Building a Safe Zone with My Harem In The Post-Apocalyptic World-Chapter 115: Expedition Log

Gideon noticed the shift in Delilah immediately.

She looked worried now, her hesitation no longer subtle. She stepped back and began placing the documents down, as if trying to hide them again.

Before she could go any further, he reached out and placed his hand over the papers, stopping her.

"I can’t promise that I won’t look for more after I finish reading this," he said.

He paused, then continued, "But I can promise you I won’t end up like your husband... I already have some idea of who he was, by the way. Kilian and Aaron told me a little."

"But still... you don’t know that," she said with a sigh. "Ah, what am I even saying? Even if you promise me, you could still break it."

Gideon didn’t like that.

The way she said it, it was as if she didn’t believe him at all. As if every promise he made was something temporary, something meant to be broken.

"If I intended to break it, I wouldn’t hesitate like this. I’d give you the promise you want without thinking twice," he said firmly.

"But Delilah, I take promises seriously. I’m not as shallow as you think."

Delilah froze for a moment, then her expression softened with guilt.

"That’s not what I meant... I’m sorry. It’s just..." She exhaled slowly.

"Some people started just like you, Gideon. Kind, generous, gentle... and then they changed. And I didn’t know how to stop it. I didn’t know how to save them."

She lowered her gaze. "I think... I’m the only one who didn’t change at all."

Gideon could hear it clearly now. The sorrow in her voice. The quiet helplessness behind it.

Maybe it was because he had never known that many people. What he knew instead was how easily people could be fake. How quickly they could leave when things turned bad, like when he got sick.

But he had never watched someone close to him slowly become someone else.

Someone path he couldn’t follow. Someone he couldn’t save.

’Maybe I’ve been too harsh on her.’

Gideon reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice softer this time.

"I’m sorry, Delilah. But you need to trust me. I have responsibilities, and I’m not the kind of person who walks away from them."

He paused slightly. "That’s the promise I can give you."

Delilah nodded slowly. Then, finally, she handed the document over to him.

It wasn’t very thick. The cover was plain black.

When he opened it, it read less like a report and more like a formal diary.

A record of events.

[20 FEB 2015]

Initial analysis confirms that the anomalous weather patterns observed in the Western Sea originate from a previously uncharted geological formation, now designated as the Deep Trench of Hemel.

Due to increasing maritime casualties, including vessel losses and large-scale ecosystem disruption, an official expedition has been authorized.

A specialized team, equipped with the Navy’s latest SSR-class deep-sea research submarine, has been assembled and is pending deployment.

—

[01 APR 2015]

Expedition Team JACKALS initiated the descent protocol.

The route proceeded through designated stable waters. Successful navigation past the primary whirlpool zone was achieved. Entry into the trench was confirmed.

Outcome: Mission failure.

SSR-class submarine destroyed. All contact lost.

[30 SEP 2020]

The subsequent expedition successfully reached the interior of the Deep Trench of Hemel.

Environmental conditions within the trench were unexpectedly stable. No known marine life detected, including species typically present at extreme depths (e.g., giant isopods).

A single spherical object, resembling a rock formation, was observed resting on the ocean floor. The object was surrounded by a previously undocumented species of marine life.

Unidentified Species — Preliminary Classification:

Morphology: Serpentine

Length: 1.5 – 3.0 meters

Average Thickness: Comparable to adult human forearm

Locomotion Speed: Estimated up to 160 km/h

Behavior: Coordinated group hunting

Dentition: High-density fangs capable of penetrating reinforced submarine hulls

Provisional designation: "Serpents of Hemel."

Outcome: Mission failure.

Submarine destroyed following hostile swarm engagement.

— 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"After this, a lot of the files are missing... probably destroyed," Delilah said quietly as Gideon was about to turn to the next page.

Gideon’s gaze lingered on the document for a moment before he spoke.

"That sphere on the ocean floor... that’s the meteor that caused the apocalypse, right?" he asked, piecing together everything he had read so far.

Delilah shook her head slightly.

"No... and yes." She paused, choosing her words.

"That wasn’t a meteor." Her eyes lifted to meet his. "It was an egg."

—

[07 MAY 2030]

The previously identified spherical object has been successfully retrieved and transported to land under controlled conditions.

The object is now officially designated as "Eye of Calamity" with codename: X-1

Physical analysis indicates the structure more closely resembles an egg than a geological formation. The external surface is dark with a distinct central red marking.

Preliminary hazard assessment shows no detectable pathogens or radiation.

X-ray imaging confirms the presence of a living embryo within the structure. Observable internal movement consistent with biological development has been recorded.

—

[10 MAY 2030]

Biochemical analysis of the egg’s internal composition (albumen) reveals genetic material closely resembling human DNA.

However, significant anomalies are present.

Findings:

Chromosome Count: 50 (Human baseline: 46)

Additional Chromosomes: 4 unidentified structures with no known equivalent in human genetics

Further genomic mapping required.

—

After that, parts of the data were missing, the pages torn apart. Most of it was unreadable, but Gideon could still piece together a rough conclusion.

They had created artificial humans made from that DNA.

—

[16 FEB 2033]

Ongoing analysis of the additional chromosomal structures has identified the 50th chromosome as a primary anomaly.

It produces unknown proteins that alter ——— and override normal biological limits.

Neural signaling shows abnormal acceleration. Subjects exhibit reduced —— response and loss of inhibition. Pain response inconsistent.

Cellular energy output increased beyond —— baseline. Excess energy not contained. Discharge observed (thermal in X-188).

Not all subjects are affected equally. Activation level of Chromosome 50 appears —— to outcome.

Further data required.

—

"Damn, this one’s the worst. Half the pages are torn apart, and some sentences are blacked out." Gideon shook his head in frustration. What made it worse, he was already near the last page, and he still had too many questions left unanswered.

"How does this even lead to an apocalypse? Didn’t they test it on animals or plants first?" he asked.

"It’s just my theory, but it looks like this branch handled human experiments after they were done testing on animals," she said.

"I remember clearly... artificial humans and organ printing were already being introduced to the public. The corporation funding this research was the one advertising it."

This world had already reached around the 2040s, while his own had barely touched 2020. There was a clear gap in both knowledge and technology in these reports. He should have realized it earlier.

"The symbol of that corporation... the transparent serpent I keep seeing on these pages?"

Delilah nodded. "Yes. They’re called Ourogen Biotech."