Yellow-Faced Plague

Item X9-48, informally known as the "Yellow-Faced Plague", is a parasitic fungus known for infecting small areas around the eyes, mouth, head, skin and feet. It is of an unknown origin to all.

A mutated version of a fungus known to infect ant species in southern Asia and South America now can cross into any animal or human. There is no available cure; however, the application of H2O2 eases pain.

Symptoms

 * Extreme sleep insomnia
 * Yellowing of face
 * Growth of infectious spores in mouth
 * Blood pressure and heart attacks in older people
 * Bruising
 * Root-like stems that feed from bloodstream and organs
 * Cancer

The Mutation of X9-48
Following the Project X experiment, X9-48 was mutated. The disease now has a 75% chance of killing its host, targeting the brain for full control of the latter. The fungus also causes mass-cellular respiration in plants as well as humans. Cancer and non-cancerous mutations seem to follow specific mutation sequences and change mutated humans into fungus/human hybrids with differently attuned bodily traits. The fungus uses its host to attack non-infected life with unknown motives.

The Survivors of X9-48
Survivors of the fungi, which show signs of mutation, are known as "Brutefaces". A victim appears to keep human consciousness and attain enhanced endurance and stamina, but often, is slightly angry and has an unnatural loss of empathy for other humans. They are not specifically violent, though increased cases of bandit groups and fights out of human nature have been reported. Usually, Brutefaces do not communicate with the uninfected and stick to cliques by themselves. Some call these groups "hives".