce, and hunt each other.

After Leviathan unleashed its terrifying Word Spirit, the entire Franz Josef Land archipelago became a forbidden zone for life. Not only could humans not survive, but even Arctic animals accustomed to the harsh cold couldn’t survive the days-long ice storm. However, the nuclear facility left behind by the Germans preserved life within the well. Even with the might of a Dragon King-level Word Spirit, only the nuclear facility could forcibly maintain this barrier-like living space. The man who collapsed at the well’s mouth likely had prioritized sending a companion into this space, only to be engulfed by the ensuing ice storm.

The darkness was filled with a low whirring sound, and I couldn’t tell whether it was the sound of the ancient system still running or the sound of the wind that had fallen into disrepair.

Caesar silently expanded the area of ​​the sickle-weasel, listening to the vast array of sounds. He heard the heartbeats of small animals, the slither of condensation on the walls, even the yawns of bats on the ceiling. Such vitality, even in this desperate situation.

He suddenly raised his hand, signaling the crew behind him to stop, because he heard a creepy sound, like some carnivore gnawing on bones. They had encountered gnawed bones with blood spots more than once along the way. This well must be hiding a big thing.

They still had to prioritize Professor Schneider’s safety. Even a large carnivore would be a threat to the old man. The crew and Schneider stopped, and Caesar, Abbas, and Rebalco slowly advanced. They were probably approaching the core area of ​​the underground space. Countless water droplets condensed on the water pipes at the top, crackling and falling like rain.

The sound of gnawing bones grew louder, and they were approaching the feeding animal. Blood trails appeared several times underfoot, suggesting a large animal had killed an Arctic fox or something similar in the well. Such terrestrial animals were rare in the Arctic; it was likely a young polar bear.

Even Abbas could hear the crunching sound. In the large pipe ahead, a furry figure was feasting on bloody flesh. Rebalko instinctively loaded his AK47, but the crisp sound startled the creature in the pipe.

Abbas’s scimitar was raised silently, ready to charge and kill at any time, but he suddenly froze. The thing that was eating looked back vigilantly, with a pair of frighteningly bright eyes.

It turned out to be a child wearing polar bear fur. His age was uncertain and his face was covered in oil. This was not surprising as the well was full of black oil.

Could it be that the deceased was actually a child? Or that this child had been living in this nuclear facility since childhood?

The child realized someone had invaded his territory and immediately revealed a ferocious expression. Although his face couldn’t be seen clearly, his bared white teeth were enough to show his hostility. He hissed like an animal, gave up the flesh he was chewing, and retreated with his hands and feet.

Caesar instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt of his hunting knife, but Abbas signaled him not to. Abbas sheathed his scimitar and took small steps forward, signaling to the child that he had no weapon in his hands and no hostility.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, we won’t hurt you.” Abbas said in English because he didn’t know what language the child could understand.

The child continued to retreat, his eyes wary, like a kitten caught eating garbage. Blood stained his mouth, and in his hand he clutched the shoulder blade of some animal. It was a miracle: in this underground space, a beast-like child, surviving so alone in this icy world.

He suddenly turned around and ran away quickly, probably because Abbas had invaded a distance that he felt was dangerous.

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