Huang Liang recognized it at a glance; it was an external device for the currently popular VR game " Dream Guide," priced at a whopping $50,000. It was said that in less than a year since its release, it had already sold nearly ten million units.
Huang Liang doesn't play games, but he's very interested in dreaming. Judging from online reviews, this game is similar to creating one's own dream world. He had thought about buying a copy to try it out, but firstly, each pre-sale was so popular that by the time he heard the news and checked the official website, it was already sold out. Secondly, the price was a bit too high.
The organization arranged a job for him at a private hospital in Amsterdam, where the income wasn't high. Of course, his expenses weren't large; the organization rented an apartment for him, and they also provided him with special activity funds when he participated in events. So, with the money he saved, he could afford gaming equipment, but that was about it.
"Do you know what this thing is?" Howard asked.
"I know, it's for playing VR games," Huang Liang said. "This game seems to be very popular lately. I heard they're having a global event soon, and many celebrities will be attending."
Howard said, "Don't underestimate it, this isn't just an ordinary VR headset! This thing is called the Space Box. Although the developers haven't released its technical details yet, based on what we know so far, it's a disruptive product. Its technology may revolutionize human society, just like the steam engine, electricity, and computers did."
"That's so exaggerated?" Huang Liang couldn't help but re-examine the helmet.
He picked up the helmet and found it very light, not at all as heavy as it appeared. He ran his hand over the surface of the helmet, feeling a cool, metallic sensation that was very pleasant to the touch.
"This thing must be very expensive, right?" Huang Liang knew its price, but still asked.
"It's not too expensive; the hardware costs $50,000, but I heard it might go down in price next year," Howard said. "The key is the software. It's free now, but if it becomes paid in the future, then only the wealthy can afford it. And you know, most of the people in our organization are wealthy."
Huang Liang didn't understand why Howard was telling him all this, and asked, "What's wrong with it?"
"Great, of course it's great! What's wrong with being among the first to enjoy the benefits of groundbreaking technological products in human society!" Howard plopped back in his chair, leaning back as he said, "But don't forget why we're here. We're here to revolutionize human society. If something achieves that before us, wouldn't all our efforts have been in vain?"
"But this could be a good thing; it might even become an asset to us," Huang Liang said.
Howard said, "When you're trying to overthrow feudalism and establish a capitalist nation, and someone else takes the lead in socialism, do you consider them a friend or an enemy?"
Huang Liang said, "I studied medicine; I don't understand politics."
Howard chuckled. "You're naive, and that's exactly what I admire about you." Then he asked, "Do you know how the Space Box works?"
Huang Liang shook his head, indicating that he did not know.
Howard said, " The Space Box has done a great job of keeping many of its technologies secret. Ignore how it achieves massive information storage and the neural connections between machines and humans—it has accomplished all of these. What we need to focus on is the gameplay of ' The Dream Guide.' Players are essentially dreaming, and everything in the game is accomplished by the player's own subconscious mind through the retrieval and combination of memories. In other words, when you have the Space Box, every player is having a lucid dream."
You must understand that our process of parasitizing humans is not so easy. Often, we have to disguise ourselves as his shadow in dreams and accompany him for a long time in order to acquire all his memories. If he can have lucid dreams, he can easily discover us, and our new comrades will face enormous potential dangers. Although this danger has not yet manifested, you cannot say that it does not exist.
Our second leader has warned all members to use the Space Box with caution, because she has discovered a more significant danger.
"What?"
"When you enter the game using the Space Box, your consciousness will experience a very brief Black Box period. During this time, your consciousness cannot access the brain's memories and will exhibit instinctive behaviors. Our instinctive behaviors are significantly different from those of humans, just like the instinctive behaviors of humans and dogs are different," Howard said, looking at Huang Liang.
Huang Liang he hadn't bought the helmet. If the game's Black Box could cause different life forms to display different instincts, what would he be? Would he possess both instincts? Would the organization discover his secret?
"Wait..." Huang Liang tried to suppress the mental fluctuations that might be caused by his sudden strange thoughts, and changed the subject, "What did you just say... the Second Leader?"
"Yes, in order to reopen the suddenly closed passage, the leader personally went to an unknown place and there has been no news for almost a year. Now, all affairs of the organization are handled by the second leader," Howard said.
"Who is the second leader?" Huang Liang had never heard of the organization having a second leader.
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." Howard's expression hardened, then relaxed, and he spoke earnestly, "I originally wanted to transfer you back to Asia. You're Asian, and it would be convenient for you to work there. The production and assembly of this product are all done in Asia, and although its core technology was developed collaboratively by multiple research centers around the world, the most crucial part was completed in the Mei Laboratory in Wuzhong."
" Wuzhong?" Huang Liang asked in surprise.
"That's right, it's the place you know best." Howard looked at Huang Liang and smiled. "I think you should have heard of Mei Yiqiu; he led the development of the Space Box."
So you want me to go back to Wuzhong?
Howard nodded. "That's exactly what I was thinking. Your case has died down, and China has a huge population. Going back under a different identity won't attract attention. If all else fails, you can always alter your appearance. You're a surgeon; you know more about this than I do."
"But what would I do in Wuzhong?"
"Of course, it's about getting close to Mei Laboratory, figuring out the whole truth about the Space Box, and if it really poses a threat to us, then we should just destroy it, including its developers," Howard said casually.
Huang Liang said, "Shouldn't this kind of thing be done by the organization's computer experts? Or we could just hack into Mei Yiqiu and make him one of our comrades. I'm just a surgeon, how could I possibly do that?"
Howard said, "If only it were that simple! The Mei Laboratory are heavily guarded; we've tried many times and failed. That's why I thought of you. You're very familiar with Wuzhong, and your past performance has been outstanding. I believe you can definitely find a way. So, I recommended you to the Second Leader."
"Alright, I'll obey the organization's arrangements." Huang Liang didn't really care where he worked; returning to Wuzhong was a good thing for him, at least he could go see Qingmu.
"I knew you'd agree." Howard suddenly laughed, a somewhat mysterious laugh. "But now it's not necessary. The organization has found someone more suitable than you."