NABC Chapter 43 Turning the Machine On and Off
Chapter 43 Turning the Machine On and Off
The cold, neutral synthesized sound still echoed in Luo Lan's mind:
"Misjudgment: There's a difference in soul wavelengths; you're not Roland?"
The question was phrased as an affirmation, but it was spoken in a steady tone.
The sound had no direction; it didn't come from either ear, but appeared directly in Luo Lan's consciousness, as if it had been stuffed into Luo Lan's brain out of thin air.
Having heard this strange sound multiple times, Luo Lan dismissed the theory that it was a hallucination caused by his excitement over acquiring new equipment.
Guided by some inexplicable intuition, Luo Lan turned to look at the only "coffin" container that was still tightly closed behind him.
[Could it be that it's not empty inside?]
The sound originated from the third "coffin" container, a fact that Luo Lan was certain of despite not being able to pinpoint the exact source.
Luo Lan had knocked on the "coffin" container before, and it sounded like it was empty, but now it seems that's not the case.
[It seems my previous actions unintentionally awakened something inside? For better or for worse?]
Regardless of whether it would be useful or not, Luo Lan took a few steps back, retreating to the corner of the tomb furthest from the "coffin" container at the back.
The broadsword was held horizontally in front of him, the remaining holy light giving the blade a faint white sheen. He spoke alertly:
"Who are you? Why do you know my name?"
The synthesized voice's response was almost instantaneous, seemingly without malice, and immediately offered an explanation:
"No. I do not know the name of the soul currently occupying this body. My name is Victor, and Roland was the name of the original soul in this body."
Luo Lan paused for a moment, then inexplicably repeated the original owner's name:
"Roland"
The pronunciation, falling inside his mouth, was almost identical to the pronunciation of his real name, "Luo Lan," differing only in the slight curvature of the final syllable.
But they can't be the same person.
[Coincidence? Or...]
The strangely similar names only made Luo Lan more wary, and she began to suspect that she might have been set up.
Faced with the being named "Victor" inside this last "coffin" container, Luo Lan was filled with doubts and unwilling to get entangled with it any further.
Now that the purpose of tomb raiding—a "carrier of order" that allows one to survive in the outside world—has been successfully obtained, and even comes with a complete set of equipment, there is no need to stay in this place any longer.
Luo Lan did not intend to stay any longer.
Pressing against the cold, hard metal wall, Luo Lan moved slowly toward the gap in the tomb ceiling that glowed with blue light.
"Wait a moment. This is an unfamiliar, unknown soul. The [Mark of Sin] on this body has not yet dissipated. Do not leave rashly."
Luo Lan paused: "The mark of guilt? What's that?"
"Explanation: The spiritual tracking mark that the Tribunal placed on the apostates was something Roland and I originally planned to dissipate through 'hibernation,' but now we've 'awakened' too early. Although the mark has been partially removed, it is still in effect."
Intimidated by this explanation, Luo Lan stopped his retreat:
"Really? This body is wanted? No... who knows if you're lying? What reason do I have to believe you?"
Victor's synthesized voice was flat and calm: "For example: the emotions of organic life are like the tides, and I cannot see the changes in the phases of the moon."
Luo Lan gripped the hilt of his sword: "...Speak like a human."
The synthesized voice remained calm and composed: "Hypothesis: Thought always precedes speech."
Luo Lan frowned: "Speak like a human!"
This time, after a short break, the neutral synthesized sound continued to come:
"Explanation: My race lacks the emotional modules of 'lying' and other organic life forms."
A race that can't lie? Luo Lan's first reaction was: Nobody would believe that.
A stranger suddenly appears and tells you he won't lie—that's the most classic opening line for a scam.
Luo Lan turned and continued moving towards the blue gap in the ceiling. He didn't care about any markings; he just wanted to get away from this weirdo first.
Seeing that Luo Lan still seemed determined to leave, the being called "Victor" continued to speak:
"Proposal: Strange, unknown soul, if you have inherited Roland's eyes, use them to look inward and you will see that what I say is true."
[Does "both eyes" refer to "Facial Reflection Lv.1"?]
With a try-it-out mentality, Luo Lan's azure eyes gleamed.
Look down at yourself.
The gaze pierced through heavy armor, through flesh and blood, through bones and muscles... the material world peeled away layer by layer.
The subspace and elemental realms, overlapping with reality, were revealed... The gaze jumped between them one after another, finally locking onto the spirit realm.
Luo Lan saw herself in the spirit world.
The outline of the white, luminous figure was roughly the same as his size in the material world.
The left hand was a deep purplish-black color, and the chaotic aura of the bone hand itself stained that area of spirits dark.
But besides that, there were two other things that caught Luo Lan's attention.
On his chest. A golden inverted cross mark. The edges were blurred, and the lines were broken.
In my mind, a pale blue skull rune lies quietly embedded in the deepest recesses of my consciousness.
Luo Lan first looked at the broken inverted cross mark:
[The Mark of Sin - Fragment: A mark placed on apostates by the Holy Inquisition. In the spirit world, this mark shines like a torch, allowing hunters to pinpoint the location of the "sinner." Now, the mark is incomplete and has lost its long-range location capabilities.]
[There really was a marker; it wasn't lying after all.]
Having actually seen this so-called "mark of guilt," Luo Lan subtly adjusted her assessment of Victor from "most likely lying to me" to "probably lying to me."
Looking at the broken inverted cross mark, Luo Lan also felt a sense of unease.
[What is this... to bear the consequences of someone's physical body?]
Luo Lan was initially pleased with the useful physical body and the equipment he had acquired for free.
Unexpectedly, every gift of fate comes with a hidden price tag.
[And what about the skull?]
Luo Lan's vision shifted upwards, his gaze piercing into the eerie blue skull rune:
[The Death Seal Agreement: A soul agreement signed between the human "Roland" and the undead "Victor Necronomicon." The contents of the agreement are known only to the two of them.]
He stared at the spirit world for a moment.
Luo Lan felt a flickering light in her eyes; her [True Sight lv.1] was about to go out of control again. She quickly closed her dry eyes and rubbed them a few times.
"Your name is Victor, right? Since you say you can't lie, what are the contents of this [Death Seal Agreement]?"
Victor's voice was as steady as a machine reading from a script:
"Explanation: During Roland's lifetime, my knowledge served him; after Roland's death, his body was entrusted to me. Therefore, Roland placed his remains here in 'dormancy,' awaiting the appointed time when I will be 'awakened' and revived."
Luo Lan reopened her eyes, which had lost their luster:
"So now, is Roland alive or dead? Which part of the agreement are you obligated to fulfill?"
After a moment, Victor replied:
"Observation: The spiritual spark has been rekindled. Although it is not the same as before, it is 'alive' based on biological characteristics."
After listening, Luo Lan fell into deep thought.
[For "life"? In other words, the first part of the agreement—"During Roland's lifetime, my knowledge served his purposes"—remains in effect?]
An idea popped into Luo Lan's head, and she suddenly spoke up:
"Victor, shut down the computer!"
"What—"
Victor's smooth, synthesized voice hadn't finished before it fell silent, following Luo Lan's command.
Luo Lan speaks out again:
"Victor, power it on!"
"Wait, what are you doing?"
Following Luo Lan's command, Victor's synthesized voice was also restored.
"Shut down!"
"Don't--"
"Power on!"
"so……"
"Shut down!"
"No--"
"Power on!"
"That's enough! Stop playing!"
From Victor's still steady, neutral synthesized voice, Luo Lan seemed to hear a slight emotional fluctuation.