A conversation at the bar

Madman.

As someone with professional psychological knowledge, and even a practitioner in the field, Skinner should never have so rashly used such subjective and unprofessional terms to evaluate a person's personality or mental state.

Even if he's currently Profession as a bartender, he shouldn't act like this.

But Skinner, in that instant, after grasping Schreiber's intention... it was indeed difficult not to give such an assessment.

For a "Player" like "Potassium Chloride" who has reached their "potential limit," he chooses a setup that is almost a "dead end" for the opponent, to see if the opponent can turn the tide and achieve the effect of a "Trial."

If the opponent survives, it must mean they have broken through their bottleneck and their strength has increased significantly.

And if the other party doesn't survive... that's okay too.

His "death" will be the beginning of a new "Trial"—and that "Trial" is directed at him, "Schreiber."

When Schreiber first visited the bar and presented his ideas, Skinner, as an early member of the Psychology Society, was indeed somewhat persuaded and felt that Schreiber's theories seemed to be closer to the "right direction" the Psychology Society should take than the current Second Generation Freud.

Therefore, he did share these ideas with several trusted and well-known members of the "Professional Committee," which generated some response and even garnered some support.

But now, upon hearing Schreiber's latest remarks, Skinner has become skeptical.

"Even if the Second Generation President's thinking is wrong, your ideas can't be said to be closer to 'Freud' than the Second Generation President's; they're just going from one extreme to another."

Skinner looked at Lin Yu, and after Leng Jing down, spoke in a more rational tone.

Faced with Skinner's questioning, Lin Yu, holding his wine glass, did not deny the other party's "accusations."

"I agree with the latter part of your statement. I and that so-called Second Generation 'Freud' are indeed 'two extremes'..."

"However, my extreme thoughts and actions do not mean that I am not in line with the First Generation —President is it possible, Skinner, that the First Generation President, and the entire 'Psychology Society,' was actually a very extreme organization?"

"If we're not extreme, why would 'Order' and 'the Night Watcher' be so eager to eliminate the 'Psychology Society'?"

Skinner was speechless. "These are two different things..."

"That's one thing— 'Order' represents the most universal and basic moral and Values system, that's undeniable. The fact that the 'Psychology Society' is opposed to 'Order' itself shows that what we're doing is 'extreme' in the eyes of ordinary people," Lin Yu said calmly. "Therefore... whether it's 'extreme' or not is absolutely not the key to judging whether our actions and choices are 'correct' or not."

"Let's look at the results—assuming Potassium Chloride survives, will it break through the bottleneck?"

"Given the current reality that 'Potassium Chloride' did not survive, am I in a very dangerous and stressful situation?"

Skinner hesitated, "That's true... but if you die too, doesn't that mean your choice was completely Error —you took these high-risk actions, and the end result was that two quite strong 'Tier 3' 'Player' disappeared and died."

Lin Yu smiled and said, "This is a necessary risk—if I really die, I'm willing to bear all the consequences."

"But that doesn't mean my approach is Error... Perhaps after I'm really dead, you can seriously reflect on my thoughts and judge for yourself whether my actions were correct."

"Besides, I might not even die—if I survive, my strength will grow rapidly, and when you witness my growth, you won't even need to verify it, will you?"

"The facts speak for themselves."

As Lin Yu spoke, Skinner fell silent.

After a long silence, Skinner finally spoke, "If it's as you say, then of course I'll believe you..."

"Rather than that, I hope you survive and your strength truly improves by leaps and bounds, thus proving that your idea is correct."

Lin Yu nodded. "Don't worry, I'll do my best... But for me, death doesn't necessarily mean it's Error."

"After all, the First Generation 'Freud' is dead, but his ideas were certainly not Error."

"Even... he died in the Mist Island Realm to verify whether one of his ideas was correct, but I don't think the idea that led to his death was Error," Lin Yu said casually. "He wanted to prove that the 'Trial' could be standardized when facing weaker 'Player'... I don't think there's anything Error that."

"Standardized Trial procedures at lower levels help speed up our Trial process—while I don't advocate casting a wide net among non- 'Player,' I think we can certainly broaden the 'Trial' standards once someone becomes a 'Player' and has potential."

Lin Yu spoke eloquently, Skinner listened thoughtfully.

"That makes some sense... but it's too early to say that."

Lin Yu said, "Yes... so, just wait and see."

As he spoke, he raised his glass again.

At the moment he raised his glass, Lin Yu also asked Old Zheng for his opinion.

"So, what's Skinner's current attitude?"

