The black liquid is like living ink, spreading silently throughout Amestris along the energy network of the earth's veins (Dragon Vein).
[Meme Virus] is a Conceptual Level weapon. It does not infect creatures with Self consciousness, but Parasite is in the life energy network that connects all things. It is like a silent program lurking in the background, waiting for the moment to be awakened.
On a physical level, it has no negative effects and even slightly nourishes life force in humans, making it extremely difficult to sense the body.
"Diffusion: Central City has been covered. It is spreading to the surrounding areas."
The clone of Ian is located in the study room of the manor, with a glowing holographic map suspended above it.
He is waiting.
This is a big deal. He is betting on whether the superior "Truth" is really omniscient and omnipotent. He is using his own life (although it is only a clone) as bait to test the reaction mechanism of the god.
If Truth discovers a virus, Ian's clone conversation will be instantly erased and the main body will be infected.
But if you don't find it...
One day. Two days. Three days.
The black area on the map has covered the entire country, but the sky is still blue and there is no divine punishment around it.
"It seems that my bet was right."
Ian's mouth curved in a playful way.
At the same time, dimensions.
In that pure white Truth Space, a white humanoid with no facial features - "Truth", is facing away from the real world at this moment.
Although he had indeed noticed the strange "Void Shield" outside the Ian manor before, as a high-dimensional being with endless consumption and knowledge, he did not take this little trick to heart. In his opinion, this was just a defensive posture made by the alien wizard due to excessive fear.
As long as it didn't affect the overall situation, he didn't bother to care whether an ant built a nest for himself.
At this moment, Truth has more important things to do.
He stepped towards the depths of the space, where stood a giant door that was more majestic than ordinary Gate of Truth and dressed in ancient tribal clothing.
[Origin Gate].
Or in the words of Ian - the login port of Akashic Records.
Truth stopped in front of the door, his arrogant posture turned into a humble one.
"Apply for connection."
There is no sound, only the movement of thoughts.
Decades later, the giant door slowly opened. A huge, golden eyeball appeared behind the door.
Those are not the eyes of living things, they are the embodiment of the ultimate wisdom of the universe. They are cold and profound, as if they contain the answers to everything in the world.
[Identity confirmation: Eleventh Tier starter·Truth.] [High-value knowledge sample detected. Do you want to trade?]
Such a grand will was directly established in Truth's thinking.
"Yes. According to the Equivalent Exchange principle, I want to use this knowledge in exchange for higher-level technology about 'Dimensional Leap'."
Truth respectfully presents Sacrifice.
That is not only his own research result, but also the crystallization of wisdom created by human Alchemy warriors over the past few decades, including brothers Hohenheim, Edward, and even that fool Dwarf in the Flask, through countless trials and errors, sacrifices, and epiphanies.
Golden tentacles extend from the door, piercing Truth's soul, greedily absorbing this knowledge.
[Transaction established.]
One after another, shining balls of light flew out from the door and swallowed the inside of Truth.
Truth "Looking" at the extra knowledge in his imagination, an expression of ecstasy appeared on the face without facial features.
"Finally... I have taken another step towards becoming a true God."
As Ian speculated.
The entire alchemical system of this world has been a trap set up by Truth from the very beginning in order to "harvest knowledge".
He spreads the seeds of Alchemy to mankind, guiding them to study, explore, and violate taboos.
Every time humans open Gate of Truth, they will contribute knowledge and tolls to Truth.
And that "Dwarf in the Flask" (father) is the core chess piece in the hands of Truth.
Truth Bodhisattva allowed the creation of the world with the fragment of God to give him the obsession to desire perfection. This obsession drove his father to conduct cruel experiments for decades, pushing Alchemy to the extreme.
In the end, when my father tried to destroy the gods, Truth not only did not stop it, but instead pushed forward, and the interface harvested even more huge data.
This is a perfect Gu raising game.
And Edward·Elric's last choice is to give up Gate of Truth in exchange for his younger brother, saving the only unexpected surprise in the game.
That tiny human being proved the evolutionary potential of intelligent creatures on a moral level.
"This harvest is enough for me to digest for decades."
Truth was immersed in the ocean of knowledge and completely cut off the perception of the baby. As for the clone originally used to monitor Ian? He only had the lowest intensity of computing power left and could normally maintain the "gatekeeper" function.
If Ian were here right now, he would definitely laugh out loud.
This is the so-called "protagonist halo (plot armor)".
Truth is trading knowledge at this juncture? Why is Truth's surveillance clone so mentally retarded that it can't even find the virus that covers the whole country?
Because Ian drank the bottle of [Destiny Plunder] that was mixed with all the blood of "Child of Destiny".
Now he is the "absolute protagonist" of this world.
World Will (if there is one) is frantically giving Truth intelligence and covering for Ian's actions. All coincidences are tilting towards Ian, and all loopholes are opening for him.
Amestris.
A few days later.
The black Meme Virus has infected everyone in Central City. From the president to the beggar on the street, the backdoor program of Ian is lurking in everyone's life energy network.
But no one feels it. They live as usual, work as usual, and even feel better physically than before.
Ian stood on the bed in the manor, looking at the peaceful city in front of him, with a hint of hunter's coldness flashing in his eyes.
"It's been a month. The truth still hasn't responded."
"Testing over."
Ian raised his hand, and a complex rune appeared on his palm.
"Since you are so arrogant, you don't even bother to look at it for a while..."
"Then don't blame me for flipping the table."
Phase Four: The ultimate confrontation.
Ian's figure disappeared instantly.
He did not go anywhere else, but returned directly to the core control room of the dimension.
"Morgana, start Void Engine at full power. Target locked: Truth Space."
"Master, are you sure? This will be a divine battle."
"I'm pretty sure."
Ian has a specially made armor, which is top-notch equipment built by Orichalcum and engraved with countless defensive runes.
The long sword he holds in his hand can inspire space paralysis, and the Fifth Tier and Magic Core on his chest are pulsing crazily, pumping out a massive amount of magic power.
"Truth thought I was a chess piece, thought I was a trembling homeless man in his back garden."
A ferocious smile appeared on the corner of Ian's mouth.
"Today, I want him to know that it is easier to ask God than to send him away."
"I represent his 'door', celebrate his pride, and tear it down together."