The first step of the task was to gather at least five targets from the surrounding area within range of his perception, each corresponding to one of five states. These five states belonged to three domains: emotions, desires, and rationality.
Among them, "emotions" and "desires" were further divided into lower and higher categories.
So-called "lower" ones were instincts humans were born with. Such "lower emotions" roughly included happiness, anger, fear, and sorrow; "lower desires" referred to pursuits related to reproduction, food, and sleep.
The corresponding "higher emotions" and "higher desires" were deeper needs and responses that emerged once humans developed sociality. Things like a sense of security, belonging, desire for power, pursuit of knowledge or Faith; as well as regret, sympathy, awe, nostalgia, confusion, and so on.
After finding at least five suspected infected targets, he also had to find the same number of uninfected people. The ten people would be paired off and placed in specific spacetime environments to form control groups, seeking distinguishing traits through comparison and creating a "tool" for screening and locating them.
Looking at the complex follow-up design involving "comparison" and "construction," Ronan clicked his tongue in admiration. "This is a bit like an occult ritual."
He was speaking to Raven. She merely hummed and offered no comment.
This step was a ritual in itself, one meant to locate the range and level at which the power of the Dream Divine Abomination operated.
Ronan could roughly understand the principle behind it. Though it listed "emotions," "desires," and "rationality," dividing them into three domains and five levels, human desires and emotions could often shift rapidly. Even when someone was trapped in a certain state, new stimulation could quickly trigger new emotions; after one desire was fulfilled, it was often cast aside like an old shoe.
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