How Does a Human Become a Clicker?
In the post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us, clickers are one of the most terrifying and formidable enemies that Joel and Ellie must face. But have you ever wondered how a human becomes a clicker? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Cordyceps fungus and explore the process of human transformation into a clicker.
The Infection Process
The Cordyceps fungus, also known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is a real-life fungus that infects ants and other insects. In the world of The Last of Us, this fungus is mutated and has the ability to infect humans. The infection process begins when a human is bitten or scratched by an infected individual, allowing the fungus to enter their body.
The First Stage: Runners
The first stage of infection is the "Runner" stage. During this stage, the fungus grows slowly and spreads throughout the body, causing flu-like symptoms and a gradual loss of cognitive function. Runners are still capable of movement and can infect others, but they are relatively easy to defeat.
The Second Stage: Stalkers
After several weeks or months, the fungus reaches the second stage, known as the "Stalker" stage. At this point, the fungus has taken over the host’s brain, causing them to become increasingly aggressive and erratic. Stalkers are more powerful and harder to defeat than Runners, but they still retain some of their human cognitive functions.
The Third Stage: Clickers
The third and final stage of infection is the "Clicker" stage. This is the most advanced stage of the fungus, and it is characterized by the complete loss of human cognitive function. Clickers are blind, due to the fungus pushing their eyes out of their sockets, and they rely on echolocation to navigate and find prey. They are incredibly strong and difficult to defeat, making them the most formidable enemies in the game.
The Clicker’s Life Cycle
So, how does a human become a Clicker? The process is as follows:
- Infection: A human is bitten or scratched by an infected individual, allowing the fungus to enter their body.
- Incubation: The fungus grows and spreads throughout the body, causing flu-like symptoms and a gradual loss of cognitive function.
- Runner: The fungus reaches the first stage, causing the human to become a Runner.
- Stalker: The fungus reaches the second stage, causing the human to become a Stalker.
- Clicker: The fungus reaches the final stage, causing the human to become a Clicker.
Key Features of Clickers
Here are some key features of Clickers:
- Blindness: Clickers are blind due to the fungus pushing their eyes out of their sockets.
- Echolocation: Clickers use echolocation to navigate and find prey.
- Super Strength: Clickers are incredibly strong and difficult to defeat.
- No Cognitive Function: Clickers have lost all human cognitive function and are driven solely by their instincts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming a Clicker is a terrifying and deadly process. From the initial infection to the final transformation, the fungus takes over the host’s body, eventually turning them into a formidable and terrifying enemy. In the world of The Last of Us, Clickers are the ultimate challenge for Joel and Ellie, and their fearlessness and determination make them the perfect protagonists for this post-apocalyptic story.