A madman and a fine drink

After leaving Qin Siyu with Stiller for "training" for the time being, Lin Yu also left Stiller's secret base again and returned to Shenzhen.

After all, he probably wouldn't need "Qin Siyu" for the time being, and he might even be switching identities frequently in the future, so leaving her in Stiller would actually be more convenient for him.

On the way back to Shenzhen...

Lin Yu naturally changed his identity to resemble "Schreiber".

This time, he didn't need Old Zheng to play "Schreiber"; he took charge of the role himself.

The reason is naturally because...

The Lin Yu will meet next under the identity of "Schreiber" are naturally the members of the "Psychology Society".

He took Old Zheng out and settled him in, then went once again to the Shenzhen branch of the "Psychology Society" that he had visited before.

That is to say...

The bar where "Skinner" was located.

Lin Yu pushed open the door and went inside; the bar was still empty.

Skinner was sitting behind the bar just like last time, except this time he wasn't playing on his phone.

Of course, they weren't wiping the cup either.

Skinner was intently chiseling Ice Cube when he heard the bar door open. He looked up and then showed a surprised expression.

Thump.

He tossed the half-carved Ice Cube into the basin, and then Skinner said in a low voice.

"Schreiber... How dare you come here! You shouldn't have come!"

As Skinner spoke, Lin Yu asked with some surprise, "Oh, is there some reason why I can't come?"

"Although our conversation here last time wasn't particularly pleasant, we did reach a consensus."

Lin Yu said with a smile, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

He noticed Skinner's wariness and hostility, but precisely because of this, Lin Yu didn't think it was a big deal.

He knew that Skinner's current attitude was mostly because after the news of "Potassium Chloride's" death spread, the entire "Psychology Society," under the leadership of the Second Generation "Freud," had identified Lin Yu as an "enemy."

But...

Skinner had previously been willing to maintain online communication, and although her initial words revealed hostility, she used the phrase "You shouldn't have come"...

This is quite intriguing.

Lin Yu knew that the hook he had left for Skinner earlier had worked—his last negotiation with Skinner had revealed ideas that differed from those of the Second Generation "Freud" and were closer to Old Zheng's own philosophy, which had now swayed Skinner.

Although the current policy of the Psychology Society is directed at Schreiber... Skinner has clearly developed a different view from the Psychology Society regarding his attitude towards Schreiber.

Although it appears hostile on the surface, it's more like a warning.

I just wonder... how many Internal Members Psychology Society, starting with Skinner, have been persuaded and "swayed" by themselves, just like he was?

Although I won't immediately side with "Schreiber," just a little hesitation... will suffice.

"To be honest, Skinner... when I shared intelligence with you before, you didn't seem particularly resistant to negotiating with me."

Lin Yu placed his hand on the bar, looked at Skinner, and said calmly.

"Besides, you didn't have the confidence to fight me last time, but do you have it this time?"

Skinner looked at Lin Yu and said coldly, "I certainly won't fight you... You're willing to give me information, so I naturally have no reason to refuse—but that doesn't mean I'll welcome you into my base after you killed one of our S-Rank Operator on a mission without reason."

"Don't say that. I didn't kill him. 'Potassium Chloride' just failed the 'Trial,'" Lin Yu rubbed his temples. "Look what the Second Generation 'Freud' has twisted you all into. Since when has our 'Psychology Society' ever sought revenge for members who died in Trial?"

Skinner said, "That wasn't a 'Trial' —after 'Potassium Chloride' was freed, you chose to directly annihilate his soul. It was a completely meaningless and unnecessary killing."

"You previously boasted that you were closer to the First Generation President's ideals than the Second Generation 'Freud,' and that the Second Generation 'Freud's' current policies and strategies have deviated somewhat from the original. I do agree with that, and there are indeed many others within the organization who share that view," Skinner said, staring at Lin Yu. "But... your act of killing 'Potassium Chloride,' in my opinion, is even more contrary to the First Generation's original intentions—what kind of Trial is it to personally cause death under completely unnecessary circumstances?"

"Furthermore... Potassium Chloride's potential assessment level is only B. Reaching his current strength already represents overdrawing his potential, and he doesn't need any further Trial —besides, those Trial wouldn't be a viable option for him anyway."

Lin Yu laughed.

"You've hit the nail on the head, Skinner... I'll have a cup of Piña Colada, I'm a little thirsty."

He tapped on the table, catching Skinner off guard by his abrupt remark.

"What did you say?"

"Is this bar just for show? You should really know how to mix drinks," Lin Yu said. "Can't you make 'Piña Colada'?"

Skinner realized what was happening. "Are you really going to drink at this crucial moment?"

"I'm in a good mood and want to relax with a drink," Lin Yu said, twirling a coaster on the bar. "I don't know if you know this, but the First Generation President also had a drinking habit..."

