Chapter 1

"Experimental subject in place, experiment ready to begin."

The cold, synthesized voice echoed through the room, which was a laboratory. Numerous researchers in white coats were busily and nervously adjusting the experimental equipment. In front of them was a large reinforced glass window, beyond which was the area where the experiment would take place.

In contrast to the researchers' area, the space beyond the glass was empty, with no one moving around. Only a slender figure was tightly bound to the experimental table in the center of the room. Various tubes of unknown purpose were connected to this person, and a helmet-like device was placed on their head, making it impossible to tell whether they were male or female.

This was undoubtedly the experimental subject.

"Alright, the 666th consciousness interference experiment begins."

After all preparations were in place, the lead researcher—a middle-aged man with graying hair—issued the command.

From the atmosphere to the content of the experiment, it was clear that this was not a conventional scientific study. Indeed, this was not a legal research institution, and the experiments being conducted were not in line with legal and ethical standards.

The experiment began, and the researchers carried out their actions in an orderly manner, as they had done countless times before.

"Begin phase one, initiate receptor connection."

"Countdown starts. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, start!"

"Connection successful. Experimental subject is normal."

"Initiate restricted connection."

"Connection complete!"

"Experimental subject shows no abnormalities, restraint devices are functioning normally, experiment can proceed."

The researchers reported the data displayed on the terminal devices, and the experiment proceeded as it had many times before.

"Begin phase two, mental amplification."

"Countdown starts. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, start!"

"Confirm mental activation response. Experimental subject is normal."

Various complex data were displayed on the terminal devices, showing the experimental subject's body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, brain waves, and other vital signs, revealing every minute change.

"Begin phase three, reality interference."

"Test from model 1 to model 10 sequentially."

From this point on, the room where the experimental subject was located began to show some differences.

"Test of model 1 begins—"

...

"Test of model 2 begins—"

...

"Test of model 3 begins—"

...

As the tests progressed, a white mouse in a cage appeared next to the experimental subject. The mouse began to show signs of agitation as soon as it approached the experimental subject.

All the researchers were fully focused on this moment, and the lead researcher's face was tense, with veins bulging. The data on the various experimental devices became even more complex, indicating the critical nature of the situation.

The experiment was stuck at this point.

"Report, receptor output is decreasing, experiment cannot continue!"

This report immediately cast a shadow of despair over the laboratory. This was not the first time they had failed.

"Damn it! Why isn't it working?"

The middle-aged man pulled at his graying hair. Compared to the other researchers, he was under even more pressure. If he did not produce tangible results soon, this might be his last chance before he was dismissed.

"Continue the experiment, activate the emergency plan, initiate overload mode."

The middle-aged man stared intently at the experimental subject and issued the command.

"Begin signal input, overload level C..."

"No, set the overload level to A."

The researcher operating the equipment was taken aback by the middle-aged man's words.

"But that..."

"It's fine, continue."

"Yes."

The experiment continued. The figure on the experimental table began to tremble violently, as if trying to break free from the restraints with its frail body.

"Experimental subject's heart rate exceeds normal levels, blood pressure increased by 40%, internal hormones..."

"Experimental subject's brain waves are chaotic..."

"Warning, experimental subject entering shock state."

The researchers' reports and the cold, synthesized voice continued to sound, but the middle-aged man only stared intently at the mouse, which was running around frantically due to its agitation.

"Continue! Continue!"

He had to continue. The man repeated this to himself.

"Beep—"

Suddenly, a long beep silenced the entire laboratory.

"Experimental subject's vital signs have disappeared, experimental subject is dead."

Who said this was no longer important; the death of the experimental subject meant the end of everything.

"Ah!"

The middle-aged man slumped into his chair, feeling utterly defeated.

"Huh? There's a set of strange data here."

At this moment, a researcher broke the silence, drawing everyone's attention.

The middle-aged man also looked up, seeing the young researcher pointing at the computer screen, looking very excited.

"Here. Here. And here. These abnormal points, they seem... Ahhhh!!!"

As he continued to explain, he suddenly let out a scream.

"Fire! Fire! It's on fire!!!"

He kept shaking his hands and then started to pat his sleeves and clothes, as if fire was spreading on his body. However, to others, there was nothing on him.

"Hey! What's wrong with you?"

Someone approached the suddenly strange researcher, but before they could get close, the person ran back.

"Snakes! So many snakes!"

The person pushed away the surrounding people and shouted about the non-existent snakes.

Strange things continued to happen.

"Locusts! Ah! Don't bite my eyes."

Someone was digging out their own eyes while shouting.

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"

Someone was tearing at their skin while crying.

"Die! Die! I won't let you kill me!"

Someone picked up a chair and started attacking others randomly.

The chaos escalated, and everyone in the laboratory became strange.

At this moment, the middle-aged man, sensing an unprecedented danger, tried to leave but found he could not move a step.

Looking down, he saw his feet being tightly held by someone. Not the floor, but a sea of blood. From the sea of blood, countless dead people were crawling towards him.

These dead people had tears of blood and were emitting painful groans.

The middle-aged man knew who they were; they were the people who had died in the experiments.

These dead people were slowly dragging the middle-aged man down, and he had no strength to resist, just like the dead people who had once been experimental subjects and had no strength to resist.

"Ha ha ha..."

The middle-aged man let out a distorted laugh, with tears and snot streaming down his face.

He suddenly turned his head towards the reinforced glass. The white mouse used in the experiment was no longer running around, and the experimental subject was still lying there.

The chaos spread from the laboratory to the entire research institute, and then everything returned to silence.

When the research institute was reopened, the only living thing found was the white mouse in the cage next to the empty experimental table.

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