The Law Of Virtual Body Energy And Its Medical Application: A New Paradigm For Diagnosis And Treatment Based On Virtual Reality Mapping Chapter 3

The Hippocampus Effect: Information Processing Hypothesis

That’s everything I saw before I lost consciousness.

There were only a few questions, but the person in front of him tirelessly asked for every detail, giving the already exhausted Qi Ruiqing a headache.

But there was no choice; he was the only one who had seen clearly.

The physical mutations weren’t extensive; it seemed he had only grown feathers. I saw limbs resembling wings, but I couldn’t make out the specific size or shape.

He knocked you all out without any physical contact?

Yes… or rather, it wasn’t exactly knocking out. It wasn’t like being hit with a blunt object… I can’t explain it in words.

Did you see him again after you woke up?

I don’t think so. I haven’t seen him anywhere outside the teaching building.

Do you believe the subject’s desire to attack is strong?

Qi Ruiqing clenched his hands, his fingertips turning white from the pressure.

I don’t think he has reached the level of a Phase Three Mutation yet.

Meaning he still possesses reason?

Presumably.

Did you know this person before the mutation?

He pursed his lips and looked away. Qi Ruiqing knew such a small gesture was obvious, but he couldn’t restrain himself.

No.

He knew his hands were shaking violently.

But other team members claim you shouted a name starting with Shen—

I was mistaken.

Undoubtedly, Qi Ruiqing’s terrible mental state was seen through. The evaluators believed he was suffering from shock, compounded by trauma from a previous accident, making him unfit for emergency response work. Fortunately, an old primary school classmate guiltily helped him out, preventing Qi Ruiqing’s volunteer plans from ending before they truly began.

However, he was now relegated to logistics, watching gauze wrap wounds and white sheets cover corpses.

Fine… this was for the best. At least it was safe.

Are you from this university? someone wearing a red armband came over and asked him.

There’s a corpse here. Can you try to identify it?

A pale head sat lonely on the morgue table, its unfocused pupils a hazy gray. Qi Ruiqing tried to find the lower half of the body, only to be told those parts had already turned into mangled flesh mixed with shrapnel.

Don’t you recognize this person? Perhaps because the severed neck was dripping foul-smelling fluids, the other person hurried Qi Ruiqing with a hint of impatience.

I only know it’s a man.

No kidding.

To be fair, Qi Ruiqing had already graduated.

Why not let the relatives identify them?

Do you think there aren’t enough monsters around already?

So, had the people on the missing persons list actually turned into such miserable severed heads long ago?

That’s right, that person’s name was also on the list… appearing in every newspaper since Qi Ruiqing was hospitalized, stubbornly clinging to the gray corners just like the person the name belonged to.

…But why would he appear in The Library?

This question troubled him for a long time, forcing him to stay within the Restricted Zone even after his shift ended.

Walking along the edge of the developed area, near the fence separating it from the unexplored danger zones, he strolled toward the exit he had used last time. Suddenly, an unrealistic thought sprouted in his mind.

Go inside and find him.

How is that possible? How could you do that? The voice of reason tried to stop his emotional side, but it wasn’t enough to make his body halt.

The patrol lights swept past. Qi Ruiqing saw the guard team standing watch by the fence and told himself: if they stopped him, he would go home and rest immediately.

How could they not stop me? How could they let an unarmed person wander in and out at will?

Halt, comrade. You cannot enter.

Qi Ruiqing was satisfied. Without offering an explanation, he turned to walk back.

As expected, he should just stay in his place. Such reckless behavior was something only Shen Molin would do…

Come back.

His feet stopped as if they had a mind of their own. At first, Qi Ruiqing was merely immersed in the shock of hearing that voice, until his body began to walk backward of its own accord.

The unknown fear brought by moving backward allowed Qi Ruiqing to regain control. He didn’t want to see that person at all now. He turned and bolted.

Tsk. Come back!

Unsurprisingly, the feeling of suffocation struck just like last time, and Qi Ruiqing’s body lost consciousness. Only this time, his mind remained unexpectedly clear.

