NABC Chapter 433: Brain in a Vat
Chapter 433: Brain in a Vat
Brain in a Vat. Leaving aside the 'metaphorical' implications often found in popular movies and TV shows, and discussing it purely in practical terms... the rough idea is this:
A person's brain nerve endings are connected to a computer. Through information provided by the computer, they maintain the illusion that they are still physically present in reality.
Alain stroked the cold hospital wall. Every sensory nerve was telling him that this wall was cold and smooth. He followed his gaze, looking toward the front of another operating room, witnessing the joys and sorrows of the families there.
Their noisy crying and the doctors' helpless apologies appeared incomparably real, as if they were truly happening right before Alain's eyes. But the moment he thought of Misha's words—'Brain in a Vat'—Alain felt that those teardrops falling one after another seemed truly chilling.
Is all of this... fake?
"Alain? Alain?" Misha's hand waved in front of his eyes.
Alain finally realized he had been dazing off for quite a while and smiled awkwardly, "Just thinking about some things."
"..." The young girl looked at him with deep apology, her fingertips curling a strand of hair... She pursed her lips.
The next moment, she smiled gently, "Alain, do you... have anything left in reality that you can't let go of?"
Hearing this, Alain was slightly stunned, then immediately began to think seriously.
His social life, work, and studies in reality didn't occupy a high proportion of his life. Even his originally favored entertainment—video games—had become dull after the Mitas came to 'reality'.
To use a rather 'loser-ish' phrase: Since 2D characters have come to reality, why cling tightly to boring old reality? Why not enjoy the beautiful 2D world?
This sentence was too shameful, too hardcore otaku, and reeked too much of '2D culture', so he definitely couldn't say it out loud. But crude as it was, the logic held up.
As for parents, friends, classmates... because of Alain's peculiar personality and his upbringing, he didn't hold much affection for them. Therefore, his only attachments in reality were likely just these Mitas.
Alain raised his head and looked at the young girls sitting opposite him.
Millie and Miluo had obtained two Switch consoles from somewhere and were currently playing to their hearts' content, occasionally letting out soft laughter that was completely out of place in the hospital environment.
Cool Mita leaned against the wall directly in front of the operating room, gazing at the bright red indicator light, heavy with worry about Core Mita. Noticing Alain's gaze, she gave a faint smile and greeted him.
Cute Mita, meanwhile, was clinging to the gaming Miluo, buzzing like a fly in the girl's ear, chanting words like "Teach me how to be an idol".
Mila... after the previous incident at the mansion, had shut herself in her room and sharpened her blade all night. She was presumably preparing for the final journey to the Core.
Alain followed a faint, almost imperceptible gaze, which drifted onto the face of the young girl who had always stayed by his side.
Misha's face flushed slightly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and spoke softly, "I know what you are worried about."
She continued, "Don't worry, Alain. Although there are no facts to prove it, I am still convinced... that I truly exist by your side."
Misha looked to the side, watching that group of hapless Mitas, "Not just me, but them too. You saved me, and you saved them. All of this is something that truly happened."
Finally, her gaze returned to Alain. The incandescent light of the pure white corridor hit her back, making her white dress seem, in a trance...
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