CHAPTER 83: THINKERS

Just a few simple words, yet they made Ren think of so much. This authority was incredibly terrifying!

Whether Data Craftsman built virtual labyrinths or virtual divine realms in network space, the essence was using data floods to pile up a controllable virtual world to achieve some purpose. But Spirit Realm was different.

It was targeted!

Simply put, Spirit Realm was more like a real illusion—in a strange space between reality and fantasy, it constructed a virtual world that seemed like the real world based on the target’s memories. It could make them addicted, or attack their mental weak points, step by step destroying their psychological defenses.

You could even say that in the ’Spirit Realm world,’ once the enemy believed it was real, then it was real. Though this damage wouldn’t be applied to the physical body, the target would believe they were injured and give up control of that part of their body.

For example, if someone became disabled in the Spirit Realm world, then in reality, even if their body was perfectly fine, they would never be able to stand again. This was something Data Craftsman could never do.

"What if we put a layer of Spirit Realm over the virtual world created by Data Craftsman?"

Betty quickly understood the characteristics of both authorities. Data Craftsman could freely build worlds—as big as you wanted, with as many people as you wanted to enter, as long as the network channel was big enough. Spirit Realm built smaller-scale worlds that had to rely on the target’s memories. But in the Spirit Realm world, all virtual attacks became true damage... Each had its advantages, but neither was perfect.

But what if they could be combined?

Build a virtual labyrinth that dealt real damage!

The world would be hard-pressed to find such a combination!

"Think about what we just did in that world of depravity?"

Ren’s lips curved into a smile, and Betty immediately caught on. "Oh my God! Your Data Craftsman authority can be used in this world of depravity—they can stack!"

"Of course. But I still can’t figure out why the God of Wine would have this kind of authority." Ren shook his head helplessly. "Actually, it doesn’t really matter. As long as it’s already become my authority, then it’s mine. Let’s exit this world first!"

With a wave of his hand, the two appeared in the castellan’s bedroom again.

Different from the previous scene, the Golden Princess now lay collapsed on the ground, seemingly fallen into deep sleep. In a corner not far away, a man’s face was deathly pale, blood seeping from every facial opening, his expression twisted, white smoke rising from his body...

"Did his CPU get fried?" Looking at this scene, Ren couldn’t help but comment.

"What CPU? This clearly looks like the state that appears from being in close contact with a deity and being too severely corrupted." Betty was somewhat confused.

"Nothing, I’m just saying this guy’s brain got fried." Ren waved his hand dismissively, taking the Mirror of Depravity in his hand. After sensing it, the mirror’s function still remained, but was far inferior to his ’Spirit Realm’ authority.

"Let’s go. The castellan’s manor still has secrets."

Directly stuffing the mirror in his chest, Ren walked outside.

"What about these two?"

"They’ll wake up on their own in a bit. The virtual world they fell into wasn’t just built by the Mirror of Depravity." Ren said, "We’re going to see the Fallen Ones’ ’core technology’ now!"

World of depravity.

Heaven and earth collapsed and reformed, but it didn’t have much impact on the castellan’s family. However, the instant Ren took away the Mirror of Depravity, two lines of tears slid from the castellan’s wife’s eyes.

She suddenly realized that she had died many years ago. The current her was just a... beautiful dream virtualized by this world!

Looking at the face beside her, tears kept pouring out.

"Darling, you should wake up. You’re the castellan of the City of Gold. Hundreds of thousands of people depend on you. Countless territories can maintain the status quo because of your business. I died thirteen years ago. You shouldn’t be immersed in this. Sadness can’t solve any problems..."

The awakened castellan froze, his face showing shock, grief, and confusion.

He was still immersed in that perfect world woven for him, but his wife’s words were like thunder, stimulating him. "Live well, go live well in the real world! Remember to take care of yourself, don’t let sadness corrode your heart. And our child—she must be very worried about you lately..."

Just then, the space seemed to become somewhat illusory. She slowly reached out her hand, as if wanting to touch his face, but stopped at the last moment... All of this was just empty illusion. Besides, her hand had already disappeared.

Her eyes sparkled with tears. "Please remember, no matter where I am, my love will accompany you, just like this world in the mirror. Though illusory, it carries our most sincere feelings..."

The Golden Princess rushed in from outside at this moment. Actually, she’d arrived long ago, but she didn’t want to disturb her father’s final farewell. Whatever happens, happens... But when she was mentioned, she still couldn’t help herself.

The voice gradually grew smaller, disappeared. Her body was the same. Finally, a few words were already inaudible, unclear to see, as if swallowed by morning mist. She wanted to take one last look at the Golden Princess but couldn’t... The castellan’s outstretched hand hung in midair, frozen there, not moving for a long time.

Real world.

In the basement of the City of Gold’s castellan’s manor, Ren’s expression was quite unpleasant as he looked at the scene before him, while Betty had a look of great interest.

The basement of the City of Gold’s castellan’s manor was incredibly dark and eerie. From the moment they entered this area, it was obvious. But when they actually saw the source of the ’illusion,’ this darkness and eeriness seemed rather ordinary, without any challenge.

Compared to this source of illusion, most of the darkness in the world was probably just like this!

As soon as they entered, the two saw a huge pool in front of them. The strong smell of alcohol kept reminding them this was high-proof liquor. And in this alcohol pool, it was completely filled, neatly arranged, with people.

These people were stuck straight into this pool like trees, unable to move at all. But Ren and Betty both knew very clearly that these people were all alive. They still had relatively strong life force emanating from them.

An unholy marriage of spirits and flesh

Ren knew this pool had only one purpose—to maintain the lives of the humans in the pool. Because they were all basic units providing ’computing power’ for the entire world of depravity, called by the Fallen Ones—Thinkers.

"They actually did use our Magic Net technology, and quite a lot of it!" Betty pointed to many of the surrounding runes, unable to help but speak. These were all combinations she had created.