Extremely light footsteps stopped before his eyes, followed by someone leaning down to lift him up easily. He was tucked under an arm like a briefcase and dragged into the ruins.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw that sour face—the one that brought bad luck whenever he saw it.

Qi Ruiqing leaned against a flat stone slab, looking like an organ donor waiting to be slaughtered on an operating table. Those golden eyes were like two curious lightbulbs, leaning in closer and closer to observe him.

Qi Ruiqing felt a bit like a test subject; Shen Molin had never looked at him like this before.

He should probably say something, shouldn’t he? But it was hard to tell if the current Shen Molin still possessed reason or what state he was in. If Qi Ruiqing said too much and mentioned a triggering phrase, he might be crushed into dust by that hand instantly.

Mention things from the past? That would be even worse… Qi Ruiqing, oh Qi Ruiqing, you have a history with him. Why did you come looking for him?

The owl-like creature that looked very much like Shen Molin pulled back its leaning head and began to coldly watch Qi Ruiqing swallow hard and break into a cold sweat.

Qi Ruiqing watched him nervously. He decided not to move unless the enemy moved—mostly because he couldn’t move even if he wanted to.

The two stared at each other, quietly watching one another for a very long time. Qi Ruiqing didn’t know where this guy got his patience from; in the past, he wouldn’t even wait a minute for anyone.

You. Speak.

The wing behind Shen Molin’s back extended nimbly to poke Qi Ruiqing.

…What do you want me to say? He could still communicate; this gave Qi Ruiqing a sudden sense of relief.

I don’t know. I want you to speak.

Fine, he had celebrated too early. Shen Molin still had that same dead-end personality! His words made no logical sense!

But this was a life-or-death moment, and Qi Ruiqing wasn’t in the mood to complain. He could only ask more carefully and humbly, I’ll say whatever you want me to say…

Then Shen Molin bristled.

When I ask, you answer. He grabbed Qi Ruiqing’s neck, squeezing until the bones creaked. Don’t waste my time, and don’t play any tricks!

Ask then! Ask! Qi Ruiqing shouted in despair. I can only answer if you ask!

I want you to speak!

I am speaking! I’m speaking right now!

Not that sentence!

Then which sentence? Which one?! Shen Molin, you lunatic!!

The strangled throat was released, and Qi Ruiqing greedily sucked the hard-won air into his lungs. He sat up from the stone slab coughing, his anger turning back into confusion when he saw Shen Molin’s contemplative expression.

That’s the one. The mutations on Shen Molin’s face gradually faded, returning to his original world-weary look. The degree of his distortion actually wasn’t that large; aside from the color of his irises, the area around his eyes, and the overly conspicuous brownish-speckled wing on his back, nothing else had changed.

Compared to those true monsters, Shen Molin appeared normal and coordinated, even a bit… unique.

That sentence? Qi Ruiqing’s lip twitched. Lu… natic?

It’s Shen Mo Lin. Shen Molin realized belatedly. I am not a lunatic; I am a normal person. Were you insulting me?

No… haha… no, not at all.

Wait, Qi Ruiqing suddenly realized: isn’t that his name?

Shen Molin? he called out tentatively, in disbelief.

…Hmm?

I’m calling you.

You’re calling me? Please, your noisiness is interrupting my thoughts.

Oh god! Qi Ruiqing said helplessly, Stop thinking. That is your name.

Shen Mo Lin, my name?

It’s Shen Molin. Three consecutive characters that make up your name.

Shen Molin had a sudden realization. I see. So that’s why it always felt familiar.

Ah… this…

Forget it, it’s normal for him to have amnesia. It’s not a bad thing. At least he won’t because of what happened before…

You know me, and I should know you too. Because I feel disgust the moment I see you.

But at least this dislike remained on a subconscious level for now. The way he looked at Qi Ruiqing became slightly less sharp, and he stopped forcing the other’s body around.

What else do you know about me? He gave Qi Ruiqing a bit of personal space and tucked his wing away.

…How much do you remember? Qi Ruiqing looked wary and nervous. That determines where I should start.

What, are we close? Shen Molin’s tone was merely one of surprise, but for some reason, it always sounded unpleasant. Can’t your understanding of me be described with a concise and clear definition?

