Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 94: The Neurolchemist

The man tilted his head back with a warm blush, breathing in the compliment like a cool summer breeze. "My name is Tennyson McKenzie, and I'm a neurolchemist."

The scholar's tale unfolded like a dark saga, chronicling his abduction from a remote magic tower over a year ago. He was forcibly taken to this underground base, where he was compelled to conduct cruel experiments on innocent victims under threat of violence.

Neurolchemy was the study of alchemy, ancient runes, and their combined effects on the mind. At the magic tower, he was researching the anatomy of dungeon-related monsters and how their mana core interacted with them on a physiological level.

"And how exactly is that research being applied here?" Daisuke asked. "What do these people hope to achieve?"

Petula watched with anticipation, awaiting a response.

Tennyson stepped closer to the motionless woman on the pedestal, the chain connected to his ankle rattling softly with each step. "Their objective... is to achieve total dominance over an individual's mind through mental conditioning."

Daisuke's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "...Mental conditioning?"

Tennyson nodded solemnly. "To be precise," he explained, his words measured, "...they seek to exert full control over a woman's sexual behavior."

Daisuke and Petula stood in stunned silence.

"Instead of relying on psychological methods that necessitate external stimuli and the conscious cooperation of the subject, I took a different route," Tennyson explained. "I devised an alchemical transmutation circle and augmented the formula with alphabets from the ancient rune language to create a unique magic circle.

When activated, this circle generates and transmits a series of synthetic electrical and chemical signals to the brain. Initially, these artificial signals interact with the cerebral cortex before targeting the hypothalamus, which governs the induction and regulation of sexual desire."

Daisuke took a moment to carefully douse the flames of rage that had rekindled in his chest. "And her," he gestured towards the pink-haired woman on the pedestal. "Was she one of your experiments?"

Tennyson nodded gravely, his eyes clouded with regret as he observed the woman. "Indeed," he confirmed with a heavy sigh. "She underwent the procedure, but unfortunately, she arrived in a weakened state. It appeared as though she had been strangled prior to her arrival. The strain of the experiment proved too much, and she succumbed to exhaustion shortly thereafter."

Petula cupped her mouth as tears pooled in her eyes, her heart heavy with sorrow and anger.

Daisuke's fists clenched at his sides, his own anger an almost physical force among them. "Why the hell would anyone do this?" he seethed. "Who's the mastermind behind this twisted operation?"

"He's just beyond that door," Tennyson gestured toward the opposite side of the chamber. "Why don't you go and ask him yourself?"

Daisuke's calm façade crumbled, a murderous aura enveloping his body as his golden eyes veered in the direction of his next target.

"How much progress have you made so far?" Daisuke asked in a monotone, his gaze still fixed on the other side of the room. "Is the objective of this research genuinely achievable?"

The old sage bowed his head, a shadow of remorse crossing his face. "Too much. And yes, given enough time, I believe we could indeed influence an individual's autonomy as previously described. But that's merely the tip of the iceberg."

Petula's eyes quivered with dread. "W-What do you mean?"

Tennyson held her gaze. "Human beings are inherently driven by three fundamental needs: sustenance, rest, and reproduction. The urge to procreate is deeply rooted in our essence as a species, serving as a mechanism for ensuring our continued survival.

If this research bears fruit, we might unwittingly open Pandora's Box. By gaining control over such a primal desire, we could potentially stumble upon the key to exert complete dominance over an individual's psyche."

Petula's disbelief morphed into horror. "In other words..."

Daisuke finally turned the full brunt of his golden eyes onto the man, their intensity akin to a smithy's forge. "In order words, people would be turned into mindless puppets."

Petula stumbled back weakly, the color draining from her face.

"And what's your take on this?" Daisuke asked the pensive scholar. "If you were given the chance to leave this place and return to the magic tower as a free man, would you take this research with you?"

Tennyson held Daisuke's unwavering gaze and found himself unable to look away, trapped by their mysterious gravity. He was somehow being analyzed and observed on a spiritual level; he could feel it. He also knew he would be cut down if his reply held any falsehood.

"I've always stood against oppression and dictatorship, as I believe they stifle human creativity and imagination," he declared candidly. "And this research embodies precisely that—control.

What our world truly needs is knowledge and innovation, which is why I was studying the anomalies within dungeons before being brought to this horrid place. So, to answer your question, no, I have no desire of perpetuating this research if I manage to escape."

Petula heaved a bittersweet smile.

Tennyson finally breathed when Daisuke turned away, and then he said meekly. "You... You're not here to become my assistant, are you?"

SHINGG!

Daisuke severed his chain before walking away.