"Both Mr. Adler and Jung mentioned it... well, both of the First Generation two mentioned it."

Skinner said, though he found it strange, he obediently took out his shaker and began to prepare the Piña Colada.

As he mixed the drinks, Lin Yu continued to speak.

"You just mentioned that Potassium Chloride's potential is only around B. Reaching the 'Tier 3' and even possessing considerable combat power within that 'Tier 3' is already considered the upper limit of its potential..."

"That's why I presented him with a seemingly hopeless situation—what will you choose to do after your potential reaches its limit?"

Skinner, mixing pineapple juice and coconut milk, casually replied, "What else can we do when his potential has reached its limit? Of course, we just let him continue to grow naturally..."

"It is indeed an idea," Lin Yu said, then changed the subject, "But... in my opinion, it is undoubtedly cultivating the mindset of a good-for-nothing."

"I must admit beforehand that this is just my speculation, and may not actually be the First Generation President's thought, but... I think if Professor 'Freud' really considered this issue, he would also arrive at a similar conclusion to mine."

"I have criticized the current 'wide net' strategy of the Psychology Society because I am very clear that we are not conducting 'Trial' to cultivate a thousand mediocre people or a hundred 'decent' 'Player'. What we want to improve is the overall quality of the 'Player,' with the goal of raising the level of all 'Player,' so as to cope with the 'Death game' that will become increasingly difficult to survive over time and may have some kind of 'final selection mechanism.'"

As Lin Yu stated his position, Skinner poured the well-mixed juice into a glass containing Ice Cube and said, "Of course I know that... However, there's no concrete evidence to prove that the Second Generation are necessarily wrong. It's just that I personally tend to think that the current organizational policies are indeed too 'radical' and relatively 'inefficient'."

"But anyway, what does this have to do with you killing 'Potassium Chloride'?"

Lin Yu said, "Of course there's a connection, because Potassium Chloride's potential is B... but his actual strength is truly among the best of the 'Tier 3'."

"I consider more than just potential when conducting Trial; current strength is also very important!"

"Because the strength of 'Player' in the 'Death game' increases exponentially as they reach higher levels. After all, the increased number of [Item], the expansion of the ability system, and the emergence of high-level powers such as [Exclusive item], 'Heart Domain', and even 'Authority' mean that cultivating a single extremely high-level 'Player' has a far greater impact on the overall improvement than cultivating a large number of mid-to-high-level 'Player'."

"So... for someone with potential at B-Class, but who has reached their 'ceiling,' instead of letting them grow freely, shouldn't we... try to help them break through that ceiling?"

"After all, potential assessment is only a reference... his true potential is the most reliable 'conclusion'!"

Lin Yu tapped his fingers on the bar counter as he spoke, "So, Skinner... don't you understand yet...?"

"Potassium Chloride is only one step away from the Tier 4. Having made no progress for so long, what it needs... is something more intense!"

"And that was what I gave him!"

Lin Yu spoke with great certainty.

"Splash splash splash..."

The rum was poured into a double-ended measuring cup, and then into a glass.

Skinner looked at Lin Yu and said calmly, "But in the end, the 'Potassium Chloride' died directly, without showing any signs of 'transformation' whatsoever."

Lin Yu shrugged. "I regret it, Skinner... but don't worry, he didn't die in vain."

Skinner listened to Lin Yu's words and repeated them.

"No... death was in vain?"

His tone carried a hint of confusion, but beneath that confusion lay a barely restrained anger.

Lin Yu, however, seemed oblivious to what he was saying and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Could you please add an extra shot of rum? Thanks."

Skinner didn't react; instead, he simply added extra rum as Lin Yu requested and pushed a beautiful glass of fragrant Piña Colada in front of Lin Yu.

The glass and the liquor reflected the warm light of the bar lamp, illuminating Lin Yu's gloomy face with its gold-rimmed glasses. The lenses reflected light, concealing Schreiber's dark circles.

"The Potassium Chloride didn't die in vain, did it?"

Skinner asked.

Lin Yu picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and the slightly prominent but not overpowering fruity sweet wine gently spread in his mouth.

"Although his Trial is over... but look, the death of 'Potassium Chloride,' coupled with the death of 'White Sand,' a member of the 'Marauders,' isn't this just the perfect starting point for my 'Trial'?"

Lin Yu smiled gently and said, "An enraged 'Diviner' and an out-of-control Second Generation 'Freud'... isn't that killing two birds with one stone?"

Skinner, a long-time member of the Psychology Society, was deeply moved by Lin Yu 'Lin Yu words.

"You're a complete... utter madman."

Skinner murmured.

Lin Yu tapped the rim of the wine glass with his fingertip.

"This is truly... a very good wine."