If it were just a definition…

If it were just a definition, then Shen Molin was merely a university classmate who had once stood by his side.

Qi Ruiqing lowered his eyes. He suddenly didn’t want to look at him anymore—even though this was the wanderer who had frequently appeared in his nightmares over the past month.

Some things reached the tip of his tongue but couldn’t be spoken.

Is it that hard? Shen Molin’s habitual sarcastic tone had never changed, even though his appearance was no longer that of the victim Qi Ruiqing had failed to save. Or do you lack the basic ability to organize and refine your language…

I’m sorry.

Shen Molin froze, then let out a cold laugh. That doesn’t answer the question. Now is not the time for your confession…

But don’t you want to know why you lost your memory and why you became like this?

Qi Ruiqing knew how to make Shen Molin change the subject and pique his interest: he liked questions, and he liked accurate, no-nonsense answers or a counter-question worth pondering.

…Why? Shen Molin’s voice softened slightly. Seeing Qi Ruiqing’s expression, he already began to form a hypothesis in his mind.

Did you do it?

I… caused it.

Qi Ruiqing’s head sank lower and lower, but Shen Molin’s face leaned in close once again.

You caused it?

Qi Ruiqing began to tremble, not just because of his pent-up emotions and the stinging in his nose, but out of physical instinct.

Shen Molin’s breath brushed lightly against his skin. Qi Ruiqing was encircled by that wing, with nowhere to retreat.

The familiar sensation made his hair stand on end. He closed his eyes, refusing and not daring to look again.

What he felt instead was a moist, soft tongue flickering across the corner of his eye, carrying away a salty, dark red tear.

Liar.

Qi Ruiqing looked up in shock, watching Shen Molin retreat to his original spot with a serious, inscrutable expression.

You didn’t harm me. Shen Molin looked somewhat annoyed. I told you, your lie is too clumsy.

I’m not lying! Qi Ruiqing’s protest carried a nasal tone. You were pinned under the stone slab, injured and calling to me for help. I promised I would save you, but in the end, I still left you behind and fled alone! Every word I said is true! I didn’t lie to you!

Shen Molin crossed his arms and shook his head, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on him, making Qi Ruiqing feel even more desperate.

Do you know what mutation is? Do you remember the experiment you did? Qi Ruiqing began to explain urgently. You became like this because I left you there. You actually died once. I killed you!

But I’m still alive; I wasn’t killed by you. Shen Molin was excessively indifferent, as calm as if he didn’t care at all. If it were truly as you said, I should have woken up under the stone slab. But that wasn’t the case. As for that mutation you mentioned…

Believe me, believe me! It was my fault… even before that! It was my negligence, my selfishness!! I harmed you… if I hadn’t left you behind…

激烈的情緒讓祁瑞青站起來，話中的詞句抖動得幾乎成不了形狀。

But Shen Molin just watched him quietly, maintaining a reserved attitude.

His gaze was the same as it was back then.

Qi Ruiqing remembered. He had agreed to join that experiment partly for the money, but even more so because it was a rare opportunity to see him. He had dreamed too beautifully and had never expected this sudden disaster.

He had clearly just stepped out of the lab to take a phone call. How did it explode? How did Shen Molin die?

Enough.

A hand covered his mouth, firm and brooks no argument. Qi Ruiqing’s trembling was suppressed by Shen Molin, though he by all rights should have had his neck snapped.

I know about aberration.

Shen Molin gazed into Qi Ruiqing’s eyes with a steady but not cruel look, his eyes merely reflecting a faint light.

Today, your state is poor. Wait for me, wait for yourself. We will talk next time.

Qi Ruiqing shook his head desperately, trying to grab his wrist. He wanted to tell him: don’t leave again.

But, forget it.

A flash of darkness and then light. Qi Ruiqing opened his eyes. In the night sky, only the dazzling and murky beams of light remained.

Shen Molin was gone, and he had sent him back. It was as if he had never been there; the fence couldn’t stop him in the slightest.

Yes, even Qi Ruiqing couldn’t stop him.

…That was the reality.