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Chapter 995: Jupiter Traveler
Chapter 995: Jupiter Traveler
He had lost everything: his Talents, energy, system, and even his clothes and equipment.
Gao Yang, now wearing a loose patient gown with blue and white stripes, stumbled barefooted and weak through the space. He felt terminally ill—lightheaded, chest tight, without even the strength to run. He wobbled forward, unable to tell how long he had walked. This damn world had stripped away his sense of space.
Finally, he was exhausted, drenched in sweat. He could pass out at any moment.
When he turned around, Miss Bo was standing right behind him, silent. It was as if he had not moved at all.
Miss Bo looked at him, cold like she was showing the true face of an AI. “In one’s subconscious, time is almost limitless. Don’t worry about wasting time.”
“You may try anything and everything. Once you’re calm enough, tell me you’re ready. Then I’ll communicate effectively with you, helping you accept reality and shake off the sequela.”
“Friendly reminder: while time is limitless, the subjective sense of time passing still occurs. The quicker you calm down, the less negative emotion you’ll be subject to.”
She stopped talking, quiet like a calm, impartial statue.
Gao Yang stood motionless, mind blank.
A few seconds later, he toppled back and closed his eyes, lying prone on the “ground”.
...
He opened his eyes in rage. Still in the dream.
...
He opened his eyes in despair. Still in the dream.
...
He opened his eyes in numbness. Still in the dream.
...
He opened his eyes calmly. Still in the dream.
Eyes reflecting the vast boundless pure white, he said hoarsely, “You won. I admit defeat. Kill me.”
...
He slowly sat up.
Head lowered, he said in a faint voice, “I’m ready.”
“The Jupiter Virus is a virus developed ten years ago by the globally wanted criminal Qilin. It’s evolved to the third-generation strain. It’s a complex virus affecting both brain neurons the human genes. The way of transmission is currently unknown. From data analysis, its spread seems random.”
“Once contracting Jupiter Virus, the patient will fall into a deep coma within a week, entering a vegetative state. Most will die in their sleep in two months.”
“Qilin. Jupiter Virus...” Gao Yang treated it as a story and found it in him to laugh. “You’ve put in a lot of work, making up a comprehensive story.”
Miss Bo didn’t seem surprised by his reaction. She continued to explain calmly, “Qilin is merely a codename. No one knows their true identity, age, or gender. Many experts believe that Qilin isn’t one person, but a group of criminals.”
“There are even rumors that Qilin isn’t human, but an agent chosen by higher alien lifeforms, developing the Jupiter Virus to wipe out mankind.”
“But Qilin stated that he didn’t develop the virus to eradicate humans, but to trigger an evolution, allowing new humans to emerge so that we may fight the prophesied doomsday. He believes himself to be humanity’s savior, keeping the torch of human civilization burning.”
“Go on.” Gao Yang played an interested audience.
“According to Qilin, the Jupiter Virus is but the first trial. Those waking up from the trial must face two others. Only the final survivors are the new humans who can survive doomsday.”
“What about the two other trials?”
“Patients with Jupiter Virus suffer from a serious existential crisis, unable to tell between reality and delusions. For the past ten years, Closure Corps has been working hard to save as many patients as we can, helping them wake up. Unfortunately, many end up losing their mind. They choose to kill themselves most of the time, or they seek out mutated Jupiter Virus sold in the black market to return to their dreams—in the end, they still die. That’s the second trial.”
“The third trial is genetics. Patients usually experience genetic mutations after waking up and develop supernatural powers. Simply put, they gain superpowers.”
“You sure have combined a lot of different elements,” Gao Yang commented.
Ignoring the taunting remark, Miss Bo continued, “According to the data Closure has gathered, there are now 2012 types of superpowers, roughly divided into twelve categories. We have yet to identify their patterns or develop effective treatments.”
“The patients react differently to their side effects.”
“Some only want to return to their old life and hate themselves for becoming abominations. Some believe the mutations to be a form of evolution and follow Qilin, becoming his supporters, even devotees. Of course, most patients hold a neutral stance.”
“There are also some patients who form resistance against Qilin. They don’t trust the government or Closure.”
“They believe Closure to be another evil technology conglomerate. They refuse our long-term follow-ups and treatments. To that, we express our regrets. Data show that those turning down our support experience faster deterioration in their condition, and many more of them end up destroying themselves.”
Gao Yang’s lips twitched. “Lame worldbuilding.”
“One of the typical symptoms of Jupiter victims is the loss of their memory of the real world.” Miss Bo continued to ignore Gao Yang’s comments. “One must learn the actual world to minimize the lingering effects of being a Jupiter Traveler.”
“For your information, we call those falling into a coma from the Jupiter Virus before waking up ‘Jupiter Travelers’. Their dreams aren’t their real world, but only a journey. The framing of the experience helps with overcoming the complications.”
Gao Yang listened with only half his attention. His focus was elsewhere.
They had been walking along the corridor for a while, reaching the doors for the year of 05.
Gao Yang’s eyes widened. He shouted, “A flaw!”