Although he could basically tell that Skinner was already quite shaken, he still intended to listen to Old Zheng's thoughts.

After all, Old Zheng is definitely a professional.

"If you had a legitimate position within the Psychology Society right now, you'd be a standard member of the 'Schreiber' faction," Old Zheng commented, then added with a sigh, "But... Boss, your self-proclaimed 'Schreiber' is far more arrogant than mine!"

"I couldn't portray that kind of madness... Even when I was alive, I didn't have that kind of confidence and obsession."

Listening to Old Zheng's explanation, Lin Yu inwardly scoffed, "Really not? Your act of building that Asylum on Mist Island was already quite obsessive in my eyes."

"And... isn't planning on 'mass production Trial's arrogant enough? I was just using 'Schreiber' to describe 'standardization,' which was a restrained way of putting it."

After thinking for a moment, Old Zheng replied, "Boss, at first glance, this plan does sound a bit crazy... but the thing is, it's a plan that I've deduced step by step and that's actually feasible, which is why I'm willing to test it."

Lin Yu sighed, "I know, but that doesn't mean you're not obsessive just because you came up with this plan..."

After hearing Lin Yu's words, Old Zheng also fell into self-reflection.

"Really... now that you mention it, boss, if I step outside my own 'self-imposed limitations' and examine myself, it does seem a bit..."

"Well, I can only say that I was a bit hasty at the time. Anyway, if I had to do it again now, I definitely wouldn't do anything like that, not at all."

Old Zheng said.

Lin Yu took another sip of the Piña Colada and said with some surprise.

"Really? So it won't happen again?"

Although Old Zheng had expressed similar doubts about his previous strategies before, Lin Yu could sense that Old Zheng was more determined to deny his past self this time.

"Of course... because it was a desperate measure under 'desperation,' boss," Old Zheng's voice rang out, "But since I met you, boss... I've known that the 'Player' of the 'Death game' now may not be facing a near-dead, hopeless situation."

Lin Yu understood what Old Zheng meant and said helplessly, "There's no need to flatter me so opportunistically."

"This isn't flattery... well, a little bit, but it's also my honest opinion."

Old Zheng said frankly.

Lin Yu could tell that Old Zheng's point of view wasn't entirely flattery, but he still didn't quite agree with it.

"Even if you're not flattering me, I don't think your judgment of me is entirely objective," Lin Yu said. "Your 'Psychology Society's' evaluation system seems to consistently overestimate me... and my potential is artificially inflated."

"I am very clear about my own capabilities; I know I am not capable of shouldering any particularly significant responsibilities..."

As Lin Yu spoke, Old Zheng did not directly refute him.

"Okay, boss, let's assume you're telling the truth. What do you think is the reason the 'Psychology Society' overestimates you?"

Before Lin Yu could answer, Old Zheng spoke up again.

"Is it because of the 'things' your sister left you that you seem to have extraordinary potential?"

"But even so, for me, 'hope' remains unchanged... Anyway, you'll Resurrection your sister, boss. And then, hoping that your sister, whom even you consider a genius, omnipotent, and whose 'achievements' seem verifiable in the Previous Version, Resurrection, wouldn't that be even more... hopeful?"

Old Zheng spoke, Lin Yu was stunned.

This angle...

He really couldn't refute it.

Indeed, if Sister Zhao were to Resurrection, then it seems there's really nothing to worry about regarding the "Death game"...

Lin Yu had always thought so too.

"You've at least convinced me somewhat, Old Zheng."

Lin Yu continued, then added, "But those are all things of the distant future. Right now... let's continue to try and win over the members of the 'Psychology Society'."

He looked up again and saw Skinner.

Skinner noticed Lin Yu's gaze and said helplessly, "So... how much longer are you going to stay?"

"It really is time for you to leave."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu shook the Piña Colada in his hand. "Let me finish this one—I just finished dealing with the 'Diviner,' I need to relax a bit."

Do you think I obtained information about "Cold Cicada" so easily?

As Lin Yu spoke, Skinner looked helpless.

"Please go ahead."

Just as Skinner was about to clean the bartending equipment...

"Knock knock."

The bar was knocked on again.

Then, the chair next to Lin Yu was pulled out, and a cold female voice came from behind.

"Give me a Margarita, and he can have a Cosmopolitan. It's on me."

The girl with short, neat hair, who also wore narrow-rimmed gold-rimmed glasses, sat down. She turned her head to the side, and her calm eyes reflected Lin Yu's face.

"Stay for one more drink, Schreiber... I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

She paused for a moment, then added.

"Lots of words."